bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serous cutaneous glands in the paludiculine frog Physalaemus biligonigerus (Anura, Leptodactylidae): patterns of cytodifferentiation and secretory activity in premetamorphic specimens
Authors: Delfino G. , Nosi D. , Brizzi R. , Alvarez B. B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe development of serous cutaneous glands is described in tadpoles of the leptodactylid frog Physalaemus biligonigerus, with attention to the cytodifferentiation processes of the secretory unit (adenomere). Secretory differentiation causes the adenomere to assume the structure of a syncytium and triggers biosynthesis of the serous product (poison), consisting of granules with peculiar repeating substructure. The secretory granules resemble glomerular‐like aggregates of randomly orientated tubular subunits. This complex substructure derives from the rearrangement of the dense, compact material released by the Golgi apparatus in the form of small, membrane‐bounded particles. Both early and advanced features of P. biligonigerus poison closely resemble those found during serous gland development in the Italian treefrog Hyla intermedia. The similar aspects described during serous biosynthesis in these leptodactylid and hylid frogs suggest they are phylogenetically informative. On the other hand, the peculiar features of their poisons may reflect the differential patternings of their secretory repertories along the divergent phylogenetic paths, which led these frogs to be currently included in different families.
Morphology and evolution of respiratory structures in the pleopod exopodites of terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)
Authors: Schmidt Christian , Wägele Johann Wolfgang 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe morphology of the respiratory structures located in the pleopod exopodites of terrestrial Isopoda is described for representative species of different genera. Special emphasis is set on the evolution of these lungs in the context of phylogenetic relationships as revealed by other morphological characters. In the most primitive species of the Oniscidea, and still of subordinate taxa of the Crinocheta, respiration takes place in the thin ventral integument of the exopodites. The evolution of dorsal respiratory fields with a weakly wrinkled surface occurred at least six times within the Crinocheta. In five of these cases, a further development can be observed. The evolution of a partly covered respiratory field with strongly wrinkled surface may have taken place six times. It is assumed that completely internalized lungs with spiracles surrounded by a water‐repellent surface microsculpture, evolved at least six times independently within the Oniscidea: in the Tylidae, Actaecia, Aphiloscia, the Eubelidae, the Armadillidae and in a taxon probably comprising Porcellionidae plus Armadillidiidae.
Mapping cladograms into morphospaces
Authors: Stone J. R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn cladistic analyses, taxa are grouped hierarchically into clades according to shared apomorphic character states to construct cladograms; cladograms are interpretable as phylogenetic hypotheses. In morphological space analyses, organism forms are represented as points in morphospaces; point proximities in morphospaces represent similarities that might be attributable to phenetic convergence and, consequently, may correspond inaccurately with hypothesized evolutionary relationships. A method for synthesizing phylogenetic results that are interpreted from cladistic analyses with phenetic results that are obtained from morphological space analyses is presented here; in particular, points that represent forms typifying taxa in morphospace are assigned as terminal nodes for appropriate cladograms that are mapped into morphospaces by positioning nonterminal nodes and orienting internodes according to a geometric algorithm. Nonterminal nodes may be interpreted as ancestors in phylogenetic hypotheses and occupy positions that represent particular organism forms in morphospaces. By mapping cladograms into morphospaces, therefore, evolutionary morphologists can reconstruct ancestral morphologies and test historical transformation hypotheses.
