bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local Staging of Rectal Cancer Using the Black Lumen Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technique
Authors: Piippo U. , Pääkkö E. , Mäkinen M. , Mäkelä J. 
Published: January 2017

Background and Aims: The treatment of rectal cancer is comprised of surgery and possible adjuvant therapy depending on the stage of the tumour. This prospective study evaluates the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer using an endorectal and intravenous contrast. Materials and Methods: 37 consecutive patients with rectal cancer were imaged using a mixture of ferumoxsil and methylcellulose endorectally, and a gadolinium contrast intravenously. 33 tumours were resected and 4 tumours were considered unresectable during operation. The images were reviewed for local staging of the tumours. A tumour confined to the rectal wall was classified as a negative finding and a tumour invading through muscularis propria as a positive finding. The results were correlated with the histopathologic T stage (n = 33), or the clinical status (n = 4). Results and Conclusions: Of 37 cases, 20 (51 %) were true positive, and 11 (28%) were true negative. There were 3 false negative and 3 false positive cases. The sensitivity was 87%, specificity 79%, and diagnostic accuracy 84%. For the non-contrast images the figures were 78%, 79% and 78%, respectively. We consider black lumen magnetic resonance imaging to be a useful method for preoperative local staging of rectal cancer.
Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without Routine Intraoperative Cholangiography: A Retrospective Analysis of 1101 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Lill S. , Rantala A. , Pekkala E. , Sarparanta H. , Huhtinen H. , Rautava P. , Grönroos J. M. 
Published: January 2017

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is today the operation of choice for symptomatic gallstone disease. Before the laparoscopic era intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was generally considered as a fundamental step in cholecystectomy while nowadays the role of IOC is controversial: is there a need for IOC to specify anatomy of biliary tree in order to avoid bile duct injuries (BDI) and to detect possible common bile duct (CBD) stones or not? Patients and Methods: We studied retrospectively all the elective LCs done in Turku City Hospital for Surgery during the ten years (1992–2001). Cholecystectomy was performed to 1101 patients, 874 (79%) female and 227 (21%) male patients, mean age 53y (range 15–89). LC was possible in 1022 (93%) cases while 79 (7%) had to be converted to open procedure. The number and severity of bile duct injuries were recorded. The cases with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) during the follow-up and the findings in ERCP and MRCP were recorded from patient records and radiological database. Results: IOC was performed in 32 operations (20 in LC and 12 after conversion) and CBD stones were found in seven patients. There were four primary BDIs: two CBD injuries and two minor bile leaks. During a mean follow-up of 72 months (range 36–144) ERCP was performed in 16 and MRCP in three patients. Three patients underwent both MRCP and ERCP. CBD stones were detected in ten patients and a postoperative late CBD stricture was found in one case. Conclusions: According to our data, both the incidence of BDIs (0.5%) and symptomatic postoperative CBD stones (0.9%) remain low without the routine use of IOC.
Characteristics of the Serum Pepsinogen (PG) Test, and the Relationship between PG Test Results and Gastric Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Ubukata H. , Konishi S. , Nakachi T. , Motohashi G. , Goto Y. , Watanabe Y. , Nakada I. , Tabuchi T. 
Published: January 2017

Background and Aims: The serum pepsinogen (Pg) test is considered to be a high-risk marker for gastric cancer, so that it is intended that it will be gradually adopted for mass surveys in Japan. This manuscript examines the characteristics of the preoperative Pg test and the relationship between its results and the postoperative outcomes of gastric cancer cases in relation to the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were taken within 1 week before gastrectomy for the Pg test and NLR. Results: The Pg test identified 128 (+) cases (59.0%) and 89 (–) cases (41.0%). In three of all cases, cancer had not been detected by an upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) in the previous year (every case showed Pg (+)). Five-year survival was 80.5% in the Pg (+) group, 60.7% in the Pg (–) group, 85.6% in the NLR (< 5.0) group, and 29.9% in the NLR (≥ 5.0) group, but 14.3% in the NLR (≥ 5.0) plus Pg (–) group, and 89.5% in the NLR (< 5.0) plus Pg (+) group. The differences in the 5-year survivals were statistically significant. Conclusions: A mass survey using the Pg test alone is inadequate, but the Pg test may be an important adjunct to the conventional methods. Gastric cancer with Pg (–) may have a higher potential for malignancy than cancer with Pg (+).
Clinical Presentation of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
Authors: Järvinen P. , Lepistö A. 
Published: January 2017

