bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of a malleable penile prosthesis in patients with a spinal cord injury
Authors: Kim Young Dong , Yang Seung Ok , Lee Jeong Ki , Jung Tae Young , Shim Hong Bang 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  The usefulness of a malleable penile prosthesis was evaluated in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) by investigating the complications and the patients’ satisfaction.Methods:  A total of 48 patients with a SCI, who underwent malleable penile prosthesis (AMS 600) insertion from 1990 to 2004 were evaluated by reviewing the patients’ medical records and interviewing them via questionnaires. The mean patients age was 58.9 years, and the mean follow‐up period was 11.7 years. In 23 patients, penile prosthesis implantation was carried out to improve urinary management and to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).Results:  Complications occurred in eight patients (16.7%). Wound infections in four (8.3%). Two patients were treated with conservative management, and two were managed through prostheses removal. Other complications were erosion in two patients (4.2%), uncontrolled penile pain owing to excessive prosthesis length in one patient (2.1%), and supersonic transporter (SST) deformity in one patient (2.1%). The overall patient satisfaction rate was 79.2%. The dissatisfaction was mainly due to the complications that resulted in the removal of the prosthesis, or partner's unnatural sensation. All of the prostheses that were implanted in the patients for the improvement of their urinary management gave them the benefit of convenient urinary management, except for two patients, whose prostheses were removed.Conclusions:  The insertion of malleable penile prostheses in patients with SCI is associated with low complication rates and good patient satisfaction. It is therefore still an attractive option.
Clinical significance of transurethral tru‐cut biopsy in confirmation of bladder tumor invasive character
Authors: Chłosta Piotr , Szopiński Tomasz , Antoniewicz Artur A , Dobruch Jakub , Kopczyński Janusz , Borówka Andrzej 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  To evaluate the feasibility of resection (TURBT) replacement in patients with strong suspicion of invasive bladder tumor by transurethral tru‐cut biopsy carried out during cystoscopy.Methods:  Fifty‐eight patients (52 men and six women; mean age 65 years, range 43–79) presenting with extensive bladder tumor suggested by ultrasound and computed tomography were included in the study. Each patient was submitted to transurethral, cystoscopically‐guided tru‐cut biopsy of bladder tumor before the planned TURBT. Comparison of histopathological assessment of tissue cores, resection and radical cystectomy specimens was carried out.Results:  Histopathological analysis of resection specimens and tissue cores were in complete accordance with previous tissue cores assessment in terms of type and grade of bladder cancer. Histological type of bladder tumor revealed by tru‐cut biopsy and radical cystectomy was identical in 56 (96.6%) cases. Tumor grade was the same in biopsy cores and radical cystectomy specimens in 55 (95%) cases.Conclusions:  Endoscopic tru‐cut bladder tumor biopsy allows us to collect sufficient amounts of tissue material for histopathological confirmation of detrusor muscle infiltration in patients presenting with bladder tumors suspected to cause muscle invasiveness. The procedure is carried out under cystoscopic control and is fast, efficient, safe, easy to perform and less invasive than standard TURB in cases of an extensive bladder tumor.
The distal forelimb musculature in aquatic and terrestrial turtles: phylogeny or environmental constraints?
Authors: Abdala Virginia , Manzano Adriana S. , Herrel Anthony 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe compared the muscular anatomy of the distal front limb in terrestrial and aquatic chelonians to test whether observed differences between the two groups are associated with their divergent lifestyles and locomotor modes. Given the different use of the forelimb in the two environments (body support and propulsion on land vs. mainly propulsion in water) we expected that: (1) aquatic and terrestrial turtles would show differences in their muscular anatomy, with aquatic species having more individualized muscle bundles to allow for the complex forearm movements observed during swimming, and (2) that terrestrial turtles would have more robust muscles to support their body weight against gravity. To address these questions, we examined the forelimb myology and associated tissues in six aquatic or semi‐aquatic turtles (Phyrnops hilarii, Podocnemis unifilis, Trachemys scripta, Sacalia bealei, Cuora amboinensis and Mauremys caspica) and six terrestrial or semi‐terrestrial turtles (Geochelone chilensis, Testudo graeca, Cuora galbinifrons, Glyptemys insculpta, Terrapene carolina and Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima). This paper describes the general structure of the forelimb musculature in all species, and quantifies muscle masses in those species with more than five specimens available (Ph. hilarii, Po. unifilis and Ge. chilensis). The general structure of the forelimb muscles in the strictly terrestrial species Ge. chilensis and Tes. graeca was found to be notably different from the pattern of the aquatic and semi‐aquatic species examined, showing a distinct fusion of the different muscular bodies. Ter. carolina also show a distinctly terrestrial pattern, but a less extensive tendon development. R. pulcherrima and Gl. insculpta were found to be morphologically intermediate; in the geoemydids the strictly terrestrial bauplan never appears. Quantitative differences in the robustness or mass of the distal forelimb muscles were also observed for the species investigated, supporting our prediction that the extensor muscles are more robust in terrestrial turtles. However, in contrast to our expectations, not only the extensor muscles of the distal forelimb (which are crucial in providing both body support and propulsion), but all muscles acting around the wrist were found to be heavier in terrestrial turtles.
