bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of blood parameters during weight loss in experimental obese Beagle dogs
Authors: Diez M. , Michaux C. , Jeusette I. , Baldwin P. , Istasse L. , Biourge V. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe effects of weight loss on hormonal and biochemical blood parameters were measured monthly [carnitine, creatinine, urea, free T4 (fT4), total T4 (TT4), plasma alkaline phosphatases (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), potassium and total proteins] or bimonthly [cholesterol, triglycerides, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), glucose, insulin] in eight obese Beagles dogs fed either a high protein dry diet, DP (crude protein 47.5%, on dry matter basis) or a commercial high fibre diet, HF (crude protein 23.8%, crude fibre 23.3%). The dogs were allotted to two groups according to sex and body weight (BW) and they were respectively fed with the DP or the control HF diet during 12–26 weeks, until they reach their optimal BW. The plasma basal triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were decreased by the two diets but the difference was only significant for the DP diet. The plasma mean NEFA concentration increased regularly over the period with the HF diet, without significant difference between the two diets. No effect of diet or weight loss was observed on plasma carnitine, urea, creatinine, ALP, AST, ALT, potassium, TT4, FT4, IGF‐I, glucose and insulin. Weight loss induced a decrease in fT4 plasma concentration (p < 0.001). The high protein diet allowed a safe weight loss.
Molecular markers in Brassica oilseed breeding: current status and future possibilities
Authors: Snowdon R. J. , Friedt W. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAs PCR techniques have developed over the last 15 years, a wealth of new DNA marker technologies have arisen which have enabled the generation of high‐density molecular maps for all the major Brassica crop species. Molecular markers have also been heavily used in analyses of genetic diversity in Brassica crops. The majority of the work utilizing molecular markers in Brassica oilseed breeding has to date been based on genetic mapping using various DNA marker systems in segregating populations generated for specific investigations of particular traits of interest. For numerous qualitative traits, traditional mapping approaches have led to the development of marker‐assisted selection strategies in oilseed Brassica breeding, and in some cases to map‐based cloning of the responsible genes. For quantitative traits, however, it has become apparent that traditional mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) is often not sufficient to develop effective markers for trait introgression or for identification of the genes responsible. In this case, allele‐trait association studies in non‐structured genetic populations represent an interesting new approach, provided the degree of gametic phase disequilibrium between the QTL and the marker loci is sufficient. Because Brassica species represent the closest crop plant relatives to the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, significant progress will be achieved in the coming years through integration of candidate gene approaches in crop brassicas, using the detailed information now available for the Arabidopsis genome. Integration of information from the model plant with the increasing supply of data from physical mapping and sequencing of the diploid Brassica genomes will undoubtedly give great insight into the genetics underlying both simple and complex traits in oilseed rape. This review describes the current use of available genetic marker technologies in oilseed rape breeding and provides an outlook for use of new technologies, including single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers, candidate gene approaches and allele‐trait association studies.
