bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharide properties probed with atomic force microscopy
Authors: Abu‐Lail N. I. , Camesano T. A. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryIn recent years, polysaccharides have been extensively studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Owing to its high lateral and vertical resolutions and ability to measure interaction forces in liquids at pico‐ or nano‐Newton level, the AFM is an excellent tool for characterizing biopolymers. The first imaging studies showed the morphology of polysaccharides, but gradually more quantitative image analysis techniques were developed as the AFM grew easier to use in aqueous liquids and in non‐contact modes. Recently, AFM has been used to stretch polysaccharides and characterize their physicochemical properties by application of appropriate polymer stretching models, using a technique called single‐molecule force spectroscopy. From application of such models as the wormlike chain, freely jointed chain, extensible‐freely jointed chain, etc., properties such as the contour length, persistence length and segment elasticity or spring constant can be calculated for polysaccharides. The adhesion between polysaccharides and surfaces has been quantified with AFM, and this application is particularly useful for studying polysaccharides on microbial and other types of cells, because their adhesion is controlled by biopolymer characteristics. This review presents a synthesis of the theory and techniques currently in use to probe the physicochemical properties of polysaccharides with AFM.
The nacre protein perlucin nucleates growth of calcium carbonate crystals
Authors: Blank S. , Arnoldi M. , Khoshnavaz S. , Treccani L. , Kuntz M. , Mann K. , Grathwohl G. , Fritz M. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryAtomic force microscopy (AFM) in aqueous solution was used to investigate native nacre of the marine snail Haliotis laevigata on the microscopic scale and the interaction of purified nacre proteins with calcium carbonate crystals on the nanoscopic scale. These investigations were controlled by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy (LM) and biochemical methods. For investigations with AFM and SEM, nacre was cleaved parallel to the aragonite tablets in this biogenic polymer/mineral composite. Multilamellar organic sheets consisting of a core of chitin with layers of proteins attached on both sides lay between the aragonite layers consisting of confluent aragonite tablets. Cleavage appeared to occur between the aragonite tablet layer and the protein layer. AFM images revealed a honeycomb‐like structure to the organic material with a diameter of the ‘honeycombs’ equalling that of the aragonite tablets. The walls of the structures consisted of filaments, which were suggested to be collagen. The flat regions of the honeycomb‐like structures exhibited a hole with a diameter of more than 100 nm. When incubated in saturated calcium carbonate solution, aragonite needles with perfect vertical orientation grew on the proteinacous surface. After treatment with proteinase K, no growth of orientated aragonite needles was detected. Direct AFM measurements on dissolving and growing calcite crystals revealed a surface structure with straight steps the number of which decreased with crystal growth. When the purified nacre protein perlucin was added to the growth solution (a super‐saturated calcium carbonate solution) new layers were nucleated and the number of steps increased. Anion exchange chromatography of the water‐soluble proteins revealed a mixture of about 10 different proteins. When this mixture was dialysed against saturated calcium carbonate solution and sodium chloride, calcium carbonate crystals precipitated together with perlucin leaving the other proteins in the supernatant. Thus perlucin was shown to be a protein able to nucleate calcium carbonate layers on calcite surfaces, and in the presence of sodium chloride, is incorporated as an intracrystalline protein into calcium carbonate crystals.
TectoRNA and ‘kissing‐loop’ RNA: atomic force microscopy of self‐assembling RNA structures
Authors: Hansma H. G. , Oroudjev E. , Baudrey S. , Jaeger L. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryRNA molecules have been much less studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) than have DNA molecules. In this paper, AFM imaging is presented for two different RNA molecules able to self‐assemble into complex supramolecular architectures. The first one is a molecular dimer of a 230‐nt RNA fragment coming from the RNA genome of a murine leukaemia virus. The monomeric RNA fragment, which appears by AFM as an elongated structure with a mean aspect ratio of 1.4, assembles into a dimer of elongated structures through the formation of a ‘kissing‐loop’ RNA interaction. The second one is a large supramolecular fibre formed of artificial self‐assembling RNA molecular units called tectoRNA. The fibre lengths by AFM suggest that there are 50–70 tectoRNA units per fibre. Some methods and limitations are presented for measuring molecular volumes from AFM images.
