bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The opiorphin gene (ProL1) and its homologues function in erectile physiology
Authors: Tong Yuehong , Tar Moses , Melman Arnold , Davies Kelvin 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine ifProL1, a member of the opiorphin family of genes, can modulate erectile physiology, as it encodes a peptide which acts as a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, other examples of which (Vcsa1,hSMR3A) modulate erectile physiology.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe cloned members of the opiorphin family of genes into the same mammalian expression backbone (pVAX); 100 µg of these plasmids (pVAX‐Vcsa1, ‐hSMR3A, ‐hSMR3B and ‐ProL1) were injected intracorporally into retired breeder rats and the affect on erectile physiology assessed visually, by histology and by measuring the intracavernous pressure (ICP) and blood pressure (BP). As a positive control, rats were treated with pVAX‐hSlo (expressing the MaxiK potassium channel) and as a negative control the empty backbone plasmid was injected (pVAX). We also compared the level of expression ofProL1in corporal tissue of patients not reporting erectile dysfunction (ED), ED associated with diabetes and ED not caused by diabetes.RESULTSGene transfer of plasmids expressing all members of the opiorphin family had a similar and significant effect on erectile physiology. At the concentration used in these experiments (100 µg) they resulted in higher resting ICP, and histological and visual analysis showed evidence of a priapic‐like condition. After electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve, rats had significantly better ICP/BP than the negative control (pVAX). Gene transfer of pVAX‐hSlo increased the ICP/BP ratio to a similar extent to the opiorphin homologues, but with no evidence for a priapic‐like condition. Corpora cavernosa tissue samples obtained from men with ED, regardless of underlying causes, had significant down‐regulation of bothhSMR3AandProL1.CONCLUSIONAll members of the human opiorphin family of genes can potentially modulate erectile physiology. BothhSMR3andProL1are down‐regulated in the corpora of men with ED, and therefore both genes can potentially act as markers of ED.
Cystectomy in the elderly: does the survival benefit in younger patients translate to the octogenarians?
Authors: Chamie Karim , Hu Brian , DeVere White Ralph W. , Ellison Lars M. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the survival benefit achieved with radical cystectomy (RC, the reference standard for treating muscle‐invasive bladder cancer) in younger patients justifies its use in octogenarians.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data of the National Cancer Institute and identified 10 807 patients from 1992–2004 who were diagnosed with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, and were treated with either RC or radiotherapy. The data were analysed for age, gender, race, extent of lymphadenectomy and cause of death. We stratified the patients by age groups (<60, 60–69, 70–79 and >79 years), and used Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis to compare treatment strategies by age group.RESULTSIn all, 8034 patients had RC and 2773 radiotherapy; RC was the primary method of treatment in all age groups except for octogenarians. Those who had RC had a sizeable overall survival advantage in all age groups, except for the octogenarians (18 vs 15 months). This small survival advantage improved only slightly (23 vs 15 months) when excluding patients having nodal or distant metastasis. The octogenarians who have RC with a limited pelvic lymph node dissection or RC alone receive little (16 vs 15 months) or no survival benefit. However, cancer‐specific survival was significantly higher in those who had RC, including octogenarians.CONCLUSIONSOctogenarians have some benefit to cancer‐specific survival from RC if it includes a standard lymphadenectomy. The issue is how to better select the patients, as the overall survival advantage in these patients over radiotherapy is negligible.
Urinary fibronectin as a predictor of a residual tumour load after transurethral resection of bladder transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Liao‐Yuan , Yang Ming , Zhang Hai‐Bin , Su Xi‐Kang , Xu Wen‐Feng , Chen Yong , Shen Zhou‐Jun , Gao Xin 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the level of urinary fibronectin predicts the residual tumour load after transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSUrine samples were collected from 167 consecutive patients with suspected bladder cancer admitted for TUR. Samples were taken both before and after surgery. Bladder tumour fibronectin (BTF) was analysed using a solid‐phase chemiluminescent immunometric test. Creatinine in urine was also determined and the BTF/creatinine ratio calculated.RESULTSPatients were divided into a control group of 41 whose previous diagnosis was negative for BT and another of 126 with a positive diagnosis for BT, which was further subdivided into those with and without residual tumour, according to findings from specimens obtained during the second procedure (repeat TUR or cystectomy). After the second procedure, 68 patients (56%) had no residual tumour, whereas 54 (44%) did. Four patients with BT who did not have the second procedure were excluded from the study. The median BTF and BTF/creatinine value in the control group was 33.2 µg/L and 51.4 µg/g, respectively, before the first TUR, and 29.6 µg/L and 46.7 µg/g, respectively, after the first TUR. There were no statistically significant changes in BTF and BTF/creatinine ratio (P = 0.61 and 0.79, respectively). In the group with TCC, the BTF decreased from 211.9 to 97.3 µg/L (P = 0.02) and the BTF/creatinine ratio from 281.6 to 146.5 µg/g (P = 0.009) for those with residual tumour, while it decreased from 195.1 to 34.0 µg/L (P = 0.007) and the BTF/creatinine ratio decreased from 249.1 to 53.7 µg/g (P = 0.003) for those with no residual tumour. After initial TUR, the patients with residual tumour had significantly greater levels of BTF and BTF/creatinine than did those with no residual tumour (P = 0.004 and 0.006, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic curves showed an optimum threshold of 67.8 µg/L and 81.3 µg/g for BTF and the BTF/creatinine in detecting residual tumour, respectively, with a sensitivity of 91.4% and 89.0%, respectively, and a specificity of 87.8% and 85.6%, respectively.CONCLUSIONUrinary fibronectin, in addition to being one of the best markers for diagnosing bladder carcinoma, can be used to determine the presence of residual tumour load after TUR of bladder TCC.
