bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective study of onychomycosis in Italy: 1985–2000
Authors: Romano Clara , Gianni Claudia , Difonzo Elisa M. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryCases of onychomycosis diagnosed by mycological examination in three mycology units (Florence, Siena and Milan) of central and northern Italy over the 15‐year period, 1985–2000, were studied retrospectively. The number of cases was 4046 (1952 women, 2094 men). Dermatophytes were isolated in 2859, yeasts in 655 and moulds in 532 cases. The most frequent dermatophyte was Trichophyton rubrum (87%), followed by T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (10%). Candida albicans (93.2%) was the prevalent yeast. Moulds were mainly Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (48.6%) and Aspergillus spp. (25.2%). Dermatophytes and moulds most commonly infected the toenails, yeasts the fingernails.
Liquid growth conditions for abundant chlamydospore formation in Candida dubliniensis
Authors: Staib Peter , Morschhäuser Joachim 
Published: January 2005

SummaryStaib liquid medium (syn. Guizotia abyssinica creatinine medium) was evaluated for the induction of chlamydospores in the yeast species Candida dubliniensis. During growth in this liquid medium C. dubliniensis produced abundant chlamydospores at the tips of pseudohyphal elements, whereas C. albicans produced only round to oval blastospores. Chlamydospore formation could be induced with the same efficiency by use of a liquid growth medium in which Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seeds, another plant of the family Compositae, were substituted for Guizotia abyssinica plant seeds. Liquid growth culture conditions for rapid and abundant formation of chlamydospores in C. dubliniensis should facilitate their enrichment and their biochemical and genetic analysis.
Kit (CD117) immunoreactivity is rare in renal cell and upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas
Authors: Zigeuner Richard , Ratschek Manfred , Langner Cord 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the presence of Kit (CD117), a transmembrane tyrosinase‐kinase receptor, in primary and metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs).MATERIALS AND METHODSIn human neoplasia, overexpression of Kit has been related to cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion and control of apoptosis. If present, Kit may provide a suitable target for tumour therapy. Formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded specimens of 180 primary and 58 metastatic RCCs and 54 upper urinary tract TCCs were immunostained for Kit (CD117) using a tissue microarray technique.RESULTSIn RCCs, immunoreactivity for CD117 was detected in only two of 23 (9%) chromophobe tumours, whereas all 137 conventional and 20 papillary subtypes, and metastatic RCC tissues, lacked CD117 immunoreactivity. In TCCs, CD117 expression of <10% cancer cells was found in two of 53 (4%) cases. Stromal mast cells served as a positive control and showed specific immunostaining.CONCLUSIONKit immunoreactivity is infrequent in both RCCs and upper urinary tract TCCs. Thus, routine screening of tumour tissues for Kit by immunohistochemistry appears to be cost‐ineffective and cannot be recommended. Moreover, the lack of substantial Kit immunoreactivity in both primary and metastatic carcinomas does not provide a rationale to investigate imatinib mesylate therapy in clinical trials including patients with advanced disease.
Neither α‐blocker therapy nor cystography is required before early catheter removal after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Nieder Alan M. , Manoharan Murugesan , Kim Sandy S. , Soloway Mark S. 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the success of early catheter removal from men after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) without using either cystography or giving an α‐blocker.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively analysed 156 consecutive patients who had RRPs between June 2003 and May 2004 to determine the incidence of urinary retention after early catheter removal, with no cystogram or using an α‐blocker.RESULTSThe mean age of the men was 60 years and 99% were clinical stage T1 or T2; 74% had their catheters removed 8 days after RRP. The incidence of urinary retention was 1.3%, and of haematuria requiring catheter replacement 2.6%. Two patients (1.3%) developed a bladder neck contracture.CONCLUSIONSIn the present study removing an indwelling catheter 1 week after RRP was safe, with a minimal risk of urinary retention or bladder neck contracture. The addition of an α‐blocker is unlikely to reduce the already low incidence of urinary retention.
The Ibero‐American experience with a re‐adjustable minimally invasive sling
Authors: Palma Paulo C.R. , Dambros Miriam , Riccetto Cássio Z. , Thiel Marcelo , Netto Nelson R. 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo report our experience with the SafyreTM (Promedon, Córdoba, Argentina), a new re‐adjustable and minimally invasive sling for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which combines the efficacy of slings with re‐adjustability.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 126 consecutive patients with a clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI had a Safyre sling procedure (mean age 63 years, range 40–71). Seventy‐six patients (60%) presented after previous failed anti‐incontinence procedures; all had a physical and clinical examination, a stress test, urodynamic study and assessment of pad use before the surgery. All the patients presented with symptoms of SUI and 37 (29%) also reported mild urgency.RESULTSThe mean (range) follow‐up was 18 (12–36) months, and the mean operative duration 25 min. Dystopia was repaired whenever necessary during the same procedure. The mean hospital stay was 24 h. In three implants (2%) the bladder was perforated. After surgery 26 patients (21%) developed urgency symptoms; during the follow‐up 116 (92%) were continent, three (2%) reported an improvement and seven (6%) were dissatisfied.CONCLUSIONThe Safyre is a safe and quick procedure that allows for postoperative readjustment; this technique may be an attractive alternative if the good results obtained so far prove to be durable.
