bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exocellular electron transfer in anaerobic microbial communities
Authors: Stams Alfons J. M. , De Bok Frank A. M. , Plugge Caroline M. , Van Eekert Miriam H. A. , Dolfing Jan , Schraa Gosse 
Published: February 2006

SummaryExocellular electron transfer plays an important role in anaerobic microbial communities that degrade organic matter. Interspecies hydrogen transfer between microorganisms is the driving force for complete biodegradation in methanogenic environments. Many organic compounds are degraded by obligatory syntrophic consortia of proton‐reducing acetogenic bacteria and hydrogen‐consuming methanogenic archaea. Anaerobic microorganisms that use insoluble electron acceptors for growth, such as iron‐ and manganese‐oxide as well as inert graphite electrodes in microbial fuel cells, also transfer electrons exocellularly. Soluble compounds, like humic substances, quinones, phenazines and riboflavin, can function as exocellular electron mediators enhancing this type of anaerobic respiration. However, direct electron transfer by cell–cell contact is important as well. This review addresses the mechanisms of exocellular electron transfer in anaerobic microbial communities. There are fundamental differences but also similarities between electron transfer to another microorganism or to an insoluble electron acceptor. The physical separation of the electron donor and electron acceptor metabolism allows energy conservation in compounds as methane and hydrogen or as electricity. Furthermore, this separation is essential in the donation or acceptance of electrons in some environmental technological processes, e.g. soil remediation, wastewater purification and corrosion.
Changes in vascular flow after transdermal oestradiol therapy for prostate cancer: a mechanism for cardiovascular toxicity and benefit?
Authors: OCKRIM JEREMY L. , LALANI EL‐NASIR , ASLAM MO , STANDFIELD NIGEL , ABEL PAUL D. 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo report the influence of transdermal oestradiol therapy on the vascular dynamics of men with advanced prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSTwenty patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (10 each) were treated using transdermal oestradiol patches. The vascular flow was assessed 6‐monthly before and during a year of therapy using arterial and venous Doppler and duplex ultrasonography, arterial and venous photoplethysmography and opto‐electronic plethysmography.RESULTSArterial flow, as measured by the mean and peak systolic velocities and photoplethysmography, significantly increased over time. Arterial compliance initially decreased but had normalized after 12 months. The venous variables were unaffected. As a result, the total limb blood flow and the capillary filtration rate were significantly increased.CONCLUSIONTransdermal oestradiol therapy causes an increase in arterial but not venous flow, and an initial decrease in arterial compliance, which adapts to the physiological range with time. It is possible that these changes may account for the increase in cardiovascular toxicity seen in the early phase of oestrogen therapy, and the cardioprotective effect that accrues thereafter.
Oral treatment with a vitamin D3 analogue (BXL628) has anti‐inflammatory effects in rodent model of interstitial cystitis
Authors: BENIGNI FABIO , BARONI ENRICO , ZECEVIC MARIJA , ZVARA PETER , STRENG TOMI , HEDLUND PETTER , COLLI ENRICO , D’AMBROSIO DANIELE , ANDERSSON KARL‐ERIK 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of a vitamin D3 analogue (BXL628) in a model of chronic cystitis, as calcitriol analogues might be an interesting new therapeutic option for interstitial cystitis, for although the cause of the disease remains unclear, the increase in mast cells in the mucosa and detrusor muscle are significant.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe devised a mouse model of allergen‐induced allergic cystitis that is associated with the up‐regulation of genes for interleukin‐13, FcɛRIα and mast cells‐derived proteases, a massive inflammatory reaction in the bladder tissue, and augmented levels of mast cell‐derived protease 1 (MMCP1) detected in mouse sera.RESULTSOral administration of BXL628 significantly reduced the expression of interleukin‐13, FcɛRIα and MMCP1 in the bladder. Furthermore, histological analysis showed a decrease in oedema and leukocyte infiltration in the bladder wall. BXL628 treatment reduced serum MMCP1 levels, indicating an effect on mast cell degranulation in vivo.CONCLUSIONSVitamin D3 analogues may successfully be used as anti‐inflammatory agents in allergen‐mediated inflammatory reactions. Moreover, the modulatory effect shown on mast cell activation by the BXL628 analogue strongly supports its potential therapeutic use in a possibly mast cell‐dependent disease such as human interstitial cystitis.
