bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the clinical outcome between open and hand‐assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Hsueh Thomas Y. , Huang Yi‐Hsiu , Chiu Allen W. , Shen Kun‐Hung , Lee Ying‐Huei 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo report the surgical outcome of retroperitoneoscopic hand‐assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) with bladder cuff excision for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and to compare the outcome with that of the open procedure (ONU).PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January 1998 to January 2003, 145 patients with upper urinary tract TCC were enrolled in the study; 87 had ONU and 58 retroperitoneoscopic hand‐assisted LNU. The specimens were reviewed by experienced pathologists to confirm the pathological stage. Operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, bowel recovery, analgesic use, hospital stay and time to convalescence were compared for both groups. The Mann–Whitney U‐test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis.RESULTSThe mean follow‐up for ONU and LNU was 35.1 and 16.0 months, the mean operative duration 230.2 and 259.1 min (P = 0.006), the mean blood loss 747.3 and 408.9 mL (P < 0.001), the mean duration of Foley catheterization 6.8 and 5.1 days (P < 0.001), and the hospital stay 12.6 and 9.3 days (P < 0.001). The bladder recurrence rate 2 years after surgery was 9.1% for ONU and 8.6% for LNU (P = 0.23); the local recurrence rate during the follow‐up was 3.4% and none, respectively (P = 0.35).CONCLUSIONAlthough LNU took longer than ONU the intraoperative bleeding and hospital stay were better than for ONU. Both procedures have statistically comparable bladder recurrence and local recurrence rates.
Feasibility of radical perineal prostatectomy under spinal anaesthesia
Authors: Fichtner Jan , Mengesha Dagnew , Hutschenreiter Gert , Scherer Ralf 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the possibility of a perineal radical prostatectomy (PRP) under spinal anaesthesia, as although it is usually done under general anaesthesia, there is currently a need to minimize costs and morbidity.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween January and December 2003, there were 337 PRPs at our institution, of which 47 were on patients under combined spinal/epidural (CSE) anaesthesia administered via a standard L3/4 or L4/5 approach. We analysed the feasibility of PRP under CSE and evaluated perioperative morbidity, including blood loss and hospital stay.RESULTSAll 47 procedures were done under CSE with no need for conversion to general anaesthesia. The mean (range) duration of PRP was 56 (43–112) min, the mean blood loss 270 mL, and the transurethral catheter was removed at 7 days in 40 and at 14 days in the remaining seven patients. There were no complications during surgery, e.g. rectal or ureteric lesions. The mean hospital stay was 8.2 days.CONCLUSIONPRP is safe under CSE anaesthesia; this may be helpful in minimizing morbidity and medical costs, as well as providing an alternative in patients in whom general anaesthesia is not recommended.
Intravenous urography‐virtual cystoscopy is a better preliminary examination than air virtual cystoscopy
Authors: Kawai Noriyasu , Mimura Takeo , Nagata Daisuke , Tozawa Keiichi , Kohri Kenjiro 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo describe a new technique of virtual cystoscopy (VC, used previously but with catheterization to drain residual urine and insufflation with air or carbon dioxide) with no invasive catheterization, used in parallel with intravenous urography (IVU), as conventional cystoscopy is an invasive but essential examination, and VC with multislice computed tomography (CT) was introduced to make preliminary examinations noninvasive.PATIENTS AND METHODSUsing multislice CT and a device with 16 rows of detectors, we examined five patients using VC that previously involved catheterization, termed ‘air VC’ and 16 using VC with the new technique, termed ‘IVU VC’. We assessed the new technique by evaluating the tumour detection rate, and merits and demerits of both types of VC.RESULTSThe detection rate of bladder tumours by IVU VC was similar to that from air VC; moreover, IVU VC overcame two significant disadvantages of air VC, i.e. the appearance of the water surface and the need for catheterization.CONCLUSIONConventional cystoscopy is still an essential examination but this new method of IVU VC may be ideal for preliminary examination of the bladder.
