bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of simultaneous determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and hCG‐β in testicular tumor patients
Authors: Hoshi Senji , Suzuki Ken‐Ichi , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ohyama Chikara , Sato Makoto , Namima Takashige , Saito Seiichi , Orikasa Seiichi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Simultaneous determinations of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and hCG‐β frequently produce discrepancies, that is when hCG or hCG‐β is normal, the other is elevated. Accordingly, we examined the significance of simultaneous determination of serum hCG and hCG‐β in testicular tumors.
Methods
: Simultaneous determination of hCG and hCG‐β was performed in 54 patients with testicular seminoma and 74 with non‐seminomatous testicular tumors.
Results
: For detection of seminoma patients, hCG‐β was more effective than hCG because hCG‐β was positive in 83% (45/54) of the patients and hCG was positive in 50% (27/54). In non‐seminomatous testicular tumor cases, hCG‐β was positive in 74% (55/74) and hCG was positive in 82% (61/74). The cases of hCG <1.0 mIU/mL and HCG‐β > 0.1 ng/mL were significantly more frequently seen in patients with seminoma than in those with non‐seminomatous testicular tumor (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients had recurrent tumor. At recurrence, only hCG was elevated in nine cases, only hCG‐β was elevated in two cases and both in one case. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective because after testosterone administration, serum hCG levels became undetectable (< 1.0 mIU/mL) within one week in three examined cases.
Conclusion
: Human chorionic gonadotropin‐β was a better marker of seminoma than hCG. For earlier detection of recurrence, both markers should be examined. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective.
Diagnostic value of prostate‐specific antigen‐related parameters in discriminating prostate cancer
Authors: Matsuyama Hideyasu , Baba Yoshikazu , Yamakawa Gen‐Ichiro , Yamamoto Norio , Naito Katsusuke 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background Using the percentage (of total) of free prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in discriminating prostate cancer (CaP) from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) has not been fully delineated in Japanese men. To clarify the clinical significance of percent free PSA, various parameters, including total prostate volume, percent free PSA, PSA density (PSAD) and PSA density of transition zone volume (PSAT), were compared.Methods Ninety‐seven patients who had visited one of three community‐based hospitals, and whose total PSA value ranged from 4 to 20 ng/mL were prospectively enrolled in this study. Fresh sera were applied to measure the percent free PSA.Results Of the 97 patients, CaP and BPH were diagnosed in 24 (25%) and 73 patients, respectively. In discriminating CaP patients, the cutoff values of 17% for percent free PSA, 0.3 ng/mL per cm3 for PSAT, and 0.19 ng/mL per cm3 for PSAD yielded specificity levels of 56, 40 and 58% at sensitivity levels of 92, 92 and 79%, respectively. As for the 65 patients with intermediate PSA, range 4–10 ng/mL, and normal digital rectal examination, the percent free PSA and total prostate volume statistically discriminated CaP patients from BPH patients. A multiple logistic regression model proved percent free PSA to be the only significant discriminating factor (P = 0.045; odds ratio, 9.06).Conclusions This prospective study revealed percent free PSA to be a significant useful predictor in discriminating CaP from BPH in Japanese men.
Role of leukocyte adhesion molecules in monocyte/macrophage infiltration in weanling rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: Takeda Atsushi , Fukuzaki Atsushi , Kaneto Hiroyuki , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ogata Yukihiko , Sasaki Toru , Konda Ryuichiro , Sakai Kiyohide , Orikasa Seiichi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of rats is a well‐established model for studying obstructive nephropathy. Meanwhile, pathophysiology of pediatric obstructive nephropathy is not well understood. In this report, we studied monocyte/macrophage infiltration and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and macrophage antigen 1 (Mac‐1) in weanling rats with UUO.Methods Three‐week‐old male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent left unilateral ureteral ligation. Both obstructed kidneys (OBK) and contralateral kidneys (CLK) were harvested at 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 120 h after surgery. Monocyte/macrophage infiltration and expression of ICAM‐1 and Mac‐1 were evaluated immunohistochemically, and results were compared with those of sham‐operated control rats (SOK).Results Monocyte/macrophage infiltration was observed in the interstitium and perivascular region in the cortex of OBK within 6 h. The CLK and SOK showed slight monocyte/macrophage infiltration. Expression of ICAM‐1 was markedly observed in the periarterial and peritubular interstitium and in renal cortical peritubular capillaries 12 h after obstruction. In CLK and SOK, ICAM‐1 was slightly expressed in the endothelium of microvessels and parietal linings of Bowman's capsule. Expression of Mac‐1 was detected mainly in cells infiltrating the perivascular interstitium in OBK. In CLK and SOK, few Mac‐1‐positive cells were observed.Conclusions Adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1 and Mac‐1, are expected to recruit monocyte/macrophage infiltration into OBK of weanling rats with UUO.
