bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Acrylic Tissue Adhesive for Conjunctival Surgery: Experimental Study
Authors: Alió Jorge L. , Gómez Javier , Mulet Emilia , Mahiques Bujanda María M. , Martinez José M. Martin , Molina Yennis 
Published: December 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To evaluate the clinical efficacy and the clinical and histopathologic tolerance of a new acrylic tissue adhesive (ADAL-2) versus 8/0 polyglactin sutures (Vicryl<sup>®</sup>) for its use in conjunctival surgery. <i>Method:</i> Experimental study performed on New Zealand albino rabbits. The animals were divided into two groups. Surgery consisted of a conjunctival peritomy of 8 mm in the superior limbus followed by extensive subconjunctival dissection and creation of a flap by two radial cuts. The conjunctiva was then attached to the limbus again by the proposed acrylic tissue adhesive (ADAL-2) or 8/0 polyglactin suture depending on the group. Clinical efficacy of the closure of the conjunctival wound, either with adhesives or sutures, and the clinical and histopathologic tolerance were also evaluated 1, 7, 28 and 42 days after surgery. <i>Results:</i> Both conjunctival surgical closure methods were found to be equal in efficacy concerning their ability to fix the conjunctiva to the limbus. There were no significant clinical and histopathologic tolerance differences between the new tissue adhesive investigated (ADAL-2) and 8/0 polyglactin sutures (Vicryl). Histopathology showed no presence of the adhesive 28 days postoperatively. <i>Conclusions:</i> ADAL-2 tissue adhesive is an efficient conjunctival closure method, very well tolerated by the ocular surface. Its sealing efficiency and its tolerance are similar to 8/0 polyglactin sutures. This new acrylic adhesive has a potential as an alternative for surgical conjunctival sealing in ophthalmic surgery.
Is Using Lignocaine Gel prior to Flexible Cystoscopy Justified?
Authors: Palit V. , Ashurst H.N. , Biyani C.S. , Elmasray Y. , Puri R. , Shah T. 
Published: December 2003

<i>Objective:</i> We evaluate the discomfort and efficacy of instilling 2% lignocaine gel (Instillagel) versus smearing water-soluble gel (Aquagel) around the flexible cystoscope and external urethral meatus in men undergoing flexible cystoscopy for the first time and the overall efficacy of lignocaine gel in completion of the procedure. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A total of 140 patients divided into two groups, were randomized for this study: group A (n = 70) received approximately 11 ml of 2% lignocaine gel (Instillagel) intraurethrally for approximately 15 min, while in group B (n = 70) approximately 10–15 ml of water-soluble gel (Aquagel) was smeared around the scope and external urethral meatus. Total completion time for each procedure was recorded. Primary outcomes were pain during instillation of lignocaine, during insertion of scope and cystoscopy. Pain was recorded by the patient using a 100-mm nongraphic rating visual analogue scale. Secondary outcome included procedure time and cost analysis. <i>Results:</i> The majority of patients in both groups reported mild pain with VAS 3 or less throughout the whole procedure. No significant difference was noted in the two groups at any stage of the procedure. Use of lignocaine gel added approximately 10 min to the procedure time. <i>Conclusions:</i> In our study there was no significant difference in patient discomfort between instilling lignocaine gel and smearing of Aquagel in completion of flexible cystoscopy. However, application of lignocaine gel added extra time, effort and cost to the procedure.
