bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effects of Arotinoids on tRNA Biogenesis
Authors: Papadimou Evangelia , Monastirli Alexandra , Tsambaos Dionysios , Merk Hans F. , Drainas Denis 
Published: April 2003

The effects of five arotinoids (Ro 13-7410, Ro 15-0778, Ro 15-1570, Ro 13-6298, Ro 40-8757) on ribonuclease P (RNase P) activity were studied in a cell-free system derived from <i>Dictyostelium discoideum.</i> RNase P is a ribonucleoprotein that endonucleolytically cleaves all tRNA precursors to produce the mature 5′ end. Kinetic analysis showed that these compounds behave as classical competitive inhibitors with K<sub>i</sub> values 4.35, 3.6, 2.8 and 0.045 m<i>M</i> for Ro 13-6298, Ro 15-1570, Ro 15-0778 and Ro 13-7410, respectively. Ro 13-7410 was 62, 80 and 97 times more potent in inhibiting the enzyme activity as compared to Ro 15-0778, Ro 15-1570 and Ro 13-6298, respectively, whereas Ro 40-8757 showed no effect on RNase P activity. These results project the significance of the acidic polar terminus in the arotinoid molecule binding to the enzyme. The kinetics of inhibition reflects allosteric interactions of arotinoids with <i>D. discoideum</i> RNase P. Moerover, our findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of arotinoids on tRNA biogenesis can be mediated through mechanisms not involving the retinoid nuclear receptors.
Diagnostic Significance of Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity at Intermediate PSA Serum Levels in Relation to the Standard Deviation of Different Test Systems
Authors: Manseck A. , Pilarsky C. , Froschermaier S. , Menschikowski M. , Wirth M.P. 
Published: April 2003

Serial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements (PSA velocity) as an additional instrument to detect prostatic cancer was introduced in 1992. It has previously been reported that PSA increase per year differed in the last 5 years prior to diagnosis in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (0.18 ng/ml/year), locally confined (0.75 ng/ml/year) and metastasized (4.4 ng/ml/year) cancer of the prostate (CaP) in contrast to healthy men (0.04 ng/ml/year). The ability of PSA velocity to detect organ-confined CaP in patients with intermediate PSA serum values depends therefore on a reliable and reproducible PSA result. The present study comprised 85 men with PSA values between 3 and 8 ng/ml (Abbott IMx). PSA measurements were repeated with Abbott IMx (n = 85 patients) and Hybritech Tandem-E (n = 59 patients) assays. The PSA serum values differed from one examination to the other from 0.02 to 2.74 ng/ml with the Abbott IMx. Standard deviation amounted to 0.35 ng/ml with the Abbott IMx PSA assay. Using the Hybritech Tandem-E assay, mean standard deviation was 1.15 ng/ml and therefore higher than with the Abbott IMx assay. The difference from one test to the other ranged from 0.05 to 4.05 ng/ml with the Hybritech Tandem-E. Using the Abbott IMx assay, 10.6% of all repeat measurements exceeded 1 ng/ml whereas in the Hybritech Tandem-E assay 62.7% of the second measurements differed >1 ng/ml from the first PSA result. An increase in PSA serum values may therefore be due to intratest variation, physiological day-to-day variation as well as prostatic disease. It is important to notice that the intra-assay variation may be greater than the PSA increase per year in a patient with CaP. Therefore, PSA velocity seems to be of limited value.
IL-1ra versus IL-1 Levels in Prostatic Fluid from Prostatitis Patients
Authors: Nishimura Taiji , Abe Hiroyuki , Ito Hiroshi , Ikeda Kazunori , Oka Fumiatsu , Yamamoto Motoko 
Published: April 2003