Development and validation of a quality‐of‐life scale for Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Shi Jingcheng , Sun Zhenqiu , Cai Taisheng , Yang Louyan 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo develop and validate a quality of life (QoL) scale for Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).PATIENTS AND METHODSAccording to the QoL definition of the World Health Organisation, we adhered to the rigorous guidelines of instrument development to form a pool of items, selected items and validated the scale, using data from 256 patients with BPH.RESULTSA 74‐item QoL scale for BPH (prior test version; BPH‐QLS), including five domains (disease, physical, social, psychological, satisfaction) was developed and had good reliability and validity. The test‐retest correlation coefficient and Cronbach's α coefficient of the BPH‐QLS were 0.892 and 0.966. Thirteen common factors were extracted according to the conceptual model. The correlations of the BPH‐QLS with the Short Form‐36, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and IPSS QoL score, and a published BPH‐specific QoL scale were 0.784, 0.493, 0.462 and 0.762, respectively. The BPH‐QLS could be used to discriminate among patients with a different QoL.CONCLUSIONThe new scale is reliable, valid and sensitive, and we recommend using the BPH‐QLS in Chinese and Chinese‐born patients worldwide to assist in clinical practice.
An epidemiological study of renal pathology in tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: O'Callaghan Finbar J. , Noakes Michael J. , Martyn Christopher N. , Osborne John P. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVESTo report the frequency of renal symptoms and complications of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys in a population‐based sample, and to investigate the relationship between a history of renal haemorrhage and renal lesions identified by ultrasonography.PATIENTS AND METHODSAs part of an epidemiological study, 179 patients with TSC were identified as living in the Wessex Region in the South of England. Patients were interviewed and examined in their homes, to elicit the presence of renal symptoms or a history of renal complications. Renal ultrasonography was used in consenting patients in their homes.RESULTSThere was a history of renal complications in 16 (9%) patients; 149 consented to interview and examination, and 19 gave a history of renal symptoms in the previous year; 124 had renal ultrasonography; 86 (69%) had renal angiomyolipomas and 37 (30%) had renal cysts. Large lesions (>3 cm in diameter) were strongly associated with a history of symptomatic bleeding, although significant haemorrhage occurred in a 6‐year‐old child with small angiomyolipomas.CONCLUSIONSThe formation of angiomyolipoma in TSC is common. Polycystic kidney disease, renal carcinoma and renal failure, although rare, occur in TSC. Most patients with angiomyolipomas have neither complications nor symptoms. There was no appreciable difference between the sexes in the risk of developing these lesions. Although less commonly seen in the very young, there is no identifiable relationship after adolescence between age and the risk of having a renal angiomyolipoma. Bleeding tends to occur from large lesions (>3 cm) but most such patients have remained asymptomatic to date.
In vitro assessment of decellularized porcine dermis as a matrix for urinary tract reconstruction
Authors: Kimuli Michael , Eardley Ian , Southgate Jennifer 
Published: October 2004

The contribution by the units in York and Leeds to tissue‐engineering research is considerable, and they describe here their work to assess a natural matrix for use in the urinary tract, and to develop an in vitro regimen for assessing the biocompatibility of potential biomaterials. They describe how they have developed a simple, reproducible and rigorous regimen which will help to identify the causes of potential bio‐incompatibility.Buccal mucosa has become the tissue of choice for urethroplasty. Authors from Edinburgh report on the oral complications after its harvesting; they found that most patients were satisfied with its use, but that it had long‐term complications, about which patients should be informed.OBJECTIVESTo assess the potential of PermacolTM (Tissue Science Laboratories, Swillington, UK), a natural matrix derived from decellularized porcine dermis, as a matrix for urological tissue engineering, and thus to develop an in vitro regimen for assessing the biocompatibility of potential biomaterials before experimentation in animal models.MATERIALS AND METHODSUrinary tract‐derived normal human urothelial (NHU) and smooth muscle (SM) cells were grown in monoculture as autologous cell lines. Permacol was assessed for its ability to support colonization by NHU and SM cells. The failure of the Permacol matrix to be infiltrated by SM cells was further investigated using the highly invasive EJ bladder cancer cell line.RESULTSNHU cells readily attached and grew as a monolayer on the surface of Permacol. Cells stratified when the culture medium was supplemented with 2 mmol/L calcium. EJ cells initially grew on the surface and subsequently invaded the matrix, while SM cells only colonized the surface of Permacol when cocultured with NHU cells. Cytoxicity, evaluated by contact inhibition and conditioned‐medium assays, excluded the presence of soluble toxins in the biomaterial.CONCLUSIONSWe developed a simple, reproducible and rigorous regimen for assessing potential biomaterials in vitro. Applying this system might reduce the use of animals and help to identify causes of potential bio‐incompatibility. The inability of SM cells to penetrate the Permacol matrix suggests that required matrix‐bound signalling factors are absent, possibly as a result of the procedures used for processing Permacol. Identifying the key regulatory factors that regulate SM cell growth and orchestrate regenerative processes in the urinary tract will be important for developing suitable biomaterials for the bladder.
