bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between insulin resistance and cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients
Authors: Suzuki Mari , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Uno Tomoko , Oyun Ookhor , Mogi Nanaka , Maeno Hitoshi , Yamanouchi Kunio , Iguchi Akihisa , Sato Yuzo 
Published: November 2006

Background:  Recently, cognitive impairment in elder diabetic subjects has sparked considerable interest. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the central pathologies in diabetes mellitus, and several studies have shown that IR is associated with cognitive impairment in non‐diabetic elderly subjects. However, the involvement of IR in cognitive dysfunction in the diabetic elderly has remained to be elucidated.Methods:  In the current study we measured IR with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique, and assessed cognitive function in 13 elderly diabetic patients (mean age, 69.1 ± 4.4). Several tests to assess cognitive function including Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) were performed, and clinical indices were evaluated. IR was evaluated by metabolic clearance rates (MCR).Results:  The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between MCR and MMSE scores was 0.587 (P = 0.035). When subjects were divided into two groups at the median MCR (5.0 mL/kg/min), the lower MCR (high IR) group (n = 5) had significantly lower MMSE scores than the higher group (n = 8). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was –0.641 (P = 0.018) between hs‐CRP and MMSE scores. When subjects were divided into two groups at the median of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) (594.0 µg/dL), the higher hs‐CRP group (n = 6) had significantly lower MMSE scores than the lower group (n = 7).Conclusion:  The current study shows that higher IR measured with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique and higher hs‐CRP is associated with lower MMSE scores in non‐demented diabetic elderly patients.
Comparison of methods for deploying female gypsy moths to evaluate mating disruption treatments
Authors: Thorpe Kevin W. , Hickman Andrea D. , Tcheslavskaia Ksenia S. , Leonard Donna S. , Roberts E. Anderson 
Published: November 2006

Abstract1 Mating disruption is the primary tactic used to reduce rates of gypsy moth population spread in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Slow‐the‐Spread of the gypsy moth programme (STS). Because STS targets very low‐density gypsy moth populations within which it is extremely difficult to collect females or egg masses, mating success in native populations cannot be determined. Therefore, the evaluation of mating disruption treatments in field experiments such as those designed to test new formulations and application methods requires deploying and recovering laboratory‐reared female moths to determine mating success.2 Five methods of deploying females were evaluated for cost, rates of female and egg mass recovery, and female mating success. The deployment methods tested were: modified delta trap, square barrier, single and double trunk bands, and tethered females.3 Deployment of tethered females had the highest cost and mating success rate, but it did not yield the highest rates of female and egg mass recovery. Deployment of females in delta traps produced the lowest cost and mating success rate, but yielded the highest recovery rate. Neither of these deployment methods is recommended because of unacceptably high cost (tethered female) or low mating success (delta trap).4 There were no significant differences in cost or mating success among the other three deployment methods.5 The differences among the square barrier, single trunk band, and double trunk band methods in cost, female and egg mass recovery, and mating success are too small to recommend any one over the others.
Population structure and recombination in environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Coscollá Mireia , González‐Candelas Fernando 
Published: November 2006

Summary Legionella pneumophila is a water‐borne bacteria responsible for most cases of legionellosis, an emerging disease with an increasing incidence in industrialized countries. Although early analysis based on multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) described the population structure of this species as clonal, more recent reports have suggested that recombination also contributes to shaping variation across its genome. We report here the results of analysing the nucleotide sequences of 19 loci in 31 environmental samples of L. pneumophila from a small Spanish region (near Alcoi, province of Alicante) where legionellosis has become almost endemic. We analysed the six loci currently incorporated to the sequence‐based typing scheme developed by European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI) for L. pneumophila and 13 intergenic regions, for which we developed primers anchored in flanking, conserved genes. Our results show that recombination among natural isolates of this species is a common phenomenon, as 20 of the 31 isolates contained at least one locus in which recombination was revealed by at least three different methods. The mapping of the recombination events on the maximum likelihood tree of the concatenate sequence of the 19 loci indicated that at least nine independent recombination events might explain the observed distribution of recombinant loci among isolates. In consequence, we have shown that recombination in L. pneumophila is much more frequent than previously considered and that it does not seem to be restricted to already described pathogenicity islands or other genome constituents which provide it with a high plasticity.
