bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pelvic floor dysfunction after Burch colposuspension – a comprehensive study. Part I
Authors: Kjølhede Preben , Wahlström Johan , Wingren Gun 
Published: August 2005

Objective.  To evaluate the occurrence of voiding dysfunction and symptoms of genital prolapse at long‐term follow‐up after Burch colposuspension (Bc) in relation to the occurrence of the symptoms in an age‐matched normal population.Materials and methods.  A follow‐up study of the 190 patients who underwent Bc in 1980–88 and 305 age‐matched control women randomly selected from the general population. The participants answered a questionnaire in 1998 with detailed questions about the pelvic floor function. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.Results.  The prevalence and frequency of urinary incontinence were significantly higher in the patient group compared with those in the control group as were urge incontinence, difficulty to start voiding, time needed at the toilet for voiding, the need to return to the toilet for emptying the bladder, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, and limitation of social life because of the leakage. The symptoms of genital prolapse were significantly more common in the patient group in spite of a significantly larger proportion of genital prolapse surgery in this group. Parity, high body mass index, heavy lifting work, chronic pulmonary diseases, hiatus hernias, and hysterectomy were significantly more common in the patient group than among the controls.Conclusions.  At long‐term follow‐up, patients exhibit substantial symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) concerning voiding dysfunction and symptoms of genital prolapse compared with a normal population. This highlights the importance and need of treating pelvic floor disorders in a comprehensive way. Scientific works with comprehensive studies of PFD are needed.
Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, alcohol use and risk of colorectal adenomas: Self‐Defense Forces Health Study
Authors: Hirose Maho , Kono Suminori , Tabata Shinji , Ogawa Shinsaku , Yamaguchi Keizo , Mineshita Masamichi , Hagiwara Tomoko , Yin Guang , Lee Kyong‐Yeon , Tsuji Akiko , Ikeda Noriaki 
Published: August 2005

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is a key enzyme in folate metabolism, which affects DNA synthesis and methylation and is possibly linked to colorectal carcinogenesis. Alcohol and acetaldehyde have an adverse effect on folate metabolism. This study investigated the relationship of functional MTHFR C677T and ALDH2 polymorphisms to colorectal adenomas with reference to alcohol consumption in a case‐control study of male officials in the Self‐Defense Forces (SDF) who received a preretirement health examination at two SDF hospitals. The study subjects were 452 cases of colorectal adenoma and 1050 controls with no polyp who underwent total colonoscopy. Genotypes were determined by the PCR‐RFLP method using genomic DNA extracted from the buffy coat. Statistical adjustment was made for age, hospital, rank in the SDF, body mass index, cigarette‐years and alcohol intake. Neither MTHFR C677T nor ALDH2 showed a measurable association with colorectal adenoma. While high alcohol consumption was associated with a moderately increased risk of colorectal adenoma, neither of the two polymorphisms showed a significant effect on the association between alcohol and colorectal adenoma. Individuals with the variant alleles ALDH2*2 and MTHFR 677T had a decreased risk of colorectal adenomas, showing adjusted odds ratios of 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.49–1.00) for all adenomas and 0.57 (0.34–0.95) for large adenomas (≥ 5 mm), as compared to individuals with ALDH2*1/1 and MTHFR 677CC genotypes combined. The findings may be interpreted as suggesting that folate inhibits the growth of colorectal adenomas, but further confirmation is needed. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 513 –518)
Possible origin of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma cells from human T lymphotropic virus type‐1‐infected regulatory T cells
Authors: Kohno Tomoko , Yamada Yasuaki , Akamatsu Norihiko , Kamihira Simeru , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Tomonaga Masao , Matsuyama Toshifumi 
Published: August 2005

Adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder caused by human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐I). Although ATLL cells display an activated helper/inducer T‐cell phenotype, CD4+ and CD25+, they are known to exhibit strong immunosuppressive activity. As regulatory T cells (Treg cells) express CD4+ and CD25+ molecules and possess potent immune response suppressive activity, we investigated a possible link between ATLL cells and Treg cells. In primary ATLL cells, the expression levels of the Treg cell marker molecules Foxp3 and glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family related protein (GITR) were significantly higher than in those from healthy adults. Furthermore, ATLL cells are unresponsive in vitro to concanavalin A stimulation and suppress the proliferation of normal T cells. GITR mRNA expression was induced by the HTLV‐I transactivator Tax, and GITR promoter analyses revealed that this induction depends on the κB site from −431 bp to −444 bp upstream of the putative transcription site. Taken together, ATLL cells may originate from HTLV‐I‐infected Treg cells, and GITR seems to be involved in the progression to ATLL. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 527–533)
Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage associated with low‐dose aspirin and anti‐thrombotic drugs – a 6‐year analysis and comparison with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs
Authors: TAHA A. S. , ANGERSON W. J. , KNILL‐JONES R. P. , BLATCHFORD O. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground:  Low‐dose aspirin and other anti‐thrombotic therapy has been increasingly used for vascular protection.Aim:  To assess the possibility that the incidence of upper gastrointestinal blood loss has changed in subjects using these agents in comparison with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.Methods:  We studied the characteristics of all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and attending a single hospital at 3 points over a 6‐year period: 1996 (n = 204), 1999 (n = 224) and in 2002 (n = 252).Results:  The incidence of haemorrhage in subjects taking low‐dose aspirin rose from 15 per 100 000 of the population per annum in 1996, to 18 in 1999 and 27 in 2002 (P = 0.004). The respective incidence in subjects taking other anti‐thrombotic drugs was 4, 8, and 12 (P < 0.001). No significant change was detected in non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug users. However, acute myocardial infarction mortality was 216 per 100 000 in 1996, 221 in 1999 and fell to 169 in 2002 (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The incidence of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in users of low‐dose aspirin and other anti‐thrombotic drugs has been steadily rising. This has been paralleled by a fall in cardiac mortality.
Cell proliferation rates in an artificial tissue‐engineered environment
Authors: Sarraf C. E. , Harris A. B. , McCulloch A. D. , Eastwood M. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract.  Worldwide, and particularly in Europe, Japan and the USA, cardiovascular disease is a major killer. It can be treated using tissue or organ transplant surgery, but donor organs may be scarce. Tissue engineering is the integration of engineering principles and biology to produce satisfactory synthetic replacement body parts, using viable cells in a suitable matrix, for regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to measure and compare cell proliferation kinetics after different time intervals of myofibroblasts in a synthetic matrix, thus to be able to deduce the period that a transplanted‐cell population can be expected to survive in a tissue‐engineered environment. Porcine aortic wall cells were grown in a porous sponge scaffold, that later could be fashioned into aortic or heart valve substitutes. Freshly acquired cells were seeded on identical sponges and were grown under normal culture conditions for a period of 4 weeks. Seeding concentration was a million cells per sponge. Cells progressively populated the sponges, both covering the surface and infiltrating the depth of the matrix, via sponge pores. Samples were taken at 1 week and at 4 weeks, and the rate of cell proliferation was determined by the metaphase arrest technique. Specimens were also taken for light and electron microscopy to determine whether these transplanted cells were capable of synthesizing their own extracellular matrix.
Biopsy of potential cadaveric renal allografts at the time of retrieval
Authors: VERRAN DEBORAH , SHERIDAN ADRIAN , BARNWELL ALISON , BERRIMAN MARNIE , CHAPMAN JEREMY 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:  Biopsy of cadaver renal allografts may aid in the assessment of marginal allografts. However, the use of this approach is not clear. This study presents the outcome of institution of a protocol for back table biopsy of renal allografts during organ procurement.Methods:  Data from Lifelink Organ Donation Network records and the ANZDATA registry were analysed.Results:  The biopsy rate of renal allografts increased from 0.8% to 15.6% (P = 0.01). The discardment rate of potential renal allografts increased slightly with 1.9% being discarded based on the biopsy result and 3.8% being discarded for other reasons. Under the biopsy protocol, 28/40 (70%) of donors with renal allograft biopsies had <20% glomerulosclerosis. The incidence of both delayed graft function and non‐function was higher (P = 0.014 and P = 0.033, respectively) for the protocol biopsied allografts compared with the other non‐biopsied allografts. One‐year renal allograft survival was not significantly different between the protocol biopsied allografts versus the other non‐biopsied allografts.Conclusions:  A biopsy protocol for marginal potential renal allografts leads to acceptable allograft outcomes without significantly increasing allograft discardment.
