bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention of urethral stricture in insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis
Authors: Lee Sung Won , Park Bong Hee , Lim Joo Hyun , Cui Wan Shou , Kim Myung Ki , Park Jong Kwan 
Published: November 2007

Objective:  The aim of this study was to find the mechanism that causes urethral stricture with a view to preventing its occurrence after implantation of a three‐piece inflatable penile prosthesis.Methods:  When implanting a three‐piece inflatable penile prosthesis, we draw two longitudinal lines parallel to the long axis of the proximal cylinder and the tubing leading from each cylinder into the cavernosal space, to prevent 360 degree rotation of the cylinder.Results:  From September 1993 to February 2007, a total 86 three‐piece penile prosthesis implantations were carried out in 70 patients. Urethral stricture occurred in 5.8% (5/86) of the prosthesis operations. Fifteen three‐piece penile prosthesis reinsertions were carried out in 17.4% (15/86) of the prosthesis recipients.Conclusions:  A successful outcome was achieved in the patients who received penile implantation with the three‐piece penile prosthesis that were marked with longitudinal lines. The rotation of the cylinder may cause compression on the urethra from the tubing leading from the cylinder or pump crossing over the urethra and resulting in urethral stricture. The drawing of longitudinal lines at the proximal cylinder and tubing leading from the cylinder could prevent the urethral stricture induced by tubes that are twisted by rotation of the cylinder.
Relaparotomy after cesarean delivery: Experience from an Indian teaching hospital
Authors: Seal Subrata Lall , Kamilya Gourisankar , Bhattacharyya Subir K. , Mukherji Joydev , Bhattacharyya Ajit R. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAim:  Analysis of cases requiring relaparotomy following cesarean delivery (within 6 weeks of surgery).Methods:  This was a retrospective observational study set in a teaching institution in Kolkata, India, of 66 cases requiring relaparotomy following cesarean delivery.Results:  Over a period of 3 years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004, 12 967 cesarean deliveries were done. During the same period, 66 cases had repeat laparotomy. Of these, 43 cases followed cesarean delivery at the institution itself, while 23 had had a cesarean delivery at a peripheral hospital. Post‐partum hemorrhage in 28 cases (42.4%) and rectus sheath hematoma in 18 cases (27.3%) were the leading indications for relaparotomy. Of these 66 cases, 63 (95.5%) had intrapartum cesarean delivery, while three (4.5%) had an elective operation. Procedures undertaken at relaparotomy were resuturing of uterine incision in 22 cases (33.3%), uterine artery ligation in 19 cases (28.8%), and drainage of hematoma in 18 cases (27.3%). A third laparotomy was needed in 13 cases (19.6%), of which 11 were due to secondary post‐partum hemorrhage. There were eight maternal deaths following relaparotomy.Conclusion:  Repeat laparotomy within 6 weeks of cesarean delivery was required following 1 in 300 cases done in an Indian teaching hospital. The majority of these were preventable and could have been avoided if adequate attention had been paid at the time of the primary surgery.
Asymmetries in pelvic lymph nodes and their metastatic involvement by gynecologic cancer cells
Authors: Borekci Bunyamin , Dane Senol , Gundogdu Cemal , Kadanali Sedat 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAim:  The aims of this study were to re‐examine left–right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node distribution in patients with gynecologic malignancies, and to investigate if there is a left–right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node metastatic involvement by gynecologic cancer cells.Methods:  The oncologic database of our gynecologic department was reviewed to identify patients who had pelvic lymphadenectomy as part of treatment for a variety of gynecologic malignancies. Right and left lymph node counts with and without involvement of cancer cells were retrieved from the pathological reports.Results:  Three hundred and thirteen patients were included in the study. The numbers of external iliac, and hypogastric + obturator lymph nodes were higher on the right side than on the left in all gynecologic malignancies. The numbers of involved external iliac, and hypogastric + obturator lymph nodes by metastatic cancer cells were significantly higher on the right side than on the left in all gynecologic malignancies.Conclusion:  The results suggest the existence of a left–right asymmetry in pelvic lymph node distribution and pelvic lymph node distribution involved by gynecologic cancer cells. This situation may be due to the asymmetry in the number of pelvic lymph nodes. In addition, stronger cell‐mediated immune activity in the left side of humans may be associated with the blocking of metastatic invasion of cancer cells from gynecologic malignancies in the left side of the body.