Combination therapy of thymalfasin (thymosin‐alpha 1) and peginterferon alfa‐2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who are non‐responders to standard treatment
Authors: RUSTGI VINOD 
Published: November 2004

Abstract  The worldwide spread of hepatitis C virus is enormous; chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. While treatment options have improved substantially over the last decade, responses are still disappointing, particularly in certain difficult‐to‐treat groups such as patients who are immunosuppressed or have decompensated disease. Preliminary studies have indicated that combined treatment strategies may provide effective approaches for the future. The combination of thymalfasin with pegylated interferon is currently a promising option for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. An ongoing phase 3 study in the USA should provide much needed data to improve the outcome for these patients.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Reliability of X‐rays and bone scans for the assessment of changes in skeletal metastases from breast cancer
Authors: Shackleton M. , Yuen K. , Little A. F. , Schlicht S. , McLachlan S.‐A. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAims:  To examine the level of agreement among observers regarding changes between serial images of bone metastases.Methods:  Thirty‐five pairs of bone X‐rays and 30 pairs of bone scans were selected from the files of patients with breast cancer involving the skeleton. All images in a pair were of the same site and had been taken at least 12 weeks apart. Thirteen radiologists and 14 nuclear medicine physicians examined the X‐ray and bone scan pairs, respectively. Each assessed whether the changes between sequential films represented improvement, stability or worsening. Inter‐observer agreement was analysed using the kappa statistic (κ).Results:  There was only fair overall agreement among radiologists regarding changes between X‐rays (κ = 0.23), but there was substantial agreement among nuclear medicine physicians for bone scan assessments (κ = 0.62). Neither the experience of the observers nor the time between images had a significant effect on agreement. For X‐rays, agreement was poorer if the response category was ‘improvement’ and if the type of bone lesion was mixed lytic/sclerotic.Conclusions:  Evaluation of serial X‐rays is unreliable for determining the response of bone metastases. Scintigraphic evaluation has a higher internal validity for the determination of response, but it should not be used in isolation from other clinical data. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 615−620)
‘Is she experiencing any pain?’: disability and the physician−patient relationship
Authors: Toombs S. K. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn this essay, I reflect on my experience as a multiple sclerosis patient in order to identify some of the unique challenges that chronic disability poses in the physician−patient relationship. I suggest that it is important to broaden the goals of the clinical encounter to incorporate personal (as opposed to simply bodily) well‐being, to be aware of the manner in which chronic disability affects decisions regarding treatment, to recognize the import of physical and attitudinal barriers and to acknowledge that patients with chronic disabilities have an ‘expert’ knowledge of bodily experience. I also suggest that chronic disability provides an exceptional opportunity with respect to the relationship between doctors and patients. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 645−647)
Five cases of non‐typhoidal Salmonella endovascular infection
Authors: Drinković D. , Taylor S. L. , Lang S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe incidence of human non‐typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection has increased in many countries. Endovascular infection is one of the most serious forms of extraintestinal infection. Five patients with NTS endovascular infection treated at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, are presented here. All persons with NTS bacteraemia who are older than 50 years and have a risk of atherosclerosis should be evaluated for possible endovascular infection. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 641−645)
Optical imaging of the spatiotemporal dynamics of cerebral blood flow and oxidative metabolism in the rat barrel cortex
Authors: Weber B. , Burger C. , Wyss M. T. , Von Schulthess G. K. , Scheffold F. , Buck A. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractOxidative metabolism and cerebral blood flow (CBF) are two of the most important measures in neuroimaging. However, results from concurrent imaging of the two with high spatial and temporal resolution have never been published. We used flavoprotein autofluorescence (AF) and laser speckle imaging (LSI) in the anaesthetized rat to map oxidative metabolism and CBF in response to single vibrissa stimulation. Autofluorescence responses reflecting oxidative metabolism demonstrated a fast increase with a delay of 0.1 s. The sign‐reversed speckle contrast reflecting CBF started to rise with a delay of 0.6 s and reached its maximum 1.4 s after the stimulation offset. The fractional signal changes were 2.0% in AF and 9.7% in LSI. Pixelwise modelling revealed that CBF maps spread over an area up to 2.5‐times larger than metabolic maps. The results provide evidence that the increase in cerebral oxidative metabolism in response to sensory stimulation is considerably faster and more localized than the CBF response. This suggests that future developments in functional imaging concentrating on the metabolic response promise an increased spatial resolution.
