bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The inhibition of mercury absorption by dietary ethanol in humans: cross-sectional and case-control studies
Authors: Martin M D , Naleway C 
Published: January 2004

Background:Since the inhibition of mercury absorption by ethanol was serendipitously discovered in 1965,1a limited number of small number studies with both animal and human subjects have reported results consistent with this finding.Aims:To investigate this phenomenon in a large scale human study with low level Hg exposed dentists.Methods:Data were collected for a sample of 1171dentists, and both cross sectional and case-control methods were utilised to examine the data.Results:Abstainers (n = 345) had significantly higher urinary mercury concentrations (HgU) than drinkers (n = 826): 5.4 μg/lv4.8 μg/l. Multiple linear regression showed a significant effect of ethanol dose on HgU after adjusting for potential confounders. A case-control analysis in which cases were defined as those individuals with urinary Hg concentrations of ⩾15 μg/l (≈ top 5%), and controls as those with concentrations of <1.0 μg/l (≈ bottom 5%), showed a clear protective dose-response relation; there was a decreasing risk of being a “case” (having an HgU ⩾15 μg/l) with increasing ethanol consumption. The significance of the adjusted model is p<0.001, and the χ2test for trend across ethanol consumption categories in the adjusted model is p<0.05, confirming the dose-response relation.Conclusion:We believe that this straightforward investigation provides the first specific confirmation in a large scale human study of the inhibitory effect of ethanol on urinary mercury concentration, and by inference, on mercury absorption.
Seprase, a Membrane-Type Serine Protease, Has Different Expression Patterns in Intestinal- and Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer
Authors: Okada Kyoko , Chen Wen-Tien , Iwasa Satoshi , Jin Xin , Yamane Tetsu , Ooi Akishi , Mitsumata Masako 
Published: January 2004

<i>Objective:</i> Seprase is an integral membrane serine proteinase with gelatinase activity that may be involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, the pathophysiologic significance of its expression in gastric cancer tissue has not been fully elucidated. <i>Methods:</i> Seprase expression and distribution in gastric cancer specimens obtained from 133 patients were examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. <i>Results:</i> Immunohistochemistry showed that in intestinal-type cancer, which includes well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, seprase immunoreactivity was mainly recognized in the moderately differentiated cells and not in the well differentiated cells. In the diffuse type, which includes poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma, seprase immunoreactivity was seen mainly in cells with poor cell-to-cell junctions. The reactive pattern in the cells was different between moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and diffuse-type carcinoma. Besides the cytoplasm, the cell membrane also apparently reacted in the former, while only the cytoplasm reacted diffusely in the latter. Seprase immunoreactivity was also recognized in endothelial cells and stromal cells especially adjacent to tumor nests. The immunoreactivity of the stromal cells was more abundant in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type, and these stromal expressions of seprase in the intestinal type correlated with the liver (13/13 = 100% of cases with metastases) or lymph node metastases (33/34 = 97% of cases with metastases). Immunoblotting showed that the levels of seprase protein were higher in intestinal-type cancer than in diffuse-type cancer. <i>Conclusion:</i> These results suggested that there is a difference in seprase expression between intestinal- and diffuse-type gastric cancer; this difference may reflect distinct biological features of these types of cancer.
Non-Specialist Ultrasound Measuring of Access Flow: New Technology
Authors: Vilkomerson David , Chilipka Tom , Nazarov Andrey , Kuhlmann Martin , Levin Nathan W. 
Published: January 2004

A new ultrasound instrument has been developed, using vector Doppler and embedded machine intelligence, to enable measurement of access flow rates by non-specialists. Ultrasound measurement of access flow can be performed with the patient off the dialysis machine, avoiding the hemodynamic changes that may affect indicator-dilution methods. A research version of the instrument was tested on flow phantoms simulating graft flow, and showed accuracy better than 5%. A non-specialist measured flow in the access grafts of 7 consenting dialysis patients; the instrument showed flows commensurate with indicator-dilution-measured flows, but with less variability. Measurements were made in less than 5 min per patient. The cost per measurement is calculated to be significantly less than that of present methods of measuring flow. The new instrument may become a useful tool for monitoring flow in accesses to extend their life.
Suppression of Postoperative Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome with Clarithromycin following Lung Cancer Surgery
Authors: Hirata T. , Ogawa E. , Takenaka K. , Kawashita F. 
Published: January 2004

