bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in lung function after surgery for mesothelioma
Authors: Ploenes Till , Osei-Agyemang Thomas , Krohn Alexander , Waller Cornelius F , Duncker-Rohr Viola , Elze Mirjam , Passlick Bernward 
Published: May 2013

Background: The effect of pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy on pulmonary function has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the parameters of pulmonary function before and after pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy. Methods: We conducted a review of 48 patients with unilateral malignant pleural mesothelioma who underwent pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy. Data including medical history, histology, survival, and pre- and postoperative pulmonary function were extracted from the medical database of the University Medical Center Freiburg, or sought by telephone interview with the general practitioner or patients. Results: 25 patients underwent extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy and 23 had pleurectomy/decortication. Pulmonary function was not significantly reduced in the pleurectomy/decortication group postoperatively. In the extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy group, the median preoperative total lung capacity of 4.8 L (77.7%) differed significantly from the postoperative total lung capacity of 3.5 L (55.3%; p < 0.0006). The median vital capacity was significantly reduced from 2.8 L (77.7%) preoperatively to 1.8 L (47.6%) postoperatively ( p < 0.0002). Other parameters were also highly significantly reduced after extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy. Conclusions: Pleurectomy/decortication preserved good pulmonary function, whereas extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy significantly reduced pulmonary function, which may lead to dyspnea and influence the quality of life of these patients.
Anterior mediastinal tracheostomy for malignancy: analysis of 12 cases
Authors: Bagheri Reza , Rahim Mohammad Bagher , Majidi Mohammadreza , Tabari Azin , Akhlaghi Saeed , Tabari Azadeh 
Published: May 2013

Introduction: Anterior mediastinal tracheostomy is indicated in extensive cervicothoracic malignancy with cervical mediastinal involvement of the trachea. This study was designed to assess the therapeutic outcome of anterior mediastinal tracheostomy. Methods: From 2001 to 2010, 10 men and 2 women, with a median age of 64.5 years, underwent anterior mediastinal tracheostomy and were followed up for at least for 1 year. Seven patients had stomal recurrence following laryngectomy, 3 had carcinoma of the cervical esophagus, 1 had squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea invading the subglottic larynx, and 1 had adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea invading the subglottic larynx. They were evaluated in terms of etiology of the primary lesion, previous treatment, complications, hospital death, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimate. Results: The tumor was completely resected in all cases. Postoperative complications included atelectasis (3 patients), stomal necrosis (1 patient), and anastomotic leak (1 patient). There were 2 (16.6%) postoperative hospital deaths. The mean duration of follow-up was 23 months, and the mean overall survival time was 25.59 months. Survival was calculated for 3 groups based on primary etiology: stomal recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma (12.85 months), cervical esophageal cancer (28 months), and primary malignancy of the trachea (29 months). Conclusion: Because of the small number of patients, a definitive conclusion was difficult, but acceptable morbidity, mortality, and relative survival in selected patients, in whom an extensive cervicothoracic operation was performed by an experienced and skilled team of surgeons, demonstrated that anterior mediastinal tracheostomy can be a helpful procedure for patient survival.
Aortic Valve Repair: Techniques and Results
Authors: Kumar A. Sampath , Gundane Prasanth 
Published: May 2013

Twenty-two patients underwent aortic valve repair for rheumatic aortic regurgitation (AR) from April 1991 to August 1993. Six patients were female. Thirteen patients required mitral valve repair and 3 patients underwent mitral valve replacement. One patient required tricuspid valve repair in addition to aortic and mitral valve reconstruction. There was 1 early death and 5 early failures. Of these, 3 were considered unsatisfactory valves for repair and replaced after an attempt at repair. In 2 others, the aortic valve was replaced within a week of initial attempt at repair. There were 2 late failures, 1 of which had aortic valve replacement and another who is awaiting reoperation. Fourteen of 22 patients have been judged to have good results clinically and echocardiographically.
Some Recent Controversies in Intensive Care
Authors: McArthur Colin J 
Published: May 2013

The ability of dopamine to reverse oliguria has led to its ubiquitous renal protective use in patients at risk of acute renal failure. However, this diuresis is due primarily to inhibition of distal tubular sodium reabsorption and not renal vasodilation. Recent controlled clinical studies have been unable to demonstrate a renal protective effect independent of changes in cardiac output. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) has the appealing theoretical ability to minimize upper gastrointestinal colonization with gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and subsequently reduce nosocomial infection and mortality. Such modification of flora does occur, but the initial studies showing a reduction in lower respiratory tract infections have not been supported by recent large double-blind randomized controlled trials. A reduction in mortality or length of stay of general intensive care patients given SDD has never been demonstrated, and it remains an experimental therapy with possible application for some patient subgroups. Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGH) in the critically ill is associated with prolonged ventilatory support and coagulopathy, but clinically important bleeding is now uncommon. Prophylaxis with agents that increase gastric pH is effective in reducing UGH, but may be associated with a higher incidence of nosocomial pneumonia than occurs with alternatives such as sucralfate. Prophylaxis does not alter mortality, and it is now controversial which patients, if any, should routinely receive such treatment.
Surgical Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infants Weighing Less than 2.5kg
Authors: Boonkasem Somboon , Pongpanich Boonchob , Tejavei Anant 
Published: May 2013

