bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depression in chronic haemodialysed patients
Authors: CHEN YONG‐SHING , WU SAN‐CHIANG , WANG SHIANG‐YAW , JAW BIH‐SHAW 
Published: May 2003

SUMMARY:  From April 2000 to April 2001, a total of 108 chronic stable haemodialysed patients (34 males aged 57.76 ± 12.68 years under haemodialysis treatment for 31.41 ± 24.71 months and 74 females aged 54.99 ± 12.87 years under haemodialysis for 41.47 ± 33.47 months) were studied for signs of clinical depression. Depression was measured by using ‘The Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ)’. After analysing various possible factors, we chose to study three dimensions: affective change, somatic complaint and cognitive disturbance. Thirty‐six (33.4%) of the patients were found to have TDQ scores above 19; our cut‐off value. Diabetic patients were also found to have higher depression scores and affective change scores than those without diabetes. The elderly suffered more from somatic complaints, and patients without jobs also tended to have higher depression scores. We compared the nutrition indexes and uraemic toxin removal indexes of those with higher depression scores (score ≥19) with those with normal scores (score <19), and we found no differences between the two groups. We found that an underlying disease and job status were the major differences found in the two groups. Therefore, our findings suggest that the depression found in our chronic haemodialysed patients was not a result of the physical conditions, but a result of psychosocial problems indicating a need for psychosocial support for these patients.
Antibiotics induce apoptosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells
Authors: FANG CHENG‐CHUNG , YEN CHUNG‐JEN , TSAI TUN‐JUN , CHEN RUEY‐HWA , LEE PO‐HUANG , TOMINO YASUHIKO 
Published: May 2003

SUMMARY:  The peritoneal mesothelial cell is a critical component of the peritoneal membrane. The intraperitoneal use of several antibiotics to treat bacterial peritonitis is current clinical practice. Our previous study showed that cephalothin (CPL) and cefotaxime (CFT) have cytotoxic effects on human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC), however, the exact mechanism of cytotoxicity has not been elucidated. In the present study, flow cytometry, TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) staining and electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of HPMCs. Immunofluorescent staining was used to evaluate the cytochrome c distribution pattern. Western blotting was used to assess apoptotic signalling proteins. We found that CPL (0.5 mg/mL) and CFT (1 mg/mL) induced apoptosis of HPMCs, whereas cefazolin (0.5 mg/mL) and ceftriaxone (0.5 mg/mL) failed to induce apoptosis of HPMCs. While the DNA content of CFT‐ or CPL‐treated cells was reduced, as determined by flow cytometry, cefazolin and ceftriaxone had no such effect. The CFT‐ or CPL‐treated cells displayed the features of apoptosis both under the electron microscope and by using TUNEL staining. However, cefazolin and ceftriaxone produced the same result as the medium controls. Furthermore, CFT and CPL increased the expression of Bax and p53, and caused the translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. The HPMC treated by CFT but not by CPL induced the cleavage of procaspase‐3 to form active caspase‐3. In conclusion, cefotaxime and cephalothin induce apoptosis of HPMCs in vitro. Signal transduction may be through the mitochondrial pathway.
Interferon‐γ induces macrophage migration inhibitory factor synthesis and secretion by tubular epithelial cells
Authors: RICE EDWINA K , NIKOLIC‐PATERSON DAVID J , HILL PRUDENCE A , METZ CHRISTINE N , BUCALA RICHARD , ATKINS ROBERT C , TESCH GREG H 
Published: May 2003

SUMMARY:  Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes macrophage accumulation and leucocyte activation during inflammation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is upregulated in intrinsic renal cells in many types of kidney diseases, and has a pathogenic role in rat crescentic nephritis. However, little is known about the factors that regulate the production and secretion of MIF in kidney cells. In this study, we evaluated whether interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), a cytokine implicated in the development of kidney disease and a potent inducer of MIF production in macrophages, could promote MIF synthesis and secretion from renal tubular epithelial cells. Northern blot analysis detected constitutive expression of MIF mRNA in rat tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E), which increased twofold after a 6‐h stimulation with IFN‐γ. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein was found only in the cytoplasm of NRK52E cells. Following IFN‐γ stimulation, intracellular MIF in NRK52E cells was rapidly secreted with a maximal reduction of 50% after 20 min, which returned to normal levels after 2–4 h. Rapid secretion of MIF in response to IFN‐γ was also seen in rat mesangial cells. These findings indicate that IFN‐γ induces rapid secretion of MIF by tubular epithelial cells, and suggest that this may be an important mechanism leading to inflammatory cell accumulation and activation during kidney disease.
