bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Menthol cigarettes and smoking initiation: a tobacco industry perspective
Authors: Klausner Kim
Published: April 2011

Objectives

To determine what the tobacco industry knew about menthol cigarettes and the initiation of smoking.

Methods

Based on Food and Drug Administration staff-supplied research questions we used a snowball sampling strategy to search the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu) between February and April 2010. Of the approximately 11 million documents available in the LTDL, the iterative searches returned tens of thousands of results. Researchers reviewed 2634 documents and 128 were deemed relevant to one or more of the research questions.

Results

The documents show that menthol is added to cigarettes in part because it is known to be an attractive feature to inexperienced smokers who perceive menthol cigarettes as less harsh and easier to smoke and because of their availability from friends and family. Second, the tobacco industry found that some youths smoke menthols because they perceive them to be less harmful than non-menthol cigarettes. A key product design issue concerns whether to increase brand menthol levels to appeal to the taste preferences of long-term menthol smokers or keep menthol levels lower to appeal to inexperienced smokers. Marketing studies showed that the companies carefully researched the menthol segment of the market in order to recruit younger smokers to their brands. The industry tracked menthol cigarette usage by age, gender and race to inform product development and marketing decisions.

Conclusions

Menthol is a prominent design feature used by cigarette manufacturers to attract and retain new, younger smokers.
Direct disease-inducing effects of menthol through the eyes of tobacco companies
Authors: Salgado M Victoria , Glantz Stanton A
Published: April 2011

Objective

Menthol is an important additive in most tobacco products and is an identifying characteristic of many brands. We assessed tobacco companies' research on direct disease-inducing effects of menthol and menthol cigarettes.

Methods

A search was conducted among documents included in the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library. Relevant documents addressed subject areas such as pharmacology, short-term and long-term effects and biomarkers of smoking exposure.

Results

The documents contain little internal industry research on the disease-inducing effects of menthol. Most information in the tobacco industry documents are reviews of the published biomedical literature, from which the companies concluded that menthol did not have any direct disease-inducing effects. Evidence that contradicted this conclusion was downplayed. Except for one study, there was no evidence of the companies following up on positive findings in the literature with their own studies. In one case, results were presented at a public scientific meeting concluding that ‘There were no effects from addition of menthol to test or reference cigarettes’, when a company's internal pathology analysis contradicted this statement.

Conclusion

The available industry documents suggest that tobacco companies conducted little research on the potential disease-inducing effects of menthol and did not pursue studies that suggested adverse effects.
Menthol's potential effects on nicotine dependence: a tobacco industry perspective
Authors: Yerger Valerie B
Published: April 2011

Objective

To examine what the tobacco industry knows about the potential effects menthol may have on nicotine dependence.

Methods

A snowball strategy was used to systematically search the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library (http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/) between 22 February and 29 April, 2010. Of the approximately 11 million documents available in the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library, the iterative searches returned tens of thousands of results. We qualitatively analysed a final collection of 309 documents relevant the effects of menthol on nicotine dependence.

Results

The tobacco industry knows that menthol overrides the harsh taste of tobacco and alleviates nicotine's irritating effects, synergistically interacts with nicotine, stimulates the trigeminal nerve to elicit a ‘liking’ response for a tobacco product, and makes low tar, low nicotine tobacco products more acceptable to smokers than non-mentholated low delivery products.

Conclusion

Menthol is not only used in cigarettes as a flavour additive; tobacco companies know that menthol also has sensory effects and interacts with nicotine to produce tobacco products that are easier to smoke, thereby making it easier to expose smokers, especially those who are new and uninitiated, to the addictive power of nicotine.
Geographic patterns of cigarette butt waste in the urban environment: Figure 1
Authors: Marah Maacah , Novotny Thomas E
Published: April 2011

Background

This reports the initial phase of a study to quantify the spatial pattern of cigarette butt waste in an urban environment.

Methods

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to create a weighted overlay analysis model which was then applied to the locations of businesses where cigarettes are sold or are likely to be consumed and venues where higher concentrations of butts may be deposited. The model's utility was tested using a small-scale litter audit in three zip codes of San Diego, California.

Results

We found that cigarette butt waste is highly concentrated around businesses where cigarettes are sold or consumed. The mean number of butts for predicted high waste sites was 38.1 (SD 18.87), for predicted low waste sites mean 4.8 (SD 5.9), p<0.001.

