bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artificial radionuclides in the sediments of the Rhǒne river: a snapshot of the situation during winter 1994/95
Authors: Dietrich Dorothee , Medici Fausto 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTArtificial radionuclides (60Co, 106Ru, 134Cs and 137Cs) produced in the nuclear power plants along the Rh&#x006f;&#x030c;ne valley have been detected in most of the 35 sediment samples collected from the shores of the Rh&#x006f;&#x030c;ne river in southern France. In one sample traces of 241Am were found, suggesting the presence of transuranic elements. The wide use of river water for irrigation and the occasional big inundations of the Rh&#x006f;&#x030c;ne have spread the artificial radionuclides over huge areas, quite far behind the river shores. Although artificial radionuclides are present in fields where food crops are collected, their activity is currently considerably lower than the activity of the natural radionuclides present in the river sediment.
The tectonic significance of Italian magmatism: an alternative view to the popular interpretation
Authors: Lavecchia Giusy , Stoppa Francesco 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe Tyrrhenian rift zone has been the site of widespread magmatism since late Tortonian times. A pronounced asymmetrical distribution, reflecting the tectonic structure, characterizes Italian magmatism. Sodic basalts occur on the western Tyrrhenian flank and transitional‐MORB basalts occur in the Tyrhenian Sea. The eastern flank, however, is characterized by K‐alkaline and HK‐ to ultra‐alkaline (e.g. carbonatites and melilitites) rocks. Major trace elements and isotopic compositions allow two major magmatic lineages to be identified: one relating to a non‐radiogenic basaltic end‐member and the other to a mantle end‐member enriched in Ca, with high LILE/HFSE ratio and high Sr isotopic ratios. Their mantle sources are located within the lithosphere thermal boundary layer (TBL) and the metasomatized phlogopite‐carbonate asthenosphere at the base of the TBL, respectively. The composition and spatial distribution of volcanism and relative mantle sources tend to map the geometry of the lithospheric mantle and to define a pronounced increase in depth from less than 60 km to about 100 km across the boundary between the thinned Tyrrhenian lithosphere and the Adriatic lithosphere. A mechanism of intra‐continental passive rifting, which drives mantle upwelling, is sufficient to satisfy the petrological and geochemical constraints and the observed tectonic environment without requiring a subduction plane.
Sedimentology of the Upper Burdekin River of North Queensland, Australia—an example of a tropical, variable discharge river
Authors: Fielding Christopher R. , Alexander Jan 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe Burdekin River is an example of a class of tropical streams which experience two to four orders of magnitude variation in discharge, in response to seasonal but erratic monsoonal rainfall. Floods of the Burdekin rise abruptly, reaching peak discharges of up to 40,000 m3 s‐1 in less than 24 h; maintain peak flow for up to a few days, and recede exponentially. The geomorphology and deposits of these rivers reflect the extreme discharge fluctuations, and have not previously been described.A stretch of the upper Burdekin River comprising four bends and one straight reach was examined near the town of Charters Towers. The river bed is largely exposed for most of any year, with a small, misfit perennial channel carrying low stage flow. Major geomorphic elements of bends include point bars with ridge‐and‐swale topography, three distinct types of chute channels, avalanche slipfaces up to 5 m or more high around the downstream edges of bars, and on the outer part of one point bar an elevated, vegetated ridge. Straight reaches are flat or gently inclined, sand‐ and gravel‐covered surfaces. Much of the river bed is covered by well sorted, in places gravelly, coarse to very coarse‐grained sand with local accumulations of pebble to boulder gravel. Lower parts of the river bed are periodically draped by mud which is desiccated on exposure. Dunes and plane beds are the most commonly occurring bedforms, with local development of gravelly antidunes. Most bank tops and upper, vegetated bars are covered by silt and fine‐grained sand. The river bed also hosts a low‐diversity but locally high‐abundance, flood‐tolerant flora dominated by the paperbark tree Melaleuca argentea, which plays an important role in controlling the distribution of sediment.The gross geomorphology of the river bed and most of the sedimentary features are interpreted as having formed during major (bankfull or near bankfull) flows, which have a recurrence of about 18 years (based on 65 years hydrographic data). The initial rapid drop in discharge following flood peaks appears to preserve flood peak features on upper bars more or less intact, whereas lower areas are subjected to variable degrees of modification during falling stage and by more frequent, non‐bankfull discharge events.