Aberrant expression of Pax‐2 mRNA in renal cell carcinoma tissue and parenchyma of the affected kidney
Authors: Igarashi Tatsuo , Ueda Takeshi , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Tobe Toyofusa , Komiya Akira , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Ito Haruo 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background:
Pax proteins are transcription factors that demonstrate oncogenic properties and appear to play a crucial role in ontogenesis. Pax‐2 is expressed in early kidney organogenesis, Wilms' tumor and renal cell carcinoma. In order to determine whether the expression of Pax‐2 mRNA is a frequent and specific event in renal cell carcinoma, its expression in nephrectomized specimens and cell lines was investigated.
Methods:
The expression of Pax‐2 mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 55 nephrectomized specimens, nine renal parenchyma specimens from patients without renal cell carcinoma and 16 cell lines from various malignant diseases.
Results:
All tumor tissue specimens expressed Pax‐2 mRNA. In addition, 38 of 55 specimens from the renal parenchyma of the affected kidney expressed Pax‐2 mRNA. In contrast, only two of the nine kidney specimens from patients without renal cell carcinoma expressed Pax‐2 mRNA, indicating that expression of this protein is significantly higher in renal cell carcinoma (P < 0.01). All three cell lines from renal cell carcinoma expressed Pax‐2. In contrast, Pax‐2 was only expressed in two of three cell lines from transitional cell carcinoma and in none of the other lines.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that Pax‐2 expression is a frequent and highly specific event in renal cell carcinoma.
Seminal plasma cytokine levels in the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Orhan Irfan , Onur Rahmi , Ilhan Necip , Ardiçoglu Arslan 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Chronic non‐bacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) are frequently encountered clinical entities characterized by painful and irritative voiding symptoms often referable to the prostate. Diagnosis usually depends on the symptoms and treatment mainly consists of reassurance, anti‐inflammatory medications and antibiotics in the absence of a documented infection. To have objective diagnostic criteria, we determined the possible roles and diagnostic efficacies of soluble cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐2R, IL‐6 and IL‐8 in the seminal plasma of patients with different forms of CPPS.Methods: Seminal plasma was obtained from a total of 30 subjects who were evaluated in three groups. Each group comprised 10 patients having inflammatory CPPS, non‐inflammatory CPPS and control subjects, respectively. The levels of IL‐1β, IL‐2R, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐8 were measured in seminal plasma using chemiluminescence.Results: The level of IL‐2R in all three groups was below measurable values. Interleukin‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐8 levels were elevated significantly in the two groups with CPPS compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Soluble cytokines showed a slight difference between patients with inflammatory CPPS and non‐inflammatory CPPS, but this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Although there are individual variables between the discrimination of inflammatory and non‐inflammatory CPPS, cytokines are frequently present and elevated in the expressed prostatic secretions from men with CPPS. Our results indicate that several soluble cytokines can be used to identify this chronic and long‐term disease.
Recurrence of renal cell carcinoma more than 5 years after nephrectomy
Authors: UCHIDA KOHSUKE , MIYAO NORIOMI , MASUMORI NAOYA , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI , ODA TOSHIRO , YANASE MASAHIRO , KITAMURA HIROSHI , ITOH NAOKI , SATO MASAAKI , TSUKAMOTO TAIJI 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Objectives: We evaluated clinical features and predictive factors for the recurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) developing more than 5 years after nephrectomy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 239 patients with RCC who underwent surgery for the primary lesion. To identify factors that affected recurrence more than 5 years after nephrectomy (delayed recurrence) and its clinical outcomes, we performed a multivariate analysis using Cox’s proportional hazards model and a survival study.Results: Recurrence developing within 5 years after nephrectomy (early recurrence) was found in 57 patients and delayed recurrence in 11 patients. The multivariate analysis revealed no clinical and pathologic features influencing delayed recurrence in 114 patients who survived more than 5 years after nephrectomy without having early recurrence. The patients with delayed recurrence showed better clinical outcomes than those with early recurrence when the rate was determined from the time of recurrence.Conclusions: Although delayed recurrence is not a rare event for patients with RCC, no clinical and pathologic factors at the time of the initial treatment can predict the recurrence. Patients who are free of recurrence for more than 5 years after surgery for a primary lesion should be carefully followed up for delayed recurrence.
