bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND USEFULNESS OF INFRARED ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSIS OF GASTRIC CANCER
Authors: Ishihara Ryu , Uedo Noriya , Iishi Hiroyasu , Ogiyama Syuji , Yamada Takuya , Higashino Koji , Narahara Hiroyasu , Tatsuta Masaharu , Iseki Kazushige , Ishiguro Shingo
Published: December 2005

Background:  Near‐infrared (IR) rays, because of their limited scattering characteristics and low absorption by water and hemoglobin, can penetrate deeply into tissue. Using infrared rays, we have developed an infrared electronic endoscope system and evaluated its usefulness for assessing the depth of involvement of gastric cancers. Recently, we developed a new infrared videoendoscopic system (dual wavelength system). With this system, we can recognize submucosal vessels of gastric cancers in a greater detail with higher resolution under IR light.

Methods:  A total of 30 patients with depressed gastric cancers underwent infrared endoscopy.

Results:  Twenty‐one (91%) of 23 intramucosal and submucosal cancers less than 1000 µm were observed as tumors with no stain or faint stain, whereas all (100%) of seven more invasive cancers were observed as tumors with dense stain or pooling of the dye. Thus, the overall accuracy was 93% (28 of 30 tumors). Moreover, 95% (18 of 19) of tumors with ulcerative changes were correctly diagnosed.

Conclusions:  New infrared electronic endoscopic system is useful for diagnosing the depth of involvement of early gastric cancer either with or without ulcerative changes. This system will bring us further development in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.
DUODENAL ADENOMA OF GASTRIC FOVEOLAR PHENOTYPE IN THE SECOND PORTION OF THE DUODENUM
Authors: Fujisawa Takashi , Horimatsu Takahiro , Sakaguchi Kazuhiko , Onishi Yutaka , Takeda Akihiko , Kishi Minoru , Maeda Mitsuo , Nishigami Takashi
Published: December 2005

We describe a rare case of duodenal adenoma of a gastric phenotype in the second portion of the duodenum. An 85‐year‐old Japanese man with a history of left nephrectomy was admitted to our hospital with a cerebral transient ischemia attack. Screening upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a subpedunculated polyp with a reddish, erosive, glossy appearance, and a granular surface just above the papilla of Vater in the second portion of the duodenum, which on biopsy was diagnosed as a hyperplastic polyp. Hypotonic duodenography revealed a subpedunculated polyp with irregular granular surface, measuring approximately 20 mm in size, in the second portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic total resection for biopsy was performed. The histopathological examination of the polypectomied specimens revealed an adenoma with moderate dysplasia mimicking gastric foveolar epithelium or hyperplastic polyp accompanied by abundant mucin production. Immunohistochemistry revealed a complete gastric phenotype, suggesting it had probably arisen from heterotopic gastric mucosa. The present case is the eleventh case of duodenal neoplasia arising from heterotopic gastric mucosa and the sixth case of neoplasia with gastric phenotype found in the second portion of the duodenum reported in the world.
LONG‐TERM FOLLOW UP OF PATIENTS WITH SMALL GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMORS IN THE STOMACH USING ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY‐GUIDED FINE‐NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY
Authors: Sawaki Akira , Mizuno Nobumasa , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Nakamura Tsuneya , Tajika Masahiro , Kawai Hiroki , Isaka Toshifumi , Imaoka Hiroshi , Okamoto Yasuyuki , Aoki Masatoshi , Inoue Hiroyuki , Salem Ahmed AS , Yatabe Yasushi , Yamao Kenji
Published: December 2005

Background:  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are one of the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GIST are defined by positive immunohistochemical staining for KIT or CD34 and thus are generally diagnosed after surgery. Because small GIST are rarely diagnosed before surgery, the clinical course of these small tumors is not clear. The aim of the present study was to follow changes in size and configuration of small GIST that were pathologically confirmed using endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (EUS‐FNAB).

Methods:  Between July 1997 and December 2003, 16 tumors in 16 patients (10 men and 6 women) with an immunohistochemical diagnosis of GIST were regularly followed in our hospital. The median patient age when EUS‐FNAB was performed was 62 years (range 26–82 years) and the median follow‐up period was 4.9 years (range 0.5–9.6 years).

Results:  Fourteen tumors showed no remarkable changes in size and shape during follow up compared with the initial diagnosis. Two tumors enlarged: one tumor approximately doubled its diameter in 8 years and the other tumor increased from 1.8 cm at diagnosis to up to 10 cm after only 2 years. Doubling time of the latter tumor was calculated as 3.1 months.