Three‐dimensional ultrasonographic diagnosis and hysteroscopic management of a viable cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Özkan Sebiha , Çalışkan Eray , Özeren Semih , Çorakçı Aydın , Çakıroğlu Yiğit , Coşkun Ebru 
Published: November 2007

AbstractImplantation of conception material within a cesarean section scar is an extremely rare form of ectopic pregnancy with devastating complications, such as uterine rupture and intractable bleeding. Both 2‐D and 3‐D transvaginal ultrasonographic devices are used adequately for precise diagnosis, but there is still a lack of consensus concerning management strategies. No therapeutic modality is suggested to be entirely efficacious and safe for preserving uterine integrity. We present here a 29‐year‐old woman with vaginal bleeding and a gestational sac with a viable embryo of 6 weeks of age that was implanted in a cesarean section scar. Serum β‐hCG levels were 16 792 mIU/mL. Following an unsuccessful treatment course of systemic methotrexate, the patient underwent operative hysteroscopy. Minimally invasive hysteroscopic resection of the ectopic gestational mass without major complication appears to be an alternative therapeutic approach with minimal morbidity and preservation of future fertility.
Gβ5–RGS complexes co‐localize with mGluR6 in retinal ON‐bipolar cells
Authors: Morgans Catherine W. ,   Weiwei Liu, Wensel Theodore G. , Brown R. Lane , Perez‐Leon Jorge A. , Bearnot Ben , Duvoisin Robert M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe time course of G‐protein‐coupled responses is largely determined by the kinetics of GTP hydrolysis by the G protein α subunit, which is accelerated by interaction with regulator of G‐protein signaling (RGS) proteins. Light responses of ON‐bipolar cells of the vertebrate retina require rapid inactivation of the G protein Gαo, which is activated in the dark by metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR6, in their dendritic tips. It is not yet known, however, which RGS protein(s) might be responsible for rapid inactivation kinetics. By immunofluorescence and co‐immunoprecipitation, we have identified complexes of the Gαo‐selective RGS proteins RGS7 and RGS11, with their obligate binding partner, Gβ5, that are localized to the dendritic tips of murine rod and cone ON‐bipolar cells, along with mGluR6. Experiments using pre‐ and post‐synaptic markers, and a dissociated bipolar cell preparation, clearly identified the location of these complexes as the ON‐bipolar cell dendritic tips and not the adjacent photoreceptor terminals or horizontal cell dendrites. In mice lacking mGluR6, the distribution of RGS11, RGS7 and Gβ5 shifts away from the dendritic tips, implying a functional relationship with mGluR6. The precise co‐localization of Gβ5–RGS7 and Gβ5–RGS11 with mGluR6, and the dependence of localization on the presence of mGluR6, suggests that Gβ5–RGS7 and Gβ5–RGS11 function specifically in the mGluR6 signal transduction pathway, where they may stimulate the GTPase activity of Gαo, thus accelerating the ON‐bipolar cell light response, in a manner analogous to the acceleration of photoreceptor light responses by the Gβ5–RGS9‐1 complex.
Safety and efficacy of patient controlled epidural analgesia following pediatric spinal surgery
Authors: SAUDAN SONJA , HABRE WALID , CERONI DIMITRI , MEYER PIERRE‐ALAIN , GREENBERG ROBERT S. , KAELIN ANDRÉ , VON UNGERN‐STERNBERG BRITTA S. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryBackground:  Patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) is uncommon in pediatric anesthesia. Because PCEA offers superior pain control compared with continuous epidural infusions in adults, we prospectively evaluated the analgesia efficacy and safety of PCEA in children and adolescents following extensive spinal surgery.Methods:  Following ethics committee approval, 100 consecutive children [age median (range) 14 (6–19) years] undergoing spinal surgery were studied until the seventh postoperative day, and 98 children received a PCEA. One or two epidural catheters were positioned under direct vision by the surgeon based on the number of vertebral segments operated upon. The epidural solution consisted of bupivacaine 0.0625%, fentanyl 1 μg·ml−1 and clonidine 0.6 μg·ml−1, delivered at a basal rate of 0.2 ml·kg−1·h−1 and a PCEA dose of 0.1 ml·kg−1·h−1(max. 2 h−1). On the fourth postoperative day, PCEA was stopped and analgesia was continued with patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine.Results:  During the PCEA regimen, the maximal scores of the revized facial scale were below 4 at rest with a very high satisfaction rate (>90%). Pain scores were higher during mobilization on the first postoperative day and when PCEA was switched to PCA. The overall incidence of adverse events was low and consisted primarily of technical problems and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Only two children experienced a complication requiring the discontinuation of the PCEA but there were no consequent adverse sequelae.Conclusions:  The present study demonstrates that PCEA provides excellent pain relief following extensive spinal surgery and is associated with a low incidence of adverse events. The use of PCEA should be encouraged in children and adolescents following extensive spinal surgery.
