bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracorporeally induced ablation of renal tissue by high‐intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: HÄCKER AXEL , MICHEL MAURICE S. , MARLINGHAUS ERNST , KÖHRMANN KAI U. , ALKEN PETER 
Published: March 2006

Authors from Germany describe the use of percutaneously applied high‐intensity focused ultrasound for non‐invasive tissue ablation. They found that the lessons they learned from the use of this technology in animals could be transferred to its use in humans, both of which are described. They indicate that refinements in the technology are essential before this treatment can be used outside the departmental stage.The use of endoluminal ultrasonography is discussed by authors from the Netherlands, for preventing significant bleeding during endopyelotomy. In a prospective study, they evaluate this technology against helical CT.OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and the effects on healthy renal tissue of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) applied extracorporeally.PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODSUltrasound waves (1.04 MHz) created by a cylindrical piezo‐ceramic element were focused by a parabolic reflector to a physical focus size of 32 × 4 mm (−6 dB). For an in vivo study, HIFU was applied to the healthy tissue of 24 kidneys, monitored by ultrasonography, with a maximum power of 400 W and a spatially averaged intensity (ISAL) in the focus of 1192 W/cm2. Fourteen kidneys were removed immediately after ablation to evaluate the side‐effects and the effects in the focal zone, and 10 kidneys were removed delayed after 1, 7 and 10 days. The clinical study consisted of 19 patients requiring radical nephrectomy for a renal tumour. HIFU was applied to the healthy tissue of 19 kidneys (up to 1600 W, ISAL = 4768 W/cm2) before proceeding with the radical nephrectomy.RESULTSThere were no major complications after applying HIFU to the 43 kidneys. Side‐effects included skin burns (grade 3) in two patients. During the follow‐up there were no further HIFU‐specific side‐effects. In one case (in vivo study) there was a thermal lesion of the small intestine, which was due to mis‐focusing. HIFU effects in the focal zone immediately after application were: interstitial haemorrhages, fibre rupture, shrinking of the collagen fibres, and coagulation necrosis. These effects occurred sporadically, and their number and size did not correspond to the number of HIFU pulses applied. After 7 and 10 days, there was a well‐demarcated coagulation necrosis in vivo.CONCLUSIONUsing this device, extracorporeally applied HIFU can ablate healthy kidney tissue in vivo in combination with diagnostic online ultrasonography. The technique is safe and resulted only in minor complications (skin burns). Refinements in the technology are essential to establish HIFU as a noninvasive treatment option that allows complete and reliable tissue ablation.
Technical characterization of a new bipolar and multipolar radiofrequency device for minimally invasive treatment of renal tumours
Authors: HÄCKER AXEL , VALLO STEFAN , WEISS CHRISTEL , STEIN THOMAS , ALKEN PETER , KNOLL THOMAS , MICHEL MAURICE STEPHAN 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the technical characteristics of a newly developed device for bipolar and multipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of kidney tissue with a resistance‐controlled power output.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe standardized model of the isolated perfused ex vivo porcine kidney was used. Two different applicators (20 and 30 mm active length) were selected for bipolar RFA, and one pair of applicators (2 × 30 mm active length) for multipolar RFA. RF energy was applied at different power levels (20, 30, 60 W) depending on the total active length of the electrodes. Treatment times were 1, 3, 5 and 9 min. The ablation cycles were recorded in continuous digital real‐time and displayed on a monitor showing pre‐set power, actual applied power, applied energy, tissue resistance, and impedance. Lesion sizes were measured macroscopically. A coagulation coefficient (coagulated tissue volume per applied energy unit) was calculated.RESULTSThere was a dosage‐effect relationship between the generator power/treatment time and the sizes of the lesions. With increasing treatment time, less tissue volume was coagulated per unit of applied energy. The actual applied energy was lower than that calculated theoretically. The resistance and impedance values for the 30‐W applicator were lower than those of the 20‐W applicator.CONCLUSIONSThe technical features of this RFA device, with internally cooled bipolar and multipolar applicators and a resistance‐controlled power output, represents an innovative improvement in RF technology. In vivo studies are needed to confirm the expected advantages and the suitability of this device for complete and reliable ablation of renal tumours.