The penile disassembly technique in the surgical treatment of Peyronie's disease
Authors: Perovic S.V. , Djordjevic M.L.J. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To present an approach for treating Peyronie's disease, using the penile disassembly technique for reconstructive surgery. Patients and methods From November 1996 to September 2000, 74 patients with Peyronie's disease were treated surgically. The penile disassembly technique was used in 46 of the patients (mean age 51 years, range 21–63). The indications were severe penile deviation under the glans cap, plaque in the distal third of the corpora cavernosa with the ‘hour‐glass’ phenomenon, and more than one plaque at different sites. The corporal bodies are separated from the glans, neurovascular bundle and urethra. The technique enables the complete preservation of all structures of the neurovascular bundle, especially if it is incorporated into the plaque. The method provides an excellent approach to the repair of all deformities on the completely free corpora cavernosa and that are affected by the plaque. In the plaque region, incisional grafts are placed using full‐thickness penile skin or saphenous vein. The technique also enables reduction corporoplasty, i.e. amputation of the tips of the corpora cavernosa that include plaque, in those with sufficient penile length. Penile re‐assembly involves joining the glans, neurovascular bundle, urethra and repaired corpora cavernosa into their normal anatomical relationships. Results The mean (range) follow‐up was 27 (6–53) months. The penis was completely straightened in 40 patients (87%) but the deviation recurred in six. In four patients the deformity was < 10° and in two was < 20°. Penile shortening occurred in 9% of the patients. There was no evidence of inflammation or infection after surgery. There were no injuries of either the neurovascular bundle or urethra. Conclusion The penile disassembly technique could be a good alternative to other surgical techniques in treating selected patients with Peyronie's disease; it allows an excellent approach to penile deformities which can then be easily and safely corrected.
The role of volume‐weighted mean nuclear volume in predicting tumour biology and clinical behaviour in patients with prostate cancer undergoing watchful waiting
Authors: Arai Y. , Egawa S. , Kuwao S. , Ogura K. , Baba S. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To investigate whether the volume‐weighted mean nuclear volume (MNV, the only means by which unbiased estimates of three‐dimensional variables can be obtained from a two‐dimensional section by stereological methods) at diagnosis correlates with tumour biology and clinical behaviour in patients with prostate cancer treated by watchful waiting. Patients and methods In a prognostic study, 64 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were followed prospectively with initial expectant management. The median (mean, range) follow‐up was 22 (27, 6.0–68) months. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) was calculated by linear regression. The MNV was estimated using biopsy specimens, based on a stereological method, and compared with PSADT and traditional clinicopathological variables. Results PSADT was significantly associated with MNV, but not with other clinicopathological variables. The PSA ‘rapid‐riser’ subset (PSADT<median value) had significantly larger MNVs than did the PSA ‘slow‐riser’ (PSADTmedian value) and PSA‐stable subsets (P = 0.0017 and 0.004, respectively). On multivariate analysis using a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression, only MNV remained independently significant as a predictor of clinical progression among the clinicopathological variables (P < 0.001). Conclusions These findings suggest that cancer cell nuclear volume is significantly associated with tumour biology and behaviour in patients with prostate cancer. Although further study with a larger patient population is needed to confirm the findings, estimates of MNV may be an important prognostic indicator in men treated with watchful waiting.
Prediction of tumour volume and pathological stage in radical prostatectomy specimens is not improved by taking more prostate needle‐biopsy cores
Authors: Grossklaus D.J. , Coffey C.S. , Shappell S.B. , Jack G.S. , Cookson M.S. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To determine what, if any, additional prognostic information is available from the prostate needle biopsy by comparing the number of biopsy cores obtained with the pathology assessed from the radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) specimen. Patients and methods The results from 135 consecutive patients who underwent RRP at a single institution were reviewed. Needle biopsy information (number of cores, percentage of positive cores, laterality of the positive cores, and Gleason sum) were compared with the pathological data of the RRP specimen, including stage, Gleason sum and tumour volume. Patients were further stratified into those with six or fewer cores (96 men) or more than six cores (39 men). Clinical data, including biopsy information and pathological findings, were compared using univariate and multivariate models. Results Overall, univariate analysis showed that the total prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, number of positive cores, bilateral positive cores and percentage of positive cores were directly correlated with tumour volume (P = 0.01). Also, PSA and percentage of positive cores were directly correlated with extracapsular extension (P = 0.008 and P = 0.01, respectively). In the multivariate model, the most important independent predictors of RRP tumour volume and pathological stage were the preoperative PSA level and percentage of cancer in the biopsy (P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between the number of cores obtained and the predicted pathology of the RRP specimen. There were no differences in the number of positive cores, bilateral positive cores or percentage tumour in the cores between men with more or less than six biopsies. In men with more than six core biopsies, there was no significant increase in prognostic information for tumour volume and extracapsular extension, or a correlation between the Gleason sum on biopsy and the RRP specimen. Taking more than six biopsies did not result in a significantly greater detection of potentially indolent tumours (defined as a tumour volume of < 0.5 mL). Conclusions While taking more prostate needle biopsy cores seems to improve the detection of prostate cancer, there appears to be no major improvement in prognostic information over that gained from traditional sextant biopsies. Furthermore, the results suggest that the percentage of positive cores is the best predictor of both pathological stage and tumour volume, from among the information readily available from prostate needle biopsy. Given the variability in the number of cores obtained for diagnosis in clinical practice, these results add credence to the use of the percentage of positive cores in the biopsy set, with known predictors such as PSA and Gleason score, into future models that attempt to predict tumour biology.
