bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peri‐operative complications of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: experience in the first 280 patients, and a review of literature
Authors: Shah Hemendra N. , Mahajan Amol P. , Hegde Sunil S. , Bansal Manish B. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVETo evaluate, in a prospective study, the complications in 280 patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) at our institution, and to review previous reports to determine the overall incidence and types of various complications, and analyse their causes and means of prevention.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe analysed the patients’ demographic, peri‐operative and follow‐up data, and the complications during and after surgery.RESULTSHoLEP was completed successfully in 268 patients (95.7%); eight required conversion to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) during the initial experience. The morcellation device and laser malfunctioned in two patients each. A blood transfusion was required during HoLEP in one patient; other complications included capsular perforation (9.6%), superficial bladder mucosal injury (3.9%) and ureteric orifice injury (2.1%). A blood transfusion was needed after HoLEP in 1.4% of patients and cystoscopy with clot evacuation in 0.7%. Transient urinary incontinence was the commonest complication after HoLEP, in 10.7% of patients, but recovered spontaneously in all except two (0.7%). Other rare complications were re‐catheterization (3.9%), urinary tract infection (3.2%), epididymitis (0.7%), meatal and submeatal stenosis (2.5%), bulbar urethral stricture (2.1%), bladder neck contracture (0.35%) and myocardial infarction (0.35%).CONCLUSIONSThere was a low incidence of complications with HoLEP; most were minor and easily managed. Our results are comparable with those published previously, and establish HoLEP as safe and reproducible procedure. While gaining experience, HoLEP can be converted to TURP with no harm to the patient.
Temperature, but not productivity or geometry, predicts elevational diversity gradients in ants across spatial grains
Authors: Sanders Nathan J. , Lessard Jean‐Philippe , Fitzpatrick Matthew C. , Dunn Robert R. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTAim  This research aims to understand the factors that shape elevational diversity gradients and how those factors vary with spatial grain. Specifically, we test the predictions of the species–productivity hypothesis, species–temperature hypothesis, the metabolic theory of ecology and the mid‐domain effects null model. We also examine how the effects of productivity and temperature on richness depend on spatial grain.Location  Deciduous forests along an elevational gradient in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA.Methods  We sampled 22 leaf litter ant assemblages at three spatial grains, from 1‐m2 quadrats to 50 × 50 m plots using Winkler samplers.Results  Across spatial grains, warmer sites had more species than did cooler sites, and primary productivity did not predict ant species richness. We found some support for the predictions of the metabolic theory of ecology, but no support for the mid‐domain effects null model. Thus, our data are best explained by some version of a species–temperature hypothesis.Main conclusions  Our results suggest that temperature indirectly affects ant species diversity across spatial grains, perhaps by limiting access to resources. Warmer sites support more species because they support more individuals, thereby reducing the probability of local extinction. Many of our results from this elevational gradient agree with studies at more global scales, suggesting that some mechanisms shaping ant diversity gradients are common across scales.
Emerging trends in the functional genomics of the abiotic stress response in crop plants
Authors: Vij Shubha , Tyagi Akhilesh K. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryPlants are exposed to different abiotic stresses, such as water deficit, high temperature, salinity, cold, heavy metals and mechanical wounding, under field conditions. It is estimated that such stress conditions can potentially reduce the yield of crop plants by more than 50%. Investigations of the physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of stress tolerance have been conducted to unravel the intrinsic mechanisms developed during evolution to mitigate against stress by plants. Before the advent of the genomics era, researchers primarily used a gene‐by‐gene approach to decipher the function of the genes involved in the abiotic stress response. However, abiotic stress tolerance is a complex trait and, although large numbers of genes have been identified to be involved in the abiotic stress response, there remain large gaps in our understanding of the trait. The availability of the genome sequences of certain important plant species has enabled the use of strategies, such as genome‐wide expression profiling, to identify the genes associated with the stress response, followed by the verification of gene function by the analysis of mutants and transgenics. Certain components of both abscisic acid‐dependent and ‐independent cascades involved in the stress response have already been identified. Information originating from the genome‐wide analysis of abiotic stress tolerance will help to provide an insight into the stress‐responsive network(s), and may allow the modification of this network to reduce the loss caused by stress and to increase agricultural productivity.
