bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auricular acupuncture: a novel treatment for vasomotor symptoms associated with luteinizing‐hormone releasing hormone agonist treatment for prostate cancer
Authors: Harding Christopher , Harris Andrea , Chadwick David 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the role of auricular acupuncture (AA) in men receiving luteinizing‐hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues for carcinoma of the prostate, as vasomotor symptoms can affect the quality of life in such men, and similar symptoms in postmenopausal women have been successfully treated with AA.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 60 consecutive patients with prostate cancer and on LHRH agonist treatment (median age 74 years, range 58–83) consented to weekly AA for 10 weeks. The validated ‘Measure Yourself Concerns and Well‐being’ questionnaire (a six‐point scale to assess symptom severity) was used to assess concerns and well‐being before and after treatment.RESULTSAll men completed the treatment with no adverse events recorded, apart from transient exacerbation of symptoms in two men; 95% of patients reported a decrease in the severity of symptoms, from a mean 5.0 to 2.1 (Student’s t‐test, P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSThe symptomatic improvement was at levels comparable with that from pharmacotherapy, and cost analysis showed AA to be a viable alternative. Larger randomized studies are needed to fully evaluate AA against more conventional treatments, and these are planned.
Ureteric stents compromise stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy for ureteric stones: results of a matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Argyropoulos Athanasios N. , Tolley David A. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo identify the effect of the presence of a ureteric stent on the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), by comparing patients with ureteric stones with matched‐pair analysis.PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients undergoing ESWL with the Sonolith Vision lithotripter (Technomed Medical Systems, Vaulx‐en‐Velin, France) were identified from our prospectively maintained database. Only adult patients with a solitary, radio‐opaque, previously untreated ureteric stone were considered for further analysis. A follow‐up of ≥3 months with a plain abdominal film was used to identify residual fragments. Patients were exactly matched for gender, side, location in the ureter and size (in two dimensions, within ±2 mm). If both diameters could not be matched exactly, the size was extended to ±1 mm and then to ±2 mm of both diameters. An effort was finally made to match patients by age. The treatment outcome in terms of stone‐free rates was assessed and compared using McNemar’s test.RESULTSIn all, 45 patients with a ureteric stent in place during ESWL were identified. The only patient who could not be adequately matched was a 40‐year‐old man with an 8 × 3 mm stone in the upper ureter. The best/closest match for age was selected. Most stones were in the upper ureter (77%); the mean stone size was 8.5 and 8.6 mm, respectively, with no statistical differences between the groups for age and size of stones (P = 0.41 and 0.86, Student’s t‐test). In 12 pairs, only patients with no stent were stone‐free, compared to two pairs where the patient with a stent was stone‐free. Using McNemar’s test, the odds ratio was 6.0 (95% confidence interval 1.3–55.2) and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.016).CONCLUSIONThese results show that the presence of a stent is associated with a worse outcome after ESWL for ureteric stones. Ureteric stents should still be used in cases of obstruction, when there is a risk of sepsis, and in patients with intolerable pain or deteriorating renal function. However, their use in patients offered ESWL for ureteric stones should be considered with caution.