An analysis of deaths related to urological surgery, reviewed by the State Coroner: a case for cardiac vigilance before transurethral prostatectomy
Authors: GYOMBER DENNIS , LAWRENTSCHUK NATHAN , RANSON DAVID L. , BOLTON DAMIEN M. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVESTo ascertain the frequency of in‐hospital deaths after urological surgery in a compulsory reporting setting, and to identify the contributing and potentially reversible factors involved in patients who had had transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).METHODSWe reviewed all hospital deaths reported to the State Coroner from Coronial Services Victoria (CSV), Australia, in 2000–2002 to identify those instances associated with urological surgery. These cases were then analysed using methods developed by CSV. Resources available included medical records, police reports, government data on operative procedures and autopsy results.RESULTSThere were 20 in‐hospital deaths after urological surgery identified for the 3‐year period; most related to pre‐existing comorbidities, predominantly ischaemic heart disease. Two episodes of hospital‐acquired infection, two instances of technical complication of surgery contributing to death, and one pulmonary embolus were identified. Numerically the largest group of deaths after surgery was patients having TURP, and these deaths represented 0.05% (nine of 17 044) of all TURPs in this period. Most in this group (eight) had an acute myocardial infarction.CONCLUSIONDeath after urological surgery appears to be uncommon; assessing patients for coronary artery disease before urological surgery, particularly TURP, closer cardiovascular monitoring after surgery, and rapid transfer to a coronary care unit if required, may further reduce mortality.
Genitourinary small cell carcinoma: a retrospective review of treatment and survival patterns at The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Center
Authors: ASMIS TIMOTHY R. , REAUME M. NEIL , DAHROUGE SIMONE , MALONE SHAWN 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVETo review patients with genitourinary (GU) small cell carcinoma (SCC) treated at a regional cancer centre, as due to its rarity and aggressive nature, GU SCC remains a therapeutic challenge.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe charts of patients managed at a regional cancer centre between 1991 and 2002 for any GU diagnosis were manually reviewed to identify GU SCC. Demographic, staging, treatment and outcome data were extracted. The Veterans Administration small cell lung cancer staging classification of ‘limited’ or ‘extensive’ disease was adapted for SCC of the prostate and bladder (with ‘limited’ defined as disease localized to the true and false pelvis, and ‘extensive’ as disease beyond the pelvis).RESULTSIn all, 555, 858 and 5066 new cases of primary renal, bladder and prostate cancer, respectively, were identified. Of these patients, 22 had GU SCC (12 bladder and 10 prostate; there were no cases of SCC of the kidney). Eight of 12 patients with bladder SCC had limited disease; five of 12 are alive (all with limited disease at diagnosis), and the median survival was 19.8 months. Surviving patients received similar therapy, with transurethral resection of the bladder tumour, platinum‐based chemotherapy, etoposide (4–6 cycles), and radical radiotherapy (56–60 Gy). Two of 10 patients with SCC of the prostate had limited‐stage disease, but all 10 died, the median survival being 9.5 months. Survival by stage for both types combined was 59 months for limited disease and 8 months for extensive disease.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that GU SCC is an aggressive cancer; limited‐stage SCC of the bladder or prostate, when treated with platinum/etoposide chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy, has a more favourable outcome than that of extensive GU SCC.
