bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purse‐string technique for laparoscopic excision of a bladder mucosal cuff in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: initial report with intermediate follow‐up
Authors: Shoma Ahmed M. 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo describe a novel modification for excision of a bladder mucosal cuff around the ipsilateral ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) in the patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 2003 and 2007, 13 patients with upper urinary TCC were managed by LNU with excision of a bladder mucosal cuff. The renal pedicle was clipped early. The kidney was freed. The ureter was dissected down to the vesico‐ureteric junction. The intramural part of the ureter was dissected under vision and sharply freed from the surrounding detrusor muscle of the bladder until the level of the ureteric orifice. Then the detrusor muscle was further dissected away from the underneath bladder mucosa for 1 cm around the ureteric orifice. Thus, a bladder cuff of mucosa‐only could be retrieved. A purse‐string suture was taken at the edge of the dissected mucosa and the cuff was excised. The intaoperative and postoperative outcome and morbidity were recorded and results of the short‐ and intermediate‐term follow‐up were evaluated.RESULTSAll the procedures were completed by laparoscopy. The mean operative time was 226 min. The mean blood loss was 233 mL. There were no major complications. The median follow‐up was 31.5 months. During follow‐up, one patient developed recurrence in the renal bed. There was no pelvic recurrences. Two patients developed papillary bladder tumours.CONCLUSIONThe purse‐string technique enabled complete LNU without opening of the pelvicalyceal system. Short‐ and intermediate‐term follow‐up showed the oncological safety of the procedure. The outcomes from more patients with a longer follow‐up are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
Long‐term effects of repeated intradetrusor botulinum neurotoxin A injections on detrusor function in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Authors: Pannek Jürgen , Göcking Konrad , Bersch Ulf 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of repeated botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A) treatments on detrusor function in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (DOA) due to spinal cord lesions.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a retrospective study, urodynamic evaluations of 27 consecutive patients with neurogenic DOA due to spinal cord lesions who received at least five BoNT‐A treatments were analysed.RESULTSAfter the first BoNT‐A treatment, bladder capacity, reflex volume, continence status and detrusor compliance were significantly improved and maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax) was significantly reduced. The mean number of BoNT‐A treatments was 7.1. Compared with the results of the first treatment, the incontinence rate (seven patients) and the number of patients with an elevated Pdetmax (five patients) were slightly increased after the final BoNT‐A treatment. The long‐term success rate was 74%. Every fourth patient needed a major surgical intervention. There was a significant decrease in Pdetmax before BoNT‐A treatments, indicating that detrusor contraction strength did not completely recover after treatment.CONCLUSIONSOur study confirmed the long‐term efficacy of repeated BoNT‐A treatments in patients with neurogenic DOA. However, in long‐term follow‐up, every fourth patient required surgical interventions. Moreover, our data give the first hint that BoNT‐A may lead to impaired detrusor contraction strength, which could influence future treatment options. Prospective studies are necessary to elucidate the impact of repeated BoNT‐A treatments on detrusor function and the interactions with future treatment options.
Undiagnosed diabetes—data from the English longitudinal study of ageing
Authors: Pierce M. B. , Zaninotto P. , Steel N. , Mindell J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  Diabetes UK estimates a quarter of UK cases of diabetes are undiagnosed; 750 000 people have undiagnosed diabetes in addition to 2.25 million with known diabetes, but research studies examining this are contradictory. The aim was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, undiagnosed diabetes in the population of England aged > 50 years and to calculate the percentage of cases of undiagnosed diabetes.Methods  This was a cross‐sectional study in a nationally representative sample of 6739 people aged 52–79 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) 2004/2005. Diabetes cases were ascertained by self‐reported doctor diagnosis of diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose measurement after a minimum of 8‐h fast was available for 2387 (38% of the participants without diabetes). Undiagnosed diabetes cases were based on a fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l.Results  The overall weighted prevalence of diabetes was 9.1%; 502 people (7.5%) had self‐reported diabetes (9.0% of men and 6.0% of women); 36 (1.7%) had undiagnosed diabetes (2.6% of men and 0.8% of women). Of cases of diabetes, 18.5% were undiagnosed (22% in men, 12% in women). Significant risk factors for undiagnosed diabetes were male sex, higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and triglycerides.Conclusions  In 2004 the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, and the proportion of cases of diabetes that were undiagnosed, appear smaller than in previous studies. This is likely to be due to increased awareness of diabetes and improved clinical care resulting in many of those with previously undetected disease having been diagnosed.