Effects of Diabetes on Nitric Oxide-Mediated Relaxations in Male Rat Corpus cavernosum Smooth Muscle
Authors: Kuwahara Tomohiro , Wada Yoshihiro , Takahashi Wataru , Yoshida Masaki , Iwashita Hitoshi , Kikukawa Hiroaki , Nakanishi Juro , Ueda Shoichi 
Published: December 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> We evaluated the effects of diabetes on nitric oxide-mediated relaxations and nitric oxide synthase activity in male rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscles. <i>Methods:</i> Eight-week-old male rats were assigned to three groups: control (injected with the vehicle), DM (diabetes mellitus, induced by injection with 65 mg/kg streptozotocin), and TES (testosterone, testosterone supplemented after induction of diabetes). After 8 weeks, corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension recordings. Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 2-ms pulse duration, 0.3–20 Hz and 3 s train) was applied to the strips precontracted with 30 µ<i>M</i> phenylephrine. The microdialysis probe was inserted into the strip, and Krebs-Henseleit solution was perfused into the probe. The dialysate during EFS was collected, and the amount of NO<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>/NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> (NOx) released in the dialysate was measured by the Greiss method. Sodium nitroprusside (0.1 n<i>M</i> to 10 m<i>M</i>) and carbachol (1 n<i>M</i> to 10 m<i>M</i>) were cumulatively added to the strips precontracted with 30 µ<i>M</i> phenylephrine. <i>Results:</i> EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxations and NOx releases of the strips. Pretreatment with <i>N</i><sup>ω</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine (100 µ<i>M</i>) and tetrodotoxin (1 µ<i>M</i>) completely inhibited the relaxations and NOx releases. The maximum relaxation was significantly greater in the DM group than in the control or TES group. The release of NOx was significantly greater in the DM group than in the control or TES group. Sodium nitroprusside, the endothelium-independent vasodilator, relaxed the tissues in all three groups. There were no significant differences among control, DM and TES groups in the maximum relaxation to sodium nitroprusside. <i>Conclusion:</i> The present data suggest that diabetes enhances nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in the male rat corpus cavernosum by the reduced testosterone level in the diabetic animals.
Increased Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Lichen planus
Authors: Erdem M. Teoman , Gulec A. Ihsan , Kiziltunc Ahmet , Yildirim Abdulkadir , Atasoy Mustafa 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Lichen planus (LP) is a common, pruritic, inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. There are several opinions and approaches to the etiopathogenesis of LP. Immunologic mechanisms almost certainly mediate its development. T-cell-mediated immunity plays the major role in triggering the clinical expression of the disease. The cytokines that are produced by lymphocytes also play an important role in the development of LP. <i>Objective:</i> The goal of our study was to investigate the possible role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of LP. <i>Methods: </i>Serum TNF-α levels were determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent sandwich assay method in the sera of 40 patients suffering from LP and in those of 40 healthy controls. <i>Results:</i> The serum levels of TNF-α were found to be significantly higher in the patient group compared to the healthy controls (patients: 35.64 ± 9.59 pg/ml, controls: 15.6 ± 3.97 pg/ml, p < 0.001). <i>Conclusion:</i> Our results revealed that TNF-α might play a major role in the pathogenesis of LP.
Mediastinal Lymph Node Staging by FDG-PET in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Analysis of False-Positive FDG-PET Findings
Authors: Konishi Jun , Yamazaki Koichi , Tsukamoto Eriko , Tamaki Nagara , Onodera Yuya , Otake Toshiyuki , Morikawa Toshiaki , Kinoshita Ichiro , Dosaka-Akita Hirotoshi , Nishimura Masaharu 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Accurate staging of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes is a critical factor determining operability in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Positron emission tomography with 2-[<sup>18</sup>F] fluoro-2-deoxy-<i>D</i>-glucose as a tracer (FDG-PET) has recently been reported to be more effective in detecting tumor involvement in mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes than computed tomography (CT). <i>Objective:</i> In this study, we analyzed the accuracy of FDG-PET in mediastinal and hilar lymph node staging in patients with NSCLC and the factors associated with false-positive or false-negative FDG-PET findings in mediastinal and hilar lymph node staging. <i>Methods:</i> Fifty-four patients with NSCLC who underwent preoperative analysis including chest CT and whole-body FDG-PET were evaluated retrospectively. Using FDG-PET, lesions were considered to be positive if a definite, localized area of higher uptake, excluding physiologic uptake, than in surrounding normal tissue was present. On CT findings, lymph nodes were considered to be positive if they were >10 mm in short-axis diameter, except subcarinal lymph nodes (#7), which were considered to be positive if they were >15 mm in short-axis diameter. All patients underwent surgical resection of primary tumors and mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes between 1999 and 2001 in our institute. Resected lymph nodes were histologically examined for the existence of tumor cells. <i>Results:</i> A total of 306 lymph nodes were resected and used for analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FDG-PET were 73, 98, 70 and 98%, while those of CT were 55, 96, 55 and 96%, respectively. When pre-operative nodal staging was compared with post-operative histopathological staging, 44 patients (81%) were correctly staged, 7 (13%) were overstaged and 3 (6%) were understaged by FDG-PET, while 39 patients (72%) were correctly staged, 8 (15%) were overstaged and 7 (13%) were understaged by CT. All 7 overstaged patients by FDG-PET had other pulmonary complications, including interstitial pneumonitis (n = 2), previous pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 3), silicosis (n = 1) and emphysema (n = 1), although they were not in the active stage. In 3 understaged patients by FDG-PET, lymph nodes were also undetectable by CT. <i>Conclusion:</i> FDG-PET is superior to CT in mediastinal and hilar lymph node staging of patients with NSCLC. However, care should be taken in lymph node staging for patients who have other pulmonary complications, including interstitial pneumonitis, previous pulmonary tuberculosis and silicosis.
