bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is a flared stent effective for decreasing stent migration in canine prostatic urethra?
Authors: Woo Chul-Woong , Song Ho-Young , Yoon Chang Jin , Kim Tae-Hyung , Kim Eun-Young , Kim Jin Hyoung , Shin Ji Hoon 
Published: March 2008

Background: Prostatic urethral stents are effective in relieving obstructions caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, migration of these stents occurs frequently. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a flared stent for decreasing the migration rate in comparison with a straight stent in a canine prostatic urethral model. Material and Methods: The flared stent (15 mm in diameter and 20 mm in length) was flared up to 19 mm at both ends to prevent migration. A straight stent with the same size was straight without flaring. Both stents were made of a nitinol wire filament and covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane. The flared stent was inserted in the prostatic urethra of 10 dogs (group 1) and the straight stent in the prostatic urethra of 12 dogs (group 2). Follow-up retrograde urethrography (RUG) was performed 1, 4, and 8 weeks after stent placement. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the migration rate between the two groups. When stent migration occurred during the follow-up period, the same type of stent was inserted again. Results: Three of 10 (30.0%) flared stents migrated into the urinary bladder between 1 week and 4 weeks after placement. Seven of 12 (58.3%) straight stents migrated into the urinary bladder 1 ( n = 3), 4 ( n = 1), and 8 ( n = 3) weeks following placement. The flared stent group showed lower migration rate than the straight stent group, but the migration rate did not reach statistical significance ( P = 0.231). After the second stent placement, one of three (33.3%) flared stents migrated again after 4 weeks and two of seven straight stents (28.6%) after 1 week. Conclusion: Although the migration rate was not statistically significant, the flaring of the stent seemed to reduce the migration rate in comparison with straight stents in a canine prostatic urethral model. However, the migration rate of the flared stent was still high, and further developments are required to decrease migration rate.
Fluid-modulated bipolar radiofrequency ablation: an ex-vivo evaluation study
Authors: Bruners P. , Müller H. , Günther R. W. , Schmitz-Rode T. , Mahnken A. H. 
Published: March 2008

Background: The effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be modulated by fluid injection. Purpose: To evaluate the potential of different fluids to modulate the effect of bipolar RFA in an ex-vivo liver model. Material and Methods: A bipolar RFA system with an internally cooled needle-shaped applicator (20-mm active tip) was used to induce coagulation lesions in ex-vivo porcine liver. Prior to the ablation procedure, 1-ml samples of seven different fluids were injected (0.9% saline, gadopentetate dimeglumine, ioxithalamate, 10% hydroxyethyl starch, 5% glucose, 95% ethanol, distilled water). Each fluid was used for five RF ablations. During the procedure, applied energy, impedance, and time were recorded. Additionally, temperature was measured at a fixed distance of 0.5 and 1.0 cm from the RF probe. Generator output was set to 20 W, as recommended by the vendor. Five ablation procedures without fluid injection served as the reference standard. The lesion diameters were measured, and volume and an efficiency index (coagulation volume/procedure duration) calculated and compared (ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls test). Results: In comparison to the reference standard, fluid injection resulted in an enlargement of mean coagulation volume for all fluids. In comparison to RF ablation alone (1.42±0.33 cm3), significant increase ( P<0.001) of lesion size was found using gadopentetate dimeglumine, hydroxyethyl starch, glucose, and ethanol. The largest lesions were generated using preinjection of hydroxyethyl starch. Most energy could be applied after injection of glucose. Comparing the efficiency index, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion: Besides the modulation of the electrical conductivity, the increase in thermal conductivity also contributes to the enhancement of RFA by the injection of the tested fluids. Further studies are needed to evaluate this effect for larger injection volumes under in-vivo conditions.
