bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Value of Light Reflection Rheography for the Diagnosis of Superficial Venous Insufficiency: A Study in Patients with Primary Varicose Veins and in Workers with a Standing Occupation
Authors: de Boer E. M. , Krijnen R. M. A. , Hebeda C. L. , Mackaay A. J. C. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To study the value of light reflection rheography (LRR) as a diagnostic tool in subjects with varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Design: A prospective study comparing patients and workers with an occupation necessitating standing. Setting: Departments of Dermatology and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital VU, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and several manufacturing plants throughout the country. Subjects: Group I: 123 patients (168 legs) with a history of primary varicose veins attending the outpatient clinic; Group II: 374 male workers (748 legs) with an occupation necessitating standing. Methods: A questionnaire on venous disorders was administered, followed by clinical investigation, continuous-wave (c/w) Doppler ultrasound and LRR examination. LRR measurements were performed above the medial malleolus. A refilling time of at least 25 s after 10 dorsiflexions at the ankle was considered normal. In the case of shorter refilling times the procedure was repeated with a tourniquet above the probe. Normalization of the refilling time indicates an incompetent superficial venous system and a normal deep system. If there was no change we concluded deep venous insufficiency was present. Furthermore, in group I, duplex investigation of the venous system was performed. Main outcome measures: The diagnostic conclusions of the LRR measurements were compared with the diagnosis based on duplex investigation (group I) and clinical examination combined with c/w Doppler investigation (group II). Results: Group I: duplex investigation showed 156 cases of superficial venous insufficiency; LRR, 33. Sensitivity of LRR: 20%. Group II: Clinical and c/w Doppler examination showed 189 cases of superficial venous reflux; LRR, 29. Sensitivity of LRR: 7%. Conclusion: LRR has no apparent additive value in diagnosing superficial varicose veins in patients with a history of primary varicosities nor in screening a population for the presence of venous insufficiency.
Does a Varicose Saphenous Vein Exist?
Authors: Zamboni P. , Cappelli M. , Marcellino M. G. , Murgia A. P. , Pisano L. , Fabi P. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: Duplex ultrasound evaluation of the clinically diagnosed varicose long saphenous vein (LSV). Design: Prospective, single patient group study. Setting: Department of Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy (teaching hospital). Patients: 378 patients, 509 limbs with primary varicose veins; 94 patients, 103 limbs with a visible, superficial varicose vein trunk on the medial aspect of the thigh. Main outcome measure: Duplex ultrasound detection of a varicose saphenous vein and/or segmental saphenous dilatation and their relationship to saphenous reflux. Results: In 98% of cases the varicose trunk visible in the thigh was demonstrated to be a tributary of the saphenous vein; 34% of the observed saphenous veins exhibited segmental dilatations in the thigh. This finding was related in every case to saphenous vein reflux with high velocity and turbulence ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions: High-resolution ultrasonography demonstrated that when a dilated varicose longitudinal vein trunk is visible and palpable on the medial aspect of the thigh it is most likely to be a tributary rather than the LSV. In addition, a varicose saphenous vein along its entire length essentially does not exist. However, when a dilated saphenous segment occurs, it seems to be related to high diastolic flow velocity and turbulence.
Microdose acquisition in adolescent leg length discrepancy using a low-dose biplane imaging system
Authors: Jensen Janni , Mussmann Bo R , Hjarbæk John , Al-Aubaidi Zaid , Pedersen Niels W , Gerke Oke , Torfing Trine 
Published: January 2017

