bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic nephropexy: Treatment outcome and quality of life
Authors: MATSUI YOSHIYUKI , MATSUTA YOSUKE , OKUBO KAZUTOSHI , YOSHIMURA KOJI , TERAI AKITO , ARAI YOICHI 
Published: December 2003

Abstract Background:  The recent introduction of laparoscopic procedures has markedly altered urological surgery. Laparoscopic nephropexy has attracted the attention of urologists as a treatment for nephroptosis. Herein, we describe our experiences and quality‐of‐life outcome of laparoscopic nephropexy and discuss its indications and surgical techniques.Methods:  From May 1998 to February 2002, six female patients, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years (median age 39.8 years), with symptomatic nephroptosis underwent laparoscopic nephropexy. Mean preoperative downward kidney displacement was 2.25 vertebral bodies (range 2–2.5) and all affected kidneys were tilted at orthostasis. One patient underwent nephropexy through the transperitoneal approach and the remaining patients underwent nephropexy through the retroperitoneal approach. To evaluate surgical results, postoperative follow‐up interview (pain visual analog scale and the short‐form 36 (SF‐36) health survey questionnaire) and objective examinations were performed.Results:  All procedures were accomplished without complication. Postoperative intravenous pyelography correctly confirmed fixed kidney in both supine and erect positions. All patients reported an improvement of symptoms approximately 1 month after nephropexy and no symptoms have recurred during the follow‐up period (range 6.3–50.7 months). On the SF‐36, two domains, including role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) and mental health (MH), exhibited significant improvement postoperatively (P = 0.0405 and P = 0.0351, respectively).Conclusions:  Laparoscopic, in particular retroperitoneoscopic, nephropexy yields excellent outcomes and greatly improves general health‐related quality of life, particularly mental status, as a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic nephroptosis.
Alpha‐blocker test: Alternative to pressure–flow study of bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility in patients without an enlarged prostate
Authors: HIRAYAMA AKIHIDE , SAMMA SHOJI , YAMAGUCHI AKIRA , FUKUI YOSHIHISA , MATSUMOTO YOSHIHIRO , FUJIMOTO KIYOHIDE , HIRAO YOSHIHIKO 
Published: December 2003

Abstract Objectives:  We investigated whether the cause of urinary disturbance in men with a prostate volume ≤20 mL can be determined by analyzing the efficacy of α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist (alpha‐blocker) treatment.Methods:  Thirty‐five men who were >50 years of age, with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥8 points, a quality of life (QOL) index ≥2 points and a prostate volume ≤20 mL were enrolled in the non‐enlarged prostate group. Twenty‐six men who met the above conditions but who had a prostate volume >20 mL served as controls. The α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/day for 4 weeks. Results for the IPSS, QOL index, free flowmetry and pressure–flow studies were obtained before and after tamsulosin administration.Results:  In both groups, tamsulosin improved the IPSS and QOL index and the bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) was lowered without reducing the bladder contractility index (BCI). No parameter showed a significant difference in treatment efficacy between the two groups. In the non‐enlarged prostate group, both the pretreatment BOOI and BCI correlated with the efficacy of treatment in improving maximum flow rate (Qmax). In the enlarged prostate group, BOOI and BCI did not correlate with Qmax. When Qmax was improved by ≥3.5 mL/s, the positive predictive value for both pretreatment BOOI >40 and BCI >100 was 100% in the non‐enlarged prostate group.Conclusions:  The alpha‐blocker test is one method to assess the presence of bladder outlet obstruction and the state of detrusor contractility in men without an enlarged prostate.
Bulbocavernosus reflex during the micturition cycle in normal male subjects
Authors: KAIHO YASUHIRO , NAMIMA TAKASHIGE , NAKAGAWA HARUO , AIZAWA MASATAKA , UCHI KEIICHIRO , TAKEUCHI YOSHIHIRO IKEDA, AKIRA , ARAI YOICHI 
Published: December 2003