The Proseal™ laryngeal mask airway in children: a comparison between two insertion techniques
Authors: TEOH CHUAN YEONG , LIM FELICIA S.K. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryBackground:  The Proseal™ laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is a relatively new supraglottic airway device with a drain tube to minimize the risk of gastric insufflation and aspiration. We compared introducer tool (IT) and gum elastic bougie (GEB)‐guided techniques for insertion of the Proseal™ LMA in children.Methods:  One hundred and twenty‐four children aged 1–12 years, weight 8–29 kg, ASA I–II, undergoing peripheral surgery were studied. Patients were randomly divided into either IT group (n = 64) or GEB group (n = 60). Following a standardized anesthesia protocol, the IT technique was performed according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The GEB‐guided technique involved priming the drain tube with a GEB, placing the distal end of the GEB into the esophagus under gentle laryngoscopy and railroading the Proseal™ LMA into position. All insertions of Proseal™ LMA were performed by two experienced investigators. Data were collected regarding rate of successful insertion, incidence of oral, gastric and drain tube air leak, ease of gastric tube placement and frequency of airway‐related complications.Results:  Insertion was equally successful at the first attempt (IT 96.9%, GEB 95.0%) in both groups. Efficacy of seal was better in the GEB group (oral leak, IT 35.9%, GEB 18.3%, P < 0.05; gastric leak, IT 21.9%, GEB 5.0%, P < 0.05; drain tube leak, IT 7.8%, GEB 0%, P < 0.05). Position of Proseal™ LMA in relation to the glottis was better in the IT group (grade I, IT 0%, GEB 11.7%; grade II, IT 29.7%, GEB 23.3%; grade III, IT 28.1%, GEB 25.0%; grade IV, IT 42.2%, GEB 40.0%; P < 0.05). Gastric tube placement was equally successful (IT 100%, GEB 100%) and frequency of airway‐related problems was similar for both groups (IT 3.2%, GEB 6.1%).Conclusions:  A gum elastic bougie‐guided insertion technique in children is comparable with the IT technique in terms of success rate and may be useful as a backup technique when the IT technique fails.
Reactivation of the vanchrobactin siderophore system of Vibrio anguillarum by removal of a chromosomal insertion sequence originated in plasmid pJM1 encoding the anguibactin siderophore system
Authors: Naka Hiroaki , López Claudia S. , Crosa Jorge H. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryA chromosomal gene cluster encoding vanchrobactin biosynthesis and transport genes was identified in the Vibrio anguillarum serotype O1 strain, 775(pJM1), harbouring the anguibactin biosynthetic genes in the pJM1 plasmid. In this strain only anguibactin is produced as the vanchrobactin chromosome cluster has a RS1 transposition insertion into vabF, one of the vanchrobactin biosynthesis genes. Removal of this RS1 generating 775(pJM1)Δtnp, still resulted in the detection of only anguibactin in specific bioassays. Surprisingly, when the pJM1 plasmid was not present as in the plasmidless strain H775‐3, removal of the RS1 resulted in the detection of only vanchrobactin. These results thus can be interpreted as if presence of the pJM1 plasmid or of anguibactin itself is associated with the lack of detection of the vanchrobactin siderophore in bioassays. As high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that both vanchrobactin and anguibactin were indeed produced in 775(pJM1)Δtnp, it is clear that the pJM1‐encoded anguibactin siderophore has higher affinity for iron than the vanchrobactin system in strains in which both systems are expressed at the same time. Our results underscore the importance of the anguibactin system in the survival of V. anguillarum 775 under conditions of iron limitation.
