bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and perioperative outcomes after retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (RN), open RN and nephron‐sparing surgery in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Gratzke Christian , Seitz Michael , Bayrle Florian , Schlenker Boris , Bastian Patrick J. , Haseke Niko , Bader Markus , Tilki Derya , Roosen Alexander , Karl Alexander , Reich Oliver , Khoder Wael Y. , Wyler Stephen , Stief Christian G. , Staehler Michael , Bachmann Alexander 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo prospectively evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and perioperative outcomes in patients with T1 and T2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (RRN), open RN (ORN) or open nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe data of 117 patients who had undergone RRN (36), ORN (37) or NSS (44) were evaluated. RRN data were obtained at Basel University Hospital, Switzerland, while the ORN and NSS data were collected at the University of Munich, Germany. Perioperative outcomes were analysed and compared. HRQoL was prospectively evaluated based on the Short Form 36 questionnaire with a mean follow‐up of 22 months.RESULTSOperative duration was significantly longer in the RRN group compared with the ORN and NSS groups, at a mean (sem) of 146 (42) min vs 113 (48) min and 114 (42) min (P < 0.001). In the RRN group intraoperative blood loss was lower than in the ORN and NSS groups, at a mean (sem) of 231 (153) mL vs 424 (361) mL and 494 (360) mL (P < 0.001). Morbidity rates were 13.9% for RRN, 16.2% for ORN and 20.5% for NSS, the most relevant complications being bleeding requiring transfusions in RRN and NSS patients and haemorrhage (5% of patients in each group). Creatinine values at 6 months after surgery only recovered completely in the NSS group. Patients in the ORN group had a trend towards higher mental well‐being scores than patients in the RRN and NSS groups, with a mean Mental Component Summary Score of 48.3 vs 48.0 and 44.5, respectively (not statistically significant), while all patients were in similar physical condition after surgery, with a mean Physical Component Summary Scores of 48.0 (ORN), 47.4 (RRN) and 47.2 (NSS). The physical condition scores of patients in all groups were higher than scores reached by an age and sex‐matched population (45.8).CONCLUSIONThese real‐world data show that each of the surgical techniques can be considered safe. Importantly, after surgery patients reported high QoL scores independent of the technique used.
Changes in the androgen levels in the ventral prostate of spontaneously hypertensive rats after castration
Authors: Hu Mingqiu , Xin Dianqi , Chen Jun , Sun Guofeng , Wang Yiming , Na Yanqun 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo characterize the changes in androgen levels in the prostate after castration, as androgens are critical in the progression of prostate cancer after castration, but the time at which the androgen remaining in the prostatic cancer tissue after castration exerts its effects is poorly understood.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe ventral prostate (VP) in adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats was excised at 2, 4 and 8 h, 1, 2, 4 and 7 days, and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after castration. The dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (4‐dione) levels in the VP were measured simultaneously using gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTSWithin 2 days of castration, the DHT and testosterone levels in the VP decreased sharply, while there were no significant changes in the DHEA or 4‐dione levels. From 2 days to 2 weeks after castration (2–7 days for 4‐dione), there was a sharp peak in tissue androgen levels in the VP (P < 0.05 for all androgens); during the subsequent 6 weeks after castration, all of the tissue DHT, testosterone, DHEA and 4‐dione levels gradually increased with time.CONCLUSIONSThese data show the changes which occur in androgen levels in rat VP after castration and support the concept that the adrenal glands compensate for the loss of testicular androgen.