Relationship between sleep complaints and proinflammatory cytokines in haemodialysis patients
Authors: ERTEN YASEMIN , KOKTURK OGUZ , YUKSEL AYDAN , ELBEG SEHRI , CIFTCI TANSU ULUKAVAK , PASAOGLU HATICE , OZKAN SECIL , BALI MUSA , ARINSOI TURGAY , SINDEL SÜKRÜ 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Sleep complaints are common in end‐stage renal disease. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep‐related complaints and inflammatory cytokines in haemodialysis (HD) patients, and also the effects of HD on sleep patterns and cytokine levels.Methods:  Predialysis serum interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels in nine patients with sleep complaints were compared with those of nine patients without sleep complaints and nine healthy controls. Patients with sleep complaints underwent polysomnography the night after HD and the following night.Results:  Patients with sleep complaints had significantly higher predialysis IL‐1β levels compared with those without and healthy controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.000, respectively). They also had higher predialysis IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels than those without sleep complaints; however, the difference was not significant. Patients without sleep complaints had higher mean IL‐6 and TNF‐α and similar mean IL‐1β levels compared with healthy controls (P = 0.001, P = 0.024, P = 0.26, respectively). Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) was found in six out of nine (66%) patients with sleep complaints. Sleep architecture and cytokine levels did not differ between the two nights. The mean serum IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels did not differ in the pre‐ and post‐polysomnographic samples. There was no correlation between IL‐1β, IL‐6 or TNF‐α levels and the apnoea‐hypopnoea index.Conclusions:  Proinflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β in particular, might be associated with sleep complaints in HD patients. OSAS is not uncommon in HD patients with sleep‐related complaints and sleep architecture does not appear to be effected by the HD procedure itself.
Efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous ascorbic acid for anaemia in haemodialysis patients
Authors: CHAN DORIS , IRISH ASHLEY , DOGRA GURSHARAN 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Intravenous (i.v.) ascorbic acid (AA) improves anaemia in iron‐overloaded, erythropoietin (rEPO) hyporesponsive haemodialysis patients. While oral AA is readily attainable, the efficacy and safety of oral versus i.v. AA has not been examined.Methods:  We conducted an open‐label randomised parallel study on the effects of 8 weeks of 250 mg oral AA (n = 10) compared with 250 mg i.v. AA (n = 11) 3×/week on haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and rEPO dose in 21 iron‐overloaded haemodialysis patients. We also examined the effect of 3 months of 500 mg oral AA 3×/week (n = 70) compared with no treatment (n = 83) on Hb, ferritin and rEPO dose in 153 haemodialysis patients.Results:  Patients had severe AA deficiency (mean 2.2 ± SE 0.4 mg/L; normal range, 4.0–14.0). Following treatment, the plasma AA level increased (P < 0.001), but was not significantly different between the groups. There was no change in Hb, iron availability and rEPO dose with oral or i.v. AA. There was a significant increase in serum oxalate but no significant changes in left ventricular function or renal calculi formation. In the second study, oral AA had no effect on Hb, rEPO dose and ferritin in the whole group and a subgroup of 30 with anaemia.Conclusion:  Haemoglobin and iron availability did not improve following oral or i.v. AA in this select small group of iron‐overloaded haemodialysis patients or in a larger population of haemodialysis patients given oral AA at a higher dose and for a longer duration. AA supplementation may still be warranted in view of severe AA deficiency in haemodialysis patients.
Polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor genes and renal scarring in non‐uropathic children with recurrent urinary tract infection
Authors: ECE AYDIN , TEKES SELAHATTIN , GÜRKAN FUAT , BILICI MEKI , BUDAK TURGAY 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (A1166C) gene polymorphisms were associated with the renal scar formation secondary to recurrent urinary tract infection in children without uropathy.Methods:  The polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction in 97 children (81 females, 16 males; age, 2.5–13 years) with recurrent urinary tract infection and 100 healthy controls as a single centre study. Children with vesicoureteral reflux, bladder dysfunction and other uropathies were excluded. The dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan performed at least 3 months after a proven urinary tract infection and the result of the last DMSA was taken into consideration.Results:  Renal scarring was found in 30 patients (30.9%) using DMSA scan. The number of urinary tract infection attacks was significantly higher in patients with renal scarring compared with children without scarring (P < 0.05). The follow‐up period and male/female ratio of patients with or without renal scarring was similar (P > 0.05). Age at the first urinary tract infection was lower in the group with scarring. The ACE insertion/deletion genotype distribution and D allele frequency were similar between patients and controls (P > 0.05), and in patients with renal scarring and those without renal scarring. Also, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism was not associated with renal parenchymal damage (P > 0.05).Conclusion:  The results indicated that the ACE insertion/deletion and angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphisms were not independent risk factors for renal scar formation in recurrent urinary tract infection of paediatric patients without uropathy.
Effects of short‐term alendronate on bone mineral density in haemodialysis patients
Authors: WETMORE JAMES B , BENET LESLIE Z , KLEINSTUCK DANJA , FRASSETTO LYNDA 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in dialysis patients. Low BMD predicts the fracture risk in the general population. Bisphosphonate therapy improves BMD and lowers the fracture risk in many populations, but has not been tested in dialysis patients because of concerns about toxicity. In this investigation, the effect of a short course of alendronate on BMD in haemodialysis (HD) patients is evaluated.Methods:  Thirty‐one healthy HD patients were randomized to placebo versus 40 mg alendronate, taken once a week for 6 weeks. Hip and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry at baseline and at 6 months. Osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase levels were assayed at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months.Results:  The BMD and T‐scores in specific regions of the hip were stable in the treatment group and decreased in the placebo group (P = 0.05). The lumbar spine density increased minimally in both groups. In the treatment group, osteocalcin levels declined significantly at 1 month (P < 0.05) and remained low. The main side‐effect in the alendronate group was occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in three subjects.Conclusions:  Low‐dose alendronate, administered for a limited duration, appears to be well tolerated in dialysis patients. The BMD and T‐scores declined at certain hip regions in the placebo group over 6 months, while remaining stable in the treatment group, suggesting a bone‐preserving effect of alendronate. Further studies of longer duration, and including examination of bone histology, are needed to assess whether bisphosphonates can be used to preserve BMD in dialysis patients.
Voltage‐gated potassium channels regulate the response of retinal growth cones to axon extension and guidance cues
Authors: Pollock N. S. , Atkinson‐Leadbeater K. , Johnston J. , Larouche M. , Wildering W. C. , McFarlane S. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract Xenopus retinal ganglion cell growth cones express various voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channels. We showed previously that 4‐aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium have different effects on the outward currents of embryonic Xenopus retinal ganglion cells. Therefore, we asked whether these Kv channel inhibitors differentially regulate the response of retinal ganglion cell growth cones to extrinsic cues. First, we tested the role of Kv channels in axon extension mediated by a substrate bound cue and found that 4‐aminopyridine blocked, whereas tetraethylammonium enhanced basal extension on laminin. Yet, when the growth cones were stimulated to extend with application of soluble growth factors, both inhibitors resulted in a return to the basal extension rates observed in the presence of laminin alone. Second, we asked if Kv channels modulate the response of retinal ganglion cell growth cones to a guidance cue, the chemorepellent fibroblast growth factor‐2. When presented in a gradient to one side of the growth cone, fibroblast growth factor‐2 repulsed retinal ganglion cell growth cones in the presence of 4‐aminopyridine but not tetraethylammonium. These data argue that tetraethylammonium‐ and 4‐aminopyridine‐sensitive Kv channels differ in the manner by which they regulate the response of retinal ganglion cell axons to extension and guidance cues. Non‐ratiometric calcium imaging indicated that differences in the ability of tetraethylammonium‐ and 4‐aminopyridine‐sensitive Kv channels to regulate calcium activity within the growth cone may underlie their unique modulation of growth cone behaviour.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with a transportable electrohydraulic lithotripter: experience with >300 patients