We examined whether clarithromycin (CAM), a 14-membered macrolide, can control the postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome that occurs following lung cancer surgery. In the control group (n = 16), prophylactic antibiotics (flomoxef) were administered for 4–7 days following surgery. In the CAM group (n = 10), 400 mg/day of CAM were administered orally for 14 days prior to surgery and for 7 days following surgery, in addition to the postoperative administration of flomoxef. The incidence and duration of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the CAM group (30%, 0.3 days) were significantly lower than those in the control group (81%, 1.6 days). There were no significant differences between the control and CAM groups in both the amount and frequency of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs following surgery. In conclusion, our study suggests that CAM may suppress the postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome in lung cancer patients.
Shuttle Walking Test and 6-Minute Walking Test Induce a Similar Cardiorespiratory Performance in Patients Recovering from an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Vagaggini B. , Taccola M. , Severino S. , Marcello M. , Antonelli S. , Brogi S. , De Simone C. , Giardina A. , Paggiaro P.L. 
Published: January 2004

<i>Background:</i> The incremental shuttle walking test (SWT) has recently been proposed as a more valid and reproducible alternative to the conventional 6-min walking test (6MWT) in the evaluation of exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). <i>Objective:</i> To compare the cardiorespiratory performance obtained during two sessions of SWT with that obtained during two sessions of 6MWT. <i>Methods:</i> We examined 18 patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 48 ± 14%) recovering from an acute exacerbation of COPD that had required hospitalization. In the same afternoon, each patient performed two SWT and two 6MWT, with an interval of at least 30 min between each test; the sequence of the tests was randomized. <i>Results:</i> Mean walking distance was greater in the second SWT test than in the first SWT. The changes from baseline in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and dyspnea Borg index at the end of the test were similar between the two 6MWT and the two SWT. There was a highly significant correlation between walking distances measured during SWT and during 6MWT (ρ: 0.85, p < 0.0005). Neither SWT nor 6MWT correlated with functional data of COPD. <i>Conclusions:</i> SWT, though being considered to be closer to a submaximal exercise test than 6MWT, does not induce a greater cardiorespiratory performance than 6MWT in patients recovering from acute exacerbation of COPD.
Distances from the Atlantal Segment of the Vertebral Artery to the Midline in Children
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Smyth Matthew D. , Wellons, III John C. , Oakes W. Jerry 
Published: January 2004

There are scant data in the literature regarding distances from the midline to the suboccipital segment of the vertebral artery, and to our knowledge, none addressing this measurement in the pediatric population. This study seeks to establish age-related distances (Y) from the laterally placed vertebral artery to the midline at the level of the posterior arch of the atlas in children. Measurements from the midline to the most medial portion of the vertebral artery at the level of the posterior arch of the atlas were made in 50 children who underwent CT imaging of the cervical spine. For all left sides, Y = 12–23 mm (mean 17 mm). For all right sides, Y = 10–25 mm (mean 17.5 mm). For girls, Y = 12–16 mm (mean 12.7 mm) for left sides and Y = 12–25 mm (mean 18.5 mm) for right sides. For boys, Y = 12–20 mm (mean 16 mm) for left sides and Y = 10–21 mm (mean 16.7 mm) for right sides. We have found that the most medial portion of the vertebral artery from the midpoint of the posterior arch of the atlas for all ages was approximately 17 and 17.5 mm for left and right sides, respectively. This distance was generally less for left sides, except in the 16–19 years age group. However, as a group, this distance did not vary more than 2.8 mm between left and right sides. These data should assist the neurosurgeon who operates in the suboccipital region in children.
Radiotherapy in cT3 Prostatic Carcinoma: Retrospective Comparison between Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Hormonotherapy
Authors: Cellini Numa , Luzi Stefano , Morganti Alessio Giuseppe , Valentini Vincenzo , Mantini Giovanna , Racioppi Marco , Smaniotto Daniela , Leone Mariavittoria , Mattiucci Gian Carlo , Digesù Cinzia , Giustacchini Mario , Destito Antonio , Alcini Eugenio 
Published: January 2004