Conclusions

Cigarette butt waste is not uniformly distributed in the urban environment, its distribution is linked to locations and patterns of sales and consumption. A GIS and weighted overlay model may be a useful tool in predicting urban locations of greater and lesser amounts of cigarette butt waste. These data can in turn be used to develop economic cost studies and plan mitigation strategies in urban communities.
Equine anthelmintics: survey of the patterns of use, beliefs and attitudes among horse owners in the UK
Authors: Allison K. , Taylor N. M. , Wilsmore A. J. , Garforth C.
Published: April 2011

An online survey was conducted to establish horse owners' beliefs, attitudes and practices relating to the use of anthelmintic drugs. Out of a total of 574 respondents, 89 per cent described themselves as ‘leisure riders’, most of whom took part in a variety of activities including eventing, show jumping, dressage, hunter trials, hunting, driving, endurance and showing. Overall, respondents were generally aware and concerned about the issue of anthelmintic resistance. Less than 60 per cent of all respondents were comfortable with their existing anthelmintic programme, and 25 per cent would like to reduce the use of anthelmintics in their horses. Of all the respondents, 47 per cent used livery, and 49 per cent of those reported that the livery imposed a common anthelmintic programme for horses kept on the premises; 45 per cent of these respondents were not entirely happy with the livery yard's programme. Less than 50 per cent of all respondents included ‘veterinary surgeon’ among their sources of advice on worming.
THE UNIVERSE DYNAMICS IN THE TACHYON COSMOLOGY WITH NON-MINIMAL COUPLING TO MATTER
Authors: FARAJOLLAHI H. , RAVANPAK A. , FADAKAR G. F.
Published: April 2011

Recently, the tachyon cosmology has been represented as dark energy model to support the current acceleration of the universe without phantom crossing. In this paper, we study the dynamics of the tachyon cosmology in which the field plays the role of tachyon field and also non-minimally coupled to the matter Lagrangian. The model shows current universe acceleration and also phantom crossing in the future. Two cosmological tests are also performed to validate the model; the difference in the distance modulus and the model independent Cosmological Redshift Drift (CRD) test.
GENERALIZED FRACTIONAL HYBRID HAMILTON–PONTRYAGIN EQUATIONS
Authors: CHIŞ OANA , OPRIŞ DUMITRU
Published: April 2011

In this paper we present a new approach on the study of dynamical systems. Combining the two ways of expressing the uncertainty, using probabilistic theory and credibility theory, we have investigated the generalized fractional hybrid equations. We have introduced the concepts of generalized fractional Wiener process, generalized fractional Liu process and the combination between them, generalized fractional hybrid process. Corresponding generalized fractional stochastic, respectively fuzzy, respectively hybrid dynamical systems were defined. We have applied the theory for generalized fractional hybrid Hamilton–Pontryagin (HP) equation and generalized fractional Hamiltonian equations. We have found fractional Langevin equations from the general fractional hybrid Hamiltonian equations. For these cases and specific parameters, numerical simulations were done.
ON THE GEOMETRY AND INVARIANTS OF QUBITS, QUARTITS AND OCTITS
Authors: PLANAT M.
Published: April 2011

Four-level quantum systems, known as quartits, and their relation to two-qubit systems are investigated group theoretically. Following the spirit of Klein's lectures on the icosahedron and their relation to Hopf sphere fibrations, invariants of complex reflection groups occurring in the theory of qubits and quartits are displayed. Then, real gates over octits leading to the Weyl group of E8 and its invariants are derived. Even multilevel systems are of interest in the context of solid state nuclear magnetic resonance.
LIFTS, JETS AND REDUCED DYNAMICS
Authors: ESEN OĞUL , GÜMRAL HASAN
Published: April 2011

We show that complete cotangent lifts of vector fields, their decomposition into vertical representative and holonomic part provide a geometrical framework underlying Eulerian equations of continuum mechanics. We discuss Euler equations for ideal incompressible fluid and momentum-Vlasov equations of plasma dynamics in connection with the lifts of divergence-free and Hamiltonian vector fields, respectively. As a further application, we obtain kinetic equations of particles moving with the flow of contact vector fields both from Lie–Poisson reductions and with the techniques of present framework.
THE ENERGY-MOMENTUM TENSOR ON Spinc MANIFOLDS
Authors: NAKAD ROGER
Published: April 2011

On Spinc manifolds, we study the Energy-Momentum tensor associated with a spinor field. First, we give a spinorial Gauss type formula for oriented hypersurfaces of a Spinc manifold. Using the notion of generalized cylinders, we derive the variational formula for the Dirac operator under metric deformation and point out that the Energy-Momentum tensor appears naturally as the second fundamental form of an isometric immersion. Finally, we show that generalized Spinc Killing spinors for Codazzi Energy-Momentum tensor are restrictions of parallel spinors.
PROJECTIVE STRUCTURES AND HIGGS BUNDLES ON SURFACES
Authors: BISWAS INDRANIL , HURTUBISE JACQUES
Published: April 2011

There are two families of geometric structures associated to a surface, with both structures related to representations of the fundamental group of the surface into SL(2, ℂ). These are projective structures on the surface, and Higgs bundles for a given conformal structure of the surface. This note discusses the links between the two.
DYNAMICAL VARIABLES IN GAUGE-TRANSLATIONAL GRAVITY
Authors: JULVE J. , TIEMBLO A.
Published: April 2011

