bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty for primary hypospadiac repair
Authors: Asanuma Hiroshi , Satoh Hiroyuki , Shishido Seiichiro 
Published: December 2006

Objective:  Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has become a popular technique for repairing distal and proximal hypospadias in many institutions. Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty has been used in our institution since 2003 to reduce the risk of meatal stenosis. In the present study, we evaluated the results of the dorsal inlay graft procedure.Methods:  A total of 28 patients with no deep groove and no severe curvature underwent one‐stage urethroplasty using an inner preputial‐based dorsal inlay graft. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed with regard to complication rate and cosmetic appearance.Results:  Mean patient age at surgery was 21 months (range, 14 months to 4.6 years). Preoperatively the urethral meatus was coronal in two cases, distal shaft in 17, proximal shaft in six and penoscrotal in three. Nine patients required testosterone therapy before surgery. Mean operative time was 200 min (range, 154–249 min). Mean length of inlay graft was 20.9 mm (range, 12–30 mm). In all patients, a straight penis was achieved without dorsal plication of the corposa cavernosa, and the neomeatus with a slit‐like appearance was positioned at the glans tip. At a mean of 22 months of follow up, a urethrocutaneous fistula developed in only one patient (3.6%), requiring repair surgery 6 months after urethroplasty. No patient had meatal stenosis, neourethral stricture or urethral diverticulum along the inlay graft.Conclusion:  Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty is an effective method for hypospadiac repair and leads to good cosmetic outcome with low risk of complications.
Clinical presentation of epithelioid angiomyolipoma
Authors: Park Hang Kyu , Zhang Shaozeng , Wong Michael KK , Kim Hyung L 
Published: December 2006

Objective:  Epithelioid angiomyolipomas (AML) of the kidney are malignant tumors with aggressive clinical behavior.Methods:  We reviewed cases of epithelioid AML recently diagnosed at our institution to highlight the spectrum of clinical presentations.Results:  In all cases, renal lesions seen on computed tomography were suspicious for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Histologically, these tumors can resemble RCC. The diagnosis of epithelioid AML was established by positive staining for melanoma and smooth muscle cell markers, and presence of perivascular epithelioid cells. One patient presented with a renal tumor extending into the inferior vena cava to the level of the hepatic veins. Two patients developed recurrent, metastatic disease following nephrectomy. One patient with tuberous sclerosis and multiple, bilateral AML developed an enhancing renal tumor that did not contain any fat densities. A partial nephrectomy was performed and pathology revealed epithelioid AML adjacent to conventional AML.Conclusions:  These tumors are distinguished from RCC by positive immunostaining for melanoma markers and smooth muscle cell markers. They resemble conventional RCC on imaging. Epithelioid AML may be locally aggressive and metastasize.
PREDICTIVE™– a global, prospective observational study to evaluate insulin detemir treatment in types 1 and 2 diabetes: baseline characteristics and predictors of hypoglycaemia from the European cohort
Authors: Lüddeke H.‐J. , Sreenan S. , Aczel S. , Maxeiner S. , Yenigun M. , Kozlovski P. , Gydesen H. , Dornhorst A. ,   PREDICTIVE Study Group
Published: December 2006

Aim:  PREDICTIVE™ (Predictable Results and Experience in Diabetes through Intensification and Control to Target: An International Variability Evaluation) is a large, multi‐national, observational study assessing the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir. We report the study design, population characteristics and baseline observations, including cross‐sectional analysis, from 19 911 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes.Methods:  Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes requiring basal insulin are prescribed insulin detemir and followed up for 12–52 weeks. Data on demographics, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting glucose, within‐subject fasting glucose variability and weight are collected from patient records (and/or recall for hypoglycaemia). A negative binomial distribution model is used to assess the influence of predictive/confounding variables on hypoglycaemic episodes in insulin‐treated patients at baseline. Multi‐factorial analysis of covariance is used to evaluate the association of the variables with current body weight and within‐subject fasting glucose variability.Results:  Total hypoglycaemic episodes in the 4 weeks prior to study start were 47.5 per patient‐year in patients with type 1 and 9.2 per patient‐year in patients with type 2 diabetes. The frequency of hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated patients showed a significant, positive association with duration of diabetes, number of insulin injections and fasting glucose variability but was inversely related to HbA1c, fasting glucose and body mass index. Weight showed a significant positive association with gender (male > female) and insulin dosage. Weight was also positively associated with fasting glucose variability in patients with type 1 diabetes, and age and number of injections in patients with type 2 diabetes.Conclusions:  These baseline data showed that, in addition to the established relationship with intensive treatment and HbA1c, frequency of hypoglycaemia was positively associated with fasting glucose variability. Follow‐up data from PREDICTIVE will provide insights on insulin detemir in diabetes management.
Excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption in untrained men following exercise of equal energy expenditure: comparisons of upper and lower body exercise
Authors: Lyons S. , Richardson M. , Bishop P. , Smith J. , Heath H. , Giesen J. 
Published: December 2006

Aim:  This study assessed excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) following continuous 200‐ kcal bouts of upper body exercise (UBE) and lower body exercise (LBE).Methods:  Ten untrained men (age: 25.7 ± 5.83 years; arm VO2peak: 2.2 ± 0.25 l/min; 21.5 ± 4.35 ml/kg/min; leg VO2peak: 3.1 ± 0.38 l/min; 30.7 ± 7.79 ml/kg/min) exercised at 60% mode‐specific VO2 peak using either an arm crank or a leg cycle protocol (counterbalanced order with 48 h between). Baseline VO2 was monitored for 30 min. EPOC was measured until baseline was re‐established.Results:  EPOC magnitude and duration were significantly greater (p < 0.05) following LBE (2.93 ± 1.4 l/min; 16.5 ± 7.4 min) compared with UBE (1.89 ± 0.7 l/min; 11.5 ± 6.1 min).Conclusions:  Results indicate that leg exercise elicited a greater EPOC magnitude and duration compared with arm exercise of the same relative intensity and energy expenditure.
Chromium picolinate for insulin resistance in subjects with HIV disease: a pilot study
Authors: Feiner J. J. , McNurlan M. A. , Ferris R. E. , Mynarcik D. C. , Gelato M. C. 
Published: December 2006

Aim:  Multidrug regimens in HIV disease are associated with an increased incidence of insulin resistance, by as much as 50%. Not only does insulin resistance predisposes subjects to diabetes but also it is associated with the metabolic syndrome and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies suggest that chromium picolinate can improve insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. The objective was to study the efficacy and safety of chromium picolinate as a treatment of insulin resistance in subjects infected with HIV.Methods:  The ability of chromium picolinate (1000 μg/day) to improve insulin sensitivity, determined with a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic insulin clamp, was determined in eight HIV‐positive subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy.Results:  The mean rate of glucose disposal during the clamp was 4.41 mg glucose/kg lean body mass (LBM)/min (range 2.67–5.50), which increased to 6.51 mg/kg LBM/min (range 3.19–12.78, p = .03), an increase of 25% after 8 weeks of treatment with chromium picolinate. There were no significant changes in blood parameters, HIV viral burden or CD4+ lymphocytes with chromium picolinate treatment. Two subjects experienced abnormalities of liver function during the study. Another subject experienced an elevation in blood urea nitrogen.Conclusions:  The study shows that chromium picolinate therapy improves insulin resistance in some HIV‐positive subjects, but with some concerns about safety in this population.
Vildagliptin in combination with pioglitazone improves glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes failing thiazolidinedione monotherapy: a randomized, placebo‐controlled study*
Authors: Garber A. J. , Schweizer A. , Baron M. A. , Rochotte E. , Dejager S. 