Pulmonary Infection due to <i>Mycobacterium szulgai</i>
Authors: Sánchez-Alarcos José M.F. , de Miguel-Díez Javier , Bonilla Ignacio , Sicilia Juan J. , Álvarez-Sala José L. 
Published: December 2003

A 75-year-old man was admitted with cough, purulent sputum, fatigue and weight loss of 10 kg of some months’ duration. His chest radiograph showed poorly defined opacities in the right lung. Eleven years before admission an epidermoid carcinoma of the right lung had been diagnosed and a right bilobar resection had been performed. The patient remained asymptomatic for 8 years. Cultures of 4 consecutive sputum samples were positive for mycobacteria that were identified as <i>Mycobacterium szulgai</i> by gas chromatography. A 6-month regimen of rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide resulted in complete eradication of the mycobacterium. <i>M. szulgai</i> is an unusual pathogen in humans. In the English literature, only 35 cases of pulmonary disease have been reported. Its clinical and radiological characteristics are similar to tuberculosis but in contrast to the rest of the non-tuberculous mycobacteria, <i>M. szulgai</i> has shown in vitro and in vivo susceptibility to most primary antituberculosis drugs.
Inhibition of Guinea Pig Intestinal Peristalsis by the Flavonoids Quercetin, Naringenin, Apigenin and Genistein
Authors: Gharzouli Kamel , Holzer Peter 
Published: December 2003

Flavonoids are known to relax precontracted intestinal smooth muscle and to delay intestinal transit. We therefore investigated the effects of quercetin, naringenin, apigenin and genistein on intestinal peristalsis in vitro. Peristalsis in fluid-perfused segments of the guinea pig small intestine was recorded through the intraluminal pressure changes associated with the peristaltic waves. Alterations of distension sensitivity were reflected by changes in the peristaltic pressure threshold and alterations of peristaltic performance by changes in the maximal acceleration, amplitude and residual baseline pressure of the peristaltic waves. Quercetin, naringenin, apigenin and genistein (10–300 µmol/l) depressed intestinal peristalsis in a structure- and concentration-dependent manner. The flavonoid-evoked changes in peristalsis parameters made it possible to distinguish between two patterns of peristaltic motor inhibition: a decrease in distension sensitivity and peristaltic performance (apigenin and genistein) and a decrease in distension sensitivity without a major change in peristaltic performance (quercetin and naringenin). The antiperistaltic effect of quercetin was partially prevented by apamin (0.5 µmol/l), N-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine methylester (100 µmol/l) and naloxone (0.5 µmol/l), whereas the effect of genistein was hardly affected by these drugs. Peristaltic motor activity suppressed by quercetin (300 µmol/l), but not genistein (100 µmol/l), was partially restored by apamin. In contrast, neostigmine (0.3 µmol/l) caused a significant recovery of peristalsis from blockade by genistein but failed to reverse peristaltic motor blockade due to quercetin. These observations suggest that naringenin and quercetin inhibit peristalsis by facilitating inhibitory enteric pathways, whereas apigenin and genistein interfere with muscle excitation or excitation-contraction coupling.
Doppler Measurements in Fetoplacental Vessels after Maternal Betamethasone Administration
Authors: Kähler C. , Schleussner E. , Möller A. , Seewald H.-J. 
