bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower urinary tract symptoms in female patients with pelvic organ prolapse: Efficacy of pelvic floor reconstruction
Authors: Obinata Daisuke , Yamaguchi Kenya , Ito Akiko , Murata Yasutaka , Ashikari Daisaku , Igarashi Tomohiro , Sato Katsuhiko , Mochida Junichi , Yamanaka Yataro , Takahashi Satoru 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of pelvic floor reconstruction on lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with pelvic organ prolapse.MethodsWe carried out a prospective study at a single institution. A total of 223 female patients who underwent tension‐free vaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse between January 2006 and February 2010 were enrolled and prospectively evaluated. A total of 171 cases with concurrent stress urinary incontinence (76% of all cases) underwent concomitant transobturator tape sling. For evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms, parameters included International Prostate Symptom Score, its quality of life score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form, overactive bladder questionnaire, maximal flow rate and postvoid residual. These parameters were evaluated at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery.ResultsThe severity of International Prostate Symptom Score total scores significantly correlated with preoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantification stages, overactive bladder questionnaire total scores and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form scores. A total of 37% of stage 4 showed ≥20 International Prostate Symptom Score (severe cases). Postvoid residual significantly increased in stage 4 compared with stage 2. Tension‐free vaginal mesh improved International Prostate Symptom Score, overactive bladder questionnaire and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form significantly, and also achieved grade 0 pelvic organ prolapse quantification in 91% of all cases at 1 year after surgery. Postvoid residual values significantly improved and remained stable for 1 year. Worse overactive bladder questionnaire score was a significant predictive factor for poor postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score.ConclusionThe tension‐free vaginal mesh plus transobturator tape procedure improves lower urinary tract symptoms in the majority of patients presenting pelvic organ prolapse.
Partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for non‐metastatic pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma: A multi‐institutional comparative analysis
Authors: Oh Jong Jin , Byun Seok‐Soo , Lee Sang Eun , Hong Sung Kyu , Lee Eun Sik , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Kwak Cheol , Ku Ja Hyeon , Jeong Chang Wook , Kim Yong‐June , Kang Seok Ho , Hong Sung Hoo 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo compare the recurrence‐free survival of partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy in patients with non‐metastatic pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma.MethodsWe reviewed the records of 3567 patients who had undergone a nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma at five institutions in Korea from January 2000 to December 2010. The clinical data of 45 patients with pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma in the partial nephrectomy group were compared with 298 patients with pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma in the radical nephrectomy group. The effects of surgical methods on recurrence‐free survival were assessed by a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. All comparisons were repeated in subgroup analysis on 63 clinical T1a patients with tumors ≤4 cm.ResultsDuring a median 43‐month follow‐up period, disease recurrence occurred in two patients (4.4%) in the partial nephrectomy group, and 94 patients (31.5%) in the radical nephrectomy group. The results from a multivariate model showed that radical nephrectomy was a significant predictor of recurrence. However, in subgroup analysis that included 63 clinical T1a pathological T3a patients, the recurrence‐free survival rates were not significantly different between the two cohorts. The renal function was significantly better preserved in the partial nephrectomy cohort than in the radical nephrectomy cohort.ConclusionsPartial nephrectomy provides similar recurrence‐free survival outcomes compared with radical nephrectomy in patients with clinical T1a pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma. However, there seems to be a higher risk of recurrence for large pathological T3a tumors treated by radical nephrectomy compared with small tumors treated by partial nephrectomy. Thus, large tumors with the same pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma grade could have hidden aggressive features.
Cystectomy and urinary diversion as management of treatment‐refractory benign disease: The impact of preoperative urological conditions on perioperative outcomes
Authors: Cohn Joshua A , Large Michael C , Richards Kyle A , Steinberg Gary D , Bales Gregory T 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate perioperative outcomes associated with cystectomy and urinary diversion for treatment‐refractory benign urological disease.MethodsA cohort of patients who underwent cystectomy for infection, fistula, bleeding, incontinence, neurogenic bladder or pain between January 2004 and June 2012 was established. Data included baseline demographics, indications for cystectomy and prior treatments, and complications at 30 and 90 days. Primary outcome measures were 30‐day and 30 to 90‐day complications.ResultsThe study group comprised eight males and 18 females. The mean age was 57.8 years (95% CI 50.8–64.7). A total of 19 patients (73%) had resolution of their underlying urological pathology at 90 days. A total of 19 patients (73%) experienced a complication in the first 30 days, of which nine (47%) were Clavien grade III or higher. The most common 30‐day complications were urinary tract infection (n = 6, 23%) and wound infection (n = 6, 23%). A total of 44% (4/9) of patients with neurogenic bladder experienced a complication within the first 30 days of cystectomy compared with 100% (8/8) of patients with radiation‐induced fistula (P = 0.03) and 78% (7/9) of non‐neurogenic, non‐radiation‐induced fistula patients (P = 0.34).ConclusionsCystectomy with urinary diversion for benign disease might be successful, but is associated with a high rate of perioperative complications. Those with radiation‐induced fistula are more likely to experience complications, whereas those with neurogenic bladder carry a lower risk. Patients should be counseled appropriately regarding expected postoperative outcomes.
