bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advances in the management of non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors during the cisplatin era: A single‐institution experience
Authors: MURAMAKI MOTOTSUGU , HARA ISAO , MIYAKE HIDEAKI , YAMADA YUJI , KAWABATA GAKU , KAMIDONO SADAO 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: The objectives of the present study were to review chronological changes in the long‐term survival of patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) who were treated at a single institution after the introduction of cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy.Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with NSGCT who were treated between January 1978 and October 2001 were enrolled in this study. To evaluate chronological changes in treatment outcome between 1978 and 2001, data were analyzed according to the timing of initial treatment in two consecutive 12‐year periods. The numbers of patients who were treated during 1978–1989 and 1990–2001 were 59 and 61, respectively. Patients were classified according to criteria of both the Japanese Urological Association (JUA classification) and the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG classification).Results: The mean follow up of surviving patients during the periods 1978–1989 and 1990–2001 was 84 months and 63 months, respectively. The overall 5‐year survival rate of patients with NSGCT significantly increased from 72.8% during the period 1978–1989 to 83.6% during the period 1990–2001 (P = 0.02, log‐rank test). A significant improvement in survival was found in the patients with stage III disease, according to the JUA classification, and in the patients with poor‐risk disease, according to the IGCCCG classification (P = 0.004 and 0.05, respectively).Conclusions: The overall 5‐year survival rate of patients with NSGCT increased significantly from 72.8% during 1978–1989 to 83.6% during 1990–2001. This improvement resulted mainly from an increased survival of patients with metastatic poor‐risk NSGCT.
Clinical outcome of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after induction chemotherapy for metastatic non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors
Authors: MURAMAKI MOTOTSUGU , HARA ISAO , MIYAKE HIDEAKI , YAMADA YUJI , OKADA HIROSHI , KAMIDONO SADAO 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) following induction chemotherapy has been considered a critical component in the comprehensive management of advanced non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). The objectives of the present study were to review the clinical outcome of patients who underwent RPLND and to evaluate the probability of necrosis alone, based on some readily available clinical data for these patients.Methods: Forty‐seven consecutive patients with NSGCT were treated with first‐line chemotherapy at our institution between January 1993 and September 2002. Twenty‐four of these patients, who underwent RPLND with normal values of tumor markers after induction chemotherapy, were included in the study. The cause‐specific survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Various predictive factors for the histology were analyzed using multivariate analysis.Results: The pathological findings at resection were necrosis alone in 62.5% of cases, teratoma in 25.0%, and viable cancer in 12.5%. The cause‐specific 3‐year survival rate of patients who underwent complete and incomplete resection was 100% and 50.0%, respectively. Among several clinical factors, prechemotherapy tumor size less than 50 mm was found to be an independent predictor of necrosis alone (hazard ratio = 4.45, P= 0.04).Conclusion: Metastatic tumor size before chemotherapy appears to be one of the most important factors for the prediction of necrosis alone in the resected specimens of RPLND. The prognosis of patients might be influenced by the degree to which resection has been completed.
The female partner's satisfaction with sildenafil citrate treatment of erectile dysfunction
Authors: ICHIKAWA TAKAHARU , TAKAO AKIRA , MANABE DAISUKE , SAEGUSA MICHIHISA , TANIMOTO RYUTA , ARAMAKI KENJI , YAMAMOTO MASAYA , OKAZAKI TOSHIYA 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: Data on female partners’ satisfaction are scarce, although there have been many articles on patient satisfaction after sildenafil citrate treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of female partners of patients receiving sildenafil citrate for their erectile dysfunction (ED) and to assess the female partners’ sexual function.Methods: Ninety‐eight patients with ED were treated. Their female partners were asked to answer a questionnaire we have prepared to evaluate the efficacy of treatment, sexual satisfaction and changes in quality of life. It also included a question about female sexual function. From the results, the relationship between their female partner's satisfaction and efficacy of treatment, as well as female sexual function, were assessed.Results: Thirty (31%) questionnaires were returned to us for analysis. Effectiveness of the treatment was acknowledged by 90% of the partners. An improvement in their partner's quality of life was noticed by 60% of the women. The majority (66.7%) of the female partners were satisfied with sildenafil citrate treatment and 20% were disappointed. Moreover, 20% of the female partners were concerned about adverse events. Regarding female sexual function, some form of sexual dysfunction affected 46.7% of the women. Furthermore, a significant number (P = 0.0230) of the female partners disappointed with the treatment had some kind of sexual dysfunction.Conclusions: The results indicated that female partners reported relatively high levels of treatment satisfaction. Female partners’ sexual function and anxiety regarding adverse events should be evaluated when their satisfaction with sildenafil citrate treatment is poor despite an improvement of erectile function.
Portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision in 80 patients
Authors: KIHARA KAZUNORI , KAGEYAMA YUKIO , YANO MASATAKA , KOBAYASHI TSUYOSHI , KAWAKAMI SATORU , FUJII YASUHISA , MASUDA HITOSHI , HYOCHI NOBUHIKO 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Aim: To assess the feasibility of our portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision, which narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen in the initial 80 patients.Methods: Radical nephrectomy was carried out extraperitoneally in patients with T1–3aN0M0 renal tumors using an endoscope through a single minimum incision without trocar ports and gas. All the instruments used were reusable.Results: The average length of incision, operative time and estimated blood loss were 6.6 cm (range, 4–9 cm), 3. 1 h (range, 1.7–5.6 h) and 324 mL (range, 10–2288 mL), respectively. The complication rate was 2.5% (2/80); complications included injury of the pleura and hemorrhage from the vena cava, both of which were repaired by suture during operation. Transfusion was performed in three patients (3.8%). Average times to oral feeding and walking were both 1.4 days. Wound pain was minimal and analgesics were generally not required by the second postoperative day. In patients with larger incisions (7 cm or more), estimated blood loss increased (approximately 100 mL on average) and oral feeding resumed later (0.3 days on average), relative to patients with smaller incisions (6 cm or less). However, overall results were similar between the two patient groups. In patients with a large tumor (7 cm or greater), operative time did not increase and complications and transfusions were both avoided.Conclusion: Portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision is a safe, reproducible, cost‐effective and minimally invasive treatment option for patients with T1–3aN0M0 renal tumors.
Portless endoscopic adrenalectomy via a single minimal incision using a retroperitoneal approach: Experience with initial 30 cases
Authors: KAGEYAMA YUKIO , KIHARA KAZUNORI , KOBAYASHI TSUYOSHI , KAWAKAMI SATORU , FUJII YASUHISA , MASUDA HITOSHI , YANO MASATAKA , HYOCHI NOBUHIKO 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Aim: To assess the feasibility of portless endoscopic adrenalectomy via a single minimum incision that narrowly permits extraction of the specimen.Methods: For  30 cases of adrenal tumor, portless endoscopic surgery through a single flank incision (3–9 cm; mean, 5.6 cm) was performed without gas inflation or trocar port placement. All of the instruments used during surgery were reusable. The cases included primary aldosteronism (12), Cushing's syndrome (6), preclinical Cushing's syndrome (3), pheochromocytoma (1), non‐functioning cortical adenoma (6), adrenocortical carcinoma (1) and adrenocortical hemorrhage (1).Results: Resection of the tumor was successfully completed, without complications, in all of the cases. Operative time was between 83 and 240 min (mean, 147 min). Estimated blood loss was 5–470 mL (mean, 139 mL). None of the patients required blood transfusion. Postoperative course was uneventful. Wound pain was mild and walking and full oral feeding were resumed on the first and second postoperative day, respectively, in the majority of cases.Conclusions: Adrenal tumors are good candidates for portless endoscopic surgery, which is safe, cost‐effective, minimally invasive and matches favorably with laparoscopic surgery.
