bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy, Surveillance Ultrasonography, and Fine-Needle Aspiration after Hemithyroidectomy
Authors: Noureldine Salem I. , Khan Amna , Massasati Saleh A. , Kethman William , Kandil Emad 
Published: January 2017

Objectives: We undertook a retrospective analysis of a single surgeon's experience at a tertiary care teaching hospital to determine the rates of surveillance ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and the need for thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) after hemithyroidectomy. Methods: The study population comprised 120 consecutive patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy by one surgeon from January 2008 to June 2011. The medical records were reviewed for preoperative and postoperative calcium levels, fiberoptic direct laryngoscopy examination of vocal fold mobility, postoperative complications, final pathology, and postoperative follow-up. Results: Fifteen patients required completion thyroidectomy for malignancy and were excluded from the surveillance analysis. Of the remaining 105 patients, 10 (9.5%) required postoperative THRT. The likelihood for THRT was significantly associated with increased age (p = 0.01) and the presence of thyroiditis (p = 0.04). Other factors, such as gender, body mass index, residual thyroid volume, and presence of contralateral lobe nodules, were not significantly associated with this likelihood (p > 0.05). Twenty-three patients (21.9%) were followed with surveillance ultrasound, of whom 12 (11.4%) underwent FNA for nodule(s) in the contralateral lobe. Seventy-eight percent of patients did not require any long-term postoperative surveillance. There were no instances of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: Hemithyroidectomy is an effective and efficient option for the management of benign and suspicious thyroid nodules. However, patients of increased age and/or with thyroiditis are at higher risk for postoperative hypothyroidism, and should be counseled to consider total thyroidectomy to avoid the need for long-term surveillance and the possible need for a second operation.
Efficacy of Dexpanthenol for Pediatric Post-Tonsillectomy Pain and Wound Healing
Authors: Celebi Saban , Tepe Cigdem , Yelken Kursat , Celik Oner 
Published: January 2017

Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of dexpanthenol in managing pediatric post-tonsillectomy pain and wound healing and sought to discover which of two surgical tonsillectomy techniques provides better healing and less postoperative pain. Methods: One hundred twenty patients who underwent tonsillectomy were equally randomized to thermal welding and cold dissection groups. Dexpanthenol pastilles were given to half of each group. Postoperative throat pain was determined with a visual analog scale on the 1st, 3th, 7th, and 14th days, and mucosal healing patterns were assessed on the 7th and 14th days. Results: Regardless of surgical technique, post-tonsillectomy throat pain was significantly less in the dexpanthenol groups than in the placebo groups (p < 0.05), and tonsillar wound healing was significantly better in the dexpanthenol groups than in the placebo groups (p < 0.05). When a comparison was made with regard to surgical technique, wound healing was significantly better in the cold dissection group (p < 0.05), whereas postoperative throat pain was less in the thermal welding group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Postoperative administration of dexpanthenol significantly accelerates the wound healing process and decreases tonsillectomy-related pain complaints.
Two New Polymers as Candidates for Rhinoplasty Allografts: An Experimental Study in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Cingi Cemal , Calli Aylin , Erdogmus Nagehan , Calli Caglar , Yilgör Iskender , Yilgör Emel , Bal Cengiz 
Published: January 2017

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the biocompatibility and tensile strength of two new polymeric materials — A polyfluoro ether-modified thermoplastic polyurethane urea and a polydimethyl silicone elastomer — In an experimental rabbit model. Methods: The two polymers were implanted inside separate subperichondrial pockets created over the auricular cartilages of 12 rabbits. A control pocket received no implant. After 3 months, the animals were painlessly sacrificed, and each site was analyzed histologically for vascular congestion, acute and chronic inflammation, and fibrosis in the tissue surrounding the implant materials. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in vascular congestion, fibrosis, or acute or chronic inflammation between the control sites and either implant site. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polymers are well accepted by the tissue and remain stable during the entire study period, and that they could be very suitable materials for use in nasal reconstruction.
Factors Promoting Sphere of Influence Relationships
Authors: Mathisen Trygve 
Published: January 2017