Conclusions:  We conclude that EUS‐FNAB might be a good modality for final diagnosis of GIST without surgery, and that GIST without rapid growth on follow up can be endoscopically followed.
A CASE OF DIFFUSE‐TYPE EARLY GASTRIC CANCER WITH NODULAR GASTRITIS
Authors: Tanabe Jun , Kawai Naoki , Abe Takashi , Ueshima Nariyuki , Mizutani Shin , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Meren Haruya , Kawano Sunao , Kamada Tomoari , Haruma Ken
Published: December 2005

A 39‐year‐old woman was referred to Osaka Police Hospital and admitted for surgical treatment of gastric cancer. Barium upper gastrointestinal study and endoscopic examination showed a 3.0 × 3.0 cm depressed lesion in the greater curvature of the middle corpus. An unusual miliary pattern resembling ‘goose flesh’ was observed endoscopically in the antrum. Biopsy specimens from the tumor showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and specimens from the antrum showed many lymphoid follicles with a germinal center. Rapid urease test and histological tests (Giemsa stain) for Helicobacter pylori were both positive. Early gastric cancer with nodular gastritis (NG) was diagnosed and a partial gastrectomy was performed. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed a stage I tumor consisting mainly of signet‐ring cell carcinoma restricted to the mucosa. Postoperatively H. pylori eradication therapy was performed and proved to be successful. One year after eradication therapy, endoscopy with biopsy showed no recurrence of gastric cancer and the remarkable regression of antral NG.
Identification and characterization of ectosymbionts of distinct lineages in Bacteroidales attached to flagellated protists in the gut of termites and a wood‐feeding cockroach
Authors: Noda Satoko , Inoue Tetsushi , Hongoh Yuichi , Kawai Miho , Nalepa Christine A. , Vongkaluang Charunee , Kudo Toshiaki , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: December 2005

Bacterial attachments to nearly the entire surface of flagellated protists in the guts of termites and the wood‐feeding cockroach Cryptocercus are often observed. Based on the polymerase chain reaction‐amplified 16S rRNA gene sequences, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of the rod‐shaped, attached bacteria (ectosymbionts) of several protist species from five host taxa and confirmed their identity by fluorescence in situ hybridizations. These ectosymbionts are affiliated with the order Bacteroidales but formed three distinct lineages, each of which may represent novel bacterial genera. One lineage consisted of the closely related ectosymbionts of two species of the protist genus Devescovina (Cristamonadida). The second lineage comprised three phylotypes identified from the protist Streblomastix sp. (Oxymonadida). The third lineage included ectosymbionts of the three protist genera Hoplonympha, Barbulanympha and Urinympha in the family Hoplonymphidae (Trichonymphida). The ultrastructural observations indicated that these rod‐shaped ectosymbionts share morphological similarities of their cell walls and their point of attachment with the protist but differ in shape. Elongated forms of the ectosymbionts appeared in all the three lineages. The protist cells Streblomastix sp. and Hoplonympha sp. display deep furrows and vane‐like structures, but these impressive structures are probably evolutionarily convergent because both the host protists and their ectosymbionts are distantly related.
Growth of nutrient‐replete Microcystis PCC 7806 cultures is inhibited by an extracellular signal produced by chlorotic cultures
Authors: Dagnino Denise , De Abreu Meireles Diogo , De Aquino Almeida João Carlos
Published: December 2005

The frequency of cyanobacterial blooms has been increasing all over the world. These blooms are often toxic and have become a serious health problem. The aim of this work was to search for population density control mechanisms that could inhibit the proliferation of the toxic bloom‐forming genus Microcystis. Microcystis PCC 7806 cultured for long periods in liquid ASM‐1 medium loses its characteristic green colour. When a medium of chlorotic cultures is added to a nutrient‐replete culture, cell density increase is drastically reduced when compared with controls. Inhibition of cell proliferation occurs in Microcystis cultures from any growth stage and was not strain‐specific, but other genera tested showed no response. Investigations on the mechanism of growth inhibition showed that cultures treated with the conditioned medium acquired a pale colour, with pigment concentration similar to that found in chlorotic cultures. Ultrastructural examination showed that the conditioned medium induced thylakoid membrane disorganization, typical of chlorotic cells, in nutrient‐replete cultures. An active extract was obtained and investigations showed that activity was retained after heating and after addition of an apolar solvent. This indicates  that  activity  of  the  conditioned  medium from chlorotic cells results from non‐protein, apolar compound(s).
Experimental simulation of transmission of an obligate aphid pathogen with aphid flight dispersal
Authors: Chen Chun , Feng Ming‐Guang
Published: December 2005

The wide dispersal of Entomophthorales‐caused mycoses that usually regulate aphid populations is most likely to be associated with the flight of infected alates. This hypothesis was examined via simulated flight and postflight colonization of Myzus periscae alates exposed to spore showers of Pandora neoaphidis, a common obligate aphid pathogen prevalent world wide. A total number of 407 alates were showered in different batches, then individually flown in a computer‐monitoring flight mill system and reared on cabbage leaves for 14‐day free reproduction and contagious infection within progeny colonies at 20–23°C. On average, 80.6% of them flew 2.6 km in 1–5 h, survived 3.2 days, produced 5.3 nymphs, and transmitted their infection to progeny successfully. However, 9.8% of the flown alates left no progeny although they survived at least 1 day prior to mycosis while the rest were not mycosed, producing significantly more nymphs during the first week. The flight distances of the infected (0.01–10.2 km) or uninfected alates (0.1–8.3 km) were exponentially correlated to the flight time (r 2 ≥ 0.98). When grouped by the flight ranges of <1.0, 1.0–3.0, 3.0–5.0 and >5.0 km, the number of live aphids and the proportion of mycosed individuals per progeny colony over colonization days fit well to a complex logistic model (r 2 = 0.984) and modified Gompertz model (r 2 = 0.978) respectively. Both models included flight distance, postflight survival time, premycosis fecundity and primary infection rate as independent variables to affect the developmental rates. The results highlight the significant role of infected alates in the wide dispersal of P. neoaphidis‐caused mycoses among aphids.
Identification of peptide metabolites of Microcystis (Cyanobacteria) that inhibit trypsin‐like activity in planktonic herbivorous Daphnia (Cladocera)
Authors: Czarnecki Olaf , Henning Manfred , Lippert Indra , Welker Martin
Published: December 2005

