bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arterial blood lactate is a useful guide to when rehabilitation should be instigated in COPD
Authors: TANAKA Yosuke , HINO Mitsunori , MORIKAWA Tetsuyuki , TAKEUCHI Koichiro , MIZUNO Kyoichi , KUDOH Shoji 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  Systemic effects of COPD include skeletal muscle dysfunction; the lactate threshold (LT) is an index of such dysfunction. However, it is not feasible in daily clinical practice to accurately determine the LT in all patients with COPD. There is no simple, practical and non‐invasive index for determining the time at which rehabilitation should start. Previous studies have shown that the LT corresponds to the point at which the blood lactate concentration is 0.5 mmol/L above baseline (LTΔ0.5 mmol/L). The aim of the study was to assess the value of LTΔ0.5 mmol/L as an index of selecting candidates for pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.Methods:  Eighteen male outpatients with COPD were enrolled. Exercise tolerance based on the 12‐min walk test and treadmill exercise test, lactate concentrations and activities of daily living before and after individual exercise stress testing were assessed.Results:  There were no significant differences in the 12‐min walk distance or metabolic equivalents between patients with and without a 0.5 mmol/L or more increase in lactate from baseline to post‐walk test. However, significant differences were observed in activities of daily living, as assessed using Fletcher's scale, between those with and without a 0.5 mmol/L or greater increase in lactate from baseline to post‐walk test.Conclusions:  In daily clinical practice, a 0.5 mmol/L or greater increase in lactate from baseline to post‐12‐min walk test may be utilized as an index to determine when COPD patients should start rehabilitation, or to assess muscle alterations in the lower extremities in COPD patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts: Experience from a referral center in Iran
Authors: Abbaszadeh Shahin , Taheri Saeed , Nourbala Mohammad H 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  To present our experience with laparoscopic management of symptomatic simple renal cysts.Methods:  From April 2004 to November 2006, 21 patients (10 men; 11 women) underwent laparoscopic decortication for simple renal cysts at our department and were included in the analysis. All procedures were carried out by one surgeon using a transperitoneal approach. Patients underwent radiological follow‐up with computerized tomography and/or ultrasonography. Procedural success was defined as no recurrence of the cyst and complete pain relief. Symptomatic success was defined as a significant pain decrease.Results:  All 21 procedures were completed laparoscopically, without major complications or conversion to open surgery. Estimated mean blood loss during surgery was about 50 mL. Patients were hospitalized for a mean of 1.9 ± 1.1 (range: 1–5) days. Age of the patients and size and location of the cysts, had no relationship with the duration of operation as well as the length of hospital stay (P > 0.05). Patients who experienced complete pain relief had significantly larger cyst sizes compared with patients with a partial pain decrease (7.3 ± 1.1 vs 9.1 ± 2.0, respectively; P = 0.023, F = 0.606). All patients had negative cytological and pathological findings for malignancy or any other abnormalities. At 16.6 months of mean follow up, none of the patients reported symptomatic and/or radiologic failure.Conclusions:  Laparoscopic transperitoneal decortication represents an effective and safe treatment option in the management of symptomatic renal cysts.
Low dose tamsulosin for stone expulsion after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: Efficacy in Japanese male patients with ureteral stone
Authors: Kobayashi Masayuki , Naya Yukio , Kino Mika , Awa Yusuke , Nagata Maki , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Yamaguchi Kunio , Nozumi Kuniyoshi , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  We evaluated the efficacy of low dose tamsulosin after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in Japanese male patients with ureteral stone.Methods:  One hundred and two Japanese male patients with ureteral stones who underwent ESWL were randomly divided into three groups. Group A (38 patients) was given tamsulosin (0.2 mg/day); group B (30 patients) was given c horeito, a herbal medicine (7.5 g/day); and group C (34 patients) received no medication. Stone clearance was assessed at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after ESWL using plain abdominal radiography and abdominal ultrasonography. After 28 days, stone delivery was checked every 2 weeks.Results:  The stone‐free rate was 84.21%, 90%, and 88.24% for groups A, B, and C, respectively (P = 0.3425). The mean expulsion time was 15.66 ± 6.14 days in group A, 27.74 ± 25.36 days in group B, and 35.47 ± 53.70 days in group C. The expulsion time of group A was significantly shorter than that of groups B (P = 0.0116) and C (P = 0.0424).Conclusions:  The addition of tamsulosin to conservative treatment appeared to be effective in shortening the stone expulsion time.