Health‐related quality of life after carbon‐ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer: A 3‐year prospective study
Authors: Katoh Hiroyuki , Tsuji Hiroshi , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Kamada Tadashi , Wakatsuki Masaru , Hirasawa Naoki , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Akakura Koichiro , Nakano Takashi , Shimazaki Jun , Tsujii Hirohiko 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo assess 3‐year health‐related quality of life of patients treated with carbon ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer.MethodsA total of 213 patients received carbon‐ion radiotherapy at a total dose of 66 Gy equivalent in 20 fractions over 5 weeks, and neoadjuvant and adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy were administered for high‐risk patients for at least 12 months. A health‐related quality of life assessment was carried out at four time‐points (immediately before the initiation of carbon‐ion radiotherapy, immediately after, 12 and 36 months after completion of carbon‐ion radiotherapy) using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General and for Prostate Cancer Patients.ResultsThe evaluable response rates among all responses were more than 94%. Overall, a significant decrease in the scores of the health‐related quality of life 12 months after carbon‐ion radiotherapy returned to their baseline levels at 36 months. Additionally, no significant decrease was observed in the scores at any of the assessment time‐points compared with their baseline scores in the group of carbon‐ion radiotherapy without androgen deprivation therapy; however, the presence of morbidity and biochemical failure significantly worsened the scores, and the decreases in the scores did not improve even at 36 months after carbon‐ion radiotherapy.ConclusionsAn assessment based on a subjective scoring system shows a significant decrease in health‐related quality of life at 12 months after carbon‐ion radiation therapy, which tends to return to baseline levels at 36 months. The presence of morbidity and biochemical failure significantly worsen health‐related quality of life scores. Further controlled studies focusing on health‐related quality of life assessment in patients with prostate cancer are warranted.
Visualization and live imaging analysis of a mosquito saliva protein in host animal skin using a transgenic mosquito with a secreted luciferase reporter system
Authors: Yamamoto D. S. , Yokomine T. , Sumitani M. , Yagi K. , Matsuoka H. , Yoshida S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMosquitoes inject saliva into a vertebrate host during blood feeding. The analysis of mosquito saliva in host skin is important for the elucidation of the inflammatory responses to mosquito bites, the development of antithrombotic drugs, and the transmission‐blocking of vector‐borne diseases. We produced transgenic Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes expressing the secretory luciferase protein (MetLuc) fused to a saliva protein (AAPP) in the salivary glands. The transgene product (AAPP‐MetLuc) of transgenic mosquitoes exhibited both luciferase activity as a MetLuc and binding activity to collagen as an AAPP. The detection of luminescence in the skin of mice bitten by transgenic mosquitoes showed that AAPP‐MetLuc was injected into the skin as a component of saliva via blood feeding. AAPP‐MetLuc remained at the mosquito bite site in host skin with luciferase activity for at least 4 h after blood feeding. AAPP was also suspected of remaining at the site of injury caused by the mosquito bite and blocking platelet aggregation by binding to collagen. These results demonstrated the establishment of visualization and time‐lapse analysis of mosquito saliva in living vertebrate host skin. This technique may facilitate the analysis of mosquito saliva after its injection into host skin, and the development of new drugs and disease control strategies.
Australians' knowledge and perceptions of direct‐to‐consumer personal genome testing
Authors: Savard J. , Mooney‐Somers J. , Newson A. J. , Kerridge I. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAs direct‐to‐consumer personal genome testing (DTC‐PGT) is increasingly available in Australia, knowledge of Australians' perceptions and attitudes towards this technology is needed in order to assess the (potential) impact it might have on the Australian public and healthcare system.AimsTo explore the knowledge and perceptions of DTC‐PGT in an Australian sample.MethodsAn online survey asking about knowledge and perceptions of DTC‐PGT, undertaken between October 2011 and April 2012, of 270 Australian residents. Results were analysed using SAS.ResultsOur study found limited consumer knowledge of, and interest in, pursuing DTC‐PGT in Australia. Ninety‐three per cent of respondents correctly identified DTC‐PGT as available to consumers directly, but only 40% correctly identified its availability in Australia. When asked about the content and value of the information DTC‐PGT provides, the majority of respondents indentified that DTC‐PGT could provide information about one's health and/or ancestry (82% and 74%). Additionally, respondents indicated they believed this information to be equally important as non‐genetic information about one's ancestry and health.ConclusionWhile a minority of respondents expressed an intention to pursue DTC‐PGT (27%), the majority of respondents, irrespective of whether they wished to pursue it or not, believed that genetic information was as important as non‐genetic information in regards to their health and their ancestry. The value ascribed to genetic information suggests that genetics plays a role in people's lives, and that further qualitative research could explore the ways in which people might use and understand the genetic information provided by DTC‐PGT.