Thermotectonic evolution of a rifted continental margin: fission track evidence from the Kangerlussuaq area, SE Greenland
Authors: Hansen Kirsten 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTFission track analyses of apatites from sediments, Precambrian gneisses and Caledonian to Tertiary intrusive rocks from the Kangerlussuaq region reveal its post‐Caledonian thermotectonic history. Inland the history involves cooling to temperatures within the high temperature part of the apatite annealing interval and slow cooling (or reheating) continued in Cretaceous times through this interval. Apatites from coastal areas between Kangerlussuaq and Tasiilaq reveal only Tertiary cooling. In Tertiary times cooling accelerated after the main intrusive phase in the Tertiary. The evolution is taken as evidence for a general uplift/erosion since Caledonian times probably disturbed by basin formation and sedimentation and reheating due to magmatic activity. Thermal subsidence of the rift shoulders following the opening of the adjacent oceanic basin is not indicated. Annealing patterns inland of the plume centre in the Kangerlussuaq provide no evidence for the earlier movement of the plume from a westerly direction.
A geodynamic model of the Southern Apennines accretionary prism
Authors: Doglioni C. , Harabaglia P. , Martinelli G. , Mongelli F. , Zito G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe Apennines comprise a Neogen—Quaternary accretionary prism that shows several anomalies with respect to classic alpine‐type mountain belts, namely (i) low elevation, (ii) a shallow new Moho below the core of the belt, (iii) high heat flow in the internal parts, (iv) mainly sedimentary cover involved in the prism, (v) a deep foredeep and (vi) a fully developed back‐arc basin. The suction exerted by a relatively eastward migrating mantle can determine the eastward retreat of the subduction zone and an asthenospheric wedging at the retreating subduction hinge. Heat flow, geochemical and seismological data support the presence of a hot mantle wedge underlying the western side of the Apenninic accretionary prism. A thermal model of the belt with foreland dipping isotherms fits with deepening of the seismicity toward the east. Mantle volatiles signatures are also widespread in springs along the Apennines.
Tertiary geodynamic evolution of the Southern Adria microplate
Authors: Gambini Roberto , Tozzi Mario 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe southern Adria microplate is the common foreland for the Hellenide and Southern Apennine thrust belts. The Apulian Platform dominates the microplate; outcrop, well and seismic data allow us to trace the carbonate platform edge, whilst structural analysis, geophysical and palaeomagnetic data provide important clues to the geodynamic evolution of the region. The present structural fabric of Apulia is dominated by several E‐W lineaments that divide the region into different blocks (Rospo Plateau, Gargano Promontory, Murge Ridge, Salento Peninsula, Apulian Plateau). One such lineament (the Pescara Dubrovnik ‘Line’, a prominent feature traversing the Adriatic Sea between central Italy and southern Croatia) has been active since the early Mesozoic, when it acted as a major transform fault controlling sedimentation along the northern margin of Southern Adria. During the Cenozoic the Pescara‐Dubrovnik underwent predominantly vertical and oblique movement due to a differential flexural response of the platform and the adjacent pelagic sequences to the thrust belt loading.In Tertiary time the Southern Adria microplate was partly involved in HeIlenide collision. The Apulian platform can be considered as an area of thicker crust more resistant to underthrusting than the surrounding basins. During the orogenic events it acted as a passive rigid indentor, causing local distortion of the most external Hellenide structures. The dextral transpressive activity recorded along the south‐east margin of this indentor (Kephallinia line) can be interpreted as the result of the oblique collision between the margin of the thick Apulian Platform (in this zone NNE‐SSW striking) and the NW‐SE striking Hellenic thrust belt. Horizontal stress generated during the collision was partly transmitted to the rigid foreland re‐activating palaeo E‐W faults within the south Adria microplate in a dextral strike‐slip sense. The clockwise rotation recorded in the Salento Peninsula can be explained by the rotation of several NW‐SE striking faulted blocks. The rotation was accompanied by the opening of small transtensional basins between blocks. This block rotation was caused by the dextral shear that is expressed along the North and the South Salento Fault Zones.