A survey of help‐seeking and treatment provision in women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: SHAW CHRISTINE , GUPTA ROBEN DAS , WILLIAMS KATE S. , ASSASSA R. PHILIP , MCGROTHER CATHERINE 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVETo establish the prevalence of treatment‐seeking in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the extent and type of treatment provision, and the levels of unmet need in women who have and have not accessed care, as SUI in women is common but only a small proportion seek help, and there are reports suggesting that few women receive appropriate treatment.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA cross‐sectional postal survey was conducted in which questionnaires were sent to a random sample of community‐dwelling women aged ≥ 40 years, registered with participating general practitioners (GPs) and living in Leicestershire. The questionnaires addressed urinary symptoms and their impact on quality of life, and service use in the preceding 12 months; 15 359 questionnaires were mailed and 9340 (60.8%) were returned complete.RESULTSOf the respondents, 7.7% reported SUI monthly or more often, and 15% of those had sought help. Help‐seekers reported more severe symptoms and greater impact on quality of life. Most (78%) had spoken to their GP, and 77% had received some form of treatment or advice, but only 35% had received recommended treatments. The effects on quality of life were not related to treatment provision.CONCLUSIONSMost women with SUI are treated in primary care; access to appropriate treatments is poor and may, in part, be the cause of the high levels of unmet need observed in this study. Health education interventions may aid appropriate help‐seeking and self‐care strategies.
A therapeutic method for failed bladder augmentation in children: re‐augmentation
Authors: VAJDA PETER , BUYUKUNAL CENK S.N. , SOYLET YUNUS , DANISMED NUR , JUHASZ ZSOLT , PINTER ANDREW B. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the causes leading to the deterioration of previously successful bladder augmentation and to evaluate the efficacy of re‐augmentation.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1988 and 2004, 136 bladder augmentations were performed in two paediatric urological units in Hungary and Turkey. Re‐augmentation was necessary in two patients after colocystoplasty and in three after gastrocystoplasty. A secondary augmentation was not required in any patients after ileocystoplasty. The clinical data of these five patients were evaluated.RESULTSOn the basis of the clinical signs and urodynamic studies, re‐augmentation was performed 2–7 years after the initial augmentation cystoplasties. Anticholinergic therapy given before re‐augmentation did not improve bladder capacity, intravesical pressure and/or bladder compliance. An ileal or sigmoid segment was used for the secondary augmentation. After re‐augmentation, all five patients became continent, and showed marked improvement in their urodynamic parameters at a mean (range) follow‐up of 6.8 (2–10) years.CONCLUSIONA decreased bladder capacity and/or compliance and increased bladder pressure after successful augmentation cystoplasty might be the result of: (i) impairment of the blood supply to the large bowel or gastric segment used for augmentation; or (ii) bowel mass contractions. Ileocystoplasty seems to be the ‘first‐line’ of choice for primary augmentation. Re‐augmentation with a bowel segment is a suitable treatment if conservative treatment fails. Regular urodynamic investigations are needed for early detection of malfunction of the augmented bladder, and advising therapy.
Determining the success of vasectomy
Authors: DHAR NIVEDITA BHATTA , BHATT AMIT , JONES J. STEPHEN 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVESTo examine patient compliance, significance of rare nonmotile sperm (RNMS) and to determine the timing and number of semen analyses required to confirm sterility.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom November 2001 to November 2004, 436 consecutive primary vasectomies were performed by one surgeon. All patients were instructed to submit two initial semen specimens for analysis (2 and 3 months after vasectomy) and additional samples (at 1‐month intervals) if sperm were identified on the initial and subsequent analyses.RESULTSA quarter of the patients submitted no semen specimens and only 21% followed the full instructions to provide two consecutive negative semen analyses. Three‐quarters of the patients provided a semen specimen at 8 weeks after vasectomy; of these, 75% were azoospermic and 25% contained sperm. At 12 weeks after vasectomy half the patients provided a semen specimen; of these, 91% were azoospermic and 9% contained sperm. Of the 83 patients with semen containing sperm at 8 weeks, 80 had RNMS and three had rare motile sperm (one of whom subsequently proved to have vasectomy failure). Of the 80 patients with RNMS, at 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11 months, 65, four, three, four, two, one and one, respectively were azoospermic.CONCLUSIONSThe present results indicate that many patients are not compliant with the protocol after vasectomy. Provided patients have been adequately counselled, we think that one negative semen analysis at 3 months or one with RNMS at 2 months may be adequate to determine the success of vasectomy. This should reduce the number of semen analyses, including reducing the number of men who must undergo repeat testing, without sacrificing the accuracy of determining paternity. Simplifying the follow‐up after vasectomy is important; not only would it be cost‐effective but it may also improve patient compliance.