In the following article an attempt has been made to identify factors affecting the implementation of expansionist and imperialist policies, and consequently it sheds light on the problem why some weaker states become the sphere of influence of greater powers while other small states are less exposed to such influence. Domestic motive forces which may prompt a great power to embark on policies of expansion are only briefly dealt with. On the basis of historical considerations a tentative conclusion is made concerning some factors affecting sphere of influence relationships. These factors are applied to the contemporary situation in an attempt to identify what areas are likely to remain exposed to strong great power influence, and to suggest in what directions the great powers are likely to expand their influence. It is assumed that the United States has reached at least a temporary climax with regard to the intensity and extension of its political influence. The Soviet Union and China, and most probably also Japan, are considered more capable of expanding their influence in the immediate future. It is, therefore, assumed that parts of Asia and Africa will remain areas of great power rivalry, but the present role of the great powers will reveal considerable changes, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Sweden's Debate on the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Garris Jerome 
Published: January 2017

Superpower development of tactical nuclear weapons appeared to alter the nature of land combat in the early 1950's. By 1954, the military and the Conservative party advocated acquisition of such weapons for Sweden's defense. The other political parties and the Government were ambivalent. In particular, conflicting opinions within the ruling Social Democratic party threatened party unity at a point when the party could least afford the cleavages an atomic weapons decision would create. Seizing on the dual issues of nuclear disarmament and inadequate technical capabilities, the Government successfully pursued a policy of postponing a decision for nearly fifteen years. By the late 1960's, the vast arsenals of the superpowers and progress in disarmament efforts made it possible for the Government to officially decide not to acquire nuclear weapons.
Autopsy in Elderly Psychiatric Inpatients: A Retrospective Review of Autopsy Findings of Deceased Elderly Psychiatric Inpatients in North Cheshire 1980–1996
Authors: Salib Emad , Tadros George , Ambrose Angela 
Published: January 2017

In this 17-year review of death certificates of elderly inpatients of a large psychiatric hospital in North Cheshire, the frequency, trend and value of performing autopsies were examined. Details of death certificates were compared with certificates issued after post-mortem examination to see whether an autopsy yielded any additional or relevant information about conditions that are not directly related to death but might well be of importance to public health. The rate of post-mortem examination, at 9.5% of total hospital deaths, did not show any significant trend over most of the review period. The vast majority of autopsies examined had been requested by the coroner and not by the clinicians. The review showed that an autopsy may be of some value in providing more information regarding any underlying causes of death in elderly psychiatric patients, but has no value in ensuring higher rate of the recording of conditions such as dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease. Selective hospital autopsy in elderly psychiatric patients to verify, neuropathologically, the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, will improve our diagnostic accuracy and provide valid statistics to be used in estimating prevalence, trends, risk factors and for use in all aspects of future research into Alzheimer's disease.
The Treatment of Benign Hypertension with Clonidine
Authors: Kellett R. J. , Hamilton M. 
Published: January 2017

Clonidine (Catapres) is a new drug for the treatment of hypertension which has an uncertain mode of action. Sixty-one patients have been treated with Clonidine for up to 21 months. Side-effects of treatment have been troublesome and in 20 per cent of patients have necessitated discontinuing therapy. Sedation was the most frequent and troublesome side-effect. Dryness of the mouth was a less troublesome symptom. In only 48 per cent of patients continuing Clonidine was good blood pressure control achieved and maintained. In a comparable group of patients treated with Methyl Dopa only 7 per cent had to discontinue therapy because of side-effects of the drug, and effective control was achieved in 70 per cent of the remainder. Clonidine is strikingly devoid of postural and exercise hypotensive effects, and produces a uniform control of blood pressure throughout the day. It has been successfully combined with Methyl Dopa and Bethanidine. Despite its troublesome side-effects, these attributes may make it a satisfactory drug for the treatment of patients in whom uniform control is difficult.
Anaemia in an Island Population
Authors: Gourley C. A. , Pearson J. , Taylor W. 
Published: January 2017