A modified sigma‐rectum pouch (Mainz pouch II) technique: analysis of outcomes and complications on 220 patients
Authors: HADZI‐DJOKIC JOVAN B. , BASIC DRAGOSLAV T. 
Published: February 2006

The Mainz II pouch was introduced as an acceptable alternative type of urinary diversion, and has become widely recognised as such. The one paper in this section describes the use of this technique, using a modification described by the authors, in 220 patients with a median follow‐up of 21 months.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of a modified technique for a sigma‐rectum pouch (Mainz pouch II).PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween October 1994 and March 2003, a modified Mainz pouch II was constructed in 220 patients (153 men and 67 women, mean age 56.7 years) in a multicentre prospective study. The median follow‐up (177 patients, 81%) was 21 (1–84) months.RESULTSThere were no peri‐operative deaths; there were early complications in 24 patients, including prolonged ileus in six, pyelonephritis in 17, unilateral ureterohydronephrosis in 11, bilateral ureterohydronephrosis in two, and incipient renal failure in five. Late complications included ureteric implantation‐site stenosis (unilateral in eight patients and bilateral in three). In all, 92 patients (52%) needed oral alkalizing medications and potassium supplementation because of hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis. All but three patients (99%) were continent by day and at night. The mean (sd) voiding frequency was 4.2 (1.6) voids by day and 2.1 (0.5) at night.CONCLUSIONThe Mainz pouch II is a simple and reproducible surgical technique, with good results in terms of mortality, morbidity, continence and overall quality of life. The main limitation is malignant transformation of the uretero‐intestinal anastomosis. For selected cases, the technique is a good alternative to other types of continent urinary diversion.
An adjustable male sling for treating urinary incontinence after prostatectomy: a phase III multicentre trial
Authors: ROMANO SALOMON V. , METREBIAN SERGIO E. , VAZ FERNANDO , MULLER VALTER , D’ANCONA CARLOS A. , COSTA DE SOUZA EUGENIO A. , NAKAMURA FABIO 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new adjustable bulbourethral sling (Argus®, Promedon SA, Cordoba, Argentina) in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostate surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 48 patients with SUI because of prostatic surgery for prostate cancer (39) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (nine) had a new sling implanted in a multicentre trial at six institutions between April 2003 and September 2004. All patients were fully evaluated, including a questionnaire (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form, ICIQ‐SF, range 0–21), endoscopy, and urodynamic evaluation. The Argus system comprises a 4.2 × 2.6 × 0.9 cm thick silicone foam pad for soft bulbar urethral compression. The pad is attached to the silicone cone columns that, after being passed with needles from the perineum to the abdominal wall, are adjusted with silicone washers to regulate and keep the desired tension against the urethra. The pad and washers are radio‐opaque, which allows their position to be assessed during follow‐up. The surgical technique was one described previously, with some modifications.RESULTSAt a mean (range) follow‐up of 7.5 (1–17.5) months, 35 (73%) of the 48 patients were dry, five (10%) were improved, and eight (17%) were incontinent, including four (8%) who needed sling adjustment. The mean (range) ICIQ‐SF improved from 19.2 (12–21) to 4 (0–21). There were three (6%) urethral perforations during surgery that were resolved by re‐passing the needle. The sling was removed in three men (6%) due to erosion and in two (4%) due to infection. Seven (15%) cases of acute urinary retention resolved spontaneously, except for one that needed the sling loosening. No cases of chronic retention were reported. There was perineal discomfort and mild dysuria soon after surgery that resolved spontaneously after a few weeks.CONCLUSIONThis new adjustable male sling safely and effectively controls sphincter incontinence in men after prostate surgery, with an acceptably low complication rate. The early results are encouraging; the Argus is a valid alternative to the artificial urinary sphincter, the standard therapy for this condition.