Background Children with leg length discrepancy often undergo repeat imaging. Therefore, every effort to reduce radiation dose is important. Using low dose preview images and noise reduction software rather than diagnostic images for length measurements might contribute to reducing dose. Purpose To compare leg length measurements performed on diagnostic images and low dose preview images both acquired using a low-dose bi-planar imaging system. Material and Methods Preview and diagnostic images from 22 patients were retrospectively collected (14 girls, 8 boys; mean age, 12.8 years; age range, 10–15 years). All images were anonymized and measured independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Three sets of measurements were performed on all images; the mechanical axis lines of the femur and the tibia as well as the anatomical line of the entire extremity. Statistical significance was tested with a paired t-test. Results No statistically significant difference was found between measurements performed on the preview and on the diagnostic image. The mean tibial length difference between the observers was −0.06 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.12 to 0.01) and −0.08 cm (95% CI, −0.21 to 0.05), respectively; 0.10 cm (95% CI, 0.02–0.17) and 0.06 cm (95% CI, −0.02 to 0.14) for the femoral measurements and 0.12 cm (95% CI, −0.05 to 0.26) and 0.08 cm (95% CI, −0.02 to 0.19) for total leg length discrepancy. ICCs were >0.99 indicating excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability. Conclusion The data strongly imply that leg length measurements performed on preview images from a low-dose bi-planar imaging system are comparable to measurements performed on diagnostic images.
CT, MRI, and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the head and neck
Authors: Kim Ha Youn , Hwang Ji Young , Kim Hyung-Jin , Kim Yi Kyung , Cha Jihoon , Park Gyeong Min , Kim Sung Tae 
Published: January 2017

Background Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a highly malignant tumor and rarely occurs in the head and neck. Purpose To describe the imaging features of MPNST of the head and neck. Material and Methods We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography (CT; n = 14), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n = 16), and 18F-FDG PET/CT (n = 5) imaging features of 18 MPNSTs of the head and neck in 17 patients. Special attention was paid to determine the nerve of origin from which the tumor might have arisen. Results All lesions were well-defined (n = 3) or ill-defined (n = 15) masses (mean, 6.1 cm). Lesions were at various locations but most commonly the neck (n = 8), followed by the intracranial cavity (n = 3), paranasal sinus (n = 2), and orbit (n = 2). The nerve of origin was inferred for 11 lesions: seven in the neck, two in the orbit, one in the cerebellopontine angle, and one on the parietal scalp. Attenuation, signal intensity, and enhancement pattern of the lesions on CT and MRI were non-specific. Necrosis/hemorrhage/cystic change within the lesion was considered to be present on images in 13 and bone change in nine. On 18F-FDG PET/CT images, all five lesions demonstrated various hypermetabolic foci with maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) from 3.2 to 14.6 (mean, 7.16 ± 4.57). Conclusion MPNSTs can arise from various locations in the head and neck. Though non-specific, a mass with an ill-defined margin along the presumed course of the cranial nerves may aid the diagnosis of MPSNT in the head and neck.
Leg lengthening and femoral-offset reduction after total hip arthroplasty: where is the problem – stem or cup positioning?
Authors: Al-Amiry Bariq , Mahmood Sarwar , Krupic Ferid , Sayed-Noor Arkan 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundRestoration of femoral offset (FO) and leg length is an important goal in total hip arthroplasty (THA) as it improves functional outcome.PurposeTo analyze whether the problem of postoperative leg lengthening and FO reduction is related to the femoral stem or acetabular cup positioning or both.Material and MethodsBetween September 2010 and April 2013, 172 patients with unilateral primary osteoarthritis treated with THA were included. Postoperative leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and global FO (summation of cup and FO) were measured by two observers using a standardized protocol for evaluation of antero-posterior plain hip radiographs. Patients with postoperative leg lengthening ≥10 mm (n = 41) or with reduced global FO >5 mm (n = 58) were further studied by comparing the stem and cup length of the operated side with the contralateral side in the lengthening group, and by comparing the stem and cup offset of the operated side with the contralateral side in the FO reduction group. We evaluated also the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of the radiological measurements.ResultsBoth observers found that leg lengthening was related to the stem positioning while FO reduction was related to the positioning of both the femoral stem and acetabular cup. Both inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility were moderate to excellent (intra-class correlation co-efficient, ICC ≥0.69).ConclusionPost THA leg lengthening was mainly caused by improper femoral stem positioning while global FO reduction resulted from improper positioning of both the femoral stem and the acetabular cup.
Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the early assessment of response to concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Xu Yan , Zhu Lijing , Ru Tong , Wang Huanhuan , He Jian , Zhou Zhengyang , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: January 2017