Trends in colorectal cancer survival in northern Denmark: 1985–2004
Authors: Iversen L. H. , Nørgaard M. , Jepsen P. , Jacobsen J. , Christensen M. M. , Gandrup P. , Madsen M. R. , Laurberg S. , Wogelius P. , Sørensen H. T. ,   On behalf of the Northern Danish Cancer Quality Assessment Group
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective  The prognosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) is less favourable in Denmark than in neighbouring countries. To improve cancer treatment in Denmark, a National Cancer Plan was proposed in 2000. We conducted this population‐based study to monitor recent trends in CRC survival and mortality in four Danish counties.Method  We used hospital discharge registry data for the period January 1985–March 2004 in the counties of north Jutland, Ringkjøbing, Viborg and Aarhus. We computed crude survival and used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to compare mortality over time, adjusted for age and gender. A total of 19 515 CRC patients were identified and linked with the Central Office of Civil Registration to ascertain survival through January 2005.Results  From 1985 to 2004, 1‐year and 5‐year survival improved both for patients with colon and rectal cancer. From 1995–1999 to 2000–2004, overall 1‐year survival of 65% for colon cancer did not improve, and some age groups experienced a decreasing 1‐year survival probability. For rectal cancer, overall 1‐year survival increased from 71% in 1995–1999 to 74% in 2000–2004. Using 1985–1989 as reference period, 30‐day mortality did not decrease after implementation of the National Cancer Plan in 2000, neither for patients with colon nor rectal cancer. However, 1‐year mortality for patients with rectal cancer did decline after its implementation.Conclusion  Survival and mortality from colon and rectal cancer improved before the National Cancer Plan was proposed; after its implementation, however, improvement has been observed for rectal cancer only.
Cause and place of death in patients dying with colorectal cancer
Authors: Jones O. M. , John S. K. P. , Horseman N. , Lawrance R. J. , Fozard J. B. J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective  Few studies on colorectal cancer look at the one‐third of patients for whom treatment fails and who need a management strategy for death. This paper has examined the mode and place of death in patients with colorectal cancer.Method  This study was a review of 209 deaths, analysed between January 2001 and September 2004 by retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.Results  A total of 118 patients (group 1) had undergone resection of their primary colorectal cancer, 20 (group 2) had had a defunctioning stoma or bypass surgery and the remaining 71 patients (group 3) had either had no surgery, an open and close laparotomy or had a colonic stent. One hundred and fifty‐six (75%) patients died of colorectal cancer with the remainder dying of other causes. The number of admissions to hospital and the number of days spent in hospital from diagnosis to death were greatest in group 1. Overall, only 34 patients (22%) dying from colorectal cancer died at home. Forty (26%) died in hospital and 70 (45%) died in a palliative care unit.Conclusions  Patients dying from colorectal cancer who undergo surgical resection of their primary tumour spend more time between diagnosis and death in hospital. They are also more likely to die in hospital than patients treated by surgical palliation or nonsurgically. Patients who are treated palliatively from the outset (group 3) are most likely to die at home. If hospital is accepted as an appropriate place for death from colorectal cancer, then greater provision for this should be made.
