bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floor plate, glia and other support cells in the anterior nerve cord of amphioxus larvae
Authors: Lacalli Thurston C. , Kelly Samantha J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSerial electron micrograph reconstructions and interval series were used to examine the support cells, including glia, of the anterior nerve cord in 6‐, 8‐ and 12.5‐day larvae ofBranchiostoma floridaeand one newly metamorphosed juvenile. The floor plate begins immediately behind the infundibular cells. It consists for the most part of a single file of midline cells, but adjacent lateral floor plate cells occur in some places. The floor plate is interrupted at one point, in the posterior part of the cerebral vesicle above the tegmental neuropile. A class of early developing axons crosses the midline at this point, which suggests that the floor plate may have a developmental role in axon guidance. The structural integrity of the cord is maintained by ependymal and ependymoglial cells that attach to its sides. Two other glial cell types were found in larvae. Both appear to originate adjacent to the floor plate and hence are referred to here as midline glia. Those in somites 1 and 2 remain connected to the central canal; they appear to be a mixed population that may include precursors of midline support cells which are present later in the juvenile. Those caudal to somite 3 detach early from the central canal and develop an extensive network of axial processes; they are referred to here as axial glia and treated as a subcategory of midline glia. Based on their site of origin and the absence of glial filaments, their closest counterpart among vertebrate glia may well be the oligodendrocyte. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a possible amphioxus homologue of this important vertebrate cell type.
The development of the pit organ of Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae): support for the monophyly of the subfamily Crotalinae
Authors: Hofstadler Deiques Clarice 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe development of the pit organ and the course of the lateral branch of the ethmoidal nerve of the two South American crotalines Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus terrificus are described in detail using serially sectioned material from fetal stages. Serial sections of the Asian pit vipers Agkistrodon halys halys and Trimeresurus albolabris were included in this work. The viperines, as the sister‐group of the Crotalinae, and the Colubridae, Elapidae and Boidae as their outgroups were used for comparisons. New synapomorphies of the advanced subfamily Crotalinae were found: namely, absence of the foramen epiphaniale and an extracapsular course of the lateral branch of ethmoidal nerve. These results support the monophyly of the crotalines.
Aspects of embryonic and postembryonic development of the Japanese freshwater crayfish Cambaroides japonicus (Crustacea, Decapoda) including a hypothesis on the evolution of maternal care in the Astacida
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard , Kawai Tadashi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLittle is known about the biology of the East Asian freshwater crayfish of the genus Cambaroides. Furthermore, the phylogenetic relationships of Cambaroides are controversial. To gain more information about East Asian crayfish and to shed some light on the phylogeny and evolution of freshwater crayfish, some aspects of the embryonic and postembryonic development of the Japanese freshwater crayfish species Cambaroides japonicus are described. The general appearance of the embryo and the growth zone consisting of about 40 ectoteloblasts correspond with the apomorphic pattern described for all other freshwater crayfish species. The occurrence of eight mesoteloblasts is a typical malacostracan character. In addition to the occurrence of freshwater crayfish apomorphies, such as a telson thread, the postembryonic development of C. japonicus follows the ground pattern of the Northern Hemisphere Astacoidea. In particular, some characteristics are in common with the postembryonic development of the Astacidae. These concern the shape of the telson of the juvenile stage 1 and the occurrence of plumose telson setae in juvenile stage 2. Furthermore, the recurved hooks of the hatchlings are lost in the juvenile stage 2, indicating an early independence of the juveniles from the mother. On the other hand, the early appearance of a spermatheca (annulus ventralis) is shared between C. japonicus and the other (American) Cambaridae. The hypothesis is developed that the evolutionary success of the different freshwater crayfish taxa might be related to the stepwise extension of maternal care as an adaptation to the freshwater environment.