A novel quantitative method for measuring obstruction in the upper urinary tract: The ‘obstruction coefficient’
Authors: Lovasz Sandor , Lovasz Laszlo , Nyirady Peter , Romics Imre 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  To define an exact pressure‐flow correlation in the upper urinary tract using an improved measurement method, to quantitatively characterize the degree of postrenal obstruction and to find a simple way of calculating it in everyday urological practice.Methods:  The data of 112 cases were included in the analysis. The dynamic method of a multistep, constant pressure perfusion study was used to precisely measure a wide range of pressure‐flow dependences. Values of established parameters measuring the degree of obstruction were compared: the intrapelvic pressure, the ureteral opening pressure and the newly introduced ‘obstruction coefficient’.Results:  Pressure‐flow relations can be best presented by a parabolic curve described by the simple formula Y = AX2 + B. Depending on the degree of obstruction, the shape of this curve can be characterized by a single number, that we defined as the ‘obstruction coefficient’. Computer‐based evaluation software for the easy calculation of this coefficient is presented here and freely available on demand. The Whitaker‐test, the ureteral opening pressure, and the ‘obstruction coefficient’ showed significant correlation proving that the latter was clinically applicable in measuring the degree of obstruction.Conclusion:  Calculation of the ‘obstruction coefficient’ enables us to exactly define the degree of upper urinary tract obstruction and to safely monitor for a long period conditions inhibiting ureteric passage.
Health‐related quality of life in Japanese men with localized prostate cancer: Assessment with the SF‐8
Authors: Sugimoto Mikio , Takegami Misa , Suzukamo Yoshimi , Fukuhara Shunichi , Kakehi Yoshiyuki 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  To evaluate health related quality of life (HRQOL) using the Medical Outcomes Study 8‐items Short Form Health Survey (SF‐8) questionnaire in Japanese patients with early prostate cancer.Methods:  A cross‐sectional analysis was done in 457 patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and watchful waiting or a combination these therapies. General HRQOL was measured using the Japanese version of the SF‐8 questionnaire and disease‐specific HRQOL was assessed using the Japanese version of the Extended Prostate Cancer Index Composite.Results:  The external beam radiotherapy group reported significantly lower values for the physical health component summary score (PCS) in comparison to the radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy groups (P < 0.05). In the analysis of both the PCS and the mental health component summary score (MCS) over time after treatment, higher scores with time were found in the radical prostatectomy group. No significant change over time after androgen deprivation therapy in the PCS was found. In contrast, the MCS was found to deteriorate in the early period, showing a significant increase over time.Conclusions:  SF‐8 in combination with the Extended Prostate Cancer Index Composite has shown to be a helpful tool in the HRQOL assessment of Japanese patients treated for localized prostate cancer.