A haematological investigation was carried out on the population of the Island of Westray situated in the Orkney Isles, North Scotland. The response rate was 98.8 per cent and 291 males and 289 females over the age of 15 years had a blood examination. Anaemia in the male population (defined as 12.5 g. haemoglobin per 100 ml. of blood or less) was 4.1 per cent and in the female population (defined as 12 g. haemoglobin per 100 ml. of blood or less) was 14.5 per cent. In the male population, the prevalence was found to increase with age, from 2 to 3 per cent in the younger age groups to 8 per cent at 55 years and over. In the female population, the highest prevalence was in the 35 to 44 years age group (25%) and in women over 75 years (23%). There was a statistically significant reduction of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (M.C.H.C.) with age in all the male age groups studied. There was a similar significant association between age and M.C.H.C. in the female population under 75 years of age. Reduction in the M.C.H.C. with a normal haemoglobin level was found in 13.4 per cent of the males and in 18.7 per cent of the female population.
Studies with Rubella Vaccine (RA 27/3) Using the Subcutaneous and Intranasal Routes
Authors: Moffat Margaret A. J. , Gould Janine J. , Forbes F. A. , Freestone D. S. , Macdonald A. 
Published: January 2017

Two trials were carried out with Wistar RA 27/3 live attenuated rubella vaccine. Five of six seronegative girls in a boarding school gave a positive serological response after subcutaneous administration of vaccine. Mild clinical reactions occurred following vaccination. Susceptible contacts showed no clinical or serological reaction. Vaccine was administered intranasally to a group of boys in another boarding school. All 3 vaccinated seronegative boys developed antibody whereas the 4 vaccinated seropositive boys showed no significant alteration in antibody titre. Four susceptible contacts received a placebo but did not develop antibodies. Virus was recovered from all virus-vaccinated seronegative boys but not from seropositive nor placebo-vaccinated boys. No clinical reactions were reported.
Salmonella Virchow: A Cause of Significant Bloodstream Invasion
Authors: Todd W. T. A. , Murdoch J. McC 
Published: January 2017

Salmonella virchow, a food poisoning strain previously only sporadically responsible for disease, has recently been isolated with increasing frequency in Scotland. The experience of infections due to this organism in 1980 in an infectious diseases unit is reported. Nine of 15 patients consecutively admitted with infection due to this organism were found to be septicaemic on blood culture thus highlighting the invasive propensity of this serotype.
The Photo-Oxidation of Polypropylene Monofilaments
Authors: Carlsson D. J. , Clark F. R. S. , Wiles D. M. 
Published: January 2017

The photo-oxidation of commercial, isotactic polypropylene monofilament, initiated by xenon-arc irradiation in air, leads to the initial accumulation in the fiber surface of both carbonyl species and hydroperoxide groups. These chemical changes are accompanied by a severe drop in the elongation at break. Extended irradiation leads to a substantial accumulation of these oxidation products throughout the fiber and to a loss of tensile strength. Oxidation products were identified and estimated from transmission and internal reflection in spectroscopy [∼C(O)∼ and —OH] and by chemical analysis (—OOH). Marked increases in fiber wettability were also found to accompany photo-oxidation. Distinct differences in product ratios from photo-oxidized polypropylene film and fiber samples were observed. These differences are consistent with the morphological control of the efficiency of initiation after hydroperoxide photocleavage, but are more likely to result from some radical scavenging by the unextractable phenolic additive in the commercial fiber.
The Nature of Azo Dye Light Fading in Polyester and the Physical State of the Dye
Authors: Giles Charles H. , de Bernat James 
Published: January 2017

