bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of excretory/secretory products released by Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae early post‐infection
Authors: SMITH S. K. , NISBET A. J. , MEIKLE L. I. , INGLIS N. F. , SALES J. , BEYNON R. J. , MATTHEWS J. B.
Published: September 2008

Teladorsagia circumcincta is an important parasitic nematode of domestic small ruminants. Drug resistance in this species is common so alternative methods of control are required. As animals develop immunity to T. circumcincta, vaccination is a valid option. Little is known about the antigens that play a role in stimulating immunity at this host/parasite interface. As responses generated between 1 and 5 dpi are known to affect development of these nematodes in their gastric niche, we focused on proteins released during the early stages of infection. To identify molecules potentially involved in immunity, we undertook a proteomics analysis of proteins released from larvae harvested at 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐days post‐infection (dpi). This analysis produced peptide sequence data that was used to search information available in T. circumcincta expressed sequence tag (EST) databases and enabled identification of a number of excretory/secretory (ES) proteins. Immunoblots were performed to assess the relative molecular weight of ES antigens that were targets of local IgA responses in mucus from sheep rendered immune to infection. ELISA was performed to assess antigen‐specific mucus IgA levels in individual sheep. These experiments provided preliminary evidence that the proteins identified in the larval secretome were subject to these antibody responses.
The Solanum lycopersicum auxin response factor 7 (SlARF7) regulates auxin signaling during tomato fruit set and development
Authors: De Jong Maaike , Wolters‐Arts Mieke , Feron Richard , Mariani Celestina , Vriezen Wim H.
Published: September 2008

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are encoded by a gene family of transcription factors that specifically control auxin‐dependent developmental processes. A tomato ARF gene, homologous to Arabidopsis NPH4/ARF7 and therefore designated as Solanum lycopersicum ARF7 (SlARF7), was found to be expressed at a high level in unpollinated mature ovaries. More detailed analysis of tomato ovaries showed that the level of SlARF7 transcript increases during flower development, remains at a constant high level in mature flowers, and is down‐regulated within 48 h after pollination. Transgenic plants with decreased SlARF7 mRNA levels formed seedless (parthenocarpic) fruits. These fruits were heart‐shaped and had a rather thick pericarp due to increased cell expansion, compared with the pericarp of wild‐type fruits. The expression analysis, together with the parthenocarpic fruit phenotype of the transgenic lines, suggests that, in tomato, SlARF7 acts as a negative regulator of fruit set until pollination and fertilization have taken place, and moderates the auxin response during fruit growth.
Outward‐rectifying K+ channel activities regulate cell elongation and cell division of tobacco BY‐2 cells
Authors: Sano Toshio , Kutsuna Natsumaro , Becker Dirk , Hedrich Rainer , Hasezawa Seiichiro
Published: September 2008

Potassium ions (K+) are required for plant growth and development, including cell division and cell elongation/expansion, which are mediated by the K+ transport system. In this study, we investigated the role of K+ in cell division using tobacco BY‐2 protoplast cultures. Gene expression analysis revealed induction of the Shaker‐like outward K+ channel gene, NTORK1, under cell‐division conditions, whereas the inward K+ channel genes NKT1 and NtKC1 were induced under both cell‐elongation and cell‐division conditions. Repression of NTORK1 gene expression by expression of its antisense construct repressed cell division but accelerated cell elongation even under conditions promoting cell division. A decrease in the K+ content of cells and cellular osmotic pressure in dividing cells suggested that an increase in cell osmotic pressure by K+ uptake is not required for cell division. In contrast, K+ depletion, which reduced cell‐division activity, decreased cytoplasmic pH as monitored using a fluorescent pH indicator, SNARF‐1. Application of K+ or the cytoplasmic alkalizing reagent (NH4)2SO4 increased cytoplasmic pH and suppressed the reduction in cell‐division activity. These results suggest that the K+ taken up into cells is used to regulate cytoplasmic pH during cell division.
Association between killer‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor genotypes and leprosy in Brazil
Authors: Franceschi D. S. A. , Mazini P. S. , Rudnick C. C. C. , Sell A. M. , Tsuneto L. T. , De Melo F. C. , Braga M. A. , Peixoto P. R. F. , Visentainer J. E. L.
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes in leprosy immunopathogenesis. Genotyping of KIR and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes in 165 leprosy patients. Both activating KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS3 frequencies were higher in tuberculoid leprosy (TT) patients than in lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients, and the inhibitory KIR with its ligand, KIR2DL1‐C2/C2, was elevated in TT patients in comparison to all other leprosy subgroups and controls. However, a negative association between KIR2DL3‐C1 and KIR2DL3‐C1/C1 and the TT group was identified. Borderline patients exhibited a higher frequency of KIR3DL2‐A3/11 than the controls and LL patients, and a lower frequency of KIR2DL1‐C2 than the controls and TT subgroup. Some KIR–HLA genotypes could be associated to the development of clinical forms of leprosy and should be investigated further.
Early efficacy of silodosin in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Takao Tetsuya , Tsujimura Akira , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Matsuoka Yasuhiro , Miyagawa Yasushi , Nonomura Norio , Iwasa Atsushi , Kameoka Hiroshi , Kuroda Hideya , Matsumiya Kiyomi , Uchida Kinya , Yoshimura Kazuhiro , Okuyama Akihiko
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  To evaluate the early efficacy of the α1A‐adrenoceptor selective drug, silodosin, for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods:  A total of 68 patients with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≧8 and a Quality of Life (QOL) index of ≧2 were included. Changes in the IPSS and QOL index were evaluated before and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, and 28 days of twice daily oral administration of 4 mg silodosin. Next, changes in IPSS subscores as well as voiding, storage, and post micturition symptoms were assessed. Changes in total IPSS based on symptom severity were also determined.