Neo‐adjuvant treatment of infiltrating transitional‐cell carcinoma of the bladder with paclitaxel and cisplatin: A phase II trial
Authors: SOUSA‐ESCANDÓN ALEJANDRO , VAZQUEZ SERGIO , QUINTERO‐ALDANA GUILLERMO , PICALLO JOSE A , NEIRA JAVIER , GARCIA‐NOVIO FRANCISCO , MATEO A , RICO MANUEL , MEL JOSE R 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: A phase II multicentric trial of paclitaxel and cisplatin was conducted in previously untreated patients, with locally advanced transitional‐cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, to assess its toxicity and efficiency in preserving the bladder.
Methods
:Forty‐four patients with locally advanced TCC of the bladder (seven with T3a, 27 with T3b, and eight with T4a) were treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 h, and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 over 30 min, on the first day of each 21‐day treatment cycle. Therapy was continued for three cycles. Patients were re‐evaluated and scheduled for radiotheraphy or radical surgery depending on tumoral response. Tumoral response was measured by citology, computed tomographical scans, and deep randomized biopsies of the bladder.
Results
:Thirty‐two out of 42 patients (76%; 95% confidence interval 45–93%) showed a major response (22 complete, and 10 partial). Response times ranged from 18 to 54 months. Three patients with T4 bladder primary tumors experienced a pathological CR. At a median follow‐up of three years, 20 patients remain free of disease (47.6%), six patients are alive with disease (14.3%), 12 patients died of disease (28.5%), and four others died of unrelated causes (9.5%). Hematological toxicity included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. No grade four febrile neutropenia was observed. Non‐hematological toxicity included alopecia (93.2%), diarrhea (11.4%), vomiting (18.5%) mucosytis (4.6%), and neuropathy (4.6%). Drug omissions or dose delay for adverse events were only necessary in one patient (2.2%), and three patients (6.8%), respectively.
Conclusions
:Paclitaxel and cisplatin is an active and well‐tolerated neo‐adjuvant regimen for previously untreated patients with pure TCC of the bladder, achieving a vesical preservation rate of 52%.
Snodgrass procedure for primary hypospadias repair
Authors: Zhou Yun , Lu Jinxing , Takahashi Go 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background: In this study, the authors’ experience in adaptation of the Snodgrass technique for primary hypospadias repair, with an alternative way to create a barrier layer of dartos flap for neourethral covering, is presented.
Methods: Between March 2000 and January 2001, Snodgrass urethroplasty was consecutively done on 24 boys aged between 14 months and 9 years (median: 3 years). The position of the meatus was coronal in one boy, at the distal shaft in two, at mid‐shaft in eight, at the proximal shaft in five, penoscrotal in four, scrotal in three and perineal in one. Dorsal plication was carried out in nine patients (37.5%) to correct residual ventral curvature after penile degloving. Postoperatively the neourethra was stented for 10–12 days and suprapubic diversion was used for 12–14 days.
Results: Postoperative follow up ranged from 4 to 14 months (median: 8 months). All patients undergoing Snodgrass repair obtained a neourethra with a slit‐like meatus at the tip of the glans. A small urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in one patient with mid‐shaft and two with proximal‐shaft hypospadias (an overall fistula rate of 12.5%). Urethral stricture had not been encountered at the time of this report. One patient developed mild meatal stenosis and was successfully managed by simple dilatation.
Conclusions: The results indicate that Snodgrass urethroplasty provides satisfactory cosmetic and functional results and is versatile in repairing almost all types of hypospadias.
