bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcome following pneumatic dilatation as initial therapy for idiopathic achalasia: an 18‐year single‐centre experience
Authors: Elliott T. R. , Wu P. I. , Fuentealba S. , Szczesniak M. , de Carle D. J. , Cook I. J. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundRelapse after treatment for idiopathic achalasia is common and long‐term outcome data are limited.AimTo determine the cumulative relapse rate and long‐term outcome after pneumatic dilatation (PD) for achalasia in a tertiary referral centre.MethodsA retrospective study of 301 patients with achalasia treated with PD as first‐line therapy. Short‐term outcome was measured at 12 months. Long‐term outcome was assessed in those who were in remission at 12 months by cumulative relapse rate and cross‐sectional analysis of long‐term remission rate regardless of any interval therapy, using a validated achalasia‐specific questionnaire.ResultsEighty‐two percent of patients were in remission 12 months following initial PD. Relapse rates thereafter were 18% by 2 years; 41% by 5 years and 60% by 10 years. Whilst 43% patients underwent additional treatments [PD (29%), myotomy (11%) or botulinum toxin (3%)] beyond 12 months, 32% of those who had not received interval therapy had relapsed at cross‐sectional analysis. After a mean follow‐up of 9.3 years, regardless of nature, timing or frequency of any interval therapy, 71% (79/111) patients were in remission. The perforation rate from PD was 2%. Chest pain had a poor predictive value (24%) for perforation.ConclusionsLong‐term relapse is common following pneumatic dilatation. While on‐demand pneumatic dilatation for relapse yields a good response, one‐third of relapsers neither seek medical attention nor receive interval therapy. Close follow‐up with timely repeat dilatation is necessary for a good long‐term outcome. Given the poor predictive value of chest pain for perforation, routine gastrografin swallow is recommended postdilatation.
Giant prolactinomas: the therapeutic approach
Authors: Moraes Aline B. , Marques dos Santos Silva Cintia , Vieira Neto Leonardo , Gadelha Mônica R. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundGiant prolactinomas are an unusual subset of macroprolactinomas and are more commonly found in men. The goal of this review is to propose a giant prolactinoma definition and discuss the available therapeutic options for biochemical and tumour volume control.MethodsA comprehensive search of all published studies was performed betweenApril andNovember 2012 in electronic databases (PubMed andOvid).ResultsA giant prolactinoma should be defined as an adenoma with a maximum diameter of more than 4 cm that is associated with serum prolactin above 5300mIU/l. Regarding treatment, cabergoline is the preferred dopamine agonist for medical management of giant prolactinomas because of its excellent efficacy and tolerability. Normalization of prolactin level and significant tumour reduction may be achieved in the majority of patients. Combined therapy, particularly cabergoline and surgery, may be necessary due to the large tumour load. Radiotherapy and temozolomide may be used for patients with aggressive giant prolactinomas in whom tumour volume control is not achieved with cabergoline and surgery.ConclusionThere is a scarcity of large studies about the management of giant prolactinoma. Cabergoline is the first‐line treatment. However, caution should be exercised when comparing efficacy rates among the different treatment modalities due to the variability in study design and data quality. In this scenario, a ‘standard’ definition for giant prolactinomas and larger series may be helpful to assess the real efficacy and safety of each therapeutic modality.
A Survey of Urban Reconstruction
Authors: Musialski P. , Wonka P. , Aliaga D. G. , Wimmer M. , van Gool L. , Purgathofer W. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper provides a comprehensive overview of urban reconstruction. While there exists a considerable body of literature, this topic is still under active research. The work reviewed in this survey stems from the following three research communities: computer graphics, computer vision and photogrammetry and remote sensing. Our goal is to provide a survey that will help researchers to better position their own work in the context of existing solutions, and to help newcomers and practitioners in computer graphics to quickly gain an overview of this vast field. Further, we would like to bring the mentioned research communities to even more interdisciplinary work, since the reconstruction problem itself is by far not solved.
Urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio detects absolute insulin deficiency in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hope S. V. , Jones A. G. , Goodchild E. , Shepherd M. , Besser R. E. J. , Shields B. , McDonald T. , Knight B. A. , Hattersley A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsTo determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of absolute insulin deficiency in long‐standing Type 2 diabetes, using a strategy based on home urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio measurement.MethodsWe assessed the urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratios, from urine samples taken at home 2 h after the largest meal of the day, in 191 insulin‐treated subjects with Type 2 diabetes (diagnosis age ≥45 years, no insulin in the first year). If the initial urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio was ≤0.2 nmol/mmol (representing absolute insulin deficiency), the assessment was repeated. A standardized mixed‐meal tolerance test with 90‐min stimulated serum C‐peptide measurement was performed in nine subjects with a urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio ≤ 0.2 nmol/mmol (and in nine controls with a urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio >0.2 nmol/mmol) to confirm absolute insulin deficiency.ResultsA total of 2.7% of participants had absolute insulin deficiency confirmed by a mixed‐meal tolerance test. They were identified initially using urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio: 11/191 subjects (5.8%) had two consistent urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratios ≤ 0.2 nmol/mmol; 9 of these 11 subjects completed a mixed‐meal tolerance test and had a median stimulated serum C‐peptide of 0.18 nmol/l. Five of these 9 had stimulated serum C‐peptide <0.2 nmol/l and 9/9 subjects with urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio >0.2 had endogenous insulin secretion confirmed by the mixed‐meal tolerance test. Compared with subjects with a urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio >0.2 nmol/mmol, those with confirmed absolute insulin deficiency had a shorter time to insulin treatment (median 2.5 vs. 6 years, P=0.005) and lower BMI (25.1 vs. 29.1 kg/m2, P=0.04). Two out of the five patients with absolute insulin deficiency were glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody‐positive.ConclusionsAbsolute insulin deficiency may occur in long‐standing Type 2 diabetes, and cannot be reliably predicted by clinical features or autoantibodies. Absolute insulin deficiency in Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis, as in Type 1 diabetes. Its recognition should help guide treatment, education and management. The urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio is a practical non‐invasive method to aid detection of absolute insulin deficiency, with a urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio > 0.2 nmol/mmol being a reliable indicator of retained endogenous insulin secretion.
Blood pressure levels but not hypertensive complications have increased in Type 1 diabetes pregnancies during 1989–2010
Authors: Klemetti M. M. , Teramo K. , Nuutila M. , Tikkanen M. , Hiilesmaa V. , Laivuori H. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsThe pre‐pregnancy BMI and the third trimester HbA1c levels increased in Finnish parturients with Type 1 diabetes during 1989–2008. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether these trends have been accompanied by increases in blood pressure or hypertensive complications. Hypertension trends were analysed using the definitions of hypertension of both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Diabetes Association. The associations of hypertension, as defined by the latter criteria, with perinatal complications were also studied.MethodsThe records of a cohort of 1007 consecutive patients with Type 1 diabetes with a singleton live childbirth during 1989–2010 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital were studied.ResultsThe frequencies of hypertensive pregnancy complications did not change, but the mean diastolic blood pressure increased in normotensive parturients in all trimesters. The proportion of patients with systolic blood pressure > 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 80 mmHg in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy increased from 25 to 33%, from 26 to 35% and from 57 to 71%, respectively. Systolic blood pressure of 131–139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 81–89 mmHg in the third trimester was associated with umbilical artery pH < 7.15.ConclusionsBlood pressure of patients with Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy is increasing. A growing proportion of women with Type 1 diabetes exceed the American Diabetes Association's definition of hypertension during pregnancy.
Pre‐diabetes in adults 45 years and over in Ireland: the Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland 2007
Authors: Buckley C. M. , Madden J. , Balanda K. , Barron S. , Fahy L. , Harrington J. , Perry I. J. , M. Kearney P. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectivesPre‐diabetes is an important indicator of future diabetes burden and many countries are reporting prevalence estimates of pre‐diabetes. To date in Ireland, estimates of the prevalence of pre‐diabetes were unavailable. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of pre‐diabetes in a nationally representative sample of Irish adults and to explore determinants of pre‐diabetes.MethodsThe Survey of Lifestyle Attitudes and Nutrition 2007 was a cross‐sectional survey on health and lifestyle in a nationally representative sample of Irish adults. Analysis was performed on a subsample of 1132 participants ≥ 45 years who provided blood samples. Determination of pre‐diabetes was based on American Diabetes Association HbA1c cut points of 39–46 mmol/mol (5.7–6.4%). To explore determinants, we modelled pre‐diabetes prevalence as a function of a set of health system and socio‐demographic variables using logistic regression.ResultsThe overall weighted prevalence estimate of pre‐diabetes in participants ≥ 45 years was 19.8% (95% CI 16.4–23.9). There was no significant difference between age or gender‐specific prevalence rates. Obesity was significantly associated with pre‐diabetes on univariate and multivariate analysis. Population attributable fraction estimates for excess BMI, physical inactivity and poor diet as causes of pre‐diabetes were 31.3% (95% CI –3.9 to 54.5), 10.0% (95% CI –2.7 to 21.3) and 6.1% (95% CI –4.9 to 15.9), respectively.ConclusionsThe high levels of pre‐diabetes detected in this study are worrying. Population level interventions to address diet and lifestyle factors are needed urgently to prevent progression to diabetes in high‐risk individuals.