Results:  Total IPSS and QOL index improved significantly from 19.38 ± 7.46, 4.68 ± 1.07 at baseline to 15.81 ± 7.40, 4.22 ± 1.30 at day 1. The subscores of voiding, storage, and post micturition symptoms were significantly decreased from 8.93 ± 3.95, 7.97 ± 3.88, and 2.49 ± 1.70 at baseline to 7.28 ± 4.09, 6.52 ± 3.47, and 2.02 ± 1.56 at day 1, respectively. This trend continued throughout the study. Regardless of severity, total IPSS were significantly decreased at day 1 and maintained throughout the study.

Conclusions:  Silodosin may be considered a promising treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptom patients.
DEXMEDETOMIDINE FOR SEDATION DURING UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY
Authors: Hashiguchi Kazutoshi , Matsunaga Hisayuki , Higuchi Hideyuki , Miura Soichiro
Published: September 2008

Background:  A clinical study was conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine for sedation of patients undergoing routine upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Methods:  Forty middle‐aged patients who were admitted for medical examination were randomized to receive an initial loading dose infusion of dexmedetomidine 6.0 µg/kg per h over 10 min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.6 µg/kg per h (group A) or rapid infusion of midazolam 0.05 mg/kg (group B) as sedation for routine endoscopy. Sixty patients did not receive sedative agent (group C). Assessment included measurement of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation, and endoscopy duration.

Results:  There were no statistically significant differences among the groups in baseline characteristics. The level of sedation was similar between groups A and B, and the gag response score was significantly lower in the sedated groups than in group C. Hemodynamic stability was also demonstrated in group A during and after the endoscopic procedure. Increased systolic/diastolic BP was significantly attenuated in group A compared with group C. Interestingly, HR was significantly suppressed in group A than in groups B and C. In groups A and B, SpO2 was decreased compared with group C during and after the procedures; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference among the groups with endoscopy duration.

Conclusions:  For sedation during upper endoscopy, dexmedetomidine is as safe and effective as midazolam, and it significantly reduces HR and BP during and after the endoscopic procedures.
Resource shifts in Malagasy dung beetles: contrasting processes revealed by dissimilar spatial genetic patterns
Authors: Hanski Ilkka , Wirta Helena , Nyman Toshka , Rahagalala Pierre
Published: September 2008

The endemic dung beetle subtribe Helictopleurina has 65 species mostly in wet forests in eastern Madagascar. There are no extant native ungulates in Madagascar, but threeHelictopleurusspecies have shifted to the introduced cattle dung in open habitats in the past 1500 years.Helictopleurus neoamplicollisandHelictopleurus marsyasexhibit very limited cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 haplotype diversity and a single haplotype is present across Madagascar, suggesting that these species shifted to cattle dung in a small region followed by rapid range expansion. In contrast, patterns of molecular diversity inHelictopleurus quadripunctatusindicate a gradual diet shift across most of southern Madagascar, consistent with somewhat broader diet in this species. The three cattle dung‐usingHelictopleurusspecies have significantly greater geographical ranges than the forest‐dwelling species, apparently because the shift to the currently very abundant new resource relaxed interspecific competition that hinders range expansion in the forest species.
A comparison of white‐light cystoscopy and narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy to detect bladder tumour recurrences
Authors: Herr Harry W. , Donat S. Machele
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether narrow‐band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy enhances the detection of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumours over standard white‐light imaging (WLI) cystoscopy, as surveillance WLI is the standard method used to diagnose patients with recurrent bladder tumours, but they can be missed by WLI cystoscopy, possibly accounting for early recurrences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 427 patients for recurrent bladder tumours by WLI cystoscopy, followed by NBI cystoscopy as a further procedure, using the same video‐cystoscope. Recurrent tumours visualized by WLI or NBI cystoscopy were mapped, imaged, biopsied and subsequently treated by transurethral resection (TUR) or fulguration. Biopsies or TUR specimens obtained by WLI and NBI were examined separately for presence of tumour.