Functional specialisation of the thoracic limb of the hare (Lepus europeus)
Authors: Williams S. B. , Wilson A. M. , Payne R. C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe provide quantitative anatomical data on the muscle–tendon architecture of the hare thoracic limb (specifically muscle mass, fascicle length, pennation angle, tendon mass and length). In addition, moment arms of major thoracic limb muscles were measured. Maximum isometric force and power of muscles, the moment of force about a joint, and tendon stress and strain were estimated. Data are compared with those from other cursorial mammals. The thoracic limb of the hare consists predominantly of extrinsic musculature with long parallel fascicles, specialised for generating force over a large range. A large shoulder flexor/elbow extensor muscle mass is present, in particular Triceps brachii. The pennate nature of the long head of this muscle suggests it has an important role in stabilising the elbow joint during stance, whilst moment arm curves suggest that it may also play a role in initiating shoulder flexion. In addition, Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are capable of generating high forces, potentially to stabilise the shoulder joint during the stance phase of locomotion. Supraspinatus may in addition play an important role in forelimb protraction. The Subscapularis muscle was capable of generating surprisingly high forces, suggesting that the hare must be able to withstand/produce high forces during activities that need medio‐lateral stability, such as turning. Distally, tendons were relatively short, showing little potential for elastic energy storage when compared with both their pelvic limb counterparts and their equivalents in the horse thoracic limb. Thus, a ‘stiffer’ thoracic limb may be beneficial in terms of behaving like a strut, simply supporting and deflecting the body during high‐speed running. This more distal/less proximal distribution of limb mass is also likely to be important in retaining the manipulative/adaptive/non‐locomotor capabilities of the limb.
Factors influencing satisfaction and well‐being among parents of congenital heart disease children: development of a conceptual model based on the literature review
Authors: Lawoko Stephen 
Published: April 2007

Aim and method: The treatment and management of congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved dramatically over the past 25 years, necessitating re‐evaluation of satisfaction with care and well‐being among CHD children and their parents (PCCHD). The present study reviews the published literature over the past 25 years on parental satisfaction with the paediatric care of CHD and well‐being among the parents, with the specific aim of: (a) assessing the extent of psychosocial problems and grade of satisfaction with care and (b) modelling factors associated with satisfaction and well‐being among the parents.Results: There is general agreement in the literature that PCCHD experience psychosocial morbidity to a higher degree than parents of children with other paediatric conditions and parents of healthy children. The research on satisfaction with care among PCCHD is not conclusive, though there is considerable agreement that a substantial proportion of PCCHD may not be receiving adequate information regarding the ill‐child's condition, treatment and medical prognosis. Finally, based on the review of factors affecting satisfaction and well‐being, a model is generated indicating that interactions between parental perception of CHD, psychosocial resources and social vulnerability may account for differences in well‐being among PCCHD, which in turn may explain differences in satisfaction with care among them.Conclusion: A holistic approach to the care of CHD that acknowledges the role of parents’ perception of CHD, need for psychosocial resources and social vulnerability in the adaptation process is recommended to improve parental satisfaction with the care of CHD.
Fifty‐two polymorphic microsatellite loci in the rust fungus, Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme
Authors: BURDINE C. S. , KUBISIAK T. L. , JOHNSON G. N. , NELSON C. D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe report on 52 microsatellite markers for use in Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme. The markers were developed from di‐, tri‐, and tetranucleotide repeat‐enriched genomic libraries. In 46 isolates collected from two natural populations in the southeastern USA, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 20 (mean 6.94) with gene diversity values ranging from 0.043 to 0.933 (mean 0.537). The markers should prove highly useful for genetic ‘fingerprinting’ of single‐spore isolates commonly used in host–pathogen gene interaction studies, as marker loci for linkage mapping studies, and for examining fine‐scale population genetic structure in natural populations of the fungus.
Antiplatelet drug use preceding the onset of intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with increased mortality
Authors: Lacut Karine , Le Gal Gregoire , Seizeur Romuald , Prat Gwenael , Mottier Dominique , Oger Emmanuel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRecent studies highlight the contribution of antiplatelet therapy to clinical severity and increased mortality of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) but results are discrepant. The aim of this report was to evaluate the association between antiplatelet drug use preceding the onset of ICH and the mortality, assessed at regular intervals, among patients with acute ICH. We analyzed data from a randomized study which enrolled consecutive patients with a documented acute ICH to evaluate the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression of the legs in venous thrombosis prevention. Clinical characteristics and treatment used before the onset of ICH were checked at the time of inclusion. Mortality was assessed at regular intervals until 3 months after ICH diagnosis. Among 138 patients included in this report, 30 were current users of antiplatelet therapy at the time of ICH; they were significantly older and less frequently heavy drinkers than non‐users of antiplatelet drugs. Mortality rates were 20% at 8 days, 40% at 1 month, and 47% at 3 months among antiplatelet drug users compared with 6.5%, 13% and 19% among non‐users. The corresponding estimated risks for mortality related to antiplatelet drug use were 3.6 (95% CI 1.1–12), 4.5 (95% CI 1.8–11), and 3.6 (95% CI 1.5–8.6). Adjusted for age, hypertension and alcohol over use, antiplatelet therapy remained significantly associated with an increased mortality rate of acute ICH. Current antiplatelet drug use preceding the onset of ICH is associated with increased short‐term ICH mortality, independently of age.