Recruiting and organising migrant workers through education and training: a comparison of Community and the GMB
Authors: Heyes Jason 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTA number of British trade unions have developed initiatives to facilitate migrant workers' access to English‐language tuition. This article focuses on the efforts of two trade unions and explores the ways in which they have supported migrant workers and the extent and effectiveness of their attempts to link education to their recruitment and organising activities.
Engaging the professional: organising call centre agents in India
Authors: Noronha Ernesto , D'Cruz Premilla 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe extremely challenging external environment poses numerous challenges to union formation among call centre agents in India. Complicating matters is the acquired professional identity of call centre agents. In this scenario, the union organising call centre employees envisaged that partnership with employers was the only possibility acceptable to call centre agents, employer organisations and society at large, enabling them to regain some acceptability and credibility for the heretofore tainted Indian trade union movement.
Labour market dualism and industrial relations in Europe
Authors: Alemán José 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThis article studies the regulation of fixed‐term contracts and its effects on European industrial relations (2002–06). The study reveals a positive association between temporary employment and industrial conflict and evaluates three mechanisms that may account for this association in 18 European countries. The study reveals that the more these contracts are used, the lower the level of wages and job security workers can expect.
Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss in patients with a history of sulfur mustard contact: a case–control study
Authors: Davoudi Seyyed Masoud , Keshavarz Saeed , Sadr Bardia , Shohrati Majid , Naghizadeh Mohammad Mehdi , Farsinejad Khalil , Rashighi‐Firouzabadi Mehdi , Zartab Hamed , Firooz Alireza 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground   Skin lesions are among the most common complications of contact with sulfur mustard.Objective   This study was aimed to measure skin water content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in patients with a history of sulfur mustard contact.Methods   Three hundred ten male participants were included in this study: 87 (28.1%) sulfur mustard–exposed patients with current skin lesions (group 1), 71 (22.9%) sulfur mustard–exposed patients without skin lesions (group 2), 78 (25.2%) patients with dermatitis (group 3) and 74 (23.8%) normal controls (group 4) The water content and TEWL of skin was measured at four different locations of the body: forehead, suprasternal, palm and dorsum of hand. Nonparametric statistical tests (Kruskal–Wallis) were used to compare the four groups, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results   The mean age of participants were 44.0 ± 6.7, 41.9 ± 5.9, 43.8 ± 9.3 and 44.8 ± 8.9 years in groups 1 to 4, respectively (P = 0.146). Xerosis, post‐lesional hyperpigmentation and lichenification were significantly more common in either sulfur mustard–exposed participants or non‐exposed participants with dermatitis (P < 0.05). Skin hydration was higher in subjects with sulfur mustard contact than in non‐injured participants (P < 0.05) in the dorsum and palm of hands and forehead. TEWL was significantly higher in participants only in suprasternal area and dorsum of hand.Conclusion   Contact with sulfur mustard agent can alter biophysical properties of the skin‐especially the function of stratum corneum as a barrier to water loss‐several years after exposure.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
The impact of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) virus‐like particle vaccine in European women aged 16 to 24