Efficacy, tolerability and satisfaction with sildenafil citrate 100‐mg titration compared with continued 50‐mg dose treatment in men with erectile dysfunction
Authors: Buvat Jacques , Hatzichristou Dimitrios , Maggi Mario , Farmer Ian , Martínez‐Jabaloyas Jose M. , Miller Paul J. , Schnetzler Gabriel 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and treatment satisfaction after initiating treatment with sildenafil 50 mg and later titrating to 100 mg, compared with continuing treatment with sildenafil 50 mg, in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).PATIENTS AND METHODSA multicentre, parallel‐group trial was conducted in two 4‐week periods. In period 1, patients received 50‐mg doses of sildenafil single‐blinded for 4 weeks. In period 2, patients were randomized to double‐blind, placebo‐controlled treatment with sildenafil 50 mg or sildenafil 100 mg for 4 weeks. All patients were aged ≥18 years with a documented clinical diagnosis of ED (score of ≤25 on the International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF, Erectile Function, EF, domain), and met the prescribing criteria for sildenafil 50 mg and 100 mg.RESULTSOf 492 enrolled patients (mean age 53 years, sd 11), 476 (97%) completed period 1 and 473 (96%) completed period 2. Patients receiving sildenafil 50 mg in period 1 had an increase in the mean (sd) baseline EF domain score from 12.8 (5.2) to 22.5 (6.6) (P < 0.001), and improved scores on the Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ) and Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEX‐Q). The IIEF EF domain scores were similar in the two groups at baseline and randomization. Patients titrated to the 100‐mg dose (237 men) showed a significantly greater improvement than those who continued on the 50‐mg dose (240; P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in QEQ and SEX‐Q scores in patients titrated to sildenafil 100 mg compared with patients continuing at sildenafil 50 mg. At either sildenafil dose, headache, flushing and hot flushes were the most common adverse events. Neither the frequency nor the severity of adverse events increased with titration to sildenafil 100 mg.CONCLUSIONSAfter initial treatment with sildenafil 50 mg, patients titrated to 100 mg showed further increases in efficacy and satisfaction with no increase in the number or severity of adverse events than in those remaining on the starting dose.
Kidney fusion anomalies revisited: clinical and radiological analysis of 209 cases of crossed fused ectopia and horseshoe kidney
Authors: Glodny Bernhard , Petersen Johannes , Hofmann Karin J. , Schenk Claudia , Herwig Ralf , Trieb Thomas , Koppelstaetter Christian , Steingruber Iris , Rehder Peter 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo analyse the morphological appearance of horseshoe kidneys (HKs) and crossed fused ectopia (CFE) and to assess the frequency and clinical significance of associated anomalies and diseases.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe findings and images of 209 patients with fused kidneys (FKs) were reviewed; in all, 244 scans from computed tomography (CT), 233 ultrasonograms and 89 micturition cysto‐urethrograms, urograms, magnetic resonance images and angiograms were taken.RESULTSHKs (found in one of 474 abdominal CT scans) and CFEs (found in one of 3078 CT scans) showed a high variability of vasculature that could not be classified. However, some generalized conclusions were possible about the renal vasculature (430 arteries in 103 kidneys). Variants of the most cephalad artery of both sides were rare. The second artery on the right had a pre‐caval course. The origins of vessels located further caudal were more ventral. CFEs were anatomically different from HKs with respect to lower position, greater axial rotation, smaller pelvic width, more caudal origin, and fewer vessels, but not in accompanying anomalies. Severe anomalies or malformations were found in 23% of patients, with half of them in the urogenital system. Malformations were found considerably more often in children than in adults. There was no increased incidence of diseases such as stones or inflammation of the renal pelvis.CONCLUSIONConcomitant anomalies and diseases were equally frequent for HK and CFE, but less frequent than generally assumed. Individual cases of complex anatomical situations require special examination strategies, and CT appears to be the most reliable imaging method.