Unenhanced helical computed tomography in the evaluation of acute flank pain
Authors: AHMAD NAZIM ALI , ATHER MOHAMMAD HAMMAD , REES JEFFREY 
Published: May 2003

AbstractObjectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of unenhanced helical computed tomography (UHCT) in the diagnosis of acute flank pain at our institution.Methods: Two hundred and thirty‐three consecutive UHCT examinations, performed for suspected renal/ureteral colic between July 2000 and August 2001 were reviewed, along with pertinent medical records.Results: Ureteral calculi were identified in 148 (64%) examinations, evidence of recent passage of calculi was found in 10 (4%) and no calculi were found in 75 (32%). Thirty‐two of the conservatively managed patients were excluded for inadequate follow‐up. In the remaining 201 patients, sensitivity of UHCT in diagnosing calculi was 99% and specificity was 98%, while the positive predictive value was 99% and negative positive predictive value was 98%. Overall, an alternative or additional diagnosis was established in 28 (12%) patients. Upon diagnosis of ureterolithiasis on UHCT, none of the patients required additional imaging studies for confirmation.Conclusion: UHCT is a highly sensitive imaging modality for the detection of urinary tract calculi and obstruction.
Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the male urethra
Authors: GöĞUŞ ÇAĞATAY , BALTACI SüMER , ORHAN DICLEHAN , YAMAN ÖNDER 
Published: May 2003

AbstractWe present a rare case of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the male urethra. These tumors are usually presented with hematuria, obstructive voiding symptoms or urinary retention. Histologically, they display tubulocystic, tubular, papillary or diffuse patterns with clear and hobnail cells. The present case of this rare disease emphasizes the aggressive nature of urethral clear cell adenocarcinoma in males.
Prevalence of elevated serum prostate‐specific antigen in rural Nigeria
Authors: UKOLI FLORA , OSIME USIFO , AKEREYENI FOLASADE , OKUNZUWA OSAZUWA , KITTLES RICK , ADAMS‐CAMPBELL LUCILE 
Published: May 2003

AbstractBackground: Recent hospital and cancer registry data show increasing prostate cancer incidence in Nigeria, which was previously regarded as a low incidence region. This study investigates the prevalence of prostate cancer risk in a previously unscreened cohort of rural Nigerians.Methods: Rural Nigerian men, 40 years and older, were screened by serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) and those with PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL and/or abnormal DRE were referred for prostate biopsy.Results: Of 200 consecutive men invited, 151 (75.5%) presented for screening, the mean age was 56.45 + 15.1 and 95 (61.6%) were ≥ 50 years of age. Of the 140 who consented to a blood test, PSA correlated with age (r = 0.3, P < 0.01), 14 (10.0%) had abnormal PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL, increasing from 3 (3.6%) in men < 60 years to 4 (50%) in men ≥ 80 years. The rate was 13 (15.7%) for men ≥ 50 years and there was no evidence of increased incidence of prostatitis in the community. Mean (median) PSA in ng/mL increased from 1.17 (0.60) in the youngest to 13.75 (4.45) in the oldest cohort. Of those who accepted DRE, 38 (29.0%) had an enlarged prostate, including two who had nodular prostate, one‐third with symptoms, increasing from 4 (5.4%) in those < 50 years to 6 (75.0%) in men ≥ 80 years. The proportion of men with PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL among those with enlarged vs normal prostate is 27.0 to 3.4%, P < 0.001, and the pattern was similar for men ≥ 60 years and those < 60 years of age. The 40 (32.0%) men referred for prostate biopsy defaulted mainly because they did not fully understand the need for further investigation because they were symptom free or afraid of the possible side‐effects of the procedure or diagnosis of cancer.Conclusion: The proportion of men with PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL is comparable to that of previously unscreened populations with high incidence of prostate cancer such as African‐American men. A larger study is required to confirm these findings and intensify efforts to determine the prostate cancer detection rate by biopsy in this population. A prostate cancer awareness and education campaign will be useful in this community.