Background Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D-PDU) imaging has been widely applied to the differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lesions; however, its potential value for predicting response to chemo-radiotherapy has not been fully explored. Purpose To investigate the feasibility of 3D-PDU imaging in predicting treatment response in patients receiving concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) for advanced cervical cancer. Material and Methods Fifty-two patients with advanced cervical cancer who received CCRT underwent 3D-PDU examinations at four timepoints: pre-therapy (baseline), 1 week and 2 weeks during, as well as immediately post CCRT. Final tumor response was determined by change in tumor size using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cervical tumor volumes and vascular indices were calculated and compared with the clinical outcome. Results Of the 52 patients, 32 patients who completed all four examinations were included in the analyses: 21 were classified as complete response (CR) and 11 as partial response (PR). During the treatment, the CR group showed that 3D vascular indices (VI and VFI) significantly increased at 1 week ( P = 0.028, P = 0.017, respectively) then decreased at 2 weeks and obviously decreased at therapy completion (both P < 0.001), whereas tumors significantly decreased in volume at 2 weeks after therapy initiation ( P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in 3D vascular indices values were seen in the PR group during the treatment course (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Prospective longitudinal 3D-PDU imaging may have potentials in monitoring early therapeutic response to CCRT in patients with cervical cancer.
Psychometric Assessment of the Therapeutic Efficiency of Antidepressant Agents
Authors: Elwan Osamah , Souief Mostafa , Hassan Mahassen Aly , Allam Mahmoud 
Published: January 2017

A clinical trial of four weeks duration was conducted involving a tota of thirty depressed patients, of both sexes, aged between twenty and thirty-four years. The total number of patients was divided into three groups of ten patients each. One group received amitriptyline, the second group was administered noxiptyline and the third group was given dibenzepine. All drugs were administered orally. Patients were submitted to psychometric testing before and after drug administration. The tests used included the ‘Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression', the ‘Hildreth Feeling Scale’ and the ‘D Scale’ and the ‘Trail Making Test’ for the evaluation of psychomotor retardation. It was concluded that the Hamilton Rating Scale was the most relatively sensitive test utilized in assessing the depressive state and its improvement. Amitriptyline was found to be mostly anxiolytic; noxiptyline controlled both depression and anxiety to approximately the same extent; and dibenzepine was found to be a mood-elevating drug with an energizing action.
A Double-Blind Crossover Evaluation of Ketoprofen (Orudis®) and Placebo in Rheumatoid Arthritis with Assessment of Long-Term Tolerance
Authors: Howard D L G 
Published: January 2017

A two-week double-blind crossover study of ketoprofen, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, and placebo was done in ten patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in order to obtain a preliminary efficacy estimate of this new drug. Even after only one week of treatment, joint activity was significantly reduced while other parameters of disease activity showed strong clinical trends in favour of the drug. Only one adverse reaction (mild nausea) was reported during ketoprofen therapy. At the conclusion of the double-blind study, seven patients volunteered to continue on ketoprofen to evaluate the tolerance of the drug during protracted administration. All patients completed over twelve months of treatment. Overall, ketoprofen gave good control of pain and inflammation, gastro-intestinal disturbance was reported in a single instance and laboratory values were not adversely affected by the drug.
Double-Blind Comparison of Butorphanol and Meperidine in the Treatment of Post-Surgical Pain
Authors: Stehling Linda C , Zauder Howard L 
Published: January 2017

The efficacy and safety of butorphanol tartrate were compared in a double-blind manner to meperidine hydrochloride in 299 patients with moderate to severe post-operative pain. When analgesia was requested, patients were medicated with butorphanol (1.0 or 2.0 mg) or meperidine (40 or 80 mg) administered intramuscularly according to a pre-determined computer-generated random schedule. Evaluation of pain relief data showed no significant differences between butorphanol and meperidine at the low doses and at the high dose levels. Onset of analgesia, peak effect (thirty to sixty minutes) and duration of action (approximately four hours) were comparable. Thus, the data support a 40:1 butorphanol to meperidine potency ratio. There was little difference between the drugs with respect to adverse reactions, effects on vital signs, and variations in laboratory values. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was more common in the meperidine-treated patients. Respiratory depression occurred in three patients who received meperidine and in one to whom butorphanol was administered. One meperidine-treated patient experienced hallucinations, a phenomenon not observed following butorphanol. On the basis of these data, butorphanol appears to be a safe, well tolerated and highly effective analgesic for the treatment of moderate to severe postoperative pain.
Comparative Haemodynamic Studies with Mepindolol-Sulphate(SH E 222) and Propranolol (Inderal®, Dociton®) in the Isoproterenol Test
Authors: Bonelli J 
Published: January 2017

