bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy for large staghorn calculi
Authors: Zhou Linyu , Xuan Qiang , Wu Bin , Xiao Jun , Dong Xiaocheng , Huang Tao , Chen Hao , Zhu Yuping , Wu Kui 
Published: December 2010

Objectives:  Treatment of staghorn calculus is challenging. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for the management of large staghorn renal calculi.Methods:  Patients with staghorn renal calculi unsuitable for percutaneous nephrolithotomy were analyzed. They underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy, involving control of the renal artery, stone removal through a nephrotomy incision on the Brodel's line and closure with continuous sutures.Results:  A total of 11 patients with renal stones were included in the present study. Mean patient age was 55 years (range 42–68) and stone size was 52 mm (range 43–61). Warm ischemia time and operative duration were 31 (range 23–38) and 139 min (range 105–160), respectively. No blood transfusion was needed during or after operation. An 8‐mm residual calculus remained in the lower calyces in one patient who was successfully treated by using shock wave lithotripsy. Intravenous pyelogram after surgery showed a functional corresponding renal unit, with an improvement in obstruction in all patients.Conclusions:  Retroperitoneal laparoscopic technique can be applied for patients who are candidates for anatrophic nephrolithotomy. Larger studies with a longer follow up are needed to confirm these findings.
Risk factors for overactive bladder in the elderly population: A community‐based study with face‐to‐face interview
Authors: Ikeda Yoshihiro , Nakagawa Haruo , Ohmori‐Matsuda Kaori , Hozawa Atsushi , Masamune Yayoi , Nishino Yoshikazu , Kuriyama Shinichi , Ohnuma Tetsutaro , Tsuji Ichiro , Arai Yoichi 
Published: December 2010