The regional significance of Cretaceous magmatism and metamorphism in Fiordland, New Zealand, from U–Pb zircon geochronology
Authors: Hollis J. A. , Clarke G. L. , Klepeis K. A. , Daczko N. R. , Ireland T. R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO) is an extensive composite metagabbroic to dioritic arc batholith that was emplaced at c. 20–25 km crustal depth into Palaeozoic and Mesozoic gneiss during collision and accretion of the arc with the Mesozoic Pacific Gondwana margin. Sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe U–Pb zircon data from central and northern Fiordland indicate that WFO plutons were emplaced throughout the early Cretaceous (123.6 ± 3.0, 121.8 ± 1.7, 120.0 ± 2.6 and 115.6 ± 2.4 Ma). Emplacement of the WFO synchronous with regional deformation and collisional‐style orogenesis is illustrated by (i) coeval ages of a post‐D1 dyke (123.6 ± 3.0 Ma) and its host pluton (121.8 ± 1.7 Ma) at Mt Daniel and (ii) coeval ages of pluton emplacement and metamorphism/deformation of proximal paragneiss in George and Doubtful Sounds. The coincidence emplacement and metamorphic ages indicate that the WFO was regionally significant as a heat source for amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism. The age spectra of detrital zircon populations were characterized for four paragneiss samples. A paragneiss from Doubtful Sound shows a similar age spectrum to other central Fiordland and Westland paragneiss and SE Australian Ordovician sedimentary rocks, with age peaks at 600–500 and 1100–900 Ma, a smaller peak at c. 1400 Ma, and a minor Archean component. Similarly, one sample of the George Sound paragneiss has a significant Palaeozoic to Archean age spectrum, however zircon populations from the George Sound paragneiss are dominated by Permo‐Triassic components and thus are markedly different from any of those previously studied in Fiordland.
Unusual Hf contents in metamorphic zircon from coesite‐bearing eclogites of the Dabie Mountains, east‐central China: implications for the dating of ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism
Authors: Wang X. , Griffin W. L. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractMetamorphic zircon from coesite‐bearing eclogites in the Dabie Mountains encloses high‐P phases, and may have formed at the peak of ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Morphologically, the metamorphic zircon typically occurs as small, multi‐faceted, near‐spherical grains with homogeneous internal structure and weak backscattered electron (BSE) luminescence. Geochemically, it is characterized by extremely high and relatively constant contents of hafnium (Hf) and very low contents of Y, U and Th, reflecting the contraction of the zircon lattice under the UHP conditions. High contents of Hf may be characteristic of zircon formed during UHP metamorphism, which has important consequences for interpretation of geochronological results. We propose that the metamorphic zircon extremely enriched in Hf may be used to date the peak of UHP metamorphism that produced the coesite‐bearing eclogites in the Dabie Mountains, and potentially in other UHP terranes.
Microstructural features of albite porphyroblasts as indicators of sequential Barrovian metamorphic mineral growth in the Caledonides of the SW Scottish Highlands
Authors: Mathavan V. , Bowes D. R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractInclusion – porphyroblast and porphyroblast – porphyroblast relationships show that abundant albite in mica schists in the Caledonides of the SW Scottish Highlands are part of the Barrovian metamorphic assemblage. Growth early in the D2 deformational phase of porphyroblast cores followed the growth of Mn‐rich garnet but preceded the growth of porphyroblasts of the index mineral almandine. Two sets of inclusion trails in the albite correspond to the regionally expressed S1 and S2. Straight trails of muscovite, chlorite, quartz, epidote and the earliest growth of biotite make up S1. Crenulated trails express deformation of S1 early in D2 with muscovite, chlorite, biotite, quartz, epidote and the Mn‐rich garnet associated with the development of S2 crenulation cleavage. The geometries of these trails uniquely record early stages of D2 deformational history. An 0−3 growth is related to the temporal coincidence of the formation of S1–S2 crenulation cleavage hinges as favourable sites for nucleation and the release of large amounts of water from prograde reactions during tectonothermal reconstitution of first cycle immature sediments with a volcanic component. The main characteristics of the regionally expressed D2 schistosity were developed during the major grain coarsening that followed both albite and almandine porphyroblast growth. Essentially inclusion‐free An 4−19 rims grew on the inclusion‐containing cores in the almandine zone in the later stages of schistosity growth and unoriented porphyroblasts of muscovite, biotite and chlorite indicate that mineral growth extended from the later stages of D2 to post‐D2. Previous interpretations of the albite porphyroblast growth having been during D4 to post‐D4 contemporaneous with retrogression are inconsistent with the microstructural evidence.