Inflammatory response to chlorhexidine, minocycline HCl and doxycycline HCl in an in vivo mouse model
Authors: Houri‐Haddad Yael , Halabi Amal , Soskolne Wilfred Aubrey 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim: To examine the effect of locally delivered antimicrobial drugs on the inflammatory response in an in vivo mouse chamber model.Material and Methods: Two weeks following chamber implantation, 24 BALB/c mice, in the experimental group, were given an intra‐chamber challenge of heat‐killed Porphyromonas gingivalis, followed immediately by injection of the specific antimicrobial drug: 2000 μg/ml chlorhexidine (CHX); 1500 μg/ml minocycline HCl;and 1500 μg/ml doxycycline HCl (concentrations achieved in the periodontal pocket with commercial controlled‐release delivery systems). A second group of 24 animals received only the antimicrobial treatment without P. gingivalis challenge. Intra‐chamber exudates were sampled at 2 and 24 h following the challenge, and leucocytes, TNFα, IFNγ and IL‐10 were evaluated.Results: At 2 h, minocycline HCl induced high levels of IL‐10, TNFα and IFNγ, while CHX reduced the levels of TNFα and IFNγ. By 24 h, these responses were attenuated. Following bacterial challenge, the antibacterial agents attenuated the inflammatory process, each in its own fashion.Conclusions: Antibacterial agents applied locally have the ability to induce an inflammatory response. They also modify the inflammatory response to P. gingivalis independent of their antimicrobial effect. CHX and doxycycline HCl appear to have the most marked anti‐inflammatory effect.
Oort groups and lifting problems
Authors: Chinburg T. , Guralnick R. , Harbater D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLet k be an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic p. We consider which finite groups G have the property that every faithful action of G on a connected smooth projective curve over k lifts to characteristic zero. Oort conjectured that cyclic groups have this property. We show that if a cyclic-by-p group G has this property, then G must be either cyclic or dihedral, with the exception of A4 in characteristic two. This proves one direction of a strong form of the Oort conjecture.
Assessment by Time-Kill Methodology of the Synergistic Effects of Oritavancin in Combination with Other Antimicrobial Agents against
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Belley Adam , Neesham-Grenon Eve , Arhin Francis F. , McKay Geoffrey A. , Parr Thomas R. , Moeck Gregory 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

Oritavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide in clinical development for serious gram-positive infections. This study describes the synergistic activity of oritavancin in combination with gentamicin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, or rifampin in time-kill studies against methicillin-susceptible, vancomycin-intermediate, and vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
.
The Sialylated Lipooligosaccharide Outer Core in
Campylobacter jejuni
Is an Important Determinant for Epithelial Cell Invasion
Authors: Louwen Rogier , Heikema Astrid , van Belkum Alex , Ott Alewijn , Gilbert Michel , Ang Wim , Endtz Hubert P. , Bergman Mathijs P. , Nieuwenhuis Edward E. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter jejuni
is a frequent cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) has been identified as an important virulence factor that may play a role in microbial adhesion and invasion. Here we specifically address the question of whether LOS sialylation affects the interaction of
C. jejuni
with human epithelial cells. For this purpose, 14 strains associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), 34 enteritis-associated strains, the 81-176 reference strain, and 6 Penner serotype strains were tested for invasion of two epithelial cell lines.