What are radiologists doing to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (cin) compared with measures supported by current evidence? a survey of european radiologists on cin associated with computed tomography
Authors: Fishman E. K. , Reddan D. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious complication of the use of iodinated contrast media (CM), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Purpose: To investigate whether radiologists take sufficient measures to prevent CIN in computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: 2005 survey of 509 European radiologists who had ⩾3 years' experience and performed ⩾50 CT scans/week. Results: The most common methods used to identify patients at risk of CIN were renal function measurements (64%), clinical judgment (55%), and patient questionnaires (31%); 9% made no routine attempt to identify at-risk patients. The most common preventive protocols used in at-risk patients included: intravenous (i.v.) saline volume repletion (59%) or oral hydration (52%) before/after CT; use of low-osmolar CM (LOCM; 40%) or isosmolar CM (IOCM; 36%); and N-acetylcysteine (20%); 8% used no hydration regimen. While 78% of respondents used ⩽100 ml of CM in high-risk patients, 14% used ⩽150 ml, and 9% set no volume limit. For 57% of respondents, osmolality was the most important attribute in choosing an iodinated CM in at-risk patients; 41% agreed that CIN risk is lower with IOCM versus LOCM (31% disagreed). Conclusion: A European radiologist survey identified a need for increased implementation of evidence-based protocols to improve CIN prevention: routine identification of at-risk patients; withdrawal of nephrotoxic drugs; use of volume repletion regimens; lowest possible volume of CM; and appropriate CM.
Building muscle: nutrition to maximize bulk and strength adaptations to resistance exercise training
Authors: Tarnopolsky Mark A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSeveral nutritional strategies can optimize muscle bulk and strength adaptations and enhance recovery from heavy training sessions. Adequate energy intake to meet the needs of training and carbohydrate intake sufficient to maintain glycogen stores (>7 g carbohydrate·kg−1·day−1 for women; >8 g carbohydrate·kg−1·day−1 for men) are important. Dietary protein intake for top sport athletes should include some foods with high biological value, with a maximum requirement of approximately 1.7 g·kg−1·day−1 being easily met with an energy sufficient diet. The early provision of carbohydrate (>1 g·kg−1) and protein (>10 g) early after an exercise session will enhance protein balance and optimize glycogen repletion. Creatine monohydrate supplementation over several days increases body mass through water retention and can increase high‐intensity repetitive ergometer performance. Creatine supplementation can enhance total body and lean fat free mass gains during resistance exercise training; however, strength gains do not appear to be enhanced versus an optimal nutritional strategy (immediate post‐exercise protein and carbohydrate). Some studies have suggested that β‐OH‐methyl butyric acid (β‐HMB) can enhance gains made through resistance exercise training; however, it has not been compared “head to head” with optimal nutritional practices. Overall, the most effective way to increase strength and bulk is to perform sport‐specific resistance exercise training with the provision of adequate energy, carbohydrate, and protein. Creatine monohydrate and β‐HMB supplementation may enhance the strength gains made through training by a small margin but the trade‐off is likely to be greater bulk, which may be ergolytic for any athlete participating in a weight‐supported activity.
A DOUBLE BLIND CROSS OVER TRIAL OF GONADOTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE (LHRH) IN SEXUALLY IMPOTENT MEN
Authors: DAVIES TERRY F. , MOUNTJOY C. Q. , GOMEZ‐PAN A. , WATSON M. J. , HANKER J. P. , BESSER G. M. , HALL REGINALD 
Published: March 2008

SummaryA double blind cross over trial of 500 μg of gonadotrophin releasing hormone or placebo subcutaneously every 8 h for 4 weeks in ten men with secondary sexual impotence is reported. No obvious clinical improvement occurred but statistical analysis of a libido score showed some overall improvement, especially the spontaneous occurrence of erections during the treatment period (P < 0.05).
