bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Voiding effects mediated by α2‐adrenoceptors in the anaesthetized male rat
Authors: Streng Tomi , Santti Risto , Andersson Karl‐Erik 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVETo study the role of α2‐adrenoceptors (α2‐AR) in micturition of anaesthetized male rats, with specific focus on the effects on the electrical activity (by electromyography, EMG) of the rhabdosphincter, and actual urinary flow rate, as the effects mediated by α2‐ARs on sphincter activity and urethral pressures have not been established.MATERIALS AND METHODSAdult anaesthetized male Noble rats were used; intravesical pressure, rhabdosphincter EMG and urinary flow rate from the distal urethra were recorded. After baseline recordings, an α2‐AR agonist (dexmedetomidine, DEX) or α2‐AR antagonist (atipamezole), were injected intravenously.RESULTSDEX treatment significantly decreased the maximum bladder pressure and urinary flow rate, and the amplitude of rhabdosphincter EMG was significantly reduced. Intraluminal pressure high‐frequency oscillations, usually observed during rat voiding were abolished. The effects of DEX were fully reversed within 31 min. Atipamezole treatment significantly increased actual urinary flow rates and rhabdosphincter EMG amplitude, but the number of times flow was interrupted was increased during the voiding cycle, leading to increased overall micturition time.CONCLUSIONStimulation and blockade of α2‐ARs have a significant effect on lower urinary tract function. If the data from this rat model are also valid in humans, a study of the effects of atipamezole on urethral sphincter activity and urethral pressures in humans would be of interest, and might show therapeutic potential of the drug.
Comparison of transfusion requirements between open and robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kordan Yakup , Barocas Daniel A. , Altamar Hernan O. , Clark Peter E. , Chang Sam S. , Davis Rodney , Herrell S. Duke , Baumgartner Roxy , Mishra Vineet , Chan Robert C. , Smith Jr Joseph A. , Cookson Michael S. 
Published: February 2010

Study Type – Therapy (individual cohort) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo determine whether robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) is associated with a lower transfusion rate than radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn this cohort study, we evaluated 1244 consecutive patients who underwent RALP (830) or RRP (414) between June 2003 and July 2006. Demographics, clinical characteristics, pathology, blood loss and transfusion data were collected prospectively. Groups were compared for baseline characteristics, blood loss, change in haematocrit and transfusion using univariate statistics, and an exploratory multivariate model was developed.RESULTSRALP was associated with lower blood loss (median 100 vs 450 mL, P < 0.001) and a smaller change in haematocrit (median 7% vs 10%, P < 0.001) than RRP. Although both groups had low transfusion rates, the RALP group required fewer transfusions than the RRP group (0.8% vs 3.4%, P= 0.002). On univariate analysis, surgical approach (RRP vs RALP), estimated blood loss ≥500 mL and change in haematocrit ≥10% were the only the significant predictors of transfusion. In the exploratory multivariate model RALP was the only significant predictor of reduced need for transfusion, with an odds ratio of 0.23 (95% confidence interval 0.09–0.58; P= 0.002).CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that RALP is associated not only with less blood loss and a smaller decrease in haematocrit, but also a decreased need for transfusion.
Paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis: evidence of linkage to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16 in four Chinese families
Authors: Wang X. , Sun W. , Zhu X. , Li L. , Du T. , Mao W. , Wu X. , Wei H. , Zhu S. , Sun Y. , Liu Y. , Niu N. , Wang Y. , Liu Y. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by abnormal involuntary movements precipitated by sudden movement. The pericentromeric region of chromosome 16 has been linked to PKC by several reports. This study was to localize and identify PKC gene in four Chinese PKC families.Methods:  Genetic linkage mapping with eight markers spanning chromosome 16p12‐q13 was performed in 43 family members. Genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) scans were performed on four individuals in Family 1 in which infantile convulsion (IC) was co‐inherited with PKC.Results:  Individuals in Family 1 presented with both IC and paroxysmal choreoathetosis (ICCA), and Families 2, 3, and 4 presented only with PKC. Evidence for linkage was found with a maximum two‐point LOD score of 4.89 for D16S690 (θ = 0.0) and a maximum multipoint LOD score was 5.34 between D16S3080 and D16S3136. Haplotype analysis showed the disease locus was between D16S3093 and D16S3057. A total of 84 SNPs spanned on 16q12.1‐q13 was not segregated with the PKC phenotype, which defined an unlinked region from rs9933187 to rs8044753. Thus, the critical region of the PKC gene is across the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16, and most likely maps to a region of 20.5 Mb (6.2 cM) between D16S3093 and rs9933187 (16p11.2‐q12.1).Conclusion:  The assignment of the locus for PKC to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16 is confirmed and putatively narrowed in the present study.