Perioperative anaesthetic morbidity in children: a database of 24 165 anaesthetics over a 30‐month period
Authors: Murat Isabelle , Constant Isabelle , Maud'huy Hélène 
Published: November 2004

SummaryBackground : This study reports the practices and morbidity of 24 165 anaesthetics performed over a 30‐month period in a paediatric teaching hospital.Methods : Data describing practices and adverse events during anaesthesia and in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) were collected prospectively from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2002 on an audit form as a part of the Quality Assurance Program. All surgical specialties are covered except for open heart surgery and neurosurgery.Results : A total of 724 adverse events were reported during anaesthesia and 1105 in PACU. Respiratory events represented 53% of all intraoperative events. They were more frequent in infants compared with older children, in ENT surgery compared with other surgery, in children in whom the trachea was intubated and in children with ASA status 3–5 compared with those with ASA score 1 or 2. Cardiac events accounted for 12.5% of intraoperative events and were mainly observed in children with ASA score 3–5. In PACU, vomiting was the most frequent adverse event with an overall incidence of 6%. Vomiting was more frequent in older children compared with infants and young children and more frequent after ENT surgery compared with other surgery. Only one death was reported in a premature newborn infant and was not anaesthesia‐related.Conclusions : This observational study confirms previous reports, and indicates that there is still a relative higher rate of adverse events in infants compared with older children even in a teaching paediatric hospital with a high annual caseload.
Evaluation of urinary extravasation and results after continence‐preserving radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: Varkarakis John , Wirtenberger Walter , Pinggera Germar‐Michael , Berger Andreas , Harabayashi Toru , Bartsch Georg , Horninger Wolfgang 
Published: November 2004

Two of the papers in this section refer to surgical technique in cancer operations. In the first, authors from Innsbruck examine their rates of urinary extravasation after removing the catheter 10 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy; the rate was very low, the continence rates were excellent, and the rate of anastomic stricture was low. This is a large and well‐studied group of patients.In the second of these papers, authors from Paris describe a technique of radical cystectomy where there is sparing of the prostate capsule and of the seminal vesicles, to preserve potency and improve continence. They found very little positive support in their results in favour of this technique, and felt it should have only a limited role.A study from Sacramento assesses a modified yeast assay as an aid to detect p53 gene mutations in localized prostate cancer. They found it to be superior to other methods, and felt that p53 mutations carried important prognostic implications.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of urinary catheter removal 10 days after a radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) by assessing the incidence of urinary extravasation and its effect on postoperative stricture and continence rates.PATIENTS AND METHODSDuring a 4.5‐year period, 619 patients undergoing RRP were evaluated. If no extravasation was detected on gravity cystography, the urinary catheter was removed 10 days after RRP. In patients with significant extravasation the catheter was left in place for 3 weeks. Overall stricture and continence rates were recorded in patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.RESULTSThere was extravasation during cystography in 29 patients (4.6%). At 3, 6 and 12 months, continence rates after catheter removal at 10 days were 74.9%, 87.9%, and 93.6%, respectively, while in the late‐removal group they were 72.4%, 84.6% and 90.9%, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups. At 3 months the overall continence rate was 74.8% and at 12 months up to 93.5%. There was no difference in stricture rates between the groups, with an overall stricture rate of 0.7%.CONCLUSIONSCatheter removal 10 days after RRP is feasible, giving excellent early and late continence rates, with low anastomotic stricture rates obtained using good surgical technique. Extravasation at 10 days was rare and with proper management did not influence the final results.
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy vs transurethral resection for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review
Authors: Hoffman Richard M. , MacDonald Roderick , Monga Manoj , Wilt Timothy J. 