Cyanobacteria are recognized as producers of a broad variety of bioactive metabolites. Among these, the peptides synthesized by the non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase pathway occur in high structural variability. One class of cyanobacterial peptides, the cyanopeptolins or micropeptins, have been shown to be strong inhibitors of vertebrate serine proteases, like trypsin. In the present study we screened extracts of ten strains of the unicellular cyanobacterium Microcystis sp. for their potential to inhibit trypsin‐like activity in the planktonic crustacea Daphnia, the main herbivores in freshwater ecosystem. Respective standardized IC50's varied for nearly two orders of magnitude. In HPLC fractions we could identify mainly cyanopeptolins as active compounds by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. Cyanopeptolins were found in 22 structural variants with 13 variants produced by one strain alone. Peptides of the microviridin class were moderately active while no activity was evident for microginins and microcystins. Among the cyanopeptolins only those were active that had an arginine or lysine residue N‐terminal to the modified amino acid 3‐amino‐6‐hydroxy‐piperidone. Structural variants that had a tyrosine residue at this particular position did not inhibit trypsin‐like activity. The highly variable composition of the side chain of cyanopeptolins had no marked effect on the activity. Among the six cyanobacterial strains we tested intensively two did not produce any cyanopeptolins and were accordingly less active as crude extracts. The present study underlines the potential importance of the biochemistry of cyanobacteria for the feeding ecology of a planktonic herbivore.
Composition of microbial communities in hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) contaminated soils from Spain revealed with a habitat‐specific microarray
Authors: Neufeld Josh D. , Mohn William W. , De Lorenzo Victor
Published: December 2005

Microarray technology was used to characterize and compare hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) contaminated soils from Spain. A library of 2290 hypervariable 16S rRNA gene sequences was prepared with serial analysis of ribosomal sequence tags (SARST) from a composite of contaminated and uncontaminated soils. By designing hybridization probes specific to the 100 most abundant ribosomal sequence tags (RSTs) in the composite library, the RST array was designed to be habitat‐specific and predicted to monitor the most abundant polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified phylotypes in the individual samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the RST array was tested with a series of pure culture‐specific probes and hybridized with labelled soil PCR products to generate hybridization patterns for each soil. Sequencing of prominent bands in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints derived from these soils provided a means by which we successfully confirmed the habitat‐specific array design and validated the bulk of the probe signals. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling revealed correlations between probe signals and soil physicochemical parameters. Among the strongest correlations to total HCH contamination were probe signals corresponding to unknown Gamma Proteobacteria, potential pollutant‐degrading phylotypes, and several organisms with acid‐tolerant phenotypes. The strongest correlations to alpha‐HCH were probe signals corresponding to the genus Sphingomonas, which contains known HCH degraders. This suggests that the population detected was enriched in situ by HCH contamination and may play a role in HCH degradation. Other environmental parameters were also likely instrumental in shaping community composition in these soils. The results highlight the power of habitat‐specific microarrays for comparing complex microbial communities.
Geomicrobiological exploration and characterization of a novel deep‐sea hydrothermal system at the TOTO caldera in the Mariana Volcanic Arc
Authors: Nakagawa Tatsunori , Takai Ken , Suzuki Yohey , Hirayama Hisako , Konno Uta , Tsunogai Urumu , Horikoshi Koki
Published: December 2005

Novel hydrothermal activities accompanying effluent white smokers and elemental sulfur chimney structures at the north‐east lava dome of the TOTO caldera depression in the Mariana Volcanic Arc have been explored and characterized by geochemical and microbiological surveys. White smoker hydrothermal fluids were observed in the potential hydrothermal activity centre of the field and represented the maximal temperature of 170°C and the lowest pH of 1.6. The chimney structures, all consisting of elemental sulfur (sulfur chimney), were also unique to the TOTO caldera hydrothermal field. Microbial community structures in a sulfur chimney and its formation hydrothermal fluid with a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide (15 mM) have been investigated by culture‐dependent and ‐independent analyses. 16S rRNA gene clone analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that ɛ‐Proteobacteria dominated the microbial communities in the sulfur chimney structure and formed a dense microbial mat covering the sulfur chimney surface. Archaeal phylotypes were consistently minor components in the communities and related to the genera Thermococcus, Pyrodictium, Aeropyrum, and the uncultivated archaeal group of ‘deep‐sea hydrothermal vent euryarchaeotal group’. Cultivation analysis suggested that the chemolithoautotrophs might play a significant ecological role as primary producers utilizing gas and sulfur compounds provided from hydrothermal fluids.
Complete long‐term survival data from a trial of adjuvant chemotherapy vs control after radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer
Authors: LEHMANN JAN , FRANZARING LUDGER , THÜROFF JOACHIM , WELLEK STEFAN , STÖCKLE MICHAEL
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVES

To report the long‐term follow‐up of patients with locally advanced bladder cancer treated with either adjuvant combined chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin/epirubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC/MVEC) or no additional treatment after radical cystectomy, to examine various survival endpoints and factors associated with long‐term survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between May 1987 and December 1990, 49 patients undergoing radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer were randomized to observation only or adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with three cycles of MVAC/MVEC (methotrexate 30 mg/m2 on day 1, 15 and 22; vinblastine 3 mg/m2 on day 2, 15 and 22; doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 or epirubicin 45 mg/m2 on day 2; and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 2 of a 28‐day cycle). Data were obtained for progression‐free, overall and tumour‐specific survival.

RESULTS

In all, 23 patients were randomized to the control arm and 26 to treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy. The trial intended to accrue 100 patients but was stopped after an interim analysis showed a marked difference in progression free‐survival when these first 49 patients had been randomized. The intent‐to‐treat analysis, including hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals and point estimates at 10 years for control vs adjuvant chemotherapy, was as follows: progression‐free survival HR 2.84 (1.46–5.54; P= 0.002), 13.0% vs 43.7%; overall survival HR 1.75 (0.95–3.23; P= 0.069), 17.4% vs 26.9%; and tumour‐specific survival HR 2.52 (1.28–4.99; P= 0.007), 17.4% vs 41.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The long‐term results further support the use of adjuvant‐combined chemotherapy with cisplatin‐based regimens after radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer, as this significantly improves progression‐free and tumour‐specific survival.
Comparison of standard transurethral resection, transurethral vapour resection and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia of >40 g
Authors: GUPTA NARMADA , SIVARAMAKRISHNA  , KUMAR RAJEEV , DOGRA PREM N. , SETH AMLESH
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVES

To compare the safety and efficacy of two alternatives for surgically treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), i.e. transurethral vapour resection of the prostate (TUVRP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLEP), with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the standard surgical therapy, as treating large prostates is associated with greater morbidity, and to date there is no simultaneous comparison of these three methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively randomized 150 patients (50 in each group) with BPH and glands of >40 g to undergo either TURP, TUVRP or HOLEP. The evaluation before treatment included urine culture, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level estimation, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), and transabdominal ultrasonography to estimate prostate size and postvoid urine residue (PVR). The operative duration, blood loss, resected tissue weight, change in levels of haemoglobin and serum sodium, nursing contact time, duration of catheterization, and complications were noted. After surgery patients were reassessed for the IPSS, Qmax and PVR at 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

The patients in all three groups had comparable characteristics before surgery. The mean operating duration and intraoperative irrigant used for TUVRP was less than for HOLEP or TURP, and blood loss with HOLEP and TUVRP was less than with TURP (all P < 0.001). Postoperative irrigation, nursing contact time, and catheter duration were significantly less for HOLEP than TURP or TUVRP, and for TUVRP than TURP. At follow‐up, patients in all groups had a significant improvement from baseline in IPSS, Qmax, and PVR, but the differences between the groups were not significant at 6 months or 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

HOLEP and TUVRP are both acceptable alternatives to TURP for treating large prostate glands, with less perioperative morbidity and comparable efficacy at 6 months and 1 year.
K+ channel expression in prostate epithelium and its implications in men with chronic prostatitis
Authors: LIANG CHAO‐ZHAO , GUO QING‐KUI , HAO ZONG‐YAO , YANG SEN , WANG DE‐BIN , WU LI‐XIN , LIU CHENG , WANG KE‐XIAO , ZHANG XUE‐JUN
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the Kv1.3 K+ channel on the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of the Kv1.3 K+ channel in prostatic epithelia was detected using streptavidin/peroxidase immunohistochemistry in tissue samples from 75 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, including 42 with and 33 without chronic inflammation. All of the men were sampled in our hospital between January 2000 and December 2003.

