bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in construction costs and chemical composition between deciduous and evergreen woody species are small as compared to differences among families
Authors: VILLAR RAFAEL , ROBLETO JEANNETTE RUIZ , DE JONG YVONNE , POORTER HENDRIK 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTWe tested to what extent differences in construction costs (CC) and chemical composition of woody species are attributed to leaf habit. Eight evergreen and eight deciduous species belonging to six families were selected to form eight phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs). The plants were grown from seed in a glasshouse. Differences in leaf, stem and root CC between evergreen and deciduous species were minor, the proportion of variance explained by leaf habit generally being less than 6%. Surprisingly, differences in leaf chemical composition between deciduous and evergreen species were small as well. Variation in CC and chemical composition among families was substantial, the factor ‘family’ explaining 50–85% of variance. We therefore conclude that in this case, phylogeny is a more important factor than functional group. Leaves of the fast‐growing species in this experiment showed high levels of minerals, organic acids, proteins and lipids, whereas leaves of the slow‐growing species had higher concentrations of soluble phenolics, lignin as well as higher carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. These relationships suggest a trade‐off between growth and defence. In contrast, CC of leaves, stems, roots or whole plants showed no or only a weak correlation with relative growth rate (RGR). The C/N ratio of the leaves is an easily measured parameter that correlated strongly in a negative way with the RGR of the plants and reflected better the balance between investment in structure and physiological functioning than CC.
A prospective multicentre study on the safety of long‐term intensive plasmapheresis in donors (SIPLA)
Authors: Schulzki T. , Seidel K. , Storch H. , Karges H. , Kiessig S. , Schneider S. , Taborski U. , Wolter K. , Steppat D. , Behm E. , Zeisner M. , Hellstern P. ,   for the SIPLA study group
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives  The safety of chronic intensive donor plasmapheresis has not been determined in large prospective studies examining dropout rates, dropout reasons and predictors of withdrawals.Materials and Methods  Twenty‐one plasma centres recruited 3783 donors who were switched from a moderate to an intensive plasmapheresis programme and observed over a 3‐year period. Individuals weighing < 70 kg and ≥ 70 kg donated 750 ml and 850 ml of plasma per session, respectively. The maximum of annual donations was limited to 60. Total serum protein (TSP) and haemoglobin (Hb) or haematocrit (Hct) were determined at each donation, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) at every fifth donation. Dropout rates, dropout reasons and potential predictors of withdrawal were analysed.Results  Dropouts were predominantly due to socioeconomic (49·2% of all donors) or medical reasons not related to plasma donations (10·4% of all donors). Sixteen per cent of donors dropped out when IgG, TSP or Hb levels fell below threshold values. Severe clinical adverse events related to plasmapheresis were observed in five subjects. The incidence in severe cardiovascular diseases was lower in donors than in the general population. The risk factors that led to dropping out as a result of low IgG, TSP or Hb levels included younger age, female gender, low initial IgG levels and a high donation frequency. Neither body weight nor the amounts of plasma donated per kilogram of body weight per session were associated with ceasing due to medical reasons, whether related or unrelated to plasma donations. Females and males within the respective lowest body weight category were not at higher risk of dropping out.Conclusion  Long‐term intensive donor plasmapheresis under conditions investigated in this study is safe. All donors weighing ≥ 70 kg are safely able to donate 850 ml of plasma in each session up to 60 times per year, provided that they are carefully monitored.
Current perceptions of Canadian autologous blood donors
Authors: Banning M. , Bormanis J. , Lander N. , Neurath D. , Rock G. 
