bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel temporary prostatic stent for the relief of prostatic urethral obstruction
Authors: Corica A.P. , Larson B.T. , Sagaz A. , Corica A.G. , Larson T.R. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVESTo determine the effect of a novel temporary prostatic stent (The SpannerTM, AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc., Minnesota, USA) on variables of voiding function and quality of life among patients with prostatic urethral obstruction.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe stent design is very similar to the proximal 4–6 cm of a Foley catheter; this includes a proximal balloon to prevent distal displacement, a urine port situated cephalad to the balloon, and a reinforced stent of various lengths to span most of the prostatic urethra. There is also a distal anchor mechanism attached by sutures, and a retrieval suture which extends to the meatus and deflates the proximal balloon when pulled. The stent was inserted under topical anaesthesia in 30 patients. The maximum flow rate (Qmax), voided volume (VV), postvoid residual (PVR), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and stent position were assessed.RESULTSStents remained in situ for a mean (range) of 57 (1–98) days. The mean overall Qmax at baseline and after insertion were 8.2 and 11.6 mL/s, representing a 42% improvement (P < 0.001); the respective mean overall VVs were similar, at 219.7 and 221.6 mL (0.9% increase, not significant) and the PVRs were 312.1 and 112.3 mL, representing a 64% decrease (P = 0.004). The overall mean IPSS declined from 22.3 before to 7.1 after insertion, representing a 68% decrease (P < 0.001). There were only minor adverse events. The stability, patency and lack of migration of the device were confirmed radiographically up to 12 weeks of use.CONCLUSIONSThis early study shows that this temporary prostatic stent is easily inserted and removed, remains anchored in position, and significantly improves the Qmax, PVR and IPSS while preserving volitional voiding and continence.
Orthotopic ileal neobladder: the influence of reservoir volume and configuration on urinary continence and emptying properties
Authors: Nesrallah L.J. , Srougi M. , Dall’oglio M.F. 
Published: February 2004

The authors from Sao Paulo describe their experience with orthotopic urinary reservoirs using segments of intestine after radical cystectomy. They felt that orthotopic ileal neobladders with a spherical configuration were not associated with better continence rates and were prone to progressive enlargement, leading to atomy and progressive failure of emptying.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of the volume and configuration of the neobladder on urinary continence and reservoir emptying in orthotopic urinary reservoirs using intestinal segments for bladder replacement after radical cystectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODSFifty‐nine patients who had had a radical cystectomy and urinary reconstruction with an orthotopic ileal neobladder were followed for ≥ 1 year; 27 (group 1) had the ileal neobladder created with a shorter intestinal segment (40 cm) in an elongated shape (‘J’), and 32 (group 2) had their reservoir made more spherical with a longer ileal loop (60–65 cm). The rates of urinary continence, enuresis, neobladder capacity and postvoid residual urine were evaluated first at 3–6 months and again 1 year after surgery in both groups.RESULTSAt 3–6 months after surgery urinary incontinence and enuresis were more common in group 1, but at 1 year had the same frequency in both groups, at respectively 11% and 44% in group 1, and 13% and 47% in group 2 (P > 0.05). The neobladder capacity and postvoid residual urine were significantly higher in group 2, at > 600 mL and > 100 mL, respectively, in 14% and 14% of the patients in group 1 and 57% and 52% of those in group 2 (P < 0.05). Urinary retention requiring intermittent catheterization did not occur in group 1 but did in 19% of group 2.CONCLUSIONThe orthotopic spherical ileal neobladder with a large initial volume is apparently not associated with better continence rates and is prone to developing progressive enlargement, which can lead to neobladder atony and progressive emptying failure, increasing the chance of complete urinary retention.
Modulation of autonomous contractile activity in the isolated whole bladder of the guinea pig
Authors: Gillespie J.I. 