Rectogesic® (glyceryl trinitrate 0.2%) ointment relieves symptoms of haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures
Authors: Tjandra J. J. , Tan J. J. Y. , Lim J. F. , Murray‐Green C. , Kennedy M. L. , Lubowski D. Z. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective  Some haemorrhoids are associated with high resting anal canal pressures. The aim of this study was to assess if Rectogesic®, a topical glyceryl trinitrate 0.2% ointment was effective in relieving symptoms of early grade haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures.Method  This was a prospective, two‐centre, open label study of 58 patients with persistent haemorrhoidal symptoms. Patients with first or second degree haemorrhoids and a maximum resting anal canal pressure >70 mmHg were included. Rectogesic® was applied three times a day for 14 days. Anorectal manometry was performed 30 min after the first application of Rectogesic®. A 28‐day diary was completed during 14 days of therapy and for 14 days after cessation of treatment. This recorded the incidence of rectal bleeding, and visual analogue scales for anal pain, throbbing, pruritis, irritation and difficulty in bowel movement.Results  Maximum resting anal canal pressures were reduced after application of Rectogesic® (115.0 ± 40.4 mmHg vs 94.7 ± 34.1 mmHg, P < 0.001). In the study period and at 14 days after cessation of Rectogesic®, there was significant reduction in rectal bleeding (P = 0.0002), and significant improvement of anal pain (P = 0.0024), throbbing (P = 0.0355), pruritis (P = 0.0043), irritation (P = 0.0000) and difficulty in bowel movement (P = 0.001). The main adverse event was headache in 43.1% of patients.Conclusion  Rectogesic® is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with early grade haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures.
The Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction study: focus on treatment satisfaction of patients and partners
Authors: Brock Gerald , Chan John , Carrier Serge , Chan Melanie , Salgado Luis , Klein Alexander H. , Lang Clement , Horner Richard , Gutkin Stephen , Dickson Ruth 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess patient and partner preferences for, and satisfaction with, tadalafil or sildenafil (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) in routine clinical practice for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), as these are important outcomes that might influence treatment adherence.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a multicentre, prospective observational trial in Canada, patients with ED were eligible if they planned to change treatment from tadalafil to sildenafil or vice versa. Data were collected at baseline and 4–12 weeks later (endpoint). Satisfaction was assessed using patient and partner versions of the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire. EDITS index scores range from 0 (extremely low treatment satisfaction) to 100 (extremely high treatment satisfaction).RESULTSOf 2425 patients, approximately 98% completed the study and 295 partners participated. When patients changed from sildenafil to tadalafil (1722 men) the mean EDITS index scores increased significantly for both patients (from 61.6 to 78.3) and partners (from 65.0 to 82.6; both P < 0.001). When patients changed from tadalafil to sildenafil (703 men), the mean EDITS index scores increased slightly but significantly for patients (from 68.8 to 70.2; P = 0.007) but not partners (from 76.8 to 68.9; P = 0.066). For the individual EDITS questions, mean scores increased significantly from baseline to endpoint on all questions for patients (all 11 questions; P < 0.001) and partners (all five questions; P < 0.001) in the sildenafil‐to‐tadalafil group, and in the tadalafil‐to‐sildenafil group, mean scores for patients decreased on nine of 11 questions (seven of nine significantly; P < 0.041) and mean scores for partners decreased on all five (two significantly; P < 0.049). For treatment preference, regardless of the change in treatment (i.e. sildenafil‐tadalafil or tadalafil‐sildenafil), a significantly higher percentage of patients and partners preferred tadalafil to sildenafil.CONCLUSIONSThese data indicate that patients with ED (and their partners) who changed from sildenafil to tadalafil treatment or vice versa in a routine clinical practice setting had higher treatment satisfaction when taking tadalafil than sildenafil, as assessed by most measures of EDITS. The higher treatment satisfaction with tadalafil might help to explain the greater preference for tadalafil compared with sildenafil in both patients and partners in this observational study.