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of and risk factors for overactive bladder (OAB) in the elderly.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study of elderly subjects was conducted by analyzing data from a community‐based Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment on people aged 70 years or older. Trained interviewers performed face‐to‐face interviews for the assessment of urological symptoms. OAB definition was based on urgency and eight or more episodes of urination per day. The subjects completed a self‐administered questionnaire including lifestyle evaluation, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini‐Mental Status Examination and medical history. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity was recorded to assess atherosclerotic disease. The analysis included 833 subjects, after the exclusion of 115 subjects who provided insufficient information.Results:  Based on the definition of OAB, 153 subjects (18.4%) were identified as having OAB. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between OAB and depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of having OAB was significantly higher in subjects with depressive symptoms, current drinkers, and overweight subjects with odds ratios of 2.37 (1.60–3.52, 95% confidence interval), 1.65 (1.04–2.62), and 1.51 (1.02–2.24), respectively.Conclusions:  This is the first report to show an association between OAB and depressive symptoms and alcohol intake in an epidemiological study of elderly people. The reasons for these correlations remain unclear, but should be the foci of future OAB studies.
Exercise impacts brain‐derived neurotrophic factor plasticity by engaging mechanisms of epigenetic regulation
Authors: Gomez‐Pinilla F. , Zhuang Y. , Feng J. , Ying Z. , Fan G. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe have evaluated the possibility that the action of voluntary exercise on the regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule important for rat hippocampal learning, could involve mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. We focused the studies on the Bdnf promoter IV, as this region is highly responsive to neuronal activity. We have found that exercise stimulates DNA demethylation in Bdnf promoter IV, and elevates levels of activated methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2, as well as BDNF mRNA and protein in the rat hippocampus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that exercise increases acetylation of histone H3, and protein assessment showed that exercise elevates the ratio of acetylated : total for histone H3 but had no effects on histone H4 levels. Exercise also reduces levels of the histone deacetylase 5 mRNA and protein implicated in the regulation of the Bdnf gene [N.M. Tsankova et al. (2006)Nat. Neurosci., 9, 519–525], but did not affect histone deacetylase 9. Exercise elevated the phosphorylated forms of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II and cAMP response element binding protein, implicated in the pathways by which neural activity influences the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, i.e. Bdnf. These results showing the influence of exercise on the remodeling of chromatin containing the Bdnf gene emphasize the importance of exercise on the control of gene transcription in the context of brain function and plasticity. Reported information about the impact of a behavior, inherently involved in the daily human routine, on the epigenome opens exciting new directions and therapeutic opportunities in the war against neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Bcl‐2 homology domain 3‐only proteins Puma and Bim mediate the vulnerability of CA1 hippocampal neurons to proteasome inhibition in vivo
Authors: Tsuchiya Takuro , Bonner Helena P. , Engel Tobias , Woods Ina , Matsushima Satoshi , Ward Manus W. , Taki Waro , Henshall David C. , Concannon Caoimhín G. , Prehn Jochen H. M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBcl‐2 homology domain 3 (BH3)‐only proteins are pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family members that play important roles in upstream cell death signalling during apoptosis. Proteasomal stress has been shown to contribute to the pathology of cerebral ischaemia and many neurodegenerative disorders. Here we explored the contribution of BH3‐only proteins in mediating proteasome‐inhibition‐induced apoptosis in the murine brain in vivo. Stereotactic intrahippocampal microinjection of the selective proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin (2.5 nmol) induced a delayed apoptosis within only the CA1 hippocampal neurons and not neurons within the CA3 or dentate gyrus regions, a selective vulnerability similar to that seen during ischaemia. This injury developed over a time‐course of 3 days and was characterized by positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling staining and nuclear condensation. Previous work from our laboratory has identified the BH3‐only protein p53‐upregulated mediator of apoptosis (Puma) as mediating proteasome‐inhibition‐induced apoptosis in cultured neural cells. Genetic deletion of puma reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling‐positive cells within the CA1 following epoxomicin microinjection but it did not provide a complete protection. Subsequent studies identified the BH3‐only protein Bim as also being upregulated during proteasome inhibition in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and after epoxomicin treatment in vivo. Interestingly, the genetic deletion of bim also afforded significant neuroprotection, although this protection was less pronounced. In summary, we demonstrate that the BH3‐only proteins Puma and Bim mediate the delayed apoptosis of CA1 hippocampal neurons induced by proteasome inhibition in vivo, and that either BH3‐only protein can only partly compensate for the deficiency of the other.
The reliability and validity of the Danish Draft Board Cognitive Ability Test: Børge Prien’s Prøve
Authors: TEASDALE THOMAS W. , HARTMANN PETER V.W. , PEDERSEN CHRISTOFFER H. , BERTELSEN METTE 
Published: December 2010

Teasdale, T.W., Hartmann, P.V.W., Pedersen, C.H. & Bertelsen, M. (2011). The reliability and validity of the Danish Draft Board Cognitive Ability Test: Børge Prien’s Prøve. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 126–130.The Danish Draft Board has used the same test for assessing general cognitive ability, the Børge Prien’s Prøve (BPP), for over 50 years during which time all men on reaching the age of 18 become liable for conscription. Data from the test has, over the decades, been used in numerous and wide‐ranging research studies. Nonetheless, owing to the special circumstances of its administration, some psychometric properties, which are generally assessed for psychological tests, have not previously been investigated for the BPP. First, since the test is only used at the assessment phase, retesting with the BPP occurs only rarely and under exceptional circumstances. Therefore, its Test‐Retest reliability has hitherto not been documented. Second, questions have often been raised as to whether the validity of the BPP is undermined by either a lack of motivation and under‐performing among some of the men taking the test, being, as they are, compelled to do so, and/or by gradual obsolescence of the test over the decades of its use. We here present findings from three new studies to show that (a) the BPP has a satisfactory Test‐Retest reliability, r = 0.77, (b) BPP test scores are not positively associated with expressed attitude to being called upon to serve conscription and (c) the correlation between the BPP and a measure of educational level has remained stable (at about 0.5) through the last two decades. Taken together these three findings further support the continuing value of the BPP in research relating to cognitive ability.
The Future of Private Equity
Authors: Lerner Josh 
Published: December 2010

