bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brachytherapy‐related dysuria
Authors: Merrick Gregory S. , Butler Wayne M. , Wallner Kent E. , Allen Zachariah , Galbreath Robert W. , Lief Jonathan H. 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the incidence and temporal resolution of dysuria after permanent prostate brachytherapy, and to identify predictors of brachytherapy‐related dysuria.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 130 patients with no history of transurethral resection of the prostate before treatment, who had brachytherapy on one of two prospective randomized trials, with explicitly planned and executed urethral‐sparing techniques (100–150% minimum peripheral dose) using either 103Pd or 125I for clinical T1c–T2c prostate cancer. The median follow‐up was 22.6 months. An α‐blocker was initiated either prophylactically 2 weeks before implantation and continued at least until the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) returned to normal, or withheld until the onset of significant brachytherapy‐related urinary morbidity. Dysuria was evaluated on a 0–10 scale, before brachytherapy and then at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months afterward, with a median of four dysuria questionnaires per patient. Clinical, treatment and dosimetric variables evaluated included α‐blocker, age, IPSS before and the maximum after treatment, prostate volume on ultrasonography, hormonal status, supplemental radiotherapy, isotope, urethral dose, V100/200, D90, and time to obtaining a normal IPSS.RESULTSThe maximum incidence of dysuria was 85% at 1 month after brachytherapy, with subsequent resolution over time. The use of prophylactic tamsulosin resulted in a statistically lower dysuria severity score (difference of 2.7 vs 4.2, P < 0.005) at 1 month, with no discernible differences at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Patients with dysuria had a statistically higher IPSS. The dysuria resolved faster in patients implanted with 103Pd but was unaffected by the use of supplemental radiotherapy and/or androgen deprivation therapy. In multivariate analysis, prophylactic α‐blockers resulted in statistically lower maximum dysuria scores, while the maximum IPSS after implantation and isotope type (but only at 6 months) were the best predictors of the resolution of dysuria.CONCLUSIONSDysuria is common after brachytherapy but is typically mild. Prophylactic α‐blockers gave significantly lower maximum dysuria scores but did not affect the time to the resolution of dysuria. The maximum IPSS after the implant was the best predictor of the resolution of dysuria.
Sexual behaviour and dysfunction and help‐seeking patterns in adults aged 40–80 years in the urban population of Asian countries
Authors: Nicolosi Alfredo , Glasser Dale B. , Kim Sae C. , Marumo Ken , Laumann Edward O. ,   GSSAB Investigators’ Group
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo study sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and related help‐seeking behaviour among middle‐aged and elderly people in Asia.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA random population survey was carried out in 2001–2002 among urban residents aged 40–80 years in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines, with interviews based on a standardized questionnaire covering demographic details, health, relationships, and sexual behaviours, attitudes and beliefs. An intercept method of sampling was used in all countries except Japan, where questionnaires were mailed to a sample drawn from telephone directories. Sexual dysfunction was defined as persistent sexual problems.RESULTSThe questionnaire was completed by 6700 people (3350 men and 3350 women), giving a response rate of 27%. Across all countries, 82% of men and 64% of women had engaged in sexual intercourse during the year preceding the interview. Most of the respondents considered satisfactory sex an essential means of maintaining a relationship. More than 20% of men and 30% of women complained of having at least one sexual dysfunction, although there were marked variations among the countries. The sexual dysfunctions most frequently reported were early ejaculation (20%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 18–21) and erectile dysfunction (15%, 14–17) among men; and a lack of sexual interest (27%, 25–29), lubrication difficulties (24%, 22–25), and an inability to reach orgasm (23%, 22–25) among women. Of the 948 men and 992 women who were sexually active and reported sexual dysfunctions, 45% did sought no help or advice and only 21% sought medical care.CONCLUSIONMen and women in Asian countries continue to show sexual interest and activity into middle age and beyond. Although sexual dysfunction is prevalent in this age group, several sociocultural and economic factors appear to be preventing individuals from seeking medical help for these problems.
Follow‐up after unilateral nephrectomy in children: is an estimate of glomerular filtration rate necessary?