Larval development of Japanese ‘conchostracans’: part 1, larval development of Eulimnadia braueriana (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Spinicaudata, Limnadiidae) compared to that of other limnadiids
Authors: Olesen J. , Grygier M. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAs a part of a project to compare phylogenetically the larval or embryonic development of all major taxa of the Branchiopoda (Crustacea), the larval development of the Japanese spinicaudatan clam shrimp Eulimnadia braueriana Ishikawa, 1895, is described. Seven naupliar stages are recognized, based mainly on significant morphological differences between them, but in one case, on size alone. The seven stages range in length from 156 µm to 760 µm. Nauplius 1 is nonfeeding with incompletely developed and nonfunctional feeding structures. Nauplius 2 has apparently functional feeding structures, including a well‐developed mandibular gnathobase, setulate protopodal endites of the antennae, and setules on various setae involved in swimming and food manipulation. Nauplius 3 is morphologically identical to Nauplius 2, but more than 50% larger. In nauplius 4, the coxal endite (naupliar process) of the antennae develops a bifid tip. Nauplius 5 has a lateral pair of primordial carapace lobes, and the first 4–5 pairs of trunk limb buds are weakly developed, making the anterior part of the trunk wider than the posterior. In nauplius 6, five pairs of trunk limb buds are visible externally and a small carapace has appeared, reaching approximately to trunk limbs 2; also, the pair of large buds behind the mandibles in previous stages has become divided into a large, anterior, setose bud and two smaller, posterior buds. The identities of these structures as either paragnaths or maxillules/maxillae remain uncertain. In nauplius 7, about six pairs of trunk limb buds are visible externally. The general morphology of the nauplius larvae of E. braueriana is much like those of the well‐known Limnadia lenticularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eulimnadia texana Packard, 1871, including an elongate, lanceolate labrum; however, because of various heterochronies, the correspondence between the larval sequences of these species is not perfect. There is even less correspondence with the 5‐stage larval development reported for Limnadia stanleyana King, 1855, and the spatulate labra of that species and Jmnadia spp. are different from those of other known limnadiid nauplii. The larvae of E. braueriana possess many typical (and synapomorphic) branchiopod features, such as the general morphology of the appendages involved in feeding and the mode of trunk limb development, while the small buds of the first antennae and the exact number and development of the parts of the trunk limbs are typical for the Spinicaudata.
Detecting and quantifying absorbed irrigation fluid by measuring mannitol and sorbitol concentrations in serum samples, and by ethanol monitoring
Authors: Gehring H. , Hornberger C. , Dibbelt L. , Dörges V. , Eichenauer R. , Schmucker P. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To describe a modified and improved technique which, in one measurement, estimates the influx of irrigation fluid during endoscopic endometrial ablation or prostate resection, and provides both rapid confirmation of the diagnosis and an estimate of the amount of fluid absorbed by detecting markers which pass from the irrigation fluid to the serum, i.e. mannitol or sorbitol. Patients and methods Control samples were taken for analysis before irrigation, and test samples were taken on four occasions during and after intervention, from each of 10 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. Irrigation fluid was also marked with ethanol (1.5% w/v) and the concentration of this agent measured in the blood and expired air of these patients. The absorbed volume was calculated according to the extracellular distribution space of mannitol. Results Mannitol and sorbitol could be measured in 85% and 73% of the 40 test samples, respectively. The threshold for full sensitivity for breath ethanol concentration to detect absorption was 132 mL. Conclusion This method for detecting serum mannitol and sorbitol represents a valid procedure for confirming and quantifying the absorption of irrigation fluid in the clinic, which agrees closely with the already established ethanol monitoring procedure and which should now be considered as a reference procedure.