Association of the ABCG2 C421A polymorphism with prostate cancer risk and survival
Authors: Gardner Erin R. , Ahlers Christoph M. , Shukla Suneet , Sissung Tristan M. , Ockers Sandra B. , Price Douglas K. , Hamada Akinobu , Robey Robert W. , Steinberg Seth M. , Ambudkar Suresh V. , Dahut William L. , Figg William D. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine if the C421A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ATP‐binding cassette transporter ABCG2 increases prostate cancer risk or affects survival.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSNumerous studies have suggested that dietary, hormonal and environmental factors all play a role in the initiation in prostate cancer; among these, the carcinogenic heterocyclic amine 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), a known substrate of the ABCG2. A SNP of ABCG2, C421A, resulting in a glutamine to lysine change at amino acid 141, has been shown to result in decreased function of the protein. Due to the expression of ABCG2 in the prostate, together with the purported role of dietary carcinogens and steroids in the development and progression of prostate cancer, 311 individuals were genotyped for the ABCG2 C421A SNP, 170 patients with androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC) and 141 ‘healthy’ controls. We also evaluated the effect of this SNP on the intracellular accumulation of PhIP and testosterone in vitro.RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the prevalence of prostate cancer based on ABCG2 genetic variation in this population. However, survival was significantly longer for individuals with wild‐type ABCG2, as compared with those hetero‐ or homozygous for the C421A SNP (7.4 years vs 5.3 years, P = 0.044). Intracellular accumulation of PhIP was 80% higher in HEK293 cells transfected with Q141K ABCG2 than in wild‐type cells, confirming that this SNP decreases transport of PhIP. In contrast, testosterone was not transported by either wild‐type or variant transfected cells, nor did it act as in inhibitor of ABCG2 in subsequent transport assays.CONCLUSIONIncreased exposure to PhIP may decrease survival, but the ABCG2 C421A polymorphism does not appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Holmium laser prostatic resection for patients presenting with acute urinary retention
Authors: Anderson Christopher B. , Helfand Brian T. , McVary Kevin T. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of patients presenting with and without acute urinary retention (AUR) who were treated with 100‐W holmium laser resection of the prostate (HoLRP), as laser therapies, including HoLRP, have been used for treating lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but the effectiveness of HoLRP for patients with AUR has not been fully elucidated.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe medical records of 87 patients who had HoLRP were reviewed, and prospective questionnaires aimed at determining patients’ American Urologic Association Symptom Index (AUA‐SI) and Quality‐of‐Life (QoL) scores and medication usage were also obtained. Statistical analyses were used to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients with and with no AUR for up to 2 years after HoLRP.RESULTSAll patients had the catheter removed successfully by 1 month after surgery; those presenting with AUR tended to have a greater improvement in clinical outcomes than those with no AUR, including a mean AUA‐SI score decrease by ≈13 and ≈8 points, and a QoL score decrease by ≈2 and ≈1.4 points, respectively. These decreases were maintained throughout the study period. Patients with AUR had significantly greater decreases in their postvoid residual urine volume than those with no AUR. Serum prostate‐specific antigen levels also had a modest but sustained decrease (14%) in both groups. There were no significant decreases in the reported use of BPH‐related medications after surgery in either group.CONCLUSIONSHoLRP (100 W) is a safe and effective surgical therapy for patients presenting with AUR. The present results suggest that the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of these patients are similar between men presenting with and with no AUR.
Nephrectomy improves the survival of patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zini Laurent , Perrotte Paul , Jeldres Claudio , Capitanio Umberto , Pharand Daniel , Arjane Philippe , Lapointe Steven , Montorsi Francesco , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVESTo examine the cancer‐specific survival of patients treated with nephrectomy and compared it to that of patients managed without surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf 43 143 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) identified in the 1988–2004 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database, 7068 had locally advanced RCC and with no distant metastasis. These patients had a nephrectomy (6786, 96.0%) or no surgical therapy (282, 4.0%). Multivariable Cox regression models, and matched and unmatched Kaplan‐Meier survival analyses, were used to compare the effect of nephrectomy vs non‐surgical therapy on cancer‐specific survival. Also, competing‐risks regression models adjusted for the effect of other‐cause mortality. Covariates and matching variables consisted of age, gender, tumour size and year of diagnosis.RESULTSThe 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐year cancer‐specific survival of patients who had nephrectomy was 88.9%, 88.1%, 68.6% and 57.5%, vs 44.8%, 30.6%, 14.5% and 10.6% for non‐surgical therapy. In multivariable analyses, relative to nephrectomy, non‐surgical therapy was associated with a 5.8‐fold higher rate of cancer‐specific mortality (P < 0.001). Non‐surgical therapy was also associated with a 5.1‐fold higher rate of cancer‐specific mortality in matched analyses (P < 0.001). Finally, competing‐risks regression confirmed the statistical significance of the variable defining treatment type (nephrectomy vs non‐surgical therapy) in multivariable and matched analyses (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONRelative to non‐surgical treatment, nephrectomy improves the cancer‐specific survival of patients with locally advanced RCC; our findings await prospective confirmation.