Authors: Godbole Prasad P. , Wilcox Duncan T. , Mushtaq Imran 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo determine the need for an estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the follow‐up of children undergoing unilateral nephrectomy for benign renal disease.PATIENTS AND METHODSForty‐four children (21 girls and 23 boys) undergoing unilateral nephrectomy for benign renal disease over a 3‐year period were reviewed for the underlying diagnosis and indication for nephrectomy, imaging before and after surgery, postoperative GFR and final outcome. The follow‐up included ultrasonography (US) of the contralateral kidney at 3 and 12 months and an estimate of GFR before discharge at ≥ 1 year. All children were aged > 2 years when the GFR was measured. The criteria for discharge were normal imaging of the contralateral kidney before and after surgery and a normal GFR afterward. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between age, GFR and contralateral renal length after surgery.RESULTSThe median (range) age at surgery was 2.5 (0.67–16) years. The indications for nephrectomy included reflux nephropathy in 18, multicystic dysplastic kidney in 12, a congenital obstructive uropathy in eight, congenital renal dysplasia in four and miscellaneous in two. All patients had a normal contralateral kidney before surgery on US and functional imaging, and normal US at the follow‐up, with evidence of compensatory hypertrophy in all. The median (range) corrected GFR for the 44 children was 109 (81–140) mL/min/1.73m2, with no correlation between age and GFR, or between renal length and GFR.CONCLUSIONAfter unilateral nephrectomy for benign renal disease, provided there is a structurally and functionally normal contralateral kidney before surgery, with no abnormality on US, a routine estimate of GFR is unnecessary before discharge from follow‐up. There was no correlation between GFR and age or renal length.
A new classification for genital ambiguity and urogenital sinus anomalies
Authors: Rink Richard C. , Adams Mark C. , Misseri Rosalia 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo describe a new system for classifying genital ambiguity and urogenital sinus abnormalities. Prader's classification (which attempts to describe the degree of masculinization) has been used for decades, while the urogenital sinus has generally been described as simply high or low; neither classification fits the spectrum of anomalies, nor do they allow for outcome data research.METHODSAn ideal description of genital ambiguity and urogenital sinus anomalies should include the degree of masculinization, phallic size, external genital appearance, and the true location of the vaginal confluence in relation to the bladder neck and the perineal meatus. We describe a new system to define these variables.RESULTSIn the PVE classification developed, P represents stretched phallic length and width, V the true vaginal location according to the distance from the bladder neck to the vagina and the distance from the vagina to the perineal meatus, and E the external genital appearance or Prader number.CONCLUSIONSThe PVE classification system aids in surgical planning and will be helpful in the analysis of surgical outcomes of genital ambiguity and urogenital anomalies.
Serial tumour blood‐flow measurements in androgen‐dependent and ‐independent Shionogi tumour models
Authors: Kozlowski Piotr , Wong Jason , Goldenberg S. Larry 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between blood supply and hormonal status of hormone‐dependent and ‐independent tumours in mice.MATERIALS AND METHODSContrast‐enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure tumour blood flow (TBF) in Shionogi tumours implanted subcutaneously in mice. Serial measurements were taken throughout the initial tumour growth period, and during regression and subsequent androgen‐independent (AI) relapse of the tumours in male mice, and throughout the growth of AI tumours in female mice. Average TBF values and coefficients of variation were calculated from tumour tissue perfusion maps reconstructed from MRI data. The Tukey‐Kramer test was used to identify differences between androgen‐dependent (AD), male AI and female AI tumours.RESULTSThe mean TBF strongly depended on tumour size in all three stages of the tumour growth cycle. AI tumours had a significantly higher TBF than AD tumours, with mean (sd) values of 0.8 (0.3) (male AI) and 0.27 (0.1) mL/g/min (AD), (P < 0.001), and 0.61 (0.31) (female AI) and 0.27 (0.1) mL/g/min (AD) (P < 0.01), respectively. Tumour tissue perfusion was more homogenous in AI than in AD tumours, with a coefficient of variation of 0.91 (0.31) in male AI and 1.89 (0.48) in AD tumours (P < 0.001), and 1.47 (0.38) in female AI and 1.89 (0.48) in AD tumours (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSAI Shionogi tumours have a higher TBF than AD tumours; this could have implications in the diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and monitoring of hormone‐sensitive tumours.