Abstract After a period of robust growth, the private equity industry has experienced a marked decline. In the wake of the 2008 economic crisis, the future of the venture and buyout industries seems unclear. This speech discusses four possible scenarios for the future of the private equity industry by examining the short‐ and long‐run determinants of private equity supply and demand. Possible scenarios include Recovery, Back to the Future, The Limited Partners' Desertion, and A Broken Industry. Although support is given for each of the scenarios, a clear prediction for the future remains difficult. The future of the private equity market is likely to be the subject of debate for some time to come.
Growth in Northwest Atlantic Harp seals Phoca groenlandica
Authors: Innes S. , Stewart R. E. A. , Lavigne D. M. 
Published: December 2010

Morphometric data were collected from 204 Northwest Atlantic Harp seals aged one month and older sampled between 1976 and 1979. Length as a function of age gave the most precise measure of body size. Lean body (core) weight and total body weight were more variable measures of growth. Weight of blubber with skin attached (sculp weight) and blubber thickness exhibited greatest variation with age and (or) sampling date. There was no evidence of sexual dimorphism in any growth parameter.Several Richards‐type models provided adequate descriptions of Harp seal growth. The growth curve of body length as a function of age suggested a larger size of zero age‐class animals and a higher absolute growth rate than reported for animals from the same stock during the 1950s. These results are discussed in relation to the observed changes in mean age of maturity which accompanied the decline in stock abundance from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Influence of pectoral fin shape on thrust and drag in labriform locomotion
Authors: Blake R. W. 
Published: December 2010

A simple hydromechanical model of the influence of pectoral fin geometry on thrust is developed. The model contains a shape factor (analogous to that employed by Weis‐Fogh (1973) in his analysis of the influence of wing shape on normal hovering in insects and hummingbirds), which is calculated for various hypothetical fin shapes and the pectoral fins of Pterophyllum eimekei and Trichogaster tricopterus. The model predicts that fish which swim in the drag‐based labriform mode are more likely to have triangular fins than square or rectangular ones, and this is generally the case.The influence of pectoral fin shape on labriform locomotion is investigated further experimentally, using dead fish and a model Angelfish fitted with various model pectoral fin shapes (circular disc, square, rectangular or triangular fins of equivalent wetted surface area). Frictional and pressure drag determinations were made with the model fins attached to the end of a narrow spar (so that the flow around them would not influence that around the body) with the fins orientated either parallel (for frictional drag determinations) or “broadside on” (for pressure drag determinations) to the incident flow.Values for the frictional drag of the various fin types were essentially the same for any given terminal velocity. The pressure drag of square and rectangular fins is about 14% less than that of triangular fins of the same area over a range of terminal velocities. When the fins are directly attached to the sides of the model fish and orientated “broadside on” to the flow the total drag force is higher (for any given value of the terminal velocity) than the values measured when the fins were placed, with the same orientation, on the ends of a spar. The difference is probably due to “interference drag” produced by the fins, due to the effect of the vorticity which they shed into the flow over the body.
Visual versus climatic selection of shell banding in the landsnail Theba pisana in Israel
Authors: Heller Joseph 
Published: December 2010