Neoadjuvant targeted therapy and advanced kidney cancer: observations and implications for a new treatment paradigm
Authors: Shuch Brian , Riggs Stephen B. , LaRochelle Jeff C. , Kabbinavar Fairooz F. , Avakian Raffi , Pantuck Allan J. , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Belldegrun Arie S. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate our early experience with neoadjuvant therapy (sunitinib or sorafenib) in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), to explore the effect on both tumour biology and potential for downstaging advanced tumours, as systemic therapy for RCC has historically resulted in little if any primary tumour response, but recent experience with targeted therapy suggests otherwise.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe preliminary experience with neoadjuvant therapy for the surgical management of RCC was reviewed at two large referral centres. Several unique patients were identified who had a novel response to systemic therapy that altered the surgical strategy.RESULTSFour patients who had targeted therapy before surgery are described and in whom there were effects on tumour biology not seen previously with chemotherapy and cytokine therapy. The selected patients who had neoadjuvant targeted therapy had shrinkage of a tumour thrombus in the inferior vena cava, nodal involvement, renal fossa recurrence and tumour within a solitary kidney.CONCLUSIONSThe introduction of new molecular agents has revolutionized the treatment of patients with metastatic RCC. Responses to targeted therapy within the primary tumour, tumour thrombus, renal fossa recurrence, and lymph node metastases are novel findings not seen during treatment with immunotherapeutic‐based strategies. This might be a signal for urological surgeons to re‐evaluate the paradigm for the surgical management of advanced RCC. Potential applications are presented to encourage further investigations with targeted therapy in the neoadjuvant setting.
How long is too long? The effect of the duration of anaesthesia on the incidence of non‐urological complications after surgery
Authors: Routh Jonathan C. , Bacon Douglas R. , Leibovich Bradley C. , Zincke Horst , Blute Michael L. , Frank Igor 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo examine the association between the duration of anaesthesia and non‐urological complication (NUC) rates after surgery, as the increasing complexity of minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures in urology has resulted in longer surgery and anaesthesia, and information on the effect of this on NUC rates is limited.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe identified 2196 patients who had open radical nephrectomy or nephron‐sparing surgery at our institution between 1989 and 2002. Patients were subdivided into groups I, II, and III according to the duration of general anaesthesia (<4, 4–6 and ≥6 h, respectively). NUCs after surgery, and mortality during and after surgery, were evaluated.RESULTSThere were 1340, 723, and 133 patients in groups I, II and III, respectively. The incidences of any NUC were 3.1%, 5.8% and 13.5%, respectively. The odds ratios for the likelihood of a NUC were 1.91 (P = 0.004) and 4.84 (P < 0.001) for groups II and III, respectively. These differences remained significant even after adjusting for patient and tumour characteristics. Perioperative mortality was highest in group III, at 2.3%, vs 0.4% in groups I and II.CONCLUSIONSLonger anaesthesia is associated with an increase in the incidence of perioperative complications and mortality, especially when the duration of anaesthesia is >6 h. This increase appears to be independent of patient’s preoperative health status, tumour extent and blood loss.
On the Exportability of Korean Movies
Authors: Lee Shi Young , Kim Eun‐mee , Jun Sung Hee 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe authors investigate factors that may affect the exportability of Korean films released from 1996 to 2002. They employ a binary probit model to test the exportability. The findings indicate that the number of screens, action genre, and year dummies of 2000 and 2001 are important determinants of exportability in the overall model. The authors tried to capture the dynamic aspect of exportability by holding outside factors constant. Over the previous years (1996–99), they found that factors that reduce the asymmetric information problem are important predictors of exportability. On the other hand, the star power and number of screens exhibited in the domestic market are strong predictors of exportability during the recent period. This result confirms that the recent expansion and success of the Korean movie industry (such as the effect of Hallyu) serves as an effective signal to the international film market. Their analysis of cultural discount is inconclusive.