Oral complications after buccal mucosal graft harvest for urethroplasty
Authors: Dublin Norman , Stewart Laurence H. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo report long‐term oral complications after buccal mucosal graft (BMG) harvesting for urethroplasty.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a retrospective study of all patients who had BMG harvesting for urethroplasty from April 1996 to September 2002, telephone interviews were conducted using a standard proforma.RESULTSThirty‐five patients were identified but only 30 (mean age 48.3 years, range 24–86) could be contacted; they had had 31 operations. Soon after surgery (the first 48 h), 22 (73%) of the patients had little or no oral pain; 70% and 90% of the patients were able to eat and drink, respectively; 59% complained of numbness and 75% complained of tightness of the mouth. At discharge 6 days after surgery 90% of patients had little or no oral pain and all were able to eat and drink, but 10% had moderate‐to‐severe oral pain, 39% had oral numbness, and 52% had tightness of the mouth. At the time of interview, 16% of patients had oral numbness (mean duration 13.6 months) and 32% had tightness of the mouth (mean duration 20.9 months). In answer to the question of whether they would have their cheek mucosa harvested again if required, 74% responded ‘yes’, 3%‘no’, and 23% had mixed feelings.CONCLUSIONSBMG harvesting is a good operation, as most patients were satisfied, but it is not without long‐term complications and patients should be adequately informed.
Plaque incision and grafting as a salvage after a failed Nesbit procedure for Peyronie's disease
Authors: Muneer Asif , Kalsi Jas , Christopher Nim , Minhas Suks , Ralph David J. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo analyse the outcome of plaque incision and grafting in patients who have a residual penile deformity after a Nesbit procedure for Peyronie's disease, as a further Nesbit procedure may present difficulties in dissection at the previous operative site, and may result in further penile shortening.PATIENTS AND METHODSOver a 5‐year period, 15 patients (mean age 58 years, range 34–66) presented with a residual penile deformity after a Nesbit procedure. All the patients had painless and stable Peyronie's disease. All patients had the Peyronie's plaque incised and grafted with either saphenous vein (12) or modified human fascia lata (three). The outcome was assessed using criteria which recorded the degree of penile shortening, quality of erections and penile angulation.RESULTSBefore surgery the mean (range) angle of deformity was 56 (40–90)°; at a mean follow‐up of 10 (3–16) months 11 patients had a straight penis, three a residual angle of 10–30° and one had no change in angle. Two patients reported penile shortening and one a new onset of erectile dysfunction. Overall, 14 patients reported either an excellent or satisfactory result.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that plaque incision and grafting is an effective salvage operation to correct a residual penile deformity after a failed Nesbit procedure in patients with Peyronie's disease.
Are published normal ranges of serum testosterone too high? Results of a cross‐sectional survey of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone in healthy men
Authors: Boyce Malcolm J. , Baisley Kathy J. , Clark Elizabeth V. , Warrington Steven J. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo derive normal ranges of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in healthy men, and thus evaluate whether testosterone replacement therapy is prescribed inappropriately.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe study comprised 266 healthy male volunteers (aged 18–75 years) who were defined as healthy by strict eligibility criteria. Subjects had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.6–32.2 kg/m2, smoked 0–10 cigarettes/day, and had an alcohol intake 0–40 units/week (one unit = 8 g ethanol). We measured serum testosterone and LH concentrations in the morning (08.00–09.00 hours) and evening (20.00–21.00 hours).RESULTSMorning normal ranges of testosterone for men aged ≤ 40 years were 10.07–38.76 nmol/L (2.90–11.18 µg/L), and for men age ≥ 40 years, 7.41–24.13 (2.14–6.96); the respective evening normal ranges were 6.69–31.51 (1.93–9.09) and 6.46–21.93  (1.86–6.33). Both morning and evening serum testosterone declined significantly with increasing age and BMI. LH was significantly higher in the morning than in the evening, but did not vary between the age groups or with BMI. The calculated normal ranges of LH were 0.9–7.0 IU/L (morning) and 0.7–6.8 IU/L (evening).CONCLUSIONSThe lower limit of normal for serum testosterone was 3–4 nmol/L (0.86–1.15 µg/L) lower than that of published ranges. The results have important implications for the diagnosis of hypogonadism and use of testosterone replacement therapy.
