bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscopic imaging of extended tissue volumes
Authors: LeGrice Ian , Sands Greg , Hooks Darren , Gerneke Dane , Smaill Bruce 
Published: January 2005

Summary1. Detailed information about three‐dimensional structure is key to understanding biological function.2. Confocal laser microscopy has made it possible to reconstruct three‐dimensional organization with exquisite resolution at cellular and subcellular levels.3. There have been few attempts to acquire large image volumes using the confocal laser scanning microscope.4. Previously, we have used manual techniques to construct extended volumes (several mm in extent, at 1.5 µm voxel size) of myocardial tissue.5. We are now developing equipment and efficient automated methods for acquiring extended morphometric databases using confocal laser scanning microscopy.
T102C genetic polymorphism of the 5‐HT2A receptor in Chinese hypertensive patients and healthy controls
Authors: Yu Bang‐ning , Wang An , Zhou Gan , Zhang Wei , Hu Dong‐li , Li Qing , He Yi‐jing , Zhou Hong‐Hao 
Published: January 2005

Summary1. The 5‐HT2A receptor belongs to the G‐protein superfamily. It plays an important role in vascular regulation.2. Previous reports in the UK have indicated that there is an association of the T102C genetic polymorphism of the 5‐HT2A receptor with hypertension, but no studies have been made on the T102C genetic polymorphism in Chinese hypertensive patients. In the present study, we investigated the T102C genetic polymorphism of 5‐HT2A receptors in Chinese hypertensive patients to determine whether there is an association of this polymorphism with hypertension in Chinese.3. The present study was conducted on 198 hypertensive patients and 164 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to identify the T102C genetic polymorphism of the 5‐HT2A receptor.4. In the present study, the C allele frequency of the 5‐HT2A receptor genetic polymorphism was 0.343 in hypertensive patients, which was not significantly different to that in healthy controls (0.393; χ2 = 1.922; P = 0.166; odds ratio = 0.807, 95% confidence interval 0.596–1.093). In addition, no gender differences were observed.5. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first report on the T102C genetic polymorphism of the 5‐HT2A receptor in Chinese hypertensive patients. We find that no correlation exists between the T102C genetic polymorphism and hypertension, which affords useful information on the pathogenesis of hypertension in the Chinese population.
Cardiac DT‐diaphorase contributes to the detoxification system against doxorubicin‐induced positive inotropic effects in guinea‐pig isolated atria
Authors: Badary Osama A , Awad Azza S , Abdel‐Maksoud Sahar , Hamada Farid MA 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY1. Doxorubicin (DOX), a standard chemotherapeutic anthracycline agent, causes a positive inotropic effect in guinea‐pig isolated atria in a concentration‐dependent manner with an ED50 of 3.6 µmol/L. This increase in contractility is strictly related to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a consequence of quinone metabolism. The ED50 of DOX is significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the presence of 150 U superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the heart, DOX may be subjected to one‐ or two‐electron reductions catalysed by flavoenzymes in the presence of suitable electron donors. Two‐electron reduction is catalysed by NAD(P)H quinone acceptor oxidoreductase (DT‐diaphorase; DTD). Whether DOX will be activated or detoxified by two‐electron reduction is important for the understanding of the mechanism of both the toxic and antitumour actions of DOX.2. In order to assess the role of DTD in cardiac responses to DOX, we examined the effect of both a specific inhibitor (dicoumarol) and an inducer (3‐methylcholanthrene; MCA) of the enzyme on the inotropic action of DOX.3. In guinea‐pig isolated left atria, 4 µmol/L dicoumarol significantly enhanced the positive inotropic effect of DOX, especially at lower concentrations of DOX. In atria isolated from guinea‐pigs treated with MCA (44 mg/kg, i.p. for 4 days), DTD activity was enhanced (approximately twice that of the control; P < 0.01), whereas the activity of glutathione S‐transferase (GST) was not significantly altered. In these preparations, DOX caused a significantly lower increase in force of contraction than in atria isolated from untreated animals.4. These results demonstrate that cardiac DTD does not contribute to ROS generation, but represents a detoxification system.