Cholesterol absorption, elimination and synthesis in coeliac disease
Authors: VUORISTO MATTI , MIETTINEN TATU A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Hypocholesterolaemia and high faecal elimination of cholesterol was explored by measuring the percentage of cholesterol absorbed, faecal steroids, serum cholesterol and dietary cholesterol in patients with coeliac disease before and after a gluten free diet. From these data, the total and endogenous flux of cholesterol into the gut and the amount of cholesterol absorbed could be calculated.The mean faecal bile acid excretion was normal, but faecal endogenous steroids and thus faecal total steroids, and the cholesterol synthesis, were increased in the patients. The percentage of cholesterol absorbed was quite low (15·1±2·1 (SEM) v. 34·1 ± 2·5 in the controls), and it was attributable to a mucosal damage in the upper small intestine, suggesting that this played a primary role in the high faecal sterol loss. However, the influx of endogenous cholesterol into the gut had increased, so that in absolute terms the absorption of cholesterol was low only inconsistently. The glutenfree diet caused the opposite changes in the absorption percentage and influx of cholesterol into the gut, while the amount of cholesterol absorbed was only insignificantly increased.Serum cholesterol was significantly correlated with the cholesterol absorbed (r= 0·36; P<0·01), faecal endogenous steroids (r= ‐0·30; P<0·05), and cholesterol synthesis (r= ‐0·29; P<0·05). Furthermore, the rise in serum cholesterol during the gluten‐free diet correlated negatively with the changes in cholesterol (r=‐0·55; P<0·05) and bile acid (r=‐0·77; P<0·01) synthesis. These associations and the lack of correlations between the amounts of cholesterol absorbed and synthesized suggest that the serum cholesterol level and regulation of cholesterol synthesis are interrelated in coeliac disease.
Formal specification – an analytic tool for (management) information systems
Authors: Swatman PA , Swatman PMC 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. There appears to be a general consensus within the information systems literature that formal specification of software systems is an inappropriate response to the perceived general failure of information systems to meet user requirements. Such views would seem to be based primarily on the difficulty of constructing formal specifications – and on the difficulty of understanding such specifications once constructed. Research into the applicability of formal methods has therefore tended to concentrate on the needs and the context of software developers specializing in critical and extremely complex software such as operating systems, transaction processing monitors, or nuclear reactor protection. More recently, however, formal methods have been applied successfully in more conventional and commercial areas, such as the development of a CASE tool, indicating that many of the perceived disadvantages of formal methods are merely myths.This paper discusses the differing research directions of the information systems and software engineering disciplines and suggests that significant beneflts may result from a synthesis of the two approaches. We further suggest that there is a serious danger that approaches which have been shown to have value in one of the two domains are automatically being ignored in the other as being ‘irrelevant’. While each of the two areas ignores the contribution of the other, software systems will continue to be sub‐optimal (in terms of relevance, as well as quality). We argue the relevance of formal specifications to the information systems discipline, illustrating the argument with a case study based within the IS domain.
Information technology in support of individual decision‐making
Authors: Wood J. R. G. , Wood‐Harper A. T. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The use of computers in organizations has often been justified by reference to the ‘improved decision‐making’ which will result from the use of new technology. Rarely, if ever, is any precise measurement given as to how such improvements will be judged. Phrases such as ‘better information leads to better decisions’ and ‘what managers require is more information’ dominate the literature on management information systems (MIS). Alistair Preston argues that this alignment with top management allowed MIS to legitimize and elevate itself as both a serious practice and an academic discipline.The two dominant themes in the relationship between information technology (IT) and managerial decision‐making have been the use of Herbert Simon's work on decision‐making and Anthony's pyramidal structure of types of application system, the latter model leading to a powerful categorization of types of computer‐based information systems (i.e. transaction processing, management information systems, decision support systems, executive information systems). The models of decision‐making employed at each level of this hierarchy are those characterized by Simon as ‘objective rationality’ and ‘bounded rationality’ and these models encourage a view of information as representing some objective reality which can be captured, stored and processed within some form of technology. Dick Boland has argued forcibly that Simon's work has been crucial to the current level of understanding of information and technology within organizations.Less concern has been given, however, to the role which IT itself plays in reinforcing this rationalistic view of information and decision‐making. As Mitroff has pointed out, to represent (or model) a problem is to conduct an inquiry into its nature. Likewise, Dick Boland suggests that information technologies are themselves social inventions that are malleable and shaped during use but that such sets limits and opens possibilities that shape the users as well. Hence, information technologies both incorporate and give rise to changes in our vocabularies for knowing ourselves and our institutions. It will not be enough, therefore, for us merely to change our existing models of managerial decision‐making, it will also be necessary to design new technologies which will reflect and encourage the use of such models.In this paper we shall use the framework provided by Mitroff to try to consider a number of different paradigms of inquiring system and to see what technological forms would need to be developed in order that we may provide technological support for individual decision‐making based on each paradigm.