Authors: Albala David M. , Siddiqui Khurram M. , Fulmer Brant , Alioto Joseph , Frankel Jeffery , Monga Manoj 
Published: August 2005

Authors from the USA present a multi‐centre experience using a transportable lithotripter for treating stones in all parts of the urinary tract. They found the lithotripter to be safe and effective, and felt that the Medstone STS‐T represents an advance in the development of transportable lithotripters.A very large experience of partial nephrectomy for various reasons is presented by German authors. Of 717 patients, 65 had either a solitary kidney, synchronous bilateral tumours, or renal failure in the opposite kidney. They describe their technique using perfusion‐cooling, and found that long‐term dialysis could be avoided.OBJECTIVETo review a multicentre experience of using a transportable lithotripter (STS‐T, Medstone, Inc, Aliso Viejo, CA. USA) for treating patients with urolithiasis in all parts of the urinary tract.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 326 patients with a total of 370 stones were treated as outpatients with the STS‐T lithotripter. All patients received a single shock wave lithotripsy treatment and were followed after 4–6 weeks in the outpatient clinic, the primary endpoint being to determine the efficacy (as defined by the stone‐free rate). Secondary objectives included establishing a database of patient demographic information, stone characteristics, stone location, procedural endpoints, and complication rates.RESULTSIn all there were 370 procedures, with a mean of 2394 shocks administered at an energy level of 24 kV. The mean treatment time was 51 min, excluding anaesthesia‐induction time. The mean stone aggregate size was 8.2 mm; 62% of the stones were in the kidney while 38% were in various locations in the ureter. Of the treated stones, 90% had definite or probable evidence of fragmentation. The overall stone‐free rate after one treatment with the STS‐T was 52.8%. Of patients with residual fragments, most (61%) had fragments of <4 mm in aggregate diameter. The overall complication rate was 3.8%, the most common complication being postoperative pain.CONCLUSIONThe Medstone STS‐T lithotripter was an effective device for treating urolithiasis in all parts of the urinary tract. This system had a high margin of safety, as shown by the low complication rate. With no apparent sacrifice of efficacy compared to first‐generation or fixed (not transportable) second‐generation devices, the Medstone STS‐T represents an important advance in the development of a truly transportable lithotripter.
Use of digital video technology in an elementary school foreign language methods course
Authors: Chuang Hsueh‐Hua , Rosenbusch Marcia Harmon 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis article presents a case study of the use of digital video technology with a new pedagogical approach under a constructivist framework in an elementary school foreign language methods course. Data were collected through interviews with the methods course instructor, field notes, analytical notes from videotaped student presentations of their learning from the video clips, students’ mid‐semester evaluation of the use of video clips, and end‐of‐semester student reflections on open‐ended questions regarding the use of video clips. A careful examination of the data identified themes that illustrate the characteristics of the use of digital video technology under a constructivist framework. Those themes include the flexibility and capability of digital video technology, the development of the video clips, students’ ownership of knowledge, feedback from the students, and evaluation of the use of video clips. This case reports the vision of technology integration being realized. It results from the presence of technology, the instructor's pedagogical knowledge, and his or her content expertise.
Performance Pay and Adverse Selection*
Authors: Moen Espen R. , Rosén Åsa 
Published: August 2005

AbstractIt is well known in personnel economics that firms may improve the quality of their workforce by offering performance pay. We analyze an equilibrium model where worker productivity is private information and show that the firms’ gain from worker self‐selection may not be matched by a corresponding social gain. In particular, the equilibrium incentive contracts are excessively high‐powered, thereby inducing the more productive workers to exert too much effort and increasing agency costs stemming from the misallocation of effort.