Genetic variability in the mitochondrial DNA of the Danish Pine marten
Authors: Pertoldi C. , Muñoz J. , Madsen A. B. , Barker J. S. F. , Andersen D. H. , Baagøe H. J. , Birch M. , Loeschcke V. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHere we study genetic differentiation and changes over time in genetic variability in the rare pine marten Martes martes. Samples from three isolated geographic regions: Jutland and Sealand (Denmark) and southern Scania (southernmost Sweden), were genotyped by sequencing the hypervariable domain of the mitochondria control region. Both recent and museum samples were analysed in order to evaluate any temporal loss of genetic variability. Eight haplotypes were found. Two were main haplotypes shared by individuals from all three regions, and in all localities unique haplotypes were found. When comparing the data with previous haplotype analysis, our results suggest that at least three different haplotype groups exist in central and Northern Europe, with the samples from southern Scania being differentiated from samples previously analysed from central Sweden, and the genotypic data for Jutland and Sealand suggest a recent independent evolutionary history for the Danish pine marten.
Does gliding when pregnant select for larger females?
Authors: Fokidis H. B. , Risch T. S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFor terrestrial vertebrates, gliding imposes unique constraints on the interaction of body mass and structural size, particularly with reference to minimizing wing loading. Females of gliding animals experience increases in wing loading during pregnancy or gravidity, and selection may favour increased structural size to compensate for the added mass. We tested whether pregnant southern flying squirrelsGlaucomys volanshad similar wing loading as males, and whether females with lower wing loading bore heavier litters, than those with greater wing loading. Males had greater wing loading than females, regardless of the latter's reproductive state (males: 38.4±3.62 N m−2, pregnant females: 30.7±4.21 N m−2and non‐pregnant females: 26.8±5.13 N m−2). The slope of the linear relationship between planar surface area and body mass was similar between pregnant females and males, however (F=0.383,P=0.322). Thus female flying squirrels may optimize their litter mass to minimize wing loading during pregnancy. Contrary to our prediction, females with greater wing loading had heavier litters than those with lower wing loading, which suggests reproductive output may be influenced by other ecological factors.
Consumer credit and monetary policy in Malaysia
Authors: Kassim Salina Hj. , Manap Turkhan Ali Abdul 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWhat is the impact of monetary policy on the Malaysian consumer? The study addresses this issue by empirically investigating the consequences of interest rate shocks on consumer credit in Malaysia. The study relies on the impulse response functions and the variance decomposition analysis based on the structural Vector Auto‐regression methodology. Apart from analysing the responses of aggregate consumer loans (ACL) to interest rate changes, further disaggregation is made in efforts to arrive at more detailed findings. In particular, the ACL data are categorized into loans for purchase of residential property, loans for personal uses, loans for credit cards, loans for purchase of consumer durables, loans for purchase of passenger cars and loans for purchase of securities. Through this disaggregation, the study shows the relative sensitivity of the various types of consumer loans to interest rate shocks.
Hospital Charges Attributable to a Primary Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Older Adults in the United States, 1998 to 2004
Authors: Curns Aaron T. , Steiner Claudia A. , Sejvar James J. , Schonberger Lawrence B. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To describe total and average hospital charges associated with infectious disease (ID) hospitalizations and specific ID categories and to estimate ID hospitalization rates in adults aged 65 and older in the United States from 1998 through 2004.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of hospital discharge data obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 1998 through 2004.SETTING: United States.PATIENTS: Older adults hospitalized in the United States from 1998 through 2004.MEASUREMENTS: Hospital charges and hospitalization rates for IDs described according to year, age group, sex, U.S. Census region, and ID category. Charges for non‐ID hospitalizations were also described. Hospital charges were adjusted for inflation.RESULTS: From 1998 through 2004, total charges for ID hospitalizations exceeded $261 billion and accounted for 13% of all hospital charges for older adults. Total charges for ID hospitalizations increased from $31.4 billion in 1998 to $45.7 billion in 2004. The average annual ID hospital charge was lower than the average annual non‐ID hospital charge during the study period ($21,342 vs $22,787, P<.001). The average annual rate for ID hospitalizations was 503 per 10,000 older adults, which remained stable during the study period.CONCLUSION: The total charges for ID hospitalizations and for all hospitalizations in older adults in the United States increased 45% and nearly 40%, respectively, during the 7‐year study period, whereas the population of older adults grew by only 5%. Sustained increases of such magnitude will have major implications for the U.S. healthcare system as it prepares for the more than doubling of the older U.S. adult population during the first 30 years of this century.