Published: November 2004

Technology has been used in the management of BPH, sometimes without much evidence to support its use. The first manuscript is a systematic review of the literature comparing transurethral microwave therapy to TURP. This shows that although microwave therapy is safe and effective in the short term, it is not as effective as TURP.Authors from London report on their long‐term (up to 12‐years of follow‐up) results when using the Urolume wallstent for urethral stricture. They describe the results in detail, and conclude that the stent should only be used in patients who are unfit for or who refuse urethroplasty.OBJECTIVETo conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) compared with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in treating men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).METHODSWe searched Medline, the Cochrane Library and reference lists of retrieved studies to identify randomized trials of ≥ 6 months duration with ≥ 10 patients in each treatment arm. Data were extracted on study design, patient and treatment characteristics, urinary symptoms, urinary flow, adverse events and repeat treatment for BPH.RESULTSSix studies were evaluated, involving 540 patients. The mean age (67.8 years), baseline symptom score (19.5), and peak urinary flow (PUF, 8.6 mL/s) did not differ by treatment group. The pooled mean urinary symptom score decreased by 65% with TUMT and 77% with TURP. The weighted mean (95% confidence interval) difference for the symptom score at the follow‐up was −1.83  (−3.09 to −0.58) points, favouring TURP. The pooled mean PUF increased by 70% with TUMT and 119% with TURP. The weighted mean difference for the PUF at the follow‐up was 5.37 (4.22–6.51) mL/s, favouring TURP. Retrograde ejaculation (57.6% vs 22.2%), transfusions (5.7% vs 0%) and re‐treatment for strictures (relative hazard 9.76) were all significantly more common after TURP, but re‐treatment for BPH was significantly more common after TUMT (relative hazard 10.0).CONCLUSIONSTUMT techniques are effective and safe short‐term alternatives to TURP for treating BPH. However, TURP provided greater symptom and urinary flow improvements and fewer subsequent BPH treatments than TUMT.
Treatment of stress urinary incontinence using a copolymer system: impact on quality of life
Authors: Van Kerrebroeck Philip , Ter Meulen Flip , Larsson Gregor , Farrelly Elisabeth , Edwall Lena , Fianu‐Jonasson Aino 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect on quality of life (QoL) of a novel system for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn an open, prospective, multicentre study, 42 women not previously treated by invasive therapy and with urodynamically verified SUI received 4 × 1.0 mL or 4 × 0.7 mL of non‐animal stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer copolymer injected transurethrally into the urethra via the ImplacerTM device (ZuidexTM system, Q‐Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden). QoL was assessed using the King's Health Questionnaire. The patients’ perception of treatment benefit and the number of incontinence episodes/24 h were also investigated.RESULTSThere were significant improvements over baseline in seven of 10 domains of the King's Health Questionnaire at 3 months, and these improvements were sustained at 1 year. For the change from baseline to 1 year, eight of 10 domains showed a significant positive correlation with the number of incontinence episodes/24 h. In terms of treatment benefit, most of the women perceived an improvement at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Of the 18 women requiring re‐treatment, most perceived an improvement at 3, 6 and 12 months.CONCLUSIONTreatment with the Zuidex system produced significant improvements over a year in both subjective QoL and objective incontinence measures, with a significant positive correlation between them.
A pilot randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial on the use of antibiotics on urinary catheter removal to reduce the rate of urinary tract infection: the pitfalls of ciprofloxacin
Authors: Wazait Hassan D. , Patel Hitenddra R. , Van Der Meulen Jan H.P. , Ghei Maneesh , Al‐Buheissi Salah , Kelsey Michael , Miller Ronald A. , Emberton Mark 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVETo assess if a short course of antibiotics starting at the time of the removing a short‐term urethral catheter decreases the incidence of subsequent urinary tract infection (UTI).PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients across specialities with a urethral catheter in situ for ≥ 48 h and ≤ 7 days were recruited at the time of catheter removal. Patients were excluded if they had had recent genitourinary surgery or were on antibiotics. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to a 48‐h course of either ciprofloxacin or placebo tablets starting 2 h before catheter removal. A catheter specimen of urine was obtained before the start of the trial medication. The follow‐up was at 7 and 14 days after catheter removal, with a questionnaire for UTI symptoms, and a mid‐stream urine sample was taken.RESULTSForty‐eight patients were recruited and had a complete follow‐up (25 received ciprofloxacin and 23 placebo). Of the ciprofloxacin group, four patients (16%) had a UTI at the follow‐up after catheter removal, and two were symptomatic. The UTI in two patients (including one of those symptomatic) was newly developed after catheter removal; the other two UTIs were a result of failure to resolve a catheter‐associated UTI. All these UTIs in the ciprofloxacin group were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Of the placebo group, three patients (13%) had a UTI at the follow‐up after removal, and one patient was symptomatic. The UTI, newly developed after catheter removal, was resistant to ciprofloxacin. The other two patients were asymptomatic; their UTIs were a result of failure to resolve a catheter‐associated UTI, and one was resistant to ciprofloxacin.CONCLUSIONSThe risk of UTI (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) after removing a urethral catheter is real, even in absence of catheter‐associated UTI before removal. UTIs occurring after removing a short‐term urinary catheter had a high rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin. There was no detectable significant benefit in using prophylactic ciprofloxacin to reduce the UTI rate after catheter removal.
