bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Important are Incompetent Thigh Perforating Veins? A Review of Three Papers and Comment
Authors: Corbett C. R. R. 
Published: January 2017

Everyone has heard about incompetence of thigh perforating veins. General practitioners in referral letters often suggest them to the surgeon. Yet they are difficult to diagnose and treat. Thigh perforator incompetence is seldom the only site of incompetence in the affected limb and the relative importance of each site can only be surmised. Even after treatment the surgeon may be uncertain if this source of incompetence has been successfully ablated and uncertain if the result will be durable. Three papers on this topic are reviewed which answer some of the important questions about the frequency of the problem and the sites of thigh perforators.
Venous Claudication Evaluated by Ambulatory Plethysmography
Authors: Baumgartner Iris , Franzeck U. K. , Bollinger A. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To determine whether dynamic plethysmography during treadmill exercise allows objective confirmation of venous claudication. Design: Prospective investigation of the use of calf volume changes during treadmill work using dynamic strain-gauge plethysmography. Setting: University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. Patients: Eighteen patients with suspected venous claudication who had occlusions or stenoses in the femoral or iliac veins shown on phlebography and/or Duplex scanning, compared to a group of 20 healthy volunteers. Interventions: Venous occlusion strain-gauge plethysmography was carried out, followed by continuous volume recording while on a treadmill set at 10° and velocity of 7 km/hr for 3 minutes or until pain forced the subject to stop. Main outcome measure: Calf volume changes during exercise. Results: Significant differences were observed in calf volume changes during exercise in the group of patients with venous stenoses or occlusions and symptomatic venous claudication. Conclusion: Dynamic plethysmography during treadmill exercise allows objective confirmation of venous claudication.
Groin-to-Knee Downward Stripping of the Long Saphenous Vein
Authors: Conrad P. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of downward stripping of the long saphenous vein. Design: Retrospective study in a series of patients treated surgically by the author. Setting: Department of Surgery, Nepean Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Patients: Patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of varicose veins attributable to sapheno-femoral incompetence. Interventions: Patients underwent flush sapheno-femoral ligation with stripping of the long saphenous vein using a downward stripping of the long saphenous vein between the groin and knee. Main outcome measures: Cosmetic appearance of the limb and presence or absence of neurological disturbance suggestive of injury to the saphenous nerve. Results: Satisfactory healing of all wounds was found. Good aesthetic results and no neurological complication was encountered. Conclusion: Groin to knee downward stripping of the long saphenous vein provides a safe and effective method for managing varices of the long saphenous vein.
How to Measure Changes in Oedema in Patients with Chronic Venous Ulcers?
Authors: Barnes M. D. , Mani R. , Barrett D. F. , White J. E. 
Published: January 2017