Recent papers reported that the balance between the production of IL-1ra and IL-1 probably influences the regulation of host responses, the severity and prolongation of the inflammatory reaction in some diseases. Therefore, in our continuing investigation to clarify the significance of leukocytosis and its prolongation in prostatic fluid from prostatitis patients, we investigated whether low levels of IL-1ra versus IL-1β secreted in prostatic fluid were the cause of prolonged prostatitis, especially nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP). As a result of the present study, we concluded that a low level of IL-1ra in relation to that of IL-1 secreted in prostatic fluid is unlikely to cause prolongation of NBP for the following reasons: (1) IL-1β was detected in 5 of 10 cases (50.0%), but was slightly elevated in only 2 cases (20.0%) at 14 and 17 pg/ml; (2) the average IL-1ra level was not statistically low compared with that in prostatic fluid from acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) patients who were cured promptly with antibiotics, and (3) in 5 cases of NBP in which IL-1β was detected, the average IL-1ra/IL-1β ratio was 118 which was comparable to or even higher than that in 3 ABP and 14 acute bacterial cystitis cases in which IL-1β was detected and the ratios were 40 and 88, respectively.
Genotypic Evolution in a Quinolone-Resistant <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> Isolate from a Patient with Clinical Failure of Levofloxacin Treatment
Authors: Tanaka Masatoshi , Sagiyama Kazuyuki , Haraoka Masashi , Saika Takeshi , Kobayashi Intetsu , Naito Seiji 
Published: April 2003

Recently, a reduction in the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> to newer fluoroquinolones including levofloxacin in vitro has been recognized in Japan. We examined the quinolone resistance mechanisms in <i>N. gonorrhoeae </i>isolates from a patient with clinical failure of levofloxacin treatment. Man with gonococcal urethritis was treated with oral 100 mg levofloxacin 3 times daily for 7 days. However, clinical failure of the treatment was observed. The minimum inhibitory concentration of levofloxacin for the posttreatment isolate (4.0 μg/ml) was 4-fold higher than that for the pretreatment isolate (1.0 μg/ml). To analyze quinolone resistance mechanisms in the set of isolates, we performed DNA sequencing of the quinolone reisistance-determining regions within the <i>gyrA</i> and <i>parC</i> genes. Moreover, we assayed the intracellular levofloxacin and norfloxacin accumulation level in these isolates. The pretreatment isolate contained three substitutions compared to susceptible wild-type isolate, including serine to phenylalanine at position 91 and aspartic acid to asparagine at position 95 in the GyrA protein, and serine to proline at position 88 in the ParC protein. The posttreatment isolate had four substitutions, including the same three substitutions and an additional glutamic acid to glutamine substitution at position 91 in ParC. There was no significant difference in the level of accumulation of levofloxacin and norfloxacin between the pretreatment and posttreatment isolates. Our results indicate that levofloxacin selects a mutant having an additional alteration within the gene cording for the ParC protein during treatment, which may have enhanced quinolone resistance in the organism.
Bilateral Symptomatic Adrenal Myelolipoma
Authors: Appetecchia M. , Chilelli M. , Sciarretta F. , Anzà M. 
Published: April 2003

Myelolipomas of the adrenal gland were first described in 1905. They are rare cortical, nonfunctioning, benign neoplasms, generally unilateral, usually discovered by accident or at autopsy. Thus they are often classified as ‘incidentaloma’. These tumors are more frequent in males 40–60 years old. Most adrenal myelolipomas are small (diameter < 4 cm) and asymptomatic (70%), but larger tumors may cause local symptoms secondary to mechanical compression. Very large bilateral adrenal myelolipomas are exceedingly rare. They generally require no treatment; however, if symptomatics or if diagnosis is in doubt, surgery is needed. Usually only monolateral adrenalectomy is performed, even in the presence of bilateral tumors, to preserve adrenal function. We present a case of bilateral, symptomatic giant myelolipoma in a young woman, treated with bilateral adrenalectomy.
Unilateral Testicular Torsion: Protective Effect of Verapamil on Contralateral Testicular Histology
Authors: Sarica Kemal , Bakir Kemal , Yagci Faruk , Erbagci Ahmet , Topcu Oǧuzkan , Uysal Okan 
Published: April 2003

In this experimental study, it was our aim to reduce the effects of ischemic insults to the contralateral testicle after unilateral testicular torsion. The protective effect of a calcium channel blocking agent (verapamil) on the histology and the tubular diameter of contralateral testicle was evaluated. Following a definite period of unilateral testicular torsion (i.e., 4 h), the protective effect of this specific medication was evaluated both after detorsion and orchiectomy procedures. The results of our study demonstrated the protective effect of verapamil on both parameters, especially in animals undergoing orchiectomy. The majority of the specimens demonstrated normal histologic findings together with preserved tubular structures after a 1-week period under verapamil medication.
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Therapy of Testicular Cancer and New Developments
Authors: Weißbach L. 
Published: April 2003

