bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Six‐year prospective study of physical fitness and incidence of disability among community‐dwelling Japanese elderly women
Authors: Tainaka Koji , Takizawa Tsuyoshi , Katamoto Shizuo , Aoki Junichiro 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  To identify physical fitness factors associated with occurrence of disability requiring long‐term care and reviewing physical fitness factors to identify threshold values at which future care risk is expected to rise rapidly.Methods:  This prospective cohort study included 74–88‐year‐old women who were living at home and who reported no disability in activities of daily living. The subjects completed 16 physical fitness tests, assessing walking ability, muscular strength, flexibility, agility and balance, and participated in a follow‐up interview 6 years later.Results:  Among the 60 subjects who were not disabled at baseline and who participated in the 6‐year follow up, 28 subjects were certified to have a disability necessitating long‐term care after 6 years. Among the 16 physical fitness tests, 13 measures showed a significant association with the necessity of care. Maximum walking time and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) were identified as main physical fitness factors associated with later necessity of care using a multiple logistic regression model. After adjustment for age, each subject's probability of occurrence of disability necessitating care was calculated using a logistic equation. The probability rose rapidly to more than 80% when 10 m maximum walking of 74–78‐year‐old subjects was 10 s. For 80–88‐year‐old subjects, the probability rose rapidly to more than 80% when the time was at 9 s. As ankle dorsiflexion ROM narrowed, the probability rose gradually.Conclusion:  Ability to walk rapidly is an indicative main physical fitness marker for predicting the independence of elderly women.
Impact of low cost strength training of dorsi‐ and plantar flexors on balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people
Authors: Ribeiro Fernando , Teixeira Fantina , Brochado Gabriela , Oliveira José 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  To evaluate the effects of a low cost strength training program of the dorsi‐ and ankle plantar flexors on muscle strength, balance and functional mobility, in elderly institutionalized subjects; and to determine the association between strength gain and balance and/or functional mobility gain.Methods:  Forty‐eight volunteers were recruited and equally divided into two groups: intervention (aged 78.44 ± 3.84 years) and control (aged 79.78 ± 3.90 years). Both groups were tested at baseline and outcome for ankle dorsi‐ and plantar flexors muscle strength, balance and functional mobility. The intervention group participated in a 6‐week program, three‐sessions‐per‐week, of resisted ankle dorsi‐ and plantar flexion exercises using elastic bands.Results:  In the intervention group, maximal isometric dorsi‐ (from 8.4 ± 0.45 to 12.6 ± 0.95 kg; P ≤ 0.001) and plantar flexors strength (from 13.0 ± 0.85 to 17.5 ± 0.93 kg; P ≤ 0.001), balance (from 14.6 ± 0.54 to 22.3 ± 1.81 cm; P ≤ 0.001) and functional mobility (from 18.4 ± 0.51 to 11.0 ± 0.66 s; P ≤ 0.001) increased significantly after the 6‐week strength training program. In the control group, no significant differences were detected. In the intervention group, a significant correlation between plantar flexor strength gain and balance gain was found (r = 0.826; P = 0.01).Conclusion:  The proposed low cost strength training of dorsi‐ and plantar flexors improved strength, balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people; moreover, the improvement in plantar flexor strength was associated with the improvement in balance.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Arabic version: Reliability and validity prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among elderly attending geriatric clubs in Cairo
Authors: Rahman Tomader Taha Abdel , El Gaafary Maha Mohamed 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical label which includes elderly subjects with memory impairment and with no significant daily functional disability. MCI is an important target for Alzheimer's dementia prevention studies. Data on the prevalence and incidence of MCI varies greatly according to cultural difference. The first aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Arabic version in MCI detection. The second was to determine the prevalence of MCI among apparently healthy elderly people attending geriatric clubs in Cairo.Methods:  In stage I reliability & validity of MoCA Arabic version were assessed in reference to Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG). In stage II prevalence of MCI was estimated using Arabic MoCA among apparently healthy elderly attending geriatric clubs. These geriatric clubs were randomly selected from different regions in Cairo governorate.Results:  Test–retest reliability data of the Arabic MoCA were collected approximately 35.0 ± 17.6 days apart. The mean change in Arabic MoCA scores from the first to second evaluation was 0.9 ± 2.5 points, and correlation between the two evaluations was high (correlation coefficient = 0.92, P < 0.001). The internal consistency of the Arabic MoCA was good, yielding a Cronbach's α on the standardized items of 0.83. In diagnosing mild cognitive impairment, the Arabic MoCA showed 92.3% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity. The prevalence of MCI among elderly subjects attending geriatric clubs in Cairo is 34.2% and 44.3% of healthy men and women, respectively.Conclusion:  Older age, female sex and less education are the independent risk factors for MCI among apparently healthy elderly subjects attending geriatric clubs in Cairo.