RESULTS

In all, 103 patients (24%) had tumour recurrences; 90 (87%) were detected by both WLI and NBI and another 13 (100%) only by NBI cystoscopy. NBI detected extra papillary tumours or more extensive carcinoma in situ in 58 (56%) patients found to have recurrences. The mean number of recurrent tumours visualized on WLI cystoscopy was 2.3, vs to 3.4 seen on NBI cystoscopy (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

NBI cystoscopy improved the detection of recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumours over standard WLI cystoscopy.
Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) renal cryoablation in a porcine model
Authors: Crouzet Sebastien , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Kamoi Kazumi , Berger Andre , Brethauer Stacy , Gatmaitan Patrick , Gill Inderbir S. , Kaouk Jihad H.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To present our laboratory experience with natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) renal cryoablation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In two female farm pigs, we performed four procedures of NOTES renal cryoablation. In each pig, NOTES was performed through a transgastric approach and a transvaginal approach for each kidney, respectively. The pig was placed in the flank position and pneumoperitoneum obtained using a transabdominal Veress needle. In the first pig, we started with the left kidney with a transgastric approach: a dual‐channel video gastroscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was used, the stomach wall was punctured using a needle‐knife, a guidewire was passed into the abdominal cavity and the access dilated using a controlled radial expansion balloon. The bowel was mobilized medially and the Gerota’s fascia overlying the upper pole was dissected. Under direct endoscopic vision, a cryoablation probe was introduced percutaneously into the anterior upper pole of the kidney. The pig was then flipped to the right flank position and a transvaginal approach was used: the gastroscope was introduced through the posterior fornix of the vagina. For the second pig, we performed initially a transgastric right‐side cryoablation then a transvaginal left‐side cryoablation as described for the first pig.

RESULTS

All four procedures were performed successfully, with no intraoperative complications. No additional laparoscopic ports or open conversions were necessary. The vision of the kidney and the ice‐ball was adequate for all cases. The mean operative duration was 83 min. Stomach closure was tested watertight, and there were no abdominal or pelvic injuries found at autopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

NOTES can provide adequate minimal surgical dissection for safe and effective percutaneous renal cryoablation under direct videoscopic monitoring at kidney locations otherwise not accessible percutaneously. Both transgastric and transvaginal approaches can be used effectively for renal cryoablation providing a minimally invasive scar‐less surgery.
Can autologous myoblasts be used as a potential bulking agent?
Authors: Mitterberger Michael , Marksteiner Rainer , Schwaiger Wolfgang , Klima Günther , Schwentner Christian , Müller Tilko , Bartsch Georg , Radmayr Christian , Strasser Hannes , Oswald Josef
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the behaviour of donor myoblasts at the vesico‐ureteric junction (VUJ) and to evaluate their potential as an autologous bulking agent, as myoblast transplantation has been shown to regenerate damaged or degenerated tissue, and it was postulated that they could be used to treat vesico‐ureteric reflux.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Muscle biopsies were obtained from the lower limb muscles of 10 pigs. The quality of the cells was evaluated by electrophysiological and immunohistochemical tests. The cell membranes of myoblasts were labelled with PKH26, a fluorescent dye. Six weeks after taking of the muscle biopsies all pigs underwent cell transplantation; 30 × 106 cells suspended in transplantation medium (in 1‐mL syringes) were injected at the VUJ, into the proximal urethra and the rhabdosphincter. At the VUJ volumes of 1 mL were injected, whereas in the urethra and rhabdosphincter small cell depots (0.1 mL) were injected. All the pigs were killed 8 weeks later, and the myoblasts and newly formed myofibres were identified using fluorescence microscopy, with a histological evaluation and investigation of potential local inflammatory reaction.

RESULTS

Two to three intact layers of autologous myoblasts were found in the outer aspects of the large cell depots in the VUJ. Immunohistochemistry further showed that the myoblasts were only viable at these outermost borders of the large bulking areas, whereas necrosis with red fluorescent cell detritus was visible in the remaining central aspects of the large bulk of cells. By contrast, cells survived and formed myotubes in the wall of the proximal urethra and the rhabdosphincter where the small cell depots had been injected.

CONCLUSIONS

In small depots, transplanted autologous myoblasts can survive and differentiate into myofibres, while in a large bulk of cells the vast majority of cells become necrotic. The present results show that myoblasts cannot be used for augmentation of large volumes of tissue or as a bulking agent.
The administration of folic acid improves erectile function and reduces intracavernosal oxidative stress in the diabetic rabbit
Authors: Shukla Nilima , Hotston Matthew , Persad Raj , Angelini Gianni D. , Jeremy Jamie Y.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To test the possibility that folic acid (FA) may be a means of treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetes mellitus (DM), by studying the effect of FA administration to DM rabbits on cavernosal function and intrapenile oxidative stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate the effect of administering FA to DM rabbits on erectile function and oxidative stress the formation of superoxide (O2‐), 8‐isoprostane F2α(8‐IPF2α) and prostacyclin (as 6‐keto‐PGF1α) were assessed, as well as carbachol‐ and electrical field stimulated (EFS) relaxation and p47phoxcontent (active component of NADPH oxidase complex). Non‐ketotic DM was induced in New Zealand rabbits with alloxan and FA administered orally daily for 1 month. Rabbits were killed, penises excised and segments prepared. These were mounted in an organ bath and relaxation elicited with carbachol or EFS. O2‐release was measured spectrophotometrically, p47phoxexpression by Western blotting and 8‐IPF2αand 6‐keto‐PGF1αformation by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay. Blood was collected for measurement of homocysteine, red blood cell (RBC) folate and glucose.