Abstract Background:  To investigate normal changes in the bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) during the micturition cycle, we examined the change in BCR during the micturition cycle using an evoked potential reaction of the BCR (BCR‐EP).Methods:  Fourteen normal subjects were examined in the study. The BCR‐EP was recorded at empty bladder, filled bladder, during voiding and at empty bladder after voiding. To elicit the BCR‐EP, the dorsal nerve of the penis was stimulated by two ring electrodes and an electromyogram of the external urethral sphincter was recorded. The maximum amplitude was measured to evaluate changes in the BCR.Results:  The amplitude of the BCR was increased by bladder filling and the ratio of the amplitude at filled bladder/amplitude at empty bladder was 1.32 ± 0.39. The stable BCR‐EP elicited by stimulation at empty bladder disappeared during voluntary voiding in 13 of 14 subjects. However, as stimulation was increased in seven subjects, the BCR‐EP was again seen clearly.Conclusions:  The BCR varies during the micturition cycle, although in normal subjects this variation occurs within a relatively narrow range. Changes in the BCR out of the normal range (e.g. large acceleration by bladder filling or insufficient inhibition during voiding) could suggest the existence of neurogenic disease.
Detection of circulating MUC7‐positive cells by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in bladder cancer patients
Authors: KINJO MANAMI , OKEGAWA TAKATSUGU , HORIE SHIGEO , NUTAHARA KIKUO , HIGASHIHARA EIJI 
Published: December 2003

Abstract Background:  To determine whether MUC7 gene expression can be used as a bladder cancer marker in peripheral blood.Methods:  Nested reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was performed on four types of bladder cancer cell lines (RT4, T24, EJ‐1 and TCC) and the peripheral blood of 38 (31 superficial disease and seven invasive disease) bladder cancer patients and 18 subjects with urinary tract infections or other non‐malignant conditions to determine the expression of MUC7.Results:  No MUC7 gene expression was detected in control subjects. MUC7‐positive cells were detected in all bladder cancer cell lines and in 18 of 38 (47.4%) peripheral blood samples of bladder cancer patients. Based on the tumor stage, MUC7 was detected in 11 of 29 (37.9%) patients with superficial disease (Ta and T1) and in seven of nine (77.7%) invasive disease patients (≥T2). There was a significant difference between superficial and invasive disease (P = 0.042). Based on tumor grade, we could not detect MUC7 in five patients with grade 1, in five of 15 patients (33.3%) with grade 2 and in 13 of 18 patients (72.2%) with grade 3. There was a significant difference between grades 1 and 3 (P = 0.007) and grades 2 and 3 (P = 0.025).Conclusions:  These results suggest that MUC7 is a highly specific marker for bladder cancer and may be a useful method for the molecular staging and management of bladder cancer.
Foods and beverages in relation to urothelial cancer: Case‐control study in Japan
Authors: WAKAI KENJI , HIROSE KAORU , TAKEZAKI TOSHIRO , HAMAJIMA NOBUYUKI , OGURA YUJI , NAKAMURA SHIGEO , HAYASHI NORIO , TAJIMA KAZUO 
Published: December 2003

Abstract Background:  The roles of several foods and beverages in the development of bladder cancer remain unclear.Methods:  We undertook a hospital‐based case‐control study at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Japan. Subjects included 124 men and women (bladder cancer cases) with newly diagnosed cancers of the renal pelvis (n = 5), ureter (n = 6) or bladder (n = 113) and 620 age‐ and sex‐matched, cancer‐free outpatients (controls) presenting at the hospital in the period from 1994 to 2000. Smoking‐adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated to assess the strength of associations between self‐reported intake of foods or drinks and bladder cancer risk, using conditional logistic models.Results:  We found a decreased risk in relation to frequent intake of green–yellow vegetables; the OR for the highest intake score compared with the lowest was 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29–0.99). The OR for carrot intake of ≥5 times/week compared with ≤1–3 times/month was 0.41 (95% CI 0.16–1.01) and a decreasing risk with increasing consumption of green vegetables was also detected (P for trend = 0.063). Inverse associations between black tea, eggs and meat and risk were also suggested, whereas moderate drinkers of green tea (5–9 cups/day) showed an elevated risk. Coffee and milk consumption did not appear to exert any influence.Conclusions:  Those with an increased risk of bladder cancer, such as smokers, may benefit from increasing their consumption of green–yellow vegetables.
Lifelong premature ejaculation: from authority‐based to evidence‐based medicine
Authors: Waldinger M.D. 
Published: December 2003