Virtual Reality Course—A Natural Enrichment of Computer Graphics Classes
Authors: Zara J. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract This paper shows how the Virtual Reality (VR) course can naturally extend and practice a wide range of Computer Graphics (CG) principles and programming techniques. Thanks to real‐time processing requirements, attention is paid to efficient modeling conventions, time‐saving rendering approaches, and user interfaces allowing a smooth navigation in a virtual environment. All these issues play an important role especially when designing virtual worlds targeted to the web, i.e. utilizing VRML/X3D standards. The paper presents a structure and related information of the VR course that has been taught at various universities during the last 6 years. Our experience clearly demonstrates that students appreciate its contents even if they already completed courses on 3D graphics.
“What did I change and why did I do it?” Young writers' revision practices
Authors: Dix Stephanie 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe article presents findings from a research project that investigated young, fluent writers' revision practices. The project adopted a qualitative approach, using semi‐structured interviews based on the students' written scripts. This article focuses on a small sample of children and profiles the extent of their ability to reflect on their written text and revise or ‘mess’ with their work purposefully.
Damaging confusions in England's KS2 reading tests: a response to Anne Kispal
Authors: Hilton Mary 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis article is written in response to the article published in issue 39.3 of this journal, in November 2005, on the nature of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum reading tests: ‘Examining England's National Curriculum assessments: an analysis of the KS2 reading test questions’ by Anne Kispal of the National Foundation for Educational Research. It argues that, far from providing a valid and rewarding assessment experience for pupils as Kispal suggests, the primary English tests at the end of KS2 are invalid as a measuring instrument and are having a damaging effect on pedagogy. The tests and the information on them provided by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency are based on a misleading unidimensional conception of reading literacy attainment. Because the test assessment simply adds together marks achieved for very different cognitive skills, it propagates a dysfunctional model of literacy pedagogy that conflates and confuses two separate developmental trajectories – word reading and text comprehension. The article goes on to argue that the unidimensionality of the national tests and their pedagogic apparatus has constricted the primary English curriculum in ways that are damaging for young pupils and for the national need for creativity and enterprise.
“Nice things get said”: corpus evidence and the National Literacy Strategy
Authors: Sealey Alison , Thompson Paul 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe article compares evidence from an electronic corpus of texts written for a child audience with specifications in the National Literacy Strategy. The concepts and terminology associated with corpus linguistics are introduced and explained, and the research study from which the findings derive is summarised. Results of the analysis are presented in sections on word frequencies, contractions, word forms and synonyms. The article concludes with an indication of the implications of the findings for education policy and classroom practice.
Poverty and Hardship among the Aged in Urban China
Authors: Saunders Peter , Lujun Sun 
Published: March 2006

AbstractChina's record in reducing poverty over the last three decades has been impressive, yet few studies have examined the incidence of poverty among older people despite the rapid ageing of the population. This article uses a unique national data set to examine patterns of poverty, deprivation and exclusion among the urban aged population (60 years and over) in 2000. The results point to the importance of poverty as an issue for older people, particularly for women and those who live alone. A number of indicators of hardship are developed in four areas – economic insecurity, housing, health, and social isolation – and the incidence of these is examined, separately and in combination, by living arrangement and gender. Women are shown to experience greater levels of hardship and isolation than men, and to be more likely to experience multiple deprivation across two or more areas. Finally, the overlap between poverty and hardship is examined as a way of validating the poverty estimates and giving them greater credibility. The results indicate that there are strong overlaps, although these differ across the different dimensions of hardship. Access to pension income and concern over the cost of necessary visits to see a doctor emerge as strong predictors of poverty and point to areas where policy change is needed.