A series of azo compounds based on benzeneazo- β-naphthol were applied to polyester film by dyeing from dispersions, and their fading rates were determined. From the relation between the electron-attracting or withdrawing properties of the substituents in the benzene nucleus and the relative fading rates, it is concluded that the fading reaction is oxidative. This conclusion agrees with that from earlier analyses of fading products of anthraquinone disperse dyes on polyester. It is therefore clear that polyester conforms with the general rule that fading on any nonprotein is oxidative, provided that oxygen has access to the dye. The shape of the fading rate curves in the present experiments indicates that the dyes are present in the polyester at least partly as aggregates. The linear curve of relative fading rate vs. the Hammett σ-value of the substituent in the benzene nucleus has a lower slope than that for the same dyes on polypropylene. It is suggested that the polar nature of the substrate reduces the influence of a substituent group on the reactivity of the active center (the azo group) in the dye molecule.
Density and X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Jute at Different Stages of Growth
Authors: Mukhopadhyay U. , Mukherjee A. C. 
Published: January 2017

Fine structure of jute fiber at different stages of growth is discussed on the basis of density and x-ray diffraction data. In the very early stage, density is much higher than in the mature stage. X-ray photographs suggest a more ordered but less oriented arrangement of the chain molecules. It is suggested that lignin remains more or less as a separate phase in the early stage, allowing better ordering and closer packing of the cellulose chains. With growth, lignin infiltrates into the cell wall and forms stronger bonds with the cellulose chains, pushing the chains farther apart, resulting in a more disordered structure and a less compact packing of the chains. Since, with growth, the structure becomes more open, the density falls. A corroboration of the above picture is provided by the much higher degree of mercerization of the fiber in the very early stage as compared with what is obtained with mature fiber.
A Modified Technique of Devascularization for Surgical Management of Portal Hypertension in Children
Authors: Sharma Dhananjaya , Agrawal Sunil , Saxena Arjun , Raina Vijay K 
Published: January 2017

In developing countries surgery is indicated in patients with portal hypertension for a variety of reasons. This study prospectively evaluates a modified technique of devascularization for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension of different aetiologies. Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with transmural ligation of oesophageal and gastric varices was performed in 16 paediatric patients (nine with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction, and seven with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis) in an elective setting. The Sugiura devascularization procedure was modified to minimize the operating time and to avoid the problems associated with oesophageal transection and anastomosis. The operative mortality rate as well as the oesophageal leak rate was zero. One patient developed an oesophageal stricture. During a 12-month follow-up, patients were seen with residual varices (2), recurrent varices (3) and rebleeding (1). Porto-systemic encephalopathy was seen in one patient only. This technique is a simple, straightforward, safe and effective modification of the Sugiura procedure in controlling bleeding, providing good quality of life with minimal porto-systemic encephalopathy.
Epidemic Dropsy: Observations on Pathophysiology and Clinical Features during the Delhi Epidemic of 1998
Authors: Sharma B D , Bhatia V , Rathee M , Kumar R , Mukharjee A 
Published: January 2017