Interpretation of the renogram: problems and pitfalls in hydronephrosis in children
Authors: Eskild‐Jensen Anni , Gordon Isky , Piepsz Amy , Frøkiær Jørgen 
Published: October 2004

The role of diuretic renography has become central in cases of upper tract dilatation, and in the first paper in this section the difficulties in interpreting results in asymptomatic congenital hydronephrosis are examined. These difficulties and controversies exist despite the presence of guidelines and consensus protocols, probably because renography procedures differ among centres. The authors found that there is a need for renography to be standardized for the optimum value to be obtained from the procedure.There are three papers from Los Angeles which attempt to standardize the measurement of bladder compliance, from both the theoretical and clinical perspective, and which assess the detrusor pressure rise of a normal bladder when filled to capacity.OBJECTIVETo discuss the main steps of renographic technique and underline some pitfalls related to the acquisition, processing and interpretation of diuretic renography, an important method for guiding the management of asymptomatic congenital hydronephrosis.METHODSDespite guidelines and consensus protocols, renographic procedures differ among centres, causing difficulties in comparison and controversy in the interpretation of results. Thus we comprehensively assessed published papers on the subject of diuretic renography.RESULTSDifferential renal function (DRF) is a robust measure provided there is adequate background subtraction. Pitfalls are related to the drawing of regions of interest, particularly in infants, to estimating the interval during which DRF is calculated, and to an adequate signal‐to‐noise ratio. There is no definition of a ‘significant’ reduction in DRF. The classical variables of the diuretic renogram may not allow an estimate of the best drainage. Poor pelvic emptying may be apparent because the bladder is full and because the effect of gravity on drainage is incomplete. Estimating the drainage as residual activity rather than any parameter on the slope might be more adequate, especially if the time of frusemide administration is changed. Renal function and pelvic volume can influence the quality of drainage. Drainage may be better estimated using new tools.CONCLUSIONProvided the investigation is standardized and potential pitfalls accounted for, the diuretic renogram provides valuable and reproducible quantitative information on DRF and drainage.
Quantitative morphometric analysis of individual resected prostatic tissue specimens, using immunohistochemical staining and colour‐image analysis
Authors: Phipps Simon , Habib Fouad K. , McNeill Alan 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for obtaining morphometric measurements representative of individual chips from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 232 sections were cut in pairs from 25 TURP chips, collected from four patients undergoing TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Individual tissue chips were processed, embedded in paraffin wax and pairs of neighbouring sections cut from the specimens at intervals of 300 µm throughout the thickness of the specimen. Of each pair, the epithelial tissue (ET) of one and the smooth muscle (SM) of the other section were stained immunohistochemically with anti‐prostate‐specific antigen and anti‐SM myosin, respectively. Proportions of ET and SM within the sections were measured with colour‐image analysis and calculated within the TURP chips using all pairs of sections cut from the specimen, and the first pair of sections only. The differences between the sets of results were analysed using descriptive statistics.RESULTSFrom each TURP chip, 3–7 pairs of sections were cut; for both ET and SM within each chip the differences between the results calculated using data from all pairs of sections and the first pair alone were small, as were the distributions of these differences within each prostate.CONCLUSIONSMorphometric measurements from one section from a processed TURP chip, as opposed to serial sections, can be used to reliably assess the morphology of tissue within that specimen. This permits a considerable saving of resources when undertaking morphometric image analysis of resected prostatic tissue specimens.
Progressive sequence of reactions of the Ryoke metamorphism in the Yanai district, southwest Japan: the formation of cordierite
Authors: IKEDA T. 