Assuming that the natural gauge group of gravity is given by the group of isometries of a given space, for a maximally symmetric space we derive a model in which gravity is essentially a gauge theory of translations. Starting from first principles we verify that a nonlinear realization of the symmetry provides the general structure of this gauge theory, leading to a simple choice of dynamical variables of the gravity field corresponding, at first-order, to a diagonal matrix, whereas the non-diagonal elements contribute only to higher orders.
CLASSIFICATION OF HIGH-DIMENSIONAL MICROARRAY DATA WITH A TWO-STEP PROCEDURE VIA A WILCOXON CRITERION AND MULTILAYER PERCEPTRON
Authors: NIKULIN VLADIMIR , HUANG TIAN-HSIANG , MCLACHLAN GEOFFREY J.
Published: April 2011

The method presented in this paper is novel as a natural combination of two mutually dependent steps. Feature selection is a key element (first step) in our classification system, which was employed during the 2010 International RSCTC data mining (bioinformatics) Challenge. The second step may be implemented using any suitable classifier such as linear regression, support vector machine or neural networks. We conducted leave-one-out (LOO) experiments with several feature selection techniques and classifiers. Based on the LOO evaluations, we decided to use feature selection with the separation type Wilcoxon-based criterion for all final submissions. The method presented in this paper was tested successfully during the RSCTC data mining Challenge, where we achieved the top score in the Basic track.
CHOQUET INTEGRAL–OWA BASED ADAPTIVE NEURAL FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM WITH APPLICATION
Authors: CHAI YUANYUAN , JIA LIMIN
Published: April 2011

In order to solve the defects of consequent part expression in ANFIS model and several shortcomings in FIS, this paper presents a Choquet Integral–OWA based Fuzzy Inference System, known as AggFIS. This model has advantages in consequent part of fuzzy rule, universal expression of fuzzy inference operator and importance factor of each criteria and each rule, which is trying to establish fuzzy inference system that can fully reflect the essence of fuzzy logic and human thinking pattern. If we combine AggFIS with a feed forward-type neural network according to the basic principles of fuzzy neural network, we can obtain Choquet Integral–OWA based Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System, which is named Agg-ANFIS. We apply this Agg-ANFIS model into the evaluation of traffic level of service. The experimental results show that Choquet Integral–OWA based Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (Agg-ANFIS) is a universal approximator because of its infinite approximating capability by training and can be used in complex systems modeling, analysis and prediction.
IMPROVED WEB PAGE IDENTIFICATION METHOD USING NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: SELAMAT ALI , LEE ZHI SAM , MAAROF MOHD AIZAINI , SHAMSUDDIN SITI MARIYAM
Published: April 2011

In this paper, an improved web page classification method (IWPCM) using neural networks to identify the illicit contents of web pages is proposed. The proposed IWPCM approach is based on the improvement of feature selection of the web pages using class based feature vectors (CPBF). The CPBF feature selection approach has been calculated by considering the important term's weight for illicit web documents and reduce the dependency of the less important term's weight for normal web documents. The IWPCM approach has been examined using the modified term-weighting scheme by comparing it with several traditional term-weighting schemes for non-illicit and illicit web contents available from the web. The precision, recall, and F1 measures have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed IWPCM approach. The experimental results have shown that the proposed improved term-weighting scheme has been able to identify the non-illicit and illicit web contents available from the experimental datasets.
Misbehaviors in TCP SACK generation
Authors: Ekiz Nasif , Rahman Abuthahir Habeeb , Amer Paul D.
Published: April 2011

While analyzing CAIDA Internet traces of TCP traffic to detect instances of data reneging, we frequently observed seven misbehaviors in the generation of SACKs. These misbehaviors could result in a data sender mistakenly thinking data reneging occurred. With one misbehavior, the worst case could result in a data sender receiving a SACK for data that was transmitted but never received. This paper presents a methodology and its application to test a wide range of operating systems using TBIT to fingerprint which ones misbehave in each of the seven ways. Measuring the performance loss due to these misbehaviors is outside the scope of this study; the goal is to document the misbehaviors so they may be corrected. One can conclude that the handling of SACKs while simple in concept is complex to implement.
Application flow control in YouTube video streams
Authors: Alcock Shane , Nelson Richard
Published: April 2011

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the application flow control technique utilised by YouTube. We reveal and describe the basic properties of YouTube application flow control, which we term block sending, and show that it is widely used by YouTube servers. We also examine how the block sending algorithm interacts with the flow control provided by TCP and reveal that the block sending approach was responsible for over 40% of packet loss events in YouTube flows in a residential DSL dataset and the retransmission of over 1% of all YouTube data sent after the application flow control began. We conclude by suggesting that changing YouTube block sending to be less bursty would improve the performance and reduce the bandwidth usage of YouTube video streams.
The politecast communication primitive for low-power wireless
Authors: Lundén Marcus , Dunkels Adam
Published: April 2011

In low-power wireless networks, nodes need to duty cycle their radio transceivers to achieve a long system lifetime. Counter-intuitively, in such networks broadcast becomes ex- pensive in terms of energy and bandwidth since all neighbors must be woken up to receive broadcast messages. We argue that there is a class of traffic for which broadcast is overkill: periodic redundant transmissions of semi-static information that is already known to all neighbors, such as neighbor and router advertisements. Our experiments show that such traffic can account for as much as 20% of the network power consumption. We argue that this calls for a new commu- nication primitive and present politecast, a communication primitive that allows messages to be sent without explicitly waking neighbors up. We have built two systems based on politecast: a low-power wireless mobile toy and a full-scale low-power wireless network deployment in an art gallery and our experimental results show that politecast can provide up to a four-fold lifetime improvement over broadcast.
A Review on the Chemistry of Eremanthine: A Sesquiterpene Lactone with Relevant Biological Activity
Authors: Alves José C. F.
Published: April 2011