Prospective single‐centre comparison of 120‐W diode‐pumped solid‐state high‐intensity system laser vaporization of the prostate and 200‐W high‐intensive diode‐laser ablation of the prostate for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Ruszat Robin , Seitz Michael , Wyler Stephen F. , Müller Georg , Rieken Malte , Bonkat Gernot , Gasser Thomas C. , Reich Oliver , Bachmann Alexander 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety, efficacy and short‐term outcome of a new 980 nm high‐intensity diode (HiDi) laser (Limmer Laser, Berlin, Germany) system in comparison to the diode‐pumped solid‐state laser high‐performance system (HPS; GreenLightTM, AMS, Minnetonka, MI, USA) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective non‐randomized single‐centre study.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom February to September 2007, 117 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH were included; 62 patients were treated with 120‐W HPS laser vaporization and 55 with 980‐nm HiDi laser ablation of the prostate. We evaluated perioperative variables, and complications during and after surgery. Patients presenting for follow‐up completed the International Prostate Symptom Score, and had their maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual urine volume measured.RESULTSThe mean (sd) age of the patients was 72.3 (8.8) years (HiDi) and 73.1 (10.8) years (HPS), with a mean preoperative prostate volume of 64.7 (29.7) and 67.4 (46.9) mL, respectively. The mean operative duration was comparable, at 56.4 (20.2) and 62.7 (36.3) min, respectively, whereas the mean energy delivery was significantly higher with the diode laser, at 313 (132) vs 187 (129) kJ (P < 0.001). For patients treated with the HPS the rate of visual impairment from bleeding was higher (0% vs 12.9%, P < 0.01), as was prostate capsule perforation (0% vs 4.8%, P > 0.05). Soon after surgery the rate of dysuria (23.6% vs 17.7%, P > 0.05) and transient urge incontinence (7.3% vs 0%; P < 0.05) was higher for the HiDi laser. During the follow‐up there were higher rates of bladder neck stricture (14.5% vs 1.6%, P < 0.01), re‐treatment (18.2% vs 1.6%, P < 0.01) and stress urinary incontinence (9.1% vs 0%; P < 0.05) for the HiDi laser group.CONCLUSIONBoth systems investigated provide good tissue ablative properties. The HiDi laser at 980 nm is more favourable in terms of haemostasis. The penetration depths, resulting in coagulation necrosis and leading to increased re‐treatment, bladder neck stricture and incontinence rates, were higher with the HiDi laser.
Long‐term results of a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and gemcitabine for salvage therapy in male germ‐cell tumours
Authors: Nicolai Nicola , Necchi Andrea , Gianni Luca , Piva Luigi , Biasoni Davide , Torelli Tullio , Stagni Silvia , Milani Angelo , Pizzocaro Giorgio , Salvioni Roberto 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively review the long‐term activity, efficacy and toxicity of the combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and gemcitabine (TPG) as third‐ or further‐line chemotherapy in patients with germ‐cell tumours (GCTs) who are not cured after at least two courses of standard‐dose chemotherapy, high‐dose chemotherapy or both.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe evaluated 22 consecutive men treated between April 1999 and December 2000. Half of them were classified as absolutely refractory to cisplatin and a further two as refractory. The median (range) number of previous courses of chemotherapy was 8  (5–11). Treatment consisted of paclitaxel 80 mg/m2, cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for four courses, followed by surgery of actual residual resectable masses.RESULTSThe follow‐up was updated at August 2007. There were no deaths from toxicity and only one patient needed suspension of therapy for toxicity. There was both grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in 15 patients (68%), and anaemia in nine (41%). There were partial remissions in eight (36%) patients. Six (27%) patients were rendered disease‐free with surgical removal of a residual mass after chemotherapy (two still containing viable cancer). Four (18%) patients are long‐term survivors at more than 80, 81, 94 and 99 months. The median (range) overall survival of the whole series was 13.5 (1–>99) months.CONCLUSIONThis combination had a toxicity profile that was acceptable and comparable with other third‐line regimens. There were eight (36%) major responses. After a 6‐year minimum follow‐up, four (18%) patients were long‐term disease‐free survivors.