A novel PSEN1 mutation (K239N) associated with Alzheimer’s disease with wide range age of onset and slow progression
Authors: Lladó A. , Fortea J. , Ojea T. , Bosch B. , Sanz P. , Valls‐Solé J. , Clarimon J. , Molinuevo J. L. , Sánchez‐Valle R. 
Published: February 2010

Objective:  To describe a novel mutation (K239N) in the PSEN1 associated with familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods and results:  The proband was a man who developed cognitive decline with marked behavioural abnormalities at age 57. At age 70, he was admitted into a psychiatric facility because of aggressiveness and a suicide attempt. Family history was consistent with autosomal dominant AD. One of the two other family members studied presented also with prominent behavioural symptoms at age 42 and has also been forced into a psychiatric facility because of aggressiveness at age 56. The remainder patient has presented a prototypical AD, but starting at age 71. Direct sequencing of PSEN1 in the three living affected members disclosed a heterozygous G to C transition in exon 7 of PSEN1 leading to the K239N mutation.Conclusion:  The K239N mutation is associated with autosomal dominant AD with a wide range of age of onset and incomplete penetrance at the age of 65, prominent behavioural features and slow progression.
High‐resolution ultrasound in the evaluation and prognosis of Bell’s palsy
Authors: Lo Y. L. , Fook‐Chong S. , Leoh T.H. , Dan Y. F. , Lee M. P. , Gan H. Y. , Chan L. L. 
Published: February 2010

Introduction:  Bell’s palsy is a commonly encountered paralysis of the facial nerve occurring worldwide. Prognosis for Bell’s palsy is good, but the proportion of patients with poor outcomes may reach 30%. Ultrasound (US) may provide a novel approach for evaluating and prognosticating Bell’s palsy, in comparison with known electrophysiological techniques.Methods:  In this study, we measured the diameter of the distal facial (VII) nerve using US in patients with Bell’s palsy treated with prednisolone, in comparison with healthy controls. Blink reflex and VII nerve conduction studies were also performed. Studies were prospective and performed within 1 week of disease onset.Results:  Our results have shown that diameter of the distal VII nerve is a good predictor of favorable (positive predictive value: 100%) and bad outcomes (negative predictive value: 77%) in Bell’s palsy at 3 months after clinical presentation. Furthermore, we also noted the lack of correlation of VII diameter with conventional VII nerve conduction studies (NCS) and blink reflex studies. US was superior to VII nerve conduction and blink reflex studies in outcome prediction.Conclusions:  This first study utilizing US in Bell’s palsy highlights its role in outcome prediction and contributes to our understanding of recovery processes in this common neurological disorder.