Effects on sleep of anticholinergics used for overactive bladder treatment in healthy volunteers aged ≥ 50 years
Authors: Diefenbach Konstanze , Arold Gerhard , Wollny Agnes , Schwantes Ulrich , Haselmann Jutta , Roots Ivar 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of oxybutynin, tolterodine or trospium chloride, anticholinergics used to treat bladder overactivity, on sleep and the cognitive skills of healthy volunteers aged ≥ 50 years.SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study with a crossover design, 24 healthy sleepers (12 men and 12 women) aged 51–65 years underwent polysomnographic recordings and cognitive tests in a sleep laboratory. Study medications were given as a single dose containing the total recommended daily dose.RESULTSThere was a significant reduction in rapid‐eye movement (REM) sleep of ≈ 15% and a slightly (but not significantly) greater REM latency after oxybutynin and tolterodine than with placebo. After trospium chloride, REM duration and latency were comparable with placebo. There was no effect of the tested anticholinergics on cognitive and subjective sleep variables.CONCLUSIONIndividuals aged ≥ 50 years had a more distinct impairment of REM sleep after oxybutynin and tolterodine than had young people, but the reduction in REM sleep did not reach a pathological degree in this single‐dose study. There was no apparent impairment of concentration or cognitive function, but impairment of cognitive function and neuropsychological side‐effects cannot be excluded, especially when elderly patients with impaired REM sleep from various psychiatric diseases (e.g. depression) and/or sleep disturbances are given oxybutynin or tolterodine in long‐term treatment.
Tamsulosin in the management of patients in acute urinary retention from benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Lucas Malcolm G. , Stephenson Timothy P. , Nargund Vinod 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of tamsulosin compared to placebo for treating catheterized patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), by comparing the numbers of patients who voided successfully after removing their catheter.PATIENTS AND METHODSThis was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, multicentre study. Men with AUR secondary to BPH were catheterized and then, if they fulfilled the entry criteria, were randomly assigned to receive either 0.4 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride in a modified‐release capsule once daily, or a placebo. After up to eight doses the catheter was removed and the ability to void unaided assessed.RESULTSIn all, 149 men (mean age 69.4 years) were randomly assigned to receive tamsulosin (75) or placebo (74); eight were not evaluable, so the intent‐to‐treat population was 141 men. Thirty‐four men taking tamsulosin and 18 taking placebo did not require re‐catheterization on the day of the trial without catheter (48% and 26% respectively, P = 0.011; odds ratio 2.47, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.23–4.97). Success using free‐flow variables was also higher in the men who received tamsulosin, at 37 (52%) vs 24 (34%) on placebo (P = 0.019; odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.15–4.75). Withdrawals were high (120 men, 81%), mostly because of a need for re‐catheterization (89 men, 60%). Dizziness and somnolence occurred in seven (10%) and four (6%) men who received tamsulosin, and two (3%) who received placebo, but overall the incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups. One patient died from carcinomatosis.CONCLUSIONMen catheterized for AUR can void more successfully after catheter removal if treated with tamsulosin, and are less likely to need re‐catheterization. The side‐effect profile was similar for tamsulosin and placebo, and consistent with known pharmacology. From these results tamsulosin can be recommended for treating men after catheterization for AUR, and can reduce the likelihood of the need for re‐catheterization.
