bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure and assignment tests demonstrate illegal translocation of red deer (Cervus elaphus) into a continuous population
Authors: FRANTZ A. C. , POURTOIS J. TIGEL , HEUERTZ M. , SCHLEY L. , FLAMAND M. C. , KRIER A. , BERTOUILLE S. , CHAUMONT F. , BURKE T. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractMolecular forensic methods are being increasingly used to help enforce wildlife conservation laws. Using multilocus genotyping, illegal translocation of an animal can be demonstrated by excluding all potential source populations as an individual's population of origin. Here, we illustrate how this approach can be applied to a large continuous population by defining the population genetic structure and excluding suspect animals from each identified cluster. We aimed to test the hypothesis that recreational hunters had illegally introduced a group of red deer into a hunting area in Luxembourg. Reference samples were collected over a large area in order to test the possibility that the suspect individuals might be recent immigrants. Due to isolation‐by‐distance relationships in the data set, inferring the number of genetic clusters using Bayesian methods was not straightforward. Biologically meaningful clusters were only obtained by simultaneously analysing spatial and genetic information using the program baps 4.1. We inferred the presence of three genetic clusters in the study region. Using partial Mantel tests, we detected barriers to gene flow other than distance, probably created by a combination of urban areas, motorways and a river valley used for viticulture. The four focal animals could be excluded with a high certainty from the three genetic subpopulations and it was therefore likely that they had been released illegally.
Evidence of microsatellite hitch‐hiking selection in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.): implications for inferring population structure in nonmodel organisms
Authors: NIELSEN EINAR E. , HANSEN MICHAEL M. , MELDRUP DORTE 
Published: July 2006

AbstractMicrosatellites have gained wide application for elucidating population structure in nonmodel organisms. Since they are generally noncoding, neutrality is assumed but rarely tested. In Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.), microsatellite studies have revealed highly heterogeneous estimates of genetic differentiation among loci. In particular one locus, Gmo 132, has demonstrated elevated genetic differentiation. We investigated possible hitch‐hiking selection at this and other microsatellite loci in Atlantic cod. We employed 11 loci for analysing samples from the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Barents Sea and Newfoundland covering a large part of the species’ distributional range. The ‘classical’ Lewontin–Krakauer test for selection based on variance in estimates of FST and (standardized genetic differentiation) revealed only one significant pairwise test (North Sea–Barents Sea), and the source of the elevated variance could not be ascribed exclusively to Gmo 132. In contrast, different variants of the recently developed ln Rθ test for selective sweeps at microsatellite loci revealed a high number of significant outcomes of pair‐wise tests for Gmo 132. Further, the presence of selection was indicated in at least one other locus. The results suggest that many previous estimates of genetic differentiation in cod based on microsatellites are inflated, and in some cases relationships among populations are obscured by one or more loci being the subject to hitch‐hiking selection. Likewise, temporal estimates of effective population sizes in Atlantic cod may be flawed. We recommend, generally, to use a higher number of microsatellite loci to elucidate population structure in marine fishes and other nonmodel species to allow for identification of outlier loci that are subject to selection.
Hormonal disturbances associated with obesity in dogs
Authors: Martin L. J. M. , Siliart B. , Dumon H. J. W. , Nguyen P. G. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryObesity is associated with multiple endocrine alterations and changes in the concentration of circulating hormones. However, few studies have explored such alterations in dogs with naturally acquired excess weight. In the present study, we investigated the effect of naturally acquired obesity on cortisol, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and prolactin secretion in dogs. Thirty‐one overweight dogs were enrolled in the trial. Blood samples were collected before and after adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) injection. Free thyroxine (fT4), cortisol, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), IGF‐1, prolactin and fructosamine were assayed. Body weight excess increased significantly with age and neutered dogs were more obese than entire ones. The ACTH stimulation test was within the normal range for 26 of 31 dogs. Prolactinaemia was increased in seven dogs and IGF‐1 in six dogs. Twenty dogs had a fructosamine concentration >340 μm. Interestingly, 18 of 31 dogs showed disturbances of thyroid function based on high TSH and/or low fT4 baseline concentration, with 11 dogs showing both. According to these parameters only six of 31 dogs were free of hormonal disturbances. These results revealed the high incidence of such disturbances, especially thyroid dysfunction, in obese, but otherwise apparently healthy dogs. They demonstrate the importance of examining endocrine function during the initial evaluation of obese dogs to avoid failure of any nutritional treatment.