RESULTS

In cavernosal tissue from DM rabbits, carbachol‐and EFS‐induced relaxation was significantly impaired compared with the untreated controls. O2‐release, p47phoxexpression and 8‐IPF2αformation were all enhanced and 6‐keto‐PGF1αformation reduced compared with the controls. All these effects were reversed by FA. Plasma total homocysteine was reduced and RBC folate elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of FA may constitute a strategy for reducing ED in patients with DM.
Robotic single‐port transumbilical surgery in humans: initial report
Authors: Kaouk Jihad H. , Goel Raj K. , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Crouzet Sebastien , Stein Robert J.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To describe our initial clinical experience of robotic single‐port (RSP) surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The da Vinci® S robot (Intuitive, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used to perform radical prostatectomy (RP), dismembered pyeloplasty, and radical nephrectomy. A robot 12‐mm scope and 5‐mm robotic grasper were introduced through a multichannel single port (R‐port, Advanced Surgical Concepts, Dublin, Ireland). An additional 5‐mm or 8‐mm robotic port was introduced through the same umbilical incision (2 cm) alongside the multichannel port and used to introduce robotic instruments. Vesico‐urethral anastomosis and pelvi‐ureteric anastomosis were successfully performed robotically using running intracorporeal suturing.

RESULTS

All three RSP surgeries were performed through the single incision without adding extra umbilical ports or 2‐mm instruments. For RP, the operative duration was 5 h and the estimated blood loss was 250 mL. The hospital stay was 36 h and the margins of resection were negative. For pyeloplasty, the operative duration was 4.5 h, and the hospital stay was 50 h. Right radical nephrectomy for a 5.5‐cm renal cell carcinoma was performed in 2.5 h and the hospital stay was 48 h. The specimen was extracted intact within an entrapment bag through the umbilical incision. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. At 1 week after surgery, all patients had minimal pain with a visual analogue score of 0/10.

CONCLUSIONS

Technical challenges of single‐port surgery that may limit its widespread acceptance can be addressed by using robotic technology. Articulation of robotic instruments may render obsolete the long‐held laparoscopic principles of triangulation especially for intracorporeal suturing. We report the initial series of robotic surgery through a single transumbilical incision.
Transumbilical single‐port laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Aron Monish , Canes David , Desai Mihir M. , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Kaouk Jihad H. , Gill Inderbir S.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To present the initial experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) performed through a transumbilical single port.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2007 and April 2008, five selected patients underwent single‐port LPN (SPLPN) for renal tumours. All procedures were performed through a single intraumbilical multichannel laparoscopic port. A 2‐mm grasper was inserted through a 2‐mm Veres needle‐port in the anterior axillary line to aid in tissue retraction and sutured renal reconstruction. The technique of standard multiport LPN was replicated, with the renal hilum clamped.

RESULTS

SPLPN was successfully completed in four patients, while an additional 5‐mm port was required in one patient. The median (range) tumour size was 3 (1–5.9) cm. The median (range) operating time was 270 (240–345) min and the estimated blood loss was 150 (100–600) mL. The median (range) warm ischaemia time was 20 (11–29) min. The median (range) length of the umbilical incision was 2.5 (2.5–4) cm. The median (range) hospital stay was 3(3–22) days. There were no intraoperative complications. All surgical margins were negative for tumour. There were no postoperative complications in four patients. One patient had postoperative bleeding and pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSIONS

SPLPN is technically feasible, albeit more challenging than conventional LPN. Proper case selection is essential. Advances in single‐port specific instrumentation are needed before these procedures can become a part of mainstream urological laparoscopy.
The association between prostate size and Gleason score upgrading depends on the number of biopsy cores obtained: results from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital Database
Authors: Turley Ryan S. , Terris Martha K. , Kane Christopher J. , Aronson William J. , Presti Joseph C. , Amling Christopher L. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that the association between prostate size and risk of Gleason grade upgrading varies as a function of sampling.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined the association between pathological prostate weight, prostate biopsy scheme and Gleason upgrading (Gleason ≥7 at radical prostatectomy, RP) among 646 men with biopsy Gleason 2–6 disease treated with RP between 1995 and 2007 within the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital Database using logistic regression. In all, 204 and 442 men had a sextant (six or seven cores) or extended‐core biopsy (eight or more cores), respectively. Analyses were adjusted for centre, age, surgery, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level, clinical stage, body mass index, race, and percentage of cores positive for cancer.