A preoperative clinical prognostic model for non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Cindolo L. , De La Taille A. , Messina G. , Romis L. , Abbou C.C. , Altieri V. , Rodriguez A. , Patard J.J. 
Published: November 2003

Authors from Naples, Paris and Rennes describe their efforts to develop a model for the preoperative prediction of outcome for non‐metastatic renal cancer. It is valuable to both urologist and patient to develop such a model, particularly so on preoperative criteria. The results of their study are interesting, leading to possibly helpful findings.In another article, authors from Iceland estimated the risk of developing prostate and other cancer among relatives of men from that country diagnosed with prostate cancer. They found that a family history is a risk factor for prostate cancer, with the risk potentially higher for relatives of patients who died from the disease.From the relative dearth of papers on quality of life after radical prostatectomy there are now several, and the authors from Bristol report on the effects of erectile dysfunction on quality of life after this type of treatment. They had a very high response rate (91%) to their questionnaire, and found that erectile dysfunction has a profound effect on quality of life. This finding is not a surprise, but do we need to examine our management of prostate cancer in the light of it?OBJECTIVETo develop a model to predict the outcome before surgery for non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe records of 660 patients with non‐metastatic RCC, operated at three European medical institutes, were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the clinical and pathological variables affecting disease‐free survival.RESULTSThe median (range) follow‐up was 42  (2–180) months; the disease recurred in 110 patients (16%). The 2‐ and 5‐year overall survival was 87% and 54%, respectively. Five variables were significant in the univariate analysis, i.e. clinical presentation, clinical and pathological size, tumour grade and stage (P < 0.05). The preoperative variables, e.g. clinical presentation and clinical tumour size, were retained from the multivariate model. A recurrence risk formula (RRF) was constructed from this model, as (1.28 × presentation (asymptomatic = 0; symptomatic = 1) + (0.13 × clinical size)). Using this equation, the 2‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival was 96% and 93% for an RRF of ≤ 1.2 and 83% and 68% for an RRF of > 1.2.CONCLUSIONA formula was developed which, independent of stage, can be used to predict the rate of treatment failure in patients who undergo nephrectomy for non‐metastatic RCC. The RRF might be useful for more accurate sub‐grouping of good‐prognosis patients, and for counselling patients before surgery, their personalized follow‐up or adjuvant treatment once available.
Urodynamic findings in men operated on for an undescended testicle
Authors: Lahdes‐Vasama T.T. , Koskimäki J.E. , Streng T.K. , Fisch R.D. , Nilson E.A. , Santti R.S. , Tammela T.L.J. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that men with a history of undescended testicle have voiding problems similar to those in rodents exposed to excessive amounts of oestrogens during development, although the role of oestrogen in the failure of the human testicle to descend remains controversial.PATIENTS AND METHODSThirteen men (mean age 45 years) previously operated on for an undescended testicle (testis‐retention, TR group) and 12 age‐matched men operated on for inguinal hernia or appendicitis (control group) participated in a urodynamic examination, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) of the prostate, and blood tests for hormones and prostate‐specific protein. They also completed a questionnaire on urinary symptoms.RESULTSThe free maximum flow rate was significantly lower and the detrusor pressure at maximum flow (PdetQmax) slightly higher in the TR than the control group. Three men in the TR group (and none of the controls) had bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), whereas voiding was not obstructed among 11 control men (and five men in the TR group). The hormone concentrations of the groups did not differ significantly but the prostates were significantly smaller in the TR group. The testosterone concentrations and the ratio between 17β‐oestradiol (E2) and free testosterone (E2/fT) influenced prostate size significantly. An exploratory analysis suggested that E2/fT may influence the maximum detrusor pressure and PdetQmax.CONCLUSIONMen born with an undescended testicle had smaller prostates but more often had BOO than did the controls. The results suggest that an imbalance between the actions of oestrogen and testosterone may influence the initiation and continuance of BOO among cryptorchid men.