Unilateral vs bilateral sacral neuromodulation in pigs with formalin‐induced detrusor hyperactivity
Authors: Kaufmann Sascha , Naumann Carsten M. , Hamann Morritz F. , Seif Christoph , Braun Peter M. , Jünemann Klaus P. , Van Der Horst Christof 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of unilateral vs bilateral sacral neuromodulation (SNM) under standard experimental conditions by stimulating the dorsal sacral roots in pigs with formalin‐induced detrusor hyperactivity.MATERIALS AND METHODSAfter lumbosacral laminectomy in eight α‐chloralose‐anaesthetized Göttinger mini‐pigs, the dorsal roots of the nerve S3 were inserted into separate compartments of a size‐modified Brindley electrode. Detrusor hyperactivity was induced by intravesical instillation of a 0.25% formalin solution. Stimulation of the separated dorsal roots was performed on the unilateral right, respectively, the unilateral left side, as well as bilaterally and with stimulation off‐phases in a randomized pattern. A biphasic rectangular signal (impulse 200 µs, 20 Hz, 2.0 V) was used for SNM. The bladder pressure values were registered on a urodynamic unit and evaluated as contractions and amplitudes per minute.RESULTSDuring unilateral stimulation, the mean (sem) number of contractions was reduced significantly from 4.73 (0.66) to 2.73 (0.62). The amplitude was also reduced significantly from 12.86 (1.23) to 8.32 (0.66). By contrast, bilateral stimulation lowered the mean (sem) number of overactive detrusor contractions to 1.08 (1.02) and the amplitude to 3.08 (2.42), which are highly significant reductions.CONCLUSIONIn this porcine model, bilateral neurostimulation was a more effective method of SNM than unilateral stimulation. We assume that this is due to the additive effect of stimulating both sides, as well as the greater chance of stimulating the relevant dorsal roots of the sacral nerve fibres. By contrast, unilateral neuromodulation may be only partially effective by not being capable of influencing the entire bladder, or possibly by allowing new formation of neuronal pathophysiological pathways.
Contemporary imaging of patients with a renal mass: does size on computed tomography equal pathological size?
Authors: Kurta Jordan M. , Thompson R. Houston , Kundu Shilajit , Kaag Matthew , Manion M. Thomas , Herr Harry W. , Russo Paul 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the difference between radiographic size on computed tomography (CT) and the pathological size of renal tumours, in contemporary patients.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 521 patients undergoing surgical resection of a renal mass between 2000 and 2007, who had tumour sizes recorded from both preoperative CT and pathological evaluation of the tumour specimen. Data on histological tumour type were also extracted. The paired Student’s t‐test was used to compare the mean radiographic size as measured on CT with the mean pathological size, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTSFor all patients, the mean radiographic size and mean pathological size was 4.79 and 4.69 cm, respectively (P = 0.02). Therefore, on average, radiographic size overestimated pathological size by 1 mm. In patients with a tumour of 4–7 cm, radiographic size overestimated pathological size by 0.21 cm (P = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in patients with a tumour of <4 cm or >7 cm.CONCLUSIONSUsing contemporary patients, there was a statistically significant overestimation of renal tumour sizes by CT compared with the pathological assessment. However, the overall difference between radiographic and pathological tumour size was 1 mm, suggesting that CT provides an accurate method with which to estimate renal tumour size.
Growth, Expansion of Markets, and Income Elasticities in World Trade
Authors: Wu Yi 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe Houthakker–Magee effect implies that a country facing unfavorable income elasticities in trade must either grow at a slower rate than its trading partners or experience a trend worsening of the current account and/or depreciation of the real exchange rate. Krugman (1989) first documented the existence of a “45‐degree rule” under which income elasticities are systematically related to growth rates. I develop a model which is a generalization of Krugman (1989) in several dimensions (including intertemporal). The intertemporal assumption of equal consumption growth for individuals across countries and the assumption of no intertemporal trade can be viewed as two extreme benchmarks. Empirical tests of the various 45‐degree rules suggest that it is misleading to treat income elasticities as structural, as is commonly done in forecasts of current account movements. The data also seem to be more consistent with the benchmark of no intertemporal trade than that of complete intertemporal trade.