Incontinence aids in Sweden: users and costs
Authors: Samuelsson E. , Månsson L. , Milsom I. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To study age‐ and sex‐specific use and costs of incontinence aids distributed free of charge in Sweden. Subjects and methods The study was conducted in the county of Jämtland, Sweden (132 000 inhabitants). The use and cost of incontinence aids for people living in their homes and the total cost of incontinence aids for residents of special accommodation (e.g. nursing homes, homes for the elderly and sheltered housing) was obtained from a central database constructed for the purpose. Individual usage of incontinence aids by those in special accommodation was studied in two districts of Jämtland, representing 18% of the population. Results Free incontinence products were used by 6.4% of all women and 2.4% of all men in the county. There was a sharp increase in usage from the age of 75 years. Of the users, 21% lived in special accommodation. If the data from Jämtland are extrapolated nationally, then 274 000 women and 93 000 men in Sweden (total population 8.8 million) are using free incontinence products. The total cost of incontinence aids for Jämtland during 1999 was 15.4 million Swedish krona (SK), and those in special accommodation accounted for 46% of these costs. This corresponds to an estimated total cost in Sweden of ≈ 925 million SK. Although 75% of the users were women, women only contributed 61% of the total costs. The mean annual cost of incontinence aids for an incontinent man was twice that of an incontinent woman. More than half of the costs were attributable to those aged 80 years. Conclusions The estimated national costs of free incontinence aids accounts for 0.5% of the total costs of Swedish healthcare, including the care and nursing of older and disabled people, and for 0.05% of the gross national product.
A new intravaginal device for stress incontinence in women
Authors: Thyssen H. , Bidmead J. , Lose G. , Møller Bek K. , Dwyer P. , Cardozo L. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To compare two versions of the same type of disposable intravaginal device (the Conveen Continence Guard, CCG, and the Contrelle Continence Tampon, CCT, Coloplast a/s, Humlebæk, Denmark) for treating stress incontinence in women. Patients and methods Women with the predominant symptom of stress incontinence were recruited from four centres in Denmark, Australia and the UK. The women were assessed using a 24‐h pad‐test, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume and a voiding diary before treatment, and after 5 weeks using each of the two devices. Vaginal swabs and specimens of urine were sent for culture, and a questionnaire about the subjective effect and adverse events completed at each visit. In all, 94 women were recruited, of whom 62 (66%) completed the study. Results Both devices reduced the amount of leakage significantly, but the CCT reduced urine loss significantly more than the CCG. Uroflowmetry values and residual urine volume were unchanged when using the two devices. Vaginal culture showed no abnormality during the study period, and only one woman was treated for a urinary tract infection. Side‐effects were few and not serious. The women found both devices easy to prepare, insert and use; two‐thirds preferred the CCT to the CCG. Conclusion The new intravaginal device (CCT) is more effective for treating stress incontinence than the currently available version (CCG), and patient acceptability of the new device seems to be superior.
Making decisions about treatment for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Steginga S.K. , Occhipinti S. , Gardiner R.A. , Yaxley J. , Heathcote P. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To describe the decision‐making processes used by men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who were considering treatment. Patients and methods Men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from outpatient urology clinics and urologists' private practices were approached before treatment. Their decision‐making processes and information‐seeking behaviour was assessed; demographic information was also obtained. Results Of 119 men approached, 108 (90%) were interviewed; 91% reported non‐systematic decision processes, with deferral to the doctor, positive and negative recollections of others' cancer experiences, and the pre‐existing belief that surgery is a better cancer treatment being most common. For systematic information processing the mean (sd, range) number of items considered was 4.19 (2.28, 0–11), with 57% of men considering four or fewer treatment/medical aspects of prostate cancer. Men most commonly considered cancer stage (59%), urinary incontinence (55%) and impotence (51%) after surgery, and low overall mortality (45%). Uncertainty about probabilities for cure was reported by 43% of men and fear of cancer spread by 37%. Men also described uncertainty about the probabilities of side‐effects (27%), decisional uncertainty (25%) and anticipated decisional regret (18%). Overall, 73% of men sought information about prostate cancer from external sources, most commonly the Internet, followed by family and friends. Conclusions In general, men did not use information about medical treatments comprehensively or systematically when making treatment decisions, and their processing of medical information was biased by their previous beliefs about cancer and health. These findings have implications for the provision of informational and decisional support to men considering prostate cancer treatment.