The helicid landsnail Theba plsana in Israel has a four‐banded shell in which five morphs occur: 1234, 0234, 0034, 0004 and 0000. Upon each of these bands dark, delicate bandlets may sometimes appear.To examine whether (as is claimed in literature) in the north, where it is more humid, shells are darker than in the south, where it is more arid, a 160‐km‐long north (humid) to south (arid) transect was made along the coastal plain, and 32 samples were collected. Each sample was scored for relative frequency of the darkest morph, the relative frequency of effectively banded shells and the mean number of bands in the sample. In addition, the relative frequency of shells with a pale third band, and of shells with many bandlets (four or more) in the third band was scored. No evidence was found that snails in the north are darker than those in the south.In contrast, however, four of the five variables scored in each snail showed a very highly significant association with the extent of perennial vegetation at the locality. The fifth variable, namely the relative frequency of shells with many bandlets, showed a significant association only in the southernmost part of the transect.Dark shells are cryptic and are probably favoured by visual selection; light snails are conspicuous (but for the exceptional case when they occur among the white flowers of the Retama shrub), but are favoured by climatic selection. The environmental factor which ultimately decides between these two contrasting selective forces is the nature of the vegetation: by shielding snails from solar radiation, perennial vegetation may enable the snails to be cryptic, i.e. dark, without suffering overheating by solar radiation. Annual vegetation, in contrast, does not offer such shading so that snails here must be light‐coloured.
The ultrastructure of the sperm funnel and non‐glandular vas deferens of Tubifex tubifex (Annelida: Oligochaeta)
Authors: Fleming T. P. 
Published: December 2010

The sperm funnel, which consists of a ciliated epithelium bounded by a flattened peritoneum, is characterized by a “halo” of vertically orientated spermatozoa. The spermatozoa nuclei terminate within the ciliary zone of the funnel but junctional attachments between sperm and cilia have not been observed. The epithelial cells synthesize an electron dense secretion at centrally placed Golgi cisternae. The secretion tends to accumulate within the distal cytoplasm and appears to be released at the cell apex. It is hypothesized that the secretion, which is exclusive to this region of the male duct, may function as an attractant to newly differentiated spermatozoa. The active exchange of material between the funnel epithelium and the surrounding coelomic fluid is further indicated by the accumulation of mitochondria within the distal cytoplasm and the presence of microvilli and pinocytotic profiles, in addition to cilia, along the apical plasma membrane.The non‐glandular vas deferens, consisting of thin and thick walled regions, is highly coiled and is constructed of ring‐shaped epithelial cells invested in longitudinal muscle and peritoneum. The thin walled duct contains spirally placed cilia which possess multiple rootlets orientated at an acute angle to the lumen surface. Aggregates of 5 nm micro‐filaments encircle the cell and are inserted onto infoldings of the basal (outer) plasma membrane enclosing lateral extensions of the basal lamina. Microfilaments of comparable size and orientation also occur in the distal (luminal) epithelial cytoplasm of the thick walled duct and are inserted onto neighbouring regions of the lateral plasma membrane. The vas deferens microfilaments are interpreted as contractile units assisting in the passage of spermatozoa along the duct at the time of copulation.In the thick walled duct, cell apices protrude into the lumen resulting in a crenellated profile in longitudinal section. Lateral plasma membranes contain extensive radial folds or “pleats”. The lumen surface is unciliated but is characterized by laminate cytoplasmic projections which are loosely organized into groups displaying uniform orientation. The ultrastructural features of the thick walled vas deferens indicate a role in fluid transportation which is discussed with reference to sperm transmission.
Treatment‐related and treatment‐independent deliveries among infertile couples, a long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Sundström Inger , Ildgruben Anna , Högberg Ulf 
Published: December 2010