Published: December 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To observe the influence of maternal betamethasone administration for fetal lung maturation on the arterial, venous and intracardiac blood flow of the fetus and the uterine arteries. <i>Methods:</i> Twenty-seven women with singleton pregnancies were examined before the first, and 30 min and 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after the second of two single doses of 8 mg of betamethasone. We recorded blood flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical artery (UA), the middle cerebral artery, the uterine arteries, the ductus venosus, the inferior vena cava and the right hepatic vein, the pulmonary trunk, the ductus arteriosus and the right and left intraventricular inflow of the heart. <i>Results:</i> The resistance index of the UA showed a significant transient decrease 30 min (p = 0.024) after the second betamethasone dose. The peak systolic velocity of the ductus arteriosus increased significantly 30 min after the 2nd dose (p = 0.009) and then returned to non-significant values. No significant change was observed in any of the other vessels. <i>Conclusion:</i> Betamethasone causes short-term changes in fetal blood flow. However, this effect seems to be mild and reversible and does not appear to contraindicate the use of corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturation.
A Study Comparing the Inhibitory Effects of Single and Repeated Oral Doses of Ebastine and Fexofenadine against Histamine-Induced Skin Reactivity
Authors: Barbanoj M.J. , Antonijoan R.M. , García-Gea C. , Morte A. , Gich I. , Gispert J. , Garcia E. , Esbrí R. , Luria X. 
Published: December 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The aim of this double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to compare the inhibition of the histamine-induced skin reaction induced by ebastine 20 mg with respect to that induced by fexofenadine 120 mg or placebo. <i>Methods:</i> Eighteen volunteers (10 males, 8 females) received the three treatments once daily for 5 days, with a mean 7-day washout period between treatments. Intradermal tests, using 0.05 ml from a solution containing 100 µg/ml of histamine, were performed at baseline and at 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 10 and 24 h after a single dose and repeated 5-day dose, and in addition after 34, 48, 58 and 72 h after repeated 5-day dose. <i>Results:</i><i></i>After 24 h of acute administration, ebastine 20 mg was significantly more effective than fexofenadine 120 mg in reducing the wheal and flare induced by histamine challenge (p < 0.001). Although fexofenadine 120 mg had the shortest onset of action (1.5 vs. 3 h in ebastine 20 mg), the duration of its antihistamine effect was the shortest (24 vs. 58 h in ebastine 20 mg) and wheal reduction after 24 h was not significantly different from placebo. The overall effect after single and repeated 5-day dose, expressed as the AUC of reduction of wheal and flare area (%/h), showed the following order of magnitude: ebastine 20 mg > fexofenadine 120 mg > placebo. No significant differences in the incidence of adverse events were found between the three treatments. <i>Conclusions:</i> The present results clearly show a superior and long-acting effect of ebastine 20 mg compared with fexofenadine 120 mg on the skin response to histamine 24 h after dosing.
Escitalopram: Superior to Citalopram or a Chiral Chimera?
Authors: Svensson Staffan , Mansfield Peter R. 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Escitalopram is the active isomer of the antidepressant citalopram. In theory single-isomer drugs may be superior but few have been found to have clinically significant advantages. The manufacturer claims that escitalopram has more efficacy and a faster onset of effect than citalopram. The purpose of this study was to assess how far these claims are justified. <i>Methods:</i> Relevant trial reports were requested from H. Lundbeck A/S and the Swedish drug regulatory authority. The trials consisted of a pooled analysis of 1,321 patients from one unpublished, one partly published and one published eight-week trial, as well as a 24-week trial with 357 patients published as a poster. The studies compared escitalopram with placebo and/or citalopram in outpatients aged ≧18 years who met specified criteria for depression. The trials’ quality was assessed with Moncrieff et al.’s quality assessment instrument and the results compared with the claims from the advertisements. <i>Results:</i> The advertising claims are not justified because they are based on secondary outcomes, non-intention-to-treat analyses and arbitrarily defined subgroups. The subgroup results are inconsistent. Methodological flaws in the trials could account for the differences found. Even if the differences claimed were real they appear too small to justify higher prices. <i>Conclusions:</i> On the evidence available to us the manufacturer’s claims of superiority for escitalopram over citalopram are unwarranted. The Swedish and Danish drug regulatory authorities reached similar conclusions. This highlights the need for wider dissemination of national authorities’ statements to other countries affected by the European Union’s mutual recognition procedure.
A Double-Blind, Crossover, Randomized Comparison of Granisetron and Ramosetron for the Prevention of Acute and Delayed Cisplatin-Induced Emesis in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer: Is Patient Preference a Better Primary Endpoint?