Tubularized incised plate repair of distal hypospadias in toilet‐trained children: should a stent be left?
Authors: El‐Sherbiny M.T. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of stenting in toilet‐trained children undergoing tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair of distal hypospadias, as a stent‐free TIP in boys who are not toilet‐trained has been successful with no unusually prolonged discomfort.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included all toilet‐trained children with distal penile shaft hypospadias who were not suitable candidates for meatal advancement procedures and who underwent TIP repair, by one surgeon, between March and August 2001. Patients were prospectively randomized at the end of surgery to either leaving a stent for 1 week (stented) or no stent (unstented). The study included 64 children (35 stented and 29 unstented; median age 6 years, range 2–17). In the stented group the stent was placed in the bladder for continuous bladder drainage. An adjunct penile block instead of caudal or epidural analgesia was used in all patients, to avoid drug‐induced urinary retention. The early evaluation included an assessment of bladder spasms, dysuria, urinary retention and extravasation. Regular meatal dilatation was provided only to patients with voiding difficulty and an obvious tendency to stenosis.RESULTSThe median (range) follow‐up was 6 (3–11) months. Voiding was painful in the first week in five (14%) and 13 (45%) of the stented and unstented patients, respectively (P < 0.01); there were bladder spasms in three (8%) and none, respectively (P > 0.05). None of stented patients developed urinary retention or extravasation, compared with seven (24%) and five (17%) in the unstented group, respectively (P < 0.05). Meatal dilatation was required in two (6%) and five (17%) of the stented and unstented patients, respectively (P > 0.05). There were complications requiring re‐operation in nine boys (14%), of whom seven (10%) developed small fistulae and two (4%) had meatal stenosis. Although the re‐operation rate was lower in the stented (9%) than in the unstented group (20%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONSThe use of a stent in TIP repair in toilet‐trained children is advantageous; it significantly eliminates the risk of urinary retention and extravasation, and reduces the overall patient discomfort. It is also associated with a lower re‐operation rate.
Prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis in Italy: a prospective urology outpatient practice study
Authors: Rizzo M. , Marchetti F. , Travaglini F. , Trinchieri A. , Nickel J.C. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo report a prospective, multicentre descriptive study designed to determine the prevalence of the diagnosis of prostatitis in male outpatients examined by urologists in Italy, and to further examine the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of patients identified with a clinical diagnosis of prostatitis.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween July 2001 and October 2001, 70 urologists, representing a cross‐section of urological centres in Italy, counted and recorded the overall total of men reported in the clinic and that of patients diagnosed with prostatitis over a 5‐week period. Data on demographics, previous diagnoses, symptoms, physical examination, laboratory data and therapy instituted were collected. Patients with a diagnosis of prostatitis completed questionnaires on symptom frequency and severity, and quality of life.RESULTSIn all, 8503 patients were included in the primary outcome analysis; 1148 were identified with prostatitis (12.8%; mean age 47.1 years, range 16–83) with all age ranges equally represented, and 68% had had their first symptom within the last year. The most common presenting symptoms were severe, bothersome urinary frequency, obstructive voiding symptoms, perineal, suprapubic and penile pain or discomfort. The self‐administered questionnaire confirmed that the most frequently reported and most severe symptoms at the time of evaluation were irritative voiding symptoms, perineal and suprapubic pain and discomfort. Over three‐quarters of the patients were dissatisfied with their quality of life. While 98% of the patients had a digital rectal examination and expressed prostatic secretion was successfully recovered in 44%, < 3% of the patients had the traditional Meares‐Stamey four‐glass test. The most common treatment prescribed was drug therapy (not antibiotic).CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of a clinical diagnosis of prostatitis in urology outpatient practice in Italy was 12.8%. The prevalence, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of prostatitis reported in this prospective study was very similar to that reported in other retrospective series from other countries.