RESULTS

In all, 281 men (44%) were upgraded; a smaller prostate was positively associated with the risk of upgrading in men who had an extended‐core biopsy (P < 0.001), but not among men who had a sextant biopsy (P = 0.22). The interaction between biopsy scheme and prostate size was significant (P interaction = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the hypothesis that the risk of upgrading is a function of two opposing contributions: (i) a more aggressive phenotype in smaller prostates and thus increased risk of upgrading; and (ii) more thorough sampling in smaller prostates and thus decreased risk of upgrading. When sampled more thoroughly, the phenotype association dominates and smaller prostates are linked with an increased risk of upgrading. In less thoroughly sampled prostates, these opposing factors nullify, resulting in no association between prostate size and risk of upgrading. These findings help to explain previously published disparate results of the importance of prostate size as a predictor of Gleason upgrading.
Seminal vesicle amyloidosis does not provide any protection from invasion by prostate cancer
Authors: Erbersdobler Andreas , Kollermann Jens , Graefen Markus , Röcken Christoph , Schlomm Thorsten
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether seminal vesicle amyloidosis (SVA, an unusual finding in prostatectomy specimens, with deposits usually localized and asymptomatic) affects the extension of prostate cancer into the SVs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 73 cases of localized SVA from 6575 prostatectomy specimens, that were removed because of clinically localized prostate cancer. All cases were confirmed by Congo red staining and polarization microscopy. The mean thickness of the amyloid band was measured in each case and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. The frequency of SV involvement by prostate cancer in the presence of amyloid was compared with the percentage of pT3b classifications in the absence of amyloid.

RESULTS

The mean (range) age of the patients with localized SVAs was 64.4 (52–73) years. The mean thickness of the amyloid band did not correlate with patient age, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen levels, the weight of the prostates, or the Gleason score and T category of the prostate cancers. In the SVA group, seven cancers invaded the SVs (9.6%), which was not significantly different from the percentage of SV involvement by cancer in total sample (9.2%, P = 0.932).

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of localized SVA remains poorly understood, but SVA does not seem to provide an absolute or relative protection from SV involvement by prostate cancer.
A real‐life multicentre clinical practice study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravesical chondroitin sulphate for the treatment of interstitial cystitis
Authors: Nickel J. Curtis , Egerdie Blair , Downey Joe , Singh Rajiva , Skehan Anthony , Carr Leslie , Irvine‐Bird Karen
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To report a multicentre, community based open‐label study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of intravesical sodium chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of patients with the clinical diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC). Chondroitin sulphate is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the bladder mucus layer and changes in this GAG have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IC, and small single‐centre studies have suggested that intravesical chondroitin sulphate may have efficacy in IC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with IC were treated with sodium chondroitin sulphate (Uracyst®, Stellar Pharmaceuticals Inc., London ON, Canada) solution 2.0% via urinary catheter weekly for 6 weeks and then monthly for 16 weeks for a total of 10 treatments. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of responders to treatment as indicated by a marked or moderate improvement on a seven‐point patient Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale at week 10 (4 weeks after the initial six treatments) compared with baseline. A major secondary efficacy endpoint (durability) was the percentage of responders on the GRA scale after 10 treatments. Additional secondary efficacy objectives were differences from baseline in Patient Symptom/Problem Index scores over the course of the treatment compared with baseline.

RESULTS

In all, 47% of the 53 enrolled patients with long standing moderately severe IC (mean [sd, range] diagnosis of IC 3.0 [3.4, 0.1–16] years; duration of symptoms 9.2 [9.2, 1–39] years; baseline symptom score 14.2 [3.2]) were responders at week 10. At 24 weeks, 60% were responders. There was a statistically and clinically significant decrease in the mean (sd) symptom and bother scores from baseline at 10 weeks and 24 weeks, at 9.0 (4.3) and 8.1 (5.0), respectively (P < 0.001). There were no significant safety issues during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicentre community based real‐life clinical practice study suggests that intravesical chondroitin sulphate may have an important role in the treatment of IC and validates the rationale for a randomized placebo‐controlled trial.
How often do available preoperative risk factors accurately predict the risk assessed after surgery for localized prostate cancer?
Authors: Laudano Melissa A. , Lambert Sarah M. , Masson Puneet , McCann Tara R. , Desai Manisha , Benson Mitchell C. , McKiernan James M.
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To describe how frequently new information obtained at surgery translates into a substantial change in the risk of recurrence for patients with localized prostate cancer, and to determine what factors contribute to this increase in risk, as the preferred therapy for prostate cancer is often chosen based on available preoperative variables and therefore appropriate decision‐making requires an accurate preoperative assessment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Columbia Comprehensive Clinical Database of Urologic Oncology, we retrospectively analysed 3460 men who had radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer from 1988 to 2006. Kattan nomograms were used to calculate the 5‐year progression‐free probabilities before and after RP. The difference between these nomogram scores was used to divide patients into three groups, those with a decrease in the probability of disease‐free survival (DFS) of ≥15%, those with an increase in the probability of DFS of ≥15%, and those with an absolute change of <15%.