objective: To assess changes in limb volume and oedema in Patients admitted to hospital for treatment of venous ulceration. Design: Prospective study in thirteen patients. Setting: Health Service teaching hospital. Patients: Thirteen patients with venous ulceration for 2 years. Interventions: Patients were admitted to hospital for bed-rest and lower limb elevation for a period of 24 hours Main outcome measures: Limb volume was measured by water displacement and impedance plethysmography. Results: During limb elevation there was a mean reduction limb volume of 524 mls (95% CI 377–671 mls) after 24 hours of bedrest. This corresponded with a reduction in impedance measured by the impedance plethysmograph of 19–0 ohms (95% CI 24.3 to 15.6 ohms). Conclusion: Measurement of the lower limb volume by water displacement and by impedance plethysmography are likely to be useful methods in the investigation of Patients with chronic venous insufficiency.
Calf Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Hill D. A. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To demonstrate the difficulties of the clinical diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and demonstrate the utility of ultrasound imaging as a diagnostic technique in suspected deep vein thrombosis. Design: Series of three case reports. Setting: Grondin Clinic, Calgery, Alberta, Canada. Patients: Three patients with symptoms suggestive of deep vein thrombosis of the calf. Interventions: Duplex ultrasound imaging in all patients combined with phlebography of the lower limb in one patient. Main outcome measure: Presence of deep vein thrombosis or soft tissue abnormalities of the lower limb on ultrasound imaging or venography. Results: A Baker cyst was found in one patient, an intramuscular haematoma in a further patient, both detected by ultrasound imaging, but not by venography. In the third patient a venogram failed to demonstrate deep vein thrombosis in the calf, but this was detected on ultrasound imaging. Conclusions: Ultrasound imaging is a valuable tool in reaching a diagnosis in patients presenting with symptoms suggesting deep vein thrombosis in the calf.
Frequency of Isolated Superficial Venous Incompetence in Patients with Venous Ulcers as Measured by Ambulatory Strain-Gauge Plethysmography
Authors: Hansson C. , Holm J. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: Identification of isolated superficial venous incompetence (SVI) in patients with clinically diagnosed venous leg ulcers using a computerized strain-gauge plethysmograph. Design: Ambulatory leg ulcer patients were assessed as to the clinical diagnosis. Diagnoses other than venous ulceration were excluded. Setting: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Patients: One hundred and fourteen patients (133 legs) with venous leg ulcers were investigated. Main outcome measures: All patients were also investigated by measuring systolic ankle and arm pressure measurements. The ankle/arm (AI) was below 0.9 in 22 of the 133 ulcerated legs. Results: Of the 111 ulcerated legs with an AI>0.9, 10% had an isolated SVI. Conclusions: Isolated SVI is an important cause of venous leg ulcer development. Strain-gauge plethysmography is an inexpensive screening method, and is easy to use. Further examination with the more exact, but also more expensive and time-consuming, colour duplex should be performed in selected cases.
Ultrastructural Changes in the Venous Wall Induced by Experimental Diabetes: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Mompeó B. , Ortega F. , Sarmiento L. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To study whether experimental streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes results in structural alterations to the venous wall of the femoral vein in adult rats, in order to develop further studies using this model. Design: A prospective study of femoral veins obtained from controls and STZ-induced diabetes rats. Setting: Department of Morphology, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Interventions: Experimental diabetes induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Main outcome measures: The samples were studied at 6 and 12 weeks post-injection using light and transmission electron microscopy. Results: The results show that the venous wall is affected by an increase in the deposition of extracellular tissue. In addition the endothelial, muscular and adventitial cells show morphological changes. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate significant alterations in the venous wall due to hyperglycaemia in the STZ-animal model.
Antithrombin III and D-dimer levels as indicators of disease severity in patients with hyperlipidaemic or biliary acute pancreatitis
Authors: Yang Ning , Hao Jianyu , Zhang Donglei 
Published: January 2017

Objective To assess changes in anticoagulation and fibrinolytic systems between biliary and hyperlipidaemic acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Patients with biliary or hyperlipidaemic AP were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C, protein S, and D-dimer levels were investigated. Results A total of 45 patients with biliary AP and 50 patients with hyperlipidaemic AP were included (68 with mild AP and 27 with moderately-severe AP). ATIII and protein C levels in the mild AP group were significantly higher, but prothrombin time and D-dimer were significantly lower, versus the moderately-severe AP group. ATIII and D-dimer were found to be risk factors for moderately-severe AP. ATIII could predict AP severity, particularly in patients with biliary AP. D-dimer was a sensitive and specific predictor for disease severity in patients with AP, particularly in patients with hyperlipidaemic AP. Conclusion ATIII and protein C levels decreased as severity of AP increased, particularly in cases of biliary AP. D-dimer levels increased with severity of AP, particularly in hyperlipidaemic AP. ATIII and D-dimer may be useful biomarkers for assessing AP severity in patients with biliary and hyperlipidaemic AP, respectively.
The profile of leucocytes, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells, and cytokine concentrations in peripheral blood of children with acute asthma exacerbation
Authors: Nguyen-Thi-Dieu Thuy , Le-Thi-Thu Huong , Duong-Quy Sy 
Published: January 2017