Published: February 2004

The over active bladder and bladder outlet obstruction represent clinically significant problems. The first two papers of this month's Scientific Discovery section addresses novel and exiting theories in this field. They also describe new models to investigate these complicated in vivo problems. Professor Gillespie describes that in addition to the neurogenic and myogenic hypothesis bladder over activity is a consequence of inappropriate activation or modulation of phasic activity: the autonomous bladder hypothesis. In his second paper he describes that noradrenaline inhibits autonomous activity in the isolated guinea pig bladder. Both papers add important information on the cellular mechanisms of bladder dysfunction.OBJECTIVETo investigate the actions of the nonhydrolysable analogue of ATP, α,β‐methylene ATP (α,β‐MATP) and the sensory peptide, substance P, on the phasic activity generated by muscarinic stimulation in the isolated whole bladder. Isolated bladder can generate complex contractions resulting in phasic rises in intravesical pressure (the autonomous bladder): activity thought to underlie nonmicturition activity in vivo and which may be important in generating bladder sensations.MATERIALS AND METHODSExperiments were conducted on whole isolated bladders from female guinea pigs (270–300 g). Bladders were cannulated via the urethra, suspended in a heated chamber containing oxygenated solution at 33–36 °C and intravesical pressure recorded. All drugs were added to the solution bathing the abluminal surface of the bladder.RESULTSWhen α,β‐MATP (30–3000 nmol/L) or substance P (30–300 nmol/L) was added to resting bladders there were small rises in intravesical pressure (<2 cmH2O). However, in the presence of phasic activity generated by exposing the bladder to the muscarinic agonist arecaidine (100–300 nmol/L) or the nicotinic ligand lobeline (10–30 µmol/L) similar or lower concentrations of α,β‐MATP or substance P produced more dramatic effects: α,β‐MATP and substance P (both at 100 nmol/L) activated a rise in basal pressure of > 15 cmH2O and increased the frequency of the phasic activity. On removing α,β‐MATP or substance P, there was a slowing of phasic activity indicative of an inhibitory mechanism.CONCLUSIONIn addition to direct effects on smooth muscle the agonists α,β‐MATP and substance P appear to be potent regulators of the mechanisms generating phasic activity. A developing concept is that the mechanisms responsible for generating phasic activity underlie nonmicturition activity are the target for excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Regulating such activity may be a factor in generating or modifying bladder sensation. Inappropriate or exaggerated phasic activity could underpin the pathological changes which cause the overactive bladder, thus adding another hypothesis to the neurogenic and myogenic hypotheses of bladder overactivity, i.e. that of the autonomous bladder.
Noradrenaline inhibits autonomous activity in the isolated guinea pig bladder
Authors: Gillespie J.I. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo investigate the actions of noradrenaline and the specific α‐adrenergic agonists cirazoline (α1) and UK14304 (α2), and β‐receptor agonists formoterol (β2) and BRL37344 (β3) on the phasic activity induced by muscarinic stimulation on the isolated guinea pig bladder, as the physiological significance of this activity is unknown but it may underlie non‐micturition contractions (NMCs, which can be inhibited by sympathetic nerve stimulation) and the generation of bladder sensations.MATERIALS AND METHODSAll experiments were conducted using whole isolated bladders from female guinea pigs (270–300 g). Bladders were cannulated via the urethra and suspended in a heated chamber containing oxygenated Tyrode's solution at 33–35 °C and the intravesical pressure recorded. All drugs were added to the solution bathing the abluminal surface.RESULTSExposure to noradrenaline reduced the amplitude and frequency of the phasic activity When noradrenaline was washed off there was a transient increase in frequency. There was marked desensitization with repeated applications of noradrenaline. Applying the specific β3‐agonist BRL37344 reduced the amplitude of the phasic activity while formoterol, a specific β2‐agonist, had no effect. Cirazoline, a specific α1‐agonist, reduced the amplitude of the responses and significantly reduced the frequency of the phasic activity. UK14304, a specific α2‐agonist, had no effect. Stimulation of the hypogastric nerve to the guinea pig bladder generates contractions. Prolonged nerve stimulation at low frequency (6.5 Hz) generated phasic rises in intravesical pressure which were inhibited by noradrenaline. Using short (5 s) periods of stimulation noradrenaline inhibited nerve‐mediated contractions at all frequencies but was more effective at <10 Hz.CONCLUSIONThese experiments show that sympathomimetic stimulation in the isolated whole bladder results primarily in an inhibition of phasic activity, but also a stimulation. Two receptor subtypes appear to be involved in the inhibition, α1 and β3, suggesting that there may be many sites of action. These results are discussed in terms of the possible physiological significance of phasic activity and the potential importance of its inhibition, in the context of the causes of pathological changes in the bladder, particularly those associated with bladder overactivity, and the pharmacological approach to the alleviation of clinical symptoms.
The effect of sampling more cores on the predictive accuracy of pathological grade and tumour distribution in the prostate biopsy
Authors: Makhlouf A.A. , Krupski T.L. , Kunkle D. , Theodorescu D. 