C. jejuni
strains expressing sialylated LOS (classes A, B, and C) invaded cells significantly more frequently than strains expressing nonsialylated LOS (classes D and E) (
P
< 0.0001). To further explore this observation, we inactivated the LOS sialyltransferase (Cst-II) via knockout mutagenesis in three GBS-associated
C. jejuni
strains expressing sialylated LOS (GB2, GB11, and GB19). All knockout strains displayed significantly lower levels of invasion than the respective wild types. Complementation of a Δ
cst-II
mutant strain restored LOS sialylation and reset the invasiveness to wild-type levels. Finally, formalin-fixed wild-type strains GB2, GB11 and GB19, but not the isogenic Δ
cst-II
mutants that lack sialic acid, were able to inhibit epithelial invasion by viable GB2, GB11, and GB19 strains. We conclude that sialylation of the LOS outer core contributes significantly to epithelial invasion by
C. jejuni
and may thus play a role in subsequent postinfectious pathologies.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Efficacy of a Fully Human Immunoglobulin G1 Monoclonal Antibody to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Alginate in Murine Keratitis Infection
Authors: Zaidi Tanweer , Pier Gerald B. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

Treatment of ulcerative keratitis due to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is difficult, time-consuming, and uncomfortable owing to the need for the frequent application of antibiotic drops to the infected corneal surface. We examined here whether a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific to the conserved alginate surface polysaccharide of
P. aeruginosa
could mediate protective immunity against typically nonmucoid strains isolated from human cases of keratitis. MAb F429 effectively opsonized alginate-positive, but not alginate-negative, nonmucoid strains in conjunction with phagocytes and complement. Prophylactic administration of MAb F429 18 h prior to infection with two clinical isolates significantly reduced bacterial levels in the eye and the associated corneal pathology. Along similar lines, systemic intraperitoneal injection, as well as topical application of the MAb onto the infected eye, starting 8 h postinfection in both experimental protocols resulted in significant reductions in bacteria in the eye, as well as minimizing pathological damage to the cornea. These findings indicate that MAb F429 could be useful as an additional therapeutic component for the treatment of
P. aeruginosa
keratitis.
Campylobacter-Induced Interleukin-8 Secretion in Polarized Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells RequiresCampylobacter-Secreted Cytolethal Distending Toxin- and Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Activation of NF-κB
Authors: Zheng Jie , Meng Jianghong , Zhao Shaohua , Singh Ruby , Song Wenxia 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTCampylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter colicolonize and infect the intestinal epithelium and cause acute inflammatory diarrhea. The intestinal epithelium serves as a physical barrier to, and a sensor of, bacterial infection by secreting proinflammatory cytokines. This study examined the mechanisms forCampylobacter-induced secretion of the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) by using polarized T84 human colonic epithelial cells as a model.C. jejuniincreased the secretion of both IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in polarized epithelial cells. However, the increase in IL-8 secretion was independent ofCampylobacter-stimulated TNF-α secretion. Polarized T84 cells secreted IL-8 predominantly to the basolateral medium independently of the inoculation direction. While there was a significant correlation between the levels of IL-8 secretion andCampylobacterinvasion, all 11 strains tested increased IL-8 secretion by polarized T84 cells despite their differences in adherence, invasion, and transcytosis efficiencies. Cell-free supernatants ofCampylobacter-T84-cell culture increased IL-8 secretion to levels similar to those induced by live bacterial inoculation. The ability of the supernatant to induce IL-8 secretion was reduced by flagellum and cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) gene mutants, treatment of the supernatant with protease K or heat, or treatment of T84 cells with the Toll-like receptor (TLR) inhibitor MyD88 inhibitory peptide or chloroquine. NF-κB inhibitors orcdtBmutation plus MyD88 inhibitor, but notflaA cdtBdouble mutations, abolished the ability of the supernatant to induce IL-8 secretion. Taken together, our results demonstrate thatCampylobacter-induced IL-8 secretion requires functional flagella and CDT and depends on the activation of NF-κB through TLR signaling and CDT in human intestinal epithelial cells.
Static and cyclic liquefaction potential of Fraser Delta sand in simple shear and triaxial tests
Authors: Vaid Y P , Sivathayalan S 
Published: July 2008

The potential for static and cyclic liquefaction of the sand that underlies the highly seismic Fraser Delta is assessed under simple shear test conditions, typical of an earthquake shaking. A comparison of liquefaction potential is also made between simple shear and conventional triaxial stress conditions. It is shown that the liquefaction potential of sand is profoundly influenced by the stress path. The reduction factors currently applied to the cyclic triaxial resistance for representing simple shear response may involve a large degree of conservatism in design. A direct measurement of soil behaviour under stress conditions typical of earthquake loading may thus have large economic benefits. Key words: sand, liquefaction, static, cyclic, triaxial, simple shear.
Influence des propriétés du milieu poreux sur la durabilité au gel des roches calcaires
Authors: Bellanger Michel , Remy Jean-Michel , Homand Françoise 
Published: July 2008

The frost susceptibility is a limiting factor for calcarous materials used as aggregates (pavements, concrete) or as rockfill. Its evaluation is made difficult by the complexity of the porous medium for these materials that are very often out of the range of present standard tests. The analysis of water freezing mechanisms at the pore scale and the determination of the resulting stresses has been coupled with laboratory experiments (freezing conditions have been simulated in a thermally controlled room, and the damage has been monitored by ultrasonic wave damping measurements). A physical model is proposed for the freezing behaviour of calcarous rocks that depends on the geometry of the porous constituents. The comparaison of this model with test results either normalized or recommended for aggregates and rockfill shows that the latter are too severe for calcarous materials. Test procedures should be modified to better represent the conditions of saturation and temperature prevailing in structures that includes this type of material and to take into account the complexity of the calcarous porous medium. Key words: frost, calcarous rock, porous medium, aggregates, rockfill.[Journal Translation]
Meeting Report: Sixth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
Authors: Girnun Geoffrey D. , Howe Louise R. , Manne Sharon , Mao Jenny T. , Reid Mary E. , Szabo Eva 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Recent progress in understanding key events in carcinogenesis, early cancer detection, therapeutic interventions to prevent cancer, public policy, and biobehavioral approaches toward cancer control was the subject of the 6th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research held on December 5 to 8, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA. Abundant preclinical and clinical data show that invasive cancer is preventable, yet clinical strategies to decrease society's cancer burden through prevention, early detection, and lifestyle modification are still in the early phases of development and implementation. The conference explored the multiple facets of cancer prevention and provided an update on the progress and challenges in this rapidly developing field.
Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Tendon Healing
Authors: Fu Sai-Chuen , Shum Wai-Ting , Hung Leung-Kim , Wong Margaret Wan-Nar , Qin Ling , Chan Kai-Ming 
Published: July 2008

Background Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has been reported to be effective in promoting tendon healing. However, its optimal time and duration has not yet been determined. Hypothesis Tendons at different stages of healing may respond differently to low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. In the present study, the timing effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on tendon healing were investigated in a rat model with a patellar tendon graft harvest lesion. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent central third patellar tendon donor site harvest. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound sonication was then delivered to the injured knees at day 1, 14, or 28 after harvest for 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Tendon samples were harvested at day 14, 28, and 42 after lesion for histological examination and mechanical testing. Results A 2-week session of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound applied from day 1 postlesion (D1-2W) significantly improved the ultimate mechanical strength of the healing tendons from 23.1 ± 8.5 MPa to 36.6 ± 9.0 MPa. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound did not improve healing when it was given at later stages in D15-2W and D29-2W. When low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment was extended from 2 weeks (D1-2W) to 4 weeks (D1-4W) or 6 weeks (D1-6W), the beneficial effects on tendon healing became insignificant. Histological examination showed that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound sonication at late healing stages may disturb remodeling with a poor collagen fiber alignment. Conclusion Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promoted restoration of mechanical strength and collagen alignment in healing tendons only when applied at early healing stages. Clinical Relevance The present findings indicate that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound may be an effective treatment to reduce tendon donor site morbidity.
Use of Antiplatelet Agents for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Amongst Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Zaman Huri Hasniza , Lee Qiu Yi  , Pendek Rokiah , Che Zuraini Sulaiman  
Published: July 2008

Background. A retrospective observational study was conducted to study the use of antiplatelet agents for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease among hospitalized type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Method. A total of 355 patients were included in the study. The compliance with the American Diabetes Association recommendation on the use of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of cardiovascular disease was studied. Results. For the primary prevention group, type 2 diabetes mellitus, patients with known dyslipidemia were more likely to receive antiplatelet therapy than those without dyslipidemia (P = 0.023). The rate of adherence to the American Diabetes Association recommendations on the use of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease was higher than for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (P = 0.001). Conclusion. In conclusion, many of the eligible patients still do not receive antiplatelet therapy, particularly in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Measures should be taken to ensure that type 2 diabetes mellitus patients receive the antiplatelet therapy and hence prevent macrovascular complications.
Long-term outcomes of patients with advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and large cell transformation
Authors: Arulogun Suzanne O. , Prince H. Miles , Ng Jonathan , Lade Stephen , Ryan Gail F. , Blewitt Odette , McCormack Christopher 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Although mycosis fungoides (MF) is typically an indolent disease, patients with advanced-stage disease (stages IIB-IVB), including Sézary syndrome (SS), often have a poor outcome. A 31-year, retrospective analysis of our cutaneous lymphoma database, of 297 patients with MF and SS, was undertaken to study long-term outcomes and identify clinical predictors of outcome in patients with advanced-stage disease (ASD, n = 92) and large cell transformation (LCT, n = 22). Two-thirds of patients with ASD presented with de novo ASD. The median overall survival (OS) for ASD was 5 years with a 10-year predicted OS of 32%. Age at initial diagnosis (P = .01), tumor stage (P = .01), and clinical stage (P = .001) were found to be significant predictors of outcome. Patients who presented with de novo ASD demonstrated better outcomes that were not statistically significant than those with a prior diagnosis of early-stage MF (P = .25). Transformation developed in 22 of the 297 MF/SS patients (7.4%), with a transformation rate of only 1.4% in patients with early-stage disease, compared with stage IIB (27%) and stage IV (56%-67%) disease. The median OS from diagnosis of LCT was 2 years. We confirm that the incidence of LCT is strongly dependent on tumor stage at diagnosis, and we demonstrate a much lower overall risk of LCT than previously reported.