Asylum Seekers in Scotland: The Accommodation of Diversity
Authors: Sim Duncan , Bowes Alison 
Published: November 2007

Abstract This article explores the experiences of asylum seekers who have been housed in Glasgow under the government's dispersal policy. It notes the work of the Audit Commission in identifying those factors which may be considered when assessing the suitability of areas for asylum‐seeker settlement. These factors are then discussed in detail in relation to the Glasgow case study, using information derived from interviews with asylum seekers themselves, with service providers and various community and voluntary organizations. The article notes the impact of additional factors such as media coverage, which were not considered by the Audit Commission. The article discusses the appropriateness of cities such as Glasgow, with relatively small minority ethnic populations, as locations for asylum‐seeker settlement, and explores the impact of devolution. It concludes by suggesting that areas such as Glasgow may, with the appropriate commitment, become places where asylum seekers may successfully settle, once they have received refugee status, with new multicultural communities being created.
Combining Work and Care: Carers’ Decision‐making in the Context of Competing Policy Pressures
Authors: Arksey Hilary , Glendinning Caroline 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Issues related to paid work and care are of global importance, reflecting the twin pressures of population ageing and efforts to increase labour market participation. Informal carers of sick, disabled or older people can experience tensions between policies aimed at support for care and support for employment. This article discusses a study of carers’ decision‐making around work and care, drawing on evidence from interviews with 80 working‐age carers in England. Carers are not homogeneous; their circumstances and needs differ reflecting age, gender, ethnicity, labour market participation, and the condition and/or needs of the person they support. This diversity is illustrated by contrasting rural and urban carers’ decisions and experiences about work and care. Key factors that impact on carers’ decisions are: current and anticipated financial need; the constraints arising from receipt of carers’ and other means‐tested income maintenance benefits; personal identity; job opportunities and scope for flexibility; social services provision; carers’ own health. Distance, travel times and transport are unique additional challenges for rural carers who (wish to) work. These difficulties are further intensified when they intersect with other factors such as the Carer's Allowance, the local labour market and social services provision. The findings are evaluated in terms of the adequacy of current government policy measures.
Applying Discrete Choice Models to Predict Academy Award Winners
Authors: Pardoe Iain , Simonton Dean K. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryEvery year since 1928, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized outstanding achievement in film with their prestigious Academy Award, or Oscar. Before the winners in various categories are announced, there is intense media and public interest in predicting who will come away from the awards ceremony with an Oscar statuette. There are no end of theories about which nominees are most likely to win, yet despite this there continue to be major surprises when the winners are announced. The paper frames the question of predicting the four major awards—picture, director, actor in a leading role and actress in a leading role—as a discrete choice problem. It is then possible to predict the winners in these four categories with a reasonable degree of success. The analysis also reveals which past results might be considered truly surprising—nominees with low estimated probability of winning who have overcome nominees who were strongly favoured to win.
The use of topical calcineurin inhibitors in lupus erythematosus: an overview
Authors: Wollina U , Hansel G 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLupus erythematosus (LE) shows a broad range of cutaneous symptoms, including acute, subacute and chronic lesions. The gold standard of established topical treatment consists of medium‐ to high‐potency corticosteroids. Because face and neck are often involved, adverse effects of prolonged corticosteroid use are not uncommon. There is a need of steroid‐free topical treatment in LE. With the development of topical calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, there is an alternative available. The present study reviews the literature data on topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus for malar rash, subacute lesions and discoid chronic lesions among others. The present data argue for an efficacy of these compounds in acute and subacute cutaneous LE manifestations with a rapid response and only minor side‐effects when used as an adjunct to systemic treatment. In chronic discoid LE, hypertrophic plaques do not well respond because of limited penetration. The primary target seems to be the decrease or blocking of cytokine production by activated T lymphocytes.