Epidemic dropsy results from the consumption of edible oils adulterated with Argemone mexicana oil by unscrupulous traders. Twenty consecutive ‘in-door’ patients of dropsy were intensively studied during the recent Delhi epidemic. Samples of edible oil used by them, their urine and their serum samples tested positive for sanguinarine on thin layer chromatography. The illness starts as a gastro-enteric illness followed by oliguria and pedal oedema. The following are often observed: cutaneus erythema with blanching and tenderness on pressure; violacious pigmentation of the skin; shortness of breath with orthopnoea; right-sided heart failure with normal left ventricle (LV) functions; as well as severe anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. Renal function tests showed: bland urinary sediments; decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR); mild to moderate azotaemia; acute tubular necrosis; patchy pneumonitis; moderate hypoxia with respiratory alkalosis; and restrictive ventilatory defects on blood gas analysis; and spirometry suggestive of interstitial pulmonary oedema of non-cardiogenic origin.99mTc colloid sulphur liver scans showed colloid shift. There was marked dilatation and proliferation of dermal capillaries in the absence of significant inflammation in the biopsy specimens. Toxic alkaloids of Argemone mexicana oil induce widespread capillary dilatation and permeability causing leakage of protein rich plasma into the interstitial tissues of various organs. A hypovolaemic state is thus induced producing renal hypoperfusion which may progress to acute tubular necrosis. Interstitial fluid in alveoli causes restrictive ventilatory dysfunction with hypertension and right-sided failure with well-preserved LV function. The hepatic venous congestion induces Kupffer's cell dysfunction, which results in colloid shift on a radionuclide liver scan.
Complications of Classical Tracheostomy and Management
Authors: Onakoya P A , Nwaorgu O G B , Adebusoye L A 
Published: January 2017

Tracheostomy can prevent many deaths in otherwise fatal airway diseases and problems but has numerous complications that are mostly avoidable if the procedure is carefully performed together with strict postoperative management. This is a retrospective review of tracheostomy complications over a 10 year period (1991–2002) in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL), University College Hospital, Ibadan. A total of 179 tracheostomies performed on 168 patients with 69 complications (38.6%) were documented. There was a significantly greater number of complications in the 43 emergency cases (54%) than in the 26 elective cases [(46%), P=0.0002]. The overall mortality rate was 2.2%. The most common complications of tracheostomy were infective in origin, representing 43% of all complications. This study highlights the complications and mortality and gives details of management that will prevent or minimize their occurrences. Those who require long-term tracheostomy must be on regular follow-up and taught home-care of the tracheostomy before discharge from the hospital.
Evaluation of the Concentration Sputum Smear Technique for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Gebre-Selassie Solomon 
Published: January 2017

The microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) plays a key role in routine and Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programmes in developing countries. Concentration of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in clinical specimens is an important step in the laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial diseases. Microscopy of smears of sputum by direct and after mechanical sedimentation and centrifugation methods followed by treatment with 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution for concentration of the organisms were compared and evaluated. The rate of recovery of AFB from sputum was 8.5%, 25.5% and 38.0% for direct smear microscopy, concentration by sedimentation of NaOCl-treated sputa followed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and concentration by centrifugation after use of NaOCl respectively. Both the concentration methods by the use of NaOCl solution increased the yield of the AFB by more than threefold compared with the direct microscopy of sputum ( P<0.05). The concentration methods by sedimentation, and centrifugation by the treatment of NaOCl, increased the sensitivity to 75% and 77.9%, respectively, and the specificity to 100% for both techniques. In conclusion, the use of NaOCl in the concentration of AFB in sputum is recommended for use in routine laboratory diagnosis of PTB in developing countries.
Reducing Burden of Hookworm Disease in the Management of Upper Abdominal Pain in the Tropics
Authors: Anyaeze Chineme Michael 
Published: January 2017

A prospective study of the stool samples of 129 rural patients with symptoms of upper abdominal pain, tenderness and indigestion was carried out from 2 February 1998 to 31 December 1998 and followed up to June 1999. The age range was 11–85 years, female: male ratio 2.4:1: 102 specimens were positive for helminths — Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm) 80 (62%); Trichuris trichuria (threadworm) 12 (9.3%); Ascaris lumbricoides (large roundworm) 10 (7.76%); Strongyloides stercoralis three (2.3%); Taenia saginata (tapeworm) three (2.3%). The female: male ratio for hookworm was 3:1. Treatment with appropriate anthelminthic agents were given serially at each visit according to the result of faecal examination. At 6 months follow up 88 patients were free of symptoms, 60 of which were caused by helminths the hookworm group. Stool ‘test and treat’ strategy appears to be a cost-effective approach in the management of these patients.