<i>Introduction:</i> The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the clinical outcomes achieved in 2 groups of patients with cT3 prostatic carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant hormonotherapy and neoadjuvant hormonotherapy plus adjuvant hormonotherapy with external beam radiotherapy. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> One hundred patients with cT3N0M0 prostatic carcinoma underwent radiotherapy to pelvic lymph nodes (45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fraction) with a booster dose (65–70 Gy) to the prostatic cavity. Forty-four patients received neoadjuvant hormonotherapy (goserelin, starting 2 months before radiotherapy and continuing until the end of irradiation); 56 patients received neoadjuvant hormonotherapy plus adjuvant goserelin until disease progression, if present. <i>Results:</i> Patients undergoing adjuvant hormonotherapy as compared to those who received exclusive neoadjuvant therapy showed a higher reduction in PSA level below 1.0 ng/ml (p = 0.0211), a lower incidence of biochemical failures (p = 0.0170), a lower incidence of hematogenous metastases (p = 0.0320) and a trend suggestive of a better disease-free survival (p = 0.0660). At univariate analysis (logrank), Gleason score did not show a significant correlation with any of the end points analyzed. To the contrary, patients with tumor <15 mm showed a better local control (p = 0.0347) and biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0102). Furthermore, a trend between initial PSA level and incidence of hematogenous metastases was observed (p = 0.0519). Patients with a posttreatment PSA level <1.0 ng/ml had a lower incidence of metastases (p = 0.0237) and a better survival (p = 0.0178); patients with complete clinical response showed a lower incidence of biochemical failures (p = 0.0469). Radiotherapy doses >70 Gy showed a trend with biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0554). At multivariate analysis, a correlation between Gleason score and incidence of metastases (p = 0.0232), and between tumor diameter and local control (p = 0.0178) and biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0290) was recorded. <i>Conclusions:</i> In patients with cT3N0M0 prostate carcinoma, prolonged hormonotherapy was shown to be significantly correlated with biochemical failure-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. Furthermore, tumor size had a significant impact on biochemical failure-free survival as well as on local control.
Urodynamic Parameters for the Diagnosis of Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Women
Authors: Kuo Hann-Chorng 
Published: January 2004

<i>Introduction:</i> Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is often overlooked in the diagnosis of women with lower urinary tract symptoms. Although the incidence of BOO is not high in the female population with lower urinary tract symptoms, a correct diagnosis for BOO is important. This study was designed to compare the urodynamic parameters in women with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and asymptomatic volunteers. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Videourodynamic study was performed in 76 patients who were clinically diagnosed as BOO, 265 with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In addition, 30 asymptomatic female volunteers were recruited and served as controls. Voiding pressure (P<sub>det.Qmax</sub>), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and urodynamic parameters were compared among the BOO, SUI and control groups and the criteria values for BOO in women were estimated. <i>Results:</i> BOO was identified in 30 women with bladder outlet stricture, 40 women with dysfunctional voiding, and 6 women with high-grade cystocele. The mean P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> was significantly higher and the mean Qmax was significantly lower in the obstructed groups. When a P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> ≧35 cm H<sub>2</sub>O was set as the criteria for BOO, the sensitivity was 96.1% and specificity was 89.0%, whereas a P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> of ≧30 cm H<sub>2</sub>O had a sensitivity of 100% but the specificity was only 65.5%. If the criteria of BOO was set as P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> ≧35 cm H<sub>2</sub>O combined with Qmax ≤15 ml/s, the sensitivity for BOO was 81.6% and specificity was 93.9%. <i>Conclusions:</i> Our results demonstrate a P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> of ≧30 cm H<sub>2</sub>O is a good index value for screening of female BOO. When a P<sub>det.Qmax</sub> of ≧35 cm H<sub>2</sub>O combined with a Qmax ≤15 ml/s was found, a high suspicion of BOO should be raised, for which a specificity of 93.9% and sensitivity of 81.6% for BOO was obtained.
Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy: Experience of 23 Cases
Authors: Yoshimura Koji , Ichioka Kentaro , Terada Naoki , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Terai Akito , Arai Yoichi 
Published: January 2004