Authors: Majewski S , Bosch FX , Dillner J. , Iversen O‐E , Kjaer SK , Muñoz N , Olsson S‐E , Paavonen J , Sigurdsson K , Bryan J , Esser MT , Giacoletti K , James M , Taddeo F , Vuocolo S , Barr E 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV types 6/11/16/18) L1 VLP vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV 6/11/16/18‐related cervical and external genital disease. Herein, we evaluated the impact of the quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 L1 VLP vaccine on prevention of HPV‐associated cervico‐genital lesions in a broad population of sexually active European women.Methods  Female subjects (N = 9265) aged 16–24 with four or fewer lifetime sexual partners were enrolled and randomized to quadrivalent HPV vaccine or placebo. Subjects underwent cervicovaginal sampling for HPV DNA detection. Papanicolaou testing and anti‐HPV 6/11/16/18 serology testing was also performed.Results  Vaccine efficacy against lesions representing immediate cervical cancer precursors (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 or adenocarcinoma in situ) related to HPV 6/11/16/18 in the per‐protocol population was 100.0%[95% confidence interval (95% CI), 89.8–100.0]. Efficacy against external genital lesions (vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, condyloma, vulvar or vaginal cancer) related to vaccine HPV types in the per‐protocol European population was 99.0% (95% CI, 94.4–100.0).Conclusion  These data demonstrate that quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccination programs in 16‐ to 24‐year‐old European women can be beneficial.NCT0009252, NCT00092534, NCT00092495
Association between palmoplantar pustulosis and cigarette smoking in Brazil: a case–control study
Authors: Miot HA , Miot LDB , Lopes PS , Haddad GR , Marques SA 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) discloses some differences compared to vulgar psoriasis (PV) in terms of age of onset, female predominance and low occurrence of psoriasis lesions elsewhere. Cigarette smoking has been associated to PPP in international studies; nevertheless, these studies were never performed among Brazilian.Objectives  To compare prevalence of smoking among PPP, PV and other dermatologic patients (NPD).Methods  Case–control study involving 25 PPP patients from a reference psoriasis centre. Two control groups were matched according to gender and age: 50 patients with PV and 50 NPD. Confounders were adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression.Results  Among cases, 84.0% were female and PPP age of disease onset (41.4 years) was greater than PV (34.5 years). Prevalence of ever smoking was higher among cases (92.0%) than PV (52.0%) and NPD (30.0%). Adjusted odds ratio of PPP ever smoking compared to PV and NPD was 9.5 and 36.2, respectively. All smokers reported the onset of their habit before the development of PPP.Conclusions  There was significant association between PPP and smoking. However, the impact of giving it up in the clinical course of the disease remains to be established.
Numerical modeling of hydrothermal zinc silicate and sulfide mineralization in the Vazante deposit, Brazil
Authors: APPOLD M. S. , MONTEIRO L. V. S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe Vazante zinc deposit in central Brazil is currently the world’s largest known example of a hypogene nonsulfide (i.e. willemite‐dominant) zinc deposit. The mineralization is hypothesized to have formed as a result of mixing between a hot, acidic, reducing, metal‐rich brine and a cool, more basic and dilute, metal‐poor meteoric fluid. The present study sought to investigate this scenario by quantifying the individual effects of temperature, pH, salinity, and oxidation state on willemite and sphalerite solubility, and modeling their combined effects during mixing through reaction path and reactive transport modeling. Solubility calculations showed that in an initially hot, moderately acidic, reducing, metal‐rich ore fluid saturated with respect to silica, willemite solubility is relatively insensitive to changes in temperature and log , but highly sensitive to changes in pH and salinity. In contrast, sphalerite solubility was highly sensitive to changes in temperature and log , as well as salinity, and was less sensitive than willemite to changes in pH. Reaction path models sought to extend these observations by modeling the geochemistry of mixing. The results show that mixing is able to produce most of the major zinc ore and gangue minerals observed in the field, though not necessarily at the same paragenetic stages, and that both compositional and temperature changes from mixing are needed. Reactive transport models were formulated to investigate spatial patterns of mineralization. The results showed that sphalerite deposition was strongly controlled by temperature and concentrated in the regions of greatest temperature change. Willemite deposition was concentrated along the interface between the metal‐rich ore fluid and the surrounding meteoric fluid. The more rapid transport of solute than heat, in conjunction with the higher concentration of silica than sulfide in both fluids meant that willemite mineralization developed over a broader region and in greater concentrations compared with sphalerite.