The guidelines of testicular cancer were elaborated and agreed upon interdisciplinarily. Standard therapy of stage I seminoma is infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy. Possible alternatives are adjuvant carboplatin therapy (still in test procedure) and, in case of lacking risk factors, the watch-and-wait strategy. If small metastases of lymph nodes exist, radiotherapy requires a higher dose and a larger beam field. Standard therapy in clinical stage IIC–III is cisplatin-based multidrug chemotherapy. In regard to nonseminomatous germ cell tumor there are no universal recommendations: retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RLA) with protection of ejaculation function, watch-and-wait strategy as well as adjuvant chemotherapy have the same cure rate but differ in relapse rate and morbidity. Knowing the crucial risk factors – depending on the expected relapse rate – it will be possible to recommend adjuvant chemotherapy or wait-and-see strategy in the future. In case of lymph nodes up to 5 cm, three different therapeutic strategies are possible. They reach the same cure rate, but are associated with different morbidity: primary nerve-sparing RLA plus adjuvant chemotherapy, primary nerve-sparing RLA without adjuvant chemotherapy, and primary chemotherapy. Advanced stages are related to three different groups in reference to their prognosis. At present, they are still treated with three or four cycles of PEB. In current protocols, patients with ‘poor prognosis’ receive high-dose therapy afterwards. These results have to be taken in consideration when updating the guidelines. The present guidelines also give notes for the therapy of TIN, residual tumor resection (RTR), management of CNS metastases, and therapy of recurrences.
Factors Determining Analgesic and Sedative Drug Requirements during Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Authors: Salinas A.S. , Lorenzo-Romero J. , Segura M. , Calero M.R. , Hernández-Millán I. , Martínez-Martín M. , Virseda J.A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> The aim of this study was to determine what factors influence the analgesic and sedative requirements during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A retrospective study was carried out on 2,103 lithotripsy treatments performed over a 7-year period using an electromagnetic lithotriptor. Treatment with analgesics and anxiolytic drugs administered during ESWL was evaluated, and two new variables to determine the analgesic and sedative requirements were defined. A multivariant analysis model was established to determine which variables are related to or could predict the analgesic and/or sedative drug requirements. <i>Results:</i> The most frequently used sedative drug was potassium chlorazepate which was used in 2,059 patients at a mean total dose of 25.6 mg. Pethidine was used in 2,006 patients at a mean total dose of 56.3 mg, and fentanyl in 995 patients at a dose of 93.3 μg. In 52.4% of patients analgesic requirements were low, and in 76.6% sedative requirements were low. In 21.1% of patients analgesic drug requirements were high, and in 1.8% of patients sedative drug requirements were high. The multivariant analysis showed that those requiring most analgesics were, the younger patients (p = 0.003), those who received a higher number of shock waves (p < 0.001) and those who needed more sedation (p < 0.001). Those who received the greatest amount of sedatives were women (p = 0.0026); younger patients (p < 0.001); those treated with higher voltages (p = 0.032), and patients with the highest analgesic requirements (p < 0.001). <i>Conclusions:</i> Predicting the analgesic drug requirements prior to ESWL is very difficult. The present study shows that young age, a greater discharge of shock waves and a high sedative drug requirement are factors clearly related to greater analgesic drug requirements. Higher sedative drug requirements are needed by women, younger patients, those receiving high discharge voltages and those with higher analgesic requirements.
Standardization and Potential Use of HPLC for Detection of Cellular Placental Alkaline Phosphatase Using Established Tumour Cell Lines and Fresh Tumour Biopsies
Authors: Torabi-Pour N. , Nouri A.M.E. , Chineguwndo F. , Oliver R.T.D. 
Published: April 2003

Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) is one of the cellular phosphatases (ALP) expressed in patients with testis cancers, particularly in seminomas. Using various techniques including Western blot and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems and ATC2, a newly developed specific anti-PLAP monoclonal antibody (Mab), the presence of active form of PLAP in lysates prepared from testis tumour fragment and tumour cell lines, was studied. This was carried out following isolation of PLAP from biological samples using CNBr Sepharose-conjugated ATC2 beads. The results showed that: (1) The target for the newly developed Mab ATC2 was PLAP. (2) The ATC2-conjugated bead system was an efficient method for isolating pure PLAP. (3) Diethylamine (DEA), in contrast to urea and glycine, was the most efficient for separation of PLAP from ATC2-conjugated beads, as the isolated molecule did not lose any phosphatase activity and there was very little uncoupling of the ATC2 Mab from the beads. (4) ATC2-conjugated CNBr beads could pick up PLAP from a solution containing standard PLAP and lysates prepared from tumour cell lines or testis tissue fragments positive for the PLAP. (5) HPLC profile of testis tumour lines and testis tumours showed two distinct peaks with ALP activity, one at retention time 7– 8 min (corresponding to 95 kDa molecule) and one at 12–13 min corresponding to 70 kDa molecule). These data demonstrated the potential use of various biochemical methods in combination with HPLC for isolation of the fully functional molecules with ALP activity from different samples including lysates prepared from patients with testis cancer. The nature of ALP activity at 95 kDa is being investigated as no such molecule has been reported previously. These techniques might have an important implication for an early detection of germ cell tumours, particularly in patients with equivocal ultrasound.
Effect of Transrectal Ultrasonography of the Prostate on Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels and Free/Total Prostate-Specific Antigen Ratio
Authors: Serel T. Ahmet , Çetin Meltem , Delibaş Namık , Çelik Ercan , Tahoğlu Mehmet 
Published: April 2003

To study the effect of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) on serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free PSA and free/total (f/t) PSA ratio and to determine the reliability of serum total and free PSA levels and f/t PSA ratio after such interventions, serum free and total PSA levels and f/t PSA ratios were determined before, immediately after and 24 h after TRUS in 44 patients who were referred to our department by their general practitioner for prostate screening. The duration of TRUS procedure and prostate volume and age were evaluated to determine whether the serum PSA levels following TRUS had changed. The total PSA and free PSA levels and f/t PSA ratio did not show any significant rise immediately after DRE and TRUS. The duration of the TRUS procedure did not appear to affect the PSA values. Age and prostate volume were not correlated with the PSA levels. Our findings revealed no significant changes in f/t PSA ratio and serum free and total PSA level, suggesting that serum free and total PSA levels and f/t PSA ratio may be more reliable parameters in the early period after TRUS.
Experimental Study Showing a Diminished Cytosolic Antioxidative Capacity in Kidneys of Aged Rats
Authors: Akçetin Ziya , Erdemli Gurur , Brömme Hans-Jürgen 
Published: April 2003

In response to the rising demand for renal transplantations, more and more marginal (e.g. older) organs are being transplanted with the result of decreasing graft survival rates. Ischemia-reperfusion injury via oxidative stress is thought to be the main pathogenetic factor for this phenomenon. The cytosolic antioxidative capacity (CAC; expressed as superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity and quantified as the amount of cytosol (=ID<sub>50</sub>), which scavenges 50% of superoxide anions generated by a defined xanthine oxidase activity in vitro) and the catalase activity were therefore quantified in renal tissues of young (10 weeks) and older (40 and 60 weeks) Wistar rats and compared to each other. CAC with an ID<sub>50</sub> of 0.064 μl in 10-week-old rats was significantly higher than in older rats (0.152 μl in 40- and 0.100 μl in 60-week-old rats; p < 0.01). The catalase activity in 10-week-old rats was 18,200 ± 3,500 U/g w/w and 18,900 ± 850 U/g w/w in 40-week-old rats. In 60-week-old rats, however, catalase activity was found to be significantly less (7,500 ± 175 U/g w/w; p < 0.01). In conclusion, the aforementioned significant decrease of the cytosolic antioxidative capacity of kidneys in older rats should be the rationale for extensive cytoprotective, antioxidative treatment trials especially after renal transplantation from aged donors.
Effect of N-(Biphenylyl-Methyl)Imidazole, a Type 1 Angiotensin II Receptor Inhibitor,on the Co ntractile Function of the Rat Corpus cavernosum
Authors: Tong Yat-Ching , Wang Chia-Jane , Chan Paul , Cheng Juei-Tang 
Published: April 2003