Perioperative antibiotics in radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion: Efficacy and risk of antimicrobial prophylaxis on the operation day alone
Authors: Hara Noboru , Kitamura Yasuo , Saito Toshihiro , Komatsubara Shuichi , Nishiyama Tsutomu , Takahashi Kota 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  To determine the optimum schedule for perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) for bladder cancer patients submitted to radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion.Methods:  We studied 77 consecutive bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. The 1‐day group (n = 33) received pre‐, intra‐ and postoperative administrations of 2 g of piperacillin on the operation day alone; the 3‐day group (n = 44) received antibiotics for 3 days or more (same schedule as the 1‐day group on the operation day and every 12 h thereafter). The study was designed and postoperative complications including surgical‐site infection (SSI) were defined according to the modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.Results:  No significant differences were found between the 1‐day group and 3‐day group in terms of total SSI (18.1% vs 20.5%), superficial incisional SSI (12.1% vs 13.6%), deep incisional SSI (12.1% vs 13.6%), space SSI (12.1% vs 11.4%), postoperative ileus (18.2% vs 11.4%), febrile urinary tract infections (15.2% vs 15.9%) or pneumonia (3.0% vs 4.3%), respectively. In both groups, disease stage and patients' underlying conditions such as diabetes did not have an influence on the incidence of postoperative complications.Conclusion:  One‐day AMP had equivalent efficacy to that of the standard prophylaxis protocol for preventing septic complications following radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. This finding supports the hypothesis that delivery of antibiotics on the operation day is critical in this setting
Stimuli through Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 3 and 9 affect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) production in a choriocarcinoma cell line
Authors: Komine‐Aizawa Shihoko , Majima Hiroko , Yoshida‐Noro Chiikako , Hayakawa Satoshi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim:  Toll‐like receptors (TLR) are expressed mostly on mucosal innate immune cells which recognize microorganism‐associated structures, the so called pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMP). Recently, possible roles of TLR in placental tissue, especially their role in protecting the conceptus from maternal infection, have been discussed, but the physiopathological roles of TLR in placental functions have yet to be examined.Methods:  The choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo was used as a model of trophoblast stem cells. First, the expression of TLR 1‐9 on BeWo cells was investigated using reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Then, the cells were treated with TLR 1‐9 agonists, using the human TLR 1‐9 agonist kit (Pam3CKS4, HKLM, Poly (I:C), Escherichia coli K12 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Salmonella typhimurium flagellin, FSL1, imiquimod, ssRNA 40, and ODN 2006). The concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the cell culture supernatants was examined on ELISA.Results:  BeWo cells constitutively expressed TLR 1‐9 mRNA in the presence or absence of forskolin. The TLR 3 agonist, Poly(I:C), and the TLR 9 agonist, CpG‐DNA (ODN2006), upregulated hCG production but had minimal effects in the absence of forskolin. Stimulation with the other TLR agonists produced no remarkable increase, whether in the presence or absence of forskolin.Conclusions:  TLR 3 and TLR 9 agonists upregulated hCG production in BeWo cells. The present observations suggest alternative roles of TLR signaling in the control of placental functions and blastocyst‐endometrial dialogue, as well as in pathophysiology, including for infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Perinatal magnetic resonance fetal lung volumetry and fetal lung‐to‐liver signal intensity ratio for predicting short outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia and cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung
Authors: Matsushita Mitsuru , Ishii Keisuke , Tamura Masaki , Takahashi Yasuhiro , Kamura Takeshi , Takakuwa Koichi , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the risk of lethal pulmonary hypoplasia in fetuses.Methods:  The subjects consisted of 15 fetuses (29–40 weeks' gestation), including fetuses with major malformation diagnosed on prenatal ultrasonography. MRI using a 1.5 T magnet and half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot fast spin‐echo sequences were applied to all fetuses at 29–36 weeks. Fetal lung‐to‐liver signal intensity ratio (LLSIR) was calculated by medians of region‐of‐interest analysis; estimated fetal bodyweight (FBW), by ultrasonography; and estimated fetal lung volume (FLV), by planimetric measurement of total lung volume. FLV/FBW was also calculated. The presence of the pulmonary hypoplasia in neonates was identified based on clinical and anatomico‐pathological findings. Differences in LLSIR and FLV/FBW were analyzed for surviving and non‐surviving neonates.Results:  Ten surviving neonates had a median LLSIR of 3.00, range: 1.60–4.40, while that in seven non‐surviving neonates was 2.21, range: 0.70–3.72; no significant difference was found between the groups. Surviving neonates had a median FLV/FBW of 11.4, range: 7.1–15.7, while that in non‐surviving neonates was 4.4, range: 3.1–5.7. FLV/FBW in non‐surviving neonates was significantly lower than that of the FLV/FBW for surviving fetuses (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Low FLV/FBW may be useful in prenatally predicting mortality in fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia.