Floating Population or Urban Citizens? Status, Social Provision and Circumstances of Rural–Urban Migrants in China
Authors: Li Bingqin 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis article uses semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with rural–urban migrants in Tianjin to look at the personal circumstances of such migrants in China. The interviews suggest that, unlike their predecessors in previous years, many rural–urban migrants now come with the intention of settling down. While there have been major policy changes in the last five years, these migrants are still, in many respects, not integrated into urban society. Meeting these challenges would require further changes in urban policies and urban society, taking account of the needs and interests of rural–urban migrants.
What Determines the Extent to which Employers will Comply with their Social Security Obligations? Evidence from Chinese Firm‐level Data
Authors: Nyland Chris , Smyth Russell , Zhu Cherrie Jiuhua 
Published: March 2006

Abstract This article aims to extend understanding of employer responses to social protection regulations enacted by government to ensure the well‐being and security of employees. By utilizing firm‐specific data collected from Shanghai we explore the relationship between firm characteristics, employer behaviour, and the effectiveness of compliance mechanisms that have been adopted to contain contribution evasion by employers. We offer empirical evidence about the impact of the size of the firm, ownership structure, and incidence of risk on employer evasion behaviour in social protection payments. These results should enable enforcement agencies to improve compliance levels and also contribute to building theory as regards the significance of social policies to employers and the impact of social protection on human resource policy.
Risk and its Management in Post‐Financial Crisis Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Raymond K. H. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract In the 1970s and up until the financial crisis occurred in the late 1990s, Hong Kong prospered in a relatively stable social, economic and political context. Since the financial crisis, however, its population has been increasingly exposed to risk: there has been job uncertainty and decreasing capacity for self‐reliance, leading to a growing reliance on public welfare and on families at a time when both are under pressure. The old welfare policies, unable to cope with the new risks, have been replaced by neo‐liberal reforms, redistributing the roles and responsibilities of the individual and the state, with a greater burden falling on the former. Individuals are required to be prudent to manage risk. While these reforms have relieved some of the burden on the state, both new social risk groups and ‘net taxpayers’ considered themselves to have borne disproportional costs. Society is facing serious problems resulting from ineffective old welfare policies, new social risks due to new policies, and the political upheavals arising from increased social conflicts and weakened social cohesion and solidarity. A further complication is that there is no acceptable platform or agent to negotiate a compromise between the polarized groups. This article argues that reliance on publicly funded risk coping strategies or on neo‐liberal risk prevention and mitigation strategies is not a desirable and sustainable policy. A commonly accepted political platform is required to negotiate a compromise which emphasizes shared and balanced roles and responsibilities, and a well‐conceived combination of risk prevention, mitigation and coping strategies.
Simulating the Reform of Means‐tested Benefits with Endogenous Take‐up and Claim Costs*
Authors: Pudney Stephen , Hancock Ruth , Sutherland Holly 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMicrosimulation models are commonly used to examine the distributional impact of reforms of the means‐tested benefit system. Take‐up behaviour is related to the level of entitlement, so reform may induce changes in take‐up. We develop a stochastic simulation method and apply it to a probit model of ‘income support’ take‐up by the UK pensioners. The method allows us to adjust net income for the welfare losses because of tangible or intangible claim costs. Endogenous take‐up and claim costs both have an important impact on the simulated outcomes of the policy reform.
Testing for Hysteresis in Unemployment in OECD Countries: New Evidence using Stationarity Panel Tests with Breaks*
Authors: Camarero Mariam , Carrion‐i‐Silvestre Josep Lluís , Tamarit Cecilio 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis paper tests hysteresis effects in unemployment using panel data for 19 Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries covering the period 1956–2001. The tests exploit the cross‐sectional variations of the series, and additionally, allow for a different number of endogenous breakpoints in the unemployment series. The critical values are simulated based on our specific panel sizes and time periods. The findings stress the importance of accounting for exogenous shocks in the series and support the natural‐rate hypothesis of unemployment for the majority of the countries analysed.