Relation of Coronary Flow Reserve and Diastolic Function to Fractional Pulse Pressure in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. 
Published: May 2013

Fractional pulse pressure (PPf), is thought to more directly reflect arterial stiffness than pulse pressure. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between coronary flow reserve (CFR), left ventricular diastolic function (LVDf) and PPf in hypertensive patients with normal coronary arteries. Out of 109 hypertensive patients (aged 52.8 ± 9.4 years), with normal coronary angiography, CFR was calculated successfully in 106 patients. CFR was calculated using transthoracic echo Doppler assessment with hyperemia induced by infusion of dipyridamole at a rate of 0.56 mg/kg over 4 minutes, while diastolic function was evaluated by means of transmitral flow and tissue Doppler imaging. PPf was calculated as pulse pressure divided by mean arterial pressure [Systolic blood pressure − Diastolic blood pressure/Mean arterial pressure (SBP − DBP/MAP)], Hypertensive patients with low CFR (n = 54) compared with those with normal CFR (n = 52) exhibited significantly increased PPf (75.2 ± 11.4 vs. 61.5 ± 6.7 P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with higher PPf had significantly decreased transmitral E/A ratio (P < 0.01), as well as increased E/Em ratio (P < 0.01). In hypertensives with low CFR, PPf was negatively correlated with CFR (r = −0.815, P < 0.0001). After applying multivariate linear regression analysis, PPf turned out to be a powerful independent predictor of CFR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that a PPf of ≥0.63 was the best cutoff value for prediction of CFR <2.0 and E/Em ≥ 8 (AUC = 0.916 and 0.929 respectively; P < 0.001). Increased PPf was associated with impaired CFR and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients with normal coronary arteries. PPf could be used as a simple non‐invasive index for assessment of coronary microcirculation in hypertensives with normal coronary arteries.
Stress intensity and fitness in the parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): temperature below the development threshold combined with a fluctuating thermal regime is a must
Authors: ISMAIL MOHANNAD , VAN BAAREN JOAN , HANCE THIERRY , PIERRE JEAN‐SEBASTIEN , VERNON PHILIPPE 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
An increasing intensity of stress is expected to affect the fitness traits of an organism more and more negatively, but in particular cases, extremely resistant individuals have been observed. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of different stress intensities on fitness traits of the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi Haliday.
We exposed 1‐day‐old mummies (dead aphids containing the parasitoid pupa) for 4 weeks to combinations of two low temperatures (4 and 0 °C, 0 °C being the most stressful) and two thermal regimes (constant and fluctuating, constant being the most stressful), representing four stress levels.
The present results showed that resistant individuals occurred only in the most stressful treatment (0 °C, constant temperature), which induced a higher mortality rate. These resistant individuals performed almost as well as those of the control, but showed a reduction in their size. The fluctuating regimes, at both temperatures, presented a high emergence rate, but at the expense of higher lipid consumption. Unexpectedly, the fluctuating regime associated with the presumably more stressful temperature (0 °C) produced individuals without any decrease in the measured fitness traits, in contrast to the treatment expected to be less stressful (4 °C, fluctuating temperature).
This result opens a new area of research in stress ecology and could modify the practice of cold storage in biological control.
Latitudinal diversity relationships of fiddler crabs: biogeographic differences united by temperature
Authors: Levinton Jeffrey , Mackie Joshua 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate whether latitudinal diversity gradients differ among biogeographic realms for members of a closely related clade and to examine whether differences can be explained by environmental differences such as the temperature gradient.LocationIndo‐Pacific, eastern Pacific and western Atlantic temperate to tropical coastal intertidal.MethodsWe digitized the ranges of fiddler crabs (Decapoda, Ocypodidae, genus Uca) and calculated standing diversity as a function of latitude in the Indo‐west‐Pacific, eastern‐Pacific Americas and western Atlantic regions. We examined correlations between diversity and summer sea surface temperature, water column primary productivity, and also investigated the contribution of spatial autocorrelation.ResultsThere was a latitudinal diversity gradient with a peak in the tropics or subtropics, but richness as a function of latitude differed by region. The western Atlantic had a broad zone of equal diversity with a peak that corresponds to the Gulf of Mexico–Caribbean Basin. The eastern Pacific had a distinct peak of diversity at about 10° N latitude corresponding to Panama. The Indo‐west‐Pacific had a broad relatively flat upper level of diversity, reaching a peak at about 20° S latitude corresponding to the north coast of Australia. In both the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic, Northern Hemisphere diversity was greater than Southern Hemisphere. Species richness of the three regions was positively and strongly correlated with air and sea surface temperature at the start of summer. In contrast, diversities were weakly and inconsistently correlated with productivity.Main conclusionsThis paper shows that a physical factor is more important in explaining latitude distributions than regional cladal structure or presumed dispersal patterns. While observed diversity–latitude functions are region specific, the feature seen across regions to most strongly explaining the pattern is temperature.