Is the European Commission a ‘Hothouse’ for Supranationalism? Exploring Actor‐Level Supranationalism*
Authors: TRONDAL JARLE 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe article explores actor‐level supranationalism among seconded national experts (SNEs) in the European Commission. The transformative clout of the European Commission is assessed by the extent to which SNEs adopt a supranational role perception. The survey and interview data presented demonstrates that SNEs evoke multiple roles, notably departmental, epistemic and supranational roles. OLS regression analyses reveal that actor‐level supranationalism among SNEs reflect (i) processes of re‐socialization inside the Commission, (ii) the organizational composition of the Commission and (iii) organizational incompatibilities between the Commission and domestic government institutions.
The role of thermochemical sulfate reduction in the origin of Mississippi Valley‐type deposits. I. Experimental results
Authors: THOM J. , ANDERSON G. M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe kinetics of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) were studied in experiments at 205–250°C, with determination of both sulfate and sulfide at intervals during the runs of up to 430 h. Analysis of the data indicates the reaction to have first‐order kinetics, and extrapolating these data, plus data from the literature, to 150°C gives a range of possible rate constants from 100 to 10−4 year−1. Although the rate law has not been well established, a reasonable estimate allows calculation of the amount of sulfide ore formed as a function of flow conditions and time. It is here concluded that TSR could happen during the formation of Mississippi Valley‐type ore deposits, subject to several caveats.
Gephyrin expression and clustering affects the size of glutamatergic synaptic contacts
Authors: Yu Wendou , Blas Angel L. De 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe have recently shown that disrupting the expression and post‐synaptic clustering of gephyrin in cultured hippocampal pyramidal cells, by either gephyrin RNAi (RNA interference) or over‐expression of a dominant negative gephyrin‐enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein, leads to decreased number of post‐synaptic gephyrin and GABAA receptor clusters and to reduced GABAergic innervation of these cells. On the other hand, increasing gephyrin expression led to a small increase in the number of gephyrin and GABAA receptor clusters and to little or no effect on GABAergic innervation. We are now reporting that altering gephyrin expression and clustering affects the size but not the density of glutamatergic synaptic contacts. Knocking down gephyrin with gephyrin RNAi, or preventing gephyrin clustering by over‐expression of the dominant negative gephyrin‐enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein, leads to larger post‐synaptic PSD‐95 clusters and larger pre‐synaptic glutamatergic terminals. On the other hand, over‐expression of gephyrin leads to slightly smaller PSD‐95 clusters and pre‐synaptic glutamatergic terminals. The change in size of PSD‐95 clusters were accompanied by a parallel change in the size of NR2‐NMDA receptor clusters. It is concluded that the levels of expression and clustering of gephyrin, a protein that concentrates at the post‐synaptic complex of the inhibitory synapses, not only has homotypic effects on GABAergic synaptic contacts, but also has heterotypic effects on glutamatergic synaptic contacts. We are proposing that gephyrin is a counterpart of the post‐synaptic glutamatergic scaffold protein PSD‐95 in regulating the number and/or size of the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic contacts.
TLQP‐21, a neuroendocrine VGF‐derived peptide, prevents cerebellar granule cells death induced by serum and potassium deprivation
Authors: Severini Cinzia , Ciotti Maria Teresa , Biondini Laura , Quaresima Stefania , Rinaldi Anna Maria , Levi Andrea , Frank Claudio , Possenti Roberta 
Published: November 2007

AbstractDifferent VGF peptides derived from Vgf, originally identified as a nerve growth factor responsive gene, have been detected in neurons within the central and peripheral nervous system and in various endocrine cells. In the current study, we have evaluated the ability of TLQP‐21, a VGF‐derived peptide, to protect, in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) from serum and potassium deprivation‐induced cell death. We demonstrated that TLQP‐21 increased survival of CGCs by decreasing the degree of apoptosis as assessed by cell viability and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, TLQP‐21 significantly activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, serine/threonine protein kinase, and c‐jun N‐terminal kinase phosphorylation, while decreased the extent of protein kinase C phosphorylation, as demonstrated by western blot analysis. In addition, TLQP‐21 induced significant increase in intracellular calcium (as measured by fura‐2AM) in about 60% of the recorded neurons. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that TLQP‐21 promotes the survival of CGCs via pathways involving, within few minutes, modulation of kinases associated with CGCs survival, and by increasing intracellular calcium which can contribute to the neuroprotective effect of the peptide.