Published: December 2006

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor vildagliptin in combination with the thiazolidinedione (TZD) pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods:  This was a 24‐week, multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group study comparing the effects of vildagliptin (50 or 100 mg daily) with placebo as an add‐on therapy to pioglitazone (45 mg daily) in 463 patients with T2DM inadequately controlled by prior TZD monotherapy. Between‐treatment comparisons of efficacy parameters were made by analysis of covariance model.Results:  The adjusted mean change (AMΔ) in haemoglobin A1c from baseline to endpoint was −0.8 ± 0.1% (p = 0.001 vs. placebo) and −1.0 ± 0.1% (p < 0.001 vs. placebo), respectively, in patients receiving vildagliptin 50 or 100 mg daily. Relative to baseline, vildagliptin added to pioglitazone also reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (AMΔ FPG =−0.8 ± 0.2 mmol/l and −1.1 ± 0.2 mmol/l; not significant (NS) vs. placebo) and postprandial glucose (PPG) [AMΔ PPG =−1.9 ± 0.6 mmol/l and −2.6 ± 0.6 mmol/l (p = 0.008 vs. placebo)] for 50 and 100 mg daily respectively. Relative to placebo, both doses of vildagliptin significantly increased the insulin secretory rate/glucose by more than threefold. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 55.5, 50.0 and 48.7% in patients receiving vildagliptin 50 mg, 100 mg daily or placebo respectively. Serious AEs were experienced by 6.8, 1.3 and 5.7% of patients receiving vildagliptin 50 mg, 100 mg daily or placebo respectively. Mild hypoglycaemia was reported by 0, 0.6 and 1.9% of patients, respectively, receiving vildagliptin 50 mg, 100 mg daily or placebo.Conclusion:  Vildagliptin is effective and well tolerated when added to a maximum dose of pioglitazone, without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Smoking is associated with worse outcomes in patients with prostate cancer treated by radical radiotherapy
Authors: Pantarotto Jason , Malone Shawn , Dahrouge Simone , Gallant Victor , Eapen Libni 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of smoking on the outcome in a cohort of men treated for localized prostate cancer at one institution with a uniform protocol of radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study was a retrospective review of 434 patients with cT1‐T4 N0m0 prostate cancer treated with curative intent with EBRT (66 Gy in 33 fractions) between 1990 and 1999. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the risk associated with smoking on biochemical failure (American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology definition), local failure, distant failure, overall and disease‐specific survival.RESULTSThe median follow‐up was 70.3 months. A smoking history was obtained in 96% of cases; 16.8% were current smokers, 54.4% previous smokers and 28.8% non‐smokers. Current smokers presented at a younger median age, by 3.6 years (P = 0.06). There were no differences in clinical T stage, Gleason score or prostate‐specific antigen level amongst the three patient groups. Smoking conferred a higher risk of developing metastatic disease in both current smokers (hazard ratio 5.24; 95% confidence interval 1.75–15.72) and previous smokers (2.90, 1.09–7.67). There were also increases in risk, although not quite significant, for biochemical failure (1.49, 0.88–2.40) and overall survival (1.72, 0.94–3.15).CONCLUSIONSAfter curative treatment with EBRT, a history of smoking was associated with a greater risk of developing metastatic disease. Smoking status was not associated with worse disease on presentation.
Survival analysis in patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: a comparison between open and hand‐assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy
Authors: Hsueh Thomas Y. , Huang Yi‐Hsiu , Chiu Allen W. , Huan Steven K. , Lee Ying‐Huei 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the stage‐ and grade‐specific survival rate in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) after open (ONU) or hand‐assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) with bladder‐cuff excision.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January 1998 to April 2005, 143 patients with UUT‐TCC were treated with either ONU or LNU and enrolled in the study. The peri‐operative data were collected by retrospective chart review. The recurrence, metastasis and survival rate were calculated.RESULTSThe 5‐year disease‐specific survival of patients with pT1 disease was 88.1% after ONU and 92.0% after LNU (P = 0.745); the respective values for patients with pT2 were 11/17 and 12/15 (P = 0.874), and for pT3 were six/11 and 12/15 (P = 0.476). The incidence of bladder recurrence within 2 years after surgery was 24.7% for ONU and 19.7% for LNU (P = 0.475).CONCLUSIONThe results were similar after ONU or LNU with bladder‐cuff excision; bladder‐cuff excision using a hand‐assisted device is effective and serves as a treatment option for patients with UUT‐TCC.