The several aspects on the chemistry of eremanthine such as isolation, structural classification, biological activity, synthesis, and chemical transformations in other sesquiterpene lactones are described in this review. The main publications on this sesquiterpenolide, from its isolation of natural sources in 1972 to the current days, are included.
Nutrient Availability and Changes on Chemical Attributes of a Paleudult Soil Amended with Liquid Sewage Sludge and Cropped with Surinam Grass
Authors: Ceolato Luiz Carlos , Berton Ronaldo Severiano , Coscione Aline Renée
Published: April 2011

The liquid sewage sludge (LSS) was applied on a field experiment during four years at successive applications to evaluate the changes in soil attributes and on Surinam grass (Brachiaria decumbens) uptake of nutrients. A randomized blocks experimental design, with two treatments (with and without LSS) and three repetitions, was used. Land application of LSS did not alter soil organic matter and exchangeable K until 40 cm depth. However, it increased soil pH, base saturation, labile P, and available Zn and did not change the concentrations of available B (hot water) and Cu, Fe, and Mn (DTPA) at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm depths and LSS was a source of N, K, P, Ca, Mg, and Zn for the grass, but decreased leaf Mn concentration.
Approximate Best Proximity Pairs in Metric Space
Authors: Mohsenalhosseini S. A. M. , Mazaheri H. , Dehghan M. A.
Published: April 2011

Let A and B be nonempty subsets of a metric space X and also T : A ∪ B → A ∪ B and T(A)⊆B, T(B)⊆A. We are going to consider element x ∈ A such that d(x, Tx) ≤ d(A, B) + ϵ for some ϵ > 0. We call pair (A, B) an approximate best proximity pair. In this paper, definitions of approximate best proximity pair for a map and two maps, their diameters, T‐minimizing a sequence are given in a metric space.
Episcleritis Related to Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus following Infliximab Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Chatziralli Irini P. , Kanonidou Evgenia , Chatzirallis Alexandros , Dimitriadis Prodromos , Keryttopoulos Petros
Published: April 2011

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is defined as a lupus-like syndrome temporally related to continuous drug exposure which resolves after discontinuation of the offending drug. Herein, we describe a patient with distinct clinical manifestations of anti-TNF-associated DILE related to infliximab therapy. The patient exhibited clinical and laboratory findings of lupus-like illnesses as well as ocular disorders, such as episcleritis. The main message is that the symptoms of DILE should not be overlooked, although sometimes other systematic conditions may underlie them. As a result, it is very important for the clinicians to evaluate the symptoms of DILE and manage appropriately these cases.
Distributed Strain Measurement along a Concrete Beam via Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Optical Fibers
Authors: Bernini Romeo , Minardo Aldo , Ciaramella Stefano , Minutolo Vincenzo , Zeni Luigi
Published: April 2011

The structural strain measurement of tension and compression in a 4 m long concrete beam was demonstrated with a distributed fiber-optic sensor portable system based on Brillouin scattering. Strain measurements provided by the fiber-optic sensor permitted to detect the formation of a crack in the beam resulting from the external applied load. The sensor system is valuable for structural monitoring applications, enabling the long-term performance and health of structures to be efficiently monitored.
Dryland Winter Wheat Yield, Grain Protein, and Soil Nitrogen Responses to Fertilizer and Biosolids Applications
Authors: Koenig Richard T. , Cogger Craig G. , Bary Andy I.
Published: April 2011

Applications of biosolids were compared to inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer for two years at three locations in eastern Washington State, USA, with diverse rainfall and soft white, hard red, and hard white winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) cultivars. High rates of inorganic N tended to reduce yields, while grain protein responses to N rate were positive and linear for all wheat market classes. Biosolids produced 0 to 1400 kg ha−1(0 to 47%) higher grain yields than inorganic N. Wheat may have responded positively to nutrients other than N in the biosolids or to a metered N supply that limited vegetative growth and the potential for moisture stress-induced reductions in grain yield in these dryland production systems. Grain protein content with biosolids was either equal to or below grain protein with inorganic N, likely due to dilution of grain N from the higher yields achieved with biosolids. Results indicate the potential to improve dryland winter wheat yields with biosolids compared to inorganic N alone, but perhaps not to increase grain protein concentration of hard wheat when biosolids are applied immediately before planting.
VM and CM Universal Filters Based on Single DVCCTA
Authors: Pandey Neeta , Paul Sajal K.
Published: April 2011