Effects of implementation of psychiatric guidelines on provider performance and patient outcome: systematic review
Authors: Weinmann S. , Koesters M. , Becker T. 
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To identify evidence from comparative studies on the effects of psychiatric guideline implementation on provider performance and patient outcome. Effects of different implementation strategies were reviewed.Method:  Articles published between 1966 and March 2006 were searched through electronic databases and hand search. A systematic review of comparative studies of structured implementation of specific psychiatric guidelines was performed. Rates of guideline adherence, provider performance data, illness detection and diagnostic accuracy rates were extracted in addition to patient relevant outcome data.Results:  Eighteen studies (nine randomized‐controlled trials, six non‐randomized‐controlled studies and three quasiexperimental before‐and‐after studies) were identified. Effects on provider performance or patient outcome were moderate and temporary in most cases. Studies with positive outcomes used complex multifaceted interventions or specific psychological methods to implement guidelines.Conclusion:  There is insufficient high‐quality evidence to draw firm conclusions on the effects of implementation of specific psychiatric guidelines.
Psychotherapy for depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Watanabe N. , Hunot V. , Omori I. M. , Churchill R. , Furukawa T. A. 
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To examine the clinical benefit, the harm and the cost‐effectiveness of psychotherapies in comparison with no treatment, waiting‐list controls, attention‐placebos, and treatment as usual in depressed youths.Method:  Meta‐analyses were undertaken by using data from all relevant randomized‐controlled trials identified by a comprehensive literature search. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of response.Results:  We identified 27 studies containing 35 comparisons and 1744 participants. At post‐treatment, psychotherapy was significantly superior (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.18–1.65, P = 0.0001, number‐needed to treat 4.3). There was an evidence of the existence of small study effects, including a publication bias (P < 0.001). The superiority of psychotherapy was no longer statistically significant (1.18 [0.94–1.47], P = 0.15) at 6‐month follow‐up. None of the studies reported adverse effects or cost‐effectiveness outcomes.Conclusion:  Although the findings were biased by some small positive trials, psychotherapies appear to help depressed youths for the short term, but are no longer significantly favourable at 6‐month follow‐up.
Limited usefulness of CA125 measurement in the management of Hodgkin's and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Bonnet Christophe , Beguin Yves , Fassotte Marie‐France , Seidel Laurence , Luyckx Françoise , Fillet Georges 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground: Several papers have reported an association of high CA125 serum levels with advanced non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) as well as a relationship between high CA125 values and poor outcome.Patients and methods: Ninety‐nine patients with NHL or Hodgkin's disease (HD) underwent serum CA125 assessment at diagnosis. Gender, age, presence of B symptoms, performance status (PS), histology, sites of tumor involvement, presence of effusion, clinical stage, age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index, C‐reactive protein (CRP), Hb, lactate deshydrogenase (LDH) andβ2‐microglobulin were evaluated for their association with serum CA125 levels. The impact of CA125 levels and other features on overall (OS) and progression‐free (PFS) survival was also assessed.Results: CA125 serum levels were elevated in 34% of the patients, including 19% of patients with aggressive NHL, 45% of patients with indolent NHL, and 29% of patients with HD. Univariate analyses showed that CA125 levels correlated with poor PS, the presence of B symptoms, advanced clinical stage, abdominal, bone marrow or mediastinal involvement, presence of effusions, high aaIPI, low Hb levels and high CRP, LDH orβ2‐microglobulin levels. In multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement, the presence of effusions, and high aaIPI were all associated with high CA125 serum levels. In univariate analyses, OS and PFS were affected by age (PFS only), poor PS, B symptoms, advanced clinical stage, bone marrow or abdominal involvement (PFS only), high aaIPI, low Hb, high CRP orβ2‐microglobulin levels. OS and PFS were not different in patients with normal or elevated CA125 levels. Multivariate analyses showed significantly inferior OS and PFS in patients with highβ2‐microglobulin but no influence of CA125.Conclusion: While CA125 serum level correlates significantly with a number of features associated with more aggressive disease, it does not enhance the performance of standard prognostic markers in the management of patients with NHL or HD.