The Credibility Problem Revisited: Thirty Years on from Kydland and Prescott*
Authors: Levine Paul , Pearlman Joseph , Yang Bo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMacroeconomics research has changed profoundly since the Kydland–Prescott seminal paper. In order to address the Lucas Critique, modeling is now based on micro‐foundations treating agents as rational utility optimizers. Bayesian estimation has produced models which are more data‐consistent than those based simply on calibration. With micro‐foundations and new linear‐quadratic techniques, normative policy based on welfare analysis is now possible. In the open economy, policy involves a “game” with policymakers and private institutions or private individuals as players. This paper attempts to reassess the Kydland–Prescott contribution in the light of these developments.
Different structural requirements for functional ion pore transplantation suggest different gating mechanisms of NMDA and kainate receptors
Authors: Villmann Carmen , Hoffmann Jutta , Werner Markus , Kott Sabine , Strutz‐Seebohm Nathalie , Nilsson Tanja , Hollmann Michael 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough considerable progress has been made in characterizing the physiological function of the high‐affinity kainate (KA) receptor subunits KA1 and KA2, no homomeric ion channel function has been shown. An ion channel transplantation approach was employed in this study to directly test if homomerically expressed KA1 and KA2 pore domains are capable of conducting currents. Transplantation of the ion pore of KA1 or KA2 into GluR6 generated perfectly functional ion channels that allowed characterization of those electrophysiological and pharmacological properties that are determined exclusively by the ion pore of KA1 or KA2. This demonstrates for the first time that KA1 and KA2 ion pore domains are intrinsically capable of conducting ions even in homomeric pore assemblies. NMDA receptors, similar to KA1‐ or KA2‐containing receptors, function only as heteromeric complexes. They are composed of NR1 and NR2 subunits, which both are non‐functional when expressed homomerically. In contrast to NR1, the homomeric NR2B ion pore failed to translate ligand binding into pore opening when transplanted into GluR6. Similarly, heteromeric coexpression of the ion channel domains of both NR1 and NR2 inserted into GluR6 failed to produce functional channels. Therefore, we conclude that the mechanism underlying the ion channel opening in the obligatorily heterotetrameric NMDA receptors differs significantly from that in the facultatively heterotetrameric α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate and KA receptors.
PPARα and PPARγ effectively protect against HIV‐induced inflammatory responses in brain endothelial cells
Authors: Huang Wen , Rha Geun Bae , Han Min‐Joon , Eum Sung Yong , András Ibolya E. , Zhong Yu , Hennig Bernhard , Toborek Michal 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors which down‐regulate inflammatory signaling pathways. Therefore, we hypothesized that alterations of PPAR functions can contribute to human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1)‐induced dysfunction of brain endothelial cells. Indeed, treatment with HIV‐1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein decreased PPAR transactivation in brain endothelial cells. We next stably over‐expressed PPARα and PPARγ in a newly developed cell line of human brain endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3 cells). Tat‐induced up‐regulation of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, CCL2, and E‐selectin were markedly attenuated in hCMEC/D3 over‐expressing PPARα or PPARγ. These results were confirmed in CCL2 and E‐selectin promoter activity studies. Similar protective effects were observed in hCMEC/D3 after activation of PPARγ by exogenous PPAR agonists (dPGJ2 and rosiglitazone). PPAR over‐expression also prevented Tat‐induced binding activity and transactivation of nuclear factor‐κB. Importantly, increased PPAR activity attenuated induction of IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, CCL2, and E‐selectin in hCMEC/D3 cells co‐cultured with HIV‐1‐infected Jurkat cells. The protective effects of PPAR over‐expression were reversed by the antagonists of PPARα (MK886) or PPARγ (GW9662). The present data suggest that targeting PPAR signaling may provide a novel therapeutic approach to attenuate HIV‐1‐induced local inflammatory responses in brain endothelial cells.