The effect of N-(biphenylyl-methyl)imidazole, losartan potassium, a newly developed antihypertensive type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist on the rat erectile function, was studied. Sexually active 9-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were given losartan 60 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections. Mean blood pressure (MBP) dropped significantly in both SHR and WKY rats (for SHR: from 140 ± 8 to 114 ± 5 mm Hg, p < 0.05, n = 8; for WKY: from 113 ± 7 to 79 ± 9 mm Hg, p < 0.05, n = 8). On the contrary, the intracavernous pressure (ICP) of SHR and WKY rats did not differ significantly from that of the corresponding controls receiving saline injections (p > 0.05, n = 8 for each group). For the chronic study, the rats were fed with losartan 30 mg/kg/day for 30 days. MBP decreased significantly in SHR but not in WKY rats (for SHR: from 137 ± 7 to 113 ± 5 mm Hg, p < 0.05, n = 8; for WKY: from 110 ± 6 to 107 ± 5 mm Hg, p > 0.05, n = 8). The ICP of the losartan-treated rats was not significantly different from that of control rats (p > 0.05, n = 8 for each group). In contrast, WKY rats receiving guanethidine 1 mg/kg/day for 30 days showed significantly decreased ICP. Angiotensin II (10<sup>–9</sup>–10<sup>–5</sup> <i>M</i>) and losartan (10<sup>–9</sup>– 10<sup>–5</sup> <i>M</i>) did not induce significant contractile responses of the cavernosal strip when tested in vitro. On the other hand, methoxamine 10<sup>–4</sup> <i>M</i> induced good contractile responses. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that angiotensin II did not cause significant change in the contractile status of rat corpus cavernosum. Correspondingly, the type 1 angiotensin II inhibitor effectively lowered blood pressure but did not affect cavernosal contractile function, thus is useful clinically in the treatment of hypertensive disorders without significant detrimental effects on male sexual function.
Effect of Increased Intrareservoir Pressure on Upper Urinary Tract Function in Continent Urinary Diversion PatientsAssessed by Radioisotope Renography
Authors: Okuno Toshiyuki , Coronel Omar Enrique Franco , Yanagawa Makoto , Takeda Kan , Kawamura Juichi 
Published: April 2003

To assess upper urinary tract function and determine an ideal continent reservoir capacity, we investigated the relationship between intrareservoir pressure and functional parameters using radioisotope renography. Forty-three patients for whom ileal reservoir construction was performed by Kock pouch (n = 33) or Hautmann’s ileal neobladder (n = 14) approaches between November 1984 and September 1996 were studied. After the reservoir contents were catheterized, <sup>99m</sup>Tc-MAG 3 renoscintigraphy was carried out and time activity curves in the kidney (renogram) and reservoir (reservoirgram) were recorded, while saline solution was poured into the reservoir for monitoring of intrareservoir pressure. Three basic abnormal curves were noted in the excretory phase on renograms: a normal downward curve followed by an upward curve, a continuous upward curve associated with or without a sharp decline after the catheterization of the reservoir contents, and episodes of spike waves. Based on these curves, renograms were classified into five types: normal, high pressure, retention, obstruction, and reflux. Abnormal types were noted with 51 of 65 renal units (78.5%) in the Kock pouch group and 15 of 25 renal units (60.0%) in the neobladder group. This examination method may be useful for evaluating urodynamics in the upper urinary tract of patients with a continent ileal reservoir and provide data on adequate voiding volumes for the individual patient.
Scleroderma Associated with Anemia and Thrombocytopenia that Responded Well to Cyclosporin
Authors: Kamada Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Yutaka , Katada Kazuhiro , Takahashi Yufuko , Chikayama Satoshi , Ikeda Motomi , Kondo Motoharu 
Published: April 2003

A 55-year-old woman came to our hospital because of cutaneous sclerosis of the limbs in September 1996, and was diagnosed with scleroderma based on a skin biopsy. In August 1997, the cutaneous sclerosis became progressive (hemoglobin level, 4.3 g/dl; platelet count, 7 × 10<sup>9</sup>/l). The laboratory results were positive for the direct Coombs test, bone marrow aspiration showed a dry tap, and the bone marrow biopsy showed marked fatty marrow. Indium-111 bone marrow scintigraphy showed a markedly decreasing uptake. These findings indicated bone marrow hypoplasia associated with hemolytic anemia. After prednisolone therapy (60 mg) was initiated, the direct Coombs test became negative but the blood cell count did not increase. Then, 300 mg of cyclosporin was initiated and anemia and thrombocytopenia improved. The cyclosporin dosage was gradually decreased and the patient’s hematological condition was good, although the cutaneous sclerosis changed only a little. This is a rare and interesting case of a patient with scleroderma associated with bone marrow insufficiency and hemolysis who responded well to cyclosporin.