bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant intravesical therapy based on an in vitro cytotoxicity assay in the management of superficial transitional cell cancer of the urinary bladder
Authors: Saxena Sunita , Agrawal Usha , Agarwal Abhilasha , Murthy Nandagudi Srinivasa , Mohanty Nayan Kumar 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the utility of an individualized chemo/immunotherapy regimen of intravesical therapy based on the results of an assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity.PATIENTS AND METHODSIntravesical adjuvant chemo/immunotherapy was given to 47 patients based on the results of in vitro cytotoxicity assay of the responses of cultured autologous tumour cells to various cytotoxic drugs (mitomycin‐C, doxorubicin and cisplatin) and immunomodulating agents (bacillus Calmette–Guérin, BCG and interferon‐α2b). Intravesical therapy was given as single‐ or double‐drug regimens according to the assay results: 16 (34%) patients showed cytotoxicity to a single drug and 31 (66%) showed maximum cytotoxicity to a combination of immunomodulators and cytotoxic agents. The efficacy of treatment in terms of tumour‐free survival and recurrence rate was compared with 40 patients receiving intravesical BCG according to International Protocol (control group).RESULTSIn the in vitro assay group, seven patients (15%) had tumour recurrence, compared to 15 (38%) in the control group (P = 0.02). In the in vitro group, one of 16 patients on a single drug and six on the double‐drug regimen had a recurrence. The patients given BCG with cytotoxic drugs had no recurrences, but 29% of patients given interferon‐α2b combinations had recurrences. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a longer recurrence‐free survival in the in vitro group (75%) than in the control group (49%) at 48 months of follow‐up.CONCLUSIONIntravesical therapy based on an in vitro cytotoxicity assay is an attempt to give individualized therapy, and to increase tumour‐free survival in these patients, with no side‐effects. Recurrences in seven patients in the in vitro group might be due to a defective host immune response, or to expansion of a subclone of tumour cells resistant to all treatment.
The effects of a new selective β3‐adrenoceptor agonist (GW427353) on spontaneous activity and detrusor relaxation in human bladder
Authors: Biers Suzanne M. , Reynard John M. , Brading Alison F. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of a new selective β3‐adrenoceptor agonist, GW427353 on human detrusor function, as β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptors have been identified in the bladder, and can mediate detrusor relaxation, but β3‐adrenoceptors are less widely distributed and β3‐adrenoceptor agonists should have the therapeutic advantage of producing fewer treatment side‐effects.PATIENTS AND METHODS‘Normal’ human detrusor was retrieved from 12 patients (mean age 56 years) at cystectomy and from organ donors. Detrusor strips (4 × 1 × 1 mm) were mounted in superfused organ baths. Tone was induced with carbachol (5 × 10−7m) before applying either a nonselective β‐adrenoceptor agonist (isoprenaline) or GW427353 (with or without the β3‐adrenoceptor antagonist, SR59230A). In addition, the effect of GW427353 was tested on intrinsic nerve‐evoked smooth muscle contraction over time. Effects on spontaneous activity were also recorded.RESULTSGW427353 produced significant relaxation at concentrations of >10−7m; isoprenaline produced a significant effect from 10−6m, but otherwise both agonists had similar effects. The addition of SR59230A (10−7m), produced partial inhibition of the GW427353 response. GW427353 at 10−6msignificantly reduced spontaneous activity within 10 min of incubation, and at higher concentrations (>5 × 10−6m) inhibited detrusor contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation.CONCLUSIONNeuropathic bladder dysfunction is characterized by increased spontaneous activity and involuntary detrusor contractions, which can result in urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia and incontinence. The novel feature of GW427353 is the ability to suppress spontaneous activity and produce significant relaxation in human detrusor tissue at low concentrations, whilst also inhibiting evoked detrusor contractions at higher concentrations.
Simultaneous transurethral cystolithotripsy with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a prospective feasibility study and review of literature
Authors: Shah Hemendra N. , Hegde Sunil S. , Shah Jignesh N. , Mahajan Amol P. , Bansal Manish B. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo report experience with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) simultaneously with transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy (HLC) for managing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and associated vesical calculi; we also review previously reported cases of managing vesical calculi and associated BOO.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe high‐powered holmium laser is a very efficient multifunctional endourological instrument that effectively fragments calculi of all compositions and is capable of haemostatic cutting of tissue, resulting in minimal bleeding after prostatic resection. A prospective study was conducted from April 2003 that included 32 men who underwent simultaneous HoLEP with transurethral HLC at our institution. Demographic, laboratory, peri‐operative and follow‐up data were analysed. Complications during and after surgery were identified to assess the morbidity of procedure.RESULTSThe mean (range) size of bladder calculi was 34.6 (12–70) mm and the preoperative weight of the prostate was 51.9 (11–172) g. Combined HoLEP with transurethral HLC was technically feasible in all patients, and all were stone‐free after surgery. The mean operative duration was 97.7 (40–230) min, the weight of prostate tissue removed 34.6 (5–88) g, and the duration of catheterization and hospital stay 29.3 h and 34.8 h, respectively. Complications during and after surgery occurred in 12.5% and 15.6% of patients, respectively; all complication were minor and none caused any residual disability to the patient. No patient required a blood transfusion or developed clot retention.CONCLUSIONSManaging bladder stones and BOO with simultaneous transurethral HLC and HoLEP should be considered the treatment of choice for such cases. Stones of any size and composition, and prostates of practically any size can be treated endoscopically using the holmium laser, with acceptable morbidity once the technique is mastered. The review of previous reports suggested a need for a prospective study comparing endoscopic management of BOO and associated bladder stones, with medical management of BOO and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy/endoscopic lithotripsy for bladder stone.