A universal voltage-mode filter (VM) and a current-mode filter (CM) based on recently proposed active building block, namely, differential voltage current conveyor transconductance amplifier (DVCCTA) are proposed. Both the circuits use a single DVCCTA, two capacitors, and a single resistor. The filters enjoy low-sensitivity performance and low component spread and exhibit electronic tunability of filter parameters via bias currents of DVCCTA. SPICE simulation using 0.25 μm TSMC CMOS technology parameters is included to show the workability of the proposed circuits.
Phosphorylation of Serine 68 of Twist1 by MAPKs Stabilizes Twist1 Protein and Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness
Authors: Hong Jun , Zhou Jian , Fu Junjiang , He Tao , Qin Jun , Wang Li , Liao Lan , Xu Jianming
Published: April 2011

Twist1, a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, promotes breast tumor cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasiveness, and metastasis. However, the mechanisms responsible for regulating Twist1 stability are unknown in these cells. We identified the serine 68 (Ser 68) as a major phosphorylation site of Twist1 by mass spectrometry and with specific antibodies. This Ser 68 is phosphorylated by p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 in vitro, and its phosphorylation levels positively correlate with Twist1 protein levels in human embryonic kidney 293 and breast cancer cells. Prevention of Ser 68 phosphorylation by an alanine (A) mutation (Ser 68A) dramatically accelerates Twist1 ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) by an active Ras protein or TGF-β treatment significantly increases Ser 68 phosphorylation and Twist1 protein levels without altering Twist1 mRNA expression, whereas blocking of MAPK activities by either specific inhibitors or dominant negative inhibitory mutants effectively reduces the levels of both induced and uninduced Ser 68 phosphorylation and Twist protein. Accordingly, the mammary epithelial cells expressing Twist1 exhibit much higher degrees of EMT and invasiveness on stimulation with TGF-β or the active Ras and paclitaxel resistance compared with the same cells expressing the Ser 68A-Twist1 mutant. Importantly, the levels of Ser 68 phosphorylation in the invasive human breast ductal carcinomas positively correlate with the levels of Twist1 protein and JNK activity and are significantly higher in progesterone receptor–negative and HER2-positive breast cancers. These findings suggest that activation of MAPKs by tyrosine kinase receptors and Ras signaling pathways may substantially promote breast tumor cell EMT and metastasis via phoshorylation and stabilization of Twist1. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3980–90. ©2011 AACR.
SREBP-1c Transcription Factor and Lipid Homeostasis: Clinical Perspective
Authors: Ferré P. , Foufelle F.
Published: April 2011

Insulin has long-term effects on glucose and lipid metabolism through its control on the expression of specific genes. In insulin sensitive tissues and particularly in the liver, the transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) transduces the insulin signal. SREBP-1c is a transcription factor which is synthetized as a precursor in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and which requires post-translational modification to yield its transcriptionally active nuclear form. Insulin activates the transcription and the proteolytic maturation of SREBP-1c. SREBP-1c induces the expression of a family of genes involved in glucose utilization and fatty acid synthesis and can be considered as a thrifty gene. Since a high lipid availability is deleterious for insulin sensitivity and secretion, a role for SREBP-1c in dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes has been considered in genetic studies and some association demonstrated. Finally, SREBP-1c could also participate to the hepatic steatosis observed in humans and related to alcohol consumption and hyperhomocysteinaemia, two pathologies which are concomitant with a stress of the endoplasmic reticulum and an insulin-independent SREBP-1c activation.
In situ Reversed Ileocystoplasty for Less Invasive Augmentation Cystoplasty: An Experimental Study
Authors: Aminsharifi Alireza , Shakeri Saeed , Yousofzade Javad , Pakbaz Sara
Published: April 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the application of a reversed intact ileal patch for augmentation cystoplasty in terms of improvements in bladder urodynamics and to eliminate the need for bowel anastomosis in an experimental model. Methods: 12 cross-bred adult dogs were used for reversed seromuscular ileocystoplasty with intact bowel segment. The procedure was comprised of selecting a 7- to 10-cm ileal loop from about 20 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The seromuscular layer of the ileal loop from its antimesenteric aspect was sutured to the bladder mucosa of the previously bivalved bladder with running stitches. Results: 10 animals survived and completed their 4-week follow-up period. Postoperative urodynamic study revealed a 26% increase of mean maximal cystometric capacity [from 226 to 285 ml (p = 0.002)] and a significant increase in mean bladder compliance [from 11.8 to 17.8 ml/cm H2O (p = 0.002)]. Mean maximal detrusor filling pressure decreased significantly from 20 to 16.1 cm H2O (p = 0.011). Histopathologic examination of the augmented bladder showed complete epithelialization of the serosal surface of ileum with layers of transitional urothelium. Conclusions: The early results of this less invasive technique were promising in terms of improvements in bladder urodynamic variables and growth of transitional urothelium. Longer follow-up is necessary to show the durability of these effects.
Application of Cardiac Autonomous Indices in the Study of Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Pereira de Souza Neto Edmundo , Fernández Elmer Andrés , Abry Patrice , Cuzin Béatrice , Loiseau Patrick , Baude Christian , Frutoso Jean , Gharib Claude , Martin Xavier
Published: April 2011