Perivesical abscess caused by migration of a fish bone from the intestinal tract
Authors: Imamoto Takashi , Tobe Toyofusa , Mizoguchi Kenichi , Ueda Takeshi , Igarashi Tatsuo , Ito Haruo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA 55‐year‐old woman was admitted to the Department of Urology at Chiba University Hospital. The patient's chief complaint was frequent urination and micturition pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated a mass lesion in contact with the anterior wall of the bladder. Mass extirpation was performed transperitoneally. On dissection of the mass, a thin foreign body shaped like a skewer was detected. A specimen of the mass revealed non‐specific inflammation. Elemental analysis with an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA) revealed that the composition of the foreign body was consistent with bone. The perivesical mass was diagnosed as an abscess caused by a fish bone that migrated from the intestinal tract.
Significance and diagnostic accuracy of renal calculi found by ultrasonography in patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria
Authors: Marumo Ken , Horiguchi Yutaka , Nakagawa Ken , Oya Mototsugu , Ohigashi Takashi , Asakura Hirotaka , Nakashima Jun , Murai Masaru 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground : The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance and the accuracy of the diagnosis of renal calculi incidentally found by ultrasonography (US).Methods : A total of 906 subjects (639 men and 267 women) aged 18–78 years were referred for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Of these, 743 patients who underwent US were studied.Results : Hyperechogenic spots in the central echo complex suggesting renal calculi were noted in 195 patients (21.5%). The occurrence of hyperechogenic spots was higher in patients with 20 or more urinary red blood cells per high‐power field (χ2 = 4.896, P = 0.0269) and in men than in women (χ2 = 7.101, P = 0.0077), but it was lowest in patients who were 29 years old or younger. Of these 195 patients, who were followed up for 1–161 months (average: 33.5 months), 24 patients (12.3%) needed urological management. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was carried out in eight patients, transureteral lithotripsy was carried out in three patients, spontaneous passage occurred in 11 patients and medication for hyperuricemia was initiated in two patients (1%). Among the patients in whom hyperechogenic spots were found in the kidney by US but calculi were not visible on abdominal plain radiographs, 39 patients underwent computed tomography. Of them, 31 patients were confirmed to have renal calculi.Conclusion : The obtained results suggest that US is an effective and reliable means of detecting renal calculi in patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, and in facilitating prompt urological intervention or predicting the natural course of renal calculi.
Malignant mesothelioma of testicular tunica vaginalis
Authors: ABE KAZUHIRO , KATO NOBUKI , MIKI KENTA , NIMURA SATOSHI , SUZUKI MASAFUMI , KIYOTA HIROSHI , ONODERA SHYOICHI , OISHI YUKIHIKO 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report here a case with malignant mesothelioma of testicular tunica vaginalis. An 81‐year‐old Japanese man with left hydrocele was referred for operation. When hydrocelectomy was performed, a thick wall of tunica vaginalis without malignancy was observed. Seven months after hydrocelectomy, a hard irregular mass was noticed in the left scrotum, therefore inguinal orchiectomy was performed. Pathologically, the mass showed severe atypia and mitosis. The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma was made. He refused any adjuvant treatment and died 1 year later from multiple metastases to the paraaortic lymph nodes and lumbar supine.
Renal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Abe Kazuhiro , Hasegawa Taro , Onodera Shoichi , Oishi Yukihiko , Suzuki Masafumi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report here the sixth known case of metastatic renal tumor of thyroid carcinoma. In 1999, a 37‐year‐old man was referred to us with a left renal mass found incidentally by ultrasound during an annual check‐up. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a well‐defined, hyperdense mass 3 cm in diameter in the middle of the left kidney. Left radical nephrectomy was performed under the preoperative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. Histologically, the tumor was metastatic of typical papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Primary bilateral spermatocele
Authors: BASAR HALIL , BAYDAR SENOL , BOYUNAGA HAKAN , BATISLAM ERTAN , BASAR M MURAT , YILMAZ ERDAL 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report the case of a bilateral, relatively huge, multilocular spermatocele diagnosed at sonography with surgical and pathological correlation. A 45‐year‐old man presented with bilateral, large inguinoscrotal masses. He had had the masses since his adolescence and their size gradually increased in the past 5 years. Scrotal ultrasonographic examination showed cystic fluid masses that were 65 × 45 × 50 mm in size on the right and 55 × 45 × 40 mm in size on the left side in multilocular spaces. The cystic masses were excised via bilateral inguinoscrotal incision staying near the body of the epididymis. The patient had fathered three children with no fertility problem.