Distinct developmental changes in the distribution of calcium, phosphorus and sulphur during fetal growth‐plate development
Authors: Van Donkelaar C. C. , Janssen X. J. A. , De Jong A. M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractGradients in the concentrations of free phosphate (Pi) and calcium (Ca) exist in fully developed growth zones of long bones and ribs, with the highest concentrations closest to the site of mineralization. As high concentrations of Pi and Ca induce chondrocyte maturation and apoptosis, it has been hypothesized that Ca and Pi drive chondrocyte differentiation in growth plates. This study aimed to determine whether gradients in the important spectral elements phosphorus (P), Ca and sulphur (S) are already present in early stages of development, or whether they gradually develop with maturation of the growth zone. We quantified the concentration profiles of Ca, P, S, chloride and potassium at four different stages of early development of the distal growth plates of the porcine femurs, using particle‐induced X‐ray emission and forward‐ and backward‐scattering spectrometry with a nuclear microprobe. A Ca concentration gradient towards the mineralized area and a stepwise increase in S was found to develop slowly with tissue maturation. The increase in S co‐localizes with the onset of proliferation. A P gradient was not detected in the earliest developmental stages. High Ca levels, which may induce chondrocyte maturation, are present near the mineralization front. As total P concentrations do not correspond with former free Pi measurements, we hypothesize that the increase of free Pi towards the bone‐forming site results from enzymatic cleavage of bound phosphate.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered Korean freshwater fish Hemibarbus mylodon
Authors: KIM WOO‐JIN , LEE YOON‐A , BANG IN‐CHUL 
Published: December 2006

AbstractKorean barbel, Hemibarbus mylodon, is an endangered freshwater species endemic to Korea. In order to undertake a conservation program for this species in Korea, it is essential to evaluate its genetic diversity and population structure. For this purpose, we developed 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers and examined their allelic variation using a total of 60 wild individuals collected from three different localities. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 26. The expected and observed heterozygosities per locus ranged from 0.19 to 0.94 and from 0.20 to 0.98, respectively. Significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations occurred in four loci. These markers will be useful for the assessment of genetic diversity for this species.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Authors: LI L. , WANG H. P. , GIVENS C. , CZESNY S. , BROWN B. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA total of 45 microsatellite loci from yellow perch, Perca flavescens, were isolated and characterized. Among the 45 microsatellite loci, 32 had more than two alleles. A wild population of P. flavescens (n = 48) was used to examine the allele range of the microsatellite loci. Mendelian inheritance of alleles was confirmed by examining the amplified products in pair‐mated families. The number of alleles for the 32 polymorphic loci varied from two to 16, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.024 (YP79) and 0.979 (YP60). Cross‐species polymorphic amplification in four other Percidae species was successful for 22 loci.
A simple PCR procedure for discovering microsatellites from small insert libraries
Authors: WANG X. W. , TRIGIANO R. N. , WINDHAM M. T. , DEVRIES R. E. , SCHEFFLER B. E. , RINEHART T. A. , SPIERS J. M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMicrosatellite discovery from genomic libraries is tedious because of the low number of clones that contain inserts and costly because of screening methodologies. A new procedure for screening clones for microsatellite DNA is described herein. Instead of colony hybridization, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with two vector standard primers and one synthesized repeat primer was used to directly screen colonies. PCR of colonies that produced a strong smear in gels contained the desired motif, whereas a single strong band indicated the lack of the desired motif. This simple screening method is a cost‐effective way to identify microsatellite‐containing colonies.