Sialorphin (the mature peptide product ofVcsa1) relaxes corporal smooth muscle tissue and increases erectile function in the ageing rat
Authors: Davies Kelvin P. , Tar Moses , Rougeot Catherine , Melman Arnold 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine if the mature peptide product of theVcsa1gene, sialorphin, could restore erectile function in ageing rats, and whether these effects are mediated through relaxation of corporal smooth muscle tissue, as we recently reported thatVcsa1is one of the most down‐regulated genes in the corpora of rats in three distinct models of erectile dysfunction, and gene transfer of plasmids expressingVcsa1into the corpora of ageing rats restored erectile function.MATERIALS AND METHODSSialorphin was injected intracorporeally into retired breeder rats, and the effect on the physiology of corporal tissue was analysed by intracorporal/blood pressure (ICP/BP) measurement at different times after injection. In organ‐bath studies, the ability of sialorphin (1 µg/mL) to enhance C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) relaxation of corporal smooth muscle tissue strips was investigated after pre‐contraction with 1 µmphenylephrine.RESULTSIntracorporal injection of 100 µg sialorphin into retired breeder rats resulted in a time‐dependent increase in the ICP/BP response to electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve. After 55–65 min the ICP/BP ratio increased to ≈ 0.6, a value associated with normal erectile function. In organ‐bath studies after pre‐contraction with 1 µmphenylephrine, 1 µmCNP significantly (67%) increased the relaxation rate of corporal tissue. This rate of relaxation was increased by 2.5‐fold after incubation with sialorphin (1 µg/mL) compared with carrier alone.CONCLUSIONThese results show that sialorphin has a role in erectile function, probably through a mechanism that involves relaxation of corporal smooth muscle tissue.
Computing power in case‐control association studies through the use of quadratic approximations: application to meta‐statistics
Authors: Guedj M. , Della‐Chiesa E. , Picard F. , Nuel G. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn the framework of case‐control studies many different test statistics are available to measure the association of a marker with a given disease. Nevertheless, choosing one particular statistic can lead to very different conclusions. In the absence of a consensus for this choice, a tempting option is to evaluate the power of these different statistics prior to make any decision. We review the available methods dedicated to power computation and assess their respective reliability in treating a wide range of tests on a wide range of alternative models.Considering Monte‐Carlo, non‐central chi‐square and Delta‐Method estimates, we evaluate empirical, asymptotic and numerical approaches. Additionally we introduce the use of the Delta‐Method, extended to order 2, intended to provide better results than the traditional order‐1 Delta‐Method. Supplementary data can be found at: http://stat.genopole.cnrs.fr/software/dm2.
Understanding the Role of Individual Innovativeness in the Acceptance of IT‐Based Innovations: Comparative Analyses of Models and Measures*
Authors: Yi Mun Y. , Fiedler Kirk D. , Park Jae S. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTAs new technological innovations are rapidly introduced and changed, identifying an individual characteristic that has a persistent effect on the acceptance decisions across multiple technologies is of substantial value for the successful implementation of information systems. Augmenting prior work on individual innovativeness within the context of information technology, we developed a new measure of adopter category innovativeness (ACI) and compared its effectiveness with the existing measure of personal innovativeness in IT (PIIT). Further, we examined two alternative models in which the role of individual innovativeness was theorized differently—either as a moderator of the effects the perceived innovation characteristics of usefulness, ease of use, and compatibility have on future use intention (moderator model) or as a direct determinant of the innovation characteristics (direct determinant model). To ensure the generalizability of the study findings, two field studies (N= 634) were conducted, each of which examined the two models (moderator and direct determinant) and measured individual innovativeness using the two measures (ACI and PIIT). Study 1 surveyed the online buying practices of 412 individuals, and Study 2 surveyed personal digital assistant adoption of 222 healthcare professionals. Across the markedly different adoption contexts, the study results consistently show that individual innovativeness is a direct determinant of the innovation characteristics, and the two measures share many commonalities. The new measure offers some additional utilities not found in the PIIT measure by allowing individuals to be directly classified and mapped into adopter categories. Implications are drawn for future research and practice.