Electrophysiological sensory demyelination in typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Rajabally Y. A. , Samarasekera S. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  The presence of electrophysiological demyelination of sensory nerves is not routinely assessed in the evaluation of suspected chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Whether this can be useful is unknown.Methods:  We compared, using surface recording techniques, in 19 patients with typical CIDP and 26 controls with distal large fibre sensory axonal neuropathy, the forearm median sensory conductions, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes and durations and sensory nerve conduction velocities (SNCVs) of median, radial and sural nerves.Results:  Median nerve sensory conduction block (SCB) across the forearm was greater in CIDP patients than in controls (P = 0.005). SNAP durations were longer in CIDP patients for median (P = 0.001) and sural nerves (P = 0.004). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves provided sensitive (>40%) and specific (>95%) cut‐offs for median nerve SCB as well as median and sural SNAP durations. SNCVs were significantly slower for median and sural nerves in CIDP patients, but ROC curves did not demonstrate cut‐offs with useful sensitivities/specificities. Median SCB or prolonged median SNAP duration or prolonged sural SNAP duration offered a sensitivity of 73.7% for CIDP and specificity of 96.2%. Used as additional parameters, they improved diagnostic sensitivity of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) criteria for CIDP of 1991, from 42.1% to 78.9% in this population, with preserved specificity of 100%.Discussion:  Sensory electrophysiological demyelination is present and may be diagnostically useful in typical CIDP. SCB detection and SNAP duration prolongation appear to represent more useful markers of demyelination than SNCV reduction.
Triglyceride level modifying functional variants of GALTN2 and MLXIPL in patients with ischaemic stroke
Authors: Polgár N. , Járomi L. , Csöngei V. , Maász A. , Sipeky C. , Sáfrány E. , Szabó M. , Melegh B. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Recent genome‐wide studies identified several genetic variants associated with blood lipid level alterations. Because affected lipid metabolism can confer risk to the development of ischaemic stroke, we studied three polymorphisms reportedly associated with triglyceride‐level changes, rs17145738 and rs3812316 of the MLXIPL locus, and rs4846914 variant of GALNT2 gene in biobanked samples of patients with stroke. This pool of samples was previously investigated for haplotype tagging minor alleles of apolipoprotein A5 gene (T‐1131C, T1259C, IVS3+G476A and C56G), and an association was found between the minor allele carriage and the triglyceride levels, and also these variants were found to confer risk to the development of stroke.Methods:  Here, a total of 467 patients with stroke, stratified as large vessel, small vessel and mixed stroke groups, and 156 control subjects were genotyped using PCR‐RFLP methods.Results:  In the current study, we could not verify association of the variants analyzed either with triglyceride and total cholesterol levels or with the risk of ischaemic stroke susceptibility.Conclusions:  The data presented here revealed differentiated risk nature of the triglyceride level modifying natural gene variants.
Rebels with a Cause: The December 2008 Greek Youth Movement as the Condensation of Deeper Social and Political Contradictions
Authors: SOTIRIS PANAGIOTIS 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe events of December 2008 in Greece represent a turning point in social movements against neoliberalism and capitalist restructuring. They were the result of worsening employment prospects for young people, the aggressive restructuring of the educational system and concern about the effects of the current economic crisis. The originality of the movement lies in its unique scale, in the expression of a new unity of youth in struggle, in the demand for radical change and in its anti‐systemic character. It can be viewed as further evidence of the crisis of neoliberal hegemony and as a sign of growing hegemonic instability in European capitalist social formations. For this reason it poses both a theoretical and a political challenge.Résumé Les événements de décembre 2008 en Grèce marquent un moment décisif dans les mouvements sociaux contre le néolibéralisme et la restructuration capitaliste. Ils sont nés de l’aggravation des perspectives d’emploi pour les jeunes, de la restructuration en force du système éducatif et de l’inquiétude sur les effets de la crise économique actuelle. L’originalité du mouvement tient à sa dimension particulière, à l’expression d’une nouvelle unité de la jeunesse en lutte, à la demande d’un changement radical et à son caractère anti‐systémique. On peut le considérer comme une preuve supplémentaire de la crise de l’hégémonie néolibérale et comme un signe de l’accentuation de l’instabilité dominante au sein des formations sociales capitalistes européennes. Aussi constitue‐t‐il un défi à la fois théorique et politique.