Anatomical studies of the neurovascular bundle and cavernosal nerves
Authors: Costello Anthony J. , Brooks Matthew , Cole Owen J. 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVETo accurately define the anatomy of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) in men.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe NVB was microdissected in detail bilaterally in 12 fixed human male adult cadavers. The anatomy of the NVB and its relationship to surrounding pelvic structures was ascertained in each specimen.RESULTSPrevious reports of the anatomy of the NVB have not mentioned its levator ani and anterior rectal component. The anatomy of the cavernosal nerves is such that accurate graft anastomosis to proximal and distal cavernosal nerve segments is extremely difficult.CONCLUSIONThe current anatomical description of the cavernosal nerve and NVB is inaccurate.
The Lahey clinic experience with continent urinary diversion
Authors: Crivellaro Simone , Michaels Mike J. , Kocjancic Ervin , Libertino John A. 
Published: November 2004

The authors from the Lahey Clinic describe that institution's experience with continent urinary diversion. In a large series of patients, they compared morbidity, mortality and clinical outcome of continent urinary diversion with orthotopic neobladder.OBJECTIVETo compare the morbidity, mortality and clinical outcome of catheterizable continent urinary reservoirs (CUR) with orthotopic neobladders (ONB) at our institution.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween September 1985 and October 2001, 238 patients (84 women and 154 men) had a continent urinary diversion, including 125 ONBs and 113 CURs. The charts of these patients were reviewed retrospectively and the patients interviewed by telephone when possible (for continence data and overall satisfaction). Over the 16 years the relative frequency of ONB diversion increased steadily and thus the mean follow‐up was significantly longer for the CUR (9.4 years) than for the ONB group (5.2 years) (P < 0.001). This bias was addressed by comparing these large groups for the early outcome only. Separately, the long‐term outcome was analysed, comparing the 40 most recently constructed CURs with all 113 ONBs; this gave a mean follow‐up of 5.2 years for ONB and 5.9 years for CUR (not significant, P = 0.23).RESULTSOf the 238 continent diversions, 125 were ONBs and 113 CURs; most patients had a diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma before surgery. The mean age at surgery was 59.1 years for the ONB and 54.8 years for the CUR group (P < 0.001). Men were significantly more likely than women to have had an ONB. There were two deaths after surgery in the ONB and none in the CUR group. The hospital stay was significantly longer for the CUR than for the ONB group; the likelihood of an intensive care unit stay, estimated blood loss and reoperation rate were higher in the CUR group. There was no significant difference in the rates of short‐term (<30 days) complications. The analysis of the time‐controlled groups showed significantly more long‐term (>30 days) complications and of reoperation in the CUR group. Fifty‐one patients with ONB and 19 with CURs were contacted by telephone; of those with an ONB, 43 (84%) had daytime continence (<1 pad/day) while 13 (25%) were continent at night (<1 pad). Fifteen of 19 with a CUR reported full day and night‐time continence. From separate telephone interviews, overall satisfaction was high for both groups (mean 4.5, scale 0–5), expectations were met in 92% for both, and 94% in both would choose the same procedure again if confronted with the same set of circumstances.CONCLUSIONSBoth ONB and CUR offer an excellent functional outcome, as reflected by patient satisfaction and continence rates.