Randomized comparison of dry tablet insertion versus gel form of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination
Authors: Pongsatha Saipin , Tongsong Theera 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim:  To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol between dry tablet insertion and gel form for second trimester pregnancy termination.Methods:  A non‐blinded block randomized controlled trial was conducted on 148 pregnant women with live fetuses in the second trimester undergoing pregnancy termination. They were randomly allocated to receive vaginal misoprostol (400 μg) either dry tablet insertion (n = 72) or gel form (n = 76). The same dose was then repeated every 3 h if adequate uterine contraction was not achieved until 48 h after the initiation of misoprostol. If abortion did not occur within this period, the treatment was considered a failure and other technique of termination was then given based on the decision of the attending physicians and the cervical status.Results:  The mean induction–abortion interval in group 1 (20.9 ± 12.3 h) was not significantly different from that in group 2 (17.7 ± 10.2 h). The mean total dose of misoprostol was also not significantly different between the two groups (group 1, 1556.9 μg; group 2, 1350.9 μg), but the adverse effects of misoprostol (chill and diarrhoea) were more common in the gel group.Conclusion:  Tablet insertion or gel form of vaginal misoprostol have similar effectiveness but the gel form was associated with more common adverse effects.
Sexual violence among pregnant women in India
Authors: Chhabra Shakunatala 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim:  To discover the extent of sexual violence during pregnancy, its correlation to various variables and effects, and to consider future possibilities for creating awareness in health providers, health seekers and communities for prevention.Methods:  Two thousand pregnant women were interviewed using a semi‐structured, pre‐designed, pre‐tested questionnaire with some open‐ended questions in the local language.Results:  Of 2000 women, 1959 (97.95%) reported that they had had sex with their partners during the current pregnancy. Of the 2000, 615 (30.7%) women had not wished to have sex during the pregnancy, but had been forced to do so.Conclusion:  Women suffer with recurrent marital rape during pregnancy with considerable after effects. This sexual violence takes place irrespective of education or socioeconomic status.
Abruptio placentae and fetal death following a Malayan pit viper bite
Authors: Hanprasertpong Jitti , Hanprasertpong Tharangrut 
Published: April 2008

AbstractReports of venomous snakebites during pregnancy are uncommon. Little is known about maternal and fetal outcome following the venomous snakebite of a pregnant woman, and there is no consensus for proper management. In southern Thailand, Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma) bites are quite common, and we have some experience with bites of pregnant women. With these victims, the toxicity is most severely expressed in a bleeding disorder that is a significant cause of both morbidity and mortality in both the gravid woman and the fetus. Herein, because there are few such published reports, we report the case of a 43‐year‐old woman, gravida 5 para 4, 32 weeks pregnant who was bitten by a Malayan pit viper and, as a result, developed abruptio placentae, coagulopathy, and death of fetus in utero. She otherwise responded well to antivenom and blood components. A hysterotomy was performed and the postoperative course was unremarkable.
Prenatal diagnosis and management of a ranula
Authors: Gul Ahmet , Gungorduk Kemal , Yildirim Gokhan , Gedikbasi Ali , Ceylan Yavuz 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA ranula is a mucous extravasation cyst which appears as a swelling in the submental and submandibular regions. We describe a case of congenital ranula or retention salivary cyst diagnosed at 22 weeks' gestation. The fetal growth was normal, as was the amniotic fluid volume. Follow‐up ultrasound scans revealed no changes in the size or the position of the cyst. Surgical treatment was performed two days after the delivery. There were no complications and no recurrences have occurred to date.