The prevalence of male urinary incontinence in four centres: the UREPIK study
Authors: Boyle P. , Robertson C. , Mazzetta C. , Keech M. , Hobbs F.D.R. , Fourcade R. , Kiemeney L. , Lee C. ,   the UrEpik Study Group
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVESTo report the results of the prevalence and health status associated with male urinary incontinence (UI) in a population‐based, multicentre study in four countries, and to assess the epidemiology of this condition.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA standard questionnaire asking about frequency and amount of urine loss, use of pads and stress incontinence, was used to measure the prevalence of UI among men in four countries (Boxmeer, The Netherlands; Auxerre, France; Birmingham, UK; and Seoul, Korea). Self‐reported urinary leakage was also recorded, with details of visits to the doctor for the symptoms. The samples were selected randomly from population registers of men aged 40–79 years, which provided representative samples in each community.RESULTSIn all, 4979 men responded; from incontinence symptom scores, 7.3% of men aged 40–79 years in Auxerre, 16.3% in Boxmeer, 14.4% in Birmingham and 4.3% in Seoul reported mild to severe UI. On a self‐reported question, 14.8% and 14.5% of men in Birmingham and Boxmeer thought that they had urinary leakage, compared with 7.5% and 7.1% of men in Auxerre and Seoul, but typically the reported incontinence was leaking drops of urine a few times a week. Of men with urinary leakage in the three European centres, 25.9% visited the doctor with this problem, compared with only 9.0% of men in Seoul. Of men in the European centres, 5.9% used pads at least occasionally, compared with only 1.6% of men in Seoul. UI was age‐related and the reporting of it varied among centres, with 14.4% of men in Birmingham and 12.7% of men in Boxmeer aged 40–49 years reporting mild to severe UI, compared with 5.2% in Auxerre and 1.9% in Seoul. Among men aged 60–69 years the corresponding percentages were 13.7% in Birmingham, 22.6% in Boxmeer, 9.2% in Auxerre and 8.0% in Seoul.CONCLUSIONSUI is more common in older men and relatively uncommon among younger men. Some men reported no problems on the symptom questionnaire but replied positively to a direct question. Surprisingly many men wear protective pads at least occasionally as a result of their problem. UI appears to be a problem for men and which remains largely untreated; this may partly be a result of cultural differences.
Comparison of multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization in urine with other noninvasive tests for detecting bladder cancer
Authors: Friedrich M.G. , Toma M.I. , Hellstern A. , Pantel K. , Weisenberger D.J. , Noldus J. , Huland H. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVESTo present a single‐centre study investigating aneuploidy at chromosomes 3, 7, 17 and 9p21 (e.g. loss at 9p21) using a multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) system, as identifying genetic alterations in urine specimens is a promising approach for the noninvasive detection of bladder cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSUrine samples from 103 patients were evaluated, including those from 46 with histologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma, two with other urological malignancies, and 55 who acted as controls. The urine samples were taken before any manipulation. The validity of FISH (Urovision, Vysis, Downers Grove, Ill, USA) was compared with other noninvasive urine tests, including the BTA‐Stat test, the nuclear matrix protein (NMP)‐22 test, and immunocytology against 486p3/12 and LewisX. Those evaluating the tests were unaware of the clinical and histopathological data. FISH was considered positive if five or more urinary cells had gains of two or more chromosomes. The threshold for the urine tests were 10 U/mL (NMP‐22), 30% positive cells (486p3/12), or 5% positive cells, respectively (LewisX).RESULTSThe sensitivity was 69% (FISH), 67% (BTA‐Stat), 69% (486p3/12), 96% (LewisX) and 71% (NMP22), respectively; the respective specificity was 89%, 78%, 76%, 33% and 66%.CONCLUSIONMultitarget FISH had a better specificity than the other urine markers but because of its inadequate sensitivity it does not seem to be powerful enough to replace endoscopy. Optimizing the marker panel could provide a higher sensitivity.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection Improves Blood Pressure Values in Patients Affected by Hypertension