Testicular metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
Authors: UCHIDA KOHSUKE , KURIMURA YUICHIRO , MIYAKE MASAFUMI , ANDO MASAKATSU , TANAKA TOSHIAKI , SASAO TAKUMI , SANO MASATO , YOSHIOKA MIGAKU , YAMAGUCHI YASUHIRO 
Published: May 2003

AbstractWe present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the testis that metastasized from lung cancer. The patient, who had received left pneumonectomy 2 years earlier for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung, developed pulmonary metastasis, which was treated with chemotherapy. Although the recurrence regressed after treatment, the testicular tumor progressed gradually. Left radical orchiectomy was performed. Pathological examination revealed metastatic SCC. Testicular metastasis from lung cancer is a very rare disease.
A study to detect Helicobacter pylori in fresh and archival specimens from patients with interstitial cystitis, using amplification methods
Authors: Agarwal M. , Dixon R.A. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVESTo detect Helicobacter pylori DNA in fresh and paraffin‐embedded bladder biopsy specimens, and thus determine any possible role in interstitial cystitis (IC).MATERIALS AND METHODSThirty‐three bladder biopsy samples were examined from patients with IC (29 paraffin‐embedded and four freshly frozen) diagnosed according to National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease criteria. The positive control was a gastric biopsy sample from a patient with a known gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori infection.RESULTSThe anticipated polymerase chain reaction product size of 109 base pairs was obtained with the positive control, whereas none of the other biopsy samples (paraffin embedded or fresh) showed positive amplification specific for H. pylori.CONCLUSIONSAs there was no H. pylori DNA in any of the samples from patients with IC, it is an unlikely candidate in the pathogenesis of IC.
Fibrin as an inducer of fibrosis in the tunica albuginea of the rat: a new animal model of Peyronie's disease
Authors: Davila H.H. , Ferrini M.G. , Rajfer J. , Gonzalez‐Cadavid N.F. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the role of fibrin in inducing fibrosis in the tunica albuginea (TA) of the rat penis, to develop a new animal model for Peyronie's disease (PD).MATERIALS AND METHODSThe TA of rats (five per group per period) were injected with either saline, fibrin, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) or TGF‐β1 plus fibrin; the rats were killed at 1, 3, and 6 weeks after injection. Images were analysed quantitatively from tissue sections stained for collagen (Masson trichrome), fibrin (Verhoeff's stain) and elastin (Hart's stain), and immunostained for TGF‐β1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), α‐smooth muscle actin (ASMA), apoptosis (TUNEL) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). Collagen fibre organization was characterized by electron microscopy. Human PD plaque tissue and normal human TA were assayed for fibrin by immunohistochemistry in nine samples.RESULTSAt 1 week after injection of fibrin into the rat TA, only oedema was present; at 3 weeks, the oedema developed into a characteristic fibrotic PD‐like plaque. The injection of TGF‐β1 into the TA also induced oedema in the TA at 1 and 3 weeks but there was very little evidence of a recognisable plaque at either time. Injection with TGF‐β1 plus fibrin resulted in oedema at 1 week but at 3 weeks there was a smaller plaque than with fibrin only. At 6 weeks the induced plaques in the fibrin‐only and fibrin + TGF‐β1 groups persisted, and were comparable with those elicited at this time by TGF‐β1 alone. The control animals showed no pathology at any of the sample times. At 3 weeks the PD plaque induced by injection with fibrin alone had not only greater expression of TGF‐β1 than the TA of the animals receiving TGF‐β1 alone, but also greater levels of other markers of fibrosis, e.g. HO1 (reactive oxygen species), ASMA (presence of myofibroblasts), apoptosis, and PAI (inhibitor of fibrinolysis). iNOS, a known antifibrotic agent, was also increased. In human PD plaque tissue, fibrin was detected by immunohistochemistry in all nine specimens.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that fibrin, when introduced into the TA of the rat penis, acts as a potential profibrotic protein, possibly via the local release of TGF‐β1, and induces a plaque not only histologically similar to that induced by TGF‐β1 but to that of the human condition. Because fibrin can extravasate from the blood into the human TA after an injury to the TA, and because fibrin persists in the plaque tissue, we hypothesise that fibrin may play a key role in the pathogenesis of human PD.