An Empirical Investigation of Web Site Use Using a Commitment‐Based Model
Authors: Li Dahui , Browne Glenn J. , Chau Patrick Y. K. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTCompanies throughout industry are interested in retaining existing customers, because customers' continuous consumption of products and services is critical to the long‐term value propositions of most organizations. Thus, decision‐making strategies that promote continuous use and customer retention are of research interest, both theoretically and practically. In the present research, we investigate one important area of continuous usage, that of Web site use. In particular, we use several theories of commitment to understand how an individual's decision to continue to use a Web site is influenced by his or her commitment toward that Web site and the vendor that supports it. Results derived from data collected from 335 users of a variety of Web sites indicated that affective commitment, calculative commitment, quality of alternatives, and trust were significantly associated with an individual's behavioral intention to continue to use a Web site. Implications for customer retention and decision‐making strategies are discussed.
Dynamic Interactions among the Stock Market, Federal Funds Rate, Inflation, and Economic Activity
Authors: Laopodis Nikiforos T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper examines the dynamic interactions among the equity market, economic activity, inflation, and monetary policy under three monetary policy regimes using bivariate and multivariate vector autoregressive cointegrating specifications. The bivariate results for the real stock returns‐inflation pair weakly support a negative correlation in the 1970s and 1980s. While the bivariate findings suggest a weak, negative relationship between real returns and the federal funds in the 1970s and 1980s, the multivariate findings strongly support short‐term linkages in the 1970s. There appears to be no consistent dynamic relationship between monetary policy and stock prices in that the relationship differs across monetary regimes.
Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma in an unreported area (groin)
Authors: Bar‐Meir Eran , Fridman Eduard , Zilinsky Isaac , Orenstein Arie , Winkler Eyal 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a rare tumor presenting as a painless subcutaneous mass in the extremities first reported in 1998. We report the first case of a MIFS tumor in the groin.Methods:  We have performed seven immunohistochemical stains that were not applied before on MIFS.Results:  The first case of a MIFS tumor in the groin.Conclusions:  MIFS must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a painless mass not only in the distal extremities but also in the groin. The diagnosis of this tumor is difficult and can be missed if not considered because of the unusual location. Due to high recurrence rates and one case of documented metastases, the recommended treatment is wide excision.
Actinic cheilitis: histologic study of the entire vermilion and comparison with previous biopsy
Authors: Menta Simonsen Nico Marcello , Rivitti Evandro A. , Lourenço Silvia Vanessa 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Actinic cheilitis (AC), is the very superficial, incipient form of actinically induced squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip. Few studies of actinic cheilitis analyzed the entire lip vermilion searching for microscopic areas of progressing carcinoma.Methods:  Twenty patients with biopsy proved actinic cheilitis presenting with diffuse clinical changes were submitted to vermilionectomy of lower lip. Surgical specimens were sectioned every 3 mm, studied histopathologically and findings were compared with the biopsy. Histological findings were classified as ‘AC’, carcinoma in situ (CIS), superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SISCC), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (ISCC).Results:  Comparison between biopsies and most severe changes on vermilionectomies revealed coincidental changes in 10 cases (50%), more severe changes on biopsy occurred in two cases (10%) and in eight cases (40%) the changes on vermilionectomy were more severe. SISCC was diagnosed in nine cases (45%): of these, two had been detected on biopsy, six had shown a milder aspect on biopsy, and in one biopsy had shown ISCC. Foci of discontinuous areas of SISCC were detected in four cases (20%).Conclusions:  These findings suggest that cases of AC presenting with poorly demarcated lesions may bear severe histopathological changes irregularly distributed along the vermilion.
Leucoencephalopathy with cerebral calcinosis in a young chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) – a case report
Authors: Zöller M. , Grevot A. , Mätz‐Rensing K. , Hofmann P. , Jurek V. , Schulz‐Schaeffer W. , Kaup F.‐J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCase history  A 4‐year‐old chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) had a clinical history of a 2‐year progressive central nervous dysfunction including convulsions and severe paralysis.Results  Gross pathology revealed cerebral atrophy, ventricular enlargement and a severe encephalomalacia with extensive calcifications. Histologically, the white matter showed diffuse demyelination as well as vascular and perivascular calcifications which also involved the basal ganglia. Blood vessels with less distinctive calcium deposits exhibited periodic acid Schiff positive hyalinosis. Large areas of necrosis, hemorrhage and intense gliosis were also present. Activation of astrocytes and macrophages was confirmed by immunohistochemical methods.Conclusions  The etiology of the leucoencepalopathy could not be ascertained by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Potential differential diagnoses include the rarely occurring Fahr's disease in humans, arteriosclerosis, storage disease and the Aicardi–Goutières syndrome. Based on the results of the postmortal examinations Fahr's disease is regarded as the most likely diagnosis in the present case of the chimpanzee.