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives  We determined the perceptions and motivations of autologous donors to establish their regard for this process and the new blood system established in 1999 in Canada.Materials and Methods  Patients were surveyed before and after orthopaedic, cardiac, urological or gynecological procedures.Results  Patients (n = 100; 57 men and 43 women) ranged in age from 19 to 83 years. Most had finished high school, and 21 had a university degree. Eighty‐four had undergone previous surgery and 27 a previous transfusion. Fifty‐one had been blood donors and 17 had been autologous donors. Specialists suggested donation to 78 of the patients. Seventy‐two participated because they knew that their blood would be there. Three had a mistrust of the blood provider. Sixty‐six believed that there is still a risk of receiving contaminated blood. Sixty‐nine thought any risk was ≥ 1 in 100 000; however, 16 thought the risk was < 1 in 1000. Postsurgery, 83 were happy to have donated their blood and 77 would do it again. Many felt that it improved their outcome. Most felt an increased sense of safety. Eighty‐three patients were confident that the Canadian blood system had improved, but 17 were unsure.Conclusions  Concern about the safety of the allogeneic blood supply still drives the wish to autodonate. The process gives patients a sense of control and security. A large proportion of people felt that the Canadian blood system had improved, as determined by this 2003 study.
Histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells through induction of p21WAF1 and G1 cell cycle arrest
Authors: LI GONG‐CHENG , ZHANG XU , PAN TIE‐JUN , CHEN ZHONG , YE ZHANG‐QUN 
Published: June 2006

Purpose:  To investigate whether Trichostatin A (TSA) possesses antitumor activity against human bladder cancer cells, and if any, its mechanism.Materials and methods:  A human bladder cancer cell line, BIU‐87, was treated with different concentrations of TSA. After treatment, cell growth was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes were examined by means of flow cytometry (FCM). Apoptosis was confirmed by apoptotic ladder formation assay. mRNA expression of p21WAF1 and p53 was assessed by differential reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Trichostatin A significantly inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cell at nanomolar concentrations in a time‐ and dose‐dependent fashion. TSA treatment caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and increased apoptotic cell death as shown by FCM and DNA fragmentation analysis, accompanied by increased p21WAF1 mRNA expression. In addition, TSA treatment did not alter p53 mRNA expression.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that TSA is able to inhibit bladder cancer cell growth in vitro, possibly through p21WAF1 mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death. This study suggests that TSA may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Long‐term results of living kidney transplantation from HLA‐identical sibling donors under calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppression
Authors: SHIMMURA HIROAKI , TANABE KAZUNARI , ISHIDA HIDEKI , MIYAMOTO NAOSHI , TOKUMOTO TADAHIKO , ISHIKAWA NOBUO , TOMA HIROSHI 
Published: June 2006

Background: Recently, it has been revealed that alloantigen‐independent causes are important factors for late graft loss in kidney transplantation. We compared the results of living kidney transplantation from HLA‐identical siblings with those from HLA‐non‐identical siblings to analyse the impact of alloantigen‐independent factors on long‐term graft survival.Methods: Two hundred and sixty‐six recipients who were grafted from their siblings between 1983 and 2002 were subdivided into those transplanted from HLA‐identical donors (n = 86) and those from HLA‐non‐identical donors (n = 180).Results: The incidence of acute rejection was significantly lower in the HLA‐identical group than in the HLA‐non‐identical group (9.3% vs 53.9%, respectively;P < 0.0001). Graft survival was significantly higher in the HLA‐identical group than in the HLA‐non‐identical group (91.3% vs 79.2% at 5 years, 80.3% vs 66.8% at 10 years and 59.1% vs 51.7% at 15 years, respectively;P = 0.0372). Although acute rejection was not seen as a cause of graft loss in the HLA‐identical group, death with functioning graft, recurrence of the original disease or chronic allograft nephropathy were observed as the major causes of graft loss in the late period of the HLA‐identical group.Conclusion: We concluded that alloantigen‐independent causes constitute a crucial factor for graft loss in the late period of HLA‐identical kidney transplantation.