A research area of increasing interest consists of studying the benefits of using spectral analysis to screen neurogenic erectile dysfunctions. Our hypothesis is that spectral analysis consists of a non-invasive and simple procedure to investigate such patients. Subjects were allocated into two groups: control, no erectile dysfunction (n = 17), and patients with erectile dysfunction (n = 15). RR intervals (RRI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity recordings were performed continuously in the supine position, followed by the seated position, and finally standing position. In the supine position, the control group had a higher RRI and a lower diastolic blood pressure. For frequency domain analyses of RRI in the supine position, the erectile dysfunction group had a higher normalized low-frequency (LF) index and low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio while showing a lower normalized HF index. In the seated position, the erectile dysfunction group presented a higher LF/HF ratio. Regarding systolic blood pressure, the erectile dysfunction group showed lower normalized LF and higher normalized HF indices only in the supine position. The α index in HF was lower in the erectile dysfunction group in the three positions. Spectral analyses of cardiac sympathovagal drive constitute a fruitful non-invasive approach to evaluate alterations in cardiovascular autonomic modulation in neurogenic erectile dysfunction patients.
Unilateral Renal Agenesis with Absent Ductus Deferens, Epididymis and Seminal Vesicle: Incidental Finding in a 22-Year-Old Patient with Maldevelopment of the Mesonephric Duct
Authors: Pichler Renate , Oswald Josef , Glodny Bernhard , Skradski Viktor , Aigner Friedrich , Rehder Peter
Published: April 2011

Unilateral renal agenesis with an absence of the seminal vesicle, epididymis and ductus deferens is rare and is the result of a developmental disorder of the mesonephric or Wolffian duct. We report the case of a 22-year-old man who presented with testicular pain on the left side of 3 weeks’ duration. During the clinical investigation of the scrotum a nonpalpable ductus deferens on the left side was found incidentally. As a result of the urological ultrasound the diagnosis of renal, epididymal, seminal vesicle and ductus deferens agenesis on the left was confirmed. As a vascular variety the CT demonstrated 2 renal veins and 2 renal arteries on the right originating from the superior mesenteric artery together with the right hepatic artery. The testicular artery was placed on both sides. Further diagnostic investigations including a spermiogram, hormone analysis and kidney function tests were normal. Congenital urogenital malformations can be found in various combinations even in adults. Unilateral absence of the vas deferens during clinical examination should alert the clinician to an underlying renal, seminal vesicle and epididymal anomaly; further urological investigation is mandatory. A genetic investigation of the CFTR gene is not necessary in the absence of both ductus deferentes with renal agenesis.
Relationship between Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Arab College Students Using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25
Authors: Al-Turkait Fawziyah A. , Ohaeri Jude U. , El-Abbasi Abdul-Hamid M. , Naguy Ahmed
Published: April 2011

Background: The controversy over the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depression is an enduring issue. Various models have been proposed to explain this relationship. We explored the following research questions. First, using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), will the symptoms that define anxiety and depression (as in the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25, HSCL-25) appear together in 1 factor, or are they separable into the hypothesized dimensions of the disorders? Second, using confirmatory factor analysis, how will the structural integrity of the resulting factors compare with those of the various models that have been proposed to explain the relationship between the symptoms of anxiety and depression? This issue has not been investigated in an Arab setting. Method: Participants (n = 624) were Kuwaiti national college students, who completed the HSCL-25 in class. EFA was done by principal axis factoring. Seven models were generated for comparison in confirmatory factor analysis, using 8 ‘fit’ indices in Analysis of Moment Structures, version 16. Results: The 5 factors from EFA were similar in construct to the subscales of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, on which the tripartite model of anxiety and depression was validated (‘core anxiety’, ‘core depression’, ‘general distress mixed’, ‘general distress anxiety’, ‘general distress depression’). The hierarchical bifactor model and the dimensional model characterized by the correlation of these factors were best at meeting the fit indices, followed by the correlated 2-factor anxiety/depression model. In line with theory, the correlation between the specific anxiety/depression factors was lower than that between each of them and the general distress mixed factor; and there was no significant gender difference in the summed score for core depression. Conclusion: The findings support the impression that, although the core symptoms of anxiety are separable from the core symptoms of depression, there is an overlapping set of symptoms which contribute to the experience of comorbidity. The relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depression probably has dimensional and hierarchical elements. The findings broaden the evidence base of the cross-cultural validity of the tripartite model.
Evoluting the Invaginated – One Step Closer to the Perfect Valve Modified Serosal Lined Tapered Ileum (Kälble’s Procedure) as a Continence Mechanism for Catheterizable Pouches
Authors: Fechner Guido , Rogenhofer Sebastian , Hauser Stefan , Müller Stefan C.
Published: April 2011