Diversity of culturable marine filamentous fungi from deep‐sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Burgaud Gaëtan , Le Calvez Thomas , Arzur Danielle , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Barbier Georges 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAs now very few studies have been carried out on deep‐sea marine fungi, this field remains relatively unknown. However, their presence inside benthic microbial eukaryotes at deep‐sea vents was recently pointed out from molecular microbial ecology studies. We report here an attempt to describe the culturable part of mycological communities in deep‐sea vent ecosystems that is an important step in understanding their diversity, abundance and function. Physiological characterization revealed strains that are more or less adapted to deep‐sea conditions. Those results suggest the presence of true marine organisms and other more ubiquitous. Phylogenetical characterization highly correlated to physiological data revealed the presence of fungi that have been previously described and unknown ones until now, belonging to new taxonomic groups. This survey encourages for further work in order to complete descriptions and also to describe the ecological role of these organisms in such extreme environments.
Toxicity of triclosan, penconazole and metalaxyl on Caulobacter crescentus and a freshwater microbial community as assessed by flow cytometry
Authors: Johnson David R. , Czechowska Kamila , Chèvre Nathalie , Van Der Meer Jan Roelof 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBiocides are widely used for domestic hygiene, agricultural and industrial applications. Their widespread use has resulted in their introduction into the environment and raised concerns about potential deleterious effects on aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the toxicity of the biocides triclosan, penconazole and metalaxyl were evaluated with the freshwater bacterium Caulobacter crescentus and with a freshwater microbial community using a combination of single‐ and double‐stain flow cytometric assays. Growth of C. crescentus and the freshwater community were repressed by triclosan but not by penconazole or metalaxyl at concentrations up to 250 μM. The repressive effect of triclosan was dependent on culture conditions. Caulobacter crescentus was more sensitive to triclosan when grown with high glucose at high cell density than when grown directly in sterilized lake water at low cell density. This suggests that the use of conventional growth conditions may overestimate biocide toxicity. Additional experiments showed that the freshwater community was more sensitive to triclosan than C. crescentus, with 10 nM of triclosan being sufficient to repress growth and change the phylogenetic composition of the community. These results demonstrate that isolate‐based assays may underestimate biocide toxicity and highlight the importance of assessing toxicity directly on natural microbial communities. Because 10 nM of triclosan is within the range of concentrations observed in freshwater systems, these results also raise concerns about the risk of introducing triclosan into the environment.