Background and Aims: We analysed the clinical symptoms and signs of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare syndrome affecting one to two persons per million annually. Presumably, patients with PMP would benefit from early diagnosis. This study was conducted to further characterise the manifestations of PMP. Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of 82 PMP cases at the Helsinki University Central Hospital from June 1984 to September 2009. We then analysed the patients' characteristics, clinical manifestations, indications for surgery and preoperative radiological investigations. Results: The study involved 53 women (65%) and 29 men (35%). The preponderance of women was statistically significant (p = 0.008). Abdominal pain was the most common chief complaint in the initial evaluation with 23% of the cases. The subsequent more common chief complaints were acute abdomen with 21%, increased abdominal girth with 17%, coincidental diagnosis with 13%, other reasons with 13% and newly onset hernia with 12% of the cases. Suspected ovarian tumour was the most common cause for surgery overall, with 26 of 82 initial operations (32%). Of the 82 initial operations, 23 (28%) were performed with a suspicion or diagnosis of PMP. Computed tomography had a sensitivity of 51% in recognising PMP. Conclusions: While only 28% of patients underwent initial surgery for presumed PMP, the accuracy of preoperative diagnostics was modest. Diagnostics of PMP is challenging due to the mimicking nature of the disease. In case of indistinct intra-abdominal tumour, we recommend, careful patient examination prior to the initial surgery, when possible.
Up to 10 Years Follow up of the Use of 71 Cortical Allografts (Strut-Grafts) for the Treatment of Periprosthetic Fractures
Authors: Virolainen P. , Mokka J. , Seppänen M. , Mäkelä K. 
Published: January 2017

Backround and Aims: Periprosthetic fractures are often located in areas of poor bone quality. There are multiple strategies to manage these fractures. Stable fixation in areas of low bone quality may require the use of cortical bone strut allografts. Material and Methods: Cortical allograft struts were used in the treatment of 71 patients with periprosthetic fractures between a 10 year period from 1/1999 untill 12/2008. 18 patients had a periprosthetic fracture around the knee implant, 52 around the hip implant and 1 in between the hip and knee prosthesis. The average follow-up time was 943 days ranging from 90 days to 3428 days. Results and Conclusions: The overall union rate was 91%. 20 patients died during the follow-up, 6 of them during the first six month after operation. 8 patients (12%) had an diagnosed infection during the follow-up time. The specific strategy chosen to periprostehetic fracture treatment should depend on the quality of the remaining bone stock, type of the implant, location and classification of the fracture and on patients related factors, such age age and comorbidities. Use of cortical bone struts is a good option in fractures associated with poor bone quality. Use of allograft strut combined with a nonlocking plate, which offers the highest stiffness known, may provide superior biomechanical stability compared with other methods in some situations.
Mid-Term Results for Three Contemporary Total Knee Replacement Designs — A Comparative Study of 104 Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis
Authors: Koskinen E. , Paavolainen P. , Ylinen P. , Eskelinen A. , Harilainen A. , Sandelin J. , Tallroth K. , Remes V. 
Published: January 2017

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare retrospectively the mid-term clinical and radiological results of three contemporary knee designs in cohorts operated on in the same hospital during the same time period. Materials and Methods: We evaluated mid-term clinical and radiographic outcome of three contemporary total knee designs (the AGC V2, the Duracon and the Nexgen) in 104 consecutive patients (129 knees) operate on for primary knee osteoarthritis at our hospital. The mean indexed age at the time of the operation was 69.2 years (range, 49.3 to 81.1 years). The mean follow-up time was 6.0 years (range, 0.2 to 7.9). All patients were followed for at least three years or until the first revision. In the survival analyses, the end point was defined as, revision for any reason. Results: The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a 98% (95% CI 94–100) survival rate for the NexGen, a 98% (95% CI 93–100) for the AGC and a 90% (95% CI 81–99) for the Duracon design at six years. Both the mean KSS for pain, KSS for function and the mean clinical knee score improved significantly in all three groups. There was no difference between the three designs in mid-term survivorship. Conclusions: Most of the revisions could be directly linked to perioperative surgical errors. In conclusion, the most recently introduced knee replacements of the present study (Duracon and Nexgen) did not show any clinically significant benefit over the older design (AGC) in the mid-term.
How African Americans Express Their Intentions to Be Organ Donors
Authors: Korda Holly , Wagstaff David A. , McCleary Karl J. 
Published: January 2017