SUMMARYHistorically, four periods can be distinguished in the approach to and treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation. Although drug treatment has been an option for many decades, psychotherapy prevailed as the first choice of treatment. However, the application of the principles of evidence‐based medicine shows that there is little evidence to support the psychological approach and behavioural treatment. In contrast, controlled trials with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, clomipramine and anaesthetic ointments have repeatedly shown the efficacy of both daily and ‘as‐needed’ drug treatment to delay ejaculation. Currently, an evidence‐based approach is gradually replacing the authority‐based psychological attitude that characterized the view of premature ejaculation. Based on psychopharmacological studies there is evidence that premature ejaculation is related to a diminished serotonergic neurotransmission, and 5‐HT2C or 5‐HT1A receptor disturbances. Moreover, animal studies show the presence of a distinct ejaculation‐related neural circuit in the central nervous system; its role in premature ejaculation remains to be elucidated.
A Recurring Decimal: English in Language Policy and Planning
Authors: Bamgbo Ay 
Published: December 2003

AbstractOne reality of language policy discourse in the world today is that it inevitably gravitates toward English. This is regardless of whether such discourse relates to any of Kachru's categories of Inner, Outer and Expanding Circles. My metaphor for this ubiquitous presence is a recurring decimal. The prominence that a language has in language policy may be due to a number of factors such as population, prestige, status, functionality, nationalism, etc. English shares all these factors in different countries, and may, in fact, have more than one of the factors in the same country. The recurrence of English in language policy is often presented as an outcome of deliberate choice. To maintain this position is to fail to “problematize the notion of choice” (Pennycook, 1994), since it is well known that there are historical, economic and bureaucratic constraints to language decisions. The resulting hegemony of English may be seen as beneficial from the perspective of its communicative and instrumental functions, particularly in the contexts of a “shrinking world,” which globalization represents. However, in Outer Circle countries, where English is largely acquired though formal education, its detrimental effects can be seen in social stratification, exclusion, and problems associated with education and literacy, status of languages other than English, and language rights. These problems inevitably invite attention to the broader issues of English in the context of educational failure and overall language policy.
The World Englishes Paradigm and Contact Linguistics: Refurbishing The Foundations
Authors: Mesthrie Rajend 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThis paper argues for a greater degree of rapprochement between the fields of world Englishes and Contact Linguistics. New Englishes are after all contact varieties, in the broad sense of the term and hold insights for creolistics, just as the latter has much to offer world Englishes research. One of the phases of ‘refurbishing the foundations’ is to pay close attention to the establishment of individual world Englishes. This paper focuses on the ‘input’ to New Englishes from a variety of sources that typically preceded the influence of the classroom. These sources include regional dialects of settlers, sailors' sociolects, soldiers' language and the L2s of many missionaries. The influence of the superstrate is argued to be more influential than previously realised in shaping the grammar of New Englishes.
On Definite Reference in World Englishes
Authors: Kachru Yamuna 
Published: December 2003