High incidence of and risk factors for metachronous bilateral upper tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan
Authors: HUANG PO‐CHIEN , HUANG CHAO‐YUAN , HUANG SHI‐WEI , LAI MING‐KUEN , YU HONG‐JENG , CHEN JUN , PU YEONG‐SHIAU 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Urothelial carcinoma (UC) can occur multifocally in the whole urothelium. A higher rate of bilateral metachronous upper tract (UT) UC was noted in Taiwan. The incidence and risk factors were largely unknown and hence were explored in the study.Methods:  From January 1977 through June 2003, 462 patients with unilateral UT‐UC were studied retrospectively. The cumulative incidence of contralateral recurrence was analysed with the Kaplan–Meier analysis. Potential risk factors for contralateral recurrence including age, smoking, bladder cancer, renal function, diagnostic year etc. were evaluated with the log–rank test. Independent risk factors were identified by using the Cox regression analysis.Results:  The median follow‐up time was 34 months (6–337). Among the 462 patients, 52 (11.3%) developed metachronous contralateral UC. The 2, 5, and 10‐year contralateral disease‐free survivals were 93.5%, 84.0%, and 75.7%, respectively. The median time to contralateral recurrence was 31.0 months. With the univariate analysis, only poor renal function (serum creatinine < or ≥2.0 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and late diagnostic year (before or after 1990, P < 0.001) were risk factors for contralateral recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, poor renal function (hazard ratio: 2.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.67–5.33; P < 0.001) and late diagnostic year (hazard ratio: 4.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.71–10.65; P = 0.002) remained independent risk factors.Conclusions:  The incidence of metachronous UT‐UC is high in Taiwan. Patients who had either chronic renal insufficiency or a disease diagnosed after 1990 had a higher risk of contralateral recurrence.
Challenge of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with spinal neuropathy
Authors: SYMONS STEPHANIE , BIYANI CHANDRA SHEKHAR , BHARGAVA SAURABH , IRVINE HENRY C , ELLINGHAM JEREMY , CARTLEDGE JON , LLOYD STUART N , JOYCE ADRIAN D , BROWNING ANTHONY J 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  To assess the technical difficulties, associated complications and stone clearance rates in patients with spinal neuropathy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy.Methods:  Twenty‐nine patients with spinal neuropathy underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the two centers studied between October 1995 and January 2002. They were nine patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, 10 patients with spina bifida and 10 with other heterogeneous causes for their spinal neuropathy. The group included 12 men and 17 women, with an average age of 44 years (14–80). Patients’ medical records were reviewed retrospectively for data relating to their renal lithiasis.Results:  A total of 39 percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures were undertaken on 32 kidneys. Thirteen procedures were for staghorn calculi. Preoperatively, eight kidneys required nephrostomy and 5 J stent decompression. The average American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 3, and one patient had percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed under local anaesthetic as the risk of general anaesthetic was felt to be too high. The associated morbidity and mortality in this group is significant. There were two postoperative deaths. Major complications were associated with three procedures, and consisted of seizures, aspiration pneumonia and pressure necrosis. Nine patients experienced minor complications including fever, hypotension and nephrostomy site leakage. Nine patients required intensive therapy unit care postoperatively and the average hospital stay for the group was 13.32 days. Only 18 (62%) patients were rendered stone‐free from their initial percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Seven patients required a further procedure for stone clearance: four underwent extracorporeal shock‐wave lithotripsy, two ureteroscopy and one nephrectomy.Conclusions:  Patients with spinal neuropathy and renal lithiasis pose a significant operative challenge. Technical difficulties and potential complications should be considered carefully before undertaking percutaneous nephrolithotomy in these patients.
Percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: MIKI KENTA , SHIMOMURA TATSUYA , YAMADA HIROKI , KISHIMOTO KOICHI , OHISHI YUKIHIKO , HARADA JUNTA , EGAWA SHIN 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Cryoablation is a treatment option for some patients with small exophytic lesions of the kidney. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility, safety, and intermediate‐term treatment outcome of percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:  We prospectively used cryoablation to treat 13 patients with radiographically confirmed enhancing small, solid renal tumors (≤4.8 cm). An argon gas‐based cryoablation system was used. One to four cryoprobes with 2 or 3‐mm diameters were placed percutaneously into the tumor under local anaesthesia and MRI guidance. Ice ball dimensions were monitored by 2‐D MR images. Double freeze‐thaw cycles were conducted throughout the procedure. After successful cryoablation, patients were followed on a regular basis to evaluate the treatment’s clinical outcome.Results:  Median follow up from time of procedure is 35 months (range, 28–42). In all cases the entire procedure was accomplished without significant morbidity or complications. A mild retroperitoneal hematoma, which subsided spontaneously, was noted in one patient. Follow‐up dynamic computed tomography (CT) at 3 months after operation confirmed the absence of enhancement in resolved tumor masses for 11 of 13 cases. None of these 11 patients had clinical evidence of recurrent disease at last follow up. The remaining two patients had lesions with some enhanced areas. Subsequent partial nephrectomy histologically confirmed the presence of vital tumor in, respectively, the center and the periphery of the residual masses. One of these patients developed multiple lung and ipsilateral adrenal metastases 13 months after surgical resection.Conclusions:  Percutaneous cryoablation of small renal cell carcinomas under horizontal open MRI guidance appears to be safe and feasible. An intermediate‐term follow up continues to demonstrate efficacy in most patients; however, a few patients experience incomplete ablation with risk of treatment failure. The ideal candidates for this procedure still need to be determined in longer follow up with diligent observation.
Stenting versus non‐stenting after non‐complicated ureteroscopic manipulation of stones in bilharzial ureters
Authors: HUSSEIN ALAYMAN , RIFAAT EHAB , ZAKI AHMED , ABOL‐NASR MAMDOUH 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Stents were used routinely after ureteroscopy to prevent postoperative ureteral obstruction. However, because of the recognized complications of stents, non‐stenting is the new trend after uncomplicated ureteroscopy. The wall of the bilharzial ureter is characteristically thick and may be calcified. The aim of this study is to see if the non‐stenting trend could be applied to ureteroscopic manipulation of stones in bilharzial ureters.Patients and Methods:  In this prospective study, 56 patients, with evidence of bilharzial lesions in the urinary tract, undergoing ureteroscopy for distal ureteral stones were included. After successful uncomplicated stone fragmentation and extraction, patients were randomized into two groups. Group A includes 28 patients in whom double J 6‐Fr polyurethane stents were placed for 3 weeks. Group B includes 28 non‐stented patients. Postoperative fever, loin pain, lower urinary tract symptoms and change in the degree of hydronephrosis were reported.Results:  There was no significant difference in the mean age of patients and stone size in both groups. The mean operative time was 43 ± 14 min in group A and 38 ± 11 in group B. There was no significant difference in the mean loin pain score, in the first postoperative 48 h, in both groups (4.4 ± 0.8 in group A and 4.9 ± 0.5 in group B). Patients in group A had, significantly, more flank pain with voiding (P < 0.01), voiding pain (P = 0.04), frequency (P = 0.01) and urgency (P = 0.04). Radiologic follow‐up was available for 24 patients in group A and 23 patients in group B at the 3‐month visit. Hydronephrosis had improved in all patients, in both groups, with no evidence of ureteral stricture.Conclusion:  Routine placement of stents after uncomplicated ureteroscopy for distal ureteral stones is unnecessary in bilharzial ureters. Moreover, it might be unadvisable because lower urinary tract symptoms and voiding loin pain are more in patients with ureteral stents and hydronephrosis is equally improved in stented and non‐stented patients.