Expression of angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2, and its clinical significance in human bladder cancer
Authors: Oka Natsuo , Yamamoto Yasuyo , Takahashi Masayuki , Nishitani Masaaki , Kanayama Hiro‐Omi , Kagawa Susumu 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2 expression and the clinicopathological variables and clinical outcome in patients with bladder cancer treated by surgical resection, as both have been recently identified as antagonistic angiogenic factors which regulate tumour growth.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe expression of angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2 were assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from 52 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder (33 grade 1, 15 grade 2, four grade 3, including two associated with carcinoma in situ; 22 were stage Ta, 19 T1 and 11 T2 tumours). Normal bladder specimens were also resected during each operation as controls. The expression angiopoietins were related to the clinicopathological variables of the tumours.RESULTSPositive immunostaining was detected in 18 samples (35%) for angiopoietin‐1 and in 23 (44) for angiopoietin‐2. There was no significant difference in survival according to tumour angiopoietin‐1 status in the patients, but in contrast the overall survival of patients with angiopoietin‐2‐positive tumours was significantly lower than for those with angiopoietin‐2‐negative tumours (P < 0.05). Positive angiopoietin‐2 expression was significantly correlated with histological grade (P = 0.026), histological stage (P = 0.009) and poor prognosis (P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, positive angiopoietin‐2 expression was an independent negative predictor for survival (P = 0.042).CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that angiopoietin‐2 overexpression is associated with tumour progression, thereby indicating a poor prognosis for some patients treated by surgical resection for bladder carcinoma.
The restorative effect of a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor on urothelial cell–cell interactions after partial bladder outlet obstruction in rats
Authors: Erdogru Tibet , Celik‐Ozenci Ciler , Seval Yasemin , Emreoglu Ibrahim , Ustunel Ismail , Korgun Emin , Koksal Turker I. , Baykara Mehmet , Demir Ramazan 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo determine the changes in cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), E‐cadherin and α‐catenin expression after partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO), and whether a selective COX‐2 inhibitor (celecoxib) might inhibit COX‐2 expression and have beneficial effects on urothelial cell‐to–cell interactions in rats subjected to PBOO.MATERIALS AND METHODSThirty‐six male rats were divided into six equal groups; celecoxib was administered after creating PBOO for 1 and 4 weeks in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Two further obstructed groups (3 and 4, PBOO for 1 and 4 weeks, respectively) received no treatment. Sham‐operated animals served as controls (group 5 and 6, assessed at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively). After 1 and 4 weeks of PBOO or a sham procedure the bladder weight was recorded before sampling the bladder for Western blotting and immunohistological analysis, to assess the expressions of COX‐2 and adherens proteins, E‐cadherin and α‐catenin. Urothelial cell‐to‐cell interactions were evaluated using electron microscopy.RESULTSThe bladder mass increased rapidly during the first 7 days after PBOO in groups 1–4 compared with 5 and 6 (P < 0.05). While the bladder mass then continued to increase for the next 21 days in group 4, it was constant in group 2 (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analyses showed that E‐cadherin and α‐catenin expression were reversibly decreased in rats with PBOO, while COX‐2 protein expression was up‐regulated. After giving celecoxib there was a significant decrease in COX‐2 expression and a restoration of intercellular adherens junctions and desmosomes, as assessed on electron microscopy and expression of adherens proteins combined.CONCLUSIONThe increase in COX‐2 expression attributable to hypoxia and the tensile strength of bladder wall was attenuated by celecoxib. Selective COX‐2 inhibitors have important restorative effects on intercellular adherens junctions and desmosomes in PBOO.
Independence Before Conservatism: Transparency, Politics and Central Bank Design
Authors: Hallett Andrew Hughes , Weymark Diana N. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
The problem of monetary policy delegation is formulated as a two-stage game between the government and the central bank. In the first stage the government chooses the institutional design of the central bank. Monetary and fiscal policy are implemented in the second stage. When fiscal policy is taken into account, there is a continuum of combinations of central bank independence and conservatism that produce optimal outcomes. This indeterminacy is resolved by appealing to practical considerations. In particular, it is argued that full central bank independence facilitates the greatest degree of policy transparency and political coherence.