AbstractDeixis, associated with the gestural dimension of language, connects all language use to context of situation. It governs a number of grammatical and epistemological categories, including topicalization, orientational mapping and definite and unique reference. The focus of this paper is on the category mentioned last in the previous sentence: definite and unique reference across world Englishes.The aim is to explore the uses of definite descriptions (Russell, 1919), i.e., noun phrases with the definite article the, to determine the nature and extent of differences across the varieties. Research on this topic is driven by two observations. The first is recent research findings in corpus linguistics. For example, Poesio and Vieira (1998) suggest that native speakers differ considerably from each other in their judgment of whether a definite noun phrase refers to an antecedent in the text, and if so, which noun phrase is the antecedent. The second is that it seems reasonable to assume that differences in the use of definite descriptions across varieties exist in view of the fact that English is in contact with other languages in different parts of the world. These languages utilize different categories to represent the same reality or imagined reality that are expressed in English by deictic categories. Research has shown that ‘conceptual situation’ and ‘conceptual event’ are largely language‐specifc (see, e.g., Pawley, 1987), and bilinguals and multilinguals transfer their ways of speaking and writing to their use of English. Use of definite descriptions, therefore, is very likely to differ in Englishes used in different parts of the world.In this paper I utilize insights from earlier theories of definite descriptions (e.g., Christophersen, 1939; Hawkins, 1978; Webber, 1979; Prince, 1981, 1992; Heim, 1982) to analyze data from several world varieties of English. I also discuss the implications of my findings to the teaching of grammar in the EIL context.
Attitudes Towards English in the Basque Autonomous Community
Authors: Lasagabaster David 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe learning of more than two languages in the school context is becoming very common‐place all over Europe, especially in the many places where a minority language is spoken. The situation of the Basque educational system is a very good case in point, as, apart from Basque and Spanish, English is also learnt at school. This study examines the attitudes of 1,097 university students towards the aforementioned three languages, using Baker's (1992) questionnaire on attitudes as the main instrument of the survey. In a previous study carried out with a smaller sample (133 students) in which the majority were Basque Philology degree students, it was observed that the participants' L1 had a clear impact on their attitudes. In fact, those students who had Basque as their L1 viewed the two international languages (Spanish and English) less favourably. In the case of the present sample, it was expected that students would not show such a negative attitude, as the range of degree courses being followed is much wider. Because the Basque language does not form the central core of the participants' studies, their attitudes towards Spanish and English will be more positive and farther from what Baker calls a bunker attitude.
Knowledge, Use, and Attitudes Towards Americanisms in Nigerian English
Authors: Igboanusi Herbert 
Published: December 2003

AbstractAs a result of British colonization of Nigeria, Nigerian English has its origins in British English and its usage has shown a strong British influence. In recent times, however, Nigerian English usage seems to have shown a growing influence of American English. This study examines the extent of the knowledge and use of American English by Nigerians as well as the attitude of Nigerian speakers of English towards American influence in Nigerian English. Using samples from newspapers and news‐magazines, radio and television, supermarkets and observed conversations, the study shows that although Nigerians like the influx of Americanisms into Nigerian English, they do not actually prefer American English to British English.
COUNTING THE NUMBER OF MINIMAL DFCA OBTAINED BY MERGING STATES
Authors: CÂMPEANU CEZAR , PĂUN ANDREI 
Published: December 2003

Finite Deterministic Cover Automata (DFCA) can be obtained from Deterministic Finite Automata (DFA) using the similarity relation and a method of merging similar states. The DFCA minimization procedure can yield different results depending on the order of merging the similar states, because the minimal DFCA for a finite language is in general not unique. We count the number of minimal DFCA that can be obtained from a given minimal DFA with n states by merging the similar states in the given DFA. We compute an upper-bound for this number and prove that in the worst case, it is n-1 for an unary alphabet, and [Formula: see text] for a non-unary alphabet. We prove that this upper-bound is reached, i.e., for any given positive integer n one can construct a minimal DFA with n states, which has the number of minimal DFCA obtained by merging similar states equal to this maximum expression.
A TIME AND SPACE EFFICIENT ALGORITHM FOR MINIMIZING COVER AUTOMATA FOR FINITE LANGUAGES
Authors: KÖRNER HEIKO 
Published: December 2003