Role of non‐selective adenosine receptor blockade and phosphodiesterase inhibition in cisplatin‐induced nephrogonadal toxicity in rats
Authors: Saad Sherif Y , Najjar Tawfeeg AO , Alashari Mouied 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY1. It is well documented that cisplatin (CDDP) treatment increases the expression of adenosine A1 receptors in both kidney and testes. However, the effect of adenosine at these receptors is controversial. Adenosine A1 receptors have been documented to be involved in either cytoprotection or aggravation of nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the non‐selective adenosine receptor inhibitor theophylline and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline on CDDP‐induced renal and testicular toxicity.2. Male Wister rats were divided into six groups. Two control groups received plain drinking water and a third control group received theophylline 0.8 mg/mL in the drinking water for 2 weeks. One group of animals drinking plain water was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with pentoxifylline 50 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks. The remaining groups were treated in the same manner and received single dose of CDDP 7 mg/kg, i.p., 1 week after starting theophylline and pentoxifylline treatment and all animals were killed 1 week after CDDP treatment.3. Rats treated with CDDP developed nephrotoxicity, as demonstrated by increased kidney and testes weight as a percentage of total bodyweight, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels and decreased serum calcium and albumin levels. In addition, CDDP treatment resulted in an increase in the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreases in total nitrate/nitrite levels, as well as depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in both the kidney and testes. Administration of theophylline in the drinking water to CDDP‐treated rats resulted in exacerbation of the indices of nephrotoxicity, depletion of GSH content and GPX activity levels, with increased MDA production and platinum accumulation in both the kidney and testes. However, pentoxifylline administration reduced CDDP‐induced biochemical changes and reduced platinum accumulation in both organs. Histopathological examination of the kidney revealed that CDDP treatment produced multifocal tubular atrophy, atypical reparative changes of the tubular epithelium and marked tubular necrosis. Animals treated with the theophylline/CDDP combination showed extensive widespread damage with intratubular calcification. However, pentoxifylline treatment ameliorated the overt changes induced by CDDP treatment.4. Theophylline exacerbates the deleterious effects of CDDP on rat kidney and testes. However, pentoxifylline alleviates CDDP‐induced renal and testicular toxicity.
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor/macrophage colony stimulating factor improves postinfarct ventricular function by suppression of border zone remodelling in rats‡
Authors: Miki Takayuki , Miura Tetsuji , Nishino Yasuhiro , Yano Toshiyuki , Sakamoto Jun , Nakamura Yuichi , Ichikawa Yoshihiko , Ikeda Yoshihiro , Kobayashi Hironori , Ura Nobuyuki , Shimamoto Kazuaki 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY1. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of mobilization of bone marrow cells by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) on ventricular function after myocardial infarction (MI).2. After ligation of the left coronary artery, rats were divided into a vehicle control group (MI group) and a CSF‐treated group (MI‐CSF group). Rats in the MI‐CSF group received a combination of G‐CSF (50 µg/kg per day) and M‐CSF (106 IU/kg per day) for 5 days after MI. Two weeks after MI, hearts were isolated and perfused with a Krebs' buffer and their functional responses to step‐wise elevation of left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were assessed. In histological analysis, proliferating cells and bone marrow‐derived cells were identified by antibodies against Ki‐67 and c‐kit and organization of collagen was examined by picrosirius red staining. The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, collagen type I and collagen type III were measured by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.3. Numbers of Ki‐67‐ and c‐kit‐positive cells in the infarct border zone after MI were increased by CSF treatment, but few of those cells were stained by anti‐α‐sarcomeric actin. The levels in mRNA of TGF‐β1 and collagen type I in the infarct border zone were higher in the CSF‐treated group compared with the MI group. Although CSF treatment did not reduce ventricular hypertrophy or infarct size at 2 weeks after MI, it did significantly improved the response of left ventricular developed pressure to step‐wise elevation of LVEDP. This effect was mimicked by treatment with M‐CSF alone. The functional improvement by CSF treatment was correlated with suppression of enlargement of the infarct–non‐infarct border associated with infarct expansion. Collagen fibres in the border zone were thicker and orientated more orderly in the CSF‐treated group than in the untreated group.4. The results suggest that G‐CSF/M‐CSF treatment improves contractile function of the ventricle after infarction, presumably by acceleration of infarct repair and suppression of remodelling in the border zone.