Artificial urinary sphincter implantation in the irradiated patient: safety, efficacy and satisfaction
Authors: Walsh I.K. , Williams S.G. , Mahendra V. , Nambirajan T. , Stone A.R. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To compare the long‐term outcome of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in patients after prostatectomy, with and with no history of previous irradiation. Patients and methods The study included 98 men (mean age 68 years) with urinary incontinence after prostatectomy for prostate cancer (85 radical, 13 transurethral resection) who had an AUS implanted. Twenty‐two of the patients had received adjuvant external beam irradiation before AUS implantation. Over a mean (range) follow‐up of 46 (5–118) months, the complication and surgical revision rates were recorded and compared between irradiated and unirradiated patients. The two groups were also compared for the resolution of incontinence and satisfaction, assessed using a questionnaire. Results Overall, surgical revision was equally common in irradiated (36%) and unirradiated (24%) patients. After activating the AUS, urethral atrophy, infection and erosion requiring surgical revision were more common in irradiated patients (41% vs 11%; P < 0.05); 70% of patients reported a significant improvement in continence, regardless of previous irradiation. Patient satisfaction remained high, with > 80% of patients stating that they would undergo surgery again and/or recommend it to others, despite previous irradiation and/or the need for surgical revision. Conclusions Despite higher complication and surgical revision rates in patients who have an AUS implanted and have a history of previous irradiation, the long‐term continence and patient satisfaction appear not to be adversely affected.
Outcome of the distal ureteric stump after (hemi)nephrectomy and subtotal ureterectomy for reflux or obstruction
Authors: Androulakakis P.A. , Stephanidis A. , Antoniou A. , Christophoridis C. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To assess the outcome of the distal ureteric stump (DUS) after (hemi)nephrectomy with subtotal ureterectomy. Patients and methods The records of 89 patients (median age 2.7 years, range 0.25–12) who underwent nephrectomy (24) or heminephrectomy (65) with subtotal ureterectomy between 1982 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively for symptoms caused by the DUS. The mean follow‐up was 9.8 years. Nephrectomy was undertaken for a poorly functioning dysplastic (in nine), scarred (in 10) or hydronephrotic (in five) kidney, and heminephrectomy for a poorly functioning upper moiety associated with ectopic ureterocele (in 26) or stenotic hydroureter (in 15), or for a poorly functioning lower moiety associated with reflux (in 24). There were 38 refluxing and 51 non‐refluxing ureteric stumps. Two additional patients primarily operated elsewhere were referred with DUS symptoms. Results Only one patient had a symptomatic DUS, with recurrent haematuria and bacteriuria. The two patients referred from elsewhere presented with febrile UTIs. The first had been left with a long refluxing stump opening ectopically into the urethra, and the second with a long stump which was converted from nonrefluxing to a refluxing stump when he developed dysfunctional voiding. Surgical excision of the distal stump was curative in each case. Conclusions The risk of a symptomatic DUS in patients who undergo subtotal ureterectomy in conjunction with (hemi)nephrectomy is very low, with no difference between refluxing and nonrefluxing stumps. Long ureteric stumps and dysfunctional voiding may cause symptoms. Because of the low morbidity associated with a short ureteric stump, we recommend subtotal ureterectomy in children who undergo (hemi)nephrectomy for reflux, vesico‐ureteric obstruction or ectopic ureterocele associated with a poorly functioning kidney or kidney moiety.