Persistent Punishment: User Views of Short Prison Sentences
Authors: Armstrong Sarah , Weaver Beth 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 22 prisoners to gather information about the characteristic features of short prison sentences. Themes raised in comments included: the frequency and quality of sentences, addiction, family, and penal legitimacy. Most of the participants had extensive experience of prison, and the effects of this played out across sentences and years, accumulating and amplifying impacts. And, despite expressions of guilt and remorse, most participants saw their sentence as unjust, and mainly a reaction to offending history. We conclude by suggesting the need for research to shift focus from evaluating individual penal interventions towards more holistic and narrative accounts that cut across sentences.
The Politics of Prisoner Legal Rights
Authors: Scott David 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe article begins by locating human rights law within the current political context before moving on to critically review judicial reasoning on prisoner legal rights since the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998. The limited influence of proportionality on legal discourses in England and Wales is then explored by contrasting a number of judgments since October 2000 in the domestic courts and European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the restricted interpretation of legal rights for penal reform and proposes an alternative radical rearticulation of the politics of prisoner human rights.
Pure transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery for renal cyst decortication: Report of initial five cases
Authors: Zou Xiaofeng , Zhang Guoxi , Yuan Yuanhu , Xiao Rihai , Xue Yijun , Wu Gengqing , Wang Xiaoning , Long Dazhi , Yang Jun , Wu Yuting , Xu Hui , Liu Folin , Liu Min , Zhang Xu 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveTo present our initial experience with pure transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery renal cyst decortication.MethodsFrom December 2010 to July 2011, five female patients with symptomatic renal cyst in the anterior portion and lower pole of the kidney were submitted to pure transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery renal cyst decortication in our center. Under general anesthesia, the patients were placed in the lithotomy position with the affected side elevated by 60°. A 3‐cm incision was made at the posterior vaginal fornix and a modified three‐channel port was deployed across the vaginal incision. The cyst was dissected and the cyst fluid was aspirated using a suction device. The cyst wall was circumferentially excised.ResultsAll five procedures were successfully carried out without additional transabdominal trocars. The median operative time was 80 min (range 60–90 min). The median estimated blood loss was 25 mL (range 25–50 mL). The median visual analog scale score was 1 on postoperative day 1. None of the patients required narcotic pain medications beyond postoperative day 2. Intestinal function recovered on postoperative day 1–3. There was no intraoperative or postoperative complication in any of the patients. During the follow‐up visits, all the patients were in good condition. All the patients reported unaltered sexual function after surgery by the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.ConclusionOur initial experience suggests that pure transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery renal cyst decortication is feasible and safe in selected patients.
Sentinel lymph node dissection in more than 1200 prostate cancer cases: Rate and prediction of lymph node involvement depending on preoperative tumor characteristics
Authors: Winter Alexander , Kneib Thomas , Henke Rolf‐Peter , Wawroschek Friedhelm 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo stratify the rate and prediction of lymph node involvement in prostate cancer patients undergoing sentinel‐lymphadenectomy depending on preoperative tumor characteristics, and to compare the outcome with the European Association of Urology Guideline indication for lymphadenectomy.MethodsA total of 1229 patients (median age 66 years) were treated with open sentinel‐lymphadenectomy and prostatectomy between 2005 and 2009. Median preoperative prostate‐specific antigen was 7.4 ng/mL. The rate of lymph node involvement was analyzed for D'Amico risk groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of lymph node involvement. Predictor variables included preoperative prostate‐specific antigen, clinical T‐category and biopsy Gleason sum. Predictive accuracy has been quantified (area under the curve) and lymph node positive patients were verified under consideration of the recommended European threshold for lymphadenectomy (nomogram‐predicted lymph node invasion risk of >7%).ResultsThe median number of lymph nodes removed was 10 (interquartile range 7–13). Overall, 17.1% of patients had lymph node involvement; 3.2% in low‐, 14.8% in intermediate‐ and 37.4% in high‐risk disease. The predicted risk for lymph node involvement ranged from 2% (prostate‐specific antigen ≤4 ng/mL, T1, Gleason sum ≤6) to 87% (prostate‐specific antigen >20 ng/mL, T3, Gleason sum ≥8). The predictive accuracy was 82.1%. According to the European guidelines, 15.9% of all lymph node involved cases would not have been detected.ConclusionsThe rate of lymph node involvement seems to be higher in the examined sentinel collective than expected according to the European Guideline nomogram. The first sentinel‐based lymph node involvement prediction model can assist in deciding on the indication for sentinel‐lymphadenectomy. The validation of a corresponding sentinel‐based nomogram is still missing.