Cardiac structure and electrical activation: Models and measurement
Authors: Smaill Bruce H , LeGrice Ian J , Hooks Darren A , Pullan Andrew J , Caldwell Bryan J , Hunter Peter J 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY1. Our group has developed finite element models of ventricular anatomy that incorporate detailed structural information. These have been used to study normal electrical activation and re‐entrant arrhythmia.2. A model based on the actual three‐dimensional microstructure of a transmural left ventricular (LV) segment predicts that cleavage planes between muscle layers may give rise to non‐uniform, anisotropic electrical propagation and also provide a substrate for bulk resetting of the myocardium during defibrillation.3. The model predictions are consistent with the results of preliminary experiments in which a novel fibre‐optic probe is used to record transmembrane potentials at multiple intramural sites in the intact heart. Extracellular potentials are recorded at adjacent LV sites in these studies.4. We conclude that structural discontinuities in ventricular myocardium may play a role in the initiation of re‐entrant arrhythmia and discuss future studies that address this hypothesis.
Inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes: What have they taught us about arrhythmias and anti‐arrhythmic therapy?
Authors: Subbiah Rajesh N , Campbell Terence J , Vandenberg Jamie I 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY1. In recent years, the identification of the gene defects in a vast array of monogenic disorders has revolutionized our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying numerous disease processes.2. Mutations in cardiac ion channels have been identified as the basis of a wide range of inherited arrhythmia syndromes, including the congenital long QT syndromes, Brugada syndrome, Lenegre syndrome, Andersen's disease and familial atrial fibrillation.3. Identification of mutations in the human‐ether‐a‐go‐go‐related gene (HERG) K+ channel as the molecular basis of congenital long QT syndrome type 2 also led to the discovery that HERG is the molecular target for the vast majority of drugs (both cardiac and non‐cardiac) that cause drug‐induced arrhythmias. This has had profound implications not only for the development of anti‐arrhythmic agents, but also for drug development in general.4. The sequencing of the human genome in a sense represents the pinnacle of the reductionist era of molecular medicine. The great challenge now is to re‐integrate the information gathered during the ‘reductionist era’ to provide a better understanding of the intact organism. Computer modelling is likely to be a key component of that re‐integration process.
Genistein induces cell growth inhibition in prostate cancer through the suppression of telomerase activity
Authors: OUCHI HIDEKI , ISHIGURO HITOSHI , IKEDA NAOYA , HORI MAYUMI , KUBOTA YOSHINOBU , UEMURA HIROJI 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Aim:  To clarify the mechanism of the anticancer effect of genistein, we examined the effect of genistein on telomerase activity in prostate cancer cells. We hypothesized that genistein may exert its anticancer effect by modifying telomerase activity in prostate cancer cells.Methods:  Prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells were cultured with genistein and the number of viable cells was counted. Growth medium was also collected to measure prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) concentration. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and reverse transcriptase (RT)‐PCR analysis were performed to investigate telomerase activity and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), c‐myc and p21 mRNA. To examine the possibility that hTERT transcriptional activity is modulated by genistein, transient cell transfection studies were performed by using luciferase reporter assay. Telomere repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and PCR analysis of hTERT were performed in androgen independent cells, DU‐145.Results:  Cell growth of LNCaP was inhibited by genistein and PSA secretion was similarly reduced. In TRAP assay, the telomerase activity of LNCaP cells was reduced by genistein. Reverse transcriptase‐PCR analysis revealed that the expression of hTERT and c‐myc mRNA was down‐regulated by genistein, whereas p21 mRNA increased in response to genistein. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that genistein reduced the transcriptional activity of hTERT. In DU‐145 cells, telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT mRNA were also reduced by genistein.Conclusion:  The current study elucidated the molecular mechanism of cell growth inhibition by genistein. The antiproliferative effects of genistein seem to be exerted on the hTERT transcriptional activity via different molecular pathways.