Propiverine vs oxybutynin for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children and adolescents: results of a multicentre observational cohort study
Authors: Madersbacher Helmut , Mürtz Gerd , Alloussi Schahnaz , Domurath Burghard , Henne Thomas , Körner Iris , Niedeggen Andreas , Nounla Joseph , Pannek Jürgen , Schulte‐Baukloh Heinrich , Schultz‐Lampel Daniela , Bock Paul , Strugala Gerhard 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare, in a retrospective observational cohort study, the efficacy, tolerability, safety and clinical effectiveness of propiverine and oxybutynin in children and adolescents with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 255 children and adolescents (aged 1–18 years) with NDO (199 myelomeningocele, 46 spinal cord injury, 10 other diagnoses) were enrolled at 14 study centres. To evaluate the efficacy of propiverine and oxybutynin, urodynamic and clinical variables were assessed before and after at least 12 month of the antimuscarinic agents administered at variable doses.RESULTSIn all, 127 patients given propiverine and 128 given oxybutynin were enrolled. The primary efficacy outcome, i.e. reductions in urodynamically assessed individual maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax), was assumed to indicate success in 74.2% of those on propiverine vs 49.6% on oxybutynin. The mean Pdetmax was significantly reduced during treatment, from 59.8 to 36.7 cmH2O in the propiverine and from 65.2 to 54.9 cmH2O in the oxybutynin groups. The mean maximum cystometric bladder capacity increased from 146 to 242 mL in the propiverine and from 222 to 310 mL in the oxybutynin group. Propiverine was better tolerated than oxybutynin, having fewer adverse drug reactions (9.4% vs 17.2%, odds ratio 2.04), and for its severity grades and premature treatment termination (none vs 11 cases).CONCLUSIONIn this non‐interventional study, reflecting ‘real‐life’ clinical practice, comparing the efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine and oxybutynin in children and adolescents with NDO, propiverine was at least as effective as oxybutynin, but better tolerated, resulting in superior clinical effectiveness than for oxybutynin.
Reduced bladder cancer recurrence rate with cardioprotective aspirin after intravesical bacille Calmette‐Guérin
Authors: Gee Jason R. , Jarrard David F. , Bruskewitz Reginald C. , Moon Timothy D. , Hedican Sean P. , Leverson Glen E. , Nakada Stephen Y. , Messing Edward M. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rate of patients taking cardioprotective aspirin after intravesical bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) for high‐grade noninvasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, as preventing the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer might decrease patient morbidity and mortality from this disease, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) have shown promise in preclinical prevention through inhibition of the prostaglandin pathway and other mechanisms.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 43 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) and/or high‐grade papillary bladder cancer were treated with intravesical BCG. Patients were stratified according to whether they took cardioprotective aspirin after treatment, and Kaplan‐Meier curves of RFS were compared by log‐rank analysis. Multivariable analysis was used for potentially confounding factors, including maintenance BCG, the presence of CIS, and smoking status.RESULTSOf patients taking cardioprotective aspirin, the 5‐year RFS rate was 64.3%, compared with 26.9% for patients not taking aspirin, with a significantly higher RFS by univariable log rank analysis (P = 0.03). Even after adjusting for the other factors by multivariable analysis, aspirin seems to affect recurrence (hazard ratio 0.179, P = 0.001). Maintenance BCG (hazard ratio 0.233, P = 0.02) and smoking history (hazard ratio 3.199, P = 0.05) also significantly affected recurrence.CONCLUSIONThere was a significantly higher RFS rate in patients taking cardioprotective aspirin after intravesical BCG therapy for bladder cancer. The results of this study support the further investigation of aspirin and other NSAIDs as preventive agents in patients being treated for superficial bladder cancer.
Management of decreased bone mineral density in men starting androgen‐deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Panju Abbas H. , Breunis Henriette , Cheung Angela M. , Leach Marc , Fleshner Neil , Warde Padraig , Duff‐Canning Sarah , Krahn Murray , Naglie Gary , Tannock Ian , Tomlinson George , Alibhai Shabbir M.H. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine whether clinicians discuss bone‐specific side‐effects with patients on androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, or prescribe lifestyle and pharmacological interventions for low bone mineral density (BMD), as decreased BMD is a common side‐effect of ADT, leading to increased risk of fracture.PATIENTS AND METHODSSixty‐six men (mean age 70.6 years) with non‐metastatic prostate cancer and starting continuous ADT were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study. BMD was determined by dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline. Patients were interviewed to obtain their medical histories, and charts were reviewed to determine whether clinicians documented potential bone side‐effects in clinic notes, and made lifestyle and/or medication recommendations. Both were done at the start of ADT, and 3 and 6 months later. Patients were classified based on DXA T‐score as having normal BMD, as osteopenic, or osteoporotic.RESULTSAt baseline, 53% of patients had osteopenia and 5% had osteoporosis. Within 6 months of starting ADT, general side‐effects and bone‐specific side‐effects of ADT were documented as being discussed with 26% and 15%, respectively. Clinicians recommended lifestyle interventions to 11% of patients. Pharmacological interventions (calcium, vitamin D, and/or bisphosphonates) were recommended to 18% of all patients within 6 months of starting ADT, and to 26% and 67% of osteopenic and osteoporotic patients, respectively.CONCLUSIONSA minority of patients is being informed of bone‐specific side‐effects of ADT. Lifestyle and drug interventions to prevent declines in BMD were recommended uncommonly. Practices around bone health for men starting ADT are suboptimal.