RESULTS

In all, 1804 men with complete data before and after RP were analysed; 1220 (68.4%) had no significant change in nomogram score, 238 (13.3%) had a significant increase and 327 (18.3%) had a significant decrease in the probability of recurrence. Those patients with an increased probability of recurrence had a greater proportion of patients with pathological Gleason sum of ≥8, higher rates of extraprostatic capsular invasion, positive margins, seminal vesical invasion and lymph node involvement (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Accurate risk predictions both before and after RP are central to effective patient counselling and optimal management. Notably, 13.3% of the present patients were faced with a substantial increase of ≥15% in their risk of biochemical failure after pathological variables became available.
Vaporesection for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia using a 2‐µm continuous‐wave laser: a prospective trial with 1‐year follow‐up
Authors: Fu Wei‐Jun , Hong Bao‐Fa , Yang Yong , Zhang Xu , Gao Jiang‐Ping , Zhang Lei , Wang Xiao‐Xiong
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To explore the safety and clinical efficacy of continuous‐wave laser vaporesection for the treatment of obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We treated 72 consecutive patients with obstructive BPH using a 70 W 2‐µm continuous‐wave laser. The mean (range) age of the patients was 68.6 (52–86) years. Before laser treatment, the patients were examined. The mean (sd, range) prostatic volume was 65.8 (21.7, 36–108) mL. The operative outcomes assessed were: resection time, transfusion rate, catheter time, and haemoglobin and serum sodium levels. The following variables were assessed before and after vaporesection: maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoiding residual urine volume (PVR), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life Index (QoL) and sexual function.

RESULTS

All cases were successful using general (two cases), epidural (28) or sacral block regional anaesthesia (42). The mean (sd) vaporesection time was 56 (12.8) min. None of the patients required a transfusion. The mean (sd) catheter time was 1.7 (0.6) days. The mean Qmax increased from 5.7 (1.2) mL/s before to 20.8 (2.1) mL/s after vaporesection and the PVR decreased from 150 to 36 mL. The IPSS and QoL scores improved after vaporesection from 24.6 (4.5) to 6.8 (1.2) and 4.8 (0.2) to 1.4 (0.3), respectively (P < 0.05). Apart from transient dysuria (8%) and irritative symptoms (29%), all patients were satisfied with voiding outcome after vaporesection and none had incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Vaporesection using the 2‐µm continuous‐wave laser for the treatment of obstructive BPH is a safe and effective ablative procedure with minimal morbidity and rare bleeding.
Expression of rat β(1,4)‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III in Nicotiana tabacum remodels the plant‐specific N‐glycosylation
Authors: Frey Alexander D. , Karg Saskia R. , Kallio Pauli T.
Published: September 2008

Plant N‐linked glycans differ substantially from their mammalian counterparts, mainly with respect to modifications of the core glycan, which typically contains a β(1,2)‐xylose and an α(1,3)‐fucose. The addition of a bisecting N‐acetylglucosamine residue by β(1,4)‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnTIII) is known to control the processing of N‐linked glycans in mammals, for example by preventing α(1,6)‐fucosylation of the core glycan. In order to outcompete plant‐specific β(1,2)‐xylose and α(1,3)‐fucose modifications, rat GnTIII was expressed either with its native localization domain (GnTIII) or with the cytoplasmic tail, transmembrane domain and stem region (CTS) of Arabidopsis thaliana mannosidase II (ManII) (GnTIIIA.th.). Both CTSs targeted enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) to a brefeldin A‐sensitive compartment, indicative of Golgi localization. GnTIII expression increased the fraction of N‐glycans devoid of xylose and fucose from 13% ± 7% in wild‐type plants to 60% ± 8% in plants expressing GnTIIIA.th.. N‐Glycans of plants expressing rat GnTIII contained three major glycan structures of complex bisected, complex, or hybrid bisected type, accounting for 70%–85% of the total N‐glycans. On expression of GnTIIIA.th., N‐glycans displayed a higher heterogeneity and were of hybrid type. Co‐expression of A. thaliana ManII significantly increased the amount of complex bisected structures relative to the plants expressing GnTIII or GnTIIIA.th., whereas co‐expression of human ManII did not redirect the pool of hybrid structures towards complex‐type structures. The method described offers the advantage that it can be implemented in any desired plant system for effective removal of β(1,2)‐xylose and α(1,3)‐fucose from the N‐glycan.
Critical Theory and its Practices: Habermas, Kosovo and International Relations
Authors: Head Naomi
Published: September 2008

Developing the ‘applied turn’ in critical theory and Habermasian discourse ethics, this article explores whether a communicative ethics approach enables us to examine the justifications for and legitimacy of actions taken by states during NATO's intervention in Kosovo. By focusing on the deliberations which took place in the UN Security Council over Kosovo from March 1998 to June 1999 and the negotiations at Rambouillet in 1999, it will be shown that there are patterns of exclusion, coercion and illegitimacy which not only challenge the claims to legitimacy of the intervention and of the interveners, but indicate the critical power of a communicative framework.
Secessionist Politics and Religious Conservatism: The Scottish National Party and Faith-Based Interests
Authors: Steven Martin
Published: September 2008