Authors: Migneco Alessio , Ojetti Veronica , Specchia Lucia , Franceschi Francesco , Candelli Marcello , Mettimano Marco , Montebelli Rita , Savi Luigi , Gasbarrini Giovanni 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTBackground.  Arterial hypertension is a risk factor for atherosclerosis of whose pathogenesis is unknown. Growing evidence underscores the causative role of endothelial dysfunction. A possible association between Helicobacter pylori infection and cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders has been found. The release of cytotoxic substances either of bacterial origin or produced by the host may represent mediators of these systemic sequelae. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in hypertensive patients and the effects of H. pylori eradication on blood pressure and on digestive symptoms.Materials and Methods.  Seventy‐two hypertensive patients (34 male and 38 female; mean age 53 ± 12 years) and 70 normotensive controls (35 male and 35 female; mean age 52 ± 10 years) were enrolled. All patients were subjected to a first ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) at enrollment, a 13C urea breath test and a test for IgG‐CagA antibodies, and completed the validated dyspepsia questionnaire. H. pylori‐positive patients were treated with triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin and ranitidine bismute citrate) for 7 days. Control of eradication was assessed by 13C urea breath test, and all patients underwent a second ABPM 6 months after enrollment.Results.  H. pylori infection was 55% in hypertensive patients, with 90% CagA positivity, and 50% in controls, with 60% CagA positivity. At the first ABPM, blood pressure values were similar in H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative individuals; positive patients showed a significant increase in pyrosis and epigastric pain compared to negative patients. H. pylori was eradicated in 80% of patients and in 85% of controls. At the second ABPM, we found a statistically significant decrease in 24‐hour mean blood pressure values when compared to the first ABPM only in the eradicated hypertensive group.Conclusions.  Our study demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure values, in particular in diastolic blood pressure values, after H. pylori eradication in hypertensive patients. A high prevalence of CagA positivity was found. The association between cardiovascular disease and H. pylori infection seems pronounced only in CagA‐positive patients. The possible links between hypertensive disease and H. pylori infection may involve the activation of the cytokine cascade with the release of vasoactive substances from the primary site of infection, or molecular mimicry between the CagA antigens of H. pylori and some peptides expressed by endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Up‐regulates Gland Mucous Cell‐Type Mucins in Gastric Pyloric Mucosa
Authors: Matsuzwa Masahiro , Ota Hiroyoshi , Hayama Masayoshi , Zhang Mu Xia , Sano Kenji , Honda Takayuki , Ueno Ichiro , Akamatsu Taiji , Nakayama Jun 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTBackground.  Two types of mucous cell are present in gastric mucosa: surface mucous cells (SMCs) and gland mucous cells (GMCs), which consist of cardiac gland cells, mucous neck cells, and pyloric gland cells. We have previously reported that the patterns of glycosylation of SMC mucins are reversibly altered by Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the effects of H. pylori infection on the expression of GMC mucins in pyloric gland cells.Methods.  Gastric biopsy specimens from the antrums of 30 H. pylori‐infected patients before and after eradication of H. pylori and 10 normal uninfected volunteers were examined by immunostaining for MUC6 (a core protein of GMC mucins), α1,4‐N‐acetyl‐glucosaminyl transferase (α4GnT) (the glycosyltransferase which forms GlcNAcα1‐4Galβ‐R), and GlcNAcα1‐4Galβ‐R (a GMC mucin‐specific glycan).Results.  MUC6, α4GnT, and HIK1083‐reactive glycan were expressed in the cytoplasm, supranuclear region, and secretory granules in pyloric gland cells, respectively. The immunoreactivity of MUC6 and α4GnT, but not of GlcNAcα1‐4Galβ‐R, in the pyloric gland increased in H. pylori‐associated gastritis, and after the eradication of H. pylori, the increased expression of MUC6 and α4GnT in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori‐infected patients decreased to almost normal levels. This up‐regulation was correlated with the degree of inflammation.Conclusions.  In addition to the synthesis of GMC mucins increasing reversibly, their metabolism or release may also increase reversibly in H. pylori‐associated gastritis. The up‐regulation of the expression of gastric GMC mucins may be involved in defense against H. pylori infection in the gastric surface mucous gel layer and on the gastric mucosa.