Increasing expression of extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer in renal cell carcinoma: Tissue microarray analysis of immunostaining score with clinicopathological parameters
Authors: JIN JONG‐SHIAW , HSIEH DAR‐SHIH , LIN YEH‐FENG , WANG JIA‐YI , SHEU LAI‐FA , LEE WEI‐HWA 
Published: June 2006

Aim:  Renal tumor cell invasion is responsible for both local tissue destruction and distant metastasis. Invasion is largely mediated by matrix metalloproteases that are thought to be induced by tumor cell‐derived extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) in surrounding fibroblasts. We hypothesized that EMMPRIN and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) are over‐expressed in renal cell carcinoma.Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis of EMMPRIN and MMP‐9 was performed in tissue microarrays of 79 renal cell carcinomas including 12 cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC), 53 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CRCC), 8 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), and 6 cases of carcinoma of the collecting ducts of Bellini (CoRCC).Results:  All renal cell carcinomas showed significant immunohistochemical expression of EMMPRIN. The EMMPRIN score in ChRCC (321 ± 21) was significantly higher than in other histological subtypes of RCC (166 ± 19 for CRCC; 276 ± 24 for PRCC; 98 ± 17 for CoRCC). MMP‐9 was mainly expressed in tumor stromal cells and not in non‐cancerous fibrovascular regions. The percent positive staining of MMP‐9 at the invasive front of tumor cells was significantly higher in CRCC than in ChRCC, PRCC, or CoRCC. Higher EMMPRIN scores in CRCC were associated with shorter survival time, and correlated with higher T staging and nuclear grading.Conclusions:  Our findings demonstrate for the first time that EMMPRIN is over‐expressed in renal cell carcinomas. Increased expression of EMMPRIN in tumor cells is associated with poor prognosis of patients with CRCC.
Protective effects of trapidil in ischemia–reperfusion injury due to testicular torsion and detorsion: An experimental study
Authors: SOMUNCU SALIH , CAKMAK MURAT , ERDOGAN SIBEL , CAGLAYAN OSMAN , AKMAN HÜLYA , KAYA MURAT 
Published: June 2006

Objective: We aimed to detect the preventive effects of trapidil in ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury due to testicular torsion and detorsion.Methods: Forty prepubertal albino rats were used. In the IR group, torsion was created by rotating the left testis over 2 h, and detorsion was done by untwisting the testis. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed after 4 h. In study group, 2‐h torsion was performed and trapidil was administered as a single dose 1 h before detorsion. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed after 4 h. In the sham group, a sham operation was done. In the sham plus trapidil group, a sham operation was done and trapidil was administered as a single dose. Testicular tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and total sulfhydryl (T‐SH) levels were determined for each group. The grades of interstitial injury were determined in histopathologic examination.Results: The NO and MDA levels in the IR group were significantly higher than the study, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in the left testis (P < 0.05,P < 0.001 andP < 0.001, respectively). A statistical difference was not found among study, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in the left testis in NO and MDA levels (P > 0.05). The T‐SH level in the study group was significantly higher than in the IR, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in left testisP < 0.05). In the IR group (left testis), grade 1 interstitial injury was 30% (3/10), grade 2 injury was 60% (6/10) and grade 3 injury was 10% (1/10). In the study group (left testis), grade 1 interstitial injury was 30% (3/10) and there was no injury in 70% (7/10).Conclusion: Trapidil decreased free oxygen radical formation in testicular torsion and detorsion, and attenuated histopathological damage in the ipsilateral twisted testis.