On modeling of chemical stimulation of an enhanced geothermal system using a high pH solution with chelating agent
Authors: XU T. , ROSE P. , FAYER S. , PRUESS K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDissolution of silica and calcite in the presence of a chelating agent (NTA) at a high pH was successfully demonstrated in laboratory experiments using a high‐temperature flow reactor. (Note that the term ‘silica’ used here includes amorphous silica, quartz, and silicate glass bead.) The mineral dissolution and associated porosity enhancement in the experiments were reproduced by reactive transport modeling using TOUGHREACT. The chemical stimulation method was applied by numerical modeling to a field geothermal injection well system to investigate its effectiveness. Parameters applicable to the quartz monzodiorite unit at the Enhanced Geothermal Systems site at Desert Peak (Nevada) were used. Results indicate that the injection of a high pH chelating solution results in dissolution of both calcite and plagioclase, while avoiding precipitation of calcite at high temperature conditions. Consequently, reservoir porosity and permeability can be enhanced especially near the injection well. Injection at a lower temperature of 120°C (temperature is over 160°C in the base‐case) results in a porosity increase that is smaller close to the injection point, but extends to a larger radial distance. A slower kinetic rate results in less aggressive mineral dissolution close to the injection point and larger extent along the flow path, which is favorable for chemical stimulation.
Hydrothermal convection in and around mineralized fault zones: insights from two‐ and three‐dimensional numerical modeling applied to the Ashanti belt, Ghana
Authors: HARCOUËT‐MENOU V. , GUILLOU‐FROTTIER L. , BONNEVILLE A. , ADLER P. M. , MOURZENKO V. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAmong hydrogeological processes, free convection in faults has been cited as a possible cause of gold mineralization along major fault zones. Here, we investigate the effects of free convection to determine whether it can cause giant orogenic gold deposits and their regular spatial distribution along major fault/shear zones. The approach comprises: (i) coupled two‐ and three‐dimensional numerical heat‐ and fluid‐flow simulations of simplified geological models; and (ii) calculation of the rock alteration index (RAI) to delineate regions where precipitation/dissolution can occur. Then, comparing the deduced alteration patterns with temperature distribution, potential areas of gold mineralization, defined by T > 200°C and RAI < 0, are predicted. The models are based on the orogenic Paleoproterozoic ore deposits of the Ashanti belt in western Africa. These deposits occur in the most permeable parts of the fault zone, where the lateral permeability contrast is the highest. For a simple geometry, with a fault zone adjacent to a sedimentary basin half as permeable, we note a transition from three‐dimensional circulation within the fault to a two‐dimensional convective pattern in the basin far from the fault. Moreover, whereas two‐dimensional undulated isotherms dominate in the basin, three‐dimensional corrugated isotherms result from the preferred convective pattern within the fault, thus enhancing a periodic distribution of thermal highs and lows. In our most elaborate three‐dimensional model with an imposed lateral permeability gradient, the RAI distribution indicates that fluid circulation in fault zones gives rise to a spatial periodicity of alteration patterns consistent with field data.
Signaling pathway adaptations and novel protein kinase A substrates related to behavioral sensitization to cocaine
Authors: Boudreau Amy C. , Ferrario Carrie R. , Glucksman Marc J. , Wolf Marina E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBehavioral sensitization is an animal model for aspects of cocaine addiction. Cocaine‐sensitized rats exhibit increased AMPA receptor (AMPAR) surface expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) which may in turn enhance drug seeking. To identify signaling pathways contributing to AMPAR up‐regulation, we measured AMPAR surface expression and signaling pathway activation in the NAc of cocaine‐sensitized rats, cocaine‐exposed rats that failed to sensitize and saline controls on withdrawal days (WD) 1, 7, and 21. We focused on calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK), and protein kinase A (PKA). In sensitized rats, AMPAR surface expression was elevated on WD7 and WD21 but not WD1. ERK2 activation followed a parallel time‐course, suggesting a role in AMPAR up‐regulation. Both sensitized and non‐sensitized rats exhibited CaMKII activation on WD7, suggesting that CaMKII activation is not sufficient for AMPAR up‐regulation. PKA phosphorylation, measured using an antibody recognizing phosphorylated PKA substrates, increased gradually over withdrawal in sensitized rats, from below control levels on WD1 to significantly greater than controls on WD21. Using proteomics, novel sensitization‐related PKA substrates were identified, including two structural proteins (CRMP‐2 and α‐tubulin) that we speculate may link PKA signaling to previously reported dendritic remodeling in NAc neurons of cocaine‐sensitized rats.