Construction of self‐cloning industrial brewing yeast with high‐glutathione and low‐diacetyl production
Authors: Wang Zhao‐Yue , He Xiu‐Ping , Liu Nan , Zhang Bo‐Run 
Published: March 2008

SummarySelf‐cloning strains of industrial brewing yeast were constructed, in which one allele of α‐acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) gene (ILV2) was disrupted by integrating Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes, γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase gene (GSH1) and copper resistant gene (CUP1) into the locus of ILV2. The self‐cloning strains were selected for their resistance to CuSO4 and identified by PCR amplification. The results of AHAS and glutathione (GSH) assay from fermentation with the self‐cloning strains in 500‐mL conical flask showed that AHAS activity decreased and GSH content increased compared with that of host yeasts. The results of pilot scale brewing in 5‐L fermentation tank also indicated that GSH content in beer fermented with self‐cloning strains T5‐3 and T31‐2 was 1.3 fold and 1.5 fold of that of host QY5 and QY31, respectively; and diacetyl content decreased to 64% and 58% of their hosts, respectively. The self‐cloning strains do not contain any heterologous DNA, they may be more acceptable to the public.
Cancer survivorship: evolutionary concept analysis
Authors: Doyle Natalie 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTitle.  Cancer survivorship: evolutionary concept analysis Aim.  This paper is a report of a concept analysis of cancer survivorship in adults.Background.  The concept of cancer survivorship appears frequently in cross‐discipline literature but does not seem to have any precise definition or meaning. Substantive research into the experience of surviving cancer is long overdue. However, if a concept has not been clearly defined any theoretical work based on that concept will also be unclear.Data sources.  The analysis was based on literature published in English between 1994 and 2006 (n = 43) and seminal work in the field.Review methods.  Rodgers’ method of evolutionary concept analysis was used, allowing the concept to be viewed within a sociocultural and temporal context and capturing both lay and emic perspectives.Results.  Cancer survivorship in adults is a process beginning at diagnosis and involving uncertainty. It is a life‐changing experience with a duality of positive and negative aspects, and is unique to the individual but has some universality. The primary antecedent is a cancer diagnosis and the consequences can be divided into four main themes: physical health, psychological health, social health and spiritual health.Conclusion.  Surviving cancer is now an established reality for millions of people worldwide. Nurses can benefit from a deeper understanding of the patient experience, both theoretically and in practice. Clarification of a concept provides a heuristic for further inquiry and a basis for theory generation.
Small non‐coding RNAs in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Landt Stephen G. , Abeliuk Eduardo , McGrath Patrick T. , Lesley Joseph A. , McAdams Harley H. , Shapiro Lucy 
Published: March 2008

SummarySmall non‐coding RNAs (sRNAs) are active in many bacterial cell functions, including regulation of the cell's response to environmental challenges. We describe the identification of 27 novel Caulobacter crescentus sRNAs by analysis of RNA expression levels assayed using a tiled Caulobacter microarray and a protocol optimized for detection of sRNAs. The principal analysis method involved identification of sets of adjacent probes with unusually high correlation between the individual intergenic probes within the set, suggesting presence of a sRNA. Among the validated sRNAs, two are candidate transposase gene antisense RNAs. The expression of 10 of the sRNAs is regulated by either entry into stationary phase, carbon starvation, or rich versus minimal media. The expression of four of the novel sRNAs changes as the cell cycle progresses. One of these shares a promoter motif with several genes expressed at the swarmer‐to‐stalked cell transition; while another appears to be controlled by the CtrA global transcriptional regulator. The probe correlation analysis approach reported here is of general use for large‐scale sRNA identification for any sequenced microbial genome.