Aboriginal versus non‐Aboriginal ophthalmic disease: admission characteristics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital
Authors: Laforest Caroline , Durkin Shane , Selva Dinesh , Casson Robert , Newland Henry 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the study is to compare characteristics of Aboriginal patient hospital admissions with non‐Aboriginal admissions to the Ophthalmology Unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.Methods:  A retrospective review of separation data was undertaken of hospital inpatient and day surgery admissions to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Ophthalmology Unit for the period July 1997 to January 2005.Results:  There were 11 944 admissions to the Ophthalmology Unit (including inpatients and day surgery cases), of which 273 (2.29%) were Aboriginal patients. Of the total, 2779 (23.3%) patients were admitted for at least 24 h (inpatients), and 9165 (76.7%) stayed less than 24 h (mostly day surgery cases). Aboriginal patients comprised 6.8% of inpatient admissions, and 0.9% of admissions less than 24 h. The average age of Aboriginal patients (52.9 years) was significantly less than non‐Aboriginal patients (62.6 years; P < 0.0001). The median length of stay for Aboriginal patients was 5 days compared with 3 days in non‐Aboriginal patients. Aboriginal patients were more likely to be from interstate (RR 10.3 P < 0.0001), more likely to have diabetes mellitus (RR 2.7 P < 0.0001), and more likely to be admitted for cataract surgery (RR 4.18 P < 0.0001) and lid disorders (RR 6.04 P < 0.0001) than non‐Aboriginal patients.Conclusion:  Aboriginal patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Unit were younger in age, more frequently from interstate, and had longer admissions than non‐Aboriginal patients. These results have important implications for ophthalmic health‐care planning.
Adaptive acetylcholinesterase splicing patterns attenuate 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced Parkinsonism in mice
Authors: Ben‐Shaul Y. , BenMoyal‐Segal L. , Ben‐Ari S. , Bergman H. , Soreq H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBalanced dopaminergic cholinergic interactions are crucial for proper basal ganglia function. This is dramatically demonstrated by the worsening of Parkinson's disease symptoms following acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Typically, in the brain, the synapse‐anchored synaptic AChE (AChE‐S) variant is prevalent whereas the soluble readthrough AChE (AChE‐R) variant is induced in response to cholinesterase inhibition or stress. Because of the known functional differences between these variants and the fact that AChE‐R expression is triggered by various stimuli that themselves are often associated with Parkinson's disease risk, we hypothesized that the splice shift to AChE‐R plays a functional role in Parkinsonian progression. After establishing that Paraoxon‐induced AChE inhibition indeed aggravates experimental Parkinsonism triggered by the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in mice, we tested the roles of individual AChE variants by exposing transgenic mice overexpressing either the AChE‐S or AChE‐R variant to MPTP. Differential reductions of tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum and substantia nigra indicated that transgenic AChE‐R expression confers resistance as compared with the parent FVB/N strain. In contrast, AChE‐S overexpression accelerated the MPTP‐induced damage. Survival, behavioral measures and plasma corticosterone levels were also compatible with the extent of the dopaminergic damage. Our findings highlight the functional differences between individual AChE variants and indicate that a naturally occurring stress or AChE inhibitor‐induced splicing shift can act to minimize dopaminergic cholinergic imbalances. We propose that inherited or acquired alternative splicing deficits could accelerate Parkinsonism and that, correspondingly, adaptive alternative splicing events may attenuate disease progression.
Caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis in Escherichia coli‐infected urothelium: involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: ANDERSSON MARIA , POLJAKOVIC MIRJANA , PERSSON KATARINA 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate if nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) regulates apoptosis and/or cell shedding in uroepithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, as bladder epithelial cells undergo shedding during urinary tract infection, which is considered a part of the host’s defence and is thought to take place via an apoptotic pathway.MATERIALS AND METHODSBladders and kidneys of mice infected with Escherichia coli were used to study caspase‐3 immunoreactivity at different times after infection. Wild‐type (E. coli 1177) and type‐1 recombinant (E. coli PKL4) bacteria were used. iNOS‐deficient mice were used to study the association of caspase‐3 with iNOS. Isolated human uroepithelial cells were used to examine the effect of the NO donor DETA/NO and the peroxynitrite generator SIN‐1 on caspase‐3 activity and cell shedding in vitro.RESULTSMany caspase‐3 immunoreactive neutrophils were found soon after infection and some superficial bladder epithelial cells were also immunoreactive for caspase‐3. Caspase‐3 immunoreactivity was also detected in neutrophils and bladder epithelial cells of infected iNOS‐deficient mice. There was no co‐expression between iNOS‐ and caspase‐3 in bladder epithelial cells. DETA/NO and SIN‐1 did not stimulate caspase‐3 activity or cell shedding in isolated human uroepithelial cells.CONCLUSIONSCaspase‐3 and iNOS are not co‐expressed in uroepithelial cells and apoptosis is evident in the absence of iNOS. Exogenous NO did not induce apoptosis or cell shedding in isolated human uroepithelial cells.