<i>Introduction:</i> Retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has recently been performed in several institutions for renal cancer. We report our experience with this type of operation and discuss the anatomy of perirenal fascial structures. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> From July 2000 to May 2002, we performed retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in 23 patients. We began this operation with longitudinal cutting of two layers of the posterior renal fasciae, and removed specimens without any fascial structure. <i>Results:</i> Mean operative time was 203 min (range 129–314 min) with an average estimated blood loss of 113 ml (range 0–837 ml). There was 1 patient who required open conversion due to uncontrollable hemorrhage, but no complication was observed. <i>Conclusions:</i> Retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a safe and reliable method when the anatomy of the perirenal fasciae is clearly understood. Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing this procedure is warranted to its effect on the prognosis of renal cancer.
High Intensity Transient Signals in Patients with Carotid Stenosis May Persist after Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Kimura Kazumi , Stork Jacinda L. , Levi Christopher R. , Abbott Anne L. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Chambers Brian R. 
Published: January 2004

<i>Background: </i>This study was undertaken to elucidate the natural history of high intensity transient signals (HITS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to determine whether this differs between patients with and without HITS detected preoperatively. <i>Methods: </i>A 30-min transcranial Doppler (TCD) recording was performed to detect HITS in 141 patients at 0–1 h, 2–3 h, 4–6 h and 24–36 h following CEA. 104 of these patients also had 30-min TCD monitoring within 48 h prior to CEA. <i>Results: </i>In the preoperative HITS-negative group, the proportion with postoperative HITS fell from 53% at 0–1 h to 17% at 24–36 h. In the preoperative HITS-positive group, the proportion with postoperative HITS remained steady (43% at 0–1 h, 52% at 24–36 h). During the 24–36 h postoperative epoch, 11 of 21 (52%) of the preoperative HITS-positive group had at least one HITS compared to 11 of 66 (17%) of the preoperative HITS-negative group (p = 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, preoperative HITS was the only factor associated with persistent postoperative HITS. <i>Conclusion:</i> The proportion of cases with postoperative HITS diminished in the 24–36 h after CEA except for preoperative HITS-positive patients. About half of our patients undergoing CEA with preoperative HITS might have another embolic source.
Does Ursodeoxycholic Acid Change the Proliferation of the Colorectal Mucosa?
Authors: Ochsenkühn Thomas , Marsteller Igor , Hay Ulrich , Diebold Joachim , Paumgartner Gustav , Göke Burkhard , Sackmann Michael 
Published: January 2004

Background: In animal models ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) showed a chemoprotective effect against colon cancer. To explain this, a reduced proliferation of the colorectal mucosal proliferation was suggested. We, therefore, examined the influence of UDCA on the proliferation of normal colorectal mucosa in humans. Methods: Following endoscopic polypectomy, 20 patients with colorectal adenomas were randomized to receive either UDCA (750 mg/day, n = 10, group A) or placebo (n = 10, group B) for 6 months in a double-blinded way. Colorectal biopsies were sampled before and at the end of the medication by total colonoscopy. Colorectal mucosal proliferation was measured by FACScan analysis of propidium iodine labeling. Serum was sampled, and serum bile acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Results: The proliferation rates at the end of the study were similar in both groups (median 15.4%; range 12.0–20.9 in group A; median 16.0%, 14.0–20.2 in group B, p = 0.41). Serum lithocholic acid levels at the end of the study were significantly higher in group A (1.3 µmol/l, 0.9–1.8) than in group B (0.7 µmol/l, 0–1.7, p < 0.02), whereas serum deoxycholic acid levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions: In this study, UDCA treatment for 6 months does not seem to induce changes in the proliferative behavior of the colorectal mucosa in patients with adenomas. It seems likely that a putative chemopreventive effect of UDCA in humans is not exerted by a reduction of the colorectal proliferation.
Can Optimal Primary Cytoreduction Be Predicted in Advanced Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer? Role of Preoperative Serum CA-125 Level
Authors: Obeidat Basil , Latimer John , Crawford Robin 
Published: January 2004