Published: October 2004

The compositions of biotite and muscovite were examined in terms of the paragenesis and the metamorphic grade in low‐ to medium‐grade pelitic rocks of the Ryoke metamorphism in the Yanai district, southwest Japan. The biotite and muscovite that coexist with K‐feldspar have a higher K component in an A′KF diagram than those in rocks lacking K‐feldspar. This fact reflects an increase in the K2O content in muscovite, but in biotite it reflects an increase of not only the K2O content but also of the octahedral vacancy.At higher metamorphic grade beyond the cordierite isograd, where cordierite coexists with neither chlorite nor K‐feldspar, the biotite shows an increase in illite, K Aliv □xii−1 Si−1, and Tschermak components, Alvi Aliv R+−1 Si−1, where □xii and R+ denote the interlayer vacancy and (Fe+Mg+Mn), respectively. A reaction to define the cordierite isograd is proposed by treating this chemical change as being responsible for the first appearance of cordierite, i.e. K,Al‐poor biotite+phengitic muscovite=K,Al‐rich biotite+cordierite+quartz+water .By treating this as a key reaction in medium‐grade metamorphism, a set of reaction in a progressive metamorphism is established for the Ryoke metamorphism, a typical low‐pressure type metamorphism. Some textures in one of the high‐grade areas, the K‐feldspar‐cordierite zone, suggest that a further two prograde reactions have taken place, i.e. andalusite+biotite+quartz=cordierite+K‐feldspar+waterand  andalusite=sillimanite.quartz=cordierite+K‐feldspar+waterThis implies that this zone probably has a P–T  path involving isobaric heating.
NONPOLYNOMIAL REALIZATIONS OF ${\mathcal W}$ ALGEBRAS
Authors: BARBARIN F. , RAGOUCY E. , SORBA P. 
Published: October 2004

Relaxing first-class constraint conditions in the usual Drinfeld—Sokolov Hamiltonian reduction leads, after symmetry fixing, to realizations of [Formula: see text] algebras expressed in terms of all the J current components. General results are given for [Formula: see text] a nonexceptional simple (finite and affine) algebra. Such calculations directly provide the commutant, in the (closure of) [Formula: see text] enveloping algebra, of the nilpotent subalgebra [Formula: see text], where the subscript refers to the chosen gradation in [Formula: see text]. In the affine case, explicit expressions are presented for the Virasoro, [Formula: see text], and Bershadsky algebras at the quantum level.
ON MATRIX KP AND SUPER-KP HIERARCHIES IN THE HOMOGENEOUS GRADING
Authors: TOPPAN F. 
Published: October 2004

Constrained KP and super-KP hierarchies of integrable equations (generalized NLS hierarchies) are systematically produced through a Lie-algebraic AKS matrix framework associated with the homogeneous grading. The role played by different regular elements in defining the corresponding hierarchies is analyzed, as well as the symmetry properties under the Weyl group transformations. The coset structure of higher order Hamiltonian densities is proven. For a generic Lie algebra the hierarchies considered here are integrable and essentially dependent on continuous free parameters. The bosonic hierarchies studied in Refs. 1 and 2 are obtained as special limit restrictions on Hermitian symmetric spaces. In the supersymmetric case the homogeneous grading is introduced consistently by using alternating sums of bosons and fermions in the spectral parameter power series. The bosonic hierarchies obtained from [Formula: see text] and the supersymmetric ones derived from the N=1 affinization of sl (2), sl (3) and osp (1|2) are explicitly constructed. An unexpected result is found: only a restricted subclass of the sl (3) bosonic hierarchies can be supersymmetrically extended while preserving integrability.
BICOVARIANT CALCULUS ON TWISTED ISO(N), QUANTUM POINCARÉ GROUP AND QUANTUM MINKOWSKI SPACE
Authors: ASCHIERI PAOLO , CASTELLANI LEONARDO 
Published: October 2004

A bicovariant calculus on the twisted inhomogeneous multiparametric q groups of the Bn, Cn, Dn types, and on the corresponding quantum planes, is found by means of a projection from the bicovariant calculus on Bn+1, Cn+1, Dn+1. In particular we obtain the bicovariant calculus on a dilatation-free q Poincaré group ISO q(3, 1), and on the corresponding quantum Minkowski space. The classical limit of the Bn, Cn, Dn bicovariant calculus is discussed in detail.