The haemodynamic effects of a β-receptor blockade with mepindolol-sulphate and propranolol were studied under basal conditions and under an increasing dose of isoproterenol in 6 subjects aged between 25 and 30 years. Special attention was paid to possible differences between the two substances as regards their affinity for the various β1 and β2 -receptors. The cardiac output (HMV) was determined with the aid of the Swan-Ganz-thermodilution method, the blood pressure was measured wet. The results led to the following conclusions: A decrease in the heart rate (HR) occurs under basal conditions after propranolol, but not after administration of mepindolol-sulphate. The lack of an effect of mepindolol-sulphate on the HR at rest can be explained by its intrinsic activity. A reduction of the stroke volume (SV) occurs under basal conditions after propranolol, whereas no effect on the SV was observed under mepindolol-sulphate. Three properties of mepindolol-sulphate are responsible for this lack of effect on the S V, namely its only slight quinidine-like effect compared with propranolol, its intrinsic activity and its only slight affinity for the inotropism receptors at the heart. An infusion of isoproterenol leads to a decrease in the pulmonary capillary pressures (Pc pressures). This effect can be competitively suppressed both with propranolol and with mepindolol-sulphate. This effect has been explained by the fact that isoproterenol leads to dilatation of the venous capacity vessels as a result of stimulation of the β2 -receptors in the periphery. Blockade of the β2 -receptors can prevent this dilatation. The affinities of propranolol for the frequency and inotropism receptors at the heart and for the β2 -receptors in the peripheral vessels are of the same magnitude. In contrast to this, the affinity of mepindolol-sulphate for the inotropism receptors at the heart is considerably less than for the frequency receptors and the β2 -receptors in the periphery.
The Palatability of Colloidal Bulk Forming Agents
Authors: Flaherty E V , O'Doherty J , Fielding J F 
Published: January 2017

The palatability of three bulk additives was studied in volunteers under 40 and over 60 years of age. Women highly significantly preferred Normaeol Special® (Norgine) to Fybogel® (Reckitt & Colman) and Celevac Granules® (W.B.P.). On both preference and palatability score Normacol Special was significantly preferred to Celevac Granules, as it was in the under 40's on palatability; score and in the over 60's on preference, but in the latter, sex may have accounted for the difference observed. Volunteers under the age of 40 gave Celevac a significantly higher palatability score than Fybogel; the reverse occurred in the over 60's. These results have therapeutic implications in patients with different gastrointestinal disorders.
A Clinical Trial of Cotrimazine (Sulfadiazine + Trimethoprim) in Flare-Ups of Chronic Bronchitis
Authors: Leone G , Lanza R , Paoletti V , Parlapiano C , Vincentelli G M 
Published: January 2017

The authors treated acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis with a combination of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) (cotrimazine). They treated thirty patients for a week, with daily dosages of 900 mg SDZ and 300 mg TMP, in an open trial in comparison with ampicillin 2 g daily. The result of treatment (course and duration of the acute episode, fever, cough, dyspnoea, sputum amount and description, chest sounds, ESR, and WBC count), tested by suitable statistical methods, showed that cotrimazine had excellent therapeutic activity and was readily tolerated; over-all results compared closely with those obtained with ampicillin. In their concluding remarks the authors state that in addition to being effective in the morbid condition selected for trial, cotrimazine offers some advantages over similar combinations of TMP and other sulfonamides, both because of the intrinsic physicochemical and pharmacological properties of SDZ and because of its lower dosage in this combination.
Arginine Thiazolidinecarboxylate in the Treatment of Chronic Active Hepatitis: Double-Blind Comparison with Placebo
Authors: Miracco Antonio , Iodice Giuseppe , Peluso Ciro , Quarentelli Augusto , Selce Pasquale , Tedesco Adolfo , Pastore Pietro 
Published: January 2017