RESULTS

There was strong and moderate immunostaining in 14 of the prostatic epithelial specimens with inflammation and in 21 from patients without inflammation, compared to 28 and 12 with low staining, respectively (chi‐squared, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of the Kv1.3 K+channel was lower in prostatic epithelial cells from patients with chronic inflammation than from those without. Opening the Kv1.3 K+ channel could promote the efflux of K+ from the cells, causing an increase in [K+] in the prostate cavity. The increase in [K+] can then infiltrate the stroma through the epithelial gap, exciting the nerve fibres and causing pain and other clinical symptoms.
Lower pole pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction in duplicated collecting systems
Authors: GONZALEZ FRANCISCO , CANNING DOUGLAS A. , HYUN GRACE , CASALE PASQUALE
Published: December 2005

Authors from Philadelphia revisit their extensive experience in lower‐pole PUJ obstruction in duplicated collecting systems, finding that this occurred in 2.05% of duplicated systems. They found an apparent increase in the incidence of this anomaly in boys, and in those with complete duplications. In the second paper in this section, authors from Belgrade describe calibration and dilatation with topical steroids in the treatment of stenosis of the neourethral meatus after hypospadias repair.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and efficacy of treatment for pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO, the most common cause of hydronephrosis in the fetal kidney) in duplicated systems.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed patients with PUJO in a duplex collecting system, reviewing each case for age, sex, anatomy, presenting symptoms and type of management.

RESULTS

From 1994 to 2004, 1413 patients were identified to have hydronephrosis; 243 of them had pyeloplasty for PUJO, and five (2%) involved the lower pole of a duplicated collecting system. In two of the patients the presentation was prenatal hydronephrosis (mean age at diagnosis 6 weeks) and the remainder presented with flank pain and pyelonephritis (mean age 5 years); all were boys. There was only one incomplete duplication (Y type). Four patients had a dismembered pyeloplasty and one a ureteric calycostomy. Vesico‐ureteric reflux was present in three patients and two required common sheath reimplantation. On a radioisotope scan during the follow‐up (mean 12 months) the five patients showed an improvement and no evidence of functional obstruction.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of PUJO in duplicated systems was 2%; treatment should be individualized and requires a careful preoperative evaluation. This anomaly appears to be more common in boys and in completely duplicated systems.
Italian validation of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires
Authors: TUBARO ANDREA , ZATTONI FILIBERTO , PREZIOSO DOMENICO , SCARPA ROBERTO M. , PESCE FRANCESCO , RIZZI CARLO A. , SANTINI AMBRA M. , SIMONI LUCIA , ARTIBANI WALTER ,   THE FLOW STUDY GROUP
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVE

To validate the Italian version of two questionnaires for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), i.e. the long (LF) and the short form (SF) of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ).

METHODS

Two native Italian speakers and a native English speaker collaborated with clinical investigators through a multistep process to obtain a consensus version of the questionnaires. The resulting Italian versions were then pre‐tested during a pilot study on 16 women for the LF and 10 for the SF. The final versions of the ICIQ‐LF and ICIQ‐SF were administered to two samples of consecutive female patients, aged ≥ 18 years, who had been having LUTS for ≥ 3 months, with respectively 82 and 50 women. Internal consistency and test‐retest reliability were then assessed; to evaluate the latter, a subset of patients (25 for the ICIQ‐LF and 42 for ICIQ‐SF) was re‐rated. To test the capacity of the questionnaires to discriminate women with or without LUTS (respectively cases and controls), a sample of healthy women was also enrolled and assessed.

RESULTS

Both scales showed good psychometric properties overall. The correlation coefficient between ratings was > 0.75 in both questionnaires, and the discriminant power between cases and controls was confirmed for both scales. The ICIQ‐SF showed good internal consistency for the total score (Cronbach's α 0.90). The sections of the ICIQ‐LF ‘impact of incontinence on everyday life’, ‘emotional aspects’, ‘urinary symptoms’ and the degree of bother seemed to be internally consistent (Cronbach's α > 0.70); there was a weak relationship for items related to ‘sexual matters’ (Cronbach's α 0.38).

CONCLUSION

The Italian version of both questionnaires is a valid and robust instrument which can now be used reliably both in daily practice and in clinical research.
Is preoperative serum prostate‐specific antigen level significantly related to clinical recurrence after radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer?
Authors: HAUKAAS SVEIN A. , HALVORSEN OLE J. , DAEHLIN LARS , HOSTMARK JENS , AKSLEN LARS A.
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of preoperative serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level and other clinicopathological variables on the probability of biochemical failure and clinical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was a retrospective survival analysis in 211 patients undergoing retropubic RP for clinically localized prostate cancer in the period 1988–2000. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method; survival endpoints were biochemical failure, defined as a PSA level of ≥ 0.5 ng/mL or clinical recurrence consisting of palpable tumours in the prostatic fossa or distant metastases. In 58 patients with biochemical failure after surgery, we assessed the impact of the doubling time of serum PSA level (PSADT) on the risk of developing skeletal metastases or local recurrence.

RESULTS

The median (range) observation period was 66 (9–160) months. Biochemical failure occurred in 92 patients (44%) of whom 39 (42%) had local recurrence or skeletal metastases. There was a highly significant association (P < 0.001) between clinical T stage, histological grade, capsular penetration, surgical margin status, seminal vesicle invasion, preoperative serum PSA level and the probability of biochemical failure‐free survival. By contrast there was no statistically significant association between preoperative serum PSA level, clinical T stage, surgical margin status, and clinical recurrence. There was a significant relationship between age (P = 0.021), histological grade (P = 0.025), capsular penetration (P = 0.018), seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0014), and clinical recurrence. Cox regression analysis showed that only histological grade and seminal vesicle invasion were independent predictors of clinical recurrence. In a subgroup of 58 patients with a rising serum PSA level after RP, a PSADT of ≤ 12.8 months conferred a significantly higher risk (P = 0.015) of developing skeletal metastases than a PSADT of >12.8 months.