Introduction: A sufficient and easily catheterizable continence mechanism is essential in continent cutaneous pouches. Kälble embedded a tapered ileum as efferent segment into a serosal lined tunnel formed by an ileal ‘U’ according to the principle of Abol-Enein and Ghoneim. We report a modified technique applied in a series of 12 patients who had undergone different urinary diversions. Methods: All patients received a modified Kälble procedure (first-line urinary diversion, n = 8; revision/undiversion, n = 4) for different forms of continent pouches. To alleviate embedding of the efferent segment, ileal detubularization was performed asymmetrically. Mean follow-up was 9.5 months. Results: All patients were continent and performed self-catheterization easily. Of 12 patients, 2 underwent endoscopic incision for stomal stenosis 8 and 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Subject to our short follow-up, Kälble’s technique is a promising alternative in patients undergoing a continent cutaneous urinary diversion but offers an inapplicable or missing appendix.
A Survey Conducted on Patients’ and Urologists’ Perceptions of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Kim Sun Il , Kang Jung Yoon , Lee Hae Won , Seong Do Hwan , Cho Jin Seon
Published: April 2011

Objectives: To better understand the discrepancy that may exist between urologists and patients on various aspects of their perception of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Subjects and Methods: Questionnaires on BPH for patients and urologists and a BPH patient education brochure were developed. 141 patients with symptoms of BPH completed a set of two questionnaires, to be filled out before and after reading the education brochure. 172 urologists practicing in Korea were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire. Results: Nearly 60% of patients misunderstood the risk for BPH to progress to prostate cancer. In addition, the perceived risks of untreated BPH, desirable treatment effects and undesirable side effects were significantly different between the patients and the urologists. Among the discrete attributes of available medical therapy, the 5α-reductase inhibitor monotherapy was the preferred method chosen by patients. Although the patient brochure significantly improved most of the patients’ misconceptions about BPH, the patient preference did not change significantly. Conclusions: Patients with BPH do not have accurate information about their disease and their expectations of treatment may be very different from their urologist.
p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism Was Associated with Vulnerability, Progression, but Not Prognosis of Bladder Cancer in a Taiwanese Population: An Implication of Structural Equation Modeling to Manage the Risks of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lin Hung-Yu , Huang Chun-Hsiung , Yu Tsan-Jung , Wu Wen-Jen , Yang Ming-Chang , Lung For-Wey
Published: April 2011

Introduction: p53 codon 72 polymorphism has been reported to be associated with bladder cancer incidence, progression and prognosis, but the association is still under debate. A tentative model was constructed to evaluate the association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and bladder cancer. Subjects and Methods: In this study, a total of 554 participants were enrolled. The genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP and DNA direct sequencing. Results: The genotype distribution of p53 codon 72 polymorphism was significantly different between bladder cancer patients and controls (p = 0.039). In logistic regression, diagnostic age and genotype Pro/Pro were the risk factors for developing an invasive tumor. A 4.526-fold risk was estimated for the patients with Pro/Pro genotype as opposed to non-Pro/Pro genotype to develop invasive tumors. However, the extent of p53 codon 72 polymorphism did not predict bladder cancer prognosis. Conclusions: A conceptual mode was constructed; in addition, the moderating and mediating analysis was also carried out in a structural equation model to resolve possible confounding effects. Taken together, p53 codon 72 polymorphism may be associated with bladder cancer incidence and progression, but not prognosis. Further study is needed to evaluate the usefulness of the constructed model in risk assessment.
Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on Renal Function of Patients with Chronic Allograft Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Wang Xiangwei , Zhang Yuanning , Ye Gang
Published: April 2011

Objective: To investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (Bailing Capsule, fermented agent of C. sinensis) on renal function of patients with chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Methods: A total of 231 CAN patients who underwent transplantation between 2005 and 2008 and experienced chronic graft dysfunction were randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients in group A (n = 122) were treated with immunosuppressive agents and C. sinensis (2.0 g/day, 3 times a day), while patients in group B (n = 109) were treated with traditional immunosuppressive drugs. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance rate (CCr) and urinary protein in 24 h (24-hour Upro) of all patients were measured before and after treatment. Urinary concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) were detected at the same time. Results: After 6-month treatment with C. sinensis, SCr and CCr in group A were significantly improved (p < 0.05), while there was no significant improvement observed for group B. There was no significant change in BUN in groups A and B (p > 0.05). 24-hour Upro, RBP and β2-MG were lower in group A after treatment with C. sinensis (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), and urinary TGF-β1 in group A was significantly lower than the values before C. sinensis treatment (p < 0.05), but showed no change in patients of group B. In group A, renal function had improved in 72 cases, stabilized in 38 cases, and worsened in 12 cases. In group B, renal function had improved in 14 cases, stabilized in 50 cases, and worsened in 45 cases (p < 0.05). Conclusion:C. sinensis therapy is advantageous in improving renal function of CAN patients by retarding CAN progression.
Lidocaine Suppository for Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy of the Prostate: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Study
Authors: Goluza Eleonora , Hudolin Tvrtko , Kastelan Zeljko , Peric Mladen , Murselovic Tamara , Sosic Hrvoje
Published: April 2011