Twice‐weekly treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment in children with atopic dermatitis: clinical efficacy and economic impact over 12 months
Authors: Thaci D , Chambers C , Sidhu M , Dorsch B , Ehlken B , Fuchs S 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Rational healthcare decision‐making based on clinical and economic evidence is essential to provide the best possible care for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Objective  To evaluate treatment outcomes, resource use and cost associated with twice‐weekly tacrolimus 0.03% ointment treatment vs. standard flare‐only therapy in children with moderate‐to‐severe AD.Methods  In a pan‐European, Phase III multicentre randomized clinical trial, children with mild‐to‐severe AD were randomized to 0.03% tacrolimus ointment or vehicle twice weekly for 12 months. Disease flares were treated using open‐label tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice daily. Clinical efficacy data were evaluated in a subgroup of 153 children with moderate‐to‐severe AD, with resource use data – collected prospectively using caregiver questionnaires – available from 146 children. Pooled costs of resource use were determined using German unit cost data. Direct and indirect costs were considered from third‐party payer, patient and caregiver, and societal perspectives.Results  Twice‐weekly tacrolimus ointment reduced the number of flares compared with standard therapy (P < 0.001) and prolonged time to first flare (146 vs. 17 days, P < 0.001). Mean ± SD annual costs per patient for standard and twice‐weekly therapy respectively were €2002 ± 2315 vs. €1571 ± 1122 for severe AD and €1136 ± 1494 vs. €1233 ± 1507 for moderate AD.Conclusions  In children with AD, twice‐weekly treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment reduces the number of flares and prolongs time spent free from flares with no additional cost in children with moderate AD, and may be cost‐saving in those with severe AD.
Atypical fibroxanthoma: a series of 25 cases
Authors: Wollina U , Schönlebe J , Koch A , Haroske G 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjective  Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare mesenchymal tumour of skin that develops on skin of elderly patients. We analysed our patients with atypical fibroxanthoma over the last 8 years.Patients and methods  We analysed the pathology files of our hospital for the period 2001–2009. In all cases, histology and immunohistology were performed. Data on co‐morbidities, treatment and outcome were obtained.Results  We identified 25 patients (except two female patients, the rest were men) aged 52–95 years (mean: 79.5 years; standard deviation ± 9.06 years). All tumours were localized in the head and neck region, except a single tumour on the shoulder. Fourteen patients had a cancer history, six had actinic keratoses or Bowen’s disease (n = 1). Five patients had cardiac surgery or pacemaker, one each had a renal transplant, systemic sarcoidosis or non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Medical history was positive for radiotherapy or chemotherapy in four patients. Histology showed a spindle‐shaped dermal and subcutaneous tumour growth intermingled with multinucleated giant cells. The phenotype of tumour cells was vimentin‐positive, but S100‐ and keratin‐negative. Some tumours showed a focal expression of CD68. Complete microhistographic controlled surgery (‘Mohs like’) was possible in all cases followed by mesh‐graft transplantation in three patients. Eighteen patients showed a complete remission. Four patients had a relapse within 2 years of follow‐up treated by surgery. One patient is still under radiotherapy. All patients with a safety margin of 2 cm had no recurrence or relapse during follow‐up.Conclusions  Micrographic controlled surgery with wide 2 cm safety margins is the treatment of choice. A regular follow‐up for the next 5 years is recommended.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients
Authors: Lens M 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAppropriate surgical management of regional lymph nodes is critical in patients with cutaneous melanoma. The use of intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has increased significantly in the past decade. SLNB is performed as minimally invasive procedure that provides accurate staging of melanoma patients with no clinically detectable nodal disease. In many melanoma units across the world, it became the standard for detection of occult regional node metastasis in patients with intermediate‐thickness primary melanoma. Use of SLNB in patients with thin melanomas is still under evaluation. Although SLNB has been established as staging procedure in melanoma patients, its therapeutic role is still not clear. Large‐scale ongoing randomized trials should elucidate whether SLNB with complete lymphadenectomy has a survival benefit in melanoma patients with early lymph node metastases compared to ‘watch‐and‐wait’ policy (observation).