Context As part of an organ sharing network's outreach, African American adults were interviewed to assess their awareness of the network's efforts and willingness to donate their organs after death. Objective To describe (1) the proportion who expressed their intentions to be an organ donor, (2) the means they had used, and (3) sociodemographic characteristics of the participants who used a particular means. Design A repeated, cross-sectional, random-digit dialing telephone interview was conducted from July 2005 (start of wave 1) to April 2006 (end of wave 3). Each interview averaged 7 minutes and consisted of 60 items. Setting Trained interviewers placed telephone calls to the residences of African Americans who resided in 1 of 4 New Jersey locales: East Orange/Orange, Irvington, Jersey City/Newark, and Trenton. Participants One thousand five hundred sixty-seven African Americans, aged 18 to 95 years. Main Outcome Measures Five Yes/No items were used to determine if participants had declared their intention to be an organ donor via driver's license application, donor card, donor registry, will/healthcare directive, or discussion with a family member. Results Twenty-seven percent of the participants had expressed their intentions to be an organ donor with an organ donor card, driver's license, donor registry, or will/healthcare directive. The participants who had used one or more of these formal means were 14.4 times more likely to have discussed their intention to be an organ donor with a family member than were the participants who had not.
Family and Staff Responses to a Scripted Introduction to Tissue Donation for Hospice Inpatients on Admission
Authors: Niday Patricia , Painter Caitlyn , Peak Joyce , Bennett Eileen , Wiley Mandy , McCartt Lee , Teixeira Otto H. P. 
Published: January 2017

Purpose To implement and evaluate a change in practice regarding the timing of introducing donation for inpatient hospice staff and families whereby scripted information about tissue/organ donation was given by the nurse upon admission as part of the normal admission process and then repeated at the time of death per usual protocol. Methods Data were collected from staff for 6 months (January to June 2006). The hospice staff agreed to complete a donor services comment log at the admission and at the death of each patient to relay any concerns with the change in practice rather than just writing down complaints as was the previous practice. Data were supplemented with staff input during regular meetings. Donation rates were compiled as usual for 6 months and compared with the preceding 6 months. Results Data were analyzed from the written interactions. Trends identified were limited by the small sample size. The results confirmed that both nursing staff and potential donor families supported the change in practice. No families or staff called the organ procurement organization with complaints during the 6-month period. Corneal donations increased from 2 to 7, a 250% increment for the 6-month period. Conclusion The assumption that discussing donation when hospice patients are admitted will lead to a decrease in donation is not supported by the results of this study. The findings suggest the need for a methodologically rigorous, theoretically driven examination of hospice donor families' reactions to the introduction of donation at admission and the subsequent decrease in stress and increase in donation rates.
Community-Based Weight Management in Long-Term Heart Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Salyer Jeanne , Flattery Maureen , Joyner Pamela , Friend Jennifer , Elswick R. K. 
Published: January 2017

Background Heart transplant recipients often suffer from obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension thought to be related to triple-drug immunosuppression and poor adherence to diet and exercise. A lifestyle intervention that allows recipients to attend a community-based weight management program may improve health outcomes. Objective To determine (1) the effects of attending a community-based weight management program on weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the lipid profile; and (2) the feasibility of a community-based program for weight management. Methods Twenty-one patients (81% male; age 57 years, 99.7 months since transplantation) participated in a randomized clinical trial and received either weight management counseling (control) or a 6-month scholarship to a structured commercial program (treatment). Using simple analysis of covariance models, group differences were assessed and reported as marginal means. Results At baseline, there were no demographic differences between groups. There were no differences in outcome variables except weight (control, 102.1 kg vs treatment, 98.3 kg; P = .05). After 6 months, significant differences were found in weight (control, 100.5 kg vs treatment, 95.6 kg; P = .047) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (control, 40.6 mg/dL vs treatment, 49.1 mg/dL; P = .044). A marginally significant difference was found in systolic blood pressure (control, 138 mm Hg vs treatment, 121 mm Hg; P=.07). A decrease in diastolic blood pressure (6 mm Hg) was attributed to treatment effect ( P = .16). No differences were noted in total cholesterol, triglycerides, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions The structured commercial program appears to be an effective, feasible alternative to usual care. Findings need to be confirmed in future research with a larger sample.
Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Sánchez Zoila V. , Cashion Ann K. , Cowan Patricia A. , Jacob Susan R. , Wicks Mona N. , Velasquez-Mieyer Pedro 
Published: January 2017

Background Relatively few transplant recipients participate in regular physical activity. There is a paucity of information regarding barriers and facilitators to physical activity in kidney transplant recipients. Objective To investigate factors that transplant recipients perceive as barriers and facilitators to physical activity and whether these barriers and facilitators differ on the basis of transplant patients' reported level of physical activity. Method—Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of 100 kidney transplant recipients provided survey data on a physical activity questionnaire on their current levels of physical activity and determinants that influence participation in physical activity. Results The “rarely/never” (32%) physical activity group reported more frequent barriers and the “often” (20%) group reported the least. Overall, perceived facilitators were reported most frequently by the “often” (80%) physical activity group and least by the “rarely/never” (67%) group. Conclusions Motivational interventions should focus on diminishing perceived barriers in the less physically active transplant recipients and enhancing perception of health-related facilitators. Nurses should be innovative in customizing interventions, recommending structured physical activity programs, and encouraging less structured, enjoyable ways to increase activities that expend energy. Interventions with achievable outcomes and realistic expectations are more acceptable to patients.
Effects of Hyperglycemia on the Development of New-Onset Diabetes after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Anderson April L. , Lewis Daniel A. , Steinke Douglas T. , Ranjan Dinesh , Smith Kelly M. , Clifford Timothy M. 
Published: January 2017