Botulinum toxin‐type A in the treatment of drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity secondary to traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: PATKI PRASAD S. , HAMID RIZWAN , ARUMUGAM KIRUPAKAR , SHAH P. JULIAN R. , CRAGGS MIKE 
Published: June 2006

In this section, many different issues are written about by authors from the UK, France, the Netherlands, the USA and Denmark, respectively. Topics covered are botulinum toxin in drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity in spinal cord injury, dutasteride and BPH, the effect of childbirth on bothersome LUTS, female urethral strictures, and a new bulking agent in treating female stress urinary incontinence.OBJECTIVESTo assess, in a prospective study, whether botulinum toxin‐type A (BTX‐A) injected into the detrusor muscle, can be used as a day‐case treatment for drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).PATIENTS AND METHODSBTX‐A (Dysport, Ipsen, Luxembourg; 1000 units) was injected cystoscopically into the detrusor muscle of 37 patients with drug‐resistant NDO and SCI, as a day‐case procedure. The maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (MDP), NDO, continence, and anticholinergic requirement were used as outcome variables. The International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ) was used to assess the patient’s quality of life before and after the BTX‐A injection.RESULTSThe mean follow‐up was 7 months. The MCC increased from a mean of 259 to 522 mL, and the MDP decreased from a mean of 54 to 24 cmH2O. Incontinence and NDO were abolished in 82% and 76% patients, respectively. In all, 86% of the patients were able to stop or reduce anticholinergics, with a similar proportion of patients scoring favourably on the ICIQ. The mean duration of improvement was 9 months.CONCLUSIONSInjection with BTX‐A is an effective day‐case treatment that bridges the gap between oral and invasive surgical treatment of drug‐resistant NDO in patients with SCI.
Athermal Robotic Technique of prostatectomy in patients with large prostate glands (>75 g): technique and initial results
Authors: EL‐HAKIM ASSAAD , LEUNG ROBERT A. , RICHSTONE LEE , KIM TARA S. , TE ALEXIS E. , TEWARI ASHUTOSH K. 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVETo report our experience with robotic radical prostatectomy (rRP) for prostate glands of >75 g, as this technique is developing rapidly.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween January 2005 and November 2005, 30 men with prostates of >75 g had rRP. Their clinicopathological and operative data were reviewed. Technical considerations for successful rRP in patients with large glands are discussed, including the importance of surgical exposure and multiple traction sutures.RESULTSThe mean (range) specimen weight was 116.1 (75.3–346.0) g, the patient age 65.0 (56–72) years, the body mass index 28.4 (21–41) kg/m2, the preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score 10 (0–32), and the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level 7.54 (1.9–20.1) ng/mL. The clinical stage was T1c in 26 men and T2a in four. The biopsy Gleason scores were 3 + 3 = 6 in 25 men, 3 + 4 = 7 in four and 4 + 3 = 7 in one. The mean (range) estimated blood loss was 208 (100–600) mL and the operative duration 193 (150–270) min. The cancer was organ‐confined in all patients and all surgical margins were negative. The mean (range) duration of indwelling catheterization was 12.7 (11–14) days. There were no complications during or after rRP, and the PSA level was undetectable in all patients after surgery.CONCLUSIONSRP for patients with large prostates is technically challenging. The robotic approach does not appear to compromise oncological control. We show the feasibility of rRP for men with large glands.