CONCLUSION

In the present patients undergoing RP the preoperative serum PSA level was not associated with the clinical outcome, whereas it was significantly related to biochemical failure rate. The probability of skeletal metastases was significantly associated with the PSADT after biochemical failure.
Concentric needle electrodes are superior to perineal surface‐patch electrodes for electromyographic documentation of urethral sphincter relaxation during voiding
Authors: MAHAJAN SANGEETA T. , FITZGERALD MARY PAT , KENTON KIMBERLY , SHOTT SUSAN , BRUBAKER LINDA
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVE

To compare interpretations of electromyographic (EMG) recordings from perineal surface patch electrodes (PSPEs) to those from urethral concentric needle electrodes (CNEs) during voiding.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consenting women underwent urodynamic testing with a 30 G, 3.8 cm CNE at the 12 o’clock position in the striated urethral sphincter muscle, and with PSPEs placed at the 2 and 10 o’clock positions around the anus. Pressure‐flow studies were conducted with simultaneous input from both EMG electrodes. Representative, de‐identified paper copies of EMG signals were assembled by chronology and electrode type. Six examiners unaware of the patient details were asked to determine if the tracings were interpretable and whether there was quiescence of the urethral sphincter motor unit during voiding. The agreement between the interpretations of each tracing was assessed using McNemar and κ statistics.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two women undergoing urodynamic testing for incontinence (16), voiding dysfunction (two) or urinary retention (four) participated in this study. CNE tracings were consistently more interpretable than PSPE tracings (mean 89% vs 67%). When tracings were interpretable, a significantly higher percentage of CNE EMG tracings (mean 79%) had urethral sphincter motor unit quiescence than PSPE EMG tracings (mean 28%). The κ values for agreement among the reviewers’ interpretations were highly variable and none were statistically significant. Reviewers unanimously agreed on only 12 of the 44 tracings, and 11 of these showed quiescence when using a CNE.

CONCLUSIONS

CNEs are more often interpretable than PSPEs for determining motor unit quiescence during voiding. CNE EMG appears to have greater clinical utility for central reading than PSPEs.
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for prostates of >125 mL
Authors: MATLAGA BRIAN R. , KIM SAMUEL C. , KUO RAMSAY L. , WATKINS STEPHANIE L. , LINGEMAN JAMES E.
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVE

To examine a group of patients treated with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and with the bladder outlet obstructed by an exceptionally large (>125 mL) prostate, as such men are often not considered candidates for endoscopic treatments and historically have required open surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed retrospectively all patients with prostates of > 125 mL on transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) who underwent HoLEP between January 2000 and January 2005.

RESULTS

Eighty‐six patients were identified; their mean (range) age was 72.6 (48–90) years and prostate volume 170.2 (125–309) mL. Their mean preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level was 9.82 ng/mL and preoperative American Urologic Association symptom score (AUA‐SS) was 19.6. The mean operative duration and hospital stay were 128.1 min and 26.1 h, respectively. The mean weight of tissue enucleated was 140.2 g. At the 1‐month follow‐up the mean AUA‐SS (63 men) was 8.4 and at 6 months (35 men) it was 6.4. The mean serum PSA level in 48 patients was 0.96 ng/mL, a reduction of 90%. TRUS measurements in 20 patients gave a mean prostate volume of 30.8 mL, a reduction of 82%. At the 1‐year follow‐up the mean AUA‐SS of 22 patients was 5.1.

CONCLUSIONS

The present report details the largest series of patients, with the largest mean prostate size, treated by any endoscopic surgical method. HoLEP may be the ideal treatment for men with prostates of > 125 mL with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction.
Conversion from colonic conduit into recto‐sigmoid pouch (Mainz pouch II)
Authors: PAHERNIK SASCHA , WIESNER CHRISTOPH , GILLITZER ROLF , STEIN RAIMUND , THÜROFF JOACHIM W.
Published: December 2005

The Mainz Pouch II has now been used widely and found to be a valuable addition to the various types of urinary diversion. The authors from Mainz describe how a colonic conduit can be converted into a Mainz Pouch II, and the expected outcome from such a procedure.

OBJECTIVE

To report our long‐term results of conversion from conduit conversion into a continent anal urinary diversion, as after conduit urinary diversion in childhood, some patients wish to have a later conversion to a continent diversion to avoid external appliances and to improve their quality of life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1992 and 2003, 139 patients had a urinary diversion with a recto‐sigmoid pouch (Mainz pouch II), of whom four had a conversion from a colonic conduit diversion to a recto‐sigmoid pouch. The mean (range) age at conduit diversion was 5.5 (3–14) years and the mean interval between conduit diversion and conversion to a continent anal diversion was 8 (4–18) years. The mean age at conversion into a Mainz pouch II was 13  (8–32) years and the follow‐up afterward was 11.5 (1–13) years. The conversion was done by incorporating the pre‐existing colonic conduit into the recto‐sigmoid pouch with no ureteric reimplantation.