The aim of this study was to determine the ability of preoperative serum CA-125 levels to predict optimal cytoreduction in patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer. A retrospective review was made of the records of 40 patients with FIGO stage III ovarian carcinoma who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the most useful CA-125 level in predicting optimal versus suboptimal tumour cytoreduction. Twenty-two (55%) patients were optimally cytoreduced (residual disease ≤1 cm). A preoperative serum CA-125 level of 500 U/ml was found to be the value with the most predictive power. Optimal cytoreduction was obtained in 16 of the 21 cases (76%) with a CA-125 <500 U/ml compared to only 6 of the 19 cases (32%) with a CA-125 >500 U/ml. At this threshold, preoperative serum CA-125 level was able to predict optimal versus suboptimal cytoreduction with a sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 73%, positive predictive value of 68%, and negative predictive value of 76%. In the management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma, preoperative serum CA-125 level may help to predict optimal primary cytoreduction and to identify candidates for alternative approaches other than traditional primary cytoreductive surgery, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Divergence Function, Duality, and Convex Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jun 
Published: January 2004

From a smooth, strictly convex function Φ: Rn → R, a parametric family of divergence function DΦ(α) may be introduced: [Formula: see text] for x, y, ε int dom(Φ) and for α ε R, with DΦ(±1 defined through taking the limit of α. Each member is shown to induce an α-independent Riemannian metric, as well as a pair of dual α-connections, which are generally nonflat, except for α = ±1. In the latter case, D(±1)Φ reduces to the (nonparametric) Bregman divergence, which is representable using and its convex conjugate Φ * and becomes the canonical divergence for dually flat spaces (Amari, 1982, 1985; Amari & Nagaoka, 2000). This formulation based on convex analysis naturally extends the information-geometric interpretation of divergence functions (Eguchi, 1983) to allow the distinction between two different kinds of duality: referential duality (α -α) and representational duality (Φ  Φ *). When applied to (not necessarily normalized) probability densities, the concept of conjugated representations of densities is introduced, so that ± α-connections defined on probability densities embody both referential and representational duality and are hence themselves bidual. When restricted to a finite-dimensional affine submanifold, the natural parameters of a certain representation of densities and the expectation parameters under its conjugate representation form biorthogonal coordinates. The alpha representation (indexed by β now, β ε [−1, 1]) is shown to be the only measure-invariant representation. The resulting two-parameter family of divergence functionals D(α, β), (α, β) ε [−1, 1] × [-1, 1] induces identical Fisher information but bidual alpha-connection pairs; it reduces in form to Amari's alpha-divergence family when α =±1 or when β = 1, but to the family of Jensen difference (Rao, 1987) when β = 1.
HUMANISM, RACISM AND SPECIESISM
Authors: Brennan Andrew 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe advance of biological sciences in the last two hundred years seems to have narrowed the distance between humans and animals, and scientists themselves are active in promoting the welfare of experimental animals. Does this mean that continued use of animals in science is inconsistent and morally condemnable as "speciesism"? The paper argues that philosophers' accounts of "speciesism" and the assimilation of "speciesism" to racism by Peter Singer and others are not well founded. Racism is a complex phenomenon, and there is no clear analogy to be drawn between it and the supposed prejudice of "speciesism". The humanist tradition established in the Renaissance can be a source for an ethic of care for animals, and regarding humanism simply as a bias or prejudice akin to "speciesism" (in the sense deployed by Singer) is misleading and simplistic.