Achieving continence with antimuscarinic therapy for overactive bladder: effects of baseline incontinence severity and bladder diary duration
Authors: Wein Alan J. , Khullar Vik , Wang Joseph T. , Guan Zhonghong 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo examine the continence (‘dryness’) rate as an outcome measure of the efficacy of antimuscarinic treatment, and to explore how changes in bladder diary duration, baseline severity of urinary incontinence (UI), and study population characteristics affected this outcome.PATIENTS AND METHODSUrgency UI is a symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) and antimuscarinic agents are a first‐line treatment for OAB symptoms; several studies have used dryness rate as an efficacy endpoint, calculated as the percentage of patients who record no UI episodes in a diary period. We performed a post hoc analysis of data from a 12‐week, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of tolterodine extended‐release (ER) in patients with symptoms of urinary frequency (≥8 voids/24 h) and urgency UI (≥5 episodes/week). Patients with stress UI were excluded. Diary entries from the 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐day periods immediately preceding the baseline and the week 12 visit were used to assess the relationships between the percentage of patients reporting total dryness at week 12, diary duration (3, 5, or 7 days), baseline number of weekly UI episodes (1–6, 7–13, 14–20, ≥ 21), and population analysed (intent‐to‐treat, ITT, or per protocol, PP). The mean changes in weekly UI episodes from baseline to week 12 are also reported by diary duration and baseline frequency of UI for patients treated with tolterodine‐ER.RESULTSThe total dryness rates decreased with increasing diary duration and greater frequency of UI at baseline. Analysis of the ITT population also showed lower dryness rates than the PP population. However, the mean reductions in weekly UI episodes for the ITT and PP populations were consistent across diary duration for each level of baseline UI frequency.CONCLUSION‘Dryness’ varies with diary duration, baseline frequency of UI, and the population analysed. Comparisons of dryness rates between studies might lead to erroneous conclusions when these factors are not considered.
Impact of positive surgical margins in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for renal cortical tumours
Authors: Kwon Eric O. , Carver Brett S. , Snyder Mark E. , Russo Paul 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cortical tumours who had a positive surgical margin (SM), as recent studies have shown that a minimal SM is required to achieve equivalent disease‐free survival (DFS).PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1989 and 2005, 777 PNs were performed at the authors’ institution. Clinical and pathology data were obtained from our prospective surgical database after obtaining institutional review board approval. Variables were analysed in a logistic regression model to determine predictors of positive SMs. The clinical outcome was reported for local recurrence and distant metastasis and analysed using the log‐rank test.RESULTSOf the 777 PNs, the SM status was documented in 770; the SMs were positive in 57 of 770 (7%). Positive SMs occurred in 33 of 423 (8%) patients with tumours of high malignant potential, and in 24 of 347 (7%) patients with tumours of low malignant potential. On multivariate analysis, an imperative indication for a PN was a significant predictor for a positive SM (P = 0.003). With a median follow‐up for survivors of 22 months, there was a local recurrence in two of 57 (4%) patients with a positive SM and four of 713 (0.5%) with a negative SM. No patients with a tumour of low malignant potential had a recurrence, despite having a positive SM.CONCLUSIONSAlthough local recurrence after PN for renal cortical tumours is rare, our data suggest that patients with a tumour of high malignant potential and a positive SM might have a higher incidence of local recurrence.
S‐allylcysteine, a water‐soluble garlic derivative, suppresses the growth of a human androgen‐independent prostate cancer xenograft, CWR22R, under in vivo conditions
Authors: Chu Qingjun , Lee Davy T.W. , Tsao Sai Wah , Wang Xianghong , Wong Yong Chuan 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of S‐allylcysteine (SAC) on CWR22R, a human androgen‐independent (AI) prostate cancer xenograft, in nude mice. Despite extensive research worldwide there is no effective way to control the growth of prostate cancer, and we previously reported that SAC and S‐allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), two water‐soluble derivatives of garlic, inhibit cancer cell invasion through restoration of E‐cadherin expression in vitro.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe effects of SAC on tumour cell proliferation markers such as Ki‐67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and apoptotic regulators including Bcl‐2 and cleaved caspase‐3, were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The inhibitory effects of SAC on prostate cancer invasion was examined by immunoreactivity of E‐cadherin and its binding proteins α, β and γ‐catenins. The serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level at three different times (initiation, middle and end of treatment) and toxicity of SAC on several organs after treatment were assessed.RESULTSTreatment with SAC resulted in inhibition of the growth of CWR22R, with no detectable toxic effect on nude mice. The SAC‐induced growth reduction was correlated with a concurrent reduction in serum PSA level and proliferation rate of xenografts, together with an inhibition of invasion through the restoration of E‐cadherin and γ‐catenin expression. Furthermore, the apoptotic rate of SAC‐treated tumours increased together with a decrease in Bcl‐2 and increase in cleaved caspase‐3.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that this garlic‐derived compound might be a potential therapeutic agent for suppressing AI prostate cancer.
