bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Verapamil prevents the apoptotic and hemodynamic changes in response to unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: Topcu Sukru O , Celik Sukru , Erturhan Sakip , Erbagci Ahmet , Yagci Faruk , Ucak Ramazan 
Published: February 2008

Introduction: Obstruction of the urinary tract has marked effects on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and tubular function. Moreover, ureteral obstruction results in an injury response that can progress to irreversible renal fibrosis and tubular atrophy by apoptosis.Methods: We examined the effect of a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) on renal functions and the abundance of apoptotic (p53, Fas, proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]) markers 1 week after Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO).Results: Immunohistochemistry studies revealed that UUO was markedly associated with up‐regulation in the expression of p53 (1550 ± 82vs100 ± 23%), Fas (657 ± 48vs100 ± 31%), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (945 ± 70vs100 ± 17% of sham levels). Administration of verapamil normalized the up‐regulation of apoptotic markers p53 (724 ± 116vs1550 ± 82%); Fas (162 ± 38vs657 ± 48%) and PCNA (353 ± 54vs945 ± 70%). Furthermore, tubular diameter, as an important marker for detecting tubular atrophy was significantly decreased compared to those in UUO rabbits. The percent area of interstitial fibrosis in UUO kidneys was significantly greater than that in Verapamil‐treated kidneys. Importantly, Verapamil reduced the development of interstitial fibrosis in UUO rabbits. We measured the GFR and renal blood flow in UUO. Short‐term Verapamil challenge partially prevented the decrease in GFR (non‐treated UUO: 62 ± 14; Verapamil + UUO: 119 ± 7; Sham: 127 ± 23 μL·min−1·kg body wt−1,P < 0.05) and renal blood flow (non‐treated UUO: 1.1 ± 0.4; Verapamil + UUO: 5.0 ± 0.2; sham: 6.3 ± 0.2 mL·min−1·kg body wt−1,P < 0.05).Conclusion: Verapamil significantly prevents impairment in renal function and also prevents the up‐regulation of p53, Fas, and PCNA during UUO, demonstrating a marked renoprotective effect of Verapamil treatment in conditions with urinary tract obstruction.
Results of treatment of renal calculi with lower‐pole fluoroscopically guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Nishizawa Koji , Yamada Hitoshi , Miyazaki Yu , Kobori Go , Higashi Yoshito 
Published: February 2008

Objective:  To prospectively assess the clinical efficacy and safety of lower‐pole fluoroscopically guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).Methods:  A total of 90 renal units in 87 patients underwent lower‐pole fluoroscopically guided PNL for renal calculi. The average patient age was 56.0 years. Staghorn calculi were present in 41 renal units. There were 22 were upper pole, 54 middle pole, 76 lower pole, 70 pelvic and 18 ureteropelvic junction calculi. Patients without significant residual fragments greater than 3mm on postoperative day 2 were defined as primarily successful. Significant residual fragments were treated with shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) every other day from postoperative day 3.Results:  Mean operative time was 129.5 min (SD, 49.0). Blood transfusion was required in four patients. Septic shock developed in three patients. Sixty‐three percent of the patients (57 of 90 procedures) were primarily successful after PNL: 83.7% of non‐staghorn patients (41 of 49 procedures) and 39.0% of staghorn patients (16 of 41 procedures). Of the 33 patients with significant residual fragments, 13 staghorn and six non‐staghorn patients had residual fragments in their middle calyces. Of the preoperative variables, staghorn calculus and calculus in the middle calyx were significant predictors of significant residual fragments after PNL. After adjunctive SWL, the overall success rate was 94.5%.Conclusions:  Our study suggests that lower‐pole fluoroscopically guided PNL is a safe and effective therapy for patients with staghorn or non‐staghorn calculi. In patients with staghorn calculi or calculi in the middle calyx, adjunctive treatment is sometimes required to treat significant residual fragments.