Recent advances in adaptive thermogenesis: potential implications for the treatment of obesity
Authors: Wijers S. L. J. , Saris W. H. M. , Van Marken Lichtenbelt W. D. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryLarge inter‐individual differences in cold‐induced (non‐shivering) and diet‐induced adaptive thermogenesis exist in animals and humans. These differences in energy expenditure can have a large impact on long‐term energy balance and thus body weight (when other factors remain stable). Therefore, the level of adaptive thermogenesis might relate to the susceptibility to obesity; efforts to increase adaptive thermogenesis might be used to treat obesity. In small mammals, the main process involved is mitochondrial uncoupling in brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system. For a long time, it was assumed that mitochondrial uncoupling is not a major physiological contributor to adaptive thermogenesis in adult humans. However, several studies conducted in recent years suggest that mitochondrial uncoupling in BAT and skeletal muscle tissue in adult humans can be physiologically significant. Other mechanisms besides mitochondrial uncoupling that might be involved are futile calcium cycling, protein turnover and substrate cycling. In conjunction with recent advances on signal transduction studies, this knowledge makes manipulation of adaptive thermogenesis a more realistic option and thus a pharmacologically interesting target to treat obesity.
Does oestrogen allow women to store fat more efficiently? A biological advantage for fertility and gestation
Authors: O'Sullivan A. J. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn normal healthy‐weight humans, women have a higher percentage body fat than men, a difference that commences at puberty and continues throughout adult life, suggesting that the mechanism is related to sex steroids. The first half of pregnancy is also a stage of body fat gain in women. From an energy balance point, there is no explanation why women should be fatter than men, as the latter consume more calories proportionately. Moreover, women store fat in early pregnancy when caloric intake does not significantly change. The aim of this review is to focus on evidence supporting one mechanism that may account for these findings. That is, oestrogen reduces postprandial fatty acid oxidation leading to an increase in body fat which may account for the greater fat mass observed in women compared with men and the fat gain in early pregnancy. Therefore, female puberty and early pregnancy could be seen as states of efficient fat storage of energy in preparation for fertility, foetal development and lactation providing an obvious biological advantage. Further research into this mechanism of fat storage may provide further insights into the regulation of body fat.
Resolution Independent NPR‐Style 3D Line Textures
Authors: Potter Kristin , Gooch Amy , Gooch Bruce , Willemsen Peter , Kniss Joe , Riesenfeld Richard , Shirley Peter 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis work introduces a technique for interactive walk‐throughs of non‐photorealistically rendered (NPR) scenes using three‐dimensional (3D) line primitives to define architectural features of the model, as well as indicate textural qualities. Line primitives are not typically used in this manner in favour of texture mapping techniques which can encapsulate a great deal of information in a single texture map, and take advantage of GPU optimizations for accelerated rendering. However, texture mapped images may not maintain the visual quality or aesthetic appeal that is possible when using 3D lines to simulate NPR scenes such as hand‐drawn illustrations or architectural renderings. In addition, line textures can be modified interactively, for instance changing the sketchy quality of the lines. The technique introduced here extracts feature edges from a model, and using these edges, generates a reduced set of line textures which indicate material properties while maintaining interactive frame rates. A clipping algorithm is presented to enable 3D lines to reside only in the interior of the 3D model without exposing the underlying triangulated mesh. The resulting system produces interactive illustrations with high visual quality that are free from animation artifacts.
Temporary Stabilizations, Sudden Stops, and Asset Prices
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Subramanian Chetan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe authors study a temporary exchange‐rate based stabilization plan in which agents face a sudden stop of capital inflows. The model generates a rising path of real interest rates in advance of the exchange rate collapse. This generates a time‐dependent non‐monotonic path of required premium on domestic assets. The model‐generated asset price dynamics closely mimic their empirical counterpart, as witnessed during recent collapses of exchange‐rate based stabilization plans. The model also reproduces consumption and foreign reserve dynamics that closely mimic the data.
International Trade in Hazardous Waste
Authors: Baggs Jen 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper combines a gravity model with country characteristics to examine trade in hazardous waste. A significant pollution haven effect is observed as rising per capita income reduces the amount of hazardous waste countries’ import. However, this effect is outweighed by high‐income countries’ relative capital abundance, and by rising GDP creating larger increases in disposal capacity than waste production. Simulating the volume and direction of hazardous waste trade in the absence of distance costs, leads to a 153% increase in waste traded, and a larger increase in shipments from non‐OECD countries to OECD members than from the OECD to nonmembers.