Clinical outcome of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy by the Toyoda method
Authors: TERAI AKITO , YOSHIMURA KOJI , UEDA NOBUFUMI , UTSUNOMIYA NORIAKI , KOHEI NAOKI , ARAI YOICHI 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Cutaneous ureterostomy is the least invasive method of urinary diversion, but it carries a risk of stomal stenosis. We retrospectively examined the long‐term outcome of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy by the Toyoda method.Methods:  Since 1983, the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy has been performed in 97 patients (169 renal units) with a minimum follow up of 3 months. The ureteral patency rate was reviewed according to whether the stomal type was single (one ureter, one stoma) or double‐barrel (two ureters, one stoma).Results:  After a median follow up of 23 months (range 3 to 169), a tubeless condition was achieved in 102 (82%) of 124 renal units associated with double‐barrel stoma and in 35 (78%) of 45 renal units associated with single stoma. Although mild to moderate hydronephrosis was observed in 19% of patients, serum creatinine levels did not change after a minimum of 12 months after surgery (median 35).Conclusions:  A high ureteral patency rate was achieved with cutaneous ureterostomy using the Toyoda method. This procedure, especially double‐barrel stomal creation, is a reasonable alternative to other forms of urinary diversion in patients at high risk.
Virtual reality ureteroscopy simulator as a valid tool for assessing endourological skills
Authors: MATSUMOTO EDWARD D , PACE KENNETH T , D’A HONEY R JOHN 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Virtual reality (VR) simulators are now commercially available for various surgical skills training. The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator by Symbionix is one system that may revolutionize the way we assess and teach surgical residents. Surgical educators may no longer have to depend on the operating room as the sole venue for teaching residents technical skills. We validated performance on this new system with previously developed assessment tools and compared it to performance on a high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model.Methods:  Urology residents (n = 16) were assessed on their ability to perform cystoscopy, guidewire insertion, semirigid ureteroscopy and basket extraction of a distal ureteric stone on the VR simulator. A blinded examiner assessed subject performance using a checklist, global rating scale and a pass/fail rating. In addition, computer‐generated parameters including time to complete task, scope and instrument trauma and the number of attempts to insert a guidewire were analysed. Performance on the VR simulator was compared to performance on a high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model.Results:  Senior residents (n = 8) scored significantly higher on their global rating scale (29.4 ± 2.5 vs 20.8 ± 0.9, P = 0.005), checklist (19.1 ± 1.1 vs 15.2 ± 0.9, P = 0.02), pass/fail rating (χ2 = 7.3, P = 0.007) and required less time to complete the task (352.9 ± 55.7 s vs 576.8 ± 67.4 s., P = 0.02) than the junior residents (n = 8) on the VR simulator. Junior residents also had a significantly higher incidence of scope trauma (4 vs 0.6, P = 0.02). No significant differences were noted in instrument trauma and the number of attempts to insert the guidewire. Global rating scale performance on the VR simulator correlated well to performance on the high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model (r = 0.7, P = 0.002) as did time to complete task (r = 0.7, P = 0.004).Conclusions:  The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator is a useful tool in assessing resident endourological skills. Performance on the VR simulator is comparable to a validated high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model. Future studies will assess the utility of VR simulators in surgical skills training.
Effect of a ‘centralized intensive education system’ for clean intermittent self‐catheterization in patients with voiding dysfunction who start catheterization for the first time
Authors: OH SEUNG‐JUNE , KU JA HYEON , LIM SEUNG HWA , JEON HWANG GYUN , SON HWANCHEOL 
Published: July 2006

Background:  This study evaluated the effects of a ‘centralized intensive education system’ (CIES) in terms of acquiring a proper clean intermittent self‐catheterization (CISC) technique by patients with voiding dysfunction.Methods:  Between March 2002 and March 2003, we prospectively and consecutively enrolled 132 hospitalized patients who learnt and started CISC for the first time due to voiding dysfunction. Patients were enrolled either of two groups (the CIES group vs the ‘individualized ward education system’[IWES] group) at the time of the urologic consultation for voiding dysfunction. Out of 132 patients who enrolled in the study, 112 (45 males and 67 females, mean age 57.3 with a range of 18–81) were included in the primary analyses. The questionnaire was applied immediately before discharge.Results:  There were similar patient demographics and clinical parameters for the CIES (n = 62) and the IWES groups (n = 50). Of 10 items including the methodology of CISC, six items discriminated significantly in favor of the CIES (P < 0.05). The patient satisfaction with CISC education was significantly different for the two groups in terms of response to the questionnaire. The CIES group was found to be more satisfied with the education received than the IWES group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of trials to gain confidence to perform CISC in CIES group was significantly fewer than that of IWES group (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Our results demonstrate that CIES might be a superior training program for the patients with voiding dysfunction to acquire a proper CISC technique to the conventional IWES.