RESULTS

There were no early complications; one nephrectomy was required 5 years after conversion because of uretero‐intestinal obstruction and pyelonephritis. All other reno‐ureteric units remained stable and renal function was maintained. All patients are continent day and night; three require substitution with alkali at a base excess of < −2.5 mmol/L to prevent hyperchloraemia and acidosis.

CONCLUSION

The recto‐sigmoid pouch is a therapeutic option when patients desire conversion from an incontinent type of urinary diversion to a continent type.
THE VALUE OF INFORMATION IN STOCHASTIC CONTROL AND FINANCE
Authors: ØKSENDAL BERNT
Published: December 2005

We present an optimal portfolio problem with logarithmic utility in the following three cases:

The classical case, with complete information from the market available to the agent at all times. Mathematically this means that the portfolio process is adapted to the filtration of the underlying Brownian motion (or, more generally, the underlying Lévy process).

The partial observation case, in which the trader has to base her portfolio choices on less information than . Mathematically this means that the portfolio process must be adapted to a filtration for all t. For example, this is the case if the trader can only observe the asset prices and not the underlying Lévy process.

The insider case, in which the trader has some inside information about the future of the market. This information could for example be the price of one of the assets at some future time. Mathematically this means that the portfolio process is allowed to be adapted to a filtration for all t. In this case the associated stochastic integrals become anticipating, and it is necessary to explain what mathematical model it is appropriate to use and to clarify the corresponding anticipating stochastic calculus.

We solve the problem in all these three cases and we compute the corresponding maximal expected logarithmic utility of the terminal wealth. Let us call these quantities , respectively. Then represents the loss of value due the loss of information in (ii), and is the value gained due to the inside information in (iii).
DYNAMIC ASSET ALLOCATION AND CONSUMPTION CHOICE IN INCOMPLETE MARKETS*
Authors: STOIKOV SASHA F. , ZARIPHOPOULOU THALEIA
Published: December 2005

We study the optimal investment and consumption problem of a CRRA investor when the drift and volatility of the stock are driven by a correlated factor. The myopic and non‐myopic components of the optimal portfolio process are characterised in terms of the market price of traded and non‐traded risk of the minimax martingale measure. We find that the optimal policies depend crucially on the nature of the agent, aggressive versus conservative, and the market incompleteness, improving versus deteriorating investment opportunities. Furthermore, we show that the original problem cannot be decomposed into a pure consumption and a pure terminal wealth problem, unless the market is complete.
ON THE ROLE OF THE GROWTH OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO IN FINANCE
Authors: PLATEN ECKHARD
Published: December 2005

The paper discusses various roles that the growth optimal portfolio (GOP) plays in finance. For the case of a continuous market we show how the GOP can be interpreted as a fundamental building block in financial market modeling, portfolio optimisation, contingent claim pricing and risk measurement. On the basis of a portfolio selection theorem, optimal portfolios are derived. These allocate funds into the GOP and the savings account. A risk aversion coefficient is introduced, controlling the amount invested in the savings account, which allows to characterize portfolio strategies that maximise expected utilities. Natural conditions are formulated under which the GOP appears as the market portfolio. A derivation of the intertemporal capital asset pricing model is given without relying on Markovianity, equilibrium arguments or utility functions. Fair contingent claim pricing, with the GOP as numeraire portfolio, is shown to generalise risk neutral and actuarial pricing. Finally, the GOP is described in various ways as the best performing portfolio.
TWO‐SECTOR STOCHASTIC GROWTH MODELS*
Authors: HARTLEY P.M. , ROGERS L.C.G.
Published: December 2005

This paper develops the study of two‐sector growth models of the form introduced by Arrow and Kurz (1970). We extend their deterministic model by allowing the population process to become random and by allowing the population to choose their level of effort. We find that under suitable conditions the government is able to tax and borrow in such as way as to induce the private sector to invest and consume along the path which the government considers optimal. Moreover, we also find that in some important cases the model can be solved explicitly in closed form, to the extent that we can write down expressions for tax rates and interest rates. This leads to new one‐factor interest rate models, with related taxation policies; numerical examples show very reasonable behaviour.
Modelling and Forecasting Fiscal Variables for the Euro Area*
Authors: Favero Carlo A. , Marcellino Massimiliano
Published: December 2005