Objective To determine the leucocyte profile and cytokine concentrations in the peripheral blood of children with an acute asthma exacerbation (AAE). Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional study enrolled paediatric patients admitted to hospital for AAE. The severity of AAE was assessed using the paediatric asthma score (PAS). Peripheral blood samples were collected for automatic quantification of white blood cell counts, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells populations by flow cytometry and cytokine concentrations by flow cytometry-assisted immunoassay. Results A total of 127 children with AAE and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. The proportion of paediatric patients with decreased CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in those with severe AAE compared with those with mild-to-moderate AAE. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-4 in paediatric patients with rhinovirus infection were significantly higher than in those without rhinovirus infection. IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α and GM-CSF concentrations during AAE were significantly lower than control. IL-5 and IL-13 concentrations during AAE were significantly higher than control. Conclusions The decrease of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells and IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and GM-CSF combined with the increase of IL-5 and IL-13, were associated with AAE in children with asthma.
Multicentre General Practitioner Assessment of ‘Tenormin’ and Methyldopa
Authors: Tweed J A , Mason B , Sleigh R 
Published: January 2017

A large scale study in general practice was set up to investigate the effects, of transferring hypertensive patients from treatment with usually less than 1 g daily of methyldopa to atenolol ('Tenormin') 100 mg daily. The results demonstrate an improvement in blood pressure control with atenolol treatment and a reduction in the incidence of side-effects. The simple dosage regime, combined with proven effectiveness and a relative lack of side-effects makes atenolol a useful treatment for the hypertensive patient.
A Multicentre Hospital Study to Compare the Hypnotic Efficacy of Loprazolam and Nitrazepam
Authors: McAlpine C Joan , Ankier S I , Elliott Catherine S C 
Published: January 2017

A multicentre, parallel group hospital study was carried out in 190 subjects with insomnia to compare the efficacy, incidence of hangover and the side-effects of loprazolam and nitrazepam. Following 2 nights single-blind phase on placebo, loprazolam (1·0 mg), nitrazepam (5·0 mg) or placebo was administered double-blind for 7 consecutive nights. Visual analogue scales and questions were used to rate efficacy. There was no statistically significant difference between loprazolam and nitrazepam for ‘ease of getting to sleep’, ‘restfulness of sleep’ and ‘depth of sleep’. Like nitrazepam, loprazolam diminished the number of periods of wakefulness and made it ‘easier to get to sleep again’. Subjective evaluation showed that hangover was not a feature of loprazolam. It did not affect morning alertness and patients thought they had improved balance and co-ordination while on this drug. These findings are in keeping with the evidence of other workers who have shown only minimal psychomotor impairment, if any, with loprazolam (1·0 mg). There was no statistically significant difference between treatments with respect to frequency or incidence of side-effects.
Treatment of Periarthritis of the Shoulder: A Comparison of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac
Authors: Famaey J P , Ginsberg F 
Published: January 2017

Fifty patients with periarthritis of the shoulder were entered into this randomized double-blind trial, twenty-five on ibuprofen 1600 mg daily and twenty-five on diclofenac 100 mg daily, in order to compare the efficacy and side-effects of these two drugs over a 14-day treatment period. Based on forty-six patients with adequate follow-up data, statistically significant improvements within both treatments (p < 0·001) were noted during the course of the study with respect to all of the variables studied: degree of pain, amplitude of rotation, amplitude of abduction and patient treatment efficacy as assessed by both the patient and the clinician. Approximately one-half of the patients on each treatment reported either ‘good’ or ‘very good’ treatment results at Day 14. No significant difference between the treatments was noted with respect to the amount of improvement shown for any of the variables studied. Side-effects, the majority of which were gastro-intestinal in nature, were reported for five patients on ibuprofen and six patients on diclofenac. They were severe enough to cause treatment to be stopped in six patients, three on each treatment. This trial demonstrates that ibuprofen and diclofenac are of virtually equal efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of patients with periarthritis of the shoulder.
Comparative Trial of Two Dose Regimens of Terfenadine in Patients with Hay Fever
Authors: Murphy-O'Connor J C , Renton R L , Westlake D M 
Published: January 2017