Health‐related quality of life measured by the Short Form 36 in immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a cross‐sectional survey in China
Authors: Zhou Zeping , Yang Li , Chen Zhenping , Chen Xiaoli , Guo Ye , Wang Xiaoyan , Dong Xunwei , Wang Tingting , Zhang Lei , Qiu Zhiyong , Yang Renchi 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectives:  The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life (QoL) of Chinese adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).Methods:  The Chinese (mainland) version of Medical Outcome Study SF‐36 form (SF‐36) Health Survey was used to measure health‐related QoL of 236 adults with ITP in a cross‐sectional study.Results:  Comparison of SF‐36 subscores of patients with ITP with healthy individuals revealed the reduction of QoL in all of the eight SF‐36 dimensions. The difference on statistical significance presented in six of eight dimensions of SF‐36 including physical functioning (PF), role limitations due to physical problems, body pain, general health perception (GH), social functioning (SF), and role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) between the patients with ITP and the normal population (P < 0.01). The acute ITP group showed better scores in three dimensions including GH, energy/vitality, and RE than chronic ITP (P < 0.01). Meanwhile through classification with platelet count, three subgroups of patients also experienced significant differences in PF, GH, and SF from the eight dimensions. Age was a significant negative predictor of all eight dimensions other than the SF while current platelet count was a significant negative predictor of GH. Moreover, the treatment cost and family income also influenced the QoL scores. The subjective feeling of fear about bleeding had a detrimental impact on QoL.Conclusions:  QoL was impaired in patients with ITP, especially in the acute patients. The platelet count and the feeling of fear about bleeding had a detrimental impact on QoL.
Lysophosphatidic acid protection against apoptosis in the human pre‐B‐cell line Nalm‐6
Authors: Satoh Yumiko , Ohkawa Ryunosuke , Nakamura Kazuhiro , Higashi Katsumi , Kaneko Makoto , Yokota Hiromitsu , Aoki Junken , Arai Hiroyuki , Yuasa Yasuhito , Yatomi Yutaka 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promotes survival, growth, differentiation, and motility in a variety of cell types, and has been reported to act as a cell survival and growth factor in B lymphocytes. Autotaxin (ATX), through its lysophospholipase D activity, generates LPA from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In this study, we investigated the effects of LPA and also the expression of ATX and LPA receptor, in the human pre‐B‐cell line Nalm‐6. It was found that LPA protects Nalm‐6 cells against both spontaneous and staurosporine‐induced apoptosis. Furthermore, ATX expression on the cell surface and ATX activity in the cell lysate were detected. No accumulation of LPA in the culture medium was, however, detected when the Nalm‐6 cells were cultured with LPC. The pre‐B cells were found to express the mRNA transcript for lipid phosphate phosphatase‐1 and LPA degradation was inhibited in the presence of the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate, it was surmised that LPA production in the culture medium may have been masked by LPA degradation by this ecto‐phosphatase. Abundant expression of LPA receptors, especially, LPA4, was detected by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique. Our results suggest an important and autocrine role of LPA in the survival of this well‐established model cell line, although the direct involvement of ATX in the production of LPA in these cells was not confirmed.
Comparison of rectal and infrared thermometry for obtaining body temperature in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Sikoski P. , Banks M.L. , Gould R. , Young R.W. , Wallace J.M. , Nader M.A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground  It would be clinically advantageous to develop a method of body temperature evaluation in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that did not require sedation, restraint, surgical manipulation, or expensive equipment.Methods  Body temperatures of 51 cynomolgus macaques were taken with rectal thermometry and non‐contact infrared thermometry (NIFT) on the shoulder, face, abdomen, and axillary region.Results and conclusions  Body temperature measurements from NIFT were statistically different (P < 0.0001) from rectal thermometry. In addition, there was greater between‐ and within‐subject variability in values using NIFT. There was no correlation between any sites of the NIFT and rectal thermometry. It was concluded that NIFT was not a valid alternative to rectal thermometry in cynomolgus macaques.
Assessment of in vitro and in vivo recovery of sinomenine using microdialysis
Authors: Zheng Hong , Shi Li‐Fu , Hu Jin‐Hong 
Published: April 2007

Background/purpose: For microdialysis studies in the skin, laboratory‐made linear probes are often used. The application of the microdialysis technique to the investigation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs requires careful assessment of the linear probes' performance to ensure validity of the data obtained using this technique. The aim of this study was to establish and validate the microdialysis technique for investigation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sinomenine.Methods: Using different lengths of the dialysis membrance and different perfusion flow rates, a flow rate of 2 μL/min with 20‐min sampling intervals was selected for the subsequent studies, based on the analysis of sinomenine from the microdialysis probe. In vitro recovery of sinomenine from the microdialysis probe was independent of concentration, stable over an 8‐h period. Comparable in vitro recoveries were obtained by different established approaches including recovery estimation by gain, loss and the zero‐net flux (ZNF) method. Recovery by loss was used to study the in vivo recovery of sinomenine from rat subcutaneous tissue.Results: The performance of the microdialysis system was stable over an 8‐h study, resulting in a mean in vitro recovery of 51.91±1.29%. Recovery obtained using the ZNF plot was 52.43%. In vivo recovery of sinomenine was 34.46±0.76% and was stable over the 7‐h study period.Conclusion: The in vitro and in vivo performance of the microdialysis technique was established for the study of sinomenine. It would prove to be a useful and reliable tool to study the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sinomenine. The data obtained in our study highlight the importance of a systematic examination of microdialysis linear probe validation.