WATER DEMAND AND THE URBAN POOR: A STUDY OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING WATER CONSUMPTION AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Jansen Ada , Schulz Carl‐erik 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWater demand management is a key focus area for most water managers and even more so in developing countries since improved access to water is important to the poor. Different policies have been introduced to ensure a water management system th at cares for the poor, among them the Increasing Block Tariff (IBT) structure. Studies demonstrate that it is very important to know the shape of the demand curve when deciding on the IBT structure. This paper adds to the understanding of the factors that influence water consumption. The focus is on how water demand patterns vary with the level of income among urban dwellers. The results support the hypothesis that pricing is an ineffective measure to manage water consumption among the poor, while it is relatively more effective for the richest group. Therefore, redistribution using water pricing policy will hardly work.
Identification of PhIL1, a Novel Cytoskeletal Protein of the
Toxoplasma gondii
Pellicle, through Photosensitized Labeling with 5-[
125
I]Iodonaphthalene-1-Azide
Authors: Gilk Stacey D. , Raviv Yossef , Hu Ke , Murray John M. , Beckers Con J. M. , Ward Gary E. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The pellicle of the protozoan parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
is a unique triple bilayer structure, consisting of the plasma membrane and two tightly apposed membranes of the underlying inner membrane complex. Integral membrane proteins of the pellicle are likely to play critical roles in host cell recognition, attachment, and invasion, but few such proteins have been identified. This is in large part because the parasite surface is dominated by a family of abundant and highly immunogenic glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, which has made the identification of non-GPI-linked proteins difficult. To identify such proteins, we have developed a radiolabeling approach using the hydrophobic, photoactivatable compound 5-[
125
I]iodonaphthalene-1-azide (INA). INA can be activated by photosensitizing fluorochromes; by restricting these fluorochromes to the pellicle, [
125
I]INA labeling will selectively target non-GPI-anchored membrane-embedded proteins of the pellicle. We demonstrate here that three known membrane proteins of the pellicle can indeed be labeled by photosensitization with INA. In addition, this approach has identified a novel 22-kDa protein, named PhIL1 (
ph
otosensitized
I
NA-
l
abeled protein
1
), with unexpected properties. While the INA labeling of PhIL1 is consistent with an integral membrane protein, the protein has neither a transmembrane domain nor predicted sites of lipid modification. PhIL1 is conserved in apicomplexan parasites and localizes to the parasite periphery, concentrated at the apical end just basal to the conoid. Detergent extraction and immunolocalization data suggest that PhIL1 associates with the parasite cytoskeleton.
Transcriptome Analysis of
Aspergillus nidulans
Exposed to Camptothecin-Induced DNA Damage
Authors: Malavazi Iran , Savoldi Marcela , Di Mauro Sônia Marli Zingaretti , Menck Carlos Frederico Martins , Harris Steven D. , Goldman Maria Helena de Souza , Goldman Gustavo Henrique 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

We have used an
Aspergillus nidulans
macroarray carrying sequences of 2,787 genes from this fungus to monitor gene expression of both wild-type and
uvsB
ATR
(the homologue of the ATR gene) deletion mutant strains in a time course exposure to camptothecin (CPT). The results revealed a total of 1,512 and 1,700 genes in the wild-type and
uvsB
ATR
deletion mutant strains that displayed a statistically significant difference at at least one experimental time point. We characterized six genes that have increased mRNA expression in the presence of CPT in the wild-type strain relative to the
uvsB
ATR
mutant strain:
fhdA
(encoding a forkhead-associated domain protein),
tprA
(encoding a hypothetical protein that contains a tetratrico peptide repeat),
mshA
(encoding a MutS homologue involved in mismatch repair),
phbA
(encoding a prohibitin homologue),
uvsC
RAD51
(the homologue of the RAD51 gene), and
cshA
(encoding a homologue of the excision repair protein ERCC-6 [Cockayne's syndrome protein]). The induced transcript levels of these genes in the presence of CPT require
uvsB
ATR
. These genes were deleted, and surprisingly, only the
ΔuvsC
mutant strain was sensitive to CPT; however, the others displayed sensitivity to a range of DNA-damaging and oxidative stress agents. These results indicate that the selected genes when inactivated display very complex and heterogeneous sensitivity behavior during growth in the presence of agents that directly or indirectly cause DNA damage. Moreover, with the exception of UvsC, deletion of each of these genes partially suppressed the sensitivity of the
ΔuvsB
strain to menadione and paraquat. Our results provide the first insight into the overall complexity of the response to DNA damage in filamentous fungi and suggest that multiple pathways may act in parallel to mediate DNA repair.