Synergistic effects of sildenafil on relaxation of rabbit and rat cavernosal smooth muscles when combined with various vasoactive agents
Authors: Seo K.K. , Kim S.C. , Jun I.O. , Oh M.M. , Lee M.Y. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To evaluate which vasoactive agents have synergistic effects on the cavernosal smooth muscles of rabbits and rats when the agents are combined with sildenafil. Materials and methods Relaxation responses of cavernosal smooth muscle to single agents (phentolamine, moxisylyte, sodium nitroprusside, forskolin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, VIP, papaverine and sildenafil) in the rabbit, and prostaglandin‐E1 and sildenafil in the rat, and to combinations of each agent plus sildenafil, were assessed in vitro. The response to sildenafil of the rabbit strips with and without incubation with l‐arginine (1 mmol/L) for 20 min was also evaluated. The effective concentrations for a half‐maximal response of single agents and combination solutions were compared. Results All single agents induced concentration‐dependent relaxation of the rabbit and rat cavernosal smooth muscles. There was significant synergism on rabbit cavernosal smooth muscle when the sildenafil was combined with forskolin, sodium nitroprusside, VIP or phentolamine. There was also significant synergism with sildenafil plus prostaglandin‐E1 in rat cavernosal muscles. There were no synergistic effects of combinations of sildenafil plus moxisylyte, papaverine or l‐arginine. Conclusions These results suggest potentially effective combined therapies of sildenafil and intraurethral or intracavernosal prostaglandin‐E1, intracavernosal forskolin or VIP, or oral phentolamine for patients with erectile dysfunction who have no success after monotherapy with these agents.
The effects of a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor on the urethra: an in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Bae J.H. , Moon D.G. , Lee J.G. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To identify the effects of a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (venlafaxine) on urethral perfusion pressure (UPP) in rabbits and rats, and thus assess its therapeutic potential for treating stress urinary incontinence. Materials and methods Strips of bladder and proximal urethra were prepared from female New Zealand White rabbits. Each strip was electrically stimulated and the contractile responses of controls strips compared with those after pretreatment with venlafaxine (100 µmol/L). In separate experiments using 80 adult female Sprague–Dawley rats (250–300 g), changes in intravesical pressure and UPP after the intra‐arterial and intra‐urethral administration of phenylephrine, phentolamine, fluoxetine and venlafaxine were monitored using double‐lumen catheters. Results Pretreatment with venlafaxine significantly decreased the contraction of bladder strips (P = 0.01) and significantly increased the contraction of urethral strips (P = 0.008). In vivo, phenylephrine administered by both routes significantly increased UPP (P = 0.02); phentolamine (arterial) significantly decreased UPP (P = 0.001); fluoxetine (arterial) had no effect on UPP, and venlafaxine (both routes) significantly increased UPP (both P < 0.001). The intravesical pressure was not changed significantly in any animal. Conclusions Venlafaxine effectively increased UPP both in vitro and in vivo; these results imply that venlafaxine may be useful for treating stress urinary incontinence, by increasing the UPP.
Molecular identification of Oxalobacter formigenes with the polymerase chain reaction in fresh or frozen fecal samples
Authors: Kwak C. , Jeong B.C. , Lee J.H. , Kim H.K. , Kim E.C. , Kim H.H. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To develop a simple and rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting Oxalobacter formigenes (which degrades oxalate in the gut) in fecal specimens from healthy volunteers and patients with urolithiasis, and to determine whether O. formigenes can be detected in frozen or fresh fecal samples. Materials and methods Whole bacterial DNA was isolated directly from fresh and frozen fecal samples obtained from 30 healthy volunteers free from urolithiasis and from fresh fecal samples obtained from 38 patients with urolithiasis. Genus‐specific oligonucleotide sequences were designed, corresponding to homologous regions residing in the oxc gene that encodes for oxalyl‐coenzyme A decarboxylase. A PCR‐based assay was used on both fresh and frozen fecal samples, and the nucleotide sequences analysed to confirm oxc. Results A PCR product of 416 bp encoding the oxc gene was detected in 23 (77%) of 30 healthy volunteers free from urolithiasis and in 14 (37%) of 38 patients with urolithiasis. In healthy volunteers, the results of PCR for the fresh and the frozen samples were identical in each subject. The nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the sequence of the amplified product was compatible with that of oxc. Conclusion
O. formigenes can be identified easily and efficiently using this PCR‐based detection system. The colonization rate of O. formigenes in patients with urolithiasis was significantly lower than that in healthy volunteers known to be free from urolithiasis. Furthermore, as the PCR‐based assay results in the frozen fecal samples were identical to those from fresh samples in each subject, immediate processing of fecal samples may not be necessary to detect O. formigenes in the clinical setting.