Emerging role of interleukin‐33 in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Pei Cheng , Barbour Mark , Fairlie‐Clarke Karen J. , Allan Debbie , Mu Rong , Jiang Hui‐Rong 
Published: October 2013

SummaryInterleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is a member of the IL‐1 cytokine family. It predominantly induces type 2 immune responses and thus is protective against atherosclerosis and nematode infections but contributes to allergic airway inflammation. Interleukin‐33 also plays a pivotal role in the development of many autoimmune diseases through mechanisms that are still not fully understood. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in understanding of the expression and function of IL‐33 in some autoimmune disorders, aiming to provide insight into its potential role in disease development.
Recognition of new citrulline‐containing peptide epitopes by autoantibodies produced in vivo and in vitro by B cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Szarka Eszter , Babos Fruzsina , Magyar Anna , Huber Krisztina , Szittner Zoltán , Papp Krisztián , Prechl József , Pozsgay Judit , Neer Zsuzsa , Ádori Monika , Nagy György , Rojkovich Bernadette , Gáti Tamás , Kelemen Judit , Baka Zsuzsanna , Brózik Márta , Pazár Borbála , Poór Gyula , Hudecz Ferenc , Sármay Gabriella 
Published: October 2013

SummaryAnti‐citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPAs) are highly sensitive and specific markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Identification of peptide epitopes that may detect different subgroups of RA patients might have diagnostic and prognostic significance. We have investigated citrulline‐ and arginine‐containing peptide pairs derived from filaggrin, collagen or vimentin, and compared this citrulline‐peptide panel with the serological assays conventionally used to detect ACPAs. Furthermore, we studied if the same citrulline‐peptides identify antibody‐secreting cells in in vitro cultures of RA B cells. Recognition of citrulline‐ and arginine‐containing filaggrin, vimentin and collagen peptide epitopes were tested by Multipin ELISA system, by indirect ELISA and by a peptide‐specific microarray. B cells were purified from blood by negative selection; antibody‐producing cells were enumerated by ELISPOT assay. The panel composed of citrulline‐peptide epitopes of filaggrin, collagen and vimentin was recognized by RA sera with a sensitivity and specificity comparable with the currently used tests. Moreover, the combined citrulline‐peptide panel including the new short epitope peptide of filaggrin, fil311‐315, also identified nearly one‐third of RA cases that were negative for antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides, mutated citrullinated vimentin or for rheumatoid factor. The results with the peptide‐specific microarray have shown that although most ACPAs recognizing the four citrulline peptides are IgG, some of them specifically recognizing citrulline‐containing filaggrin peptides (fil311–315 and fil306–326) are IgM, and so may be produced either by newly formed activated B cells or by unswitched B memory cells. Furthermore, the citrulline‐peptides of filaggrin and vimentin detect ACPA‐producing cells, and so could also be applied to study the B cells of RA patients.