Aims: To investigate analgesia using lidocaine suppositories for prostate biopsy. Methods: From 2007 to 2009, 160 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at the Department of Urology, KBC Zagreb. 80 patients received a 60-mg lidocaine suppository intrarectally at different time points from 15 to 120 min before biopsy and 80 patients received a glycerin suppository as placebo. The pain level was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups, i.e. they were similar regarding patients’ age, prostate-specific antigen levels, prostate volume and the incidence of diagnosis of malignancy on biopsy. The mean pain score in the lidocaine group (3 ± 1) was significantly lower than the mean pain score in the glycerin group (4.1 ± 1.3) (p < 0.001). A noticeable trend towards lower pain scores in the lidocaine group was observed with more time elapsing from placing the suppository till the biopsy and the optimal time for performing biopsy starting approximately 1 h after placing the suppository. Conclusions: Lidocaine suppositories are an easy-to-use, self-applicable (by the patient) and cheap method of local analgesia, with acceptable results. Possible complications related to this procedure are insignificant.
Effects of Doxycycline on Production of Growth Factors and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Fujita Hanako , Sakamoto Noriho , Ishimatsu Yuji , Kakugawa Tomoyuki , Hara Shintaro , Hara Atsuko , Amenomori Misato , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Nagata Towako , Mukae Hiroshi , Kohno Shigeru
Published: April 2011

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressive fibrosis and a poor prognosis. Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are considered to play important roles by releasing growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and by being involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition in IPF. Doxycycline hydrochloride (DOXY), an inhibitor of MMPs, attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in models and in patients with IPF; however, the mechanism of this action remains obscure. Objectives: The present study investigated the effect of DOXY on growth factors and MMP production in AECs. Methods: Bleomycin (BL)-induced murine pulmonary fibrosis was treated with DOXY and examined by pathological and immunohistochemical staining. The human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 was stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and incubated with DOXY, and then the expression of growth factors, MMPs, and collagen type I was evaluated at the mRNA and protein levels. We also evaluated the effects of DOXY on the TGF-β1-induced Smad signaling pathway. Results: DOXY reduced fibrosis scores and the production of collagen type I, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and TGF-β1 in BL models. DOXY inhibited the mRNA expression of MMP-2, MPP-9, CTGF, and collagen type I as well as the production of MMP-2 and platelet-derived growth factor-AA protein induced in A549 cells by TGF-β1 but not by Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation. We did not find a similar effect of DOXY in normal lung fibroblasts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that DOXY could be useful for attenuating pulmonary fibrosis through the inhibition of growth factors and MMP production in AECs.
Clinical Outcome of ABO-Incompatible Living Unrelated Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Uchida Junji , Machida Yuichi , Iwai Tomoaki , Kuwabara Nobuyuki , Iguchi Taro , Naganuma Toshihide , Kumada Norihiko , Kawashima Hidenori , Nakatani Tatsuya
Published: April 2011

Background: ABO-incompatible living unrelated donor kidney transplantation is an immunologically high-risk procedure, but few reports have been made on the outcomes of these transplants. Patients and Methods: We analyzed 12 kidney transplants using ABO-incompatible living-unrelated donors performed at our institution between January 1999 and December 2007, focusing on the immunosuppressive protocols, complications and graft survivals. Results: Patient and graft survival rates were 100%. One patient experienced antibody-mediated rejection and intractable acute cellular rejection, one had antibody-mediated rejection and one had acute cellular rejection, but their grafts survived after intensive immunosuppressive treatment. There were no severe complications among the recipients. Conclusions: In ABO-incompatible living unrelated donor kidney transplantation, severe rejections may occur due to ABO incompatibility and poor histocompatibility. Therefore, appropriate desensitization, immunosuppression and recipient care are needed for a successful transplant. Recent significant improvements in outcomes indicate that it has become a viable treatment option, given the lack of available donor organs.
Selective, α2β1 Integrin-Dependent Secretion of IL-6 by Connective Tissue Mast Cells
Authors: McCall-Culbreath Karissa D. , Li Zhengzhi , Zhang Zhonghua , Lu Lucy X. , Orear Lynda , Zutter Mary M.
Published: April 2011

Mast cells, critical mediators of inflammation and anaphylaxis, are poised as one of the first lines of defense against external assault. Mast cells release several classes of preformed and de novo synthesized mediators. Cross-linking of the high-affinity FcΕRI results in degranulation and the release of preformed, proinflammatory mediators including histamine and serotonin. We previously demonstrated that mast cell activation by Listeria monocytogenes requires the α2β1 integrin for rapid IL-6 secretion both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanism of IL-6 release is unknown. Here, we demonstrate the Listeria- and α2β1 integrin-mediated mast cell release of preformed IL-6 without the concomitant release of histamine or β-hexosaminidase. α2β1 integrin-dependent mast cell activation and IL-6 release is calcium independent. In contrast, IgE cross-linking-mediated degranulation is calcium dependent and does not result in IL-6 release, demonstrating that distinct stimuli result in the release of specific mediator pools. These studies demonstrate that IL-6 is presynthesized and stored in connective tissue mast cells and can be released from mast cells in response to distinct, α2β1 integrin-dependent stimulation, providing the host with a specific innate immune response without stimulating an allergic reaction.