Nonlinear Adjustment in Law of One Price Deviations and Physical Characteristics of Goods
Authors: Berka Martin 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAt a level of individual goods, heterogeneity of marginal transaction costs, proxied by price‐to‐weight ratios and stowage factors, explains a large part of the variation in thresholds of no‐adjustment and conditional half‐lives of law of one price deviations. Prices of heavier (more voluminous) goods deviate further before becoming mean‐reverting. Moreover, after becoming mean‐reverting, prices of heavier goods converge more slowly. Together with measures of pricing power, market size, distance, and exchange rate volatility, these factors explain up to 43% of variation in no‐adjustment threshold estimates across 52 goods in US–Canada post‐Bretton Woods monthly CPI data and are robust in a broader five‐country dataset. They open two avenues for the importance of marginal transaction costs in accounting for real exchange rate persistence: through (a) generating persistence in individual real exchange rate components, and (b) accentuating it by the aggregation of heterogeneous components (“aggregation bias” ofImbs et al., 2005a).
NAFTA and the Realignment of Textile and Apparel Trade: Trade Creation or Trade Diversion?*
Authors: Datta Anusua , Kouliavtsev Mikhail 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA modified version of the partial‐equilibrium gravity model, originally proposed by Fukao et al. (2003), is employed to investigate the changing pattern of US textile trade. We use US Bilateral Manufacturing Imports and Exports data for 1989–2001 to assess the impact of labor wages, tariffs, and exchange rates on the composition of US textile imports before and after the creation of NAFTA. The analysis is performed at the SIC two‐digit industry level and the more disaggregated four‐digit sector level. We find little evidence of trade diversion in textiles frequently attributed to NAFTA, while trade creation is clearly present. Furthermore, lower wages in some textile‐exporting countries (e.g. countries in Asia) do not appear to significantly increase these countries' shares of US textile imports at the expense of other trading partners. However, variations in currency exchange rates and tariffs have substantial effects on the composition of US imports.
The Economic Impact of Medical Migration: A Receiving Country's Perspective
Authors: Rutten Martine 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper seeks to determine the macroeconomic impacts of migration of skilled medical personnel from a receiving country's perspective. The resource allocation issues are explored in theory, by developing an extension of the Rybczynski theorem in a low‐dimension Heckscher–Ohlin framework, and empirically, by developing a static CGE model for the UK with an extended health sector component. Using simple diagrams, an expansion of the health sector by recruiting immigrant skilled workers in certain cases is shown to compare favorably to the long‐term (short‐term) alternative of using domestic (unskilled) workers. From a formal analysis, changes in nonhealth outputs are shown to depend on factor‐bias and scale effects. The net effects generally are indeterminate. The main finding from the applied model is that importing foreign doctors and nurses into the UK yields higher overall welfare gains than a generic increase in the NHS budget. Welfare gains rise in case of wage protection.
Exchange Rate Passthrough to Export Prices: Assessing Cross‐Country Evidence*
Authors: Vigfusson Robert J. , Sheets Nathan , Gagnon Joseph 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA growing empirical literature reports evidence of a decline in exchange rate passthrough to import prices in a number of industrial countries. Our paper complements this literature by examining passthrough from the other side of the transaction; that is, we assess the exchange rate sensitivity of export prices (denominated in the exporter's currency). We find that the prices charged on exports to the United States are more responsive to the exchange rate than are export prices to other destinations, which is consistent with results in the literature that import price passthrough in the US market is relatively low. In addition, the exchange rate sensitivity of export prices over time has been significantly affected by country‐ and region‐specific factors, including the Asian financial crisis (for emerging Asia), deepening integration with the United States (for Canada), and the effects of the 1992 ERM crisis (for the United Kingdom).
THE BLANK FACE OF LOVE: THE POSSIBILITY OF GOODNESS IN THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL WORK OF IRIS MURDOCH1
Authors: GOODYER JENNIFER SPENCER 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis article explores the value of Iris Murdoch's metaphysical ethics for the theologian. Although, in many ways, Murdoch does appeal to the theologian, a subtle form of nihilism underlies her thought insofar as human goodness—in the form of loving attention—is only possible once the individual has overcome his/her ego by staring into the void and accepting the ultimate meaninglessness of reality. As this article demonstrates, Murdoch's replacement of transcendence with void rules out any form of real love or human goodness: only a dualistic exchange of gazes remains possible. Real, selfless love is only possible when the ego understands itself in the context of theological transcendence.
THEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY: ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING
Authors: KELSEY DAVID H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractStanley Hauerwas and Gavin D'Costa develop theological arguments for inclusion of constructive theology in Universities' curricula; Andrew Shanks offers an equivalent. They share the conviction that the practice of theology cannot be separated from religious practices. Beyond that, however, their arguments scarcely intersect, in part because of differing analyses of the “secularity” that underwrites the academy's skepticism of theology as a “discipline.” Hauerwas analyses secularity theologically; Shanks urges that even secular societies exhibit “will to Honesty” (think, perhaps, “ultimate concern”) that is inherently religious and theological; D'Costa argues that central to secular liberalism is a commitment to genuine pluralism that ought to foster theologies in their particularities.
Dealing with Benchmark Revisions in Real‐Time Data: The Case of German Production and Orders Statistics*
Authors: Knetsch Thomas A. , Reimers Hans‐Eggert 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBenchmark revisions in non‐stationary real‐time data may adversely affect the results of regular revision analysis and the estimates of long‐run economic relationships. Cointegration analysis can reveal the nature of vintage heterogeneity and guide the adjustment of real‐time data for benchmark revisions. Affine vintage transformation functions estimated by cointegration regressions are a flexible tool, whereas differencing and rebasing work well only under certain circumstances. Inappropriate vintage transformation may cause observed revision statistics to be affected by nuisance parameters. Using real‐time data of German industrial production and orders, the econometric techniques are exemplified and the theoretical claims are examined empirically.
Does the World Economy Swing National Elections?*
Authors: Leigh Andrew 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDo voters reward national leaders who are more competent economic managers, or merely those who happen to be in power when the world economy booms? Using data from 268 democratic elections held between 1978 and 1999, I compare the effect of world growth (luck) and national growth relative to world growth (competence). Both matter, but the effect of luck is larger than the effect of competence. Voters are more likely to reward competence in countries that are richer and better educated; and there is some suggestive evidence that media penetration rates affect the returns to luck and competence.
Morphometrics of corneal growth in chicks raised in constant light
Authors: Wahl Christina , Li Tong , Choden Tsering , Howland Howard 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn this study we wish to augment our understanding of the effect of environment on corneal growth and morphology. To understand how corneal development of chicks raised in constant light differs from that of ‘normal’ eyes exposed to cyclic periods of light and dark, white Leghorn chicks were raised under either constant light (approximately 700 lux at cage top) or in 12 h light/12 h dark conditions for up to 12 weeks after hatching. To determine whether corneal expansion is uniform, some birds from each group received corneal tattoos for periodic photographic assessment. By 16 days of age, constant light corneas weighed less than light/dark regimen corneas [7.39 ± 0.35 mg (SE) vs. 8.47 mg ± 0.26 mg SE wet weight, P ≤ 0.05], and corresponding differences were seen in corneal dry weights. Spatial expansion of the corneal surface was uniform in both groups, but the rate of expansion was slower in constant light chicks [0.0327 ± 0.009 (SE) vs. 0.144 ± 0.018 (SE) mm2 day−1 for normal chicks, P ≤ 0.001]. At 1 day of age, there were 422 ± 12.5 (SE) stromal cells 0.01 mm−2 in the central cornea and 393 ± 21.5 (SE) stromal cells 0.01 mm−2 peripherally. Although this difference is not statistically significant, the cell densities in the central cornea were always larger than those of the peripheral cornea in all eight measurements over a 10.5‐week period, and this difference is significant (P ≤ 0.008, binomial test). Light/dark regimen birds show no such consistent difference in cell densities between central and peripheral corneas. Thus, the density distribution of corneal stromal cells of chicks grown in constant light differs from that of normal chicks. Taken together, all these observations suggest that diurnal cycles of light and darkness are necessary for normal corneal growth.