Diagnosis of ovarian torsion by three‐dimensional power Doppler in first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Filho Sebastião M. Zanforlin , Júnior Edward Araujo , Serafini Paulo , Filho Hélio A. Guimarães , Pires Cláudio R. , Nardozza Luciano M. M. , Moron Antonio F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThree‐dimensional ultrasonography in power Doppler mode (3D power Doppler) allows the appropriate quantitative assessment of the ovarian tissue vascularization. The present case is of an ovarian torsion in a pregnant woman at 6.5 weeks with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome due to in vitro fertilization. Gray‐scale images of endovaginal two‐dimensional ultrasonography revealed enlargement of the right ovary and multiple peripheral follicles. Two‐dimensional ultrasonography in color Doppler mode revealed the absence of venous flow and reduction in arterial flow to the impaired ovary. 3D power Doppler allowed the appropriate quantitative assessment of tissue vessel density of the impaired ovary, which greatly influenced the decision for conservative surgical treatment. The 3D power Doppler assessment performed after the surgery confirmed the integrity of the ovarian tissue. 3D power Doppler can help in the selection of patients with ovarian torsion for conservative surgical treatment.
Is the biopsy Gleason score important in predicting outcomes for patients after radical prostatectomy once the pathological Gleason score is known?
Authors: Vira Manish A. , Guzzo Thomas , Heitjan Daniel F. , Tomaszewski John E. , D’Amico Anthony , Wein Alan J. , Malkowicz S. Bruce 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether specific preoperative variables might better predict the concordance between biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) Gleason grade, and to assess the effect of the biopsy Gleason score (bGS) when controlling for the pathological GS (pGS) on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing RP.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1989 and 1998, 1088 men had RP at our institution, with a median follow‐up of 56 months. To evaluate the independent effect of bGS within categories of pGS, we stratified the sample by pGS (three categories; ≤6, 7, 8–10). Within each stratum we constructed Kaplan‐Meier plots of recurrence‐free survival by bGS (in the same three categories), assessing the significance of the differences among the three curves by the log‐rank test.RESULTSOverall, only 41.1% of patients had exactly concordant findings between bGS and pGS; concordance rates did not differ significantly when stratified by preoperative variables. On multivariate analysis, a change in the pGS compared with the bGS had a significant, independent effect on recurrence rates, specifically a 15% change in risk for a one‐unit change in GS (P = 0.021).CONCLUSIONSThere was only modest agreement between the bGS and the pGS; the bGS continued to have independent prognostic influence after RP and assignment of the pGS.
Comparison of stage migration patterns between Europe and the USA: an analysis of 11 350 men treated with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer
Authors: Gallina Andrea , Chun Felix K.‐H. , Suardi Nazareno , Eastham James A. , Perrotte Paul , Graefen Markus , Hutterer Georg , Huland Hartwig , Klein Eric A. , Reuther Alwyn , Montorsi Francesco , Briganti Alberto , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Roehrborn Claus G. , De La Taille Alexandre , Salomon Laurent , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo examine the stage migration patterns in patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer in Europe and in the USA in the last 20 years.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1988 and 2005, RP was performed in 11 350 men: 5739 from Europe and 5611 from the USA. Independent‐samples t‐test and the chi‐square test were, respectively, used for comparisons of means and proportions. The trend test was used to test the statistical significance of trends in proportions over time.RESULTSTemporal patterns in patients’ age, stage and PSA level at presentation were similar on both continents. Conversely, temporal patterns in Gleason sum distribution differed. In the USA, the rate of biopsy Gleason sums of 2–5 decreased from 32.8% to 0.2% (P < 0.001), while the rate of Gleason sums of 7 and 8–10 increased (P < 0.001). Conversely, in Europe the rate of Gleason sums of 6 increased from 40% to 64% (P < 0.001) at the expense of all other Gleason sums. At RP, the rate of Gleason sums of 2–5 decreased on both continents and the rate of a Gleason sum of 7 increased in the USA. Moreover, no important differences in pathological stage trends (organ confinement, extracapsular extension and seminal vesicle invasion) distinguished either population. Finally, the rate of lymph node involvement increased in the USA but remained stable in Europe.CONCLUSIONSStage and grade migration affected the USA and Europe to different extents. These differences should be accounted for when prediction tools or comparisons between the USA and Europe are considered.