Evaluation of the association of current cigarette smoking and outcome for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Parker Alexander , Lohse Christine , Cheville John , Leibovich Bradley , Igel Todd , Blute Michael 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  Cigarette smoking is a well known risk factor for the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, its association with tumor aggressiveness and patient outcome remains in question. Herein, we test the hypothesis that cigarette smoking is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and poorer outcome among patients with RCC.Methods:  We examined data on 2242 patients treated with radical nephrectomy or nephron‐sparing surgery for unilateral, sporadic, clear cell RCC at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1970 and 2002. Associations of self‐reported smoking status with death from RCC were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models summarized with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:  While former cigarette smoking was not associated with an increased risk of RCC death, current cigarette smokers were 31% more likely to die from RCC compared with non‐smokers on a hazard ratio scale (HR 1.31; 95% CI 1.09–1.58; P = 0.004). Interestingly, current smokers were more likely to present with advanced disease (i.e. later TNM stage) compared with both former and never smokers. After adjustment for TNM stage group and tumor grade, there was no longer a statistically significant increase in the risk of death from RCC for current cigarette smokers (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82–1.19; P = 0.875).Conclusions:  Patients who report current smoking at time of surgery are at increased risk of RCC death; however, this association is attenuated after adjustment for standard pathological indices and is therefore of little prognostic value. Nevertheless, the association of current smoking with more advanced disease at presentation (e.g. metastatic spread) warrants further investigation.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for malignant tumors
Authors: Eto Masatoshi , Hamaguchi Masumitsu , Harano Masahiko , Yokomizo Akira , Tatsugami Katsunori , Naito Seiji 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  The treatment of malignant adrenal tumors using laparoscopic surgery remains controversial. We thus compared the perioperative outcome of the laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the treatment of malignant tumors with the outcome for benign tumors. We also evaluated the oncological outcome of the laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a malignancy.Methods:  Since 1999 a total of nine laparoscopic adrenalectomies for a malignancy have been performed in nine patients. The median adrenal tumor size was 3 cm. The laparoscopic approach was transperitoneal in all cases. Seven patients had no evidence of a systemic metastatic disease, whereas two patients with a metastatic renal cell carcinoma had systemic metastatic disease at the time of the operation.Results:  The median operation time was 165 min and the estimated blood loss was 75 mL in the laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a malignancy. There was no significant difference between laparoscopic adrenalectomy for malignant and benign tumors. Regarding the oncological outcome, seven of the nine patients, including the two palliative cases, treated with a laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a malignancy were alive at a median follow‐up of 20 months. One patient died of other causes.Conclusions:  Our results clearly indicate that a laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the treatment of a metastatic adrenal malignancy can be performed with an acceptable outcome as a minimally invasive method in carefully selected patients.
What do people with glaucoma know about their condition? A comparative cross‐sectional incidence and prevalence survey
Authors: Danesh‐Meyer Helen V , Deva Narme C , Slight Carol , Tan Yu Wee , Tarr Ken , Carroll Stuart C , Gamble Greg 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To assess and compare glaucoma knowledge between patients with established glaucoma, newly diagnosed glaucoma and the general population.Methods:  208 glaucoma patients, 100 newly diagnosed glaucoma patients from three clinical centres and 100 controls from non‐ophthalmology outpatient clinics, were recruited and completed a validated self‐administered true/false questionnaire assessing glaucoma knowledge. Demographic data were also recorded. Glaucoma knowledge score, out of a maximum of 22, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of survey characteristics associated with falling in the lowest quartile of the overall knowledge score was evaluated for each study group.Results:  Established glaucoma patients had (median 17, interquartile range 15–19) marginally but significantly (P < 0.05) greater glaucoma knowledge scores than new patients (median 16, interquartile range 13–18). Both of these groups scored significantly better than the control population (median 13, interquartile range 10–14, P < 0.05). Significant misconceptions regarding glaucoma include: 80% of all participants thought that topical medications could not have systemic side‐effects, 48% of established glaucoma patients believed symptoms would warn them of disease progression. One‐third of new patients considered blindness to be a common outcome of having glaucoma. For established patients, factors associated (P < 0.05) with a lesser likelihood of scoring in the lowest quartile of the total score included having family (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11–0.98) or friends (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.06–0.97) with glaucoma, being referred by an optometrist compared with general practitioner (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08–0.57), speaking English at home (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.49) and being seen in the private health‐care sector (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.42).Conclusion:  Patients with established glaucoma have only slightly greater knowledge than newly diagnosed patients, with both patient groups harbouring significant misconceptions regarding glaucoma. Educational programmes and material should be tailored to address these misconceptions.