Published: February 2004

The technique for taking prostatic biopsies has received a major evaluation from many departments around the world in terms of the number of cores, site of biopsy, complications, need for local anaesthesia or sedation, etc., and the authors from Charlottesville review their technique. They present data confirming the impression that increasing the number of cores increases diagnostic sensitivity.Authors from Chapel Hill have performed a pilot study into the concept that cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitors inhibit tumour growth in prostate cancer, both in vivo and in vitro. In a few patients they found evidence to suggest that COX‐2 inhibitors may be of value in patients with prostate cancer, concluding that a large trial is indicated.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be an important angiogenic factor. The authors from Sweden assessed its value as a marker in renal cancer cells. They found it to be present in most such cells, and found that the correlation between VEGF expression and tumour stage and prognosis was valuable in terms of progression of renal cancer.OBJECTIVETo determine if increasing the number of cores at biopsy improves the predictive accuracy of the Gleason score or aids in anticipating the location and volume of prostate tumour.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe charts of 75 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinical T1–2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate were reviewed retrospectively; 31 patients had a sextant biopsy (group 1) and 44 had ≥ 8 cores taken (group 2). The concordance between biopsy data and final prostatectomy Gleason score, tumour location and volume was determined for each group.RESULTSThere were no differences in mean age, prostate‐specific antigen level before biopsy or biopsy Gleason score for the two groups; 58% of group 1 had their final pathological grade changed after prostatectomy, vs 29% of group 2 (P < 0.05). In neither group was there a significant correlation between the percentage of cores positive for tumour and the percentage volume of prostate involved with cancer, or the ability of the biopsy to predict tumour location.CONCLUSIONTaking ≥ 8 biopsy cores improved the pathological grading accuracy, which may be valuable in choosing a treatment for the patient with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.
Water can induce better spatial memory performance than food in radial maze learning by rats1
Authors: Komaki Junji 
Published: January 2004

Abstract:  Two experiments were carried out to test the differential effects of hunger and thirst on memory performance. In Experiment 1, two groups of rats were exposed to an original radial‐maze task and then to a 30‐min retention‐memory task. The food‐deprived group completed the original task more quickly than the water‐deprived group, but the thirsty group mastered the memory task more quickly than the hungry group (p < 0.01). In Experiment 2, deprivation conditions were changed from the original to the memory task. The food‐water group completed the memory task more rapidly than the water‐food group (p < 0.05). Thirst proved to constitute a more favorable condition for retention‐memory learning. The applicability of several theories is discussed.
Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococcosis, a Zoonosis of Increasing Concern
Authors: Eckert Johannes , Deplazes Peter 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYEchinococcosis in humans is a zoonotic infection caused by larval stages (metacestodes) of cestode species of the genus Echinococcus. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by E. multilocularis, and polycystic forms are caused by either E. vogeli or E. oligarthrus. In untreated cases, AE has a high mortality rate. Although control is essentially feasible, CE remains a considerable health problem in many regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. AE is restricted to the northern hemisphere regions of North America and Eurasia. Recent studies have shown that E. multilocularis, the causative agent of AE, is more widely distributed than previously thought. There are also some hints of an increasing significance of polycystic forms of the disease, which are restricted to Central and South America. Various aspects of human echinococcosis are discussed in this review, including data on the infectivity of genetic variants of E. granulosus to humans, the increasing invasion of cities in Europe and Japan by red foxes, the main definitive hosts of E. multilocularis, and the first demonstration of urban cycles of the parasite. Examples of emergence or reemergence of CE are presented, and the question of potential spreading of E. multilocularis is critically assessed. Furthermore, information is presented on new and improved tools for diagnosing the infection in final hosts (dogs, foxes, and cats) by coproantigen or DNA detection and the application of molecular techniques to epidemiological studies. In the clinical field, the available methods for diagnosing human CE and AE are described and the treatment options are summarized. The development of new chemotherapeutic options for all forms of human echinococcosis remains an urgent requirement. A new option for the control of E. granulosus in the intermediate host population (mainly sheep and cattle) is vaccination. Attempts are made to reduce the prevalence of E. multilocualaris in fox populations by regular baiting with an anthelmintic (praziquantel). Recent data have shown that this control option may be used in restricted areas, for example in cities, with the aim of reducing the infection risk for humans.
Pathogenicity Islands in BacterialPathogenesis
Authors: Schmidt Herbert , Hensel Michael 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYIn this review, we focus on a group of mobile genetic elements designated pathogenicity islands (PAI). These elements play a pivotal role in the virulence of bacterial pathogens of humans and are also essential for virulence in pathogens of animals and plants. Characteristic molecular features of PAI of important human pathogens and their role in pathogenesis are described. The availability of a large number of genome sequences of pathogenic bacteria and their benign relatives currently offers a unique opportunity for the identification of novel pathogen-specific genomic islands. However, this knowledge has to be complemented by improved model systems for the analysis of virulence functions of bacterial pathogens. PAI apparently have been acquired during the speciation of pathogens from their nonpathogenic or environmental ancestors. The acquisition of PAI not only is an ancient evolutionary event that led to the appearance of bacterial pathogens on a timescale of millions of years but also may represent a mechanism that contributes to the appearance of new pathogens within a human life span. The acquisition of knowledge about PAI, their structure, their mobility, and the pathogenicity factors they encode not only is helpful in gaining a better understanding of bacterial evolution and interactions of pathogens with eukaryotic host cells but also may have important practical implications such as providing delivery systems for vaccination, tools for cell biology, and tools for the development of new strategies for therapy of bacterial infections.