Context New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) has been associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic complications, acute rejection, and infection in transplant recipients. NODAT in kidney transplantation is well described; however, data are lacking in liver transplant recipients. Objective To evaluate the incidence of new-onset diabetes within 6 months postoperatively in adult liver transplant recipients. Design, Participants, Setting, and Interventions Patients who underwent a liver transplantation at our institution between January 2004 and December 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. NODAT was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association/World Health Organization, persistent hyperglycemia (serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL occurring 2 weeks after initial steroid induction and persisting for more than 2 weeks), or the need for hypoglycemic agents upon discharge. Main Outcomes Incidence of NODAT within 6 months after transplantation in patients with poor glycemic control within the first 2 weeks after transplantation, acute rejection episodes, infections, hospital readmissions, and cardiovascular and thrombotic events. Results Forty-five patients were evaluated. Within the first 6 months after transplantation, NODAT developed in 11 (24%). Acute rejection, infection, hospital readmissions, cardiovascular events, and thrombotic events did not differ between the groups. Conclusion Elevated fasting levels of blood glucose during the first 2 weeks after liver transplantation may be associated with an increased incidence of NODAT and may have predictive value. More studies are needed to determine the effects of recognition and treatment of hyperglycemia in recent transplant recipients.
Development of a Survey to Identify Barriers to Living Donation in Kidney Transplant Candidates
Authors: Barnieh Lianne , McLaughlin Kevin , Manns Braden , Klarenbach Scott , Yilmaz Serdar , Hemmelgarn Brenda ,   for the Alberta Kidney Disease Network
Published: January 2017

Background Kidney transplantation from living donors, compared with deceased donors, has improved health care outcomes for patients with end-stage renal disease; however, less than 40% of transplants come from living donors. Numerous barriers may impede the identification of, and transplantation from, living donors. Objective To develop and validate a survey to identify barriers that transplant candidates may encounter when seeking a living donor for kidney transplantation. Methods The survey was developed in 3 phases: item identification by using persons with a stake in the process to identify key components; survey refinement, including assessment of content and face validity; and assessment of test-retest reliability by using the kappa coefficient and percent agreement for each of the scaled response items. Results The final survey contained 10 items with a Likert scale response and 5 open-ended questions. Expert nephrologists in the field confirmed face validity and content validity of the survey. The overall kappa coefficient for the scale was 0.76, reflecting excellent agreement, with an overall percent agreement of 88.7%. Conclusion We developed a survey to identify barriers that kidney transplant candidates may experience when seeking a living donor, which demonstrated content and face validity as well as reproducibility. This survey can by used by end-stage renal disease programs to identify barriers in candidates seeking a transplant. The results of the survey can be used to develop interventions to overcome such barriers with an ultimate goal of increasing rates of living kidney donation.
Family, Friends, and Faith: How Organ Donor Families Heal
Authors: Stouder Donald B. , Schmid Adam , Ross Sharon S. , Ross Larry G. , Stocks Lisa 
Published: January 2017

Context Understanding how organ donors' families recover from their grief can help organ procurement organizations improve consent rates and increase the number of deceased donor organs available for transplant. Objective To determine what helps the loved ones of deceased organ donors heal from their grief and loss, and to better understand families' needs during the consent process as a way of improving overall consent rates for organ donation. Design, Setting, and Participants Written survey of all organ and tissue donors' families in the San Diego and Imperial County (California) service area during 2006 and 2007. Main Outcome Measures Responses to the 20-question survey addressing factors that help healing from grief, as well as contextual information about the families' experience at the hospital and the consent process. Results Most respondents (84%) indicated that family support was the most helpful thing in dealing with their grief, followed by the support of friends (74%) and religious and cultural beliefs (37%). Most (75%) indicated that they agreed to donation so that something positive could result from their loss. Most respondents (93%) felt that they were given enough information to make an informed decision about donation, and 6% indicated that the donation process interfered with funeral or memorial arrangements. More than 95% understood that their loved one had died before they were approached for consent. Consistent with previous studies, 12% said they still had unanswered questions about aspects of donation, and 15% of respondents indicated that the discussion about organ donation added more emotional stress to their overall experience.