Prostate‐specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume as a second screening test: A prospective study of 248 cases
Authors: KANG SEOK‐HO , BAE JAE‐HYUN , PARK HONG‐SEOK , YOON DUCK‐KI , MOON DU‐GEON , KIM JE‐JONG , CHEON JUN 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of prostate‐specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume (PSATZ), and its availability as a second screening test for prostate cancer detection.Materials and methods:  Total prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA was measured in male patients who visited our outpatient department for voiding difficulty or screening for prostate cancer. Patients who had an intermediate PSA level between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, with an apparently normal prostate on a digital rectal examination, were enrolled. PSATZ, free‐to‐total PSA ratio (F/T ratio) and PSA density (PSAD) were calculated and statistical comparisons between biopsy‐positive (cancer) and biopsy‐negative patients (benign) were conducted.Results:  Of 248 patients, 51 (20.6%) had prostate cancer and 197 (79.4%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on pathologic examination. Mean PSA, PSAD, F/T ratio and PSATZ were 7.48 ± 1.77 ng/mL, 0.23 ± 0.09 ng/mL per mL, 0.14 ± 0.08 and 0.71 ± 0.44 ng/mL per mL in patients with prostate cancer and 6.59 ± 1.60 ng/mL, 0.16 ± 0.07 ng/mL per mL, 0.21 ± 0.11 and 0.36 ± 0.30 ng/mL per mL in patients with benign, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that PSATZ predicted the biopsy outcome better than F/T ratio. With a cut‐off value of 0.37 ng/mL per mL, PSATZ had a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 72.6% for predicting prostate cancer. The maximal cut‐off value that preserves 100% of sensitivity was 0.2, and at this cut‐off value, 16.1% of unnecessary biopsies could be reduced.Conclusions:  Prostate‐specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume may be more useful than other strategies in detecting prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels of 4.0–10.0 ng/mL. It can be used as a second screening test to reduce unnecessary biopsy.
Clinical significance of urinary white blood cell count and serum C‐reactive protein level for detection of non‐palpable prostate cancer
Authors: KATO TOMONORI , SUZUKI HIROYOSHI , KOMIYA AKIRA , IMAMOTO TAKASHI , NAYA YUKIO , TOBE TOYOFUSA , ICHIKAWA TOMOHIKO 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  The clinical significance of the urinary white blood cell (U‐WBC) count and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level was evaluated in an effort to improve the efficiency of prostate biopsies.Methods:  We enrolled 228 consecutive patients with serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ranging from 3.0 to 20.0 ng/mL, normal digital rectal examination findings, and who underwent prostate biopsies between January 2001 and August 2004. Of these, 157 patients had histologically confirmed benign prostatic disease and the remaining 71 patients had prostate cancer. Patients with a pretreatment U‐WBC count ≤3 or >3/high power field were defined as non‐pyuria and pyuria, respectively. The patients were also separated into two groups based on the serum CRP level prior to biopsy. Several clinical factors were compared among these subgroups.Results:  Inflammation was histologically detected at rates of 58.1% and 34.1% in the pyuria and non‐pyuria groups, respectively (P = 0.0014). The rates of cancer detection were significantly lower in the pyuria, than in the non‐pyuria group (P = 0.0384). The cancer detection rates did not significantly differ according to serum CRP levels prior to biopsy.Conclusion:  The U‐WBC count appears to be a reliable indicator of minute prostatic inflammation. The serum PSA level was elevated in patients with asymptomatic prostatitis. Counting U‐WBC is a simple, convenient and non‐invasive method that should be valuable part of routine urological examinations.