A deterministic finite automaton (DFA) [Formula: see text] is called a cover automaton (DFCA) for a finite language L over some alphabet Σ if [Formula: see text], with l being the length of some longest word in L. Thus a word w ∈ Σ* is in L if and only if |w| ≤ l and [Formula: see text]. The DFCA [Formula: see text] is minimal if no DFCA for L has fewer states. In this paper, we present an algorithm which converts an n–state DFA for some finite language L into a corresponding minimal DFCA, using only O(n log n) time and O(n) space. The best previously known algorithm requires O(n2) time and space. Furthermore, the new algorithm can also be used to minimize any DFCA, where the best previous method takes O(n4) time and space. Since the required data structure is rather complex, an implementation in the common programming language C/C++ is also provided.
A Possible Stimulatory Effect of FMRFamide on Neural Nitric Oxide Production in the Central Nervous System of <i>Helix lucorum</i> L.
Authors: Röszer Tamás , Jenei Zsolt , Gáll Tamás , Nagy Olivér , Czimmerer Zsolt , Serfözö Zoltán , Elekes Károly , Bánfalvi Gáspár 
Published: December 2003

The anatomical and functional relationship between neurons expressing nitric oxide (NO) synthase and molluscan cardioexcitatory (FMRFamide)-like neuropeptides was studied in the central ganglia of <i>Helix lucorum</i> (Pulmonata, Gastropoda), applying NADPHdiaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry to visualize NO synthase and immunocytochemistry to demonstrate FMRFamide (FMRFa) at the light microscopic level. The NO production of the ganglia was detected by the colorimetric Griess determination of nitrite, a breakdown product of NO. Effects of the NO synthase substrate amino acid L-arginine, the NO synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG), synthetic FMRFa and the FMRFa sensitive ion channel blocker amiloride hydrochloride on nitrite production were also tested. NADPHd reaction labeled nerve cells and fibers in the procerebra, mesocerebra and metacerebra within the cerebral ganglia, and cell clusters in the postcerebral ganglia. FMRFa immunolabeling could be observed within subpopulations of NADPHd positive cells and in pericellular varicose fibers surrounding NADPHd stained neurons. Nitrite production of the ganglia was stimulated by L-arginine (10– 20 m<i>M</i>) but was decreased by NOARG (1–2 m<i>M</i>). Synthetic FMRFa (0.830–3.340 m<i>M</i>) increased the nitrite production in a dose dependent manner, but was ineffective in the presence of NOARG. Amiloride hydrochloride (7.890 m<i>M</i>) reduced the FMRFa evoked nitrite production in all ganglia. This is the first description of an anatomical relationship between putative NO producing and FMRFa containing cells, suggesting a possible regulatory role of FMRFa in the NO mediated signaling in an invertebrate nervous system.
Aging Effects of Sympathetic Reflex Activities on Skin Nerves
Authors: Watanabe Harue , Shindo Kazumasa , Ida Haruyasu , Tanaka Haruyuki , Nagasaka Takamura , Shiozawa Zenji 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest is widely known to increase with aging, but changes in skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) with aging are less well defined. We examined the aging effects of reflex activities on SSNA, sympathetic skin response (SSR), and sympathetic flow response (SFR). <i>Objective:</i> We studied the aging effect of reflex activities on SSNA, SSR and SFR. <i>Methods:</i> SSNA, SSR and SFR were simultaneously recorded during randomly administered electrical stimuli. <i>Results:</i> The mean SSNA reflex latency was 763.1 ± 39.8 ms, mean SSNA amplitude was 12.6 ± 6.3 µV, mean SSR reflex latency was 1,809.0 ± 90.6 ms, mean SSR reflex amplitude was 0.519 ± 0.449 mV, mean SFR reflex latency was 4,398.9 ± 761.7 ms, and mean SFR reflex amplitude was 8.21 ± 5.14 ml/min/100 g. None of these parameters were significantly affected by aging. The reflex bursts on SSNA could be recorded in all subjects studied. While the frequencies of SSR and SFR were recorded in more than 80% of young subjects under age 40 years, the frequencies of SSR were recorded in less than 25% of subjects over age 80 years, and the frequencies of SFR were recorded in less than 5%. <i>Conclusion:</i> There were no differences in electrical stimuli-induced reflex SSNA between young and older subjects, but effector organ responses such as SSR and SFR were diminished in older subjects.