The importance of goats to a natural environment: a case study from Epirus (Greece) and Southern Albania
Authors: Green Sarah , King Geoffrey 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIn the Epirus region of North‐west Greece, spring flows in villages have reduced dramatically over the last few decades, in some cases with serious economic consequences. We argue here that this has resulted from the major reduction of grazing by mountain goats over the same period together with other associated land‐use changes. Normally such a contention would be impossible to demonstrate because many different causes could be invoked. However, prior to 1946 culturally homogenous Greek‐speaking communities with identical pastoral practices were separated by the closure of the Greek‐Albanian border. Changes of spring flow have not occurred on the Albanian side of the border where heavy grazing has continued. In a region such as Greece where pastoralism has continued for thousands of years, the environment had reached an equilibrium with goat grazing. Apart from the reduction of spring flows, other undesirable ecological consequences are occurring.It is also interesting to note that long‐term water table changes such as those occurring in Epirus have been attributed to tectonic effects and thought to potentially predict earthquakes. The effect however, may be the result of goats and other livestock ‘leaving’ and not the result of earthquakes ‘coming’.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF UROLOGICAL CANCER DEATHS IN JAPAN
Authors: Nakata Seiji , Yamanaka Hidetoshi 
Published: July 2007

We analyzed mortality data (1973‐84) associated with 19 major cancers in Japan. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for prostate cancer was high in prefectures clustered in the Kanto‐Chubu and Kyusyu regions, and that for renal cancer was high in prefectures scattered over eastern Japan. On the other hand, the SMR for prostate cancer was low in prefectures in the Kinki and Shikoku regions. In males, the SMR for bladder cancer was low in the Kanto'and Chubu regions, and that for renal cancer was low in the Kanto‐Chubu, Shikoku and Kyusyu regions. The correlation between the prefectural SMR for urological cancers and other cancers was analyzed. Pairs of cancers which were fairly highly correlated (0.5 or higher) were bladder‐lung, kidney‐colon, kidney‐breast, kidney‐ovary, and kidney‐pancreas. For most cancers, the prefectural SMR in males was highly correlated (0.5 or higher) with that in females. However, for cancer of the bone, bladder, skin and larynx, the correlation coefficient was less than 0.5. In 14 of the 19 cancers examined, the slope of the logarithm of the age‐specific mortality rate plotted against the logarithm of age was linear, and the relationship between age and mortality rate could be expressed by the formulaLog M (mortality rate) nLog T (age)The value of “n” calculated using the formula ranged from 4 to 7 for most cancers, and was highest (9.5) for prostate cancer.
INTRA‐ AND INTERINDIVIDUAL VARIATION IN THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF TACROLIMUS (FK506) IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS—IMPORTANCE OF TROUGH LEVEL AS A PRACTICAL INDICATOR
Authors: Ihara Hideari , Shinkuma Denji , Ichikawa Yasuji , Nojima Michio , Nagano Shunsuke , Ikoma Fumihiko 
Published: July 2007

Background:Tacrolimus (FK506) is currently used as the primary immunosuppressant in clinical kidney transplantation in some centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of this drug and to see if trough level, which has been used widely in therapeutic drug monitoring, can be used as an appropriate substitute for other pharmacokinetic measurement tests. Methods:The blood concentration‐time curve was studied in 10 kidney transplant recipients on 26 Occasions after oral dosage of 2 to 18 mg every 12 hours. Whole blood concentration was measured by two‐step irnmunoabsorption assay. Methylprednisolone was used as a concomitant immuno‐suppressive drug.Results:The blood concentration‐time curves showed remarkable interindividual variation. lntraindividual variation was also found, but the degree of variation was slight compared with interindividual variation. On 17 occasions of measurement in one patient, the dose was significantly correlated with trough (r = 0.684). Cmax (r = 0.838) and AUC0–12 (r = 0.817). In nine patients on nine occasions, however, the dose was not significantly correlated with trough (r = 0.351), Cmax (r = 0.270) or AUC0–12 (r = 0.355). tmax ranged from one to four hours (mean + SD; 2.8 + 1.3) and fluctuated in both intra‐ and interindividual measurements. In spite of a wide variation in the blood concentration‐time‐curve patterns, a highly significant linear relationship between trough and Cmax or AUC0–12 was observed in both intraindividual (Cmax, r = 0.876; AUC0–12, r = 0.926) and interindividual (Cmax, f = 0.943; AUC0–12, r = 984) measurements. Concluslons:We conclude that trough level is a practical acceptable indicator of the blood levels of tacrolimus, and can be used to monitor blood concentration.
PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROVESSEL COUNT IN LOW STAGE RENAL CELL CARCINOMA
Authors: Yoshino Shuji , Kato Mikio , Okada Koichi 
Published: July 2007

Background:It has been postulated that tumors beyond a certain size are dependent on angiogenesis, which might also be related to distant metastasis. We therefore assessed the prognostic significance of tumor microvasculature in renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Tumor specimens from 84 patients with primary renal cell carcinoma were examined by immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII. Individual microvessels were counted in a 200 × field overlying the area of highest neovacularization.Results:The mean number of microvessels in patients with metastases was significantly higher than that in patients who were disease‐free for more than three years (P= 0.004). The survival of patients with less than 30 microvessels per 200 × field was significantly higher than that of patients with more than 30 microvessels per 200 × field (P= 0.007). Multivariate analyses revealed that these microvessel counts were the only significant predictor of prognosis in 45 patients with T1‐2 and MO tumors (P= 0.028).Conclusions:Assessment of tumor microvasculature is therefore probably one of the most important prognostic predictors in renal cell carcinoma.
IN SITU PERFUSION BY RETROGRADE CANNULATION OF A TUMOR ARTERY FOR NEPHRON‐SPARING SURGERY
Authors: Masaki Zenjiro , Ichigi Yasuhisa , Kuratomi Kazunari , Iguchi Atsushi , Sato Shinji , Nakamura Koji , Hirata Yuji; , Tokuda Yuji , Nohtomi Takashi 
Published: July 2007

Background:Although ice slush cooling or ex situ perfusion with bench surgery is most widely used for protecting ischemic renal damage which possibly accompanies complicated nephron‐sparing surgery, each has its own disadvantages. The former does not allow excessively long ischemia and the laller requires complicated procedures as autotransplantation. In order to mitigate against these problems, we devised a novel method of in situ renal perfusion with intracellular hyperosmolar solution. Methods: One renal segmental artery mainly supplying a tumor was isolated and cannulated with a small feeding tube. The tube was introduced through a small arteriotomy incision directed towards the proximal side, advanced until its tip remained in the main or first branch of the renal artery, and then it was anchored to that artery. After the main renal artery and vein were clamped, the kidney was perfused with cold Euro‐Collins' solution through the tube, while the venous blood and perfusate were drained from the left gonadal vein or small venotomy incision of the right renal vein. Results: In one case of renal cell carcinoma and three cases of angiomyolipoma, two of which ruptured, nephron‐sparing surgery was carried out under in situ hyperosmolar perfusion. Ischemic time of these four cases was an average of 96 minutes, varying from 45 to 145 minutes. All the kidneys functioned well postoperatively,Conclusions:The method presented here is very simple, requires no unusual dexterity and safely allows for a long period of renal ischemia. This method is best indicated in cases where simple clamping of the renal pedicle with ice‐slush cooling appears insufficient, yet ex situ surgery with autotransplantation seems excessive.