Current practice in the management of vasectomy reversal and unobstructive azoospermia in Merseyside & North Wales: a questionnaire‐based survey
Authors: Wood S. , Montazeri N. , Sajjad Y. , Troup S. , Kingsland C.R. , Lewis‐Jones D.I. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current incidence of vasectomy reversal procedures, the techniques used and which practitioners use them.PATIENTS AND METHODSUsing a questionnaire, 130 general surgeons and urologists practising in Merseyside and North Wales were surveyed.RESULTSThe response rate was 74%, with 24 urological surgeons and 14 general surgeons undertaking vasectomy reversal. Annually, urological surgeons carried out significantly more procedures than did general surgeons, at 8.5 and 5.3 (P = 0.029), respectively. They were also more likely to use double‐layer closure and microsurgical techniques, whilst significantly less likely to use stents. Urologists reported significantly greater patency rates, at 76% and 52% (P = 0.017), respectively, with no significant differences in subsequent pregnancy rates (30% vs 25%). Only one practitioner checked tubal patency in the female partner before vasectomy reversal.CONCLUSIONSThe use of vasectomy reversal is a cost‐effective treatment for men wanting paternity after vasectomy. The technique used by the clinician and proper audit of the results require close attention; it would also appear to be obvious that all the partners of men seeking a vasectomy reversal should have their fertility status established before reversal, something that is clearly not done at present.
The results of 15 years of consistent strategy in treating antenatally suspected pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction
Authors: Thorup J. , Jokela R. , Cortes D. , Nielsen O.H. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVETo determine how to select patients for surgery among those with antenatally detected pelvi‐ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study comprised 100 consecutive children with antenatally detected suspected unilateral PUJ obstruction and a normal contralateral kidney. The correct diagnosis was made using postnatal ultrasonography, intravenous urography and renal scintigraphy, the last also being used for the follow‐up.RESULTSFour patients had poor function in the hydronephrotic kidney, treated in three by nephrectomy; 61 had normal function in the hydronephrotic kidney, with 49 followed for 1–10 years with no change in kidney function and no symptoms. Twelve patients in this group had later surgery (at 0.7–8 years old) because of pyelonephritis (four), pain and/or renal functional impairment (eight, three of whom had normal function afterward). Thirty‐five patients had moderately impaired function of the hydronephrotic kidney; 29 had primary surgery at a median age of 4 months. The median hydronephrotic renal function increased from 32% before to 42% after surgery, with 15 kidneys having normal function. In one other patient the kidney was lost before surgery. Five other patients were initially treated conservatively and the hydronephrotic renal function increased from 32% to 35% at the 1‐year follow‐up, significantly less than in the surgical group. The overall operative complication rate was 4%.CONCLUSIONSWith our management programme more than half the patients can avoid surgery in childhood. Although the follow‐up was intense there was moderate and irreversible functional kidney deterioration in 5%. In contrast, after successful reconstructive surgery, only a few follow‐up procedures causing possible discomfort to the child are needed in most. The risk of surgical complications cannot be neglected. The present results are useful for advising parents deciding whether their antenatally detected hydronephrotic child should undergo surgery or not.