Capital Mobility, Consumption Substitutability and the Effects of Monetary Policy in Open Economies
Authors: Pierdzioch Christian 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
I use a dynamic general equilibrium two-country optimizing model to analyze the implications of international capital mobility for the short-run effects of monetary policy in an open economy. The model implies that the substitutability of goods produced in different countries plays a central role for the impact of changes in the degree of international capital mobility on the effects of monetary policy. Paralleling the results of the traditional Mundell-Fleming model, a higher degree of international capital mobility magnifies the short-run output effects of monetary policy only if the Marshall-Lerner condition, which is linked to the cross-country substitutability of goods, holds.
Connexin‐26‐Mutation bei „Keratitis‐Ichthyosis‐Deafness”‐Syndrom (KID‐Syndrom)
Authors: Binder Barbara , Hennies Hans Christian , Kraschl Raimund , Smolle Josef 
Published: February 2005

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Das „Keratitis‐Ichthyosis‐Deafness”‐Syndrom (KID‐Syndrom) ist eine sehr seltene genetisch bedingte Krankheit, die autosomal dominant vererbt wird, wobei vielen Fällen eine Neumutation zugrunde liegt. Als Ursache für die Erkrankung wurden Mutationen im Gen GJB2, das Connexin 26 kodiert, gefunden. Patienten und Methodik: Wir haben bei zwei Patienten mit KID‐Syndrom den klinischen Verlauf untersucht, sowie DNA aus dem peripheren Blut extrahiert. Ergebnisse: Beide Patienten zeigten eine Connexin‐26‐Mutation mit unterschiedlichem klinischen Verlauf. Schlußfolgerung: Bei beiden Patienten wurden zwei verschiedene heterozygote Connexin‐26‐Mutationen nachgewiesen, die sich in einem unterschiedlichen Verlauf manifestierten.
Discerning an Effective Balance between Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Attenuation and Vaccine Efficacy
Authors: Craigo Jodi K. , Li Feng , Steckbeck Jonathan D. , Durkin Shannon , Howe Laryssa , Cook Sheila J. , Issel Charles , Montelaro Ronald C. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Among the diverse experimental vaccines evaluated in various animal lentivirus models, live attenuated vaccines have proven to be the most effective, thus providing an important model for examining critical immune correlates of protective vaccine immunity. We previously reported that an experimental live attenuated vaccine for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), based on mutation of the viral
S2
accessory gene, elicited protection from detectable infection by virulent virus challenge (F. Li et al., J. Virol. 77:7244-7253, 2003). To better understand the critical components of EIAV vaccine efficacy, we examine here the relationship between the extent of virus attenuation, the maturation of host immune responses, and vaccine efficacy in a comparative study of three related attenuated EIAV proviral vaccine strains: the previously described EIAV
UK
ΔS2 derived from a virulent proviral clone, EIAV
UK
ΔS2/DU containing a second gene mutation in the virulent proviral clone, and EIAV
PR
ΔS2 derived from a reference avirulent proviral clone. Inoculations of parallel groups of eight horses resulted in relatively low levels of viral replication (average of 10
2
to 10
3
RNA copies/ml) and a similar maturation of EIAV envelope-specific antibody responses as determined in quantitative and qualitative serological assays. However, experimental challenge of the experimentally immunized horses by our standard virulent EIAV
PV
strain by using a low-dose multiple exposure protocol (three inoculations with 10 median horse infective doses, administered intravenously) revealed a marked difference in the protective efficacy of the various attenuated proviral vaccine strains that was evidently associated with the extent of vaccine virus attenuation, time of viral challenge, and the apparent maturation of virus-specific immunity.