Combination therapy in the treatment of persistent nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Cendron M. , Klauber G. 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo evaluate, in a retrospective study, the response rate of older children to combination therapy using a sustained‐release anticholinergic agent, hyoscyamine, and a synthetic analogue of antidiuretic hormone, desmopressin acetate.Patients and methodTwenty‐eight patients (20 males and eight females, aged 9–18 years) diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis were evaluated using a questionnaire, history and physical examination. None had success with single‐agent pharmacological therapy. All were begun on 0.375 mg of hyoscyamine and 20 μg of desmopressin intranasally at bedtime. The response rate was monitored at 2 and 4 weeks, and then every 3 months by recording dry nights on a calendar. To improve efficacy, the dosage of medication was adjusted up to 0.750 mg of hyoscyamine and 60 μg of desmopressin. Upon achieving dryness and spontaneous awakening to void, medication doses were tapered.ResultsWithin 6 months 16 (57%) patients were completely dry and six (21%) were dry at least 80% of nights. Nine patients relapsed during dose tapering and therapy was reinstituted. Presently, 17 (60%) patients are off medication (after a mean of 8 months of medication). Eight patients are still on medication and are dry at least 80% of nights. Combination therapy failed in three patients and they have transferred to a different regimen. None experienced untoward side‐effects from the medications.ConclusionMost older children with nocturnal enuresis responded to combination therapy. These children require long‐term follow‐up and may need medication for up to 6 months because the relapse rate is fairly high. Combination therapy appears safe and reliable in treating nocturnal enuresis in older children who have had no success with other treatment modalities.
Does sacral posterior rhizotomy suppress autonomic hyper‐reflexia in patients with spinal cord injury?
Authors: Schurch  , Knapp  , Jeanmonod  , Rodic  , Rossier  
Published: March 2003

Objective To study the occurrence of autonomic hyper‐reflexia (AHR) after intradural sacral posterior rhizotomy combined with intradural sacral anterior root stimulation, performed to manage the neurogenic hyper‐reflexic bladder, and to determine the pathophysiological basis of the uncontrolled hypertensive crisis after sacral de‐afferentation.Patients and methods Ten patients with spinal cord injury operated using Brindley’s method between September 1990 and February 1994 were reviewed. Systematic continuous non‐invasive recordings of cardiovascular variables (using a photoplethysmograph) were made during urodynamic recordings and the pre‐ and post‐operative vesico‐urethral and cardiovascular data compared.Results Nine of the 10 patients were examined using a new prototype measurement system; one woman refused the last urodynamic assessment. Eight of the nine patients who presented with AHR before operation still had the condition afterward. There was a marked elevation in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the urodynamic examination in all eight patients, despite complete intra‐operative de‐afferentation of the bladder in five. The elevation of blood pressure started during the stimulation‐induced bladder contractions and increased during voiding in all cases. Five patients showed a decrease in heart rate during the increase in blood pressure. However, in three patients the heart rate did not change or even sometimes slightly increased as the arterial blood pressure exceeded 160 mmHg, when the blood pressure and heart rate then increased together.Conclusions These results confirm that even after complete sacral de‐afferentation, AHR persisted in patients with spinal cord injury and always occurred during the stimulation‐induced voiding phase. In cases of incomplete de‐afferentation, small uninhibited bladder contractions without voiding occurred during the filling phase. The blood pressure then increased but never reached the value recorded during stimulation‐induced micturition. Stimulation of afferents that enter the spinal cord by the thoracic and lumbar roots and that are not influenced by sacral rhizotomy could explain why AHR increases during urine flow. The distinct threshold of decreased heart rate by increasing blood pressure to >160 mmHg focuses attention on the chronotropic influences of the sympathetic nerves in the heart by an exhausted baroreceptor reflex.