Theiler's Virus Infection: a Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Oleszak Emilia L. , Chang J. Robert , Friedman Herman , Katsetos Christos D. , Platsoucas Chris D. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYBoth genetic background and environmental factors, very probably viruses, appear to play a role in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Lessons from viral experimental models suggest that many different viruses may trigger inflammatory demyelinating diseases resembling MS. Theiler's virus, a picornavirus, induces in susceptible strains of mice early acute disease resembling encephalomyelitis followed by late chronic demyelinating disease, which is one of the best, if not the best, animal model for MS. During early acute disease the virus replicates in gray matter of the central nervous system but is eliminated to very low titers 2 weeks postinfection. Late chronic demyelinating disease becomes clinically apparent approximately 2 weeks later and is characterized by extensive demyelinating lesions and mononuclear cell infiltrates, progressive spinal cord atrophy, and axonal loss. Myelin damage is immunologically mediated, but it is not clear whether it is due to molecular mimicry or epitope spreading. Cytokines, nitric oxide/reactive nitrogen species, and costimulatory molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Close similarities between Theiler's virus-induced demyelinating disease in mice and MS in humans, include the following: major histocompatibility complex-dependent susceptibility; substantial similarities in neuropathology, including axonal damage and remyelination; and paucity of T-cell apoptosis in demyelinating disease. Both diseases are immunologically mediated. These common features emphasize the close similarities of Theiler's virus-induced demyelinating disease in mice and MS in humans.
ISSa4-Based Differentiation of
Streptococcus agalactiae
Strains and Identification of Multiple Target Sites for ISSa4 Insertions
Authors: Dmitriev Alexander , Shen Adong , Shen Xuzhuang , Yang Yonghong 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

A collection of 113 epidemiologically unrelated
Streptococcus agalactiae
strains were studied (group B streptococcus; GBS): they belonged to different serotypes and were isolated from pregnant women in China and Russia. The insertion sequence ISSa4 was found in 21 of 113 strains (18,6%). All of the strains with ISSa4 belonged to serotypes II and II/c and were characterized by the presence of IS
1381
and IS
861
as well as the absence of IS
1548
and GBSi1. All of the strains with ISSa4 possessed both
bca
and
bac
virulence genes coding for α and β antigens, respectively. Among 21 ISSa4-positive strains, 13 different
Hin
dIII patterns (D1 to D13) hybridizing with an ISSa4 probe were found. One of them (D13) contained a single
Hin
dIII hybridization fragment 6.5 kb in size that was found to be specific for all ISSa4-positive GBS strains. Multiple target sites for insertions of ISSa4 were identified and included a putative pathogenicity island, “housekeeping” genes, and intergenic regions, as well as the genes for hypothetical proteins. No significant similarity was observed in the sequences of the target genes for ISSa4 insertions, in the relative location of the target genes on the chromosome, or the biological functions of the encoded proteins. The possible significance of ISSa4-based differentiation of the strains and the presence of possible “hot spots” for insertions of ISSa4 in GBS genome are discussed.
Transcriptional Regulation of thephoPROperon inBacillus subtilis
Authors: Prágai Zoltán , Allenby Nicholas E. E. , O'Connor Nicola , Dubrac Sarah , Rapoport Georges , Msadek Tarek , Harwood Colin R. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTWhenBacillus subtilisis subjected to phosphate starvation, the Pho regulon is activated by the PhoP-PhoR two-component signal transduction system to elicit specific responses to this nutrient limitation. The response regulator, PhoP, and its cognate histidine sensor kinase, PhoR, are encoded by thephoPRoperon that is transcribed as a 2.7-kb bicistronic mRNA. ThephoPRoperon is transcribed from two σA-dependent promoters, P1and P2. Under conditions where the Pho regulon was not induced (i.e., phosphate-replete conditions orphoR-null mutant), a low level ofphoPRtranscription was detected only from promoter P1. During phosphate starvation-induced transition from exponential to stationary phase, the expression of thephoPRoperon was up-regulated in a phosphorylated PhoP (PhoP∼P)-dependent manner; in addition to P1, the P2promoter becomes active. In vitro gel shift assays and DNase I footprinting experiments showed that both PhoP and PhoP∼P could bind to the control region of thephoPRoperon. The data indicate that while low-level constitutive expression ofphoPRis required under phosphate-replete conditions for signal perception and transduction, autoinduction is required to provide sufficient PhoP∼P to induce other members of the Pho regulon. The extent to which promoters P1and P2are activated appears to be influenced by the presence of other sigma factors, possibly the result of sigma factor competition. For example,phoPRis hyperinduced in asigBmutant and, later in stationary phase, insigH,sigF, andsigEmutants. The data point to a complex regulatory network in which other stress responses and post-exponential-phase processes influence the expression ofphoPRand, thereby, the magnitude of the Pho regulon response.