Authors: Koizumi Wasaburo , Tanabe Satoshi , Nagaba Shizuka , Higuchi Katsuhiko , Nakayama Norisuke , Saigenji Katsunori , Nonaka Miwa , Yago Kazuo 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Serotonin receptor antagonists are recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced emesis. However, the most effective agent in this class of antiemetic drugs for preventing emesis has not been clearly defined. We therefore performed a double-blind, crossover, randomized, controlled trial comparing the efficacy of granisetron and ramosetron, using patient preference as the primary endpoint. <i>Methods:</i> Thirty patients receiving two courses of combined chemotherapy (including ≧60 mg/m<sup>2</sup> cisplatin) for gastric or esophageal cancer were randomly assigned to the granisetron-ramosetron group (treatment phase 1: granisetron, 3 mg; treatment phase 2: ramosetron, 0.3 mg) or the ramosetron-granisetron group (treatment phase 1: ramosetron, 0.3 mg; treatment phase 2: granisetron, 3 mg). All patients received methylprednisolone sodium, 250 mg i.v., during each treatment phase. <i>Results:</i> The efficacy of granisetron and ramosetron was similar in terms of the suppression of emesis and appetite status. However, the majority of patients (19/30, 63.3%) expressed a preference for granisetron, as compared with 9 patients (30.0%) who preferred ramosetron; 2 patients (6.7%) had no preference (χ<sup>2</sup> test: p = 0.008; Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.015). <i>Conclusions:</i> (1) A significant proportion of patients prefer granisetron over ramosetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced emesis. (2) Granisetron and ramosetron possess similar effectiveness for the suppression of emesis. (3) The variable of ‘patient preference’ should be accepted as a primary endpoint of antiemetic drug efficacy.
Visual Function, Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction after Ophthalmic Surgery: A Comparative Study
Authors: Mozaffarieh Maneli , Krepler Katharina , Heinzl Harald , Sacu Stefan , Wedrich Andreas 
Published: December 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To compare visual acuity, functional visual performance (VF-14), quality of life (QOL) gain (VF-14 gain) and patient satisfaction in a series of patients undergoing common types of ophthalmic surgery. <i>Method:</i> In a prospective trial, the VF-14 QOL questionnaire was administered to 100 patients who underwent surgery by one surgeon between May 2001 and April 2002. The following surgeries were compared: (1) cataract surgery (non-diabetic patients), (2) cataract surgery (diabetic patients), (3) retinal detachment cryo-buckle procedure, (4) pars plana vitrectomy, (5) silicone oil removal. VF-14 questionnaire responses, visual function and clinical data of all patients were recorded pre-operatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. <i>Results:</i> In comparison to vitreoretinal surgery, patients who underwent cataract surgery achieved higher VF-14 scores and required less time to recover from the procedure (1 month). The QOL gain (VF-14 gain) was significantly higher in patients who had undergone retinal detachment surgery and vitrectomy (p < 0.0001). The lowest QOL gain was registered in diabetic patients after cataract surgery. Patients with pre-existing eye disease, including patients with improved visual acuity, were least satisfied with the final outcome of surgery. <i>Conclusions:</i> The highest VF-14 score was achieved by patients with no pre-existing ocular disease, who had undergone cataract surgery. The QOL gain was greater in patients with severer initial ocular conditions. Better patient satisfaction can be achieved in patients with pre-existing eye disease by improving pre-operative patient education.
Does Sucrose Analgesia Promote Physiologic Stability in Preterm Neonates?
Authors: Boyer Kristina , Johnston Celeste , Walker Claire-Dominique , Filion Françoise , Sherrard Adam 
Published: December 2003

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with infants born <31 weeks of gestational age and recruited within 48 h of life. The infants were randomized to receive up to three doses of 0.1 ml of either 24% sucrose or sterile water (placebo) for every painful procedure during the 1st week of life. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of treating all procedural pain with sucrose on overall physiological stability. The hypotheses were that infants who received 24% sucrose for all painful procedures would be less stressed as measured by salivary cortisol, and more physiologically stable as measured by pulse rate variability than those who received placebo. Salivary cortisol was measured before and 30 min after a painful procedure, whereas the pulse rate was continuously recorded, from second to second, from a pulse oximeter. There were no group differences in the cortisol response to a painful stimulus or in pulse rate variability over time. There was, however, a significant correlation between standard deviation of pulse rate and number of doses of sucrose only in the group who received high doses of sucrose.