Adverse drug events as a cause of hospital admission in the elderly
Authors: Chan M. , Nicklason F. , Vial J. H. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Previous studies of adverse drug events (ADE) as a cause of hospital admission in the elderly have often been limited in their ability to assess fully the impact and potential for prevention because they either did not include all categories of ADE and/or did not assess severity and preventability. Aims: To assess the frequency, severity and preventability of ADE causing emergency medical admissions in the elderly. Methods: Cross‐sectional survey of 219 patients aged 75 years and over who were consecutive unplanned admissions to acute medical units of the Royal Hobart Hospital in an 8‐week period during August and September 1998. Results: Seventy‐three of 240 (30.4%) admissions may have been a result of ADE. Patients admitted because of ADE were taking more drugs than those admitted for other reasons. Most ADE were adverse drug reactions to a single (46%) or multiple drugs (25%). Non‐compliance, omission or cessation of indicated treatment accounted collectively for 26% of admissions. Of all ADE admissions 53.4% were considered definitely preventable. The commonest causative drugs were cardiovascular drugs (48.4%), and the commonest manifestations were falls and postural hypotension (24.1%), heart failure (16.9%) and delirium (14.5%). ADE categories in which a high proportion of admissions was both severe and definitely preventable were non‐compliance and omission of indicated treatment. Conclusions: Adverse drug events are a common preventable cause of unplanned medical admissions in the elderly. Non‐compliance and omission of indicated treatment are causes of ADE‐related admissions that are both preventable and frequently associated with severe ADE. (Intern Med J 2001; 31: 199–205)
Pregnancy‐associated osteoporosis with hypercalcaemia
Authors: Tran H. A. , Petrovsky N. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Pregnancy‐associated osteoporosis is an uncommon condition. It predominantly affects thinly built, primi­gravid, lactating women. These patients can sustain vertebral fractures with minimal or no trauma, resulting in significant morbidity. The association with hypercalcaemia is rare and typically occurs during the first few months postpartum, while lactating. This condition is, however, relatively benign and patients can expect to return to normal bone mineral density 6−12 months after breast‐feeding has stopped. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 481−485)
Laryngeal mask for difficult intubation in children
Authors: Osses H. , Poblete M. , Asenjo F. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe present a new intubation technique using an oral preformed tracheal tube passed through a laryngeal mask. Six patients (neonate to six months old) with craniofacial malformations of head and neck and scheduled for reconstructive plastic surgery are the basis of this report.An inhalation induction with increasing doses of halothane in oxygen while maintaining spontaneous ventilation was performed. Once an adequate anaesthetic depth was achieved, a direct laryngoscopy was performed. The epiglottis could not be seen in any of the patients. Anaesthesia was deepened in order to insert the laryngeal mask, size 1 or 2, with an oral preformed 3.5 or 4.0 tracheal tube inside it. Correct position of the mask was confirmed by capnography. The preformed tracheal tube was then advanced 1–2 cm. and its position in the trachea verified. The 15 mm connector was then removed, and an adult intubating stylet was attached to the end of the tracheal tube. The laryngeal mask was removed, holding the stylet and tube in place. Once the mask was removed, the stylet was disconnected, and the 15 mm connector reattached. Our experience was that this takes about 20 to 30 s. We recommended this technique in paediatric patients in which a difficult intubation is foreseen.
Difficult airway management in the neonate: a simple method of intubating through a laryngeal mask airway
Authors: Ellis Diane S. , Potluri Prabhu K. , O’Flaherty Jennifer E. , Baum Victor C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTracheal intubation through a laryngeal mask airway is one option for securing an airway in the patient with a difficult airway. A variety of techniques and equipment have been used to stabilize the position of the tracheal tube while removing the laryngeal mask airway. We have shown that if a fibreoptic bronchoscope is used to place an tracheal tube through a laryngeal mask in neonates, additional equipment is not needed to remove the laryngeal mask airway without endangering tracheal tube placement. This is possible even in small neonates.