Multicentric/multifocal cerebral lesions: Can fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery aid the differentiation between glioma and metastases?
Authors: Stuckey SL , Wijedeera R 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe purpose of the study was to assess whether non‐enhancing adjacent cortical signal intensity abnormality detected on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) can differentiate between multicentric and/or multifocal glioma and non‐glioma pathology in patients with multiple enhancing cerebral lesions. Nineteen MR studies were reviewed after a database search and exclusion criteria applied, to detect areas of FLAIR cortex involvement without enhancement. Statistical analysis was carried out using a 2 × 2 contingency table and Fischer’s exact ratio. Non‐enhancing adjacent cortical T2 signal abnormality was seen in eight of eight multicentric and/or multifocal gliomas and four of 11 of the non‐glioma pathologies (10 metastatic disease and 1 lymphoma). The presence of non‐enhancing adjacent cortical T2 signal abnormality had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 63% for glioma. The positive predictive value was 67% and negative predictive value 100%. Fischer’s exact probability test was P = 0.01 when applied to the glioma versus non‐glioma categories, indicating a significant difference. Non‐enhancing adjacent cortical T2‐weighted FLAIR signal appears to be more frequently seen in patients with glioma and multiple enhancing lesions compared with those with glioma and a solitary enhancing cerebral lesion. The absence of this sign favours metastatic disease and the presence suggests that multicentric and/or multifocal glioma should remain a consideration.
Small Intestinal Morphology in Aboriginal Children
Authors: Walker‐Smith J. A. , Reye R. D. K. 
Published: March 2008

Summary: Small intestinal morphology of 44 small intestinal mucosal biopsies taken from Australian aboriginal children were examined histologically, and also freshly with the dissecting microscope. The findings were compared with similar observations made in 91 biopsies from control Australian children of European descent. The morphological appearances using each method of examination were placed into grades or groups and the two methods compared.An increased prevalence of abnormal mucosae was found in the biopsies from aboriginal children as compared to biopsies from the controls, yet only one had the typical appearances found in coeliac disease. Six aboriginal children, however, appeared to respond to a gluten‐free diet. In three this intolerance to gluten appeared to be transient, but in the remainder appeared to be more permanent. Further observation is necessary to establish the diagnosis of coeliac disease in these children.Histological assessment and examination with the dissecting microscope complement each other, however, a particular histological grade did not correspond always to a particular dissecting microscope group, but rather to a range.
The Medical Management of Parkinson's Disease Before the Introduction of L‐dopa
Authors: Ebeling Peter 
Published: March 2008

Summary: The concept of cholinergic dominance constituting a rational basis for the use of anti‐cholinergic drugs in Parkinson's disease is referred to and the role of such drugs, physiotherapy, antidepressants and amantadine hydrochloride is discussed. The limited scope of the cholinergic blocking drugs in alleviating akinesia is stressed and the not infrequent occurrence of unpleasant side effects is mentioned together with means of combating such symptoms.Tricyclic anti‐depressants are recommended when depression is present.Amantadine hydrochloride provides an initial favourable response in up to 50–66% of patients although improvement may not be maintained. The relative freedom of amantadine from side effects and the greater potency by comparison with conventional anti‐Parkinsonian remedies represents an advance in treatment although the ultimate role of amantadine in relationship to L‐dopa remains uncertain. A daily dose of 200 mg is recommended.