Evaluation of different techniques to create chronic urinary incontinence in the rat
Authors: Pauwels Elisabeth , De Wachter Stefan , Wyndaele Jean‐Jacques 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate models for chronic urinary incontinence (UI) in the rat.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo models were fully evaluated: one of repeated dilatation of the vagina, simulating birth trauma, the vaginal dilatation (VD) group; the other, with surgical transposition of the urethra to a vertical position, the urethral transposition (UT) group. The VD rats were evaluated by the sneeze test. When negative, vaginal dilatation was repeated in a similar way. The UT group was evaluated by observation of continuous urine leakage. The leak‐point pressure (LPP) was measured at study end in all the rats.RESULTSAll the VD rats had occasional negative sneeze tests and all had to be dilated again. This resulted in persistent UI on sneeze testing for the entire period. In the UT group, 12 rats leaked continuously during the whole study period; in the other four UI became less at 4, 5, 6, and 7 weeks, respectively. The LPP in the rats with UI was significantly lower than in the respective control groups.CONCLUSIONSThese models permit study of chronic stress UI and continuous UI in the rat. Spontaneous recovery of continence was seen mostly in the VD group.
Effect of dutasteride, tamsulosin and the combination on patient‐reported quality of life and treatment satisfaction in men with moderate‐to‐severe benign prostatic hyperplasia: 2‐year data from the CombAT trial
Authors: Barkin Jack , Roehrborn Claus G. , Siami Paul , Haillot Olivier , Morrill Betsy , Black Libby , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of dutasteride and tamsulosin as combined therapy compared with each monotherapy for improving patient‐reported health outcomes in men with moderate‐to‐severe urinary symptoms and prostate enlargement, reporting the pre‐planned 2‐year analyses from the CombAT trial.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe CombAT study is an ongoing, international, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group trial. Men aged ≥50 years with a clinical diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥12 units, a prostate volume of ≥30 mL, a total serum prostate‐specific antigen level of 1.5–10 ng/mL and a peak urinary flow of >5 and ≤15 mL/s, with a minimum voided volume of ≥125 mL, were randomized to receive 0.5 mg dutasteride, 0.4 mg tamsulosin or the combination once daily for 4 years. Symptoms were assessed every 3 months. The primary endpoint at 2 years was the change in IPSS from baseline. Secondary endpoints included various measures of health outcomes, which included the BPH Impact Index (BII), IPSS Question 8 (Q8), and the Patient Perception of Study Medication (PPSM) questionnaire.RESULTSCombined therapy resulted in significantly greater improvements in BII and IPSS Q8 from baseline than did dutasteride from 3 months and compared with tamsulosin from 9 months (BII) or 12 months (IPSS Q8). Assessments using the PPSM questionnaire showed that a significantly higher proportion of patients were satisfied with and would request dutasteride and tamsulosin combined therapy than with each monotherapy at 24 months.CONCLUSIONSDutasteride and tamsulosin combined therapy provides significantly greater improvements in patient‐reported quality of life and treatment satisfaction than both monotherapies at 2 years, following the trends for clinical improvements in symptom scores and peak urinary flow rates, in men with moderate‐to‐severe BPH symptoms.