Eighty patients with hay fever took part in a double-blind study to compare the efficacy of two doses of terfenadine, namely 60 mg b.d., the standard recommended dose, and 120 mg b.d. Thirty-nine patients received 60 mg b.d. and thirty-eight received 120 mg b.d., each given over 1 week. Symptoms were assessed at the start and end of treatment and were also recorded in diary cards. Over-all efficacy was determined by doctor and patient at the end of treatment. Onset of relief of symptoms after the first dose was recorded. The results showed no significant differences between the two treatments. Symptom relief was good for both (54%–63% experiencing good or complete relief) and the target symptoms of hay fever (i.e. those most commonly reported) were relieved particularly well. Average onset of symptom relief was 72 minutes for 60 mg and 59 minutes for 120 mg. Side-effects were few for both doses, only three patients in total reporting sedation.
Hydrocortisone 17-Butyrate (Locoid®) 0.1% Fatty Cream versus Desonide (Apolar®) 0·1% Ointment in the Treatment of Patients Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Rajka G , Veijans H L 
Published: January 2017

A randomized, double-blind, left-right study to compare the therapeutic efficacy and the cosmetic acceptability of the new hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid®) 0·1% fatty cream application form with desonide (Apolar®) 0·1% ointment was performed in thirty patients suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The medications were applied to symmetrical, bilateral skin lesions twice daily for 4 weeks. Both treatments effected highly significant reductions of the score values for the severity of all clinical skin parameters assessed. Score reductions were, however, more pronounced on Locoid-treated sides than on Apolar-treated sides both after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy. It appeared further that clinical efficacy of treatment at completion of the study was also in favour of Locoid-treated sides, indicating that Locoid fatty cream is more effective than Apolar ointment. No serious side-effects were reported during the study. The expressed patient preferences with respect to cosmetic acceptability of treatments were significantly in favour of Locoid fatty cream, indicating that patients preferred the use of this new galenic formulation over an ointment formulation. It is concluded that the new application form of Locoid, a fatty cream, is a useful and beneficial addition to topical corticosteroid therapy, which will promote patient compliance in a wide range of corticosteroid-responsive skin diseases.
Morphological Findings in Young Dogs Chronically Fed a Diet Containing Excess Calcium
Authors: Goedegebuure S. A. , Hazewinkel H. A. W. 
Published: January 2017

Morphologic findings in Great Dane pups fed a supplement containing three times the recommended calcium content (HC-group) and a diet which followed recommended requirements (NC-group) are described. In the HC-group significant skeletal changes were found using histologic, histomorphometric, and bone labeling techniques. Both cartilage and osseous changes were present. Articular and physeal cartilage changes consisted of various-sized irregularities of retained cartilage with disturbances in enchondral ossification. These changes were comparable to osteochondrotic lesions. Osseous lesions were characterized by retarded maturation and retarded remodeling of trabecular and cortical bone, a higher percentage of total bone volume, and a decreased number of osteoclasts. Initially the parathyroid glands were found to be less active, and in the thyroid glands the C-cells were more numerous. At the end of the study these differences were far less pronounced.
Effect of Vinpocetine on Rat Adjuvant Arthritis
Authors: Prokopová A. , Rovenský J. , Machová J. , Stančíková M. , Orviský E. , Kéry V. 
Published: January 2017

The effects of vinpocetine (VP), a proposed modulator of production of arachidonic acid metabolites, on disease development and immune functions in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) were investigated. Daily i.p. administration of VP (25 mg/kg/for 14 days) to rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis significantly reduced both edema and bone erosion in the hindpaws. After the administration of vinpocetine a decrease of serum hyaluronic acid levels, active lymphocyte number and increase of serum albumin levels were found. Decrease in urine biopterin levels were normalised after treatment with VP. In conclusion, vinpocetine was shown to have antiinflammatory and antiarthritic effects in rats.
Tumor Cell Death Induced through the Receptor for Interleukin-2
Authors: Migliorati G. , Delfino D. V. , Nocentini G. , Nicoletti I. , Riccardi C. 
Published: January 2017