Regulating Intracellular Antiviral Defense and Permissiveness to Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication through a Cellular RNA Helicase, RIG-I
Authors: Sumpter Rhea , Loo Yueh-Ming , Foy Eileen , Li Kui , Yoneyama Mitsutoshi , Fujita Takashi , Lemon Stanley M. , Gale Michael 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Virus-responsive signaling pathways that induce alpha/beta interferon production and engage intracellular immune defenses influence the outcome of many viral infections. The processes that trigger these defenses and their effect upon host permissiveness for specific viral pathogens are not well understood. We show that structured hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic RNA activates interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), thereby inducing interferon in cultured cells. This response is absent in cells selected for permissiveness for HCV RNA replication. Studies including genetic complementation revealed that permissiveness is due to mutational inactivation of RIG-I, an interferon-inducible cellular DExD/H box RNA helicase. Its helicase domain binds HCV RNA and transduces the activation signal for IRF3 by its caspase recruiting domain homolog. RIG-I is thus a pathogen receptor that regulates cellular permissiveness to HCV replication and, as an interferon-responsive gene, may play a key role in interferon-based therapies for the treatment of HCV infection.
Establishment of a Subgenomic Replicon for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Huh-7 Cells and Modulation of Interferon-Regulated Factor 3-Mediated Antiviral Response
Authors: Horscroft Nigel , Bellows Dan , Ansari Israrul , Lai Vicky C. H. , Dempsey Shannon , Liang Delin , Donis Ruben , Zhong Weidong , Hong Zhi 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

We describe the development of a selectable, bi-cistronic subgenomic replicon for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in Huh-7 cells, similar to that established for hepatitis C virus (HCV). The selection marker and reporter (
Luc-Ubi-Neo
) in the BVDV replicon was fused with the amino-terminal protease N
pro
, and expression of the nonstructural proteins (NS3 to NS5B) was driven by an encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosome entry site. This BVDV replicon allows us to compare RNA replication of these two related viruses in a similar cellular background and to identify antiviral molecules specific for HCV RNA replication. The BVDV replicon showed similar sensitivity as the HCV replicon to interferons (alpha, beta, and gamma) and 2′-β-C-methyl ribonucleoside inhibitors. Known nonnucleoside inhibitor molecules specific for either HCV or BVDV can be easily distinguished by using the parallel replicon systems. The HCV replicon has been shown to block, via the NS3/4A serine protease, Sendai virus-induced activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), a key antiviral signaling molecule. Similar suppression of IRF-3-mediated responses was also observed with the Huh-7-BVDV replicon but was independent of NS3/4A protease activity. Instead, the amino-terminal cysteine protease N
pro
of BVDV appears to be, at least partly, responsible for suppressing IRF-3 activation induced by Sendai virus infection. This result suggests that different viruses, including those closely related, may have developed unique mechanisms for evading host antiviral responses. The parallel BVDV and HCV replicon systems provide robust counterscreens to distinguish viral specificity of small-molecule inhibitors of viral replication and to study the interactions of the viral replication machinery with the host cell innate immune system.
Characterization of a Novel Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin Subtype (H16) Obtained from Black-Headed Gulls
Authors: Fouchier Ron A. M. , Munster Vincent , Wallensten Anders , Bestebroer Theo M. , Herfst Sander , Smith Derek , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Olsen Björn , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTIn wild aquatic birds and poultry around the world, influenza A viruses carrying 15 antigenic subtypes of hemagglutinin (HA) and 9 antigenic subtypes of neuraminidase (NA) have been described. Here we describe a previously unidentified antigenic subtype of HA (H16), detected in viruses circulating in black-headed gulls in Sweden. In agreement with established criteria for the definition of antigenic subtypes, hemagglutination inhibition assays and immunodiffusion assays failed to detect specific reactivity between H16 and the previously described subtypes H1 to H15. Genetically, H16 HA was found to be distantly related to H13 HA, a subtype also detected exclusively in shorebirds, and the amino acid composition of the putative receptor-binding site of H13 and H16 HAs was found to be distinct from that in HA subtypes circulating in ducks and geese. The H16 viruses contained NA genes that were similar to those of other Eurasian shorebirds but genetically distinct from N3 genes detected in other birds and geographical locations. The European gull viruses were further distinguishable from other influenza A viruses based on their PB2, NP, and NS genes. Gaining information on the full spectrum of avian influenza A viruses and creating reagents for their detection and identification will remain an important task for influenza surveillance, outbreak control, and animal and public health. We propose that sequence analyses of HA and NA genes of influenza A viruses be used for the rapid identification of existing and novel HA and NA subtypes.