The effectiveness of early primary realignment in children with posterior urethral injury
Authors: BALKAN EMIN , KILIC NIZAMETTIN , DOGRUYOL HASAN 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Aim:  The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of delayed repair and early primary realignments in patients with posterior urethral injury.Methods:  From 1990 to 2003, 20 children were admitted to the Medical Faculty of Uluday University, Bursa, Turkey, for posterior urethral injuries. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of injury (n = 17). Twelve patients (60%) who were referred early (1–10 days) underwent early realignment over a urethral tube. A total of eight patients (40%) underwent delayed repair using transpubic route. In these patients, surgical repair of the urethra was performed 5–6 months later.Results:  Of the 12 patients who underwent early urethral realignment, six required at least one visual internal urethrotomy following the removal of the urethral catheter. Urethral stricture developed in two of 12 patients (16.6%) who underwent early urethral realignment. Of the eight patients who underwent delayed repair, six required at least one visual internal urethrotomy following removal of the urethral catheter. Urethral stricture developed in three of eight patients (37.5%) who underwent delayed repair. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The urethral stricture in patients who underwent early primary realignment was less developed than the stricture that developed in those who underwent delayed management. According to these results we recommend early primary realignment in children with posterior urethral injury.
Learning curve of hand‐assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in less‐experienced laparoscopic surgeons
Authors: KAWAUCHI AKIHIRO , FUJITO AKIRA , SOH JINTETSU , YONEDA KIMIHIKO , UKIMURA OSAMU , MIZUTANI YOICHI , MIKI TSUNEHARU 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Aim:  To evaluate the learning curve of hand‐assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (HALS) performed by less‐experienced surgeons.Methods:  The operative records of 166 patients, including 103 with renal tumors and 63 with renal pelvic or ureteral tumors, who underwent HALS performed by 18 less‐experienced urologists were reviewed.Results:  The insufflation time in the first four cases was significantly longer than that in the sixteenth and later cases. The insufflation time in cases 5–10 was 14–24 min longer than that in the cases 16 onward, although the differences were not significant. The estimated blood loss did not differ in each group of cases. The complication rate in early cases, in which the operators’ experience was five cases or less, was 6% (4/71), while that in later cases was also 7% (7/95). In the analysis of the learning curve of a single surgeon who performed 57 procedures, the insufflation time in cases 1–5 was significantly longer than in cases 41–57. The insufflation times in cases 5–10 were 45 min longer than those in cases 41–57, although the difference was not significant. The estimated blood loss did not differ in each group of cases. Complications did not seem related to operation experience.Conclusion:  In HALS, 5–10 cases were necessary for less‐experienced urologists to gain average operating skills for this procedure. It may be reasonable for less‐experienced surgeons to begin standard laparoscopic procedures after experiencing 10 cases of the present procedure.