Previous bladder outlet surgery does not affect medium‐term outcomes after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Eden Christopher G. , Richards Andrew J. , Ooi Jason , Moon Daniel A. , Laczko Istvan 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of previous bladder outlet surgery (BOS) on the peri‐operative variables of patients having laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), as reported evidence as to whether BOS affects the outcome of RP is contradictory.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf 600 consecutive patients attending for LRP from March 2000 to January 2006, 558 had had no surgery (NS) and 42 (7.0%) had a history of BOS (transurethral prostatectomy in 35, 5.8%; bladder neck incision in seven, 1.2%). All patients had clinical stage ≤ T3aN0M0 prostate cancer and had their procedure performed or supervised by the same surgeon.RESULTSPatients with previous BOS had a significantly greater age (mean 64.6 vs 61.8 years, P = 0.008), duration of catheterization (mean 13.7 vs 10.5 days, P = 0.003), proportion of pT3a tumours (16.7% vs 4.5%, P = 0.009) and potency rates at ≥ 24 months (P < 0.001). Patients with previous BOS had a significantly lower body weight (mean 79.7 vs 83.0 kg, P = 0.05) and prostate weight (mean 46.7 vs 58.6 g, P = 0.01). Although patients with previous BOS had poorer continence at 3 months (61% vs 91%, P < 0.001), continence rates were similar in the two groups after this.CONCLUSIONPrevious BOS does not affect the medium‐term outcomes after LRP.
The effect of male circumcision on sexuality
Authors: Kim DaiSik , Pang Myung‐Geol 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo prospectively study, using a questionnaire, the sexuality of men circumcised as adults compared to uncircumcised men, and to compare their sex lives before and after circumcision.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe study included 373 sexually active men, of whom 255 were circumcised and 118 were not. Of the 255 circumcised men, 138 had been sexually active before circumcision, and all were circumcised at >20 years of age. As the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory does not specifically address the quality of sex life, questions were added to compare sexual and masturbatory pleasure before and after circumcision.RESULTSThere were no significant differences in sexual drive, erection, ejaculation, and ejaculation latency time between circumcised and uncircumcised men. Masturbatory pleasure decreased after circumcision in 48% of the respondents, while 8% reported increased pleasure. Masturbatory difficulty increased after circumcision in 63% of the respondents but was easier in 37%. About 6% answered that their sex lives improved, while 20% reported a worse sex life after circumcision.CONCLUSIONThere was a decrease in masturbatory pleasure and sexual enjoyment after circumcision, indicating that adult circumcision adversely affects sexual function in many men, possibly because of complications of the surgery and a loss of nerve endings.
An abnormal digital rectal examination is an independent predictor of Gleason ≥7 prostate cancer in men undergoing initial prostate biopsy: a prospective study of 790 men
Authors: Borden Lester S. , Wright Jonathan L. , Kim Jason , Latchamsetty Kalyan , Porter Christopher R. 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate our experience with a referral population of 790 patients undergoing initial prostate biopsy in the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) era, to assess the role of a digital rectal examination (DRE) in predicting the outcome of prostate needle biopsy (PNB) and to evaluate if DRE findings were associated with cancer grade.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe analysed 790 consecutive men who had an initial PNB from September 1999 to July 2005 by one urologist (C.P.). All data were collected in a prospective database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between an abnormal DRE and the presence of cancer and cancer grade on PNB.RESULTSAn abnormal DRE was an independent predictor for prostate cancer on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.53–3.10, P < 0.001). In all patients biopsied, an abnormal DRE was associated with a Gleason sum of ≥ 7 on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 3.39, 2.07–5.53, P = 0.001).CONCLUSIONA DRE is a useful and important tool to use when assessing patients for a PNB. An abnormal DRE independently predicted high‐grade disease in these men. These results might have important implications in the prediction of men with other than indolent prostate cancer.