Background. The aim of this hospital based long‐term follow‐up study was to further elucidate resolved and unresolved infertility in relation to risk factors and perinatal outcome considering treatment‐related and treatment independent pregnancies.Methods. The study included all couples attending the out‐patient clinic of the Department of Gynecology in Umeå due to failure to initiate a pregnancy after at least 12 months during the period 1.1.1980 31.12. 1989. Data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry consisting of all registered births during 1.1.1980 31.12. 1992 was linked to establish the number of children born.Results. Six hundred and ninety‐one couples were analyzed, out of which 42% had a delivery outcome. Of these women. 53% conceived in relation to given treatment whereas 47% conceived treatment‐independently. Women with ovulatory disorder had a cumulative delivery rate of 82%. whereas those with unexplained infertility and tubo‐peritoneal pathology displayed delivery rates of 57% and 31% respectively. Duration of infertility >3 years was the major negative prognostic factor among patients with unexplained infertility. The frequency of premature deliveries, low birth weight and perinatal mortality was increased among patients with treatment related pregnancies.Conclusion. For ovulatory disorders the prognosis for a resolved infertility is good. The results among patients with tubo‐peritoneal pathology emphasizes the need of in vitro fertilization in modern treatment of infertility. Unexplained infertility is accompanied with a high rate of spontaneous pregnancies but prolonged duration is a negative prognostic factor for these patients. Irrespective of diagnosis, the perinatal outcome is worse in patients with treatment‐related pregnancies.
A medical approach to management of spontaneous abortion using misoprostol
Authors: Chung Tony , Leung Peter , Cheung Lai Ping , Haines Christopher , Chang Allan M Z 
Published: December 2010

Background. To compare a 48 hour non surgical policy in the management of spontaneous abortion with a policy of routine, universal uterine curettage.Methods. A prospective, observational study on 354 women admitted to hospital with spontaneous abortion. Of these, 225 who had retained products of conception were treated with misoprostol for up to 48 hours after 101 were excluded because they had an empty uterus on transvaginal scan (TVS) and another 28 women because they were unsuitable for conservative management. Follow‐up was conducted over a 3 week period to assess morbidity. A reference group of 137 women, all of whom had an evacuation of retained products of cenception (ERPC) as a routine after they had a TVS documenting retained products of conception (POCs), was used for comparison.Results. Evacuation of the uterus occurred within 24 hours in 107 women and in 148 at 48 hours after misoprostol treatment was started. There were three uterine curettages up to 14 days after discharge from hospital for persistent bleeding and two cases of pelvic infection. An ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed at follow‐up in one woman. In the reference group, there were nine women who had complications, four requiring another ERPC and five had infection, an overall complication rate of 6.6% in the reference group and 1.7 % in the protocol treatment group.Conclusion A 48 hour regimen using transvaginal ultrasound and misoprostol for the management of spontaneous abortion was successful in avoiding surgery in 249 out of a possible 354 (70.6″ i) women with spontaneous abortion, with a low rate of subsequent morbidity.
The influence of thrombotic risk factors when oral contraceptives are prescribed a control‐only study
Authors: Lidegaard øjvind 
Published: December 2010

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess preferential prescribing of OC according to different thrombotic risk factors.Material and methods. The control group in an ongoing Danish case‐control study on stroke and OCs collected in 1994 and 1995 underwent a control‐only analysis concerning the occurrence of thrombotic risk factors among users of different types of OC. Specific attention was given to differences between OCs with second and third generation progestagens. The association between specific risk factors and the pill types was assessed crude and after multivariate analysis with confounder control for age and other risk factors, in order to identify risk factors, which after these corrections still had a significant confounding influence on the prescribing of OC. Results. Users of OCs with third generation progestagens had a significantly higher proportion of familial thrombotic disposition (23.1%) than users of OCs with second generation progestagens (7.1%) (p = 0.01). After correction for age and other risk factors this difference was still highly significant (p = 0.002). Among users of third generation pills the proportion of short time users (< 1 year) (22.4%) was significantly higher than the per cent among users of OCs with second generation progestagens (5.5%) (p < 0.001). This difference was still significant after correction for age and other risk factors (p < 0.001).Smoking, years of schooling, migraine, and body mass index did not differ significantly between the two pill groups.Conclusion. In Denmark, women with familial thrombotic disposition are four times more likely being prescribed OCs with third versus second generation progestagens compared with women without such a disposition. At the same time users of OCs with third generation progestagens include significantly more short time users than users of OCs with second generation progestagens.For thrombotic diseases where familial disposition or duration of use of OCs play a role for the pill‐associated risk, these differences may significantly influence the thrombotic risk measures in case‐control studies and non‐randomized cohort studies unless confounder control is conducted for this selection.