Y‐type urethral duplication in the male
Authors: HALEBLIAN GEORGE , KRAKLAU DAVID , WILCOX DUNCAN , DUFFY PATRICK , RANSLEY PHILIP , MUSHTAQ IMRAN 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo present a single series of Y‐type duplication with an analysis of the presenting features, the management and outcome, as complete Y‐type urethral duplication in the male is a rare congenital anomaly that presents many challenges.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed patient charts, identifying those with urethral duplication, and then those with complete Y‐type duplication. The age at presentation, investigations, management and outcomes were reviewed.RESULTSOf 49 patients with a diagnosis of urethral duplication, 13 had the complete Y‐type. Three were lost to follow‐up and were therefore excluded from the study. The median (range) age at presentation was 2 months (birth to 10 years). All patients had other comorbidities, with anorectal malformations in seven, renal agenesis in four, sacral agenesis/partial agenesis in two, and unilateral/bilateral cryptorchidism in four. Presenting features included passage of urine perineally or rectally in seven, and dribbling from the orthotopic urethral meatus in one. The diagnosis was confirmed by micturating cysto‐urethrography. A mean of 14 procedures was required to achieve a final complete repair, and included urethral reconstruction, repair of fistulae, urethral dilatation, and evaluative cystoscopy. Excluding cystoscopy and urethral dilatation, a mean (range) of 3 (1–5) reconstructive procedures was required in each patient. The median follow‐up was 8 years. Five boys developed urethral strictures and one developed multiple fistulae. The best outcomes were in boys who had a staged urethral reconstruction.CONCLUSIONDue to the strong association with other congenital anomalies we recommend that all patients should be evaluated thoroughly, including a detailed physical examination, renal tract ultrasonography and spinal radiography. Surgical management remains a significant challenge, requiring many procedures with unpredictable outcomes, the goals of which should be to maintain continence and reconstruct the urethra with good cosmesis. The optimum management scheme must be individualized in this rare condition.
Time to onset of improvement in symptoms of overactive bladder using antimuscarinic treatment
Authors: RUDY DELBERT , CLINE KEVIN , HARRIS RICHARD , GOLDBERG KENNETH , DMOCHOWSKI ROGER 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the time to onset of statistically significant and clinically meaningful effects of trospium chloride in patients with an overactive bladder (OAB).PATIENTS AND METHODSData from a recent Phase III clinical study of trospium chloride were obtained, in which 658 patients with OAB were randomized (1 : 1) to placebo or trospium chloride 20 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. Original study safety endpoints consisting of adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and laboratory changes were collected, while original efficacy endpoints included number of toilet voids/day, urgency severity per toilet void, urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and volume voided per toilet void at weeks 1, 4, and 12. Results were also analysed using the OAB Symptom Composite Score (OAB‐SCS). The efficacy analysis focused on changes from baseline in these endpoints from 1 to 7 days of treatment to establish the earliest point at which there was statistical significance or clinical efficacy.RESULTSThere were statistically significant improvements in efficacy over placebo in endpoints (toilet voids, urgency severity/void, UUI episodes, OAB‐SCS) within a few days of treatment, with improvements in symptoms continuing to 7 days of treatment. There were clinically meaningful improvements in most endpoints by the end of the first week.CONCLUSIONSThe time to onset of the clinical effect should be studied more extensively to identify when patients might expect a clinically meaningful improvement in their OAB‐related symptoms.