Comparison of the relaxant effects of alfuzosin, phentolamine and sildenafil on rabbit isolated corpus cavernosum
Authors: Palea S. , Barras M. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVETo compare the direct relaxant effects of alfuzosin, phentolamine and sildenafil in rabbit isolated corpus cavernosum (CC) pre‐contracted with phenylephrine or KCl.MATERIALS AND METHODSPenile erectile tissue was obtained from male New Zealand White rabbits (22–26 weeks old). The CC was cut into longitudinal strips and mounted under 2 g resting tension in 5‐mL jacketed organ baths containing a modified Krebs solution bubbled with 95% O2, 5% CO2 and maintained at 37 °C. Tissue strips were pre‐contracted by 60 mmol/L KCl or 10 µmol/L phenylephrine. After obtaining a stable plateau of contractions, test compounds were added to the organ bath. The relaxant potencies were expressed as the percentage of inhibition of the plateau of contraction induced by 10 µmol/L phenylephrine.RESULTSAlfuzosin showed a concentration‐dependent relaxing effect on rabbit CC pre‐contracted by 10 µmol/L phenylephrine, with a mean (sd) pIC50 of 7.64 (0.06). The relaxant effect was unaffected by pre‐incubation with 100 µmol/L Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). Phentolamine had a potency similar to alfuzosin, with a pIC50 of 7.44 (0.08). Both alfuzosin and phentolamine were completely ineffective on the plateau of contraction induced by 60 mmol/L KCl. In contrast to alfuzosin, sildenafil was equipotent in relaxing the rabbit CC against each contractile agent, with pIC50 values of 7.25 (0.09) and 7.23 (0.22) with 10 µmol/L phenylephrine and 60 mmol/L KCl, respectively. The relaxant response to sildenafil was partly blocked by pretreatment with 100 µmol/L L‐NAME, with pIC50 values of 7.94 (0.09) and 6.63 (0.32) without and with L‐NAME, respectively. Sildenafil, incubated for 45 min at 10 µmol/L, had no relaxant effect on the resting tension of the preparation or on the concentration‐response curve to phenylephrine.CONCLUSIONSThe direct relaxant effect of alfuzosin is mediated through α1‐adrenoceptor blockade. The relaxations induced by phentolamine and alfuzosin are independent of nitric oxide, whereas those induced by sildenafil are, at least partly, sensitive to L‐NAME and a selective soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, indicating the involvement of nitric oxide and soluble guanylate cyclase. Alfuzosin and phentolamine effectively counteract α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated contractions of rabbit CC. If valid for human CC, such an effect may contribute to an improved erectile function in patients treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Artificial neural networks in predicting optimum renal stone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: a preliminary study
Authors: Hamid A. , Dwivedi U.S. , Singh T.N. , Gopi Kishore M. , Mahmood M. , Singh H. , Tandon V. , Singh P.B. 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVETo assess the ability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict optimum renal stone fragmentation in patients being managed by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 82 patients with renal stones who were being treated by ESWL. Data (input and output values) from 60 patients in whom there was optimum fragmentation of stones by ESWL were used for training the ANN. These data mainly included the 24‐h urinary variables, the radiological features of the stone disease and the ESWL settings used. The predictability of the trained ANN was tested on 22 subsequent patients, by supplying the input variables of the 22 patients into the trained ANN and recording the output values (predicted values). After subjecting these patients to ESWL, the actual results (observed values) were recorded. The predicted and the observed values were then compared.RESULTSIn the 22 patients in whom predictability was tested, the trained ANN predicted optimum fragmentation at ≤ 13 000 shocks/stone (as per study protocol) in 17 and optimum fragmentation at> 13 000 shocks/stone in the other five. In the 17 patients (test set) where the trained ANN had predicted optimum fragmentation at ≤ 13 000 shocks/stone, the optimum fragmentation was at that value, although the predicted and observed values were not identical. The overall correlation between the predicted and the observed values was 75.5% (correlation coefficient 0.7547) in these 17 patients. Of the other five patients, none had optimum fragmentation at < 13 000 shocks/stone, as predicted by the trained ANN, giving complete accuracy for this factor.CONCLUSIONThis was a pilot study, i.e. an initial attempt to use an ANN in this regard, and although there were few patients, such that it is not possible to make final recommendations, the overall predictability was ≈ 75%. An encouraging outcome of the study was that the trained ANN identified patients unlikely to benefit from ESWL. Using a larger dataset and identifying more significant variables, while eliminating inputs with a negative effect, the efficiency and utility of this ANN can probably be enhanced and in future it might be possible to predict stone fragmentation with reasonable accuracy.