URINARY IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN PATIENTS WITH CONTINENT URINARY RESERVOIRS AND ILEAL CONDUITS
Authors: Terai Akito , Arai Yoichi , Kawakita Mutsushi , Okada Yusaku , Yoshida Osamu 
Published: July 2007

Background:Although bowel segments are commonly used for reconstructing the urinary tract, a high incidence of bacteriuria is observed in patients with urinary intestinal diversion. The normal gastrointestinal tract possesses a potent mucosal immune system characterized by secretory immunoglobulin A (slgA) as the major humoral defense factor. However, the significance of urinary IgA secretion as the mucosal defense mechanism in patients with urinary intestinal diversion has remained obscure. In this study, urinary levels of slgA as well as serum‐type IgA were measured in patients with continent urinary reservoirs (Kock and Indiana pouches) and ileal conduits. Methods: Twenty‐four‐hour urine samples were collected in a total of 80 patients with urinary intestinal diversion (22 Kock pouch patients, 21 Indiana pouch patients and 37 ileal conduit patients). The amount of slgA and serum‐type IgA were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Urinary IgA levels showed great inter‐ and intra patient variability in all three groups. Indiana reservoir urine contained significantly greater amounts of slgA (mean 32.0 mg/24hrs) than Kock reservoir urine (11.9 mg) and conduit urine (4.9 mg), whereas Kock reservoir urine contained significantly more slgA than conduit urine. However, the corresponding difference was not observed in regard to serum‐type IgA. In none of the three modes of urinary diversion did 24‐hour slgA excretion show any correlation with the length of time after surgery.Conclusions:Since the amounts of slgA in these patients were much greater than reported in urinary tract infection as well as in normal subjects, the major portion of urinary slgA seemed to be secreted by the intestinal segments. Long‐term slgA secretion in urinary intestinal diversion, especially continent urinary reservoirs, may be an important host defense system.
HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
Authors: Uchida Toyoaki , Yokoyama Eiji , Iwamura Masatsugu , Koshiba Ken , Terai Akito , Terachi Toshiro , Ohishi Kenji , Yoshida Osamu 
Published: July 2007

Background:Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the gold standard of treatment for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The present paper discusses the safety and effectiveness of transrectal high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for treating patients with symptomatic BPH. Methods: HlFU was conducted on 28 patients with BPH. At one, three and six months after treatment, all patients were examined for parameters including International Prostate Symptom Scores (I‐PSS), Quality of Life (QOL) inquiry, uroflowmetry, and transrectal ultrasound for determining prostate volume.Results:I‐PSS and QOL showed statistically significant improvement at one, three, and six months postoperatively (P< 0.0001 ‐0. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test). Ten of 28 (35.7 Oh), 13 of 28 (46.4%), and 6 of 15 (40.0%) cases were categorized as effective cases with HlFU treatment at one, three, and six months follow‐up.Conclusions:Focused ultrasound is an exciting new technology by which tissue can be destroyed at a site distant from the source of energy without damage to surrounding tissue. Clinical experience with alternative power settings, more accurate spacing of treatment lesions, and further development of HlFU machines may improve the results. Longer follow‐up of patients with further clinipl evaluation of HlFU is necessary to define the efficacy of this technique.
INCREASING THE THERMAL DOSE IN TRANSURETHRAL MICROWAVE THERMOTHERAPY PRODUCES NO IMPROVEMENT IN THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY
Authors: Terai Akito , Shichiri Yasumasa , Onishi Hiroyuki , Arai Yoichi , Oishi Kenji , Takeuchi Hideo , Yoshida Osamu 
Published: July 2007

Background:Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It has been reported that increased thermal dose and higher intraprostatic temperatures resulted in improved clinical response. Recently we treated BPH patients with the prostatron device using a new version of software (Prostasoft 2.5), which was intended to increase thermal delivery by allowing maximum power up to 70W. The safety and clinical results were compared between the patients treated with Prostasoft 2.5 and those treated with the currently available software (Prostasoft 2; maximum power up to 50W). Methods: A total of 105 patients were treated successively with two treatment protocols. Sixty‐three patients were treated with Prostasoft 2 between September 1992 and July 1993. while 42 were treated with Prostasoft 2.5 between August 1993 and April 1994. Therefore, this investigation was a retrospective nonrandomized study. There was no significant difference in the baseline patient characteristics between the two groups.Results:Total thermal dose delivered to the prostate was significantly higher in the Prostasoft 2.5 group than that in the Prostasoft 2 group (137 kJ versus 116 kJ, P < 0.05). No serious complications were encountered in either group. Six months after TUMT, in both the Prostasoft 2.5 and Prostasoft 2 groups there was an improvement in patient condition as measured by the mean I‐PSS, OOL, and peak How rate values, as well as the overall therapeutic efficacy. The two groups differed in the amount of posttreatment improvement from between 8% and 22%, but this difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Our study suggests that higher thermal dose attained by Prostasoft 2.5 does not necessarily result in more pronounced clinical improvement, although clinical response to TUMT has often been reported to be dependent upon thermal dose.