FREE WILL AND THE SOFT CONSTRAINTS OF REASON
Authors: Costa Claudio F. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis paper provides a new compatibilist definition of free will, which is an elaboration of the classic compatibilist view of free will as absence of restriction, with the help of the causal theory of action and some special categories. This new definition enables us to neutralize a very wide range of counterexamples in a systematic and compelling way, including those left unanswered by hierarchical definitions.1
Adding insult to injury: workplace injury in English professional football
Authors: Roderick Martin 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSociologists studying the topic of workplace injury have neglected professional athletes despite the fact that, for such employees, remaining ‘active’ at work is of paramount importance. This study involved semi‐structured interviews with 47 current and former male professional footballers who all had careers in the English professional football leagues. The interviews focused on the players’ experiences of injury and rehabilitation and their relationships with club managers, physiotherapists and doctors. The object of this empirical article concerns an examination of how professional footballers become, or perceive themselves as being, stigmatised when they are injured or in pain. For players, the social conditions of work, for example the internal competition for places, all have implications with respect to their presentation of self when they are claiming to be injured or in pain. The often conflict‐ridden relations between players and managers, combined with a culture that normalises pain and injury, means that players often find themselves in health‐compromising situations. Thus, examining this highly physical vocation provides an opportunity to add to the literature in which injury at work is socially produced through interpretive social interaction.
Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α modulation of the excitability of rat substantia nigra dopaminergic neurones: presynaptic mechanisms
Authors: Guyon A. , Skrzydelsi D. , Rovère C. , Rostène W. , Parsadaniantz S. Mélik , Nahon J. L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn rat substantia nigra (SN), Chemokine (CXC motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) for the chemokine stromal cell‐derived factor (SDF)‐1α is expressed on dopaminergic (DA) neurones, but also on non‐DA cells, suggesting presynaptic actions. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in DA neurones of rat SN slices at a holding potential of −60 mV, we showed here that SDF‐1α exerts multiple presynaptic effects. First, SDF‐1α (10 nm) induced an increase in the frequency of spontaneous and miniature GABAA postsynaptic currents by presynaptic mechanisms, consistent with the presence of CXCR4 on GABAergic neurones of the SN, as revealed by immunocytochemistry. Second, SDF‐1α (0.1–1 nm) induced a glutamatergic inward current resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX), most probably the result of glutamate release from non‐neuronal cells. This inward current was not blocked by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD 3100 (1 µm), consistent with the lack of CXCR4 on astrocytes as shown by immunocytochemistry under basal conditions. Finally, SDF‐1α (10 nm) induced, via CXCR4, an outward G protein‐activated inward rectifier (GIRK) current, which was TTX sensitive and prevented by application of the GABAB antagonist CGP55845A, suggesting GABA spillover on to GABAB receptors. Our results show that SDF‐1α induces, via presynaptic mechanisms, alterations in the excitability of DA neurones as confirmed by current‐clamp experiments.
Patient‐derived dendritic cells transduced with an a‐fetoprotein‐encoding adenovirus and co‐cultured with autologous cytokine‐induced lymphocytes induce a specific and strong immune response against hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: González‐Carmona Maria A. , Märten Angela , Hoffmann Per , Schneider Carlo , Sievers Elisabeth , Schmidt‐Wolf Ingo G. H. , Sauerbruch Tilman , Caselmann Wolfgang H. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Breaking immunologic tolerance towards the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐associated α‐fetoprotein (AFP) antigen is possible. The use of this potential for the treatment of immunocompromised HCC patients is limited. In this study, we analyzed whether dendritic cells (DCs) from HCC patients transduced with a human AFP (hAFP)‐expressing adenovirus and co‐cultured with cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells can induce a strong specific immune response against HCC‐cells.Methods: An hAFP‐encoding adenovirus (Ad‐hAFP) was generated. DCs from healthy donors or patients were transduced at a very high efficacy. Afterwards, DCs were co‐cultured with autologous CIK‐cells, and their ability to lyse HCC‐cells was analyzed.Results: AFP‐transduced DCs stimulated CIK cells strongly to lyse about 70% of AFP‐expressing HCC cells. Cytotoxicity was significantly higher when lymphocytes were co‐cultured with Ad‐hAFP‐transduced DCs than with Ad‐mock‐transduced DCs, indicating an AFP‐specific immune response. More interestingly, CIK cells from patients with AFP‐positive HCC could be stimulated to lyse AFP‐expressing HCC cells as effectively as CIK cells from healthy individuals and stronger than CIK cells from patients without AFP‐expressing HCC.Conclusions: The data demonstrate that patient‐derived DCs that were transduced with an AFP‐expressing adenovirus and co‐cultured with autologous CIK cells induce an AFP‐specific, strong immune response against HCC cells. Therefore, this approach may have a potential for an adoptive and/or DC‐based immunotherapy for HCC patients.