Expression of Tamm‐Horsfall protein in stone‐forming rat models
Authors: Miyake  , Yoshioka  , Yoshimura  , Honda  , Yamaguchi  , Koide  , Okuyama  
Published: March 2003

Objectives To examine the expression of Tamm‐Horsfall protein (THP) and calcium oxalate deposition in three rat models to clarify whether THP plays an active role in crystal formation or whether crystals induce the secretion of this protein.Materials and methods A stone‐forming rat model (model 1) with marked tubular dilatation in an entire kidney was produced by rendering Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks) hyperoxaluric and hypercalciuric, through compulsorily feeding with 0.12 mL of 5% ethylene glycol (in two doses daily) and 0.5 μg of vitamin D3 every other day. Two other rat models were also produced. Model 2 comprised stone‐forming rats with minimal tubular dilatation, achieved by giving rats the same dose of ethylene glycol once daily, and model 3 comprised stone‐free rats with marked tubular dilatation achieved by unilateral ureteric ligation. The rats’ kidneys were resected after 4 weeks and all resected kidneys immunohistochemically stained with an antibody to THP. Simultaneously, the location of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals was established with von Kossa staining. The relation between crystals and the secretion of THP was also assessed in vitro. Cultured renal epithelial cells (NRK‐52E) were stained with an antibody to THP after they had been cultured for 72 h in a medium containing CaOx crystals.Results In model‐1 kidneys with both tubular dilatation and many crystals, there was local and intense expression of THP in many renal tubules. CaOx crystals and the intense expression of THP tended to occur in the same renal tubules. In model 2 kidneys with little tubular dilatation, only a few renal tubules expressed THP strongly and the location of the crystals rarely coincided with that of THP expression. In model 3 kidneys with marked tubular dilatation but no crystals, THP was expressed strongly in many renal tubules. The expression of THP in cultured NRK‐52E cells was not stimulated by CaOx crystals.Conclusions The results from the in vivo models suggest that THP did not initiate crystal formation and the strong expression of THP was induced not by crystals but by renal tubular damage caused by tubular dilatation. From the close association of THP and crystals in model 1 kidneys, this protein might play a secondary role as an adhesive, promoting stone formation.
‘Potency’: the validation of information from a self‐administered questionnaire using objective measurements of night‐time erections and test‐retest reliability
Authors: Helgason  , Arver  , Adolfsson  , Dickman  , Granath  , Steineck  
Published: March 2003

Objective To assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire assessing ‘physiological potency’.Patients and methods The study comprised 89 patients with prostate cancer and 43 men without; the latter were attending a consultation clinic because of problems with erection. All men answered three questions assessing erectile rigidity during sexual activity, morning and spontaneous erections. In the questionnaire, ‘potency’ was defined as erectile rigidity ‘sufficient for intercourse most of the time’ or better. ‘Potency’ in one or more of the three aspects of erection was defined as ‘physiological potency’. The patients with prostate cancer answered the questionnaire twice with a 3‐week interval. The men attending the consultation clinic underwent two nights of erectile monitoring (using the RigiScan device) and the minimum criterion for RigiScan potency was defined as 55% rigidity at both tip and base.Results The test‐retest assessment showed 93% conformity in the questionnaire diagnosis of ‘physiological potency/impotence’ between the tests. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire assessment compared with the RigiScan method were 40% and 100%, respectively, when the question assessing sexually stimulated erectile rigidity was used alone. Using ‘physiological potency’, the sensitivity increased to about 60% without jeopardizing the specificity, and when men reporting depression were excluded from the analysis, the sensitivity increased to about 80%.Conclusions The test‐retest reliability of the questionnaire was satisfactory. Using questions in a self‐administered questionnaire, ‘physiological impotence’ can be diagnosed with complete and ‘physiological potency’ with 60–80% sensitivity. The sensitivity of the self‐assessment for ‘potency’ depended on the number of questions asked and the proportion of men reporting depression.