Efficacy and safety of 1064‐nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser with low fluence for keloids and hypertrophic scars
Authors: Cho SB , Lee JH , Lee SH , Lee SJ , Bang D , Oh SH 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Several treatment modalities using laser devices have been used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with various therapeutic outcomes.Objective  The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of 1064‐nm Q‐switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser with low fluence on keloids and hypertrophic scars.Methods  Keloids and hypertrophic scars located at 21 anatomic sites in 12 Korean patients (10 men and 2 women; mean age 23.8 years, range 21–33) were treated using 1064‐nm QS Nd:YAG laser with low fluence at 1–2 week intervals. Treatment settings were 1.8–2.2 J/cm2, 7‐mm spot size and 5–6 passes with appropriate overlapping.Results  Follow‐up data collected 3 months after the final treatment revealed decreases in the mean score for the following lesion characteristics: pigmentation from 1.8 to 1.2; vascularity from 1.4 to 1.0; pliability from 3.0 to 2.0 and height from 2.3 to 1.8. The modified Vancouver General Hospital Burn Scar Assessment score decreased from 8.6 to 5.9 (P < 0.0001). Observed side‐effects were a mild prickling sensation during treatment, and mild post‐treatment erythema, both of which resolved within few hours.Conclusion  Our results demonstrate that QS Nd:YAG laser with low fluence may be used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.
An exact method for the double TSP with multiple stacks
Authors: Lusby Richard M. , Larsen Jesper , Ehrgott Matthias , Ryan David 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe double travelling salesman problem (TSP) with multiple stacks (DTSPMS) is a pickup and delivery problem in which all pickups must be completed before any deliveries can be made. The problem originates from a real‐life application where a 40‐foot container (configured as 11 rows of three columns) is used to transport 33 pallets from a set of pickup customers to a set of delivery customers. The pickups and deliveries are performed in two separate trips, where each trip starts and ends at a depot and visits a number of customers. The aim of the problem is to produce a packing plan for the pallets that minimizes the total transportation cost given that the container cannot be repacked at any stage. In this paper we present an exact solution method based on matching k‐best tours to each of the separate pickup and delivery TSPs. The approach is shown to outperform the only known previous exact method for this problem in that solutions can be obtained faster and previously unsolved instances containing as many as 18 customers can now be solved to optimality.
A personal perspective on problem solving by general purpose solvers
Authors: Ibaraki Toshihide 
Published: February 2010

AbstractTo solve the problems that abound in real‐world applications, we are proposing an approach of using general‐purpose solvers, as we cannot afford to develop special‐purpose algorithms for all individual problems. The existing general‐purpose solvers such as linear programming and integer programming are very useful but not sufficient. To improve the situation, we have developed solvers for other standard problems such as the constraint satisfaction problem and the resource‐constrained project scheduling problem among others. In this article, we describe why general‐purpose solvers are needed, what kinds of solvers we considered, how they were developed and where they have been applied.
The trouble with clinical indicators: Intact lower genital tract following childbirth in NSW Hospitals, 2003–2005
Authors: BAGHURST Peter A. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  The federal government wants outcomes of hospital care to be made publicly available. League tables based on single clinical indicators are misleading, largely because of their inability to take case‐complexity into account.Aim:  To demonstrate the application of a graphical tool (the risk‐adjusted funnel plot) to the comparison of clinical outcomes across hospitals; and its advantages over league tables.Methods:  We looked at publicly available data on intact lower genital tract (ILGT), for all hospitals in New South Wales at which more than 200 births occurred in 2005. The ‘excess’ percentage of women at each hospital with an ILGT following a vaginal birth, was calculated after adjustment for instrumental assistance, the use of epidural analgesia/anaesthesia, the use of induction/augmentation, and the number of births per annum.Results:  In 2005, ILGT ranged from 13.1 to 55.8%. A plot of ILGT against vaginal births per annum (a funnel plot) revealed huge heterogeneity among hospitals, and an inverse association with the number of births per annum. A residual funnel plot, constructed from the differences between observed and expected ILGT identified four hospitals (three public and one private) with consistently better ILGT than expected – and four public hospitals with ILGT consistently worse than expected. Some of these hospitals were not located at the extremes of the league table.Conclusion:  The risk‐adjusted funnel plot is a useful graphical tool which may overcome the shortcomings of league tables. We need to become more sophisticated in our use of clinical indicators for comparing hospital performances.