The effect of photodynamic therapy on retrobulbar blood flow parameters
Authors: Türkçüoǧlu Peykan , Deniz Nurettin , Koç Mustafa , Kurt Julide , Çeliker Ülkü 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on retrobulbar blood flow parameters.Methods:  Twenty‐four patients with choroidal neovascular membrane of at least four MPS disc area in one eye due to age‐related macular degeneration scheduled for PDT were recruited. Peak systolic and end diastolic velocity of ophthalmic, central retinal and posterior ciliary artery of both eyes were measured with colour Doppler imaging and resistivity index were computed before, at the first and fourth weeks following PDT.Results:  Following PDT, the mean peak systolic velocity of posterior ciliary artery increased significantly to a value of 31.90 ± 13.44 at the first (P = 0001), then returned to an insignificant value of 29.95 ± 13.03 at the fourth week (P = 0.360), when compared with pre‐PDT mean measurement (30.16 ± 13.15). Resistivity index of posterior ciliary artery also increased significantly to a value of 0.740 ± 0.77 at the first (P = 0.046), then returned to an insignificant value of 0.666 ± 0.14 at the fourth week (P = 0.407), when compared with pre‐PDT mean measurement (0.709 ± 0.90). All the other measured data (peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, resistivity index of ophthalmic and central retinal artery; end diastolic velocity of posterior ciliary artery of the treated eyes; all colour Doppler imaging measurements of untreated eyes) did not show any significant change at the first and fourth week following PDT, when compared with the pre‐PDT values.Conclusion:  The peak systolic velocity and resistivity index of the posterior ciliary artery appear to increase in the first week and return to their baseline values at the fourth week following PDT.
Eye care in Timor‐Leste: a population‐based study of utilization and barriers
Authors: Palagyi Anna , Ramke Jacqueline , Du Toit Renee , Brian Garry 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground:  To determine utilization of Western‐style conventional health services for eye problems in Timor‐Leste, and barriers to seeking that care.Methods:  An interview‐based questionnaire was administered as part of a population‐based cross‐sectional survey of 50 clusters (urban and rural) of 30 people aged ≥40 years.Results:  Of 1470 people enumerated, 1414 were examined (96.2%). A total of 1293 (91.4%) reported at least one previous or present eye problem, mostly (88.6%) blurred/poor vision, for near and/or distance. Men (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.3), literates (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.5), urban dwellers (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.6–6.4) and those in paid employment compared with being a farmer (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5–5.9) were more likely to have reported a problem. A total of 858 (66.4%) sought Western‐style care for its remedy. Non‐utilization was associated with being illiterate (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.9–4.8), a rural dweller (OR 3.8, 95% CI 3.0–4.9), unemployed (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2) or a farmer (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.5–7.6) compared with being in paid employment, having moderately impaired compared with non‐impaired near vision (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8), and red/itchy/painful eyes compared with blurred vision (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6–3.2), but not age, gender or poor distance vision. Lack of awareness of service availability was the most frequent reason for not seeking treatment (32.9%), especially for rural respondents. Attitudinal reasons were also prevalent (32.5%), with social (11.8%), economic (11.5%) and service‐related (9.0%) issues less so.Conclusions:  If eye health is to improve in Timor‐Leste, there must be better appreciation of it, and increased availability, accessibilty and awareness of services.
Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome using the combination of oral doxycycline and topical corticosteroid
Authors: Wang Louis , Tsang Hughie , Coroneo Minas 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRecurrent corneal erosion syndrome is a debilitating condition for which there are many treatment options with varying rates of success. One treatment of interest in recent years is the combination of oral doxycycline and topical corticosteroids, both of which have been shown to inhibit key metalloproteinases important to disease pathogenesis. To assess the efficacy of this treatment, we conducted a retrospective single‐observer case series involving all patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome who were treated at a community‐based clinic with oral doxycycline and topical corticosteroid between January 2000 and July 2007. Twenty‐one patients were identified. All received oral doxycycline 50 mg twice daily and topical fluoromethalone 0.1% three times daily for at least 4 weeks. At 8 weeks post commencement of treatment, 15/21 patients (71%) were symptom free. All but one of these patients reported an improvement in symptoms. Of those patients not lost to follow up, 15/18 patients (83%) and 11/15 patients (73%) denied any symptoms suggestive of relapse at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Among the patients in remission was one who had responded poorly to other treatments including ocular lubricants, epithelial debridement, serum eyedrops, anterior stromal puncture, and phototherapeutic keratectomy. Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome with the combination of oral doxycycline and topical corticosteroid is effective. It may help patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome who have failed other forms of treatment. This non‐invasive treatment modality should also be considered as the first treatment option when conservative management with ocular lubricants fails.
Mutation screening of TGFBI in two Iranian Avellino corneal dystrophy pedigrees
Authors: Alavi Afagh , Elahi Elahe , Rahmati‐Kamel Mohsen , Karimian Farid , Rezaei‐Kanavi Mojgan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  Genetic analysis and phenotypic features of Avellino corneal dystrophy patients from Japan and some European countries have been published. We report for the first time the genetic analysis and phenotypic features of two Avellino corneal dystrophy pedigrees from the Middle East.Methods:  Slit‐lamp biomicroscope photographs of cornea were obtained, and corneal tissue sections were stained with masson‐trichrome and Congo red. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes and exons 4 and 12 of TGFBI were screened for mutations by direct sequencing.Results:  The probands of the pedigrees had phenotypic features consistent with diagnosis of Avellino corneal dystrophy. They were homozygous for the same R124H mutation in TGFBI as previously reported in Avellino patients from Japan and European countries. Heterozygous carriers of the mutation were identified in the pedigree and shown to have symptoms of disease milder than those of the probands.Conclusion:  The finding of R124H in the Middle Eastern (Iranian) population supports the proposal that perhaps only substitution of histidine for arginine at position 124 of tumour growth factor beta induced protein results in the Avellino corneal dystrophy phenotype. As both probands were originally diagnosed with granular corneal dystrophy, and as heterozygous carriers of R124H were unaware of their disease status prior to genetic analysis, the importance of genetic analysis is emphasized.
Retrocapsular lens matter in uneventful phacoemulsification: does it really exist?
Authors: Liu David TL , Lee Vincent YW , Li Chi‐Lai , Choi Paul CL , Lam Philip TH , Lam Dennis SC 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To have the first cytopathological evaluation of any lens matter fragments within retrocapsular anterior vitreous in those patients undergone uneventful phacoemulsification in Prince of Wales Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.Methods:  Thirty patients with cataracts and various vitreoretinal conditions that required combined surgery were recruited. After the uneventful clear corneal phacoemulsification, three sclerotomies including infusion port were created with cautions against any inadvertent leakage of vitreal content. The anterior vitreous at retrocapsular space was harvested by a special ‘round‐the‐clock’ dry vitrectomy into a special specimen reservoir hub and syringe. The aspirate was immediately fixed in 50% ethanol and together with a masked positive control sent for cytocentrifugation processing. The microscope slides of the anterior vitreal content and control were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and papanicolaou. Positive controls were collected from the effluent fluid of the phaco cassettes right after the phacoemulsification. The samples were masked and examined by an experienced pathologist for any cytopathological evidence of lens matter.Results:  Out of 30 patients, three suspicious cases of retrocapsular lens fragment were noted by retroillumination on the operating table. However, all the anterior vitreous specimens were negative for lens matter whereas all the controls were positive after cytopathological verification.Conclusions:  This is the first cytopathological study objectively indicating low likelihood of the postulation that retrocapsular lens matter occurred after uneventful phacoemulsification.
Combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage secondary to age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Roufail Edward , Polkinghorne Philip J 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To report on the functional outcome of surgery on patients with concurrent cataract and breakthrough vitreous haemorrhage from age‐related macular degeneration (ARMD).Methods:  Retrospective case series.Results:  Five eyes were included in the study. The post operative follow‐up interval ranged from 9 to 12 months. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from hand motion to perception of light. Two surgeries were complicated by iatrogenic breaks, and a further surgery was required to re‐attach the retina in one of these eyes. Only one of the five eyes experienced an improvement in visual functioning.Conclusion:  In this series, the outcome of surgery for combined cataract and breakthrough vitreous haemorrhage, secondary to ARMD was poor. The functional outcome of surgery for combined cataract and vitreous haemorrhage secondary to ARMD in this series was poor.
Does observer bias contribute to variations in the rate of retinopathy of prematurity between centres?
Authors: Darlow Brian A , Elder Mark J , Horwood L John , Donoghue Deborah A , Henderson‐Smart David J ,   on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  We aimed to indirectly assess the contribution from observer bias to between centre variability in the incidence of acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:  The Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) collected data on the highest stage of acute ROP in either eye in 2286 infants born at less than 29 weeks in 1998–1999 and cared for in one of 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Chi‐squared analysis was used to detect differences in the proportion of stages of ROP for each neonatal intensive care unit. These proportions were compared with those reported in two large studies of treatment for ROP.Results:  The incidence of acute ROP in the ANZNN cohort was 42% and the ratio of stage 1:2:3 ROP was 1.5:1.9:1. There was considerable variation in both the incidence of acute ROP and the proportions with stage 1:2:3 ROP between centres. A chi‐squared test determined that the assignment of stages 1, 2 and 3/4 ROP was not independent of centre (χ248 = 165.2; P < 0.0001). Treatment of stage 3 ROP varied between 15% and 120%, indicating some eyes were treated at less than stage 3.Conclusion:  The data are highly suggestive of observer bias contributing to the observed between centre variation in the incidence of acute ROP. In neonatal intervention studies where acute ROP is an outcome it would seem important to have an accreditation process for examining ophthalmologists, and there are similar arguments for neonatal networks which collect these data.
Cyclosporin effectively inhibits posterior capsule opacification after phacoemulsification in rabbits: a preliminary study
Authors: Totan Yüksel , Yağcı Ramazan , Erdurmuş Mesut , Bayrak Reyhan , Hepşen İbrahim Feyzi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate whether cyclosporin A prevents or reduce posterior capsule opacification after phacoemulsification surgery in rabbit eyes.Methods:  Twenty rabbits underwent cataract surgery in their right eyes were randomized into two groups. In group 1, 0.1 mL cyclosporin A (0.5 mg/mL) was given into the capsular bag after phacoemulsification and 0.1 mL cyclosporin A (0.5 mg/mL) was injected subconjunctivally once every 3 days for 1 week. Group 2 served as a control group. The development of posterior capsule opacification was assessed weekly, its density was graded clinically, and the proliferation of lens epithelial cells was evaluated histologically.Results:  On clinical assessment, cyclosporin A was significantly effective in preventing posterior capsule opacification compared with controls (P = 0.0045). On histological analysis, there was significantly reduced proliferative activity on posterior capsules in the treatment group, in contrast to multilayer lens epithelial cells proliferation in the control group.Conclusion:  The preliminary results indicate that cyclosporin A is effective in suppressing posterior capsule opacification in rabbits, yet requires further investigation.