Consensus interferon and ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C and failure of previous interferon‐α therapy
Authors: Böcher Wulf O. , Schuchmann Marcus , Link Ralph , Hillenbrand Heribert , Rahman Fareed , Sprinzl Martin , Mudter Jonas , Löhr Hanns F. , Galle Peter R. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Background: The efficacy of consensus interferon (CIFN), a synthetic IFN with optimised in vitro activity, was assessed in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who had failed the pretreatment with interferon‐α (IFNα) and ribavirin.Methods: One hundred and three patients after non‐response (n=69) or relapse (n=34) to IFNα+/−ribavirin were randomly assigned to high‐dose induction (CIFN 27→9 μg daily for 24 weeks, 9 μg t.i.w. for 24 weeks) or low‐dose treatment (CIFN 18 μg t.i.w. for 12 weeks, 9 μg t.i.w. for 36 weeks); each with ribavirin 800 mg/day. Follow‐up was 24 weeks.Results: Non‐responder patients treated with high‐dose induction had higher early virological response rates (63% vs. 39%, P<0.05). This initial positive effect was lost during the last 24 weeks of treatment yielding sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 26% in both groups. Relapse patients revealed SVR in 70% and 38% in groups A and B (NS). Treatment was well tolerated with side effect‐related preterm discontinuations in 8% and 5%.Conclusions: CIFN and ribavirin treatment induced considerable SVR rates in patients with non‐response or relapse to IFNα+/−ribavirin. Viral elimination rates might be further increased by continuous daily administration of CIFN and weight‐adjusted ribavirin dosing.
Isolation of Health Services Research from Practice and Policy: The Example of Chronic Heart Failure Management
Authors: Seow Hsien , Phillips Christopher O. , Rich Michael W. , Spertus John A. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Lynn Joanne 
Published: February 2006

This study examined how health services research connects with practice and policy, first by investigating whether successful research projects continued in their test settings and engendered replication and then by examining whether a coherent body of research helped shape public policy. Chronic heart failure (CHF) was studied because randomized, controlled trials of posthospital CHF disease management have repeatedly demonstrated patient benefits and reduced costs, yet this practice has not become standard in the United States.Literature review produced 30 randomized, controlled trials of multidisciplinary outpatient CHF management, generally yielding improved patient outcomes. An e‐mail survey of first authors (97% response rate) showed that practices proven to be effective in U.S. studies generally did not continue or expand (13 of 15 studies), mostly attributed to financial constraints (11 of 13), whereas similar projects in other countries often became permanent (7 of 13). U.S. respondents generally rated current quality of clinical care as good, whereas those elsewhere mostly rated it as excellent. Recent Medicare reforms implemented a model of CHF management substantially different from those studied in health services research. The Congressional hearings leading to these Medicare reforms, and the statute itself, mostly evidence the model used by commercial disease‐management firms.Policy‐makers, health service researchers, and funding agencies could develop more‐effective methods for translating proven models of healthcare delivery into routine practice. Reforms that might improve the effectiveness of the linkages between research, policy, and practice are suggested.