A Quality Improvement Program to Enhance After‐Hours Telephone Communication Between Nurses and Physicians in a Long‐Term Care Facility
Authors: Whitson Heather E. , Hastings S. Nicole , Lekan Deborah A. , Sloane Richard , White Heidi K. , McConnell Eleanor S. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether satisfaction of on‐site nurses with after‐hours telephone communication with off‐site physicians improved in one long‐term care (LTC) facility after a nurse‐oriented intervention.DESIGN: Longitudinal quality improvement study.SETTING: Extended Care and Rehabilitation Center (ECRC), Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen registered nurses.INTERVENTION: Communicating Health Assessments by Telephone (Project CHAT), a program of individualized training sessions and decision support tools to aid LTC nurses with symptom assessment and communication of health information over the telephone.MEASUREMENTS: Nurses completed six satisfaction surveys (three surveys in the 3 months before Project CHAT and three surveys in the 3 months after Project CHAT).RESULTS: The nurses' average satisfaction scores increased on several items, including those that assessed whether the nurse was pretty sure what pieces of information the physician was going to ask for (P=.04), felt that the amount of patient information the physician asked for seemed reasonable (P=.03), felt prepared to answer the questions the physician asked (P=.01), and felt that the process of gathering patient information for the physician was easy (P=.01). The percentage of calls that resulted in immediate evaluation by a physician (on‐site or in the emergency department) increased from 2.0% in the period before Project CHAT to 8.6% in the period after Project CHAT (P=.01).CONCLUSION: Nurses' satisfaction with several aspects of after‐hours telephone medicine improved after an inexpensive, education‐based intervention in one LTC facility. Further research is needed to determine how similar interventions might affect other quality measures, including patient outcomes.
Efectos del ausentismo en la productividad de los maestros
Authors: MILLER Raegen T. , MURNANE Richard J. , WILLETT John B. 
Published: April 2008

Resumen.Los autores estudian los efectos del ausentismo de los maestros en la instrucción, basándose en datos de tres cursos académicos que abarcan a 285 maestros y a 8.631 alumnos —la mayoría pertenecientes a familias modestas— de un distrito escolar urbano de los Estados Unidos. Comprueban la hipótesis de que las ausencias de los maestros son en gran parte injustificadas y reducen el aprovechamiento de los estudiantes. Dado que los suplentes suelen tener menos preparación, la enseñanza pierde intensidad y coherencia: diez días de ausencia del maestro se traducen en un descenso de las notas de los alumnos en matemáticas de alrededor del 3,3 por ciento de la desviación estándar. Para algunos estudiantes, ello supone bajar a una catego‐ría de nivel académico inferior, lo cual reduce su voluntad de salir adelante.
Antibody levels to single bacteria or in combination evaluated against myocardial infarction
Authors: Lund Håheim Lise , Olsen Ingar , Nafstad Per , Schwarze Per , Rønningen Kjersti S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground: Evidence is accumulating that oral bacteria are associated with myocardial infarctions (MI). We were interested in studying the differences in the association between single bacteria or bacteria in combination and the relation to C‐reactive protein (CRP).Material and Methods: We examined the levels of antibodies against four major periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (AA), Tannerella forsythia (TF) and Treponema denticola (TD) and CRP in 548 men with a self‐reported history of MI to 625 controls who took part in the Oslo II study in 2000.Results: The mean levels of bacterial antibodies were higher for the cases than the controls, but not significant as standard deviations were large. The level of CRP was higher in the cases than the controls (p=0.010). Logistic regression analyses comparing the upper quartile value with the lower value of one of either four antibodies (anti‐AA, anti‐TF, anti‐TD and anti‐PG) were significantly associated (p=0.032) with MI. Equivalent analyses of either three bacteria showed significant associations for anti‐AA, anti‐TD and anti‐PG (p=0.036) and anti‐AA, anti‐PG and anti‐TF (p=0.040). CRP showed an increased relative risk with increasing quartile value; trend, p=0.016, but not in multivariate analysis including the oral antigens.Conclusions: No single bacterium but rather combinations were related to increasing relative risk for MI independent of known cardiovascular risk factors.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Female Sexual Response: Overview of Techniques, Results, and Future Directions
Authors: Maravilla Kenneth R. , Yang Claire C. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming a frequently used tool in the study of sexual physiology and neurophysiology.

Aim
This report reviews various MRI methods used to study the female sexual arousal response.

Methods
Retrospective review of pertinent literature.

Results
Dynamic genital MRI studies enable the visualization of the physiologic arousal response that provides the direct observation of the time course and magnitude of this response, along with the variability that appears to occur in women with sexual arousal disorder. Functional brain MR studies are described and summarized along with an overview of what we have learned. Finally, the speculation on how we may be able to use MRI technology to better understand the female sexual response and to help in validating new drug treatments or in devising new treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction is also presented.

Conclusions
Neuroimaging has already been proven as an invaluable research tool to study the sexual response in women both in the pelvis as well as within the brain. Using these techniques, major inroads are being made to improve the understanding of the sexual arousal process in women.