We performed experiments to analyze the possible apoptotic effect of recombinant IL-2 on neoplastic cells expressing the receptor for IL-2. YAC-1 or EL/4 tumor cells, incubated in vitro with IL-2 or with monoclonal antibodies against the alfa-chain of the IL-2 receptor, underwent to apoptosis as analyzed by reduction in nuclear size, derangement in chromatin structure and DNA fragmentation in oligonucleosomal subunits. The apoptotic phenomenon was time- and dose-dependent. Inhibition of mRNA synthesis D-act or addition of IL-4 counteracted the effect of both IL-2 and anti-IL-2/r antibodies. Both rIL-2 or anti-IL-2/r mAb determined an augmentation of phosphorilation pattern as measured by western immunoblotting, and a transient augmentation of Ca++ as evaluated by a spectrophotometrical assay. These data suggest that stimulation of IL-2 receptor may induce an active process of cell death on neoplastic cells in vitro.
III. Organizational Analysis of Deinstitutionalization in a Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: Reinharz Daniel , Contandriopoulos André-Pierre , Lesage Alain D 
Published: January 2017

Background: Few studies have been conducted of the organizational aspects that impact on the course of psychiatric deinstitutionalization. Method A case study was undertaken of 10 years of deinstitutionalization in a Montreal psychiatric hospital. Results Deinstitutionalization has forged ahead in the hospital over the past few years, although the course it has taken is not the one initially plotted by its promoters. Care management of deinstitutionalized patients remains under the control of the psychiatric hospital and its physicians. However, the patients' well-being has remained a focus of concern and does not seem to have been detrimentally affected by this development. Conclusion Deinstitutionalization is both a solution to the criticisms levelled at the hospital-psychiatric approach of managing persons with severe and persistent mental disorders and an extremely useful tool in the power struggle among the various stakeholders in mental health services reform. Deinstitutionalization has become unavoidable.
Duration of Pretreatment Phases in Schizophrenia: Women and Men
Authors: Cohen Robin Z , Gotowiec Andrew , Seeman Mary V 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To determine the relative duration of the prepsychotic prodrome and the period of untreated psychosis in women and men with schizophrenia. Method From a larger study population, we selected 27 women and 34 men treated at 1 facility. To determine the time of first behavioural change and the time of first psychotic symptoms, we administered the Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia (IRAOS). Subjects' mothers were interviewed using the same instrument. Time of first treatment was determined by hospital record. Results The first sign of behavioural disturbance occurred at approximately the same age in women and men. The prepsychotic prodrome was almost twice as long for women as for men. The duration of untreated psychosis did not differ between the 2 sexes. Substance abuse did not influence the observed difference between men and women in the duration of the prepsychotic phase. The interval between first behavioural sign and first treatment was, on average, 6 years for men and 9 years for women. Conclusion As-yet-unknown factors speed up the progression from nonspecific symptoms to psychosis in men or delay it in women.
Problem and Probable Pathological Gambling: Considerations from a Community Survey
Authors: Cox Brian J , Kwong Julia , Michaud Valerie , Enns Murray W 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To investigate the nature and extent of gambling problems in a region of Canada in which legalized gambling activities were expanded during the 1990s. Method A standardized telephone interview was conducted with a random sample of 738 community-dwelling adults (response rate 74%) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Results According to traditional classification criteria, the lifetime prevalence of “probable pathological gambling” was 2.6%. A further 3.0% of the sample met criteria for traditionally defined “problem gambling,” and evidence suggests that both types of gamblers share several characteristics. Social or recreational gamblers significantly differed on several variables from individuals who reported gambling problems. Conclusions The 2.6% prevalence figure is the highest yet reported in a Canadian epidemiological survey and was obtained in a region that developed a more liberal attitude toward gambling in the 1990s. Further, a continuum of severity was demonstrated by scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and a clear and consistent distinction between problem and probable pathological gambling was not apparent. Frequenting casinos and using video poker and slot machines, rather than buying lottery tickets, distinguishes problem or pathological gamblers from recreational gamblers.