Protective effect of Withania somnifera root powder in relation to lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, glycoproteins and bone collagen on adjuvant‐induced arthritis in rats
Authors: Rasool M. , Varalakshmi P. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe present investigation was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of Withania somnifera Linn.Dunal (family‐Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha, on adjuvant‐induced arthritic rats. Results were compared with those for Indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (0.1 mL) into the right hind paw of Wistar albino rats. Withania somnifera root powder (1000 mg/kg/day) and Indomethacin (3 mg/kg/day) were orally administered for 8 days (from 11th to 18th day) after adjuvant injection. The anti‐arthritic effect of W. somnifera root powder was assessed by measuring changes in lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, and glycoprotein levels in plasma and spleen of arthritic animals. In addition, cartilage degradation was also assessed by estimating bone collagen, and urinary constituents in arthritic animals. Results of the present investigation showed significant increase in the level of lipid peroxides, glycoproteins, and urinary constituents with the depletion of antioxidant status and bone collagen in arthritic animals. These biochemical alterations observed were ameliorated significantly by oral administration of W. somnifera root powder (1000 mg/kg body weight) in arthritic animals. The results of this study clearly indicate that W. somnifera root powder is capable of rectifying the above biochemical changes in adjuvant arthritis.
Endocannabinoid receptor CB2 in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mendez‐Sanchez N. , Zamora‐Valdes D. , Pichardo‐Bahena R. , Barredo‐Prieto B. , Ponciano‐Rodriguez G. , Bermejo‐Martínez L. , Chavez‐Tapia N. C. , Baptista‐González H. A. , Uribe M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim: Fatty infiltration and fibrosis are major issues in chronic liver disease. Recent reports suggest a role for the endocannabinoid system in these processes.Aim: To characterize localization and expression of CB2 in normal liver and nonalcoholic fatty liver.Methods: We studied 64 liver biopsies: eight were considered normal; 56 had a diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); 32 with nonalcoholic steatosis and 24 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). CB2 immunolocalization was studied in 38 samples in paraffin blocks using immunohistochemistry, and a computerized semiquantitative analysis was carried out. CB2 mRNA expression was assessed through RT‐PCR in 26 frozen liver samples and the ratio CB2/β‐actin was used to evaluate differences between groups. Statistical analysis was performed with central tendency measures and the Mann–Whitney U‐test. We considered as significant differences those with a P‐value <0.05.Results: Neither parenchymal nor nonparenchymal cells in normal liver tissue react towards anti‐CB2 antibodies. All the samples from patients with steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis showed hepatocellular immunoreactivity. Cholangiocytes were positive only in the NAFLD group. Normal liver tissue showed a normalized CB2/β‐actin ratio of 0.001±0.01, steatosis 6.52±17.3 (P=0.05 vs normal) and NASH 6.49±12.2 (P=0.06 vs normal and P=0.6 vs steatosis).Conclusion: CB2 receptors are expressed by hepatocytes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease but not in normal liver.
Valproic Acid–induced Hepatopathy: Nine New Fatalities in Germany from 1994 to 2003
Authors: Koenig Stephan A. , Buesing Deike , Longin Elke , Oehring Randi , Häussermann Peter , Kluger Gerhard , Lindmayer Friedemann , Hanusch Ralf , Degen Ingrid , Kuhn Hans , Samii Kamrun , Jungck Albrecht , Brückner Reinhard , Seitz Reinhild , Boxtermann Wolfgang , Weber Yvonne , Knapp Rolf , Richard Hans Helmut , Weidner Birgit , Kasper Johannes‐Martin , Haensch Carl‐Albrecht , Fitzek Sabine , Hartmann Margarete , Borusiak Peter , Müller‐Deile Andrea , Degenhardt Volker , Korenke Georg‐Christoph , Hoppen Thomas , Specht Ulrich , Gerstner Thorsten 
Published: December 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) commonly used for generalized and focal epilepsies. We provide an update on hepatotoxic side effects in Germany between 1994 and 2003. Methods: We mailed a questionnaire to all members of the German Section of the International League Against Epilepsy, asking for VPA‐induced side effects, especially severe side effects such as hepatopathy. Results: As a result of our questionnaire, we found 31 cases of reversible hepatotoxicity and nine cases of lethal hepatopathies in Germany from 1994 to 2003. Conclusions: The outcome of patients with severe hepatotoxicity is better than that in the past. The risk of a VPA‐induced hepatopathy is not limited to patients younger than 2 years, receiving polytherapy, or patients with congenital or acquired metabolic diseases.