Comparison of intraurethral liposomal and intracavernosal prostaglandin‐E1 in the management of erectile dysfunction
Authors: Engelhardt  , Plas  , Hübner  , Pflüger  
Published: March 2003

Objective To compare the intraurethral application of liposomal prostaglandin‐E1 (PGE1) with intracavernosal injection of PGE1 in patients with organic or psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).Patients and methods Penile tumescence and rigidity were classified by palpation in 25 patients (10 with psychogenic and 15 with organic ED; median age 45 years, range 23–67). All patients were undergoing primary treatment for ED, the median (range) duration of which was 23 (2–44) months. After administering PGE1 by each route (1 mg intraurethral and 0.02 or 0.01 mg intracavernosal), the degree of erection was assessed and duplex ultrasonography of the deep penile artery was performed.Results After the intraurethral application of liposomal PGE1, there was mild penile tumescence in 12 patients with organic ED, the others having no response. In contrast, intracavernosal injection produced sufficient rigidity in 13 patients with organic ED, while two only had a slight increase in tumescence. In patients with psychogenic ED, intraurethral application gave adequate rigidity in six, with four having little or no tumescence, and intracavernosal injection induced sufficient rigidity for intercourse in all. Duplex ultrasonography of the deep penile artery of the penis showed that intraurethral application induced lower flow rates than intracavernosal injection. No patient reported pain after intraurethral application but two of 25 reported severe pain after intracavernosal injection.Conclusions The intraurethral application of liposomal PGE1 did not produce sufficient rigidity and was not effective in patients with organic ED. However, it did produce sufficient rigidity in six of 10 patients with psychogenic ED and may thus provide a therapeutic alternative in selected patients.
A clinical‐care pathway for decreasing hospital stay after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Keetch  , Buback  
Published: March 2003

Objectives To evaluate the use of a clinical‐care pathway that decreased the stay in hospital after radical retropubic prostatectomy from 3 to 2 days, assessing the costs and quality of care.Patients and methods Forty‐four consecutive men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy were evaluated prospectively. The first 22 men were hospitalized under the standard 3‐day clinical‐care pathway in use at our institution. This pathway was evaluated, shortened to construct a 2‐day pathway, and a second group of 22 consecutive men hospitalized under the new pathway. Both groups were evaluated and compared 6 weeks post‐operatively.Results The mean (sd) hospital stay was 2.1 (0.3) days for men in the 2‐day and 2.9 (0.4) days for men in the 3‐day pathway (P<0.001). The mean (sd) hospital cost was $8468 (801) in the 2‐day and $8806 (630) in the 3‐day pathway (P=0.13). None of the men in the 2‐day and one of 22 men in the 3‐day pathway experienced a major complication (P=0.31). Two of 22 men in the 2‐day and one of 22 in the 3‐day pathway exceeded the expected stay by one day (P=0.55).Conclusion The hospital stay after radical retropubic prostatectomy can be safely shortened from 3 to 2 days for most men. However, the shorter hospital stay does not result in significant cost savings. The shorter stay does not appear to compromise quality of care. Proper patient education and careful pre‐ and post‐operative supervision are necessary for a successful outcome.