Uretero‐ureterocutaneostomy (wrapped by omentum)
Authors: Lodde Michele , Pycha Armin , Palermo Salvatore , Comploj Evi , Hohenfellner Rudolph 
Published: January 2005

The tubularized‐incised plate urethroplasty has traditionally been used in children for repairing hypospadias. As shown here, it can also be used successfully in adults, with very good results. The rate of wound healing, infection and complications is the same as in children, as are the cosmetic and functional outcomes.OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the outcome of uretero‐ureterocutaneostomy (UUC) wrapped by omentum for palliative cystectomy in symptomatic elderly high‐risk patients with high‐stage bladder cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 15 patients (14 men and one woman, aged 72–87 years, American Society of Anesthesiology score 3) with symptomatic recurrent bleeding bladder cancer (T2/T3) who were treated with palliative cystectomy. UUC was performed by mobilizing the right pre‐vesical divided ureter up to the pelvi‐ureteric junction and a high retroperitoneal crossover to the divided left ureter. A stoma was created with a circular 2‐cm skin excision and resecting the fatty subcutaneous tissue. Wrapped by the omentum, both well‐vascularized ureteric stumps were pulled through a cross‐like fascia incision up to skin level. Spatulated and everted, the ‘butterfly’ flaps were fixed to the skin and underlying omentum. Soft splints were inserted for 21 days and a Karaya ring placed.RESULTSThe postoperative course and stoma healing was normal in 14 of the 15 patients; the sigmoid was resected because of sigmoid diverticulitis in one. The median (range) follow‐up was 15 (6–24) months. There was pyelonephritis in one patient, and the dilatation of the upper tract (grade 3) in two returned to grade 2, with new asymptomatic grade 1 dilatation in one other. All patients were without stents and stoma care was provided at home.CONCLUSIONSThis modified UUC by omental wrapping in 15 high‐risk patients after palliative cystectomy was simple and safe, and their recovery was uneventful. To date the few patients with stomal obstruction were managed by J catheters, changed every 4–6 months.
Alteration of body configuration after retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy
Authors: Yoshimura Koji , Ichioka Kentaro , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Terai Akito , Arai Yoicih 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate objective alterations of body configuration in patients who treated with retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (RN) and retroperitoneoscopy‐assisted nephroureterectomy (RAN).PATIENTS AND METHODSTwenty‐six patients who had RN and 23 RAN were eligible for the study. Abdominal computed tomography films before and after surgery were evaluated. The intra‐abdominal content surrounded by the vertebral bones and the muscles forming the trunk of the body were divided into four subspaces. The areas of these four portions were measured, and the ratio of occupation of each portion calculated before compared with that obtained after surgery.RESULTSWhile RAN had little impact on body configuration, RN significantly affected it; after RN the total area and area of ventral subspaces decreased homogeneously throughout the L2–L4 levels. The ipsilatero‐dorsal subspace had a marked cranial decrease in area and no caudal alteration.CONCLUSIONSWhile RAN has little effect on body configuration, RN has a significant effect, as measured objectively. Continuing the skin incision between ports and muscle splitting to extract the specimen is probably responsible for the difference between the findings of RAN and RN.
Stone‐bearing live‐donor kidneys for transplantation
Authors: Devasia Anthony , Chacko Ninan , Gnanaraj Lionel , Cherian Rekha , Gopalakrishnan Ganesh 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate potential donor kidneys with asymptomatic calculi detected during screening, and the management of the calculus before, during and after transplantation, as with fewer live donors, marginal kidneys and donors are a significant subgroup in renal transplantation.PATIENTS AND METHODSFive live‐related donors, with one incidentally detected calculus during their routine evaluation, were accepted for transplantation. Of these, three were detected only on spiral computed angiography. There was no biochemical evidence of a metabolic abnormality or history of stone disease. One donor had elective lithotripsy and another nephrolithotomy under ultrasonographic control immediately after perfusion. The others were transplanted with the calculus in situ. Ureteric reimplantation was by the Leadbetter‐Politano technique over a JJ stent.RESULTSOne recipient patient passed the calculus within 4 h of stent removal. The follow‐up ultrasonogram at 3 months showed a stone in only one recipient. In the others, the calculus could not be seen after stent removal. The maximum follow‐up was 2 years and graft function has remained normal in all.CONCLUSIONSVoluntary kidney donors with one calculus incidentally detected on routine evaluation form a unique group and can be accepted for transplantation in selected cases. Careful follow‐up of the donor and recipient is essential, with early intervention if necessary.
Perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for managing post‐traumatic urethral strictures in children: the long‐term outcome
Authors: Hafez Ashraf T. , El‐Assmy Ahmed , Sarhan Osama , El‐Hefnawy Ahmed S. , Ghoneim Mohamed A. 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long‐term results of one‐stage perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for post‐traumatic paediatric urethral strictures.PATIENTS AND METHODSThirty‐five boys who had a perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for post‐traumatic bulbous or posterior urethral strictures between 1991 and 2003 were analysed retrospectively. Patients were followed up for a mean (range) of 46 (6–132) months by a history, urinary flow rate estimate, retrograde urethrography and voiding cysto‐urethrography.RESULTSThe mean (range) age of the patients was 11.9 (6–18) years. The estimated radiographic stricture length before surgery was 2.6  (1–5) cm. The perineal anastomotic repair was successful in 31 of 35 (89%) patients. All treatment failures were at the anastomosis and were within the first year. Failed repairs were successfully managed endoscopically in two patients and by repeat perineal anastomotic repair in the remaining two, giving a final success rate of 100%. All boys are continent except two who had early stress incontinence, and that resolved with time. There was no chordee, penile shortening or urethral diverticula during the follow‐up.CONCLUSIONSThe overall success of a one‐stage perineal anastomotic repair of post‐traumatic urethral strictures in boys is excellent, with minimal morbidity. Substitution urethroplasty or abdomino‐perineal repair should be reserved for the occasional patients with concomitant anterior urethral stricture disease or a complex posterior urethral stricture, respectively.