The fate of subducted continental margins: Two‐stage exhumation of the high‐pressure to ultrahigh‐pressure Western Gneiss Region, Norway
Authors: Walsh E. O. , Hacker B. R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThermobarometry suggests that ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) to high‐pressure (HP) rocks across the Western Gneiss Region ponded at the Moho following as much as 100 km of exhumation through the mantle and before exhumation to the upper crust. Eclogite across the c. 22 000 km2 study area records minimum pressures of c. 8–18 kbar and temperatures of c. 650–780 °C. One orthopyroxene eclogite yields an UHP of c. 28.5 kbar, and evidence of former coesite has been found c. 50 km farther east than previously known. Despite this widespread evidence of UHP to HP, thermobarometry of metapelite and garnet amphibolite samples reveals a surprisingly uniform ‘supra‐Barrovian’ amphibolite‐facies overprint at c. 11 kbar and c. 650–750 °C across the entire area. Chemical zoning analysis suggests that garnet in these samples grew during heating and decompression, presumably during the amphibolite‐facies event. These data indicate that the Norwegian UHP/HP province was exhumed from mantle depths of c. 150 km to lower crustal depths, where it stalled and underwent a profound high‐temperature overprint. The ubiquity of late‐stage supra‐Barrovian metamorphic overprints suggests that large‐scale, collisional UHP terranes routinely stall at the continental Moho where diminishing body forces are exceeded by boundary forces. Significant portions of the middle or lower crust worldwide may be formed from UHP terranes that were arrested at the Moho and never underwent their final stage of exhumation.
Oxytocin Modulates Nitric Oxide Generation by Human Fetal Membranes at Term Pregnancy
Authors: Ticconi C. , Zicari A. , Realacci M. , Di Vito M. , Denora P. , Narcisi M. , Russo M. A. , Piccione E. 
Published: September 2004

Problem:  Nitric oxide (NO), an important mediator of the inflammatory response, is involved in several reproductive processes including pregnancy and labor. Uterus, placenta and fetal membranes are significant sources of NO. Presently, there is no information on factors regulating NO production by fetal membranes.Method of study:  Human fetal membranes at term gestation were cultured for 24 hr in the presence of oxytocin. The concentrations of NO metabolites nitrites in culture medium were determined by the Griess reaction. The presence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results:  Oxytocin increased nitrite release by fetal membranes. Messenger ribonucleic acid iNOS expression was also enhanced by oxytocin. These effects were more marked in tissues obtained after labor than before labor.Conclusions:  Oxytocin exerts an overall stimulatory effect on NO release by fetal membranes. This action might be of relevance in the biomolecular processes leading to parturition.
T Helper Cell Cytokine Profiles in Preterm Labor
Authors: Hollier Lisa M. , Rivera Marta K. , Henninger Evelyn , Gilstrap Larry C. , Marshall Gailen D. 
Published: September 2004

Problem:  To compare concentrations of T‐helper cell cytokines in women with preterm labor (PTL) to normal pregnancies.Method of study:  Fourteen women with PTL and 13 women with normal pregnancies from 24 to 34 weeks were enrolled in this pilot study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cervical secretions were collected. PBMCs were cultured and stimulated with mitogens. Culture supernatants and cervical secretions were assayed for type 1 (interferon‐γ, IL‐12) and type 2 cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IL‐13) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results:  There were no intergroup differences in median cytokine concentrations in PBMC cultures, or in ratios of type 1/type 2 cytokines. In cervical secretions, the median concentration of IL‐4 was significantly higher in control patients.Conclusions:  PTL patients appeared to have an altered T‐helper cytokine balance in cervical secretions. Further study of the role of cytokines produced in the adaptive response appears warranted.
Effect of Peptidoglycan–Polysaccharide Complex on Reproductive Efficiency in Sheep
Authors: Holásková Ida , Lewis Gregory S. , Elliott Meenal , Blemings Kenneth P. , Dailey Robert A. 