Proteasome–caspase–cathepsin sequence leading to tau pathology induced by prostaglandin J2 in neuronal cells
Authors: Arnaud Lisette T. , Myeku Natura , Figueiredo‐Pereira Maria E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractNeurofibrillary tangles (NFT) are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The major neurofibrillary tangle component is tau that is truncated at Asp421 (Δtau), hyperphosphorylated and aggregates into insoluble paired helical filaments. Alzheimer’s disease brains also exhibit signs of inflammation manifested by activated astrocytes and microglia, which produce cytotoxic agents among them prostaglandins. We show that prostaglandin (PG) J2, an endogenous product of inflammation, induces caspase‐mediated cleavage of tau, generating Δtau, an aggregation prone form known to seed tau aggregation prior to neurofibrillary tangle formation. The initial event observed upon PGJ2‐treatment of human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells was the build‐up of ubiquitinated (Ub) proteins indicating an early disruption of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Apoptosis kicked in later, manifested by caspase activation and caspase‐mediated cleavage of tau at Asp421 and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, cathepsin inhibition stabilized Δtau suggesting its lysosomal clearance. Upon PGJ2‐treatment tau accumulated in a large perinuclear aggregate. In rat E18 cortical neuronal cultures PGJ2‐treatment also generated Δtau detected in dystrophic neurites. Levels of Δtau were diminished by caspase 3 knockdown using siRNA. PGD2, the precursor of PGJ2, produced some Δtau. PGE2 generated none. Our data suggest a potential sequence of events triggered by the neurotoxic product of inflammation PGJ2 leading to tau pathology. The accumulation of Ub proteins is an early response. If cells fail to overcome the toxic effects induced by PGJ2, including accumulation of Ub proteins, apoptosis kicks in triggering caspase activation and tau cleavage, the clearance of which by cathepsins could be compromised culminating in tau pathology. Our studies are the first to provide a mechanistic link between inflammation and tau pathology.
Reptile and Amphibian Responses to Restoration of Fire‐Maintained Pine Woodlands
Authors: Perry Roger W. , Rudolph D. Craig , Thill Ronald E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractFire‐maintained woodlands and savannas are important ecosystems for vertebrates in many regions of the world. These ecosystems are being restored by forest managers, but little information exists on herpetofaunal responses to this restoration in areas dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). We compared habitat characteristics and herpetofaunal communities in restored pine woodlands to relatively unmanaged, second‐growth forests in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, USA. We found woodland restoration with periodic burning affected species differently; some species benefited, some species appeared negatively affected, but most species did not respond clearly either way. Overall reptile captures were significantly (p= 0.041) greater in pine‐woodlands than in unrestored forest; one species of snake and three species of lizards were captured more often in woodlands than unrestored forests. Among anurans, we found no significant difference in captures between woodlands and unrestored forests for any species. Among salamanders, we captured western slimy salamanders (Plethodon albagula) almost exclusively in unrestored forest, but captures of other species did not differ between the two treatments. Historically, the Ouachita region likely consisted of a mosaic that included both fire‐maintained habitats (woodlands, savannas, and prairies) and areas of denser forest on mesic sites that were less likely to burn. Consequently, landscapes that retain both open woodlands and denser, less‐intensely burned forest (in the form of unharvested greenbelts or separate stands) would likely promote and maintain a greater diversity of herpetofauna.