The Scottish National party's 2007 devolved election campaign was endorsed by two prominent ‘conservative’ Christians – Brian Souter, one of Scotland's richest men, and Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Scottish Catholic Church. The article offers two explanations for this, both linked to the improved opportunity structure created by devolution: first, the Scottish Labour party lost the trust of these faith-based interests over the ‘Section 28’ episode, a significant factor due to the more competitive devolved party system; second, there is evidence to suggest that these faith-based interests believe an independent Scotland would create improved opportunities for influencing social policy.
Spaces of Modernity: Religion and the Urban in Asia and Africa
Authors: HANCOCK MARY , SRINIVAS SMRITI
Published: September 2008

This article introduces a symposium on religion and the formation of modern urban space in Asia and Africa. Both the spread of new religious movements and the articulations between religion, globalization and neoliberalism have prompted new analyses of the shifting geographic and social boundaries between ‘religious’ and ‘secular’ institutions, practices and discourses, and about the meaning of ‘religion’ itself. We reinscribe work on urban religion within a discussion of ‘modernity’ by dealing with the socio‐spatial mediation of religion and its role in redefining public spaces, practices, norms and discourses in contemporary cities. Individual articles map the spaces engendered by religious imaginaries and the forms of mobility and networks that religion relies on and constitutes, and they identify and analyze the roles played by mass media in religious practice and institution building, as well as the embodied nature of urban religious experience. They demonstrate how urban studies can be ‘pluralized’ and ‘vernacularized’ through analyses of how the urban realm is constituted in part through religious practice and meaning. Our attention to the articulation of religion with cities in Asia and Africa will also help to foster a new theoretical vocabulary within religious studies that is attentive to the historical, cultural and spatial contingencies of religion as a category of analysis.

Cet article présente un symposium sur la religion et la formation de l’espace urbain moderne en Asie et en Afrique. La propagation de mouvements religieux nouveaux, ainsi que les articulations entre religion, mondialisation et néolibéralisme, ont suscité des analyses originales sur le décalage des frontières géographiques et sociales entre les institutions, pratiques et discours “religieux” et “laïcs”, et sur la signification de la religion elle‐même. Nous réinscrivons les travaux sur la religion urbaine dans une discussion sur la “modernité” en abordant la médiation socio‐spatiale de la religion et son rôle dans la redéfinition des pratiques, normes, discours et espaces publics dans les villes contemporaines. Les différents articles recensent les espaces générés par les imaginaires religieux, ainsi que les formes de mobilité et de réseaux que la religion élabore et sur lesquelles elle s’appuie ; de plus, ils identifient et analysent les rôles des médias dans la pratique religieuse et la construction de l’institution, et s’intéressent à la matérialité de l’expérience religieuse urbaine. Ils montrent comment les études urbaines peuvent être “pluralisées” et “vernacularisées” par le biais d’analyses sur la façon dont l’univers urbain se constitue en partie par la pratique et la signification de la religion. De plus, notre intérêt pour l’articulation de la religion avec les villes d’Asie et d’Afrique contribue à alimenter un nouveau lexique théorique pour les études religieuses, qui veille aux contingences historiques, culturelles et spatiales de la religion en tant que catégorie analysée.
The Sacred Geography of Bangkok's Markets
Authors: WILSON ARA
Published: September 2008

Vernacular shrines pervade the markets of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and a globalized city in Southeast Asia. Based on long‐term ethnographic fieldwork in Bangkok, this article traces the history of cross‐border flows and shifting political economic arrangements that remapped the sacred geography of the city. It considers the consolidation of a pantheon of enchanted figures into a modern ‘prosperity religion’ that is practiced in commercial enterprises as well as in daily life across the country. Mapping the spiritual geography embodied in market shrines reveals changing mobilizations of local and transnational circuits of spiritual power in relation to the shifting national and transnational flows of material and cultural power.

Les lieux de dévotion vernaculaires envahissent les marchés de Bangkok, capitale de la Thaïlande et ville mondialisée du Sud‐Est asiatique. S’appuyant sur un long travail de terrain ethnographique réaliséà Bangkok, l’article retrace l’histoire des flux transfrontaliers et des différents dispositifs politico‐économiques qui ont redessiné la géographie sacrée de la ville. Il s’intéresse à la fusion d’un panthéon de personnages enchantés en une “religion de la prospérité” moderne, pratiquée dans les entreprises commerciales et au quotidien dans l’ensemble du pays. Cartographier la géographie spirituelle matérialisée par les sanctuaires des marchés révèle une transformation des mobilisations des circuits locaux et transnationaux de la force spirituelle en lien avec l’évolution des flux nationaux et transnationaux de puissance matérielle et culturelle.
Local Governance as Government–Business Cooperation in Western Democracies: Analysing Local and Intergovernmental Effects by Multi‐Level Comparison
Authors: YÁÑEZ CLEMENTE J. NAVARRO , MAGNIER ANNICK , RAMÍREZ M. ANTONIA
Published: September 2008

The internationalization of economics and politics has forced local governments to develop new context‐appropriate strategies; these strategies, characterized by a greater degree of interaction with non‐governmental key actors and with the business world in particular, have been termed local or urban governance. This article is intended to illustrate the impact of three factors — local leadership, local political arenas and intergovernmental relationships — on the formation of cooperative networks between local governments and business organizations as one of the basic types of urban governance model. To achieve this, a comparative multi‐level analysis presenting the CEO's perpective on such issues was conducted. The results show how local and intergovernmental opportunity costs and leadership are the factors that largely determine the degree of collaboration between local government and business.