Impact of alemtuzumab treatment on the survival and function of human regulatory T cells in vitro
Authors: Havari Evis , Turner Michael J. , Campos‐Rivera Juanita , Shankara Srinivas , Nguyen Tri‐Hung , Roberts Bruce , Siders William , Kaplan Johanne M. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryAlemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the CD52 protein present at high levels on the surface of B and T lymphocytes. In clinical trials, alemtuzumab has shown a clinical benefit superior to that of interferon‐β in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Treatment with alemtuzumab leads to the depletion of circulating lymphocytes followed by a repopulation process characterized by alterations in the number, proportions and properties of lymphocyte subsets. Of particular interest, an increase in the percentage of T cells with a regulatory phenotype (Treg cells) has been observed in multiple sclerosis patients after alemtuzumab. Since Treg cells play an important role in the control of autoimmune responses, the effect of alemtuzumab on Treg cells was further studied in vitro. Alemtuzumab effectively mediated complement‐dependent cytolysis of human T lymphocytes and the remaining population was enriched in T cells with a regulatory phenotype. The alemtuzumab‐exposed T cells displayed functional regulatory characteristics including anergy to stimulation with allogeneic dendritic cells and ability to suppress the allogeneic response of autologous T cells. Consistent with the observed increase in Treg cell frequency, the CD25hi T‐cell population was necessary for the suppressive activity of alemtuzumab‐exposed T cells. The mechanism of this suppression was found to be dependent on both cell–cell contact and interleukin‐2 consumption. These findings suggest that an alemtuzumab‐mediated increase in the proportion of Treg cells may play a role in promoting the long‐term efficacy of alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 in zebrafish provoking higher interferon‐promoter activity through signalling enhancing of its shorter splicing variant
Authors: Zou Peng Fei , Chang Ming Xian , Xue Na Na , Liu Xue Qin , Li Jun Hua , Fu Jian Ping , Chen Shan Nan , Nie Pin 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMelanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 (MDA5) is one of the three members in the retinoic acid‐inducible gene I‐like receptor (RLR) family, which are cytoplasmic pathogen recognition receptors recognizing intracellular viruses. In the present study, MDA5 and its spliced shorter forms, named as MDA5a and MDA5b, were identified in zebrafish. MDA5a and MDA5b can be up‐regulated in cell lines following the infection of a negative ssRNA virus, the spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), and an intracellular Gram‐negative bacterial pathogen Edwardsiella tarda, implying that the RLR may also be able to sense elements released from bacteria. The over‐expression of MDA5a and MDA5b in fish cells resulted in significant induction of type I interferon promoter activity and enabled the protection of transfected cells against SVCV infection. Furthermore, the shorter spliced form, MDA5b when co‐transfected with MDA5a or mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein (MAVS), induced a significantly higher level of interferon promoter activity, indicating that MDA5b may function as an enhancer in the interaction between MDA5 and MAVS.
TRAIL receptor deficiency sensitizes mice to dextran sodium sulphate‐induced colitis and colitis‐associated carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhu Jieqing , Chen Longfei , Shi Juan , Liu Shilian , Liu Yanxin , Zheng Dexian 
Published: October 2013

SummaryTumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptor (TRAIL‐R) play important roles in immune regulation and cancer cell death. Although TRAIL has been shown to induce chemokine release in various tumour cells, the function of TRAIL‐R in the development of colitis and colitis‐associated carcinogenesis has not been explored. In this study, we found that TRAIL‐R‐deficient mice exhibited a higher incidence of colitis and colitis‐associated cancer than that of wild‐type (WT) mice, and TRAIL‐R expression was down‐regulated in WT mice that were fed dextran sulphate sodium. Chemokines, including CCL2 and CXCL1, were highly expressed in the serum and inflammatory colon tissues of TRAIL‐R−/− mice compared with WT mice, and TRAIL‐R−/− mice showed a marked infiltration of immune cells during colitis. Hyperactivation of Janus kinase and nuclear factor‐κB in colon epithelial cells was also observed, which correlated with the severity of colonic inflammation in TRAIL‐R−/− mice. These data suggest that TRAIL‐R plays a protective role in chemical‐induced colon injury and negatively regulates mucosal immune responses.
Effects of family caregivers on the use of formal long‐term care in South Korea
Authors: Kim E.‐Y. , Cho E. , Lee N.‐J. 
Published: October 2013

AimWe investigated whether the presence and characteristics of a family caregiver affect the use of formal long‐term care under the new Korean long‐term care system.BackgroundIn July 2008, Korea introduced public long‐term care insurance, a form of social insurance, in order to cope with the reality of the growing elderly population and the increasing demand for long‐term care.MethodsThe family caregivers of 271 applicants for long‐term care insurance who had a caregiver and 36 applicants without a caregiver living in one city participated in this cross‐sectional study. Data were collected from November 2010 to June 2011 using self‐report questionnaires. Variables included the applicant's gender; age; physical and cognitive function; type of long‐term care used; presence and type of family caregivers; caregiver's gender, age, education level, marital status, and employment status; and service use covered by long‐term care insurance. Logistic multiple regression was used.ResultsThe effect of the presence and characteristics of a family caregiver on the use of a long‐term care facility was significant. A nursing home was used for care more frequently when the applicant had no family caregiver. An elderly subject who had a spouse as a caregiver used home healthcare services more often than nursing home services.ConclusionThe decision to use formal services may depend not only on the care level required by the applicant, but also on the presence and type of caregivers. To successfully implement the new long‐term care insurance system, consideration of the caregiver situation should be included in policy development.