p53 immunochemistry is an independent prognostic marker for outcome in conservatively treated prostate cancer
Authors: Kudahetti Sak , Fisher Gabrielle , Ambroisine Laurence , Foster Christopher , Reuter Victor , Eastham James , Møller Henrik , Kattan Michael W. , Cooper Colin S. , Scardino Peter , Cuzick Jack , Berney Daniel M. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine whether p53 is an independent biomarker of prostate cancer outcome against currently used biomarkers in a cohort of conservatively treated prostate cancers with long‐term follow‐up available.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe examined p53 expression by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 705 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, who were treated conservatively. Patients were selected through UK Cancer Registries. End‐points included prostate cancer death and overall death rates. Standard biological variables, including diagnostic serum PSA, contemporary Gleason scoring, clinical staging and cancer extent were available. p53 expression was measured semi‐quantitatively on microscopic examination and compared with current clinical biomarkers.RESULTSp53 over expression was a significant predictor of cause‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.95, 95% CI 2.05–4.25, P < 0.001) and overall survival (HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.84–3.05, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis including competing biological variables p53 expression was still significantly linked to prostate cancer survival (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.04–2.19, P = 0.03) and overall survival (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.21–2.05, P = 0.001).CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that p53 may have a role in the future assessment of newly diagnosed prostate cancer, as it significantly adds to the current prognostic model.
Fulguration of the lumen does not improve vasectomy sterilization rates
Authors: Munro Nicholas P. , Kotwal Sanjeev , Gogoi Ng K. , Weston Philip M.T. , Browning Anthony J. , Harrison Simon C.W. , Biyani Shekhar , Chahal Rohit , Sundaram Subramanian K. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVESTo assess the effect of adding lumen diathermy fulguration to our standard technique of vas ligation with polyglactin 910 (VicrylTM, Ethicon, Sommerville, NJ, USA) excision and fascial interposition, in an attempt to improve our sterilization rates. We previously reported the effect of changing suture material on vasectomy success rates; 3005 post‐vasectomy semen analyses (PVSA) revealed a decrease in sterilization rates after surgery on changing from chromic catgut to polyglactin 910.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed PVSA undertaken for vasectomies performed by urological surgeons at the Mid‐Yorkshire NHS Trust for 18 months from September 2005 to February 2007.RESULTSThere were 592 vasectomies in all; the age distribution of patients between the groups treated with the standard and new method was similar. Overall, 166 patients (28%) failed to provide two semen samples as instructed, and so were excluded from further analyses. Sterility was achieved in 367 patients (86%); a further 28 (7%) have indeterminate analyses to date, with one of the last two PVSAs showing sperm, with the PVSA of 32 (7%) patients showing persisting sperm. For the eight surgeons reviewed the sterility rates were broadly similar.CONCLUSIONSThe introduction of diathermy fulguration of the lumen has not improved vasectomy sterilization rates, with up to 14% having sperm on PVSA.
Outcomes after radical prostatectomy in men receiving previous pelvic radiation for non‐prostate malignancies
Authors: Masterson Timothy A. , Wedmid Alexei , Sandhu Jaspreet S. , Eastham James A. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo report the perioperative and functional outcomes of nine patients treated at our institution who had radical prostatectomy (RP) after previous pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for non‐prostate malignancies.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom 1993 to 2007, nine patients had RP after external beam RT for testicular seminoma (six), anorectal cancer (two) and colon cancer (one). Clinical information was obtained from a prospective prostate cancer database.RESULTSRP was completed with no identifiable injury to adjacent structures in all nine patients. Four patients had significant pelvic fibrosis, and three required bilateral neurovascular bundle (NVB) resection. The NVB was preserved in the remaining six patients, four with good preoperative erectile function. However, no patient recovered erectile function after RP at a median (range) follow‐up of 75 (12–172) months. Of seven men continent before RP, four required one or fewer pads daily and three were completely dry, achieving complete urinary control at a median (range) time of 7.5 (2–20) months. Two patients developed an anastomotic stricture, one being associated with concomitant ureteric stricture.CONCLUSIONSRP after pelvic RT for non‐prostate malignancies was not associated with increased intraoperative morbidity. However, rates of anastomotic stricture, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence appeared to be higher than those reported after RP in men with no previous RT, and comparable with those seen in the salvage RP setting.