L’internationalisation de l’économie et de la politique a forcé les gouvernements locaux àélaborer de nouvelles stratégies en fonction des contextes ; caractérisées par une interaction plus forte avec des acteurs‐clés non gouvernementaux et avec le monde de l’entreprise en particulier, ces stratégies ont reçu l’appellation de gouvernance locale ou urbaine. L’impact de trois facteurs — autorité locale, arènes politiques locales et relations intergouvernementales — sur la formation des réseaux de coopération entre gouvernements locaux et entreprises est présenté comme l’un des types essentiels de modèle de gouvernance urbaine. Pour ce faire, une analyse comparative multi‐niveaux a été menée sur la vision des directions générales d’entreprises concernant ces questions. Les résultats montrent la manière dont les autorités et les coûts d’opportunité locaux et intergouvernementaux déterminent en grande partie le degré de collaboration entre les gouvernements locaux et le monde des affaires.
Syntactic anomaly elicits a lexico‐semantic (N400) ERP effect in the second language but not the first
Authors: Weber Kirsten , Lavric Aureliu
Published: September 2008

Recent brain potential research into first versus second language (L1 vs. L2) processing revealed striking responses to morphosyntactic features absent in the mother tongue. The aim of the present study was to establish whether the presence of comparable morphosyntactic features in L1 leads to more similar electrophysiological L1 and L2 profiles. ERPs were acquired while German–English bilinguals and native speakers of English read sentences. Some sentences were meaningful and well formed, whereas others contained morphosyntactic or semantic violations in the final word. In addition to the expected P600 component, morphosyntactic violations in L2 but not L1 led to an enhanced N400. This effect may suggest either that resolution of morphosyntactic anomalies in L2 relies on the lexico‐semantic system or that the weaker/slower morphological mechanisms in L2 lead to greater sentence wrap‐up difficulties known to result in N400 enhancement.
Cloze probability does not only affect N400 amplitude: The case of complex prepositions
Authors: Molinaro Nicola , Vespignani Francesco , Canal Paolo , Fonda Sergio , Cacciari Cristina
Published: September 2008

Cloze‐probability levels are inversely correlated with N400 amplitude, indicating an easier integration for expected words in semantic‐pragmatic contexts. Here we exploited the prespecified standard order of complex prepositions and measured the ERPs time‐locked to the last preposition in sentences in which complex prepositions were presented in their standard form or with the last preposition changed. The expected preposition elicited an N280 followed by an N400–700, two ERP components previously associated to the processing of closed‐class words. The unexpected preposition elicited only an N280, and the N400–700 was reduced. These results reflect the specificity of the contextual constraints linked to the complex preposition word sequence.
Natural selective attention: Orienting and emotion
Authors: Bradley Margaret M.
Published: September 2008

The foundations of orienting and attention are hypothesized to stem from activation of defensive and appetitive motivational systems that evolved to protect and sustain the life of the individual. Motivational activation initiates a cascade of perceptual and motor processes that facilitate the selection of appropriate behavior. Among these are detection of significance, indexed by a late centro‐parietal positivity in the event‐related potential, enhanced perceptual processing, indexed by a initial cardiac deceleration, and preparation for action, indexed by electrodermal changes. Data exploring the role of stimulus novelty and significance in orienting are presented that indicate different components of the orienting response habituate at different rates. Taken together, it is suggested that orienting is mediated by activation of fundamental motivational systems that have evolved to support survival.
Long‐term effects of calorie or protein restriction on serum IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 concentration in humans
Authors: Fontana Luigi , Weiss Edward P. , Villareal Dennis T. , Klein Samuel , Holloszy John O.
Published: September 2008

Reduced function mutations in the insulin/IGF‐I signaling pathway increase maximal lifespan and health span in many species. Calorie restriction (CR) decreases serum IGF‐1 concentration by ~40%, protects against cancer and slows aging in rodents. However, the long‐term effects of CR with adequate nutrition on circulating IGF‐1 levels in humans are unknown. Here we report data from two long‐term CR studies (1 and 6 years) showing that severe CR without malnutrition did not change IGF‐1 and IGF‐1 : IGFBP‐3 ratio levels in humans. In contrast, total and free IGF‐1 concentrations were significantly lower in moderately protein‐restricted individuals. Reducing protein intake from an average of 1.67 g kg−1 of body weight per day to 0.95 g kg−1 of body weight per day for 3 weeks in six volunteers practicing CR resulted in a reduction in serum IGF‐1 from 194 ng mL−1 to 152 ng mL−1. These findings demonstrate that, unlike in rodents, long‐term severe CR does not reduce serum IGF‐1 concentration and IGF‐1 : IGFBP‐3 ratio in humans. In addition, our data provide evidence that protein intake is a key determinant of circulating IGF‐1 levels in humans, and suggest that reduced protein intake may become an important component of anticancer and anti‐aging dietary interventions.