Forty-four patients with chronic active hepatitis were given arginine thiazolidinecarboxylate (800 mg/day per os for 40 days) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind trial. The most important liver function parameters were measured in each patient at the beginning of the trial, after 20 days, and at the end of the trial. The active drug lessened the parameters of necrosis and cholestasis while protein synthesis improved in liver cells. The differences between ATCA and placebo groups were highly significant. No treatment-related side-effects were reported.
Acidrine® in the Management of Gastritis and Duodenitis. A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Galeone M , Cacioli D , Toti G L , Moise G , Megevand J , Benazzi E , Michetti F 
Published: January 2017

Thirty-nine adult out-patients with dyspepsia and endoscopically proven gastritis and/or duodenitis without ulcer, completed a double-blind, placebo controlled, 8-week clinical trial of either Acidrine® (twenty-one patients) or placebo (eighteen patients), at a daily dosage of 2 tablets t.i.d. Treatment with Acidrine resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms and in the endoscopic appearance of the gastritis and duodenitis when compared with placebo.
The Effect of Vivida® Cream as Compared with Placebo Cream in the Treatment of Sun-Damaged or Age-Damaged Facial Skin
Authors: Lassus A , Eskelinen A , Santalahti J 
Published: January 2017

Vivida® when used orally has been previously shown to be effective in treating degenerated skin of women. In the present study, 30 women with moderate to severe sund-amaged facial skin applied Vivida® cream twice daily for 120 days on one side of the face and placebo to the other. Vivida® was significantly ( P < 0.001) more effective than placebo in improving wrinkles. The effects of Vivida® cream on mottles and telangiectasis were also significantly ( P < 0.01) greater than those of placebo. Scanner measurement showed that epidermal thickness increased from 0.13 mm to 0.29 mm and dermal thickness from 0.91 mm to 1.29 mm on the Vivida®-treated side; only minimal changes were observed on the placbeo-treated side. The elasticity index increased from about 50% to 69% on the Vivida®-treated side and from 49% to 50% on the placebo-treated side. Oral verabreichte Vivida® zeigte sich früher wirksam in der Behandlung der degenerierten Haut von Frauen. In der vorliegenden Studie trugen 30 Frauen mit mittelschweren bis schweren Sonnenschäden der Gesichtshaut zweimal täglich über 120 Tage Vivida® Creme bzw. Plazebo auf beide Gesichtshälften auf. Vivida® verbesserte Hautfalten signifikant wirksamer als Plazebo ( P < 0.001). Die Wirkung von Vivida® auf Flecke und Telangiektasen war auch im Vergleich mit Plazebo signifikant stärker ( P < 0.01). Ultraschallmessung ergab eine Zunahme der epidermischen Dicke von 0.13 mm auf 0.29 mm und der dermischen Dicke von 0.91 auf 1.29 mm auf der mit Vivida®-behandelten Gesichtshälfte; nur minimale Veränderungen wurden auf der plazebo-behandelten Hälfte beobachtet. Der Elastizitäts-index stieg von ca. 50% auf 69% auf der Vivida®-behandelten Hälfte und von 49% auf 50% auf der plazebo-behandelten Hälfte auf.
New patriot games
Authors: Passell Josh 
Published: January 2017

When I returned to the United States after four years in England, I felt as if the country had shifted under my feet. Remember 1991? George Bush was triumphantly concluding the Gulf War and seemed electorally invincible; Bill Clinton was stumbling in the early primaries; no-one had heard of Clarence Thomas or Anita Hill; Waco was just another town in Texas; OJ was still married. Don't worry about the far right, I would say with the confidence and accuracy of a BBC meteorologist, they've always been there, and periodically they reappear to scare us. I would cite The Order, Posse Comitatus, or Aryan Nation as the Michigan Militia of their time. Then Waco happened, and I was stunned. Then Oklahoma City happened, and I was aghast. Politicians have been ‘running against Washington’ and voters ‘throwing the bums out’ for as long as I can remember. The rise of cults, militias, and other extremists is something very different with little relation to left or right, Republican or Democrat. With militiamen spouting hate and calling it love, with ‘patriots’ taking up arms against the government, with religious zealots dying in infernos, one might justifiably ask what else is at hand. Where is America now? Ask another American and you'd get another answer, but here's mine: America is at (or near) a place where I cannot burn the nation's flag and call it legal protest, but the Ku Klux Klan can burn a cross in a public space and call it religion. If I feel a little unsteady on my feet, I guess I haven't regained my land legs yet.