In this paper, we assess the possibility of producing unbiased forecasts for fiscal variables in the Euro area by comparing a set of procedures that rely on different information sets and econometric techniques. In particular, we consider autoregressive moving average models, Vector autoregressions, small‐scale semistructural models at the national and Euro area level, institutional forecasts (Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development), and pooling. Our small‐scale models are characterized by the joint modelling of fiscal and monetary policy using simple rules, combined with equations for the evolution of all the relevant fundamentals for the Maastricht Treaty and the Stability and Growth Pact. We rank models on the basis of their forecasting performance using the mean square and mean absolute error criteria at different horizons. Overall, simple time‐series methods and pooling work well and are able to deliver unbiased forecasts, or slightly upward‐biased forecast for the debt–GDP dynamics. This result is mostly due to the short sample available, the robustness of simple methods to structural breaks, and to the difficulty of modelling the joint behaviour of several variables in a period of substantial institutional and economic changes. A bootstrap experiment highlights that, even when the data are generated using the estimated small‐scale multi‐country model, simple time‐series models can produce more accurate forecasts, because of their parsimonious specification.
The Incremental Predictive Information Associated with Using Theoretical New Keynesian DSGE Models vs. Simple Linear Econometric Models*
Authors: Korenok Oleg , Swanson Norman R.
Published: December 2005

In this paper we construct output gap and inflation predictions using a variety of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) sticky price models. Predictive density accuracy tests related to the test discussed in Corradi and Swanson [Journal of Econometrics (2005a), forthcoming] as well as predictive accuracy tests due to Diebold and Mariano [Journal of Business and Economic Statistics (1995), Vol. 13, pp. 253–263]; and West [Econometrica (1996), Vol. 64, pp. 1067–1084] are used to compare the alternative models. A number of simple time‐series prediction models (such as autoregressive and vector autoregressive (VAR) models) are additionally used as strawman models. Given that DSGE model restrictions are routinely nested within VAR models, the addition of our strawman models allows us to indirectly assess the usefulness of imposing theoretical restrictions implied by DSGE models on unrestricted econometric models. With respect to predictive density evaluation, our results suggest that the standard sticky price model discussed in Calvo [Journal of Monetary Economics (1983), Vol. XII, pp. 383–398] is not outperformed by the same model augmented either with information or indexation, when used to predict the output gap. On the other hand, there are clear gains to using the more recent models when predicting inflation. Results based on mean square forecast error analysis are less clear‐cut, although the standard sticky price model fares best at our longest forecast horizon of 3 years, it performs relatively poorly at shorter horizons. When the strawman time‐series models are added to the picture, we find that the DSGE models still fare very well, often outperforming our forecast competitions, suggesting that theoretical macroeconomic restrictions yield useful additional information for forming macroeconomic forecasts.
Paranasal Sinus Pathologies in Patients Presenting with Headache as the Primary Symptom
Authors: Lin S-H , Ho C-Y
Published: December 2005

Headache is a frequent symptom of lesions in the paranasal sinuses. Although some inflammatory symptoms are suggestive of pathologies of the paranasal sinuses, occasional headache is sometimes the major presenting symptom. In a retrospective study, we examined the chart histories of 36 patients presenting for treatment at our hospital from 1 January 1992 to 30 June 2001 who were diagnosed as having pathologies of the paranasal sinuses with the primary symptom being headache. All patients had been evaluated with complete otolaryngological and neurological examinations, diagnostic nasal endoscopy, and sinus computed tomographic (CT) scans. Sinus surgery was arranged after failure in performing appropriate medical treatment. Among the 36 patients, 33 showed significant improvement after sinus operation (92%). A paranasal sinus aetiology of headache is an important factor in the differential diagnosis of chronic headache. Those patients who are clinically suspected of having headaches arising from paranasal sinus pathology should receive comprehensive otorhinolaryngological examination and evaluation. Nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans are good diagnostic tools. Surgical management may be beneficial in those for whom medical treatment fails to resolve the problem.
Instructive niches: environmental instructions that confound NG2 proteoglycan expression and the fate‐restriction of CNS progenitors
Authors: Sellers Drew L. , Horner Philip J.
Published: December 2005

Cellullar deficits are replenished within the central nervous system (CNS) by progenitors to maintain integrity and recover function after injury. NG2 proteoglycan‐expressing progenitors replenish oligodendrocyte populations, but the nature of NG2 proteoglycan may not indicate a restricted population of progenitors. After injury, restorative spatiotemporal cues have the potential ability to regulate divergent fate‐choices for NG2 progenitors, and NG2 progenitors are known to produce multiple cell types in vitro. Recent data suggest that NG2 expression is attenuated while protein levels remain high within injurious tissue; thus, NG2 expression is not static but transiently controlled in response to a dynamic interplay of environmental cues. Therefore, NG2 proteoglycan expression could label newly generated cells or be inherited by resident cell populations that produce oligodendrocytes for remyelination, astrocytes that provide trophic support and other cells that contribute to CNS function.
Food safety research underpinning food service systems – a review
Authors: Rodgers Svetlana
Published: December 2005

Food service systems allow the decoupling of food production from service and offer economies of scale. However, the multiple steps in processing introduce additional safety risks in comparison with the traditional preparation. Operators need to be aware of the preservation principles and the type of data available in food safety research. This paper provides justification and describes the link between different types of studies in the field: surveys of background microflora, challenge studies, food safety design, predictive modelling, hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP). The needs and directions for further research are identified.