Sexual function before and after mesh repair of inguinal hernia
Authors: ZIEREN JÜRGEN , MENENAKOS CHARALAMBOS , PAUL MARCO , MÜLLER JOCHEN M. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAim: Several factors having an influence on the quality of life after an inguinal hernia repair have been studied, yet little has been reported on sexual function before and after this operation.Methods: In a prospective follow‐up study from January 1999 to July 2002, 210 men and 14 women were asked to answer an anonymous questionnaire of 40 questions before elective inguinal hernia repair to assess pre‐ and postoperative sexual function (preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and every 6 months afterwards). Inguinal hernia repair was performed using a standardized Plug and Patch mesh technique.Results: Fifty‐two (23.2%) patients mentioned preoperative sexual dysfunction related to the groin hernia. Postoperatively, the surgical repair had a positive influence on the sexual function in these patients. Thirty‐six (16%) patients complained of postoperative sexual dysfunctions, which improved or disappeared over the next few months. All patients suffered surgical complications, which were surgically treated in six cases. Symptoms specifically associated with inguinal hernias can cause certain limitations in the sexual life.Conclusions: In most cases, and in the absence of postoperative complications, the operative repair can lead to a recovery of the sexual life in patients with preoperative sexual dysfunction, while, in most cases, it does not affect patients with a preoperative normal sexual life.
Clinicopathological statistics on registered prostate cancer patients in Japan: 2000 report from the Japanese Urological Association
Authors:   CANCER REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE JAPANESE UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Published: January 2005

Abstract Background:  The purpose of the present paper was to investigate etiology, diagnosis, initial treatment, pathological findings and final outcomes for prostate cancer in Japan.Methods:  From 2001, the Japanese Urological Association initiated computer‐based registration of prostate cancer patients in Japan to estimate etiology, diagnosis, initial planed treatment, pathological findings and final outcome.Results:  A total of 173 institutions responded and 4529 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000 were registered. In the first year, background factors, diagnostic procedures and initially planned treatment were recorded. The analysis of these registered cases is presented here. Nearly 30% of the cases demonstrated <10 ng/mL of prostate specific antigen. The six‐core biopsy was the most commonly used procedure. The clinical T staging distribution was as follows: T1c, 20.3%; T2a, 21.8%; T2b, 17.3%; T3a, 15.8%; T3b, 11.0%; and T4, 8%. More than 70% of cases were diagnosed as M0. Hormone therapy alone was the initial treatment plan in more than half of the cases.Conclusion:  This is the first report on prostate cancer patients in Japan based on multi‐institutional registration. Pathological findings and final outcome will be surveyed later by the Japanese Urological Association. After 5 years, adopted treatment, pathological results and final outcome will be registered.
In vitro chemosensitivity test for human genito‐urinary tumors using collagen gel matrix
Authors: KOSHIDA KIYOSHI , EGAWA MASAYUKI , IMAO TETSUYA , MIZOKAMI ATSUSHI , NAMIKI MIKIO , ENDO YOSHIO , SASAKI TAKUMA 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Background:  Although the aim of chemosensitivity tests is to predict the efficacy of anticancer agents for individual patients, no generally accepted assay has been established.Methods:  A chemosensitivity test was conducted for solid tumors with an organ culture system using collagen gel matrix (CGM). Seventy‐five samples of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), 20 of germ cell tumor (GCT) and 13 of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were used for the chemosensitivity test, and 20 patients were treated with anticancer drugs on the basis of the test results.Results:  Positive rates of anticancer drugs for the 75 TCC samples were 64.9% for carboplatin, 63.4% for cisplatin, 32.1% for etoposide, 19.7% for THP‐adriamycin, 16.7% for vinblastine, and 12.3% for methotrexate, indicating that positive rates of the latter three agents consisting of an MVAC regimen were unexpectedly low. The GCT had higher positive rates than the other cancers while RCC had the lowest. In 20 eligible patients (seven patients with bladder tumors and 13 with GCT), the true positive and true negative rates were 42% (5/12) and 75% (6/8), respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity were 71% (5/7) and 46% (6/13), resulting in a 55% (11/20) accurate predictive value.Conclusion:  Although predictive accuracy was moderate when combination chemotherapy was used, information about chemosensitivity may have some beneficial effect on the treatment of patients with invasive bladder cancer or advanced GCT, because insensitive drugs detected by the test could be deleted or replaced with more sensitive ones.