An evaluation of laparoscopic tissue harvesting for human adult urological smooth muscle physiological experimentation
Authors: Bolton John F. , Whittlestone Timothy H. , Sibley Gary N.A. 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the properties of laparoscopically harvested bladder neck and ureteric smooth muscle, compared with tissue obtained at open surgery.MATERIALS AND METHODSBladder neck was harvested from patients undergoing open (eight) or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (11). Ureter was obtained from patients undergoing nephrectomy (laparoscopic or open) and cystectomy (open only); obtained openly from 16 and laparoscopically from seven. Muscle strips dissected from these samples were perfused in a Brading‐Sibley organ bath, and stimulated using standard agonists (100 µmol/L carbachol for bladder neck, 100 mmol/L KCl‐enriched Krebs’ solution for ureteric muscle). Tensions produced were recorded using strain gauges and analysed using data‐acquisition software. Results were compared by a two‐tailed Fisher's exact test to determine significance.RESULTSOpenly harvested bladder neck muscle strips from six patients showed a measurable response to the standard agonist. Laparoscopically harvested bladder neck strips from only two patients showed any measurable response. Openly harvested ureteric muscle strips from 12 patients responded to K‐enriched solution, while one patient's laparoscopically harvested strips responded to stimulation. This difference was significant in both tissue groups separately (P < 0.025). Histological evaluation identified no specific differences between openly and laparoscopically harvested tissue.CONCLUSIONThe yield of smooth muscle available for research is significantly less when the resection is laparoscopic; this might be a result of diathermy damage at a subcellular level. With the increasing use of the laparoscopic approach in urological surgery, the effect on tissue availability for human smooth muscle physiological study is important to researchers in this field.
Description of pain provocation tests used for the diagnosis of sports‐related chronic groin pain: relationship of tests to defined clinical (pain and tenderness) and MRI (pubic bone marrow oedema) criteria
Authors: Verrall Geoffrey M. , Slavotinek John P. , Barnes Peter G. , Fon Gerald T. 
Published: January 2005

The clinical assessment of groin pain in athletes is difficult, with the lack of specific clinical tests being in part responsible. Three pain provocation tests used in the diagnosis of chronic groin pain are described and their relationship to defined clinical and MRI criteria has been assessed.Eighty‐nine Australian Rules football players with and without groin symptoms underwent clinical examination followed by history. Three pain provocation tests were performed (named as the Single Adductor, Squeeze and Bilateral Adductor tests). All athletes subsequently underwent MRI of their groin region for the presence of significant pubic bone marrow oedema (BMO).Of the 89, 47 were defined as having chronic groin pain, and 46 had significant BMO with 37 having both chronic groin pain and BMO. The three pain provocation tests demonstrated only moderate sensitivity (range 30–65%). Positive predictive values were moderate to high (67–93%) depending upon the individual test. The Bilateral Adductor test was the most sensitive test with the highest positive predictive values. The high specificity (88–93%) demonstrated should be treated with caution due to the study methodology.Three pain provocation tests of potential value in assessing chronic groin pain in athletes are described. If positive, all three pain provocation tests demonstrated a high likelihood for the athlete having MR‐detected parasymphyseal pubic BMO. Further research is required on assessing the clinical usefulness of these tests.
Injury incidence and distribution in elite football—a prospective study of the Danish and the Swedish top divisions
Authors: Hägglund Martin , Waldén Markus , Ekstrand Jan 
Published: January 2005

The Danish and Swedish male top football divisions were studied prospectively from January to June 2001. Exposure to football and injury incidence, severity and distribution were compared between the countries.Swedish players had greater exposure to training (171 vs. 123 h per season, P<0.001), whereas exposure to matches did not differ between the countries. There was a higher risk for injury during training in Denmark than in Sweden (11.8 vs. 6.0 per 1000 h, P<0.01), whereas for match play there was no difference (28.2 vs. 26.2 per 1000 h). The risk for incurring a major injury (absence from football more than 4 weeks) was greater in Denmark (1.8 vs. 0.7 per 1000 h, P=0.002). The distribution of injuries according to type and location was similar in both countries. Of all injuries in Denmark and Sweden, overuse injury accounted for 39% and 38% (NS), and re‐injury for 30% and 24% (P=0.032), respectively.The greater training exposure and the long pre‐season period in Sweden may explain some of the reported differences.