Published: September 2004

Problem:  Spontaneous mastitis or induced infections mimicking mastitis reduce pregnancy rates in ruminants. The effect of immunization with either a mastitis‐related pathogen component, peptidoglycan–polysaccharide (PG–PS), or killed Streptococcus pyogenes on pregnancy outcome was investigated.Method of study:  Ewe lambs were immunized with PG–PS (n = 50) or killed bacteria (n = 50) or were not immunized (control, n = 100). Titers of PG–PS immunoglobulin G (IgG) were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ewes were bred by rams at synchronized estrus. All immunized ewes and half of the ewes not immunized were challenged with PG–PS on day 5 after breeding. Pregnancy maintenance was evaluated.Results:  Although the proportion of ewes pregnant at day 42 after breeding did not differ among treatments, the probability of pregnancy decreased with total dose of PG–PS (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Immunization of ewe lambs with PG–PS or killed S. pyogenes did not improve pregnancy maintenance. Furthermore, the toxic streptococcal component decreased pregnancy rate in immunized sheep in a dose‐dependent manner.
The Differential Effect of Genetic Variation on Soluble CD14 Levels in Human Plasma and Milk
Authors: Guerra Stefano , Carla Lohman I. , LeVan Tricia D. , Wright Anne L. , Martinez Fernando D. , Halonen Marilyn 
Published: September 2004

Problem:  The protein CD14 is a pattern recognition receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Whether genetic variation has the same influence on soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels in human plasma and milk remains to be determined.Method of study:  We measured sCD14 levels in plasma during pregnancy (n = 196) and in milk in the postpartum (n = 152) for women genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions −1619, −550, and −159 from the transcription start site of the CD14 gene.Results:  Plasma‐ and milk‐sCD14 levels differed significantly both by CD14/−1619 and CD14/−550 genotypes and by haplotypes. Most interestingly, sCD14 levels were regulated differentially by the same genetic variants in plasma and milk, with the CD14/−550T allele and the corresponding are ATC haplotype associated with high sCD14 in milk but low sCD14 in plasma. A correlation between sCD14 levels in plasma and milk was absent (r = 0.091, P = NS).Conclusions:  Our findings suggest the existence of cell‐specific regulation mechanisms of CD14 gene expression.
Interleukin‐1β‐induced Expression of IL‐6 and Production of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Human Trophoblast Cells via Nuclear Factor‐κB Activation
Authors: Tsukihara Satoru , Harada Tasuku , Deura Imari , Mitsunari Masahiro , Yoshida Souichi , Iwabe Tomio , Terakawa Naoki 
Published: September 2004

Problem:  The cytokine, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), stimulates the production of human chorionic gonadotropine (hCG) in chorionic cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) during the induction of IL‐6 by IL‐1β in human trophoblast cells.Method of study:  Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the gene expressions of IL‐1, IL‐1 receptor (IL‐1R), IL‐6R and gp130 in a human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo. The BeWo cells were cultured for 24 hr with IL‐1β (0–10 ng/mL), IL‐1β (10 ng/mL) together with IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) or NF‐κB inhibitor, N‐tocyl‐l‐phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK). The concentrations of IL‐6 in culture supernatants were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  The gene expressions of IL‐1R, IL‐6R and gp130, but not IL‐1β, were observed. The concentration of IL‐6 was enhanced by IL‐1β in a dose‐dependent fashion. The addition of IL‐1Ra neutralized the effects of IL‐1β on IL‐6 secretion. IL‐1β induced expression of phosphorylated IκB and the activation of NF‐κB. The addition of TPCK reduced the IL‐1β‐induced IL‐6 expression. Adding IL‐1β increased β‐hCG production in a dose‐dependent manner, and the addition of TPCK neutralized the effect of IL‐1β.Conclusion:  IL‐1β may induce the IL‐6 expression and hCG production in human BeWo cells via NF‐κB.
Use of Wavelets for Analyzing Transient Radiative Heat Transfer in an
Inhomogeneous Medium
Authors: Guven Oguzhan , Bayazitoglu Yildiz 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Transient radiative heat transfer in a two-dimensional inhomogeneous rectangular medium is considered. The medium is gray, absorbing, emitting and strongly scattering, and bounded by cold, black walls. Inhomogeneous zones of various sizes are placed at different locations within the medium. The incident radiant energy due to a short laser pulse produces a highly transient and unique transmittance, which is investigated. The discrete wavelets method is used to solve the corresponding equation of transient radiative transfer. The time dependent transmittance for various inhomogeneous areas and the significance of the size and location of the inhomogeneous zones are computed.