Persistent heart failure is a major problem in low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There is a considerable incidence of renal insufficiency and reopening of the ductus after pharmacologic closure. Surgical closure of symptomatic PDA should therefore be indicated to avoid morbidity or mortality from heart failure and renal failure. Between March 1990 and December 1993 there were 33 low birth weight infants who underwent surgical closure of PDA, ranging in age from 5 to 90 days (mean = 25) with 15 males and 18 females (M:F = 1:1.2). The patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1 (< 1000gm) 11 cases, group 2 (1000-1499gm) 10 cases, group 3 (1500-2499gm) 12 cases. The indications for surgical closure of PDA included: persistent heart failure in 28, renal insufficiency in 20, reopening of the ductus after pharmacologic closure in 16 and growth failure in 1. The early mortality was 6% (2/33). Both of them were in group 1: one from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and one from cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on the 6th and 20th postoperative day respectively. Late death occurred twice: the first case in group 1 from sepsis 35 days postoperatively, and the second in group 2 from pneumonia 3 months after surgery. The causes of late mortality in both cases were not related to surgery. The 29 survivors are doing reasonably well during follow-up period.
Surgical Treatment of Primary Cardiac Tumors—Experience with 45 Patients
Authors: Yi Lin Jue , Hsun Chu Shu , Teh Lee Yuan , Shen Wang Shoei , Yue Lin Fang , Her Tsai Chang , Jan Huang Por , Zu Tseng Yung , Pin Lien Wen 
Published: May 2013

Primary cardiac tumors are very rare and the majority of them are histologically benign and surgically curable. During a 30-year period from 1963 to January 1993, 45 cases of primary cardiac tumors were surgically excised at the National Taiwan University Hospital, representing 0.52% of 8,695 open heart surgical cases during the same period. In this series, 42 cases (94%) were benign tumors; 39 (88%) were myxoma (30 female, 9 male), and 32 (82%) originated in the left atrium. None were discovered in the left ventricle. In all but the first 6 cases, tumors in patients with myxoma in the left atrium were successfully excised by the transseptal approach. There were 3 patients with rare benign tumors: intracardiac goiter, rhabdomyoma, and hemangioma respectively. The intracardiac goiter was completely excised with no ectopic thyroid tissue after operation and the other 2 received palliative resection. The latter 2 patients suffered no recurrence. Rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and malignant lymphoma were noted in one patient each, all of whom died of low cardiac output in the early postoperative course. In our experience, the majority of primary cardiac tumors were benign and located in the left atrium. The long-term result of surgical treatment of benign cardiac tumors is excellent, even incases of incomplete resection, while the results from surgical treatment of malignant tumors is poor.
‘Jammin’ with Karlik’: The German-Polish ‘Radio War’ and the Gleiwitz ‘Provocation’, 1925–1939
Authors: Polak-Springer Peter 
Published: May 2013

This essay aims to shed light on the role of radio in state territorial conflicts during the interwar era, a topic that has hardly received serious attention from scholars. Its focus is on the use of radio in the German-Polish contest over the Upper Silesian borderland. State actors of both countries built radio stations at the border with the explicit aim of integrating the largely culturally-mixed and ‘nationally indifferent’ population of locals on both sides of the borderland into – and thereby to secure the whole region for – their nation. A ‘radio war’ thus erupted by 1927, as the two sides competed against one another in this effort, and it lasted to the very end of the interwar era. This essay focuses its analysis on the programmes of the Polish Radio Katowice as they were broadcast over and received in German Upper Silesia. It demonstrates that contrary to the views of Polish nationalists, the popularity of this radio station stemmed not so much from widespread Polish consciousness as the quality of the programmes and popularity of the performers.
Evolutionary relationships of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) uptake porters
Authors: Zheng Wei Hao , Västermark Åke , Shlykov Maksim A , Reddy Vamsee , Sun Eric I , Saier Milton H 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) functional superfamily includes integral transmembrane exporters that have evolved three times independently, forming three families termed ABC1, ABC2 and ABC3, upon which monophyletic ATPases have been superimposed for energy-coupling purposes [e.g., J Membr Biol 231(1):1-10, 2009]. The goal of the work reported in this communication was to understand how the integral membrane constituents of ABC uptake transporters with different numbers of predicted or established transmembrane segments (TMSs) evolved. In a few cases, high resolution 3-dimensional structures were available, and in these cases, their structures plus primary sequence analyses allowed us to predict evolutionary pathways of origin.

Results
All of the 35 currently recognized families of ABC uptake proteins except for one (family 21) were shown to be homologous using quantitative statistical methods. These methods involved using established programs that compare native protein sequences with each other, after having compared each sequence with thousands of its own shuffled sequences, to gain evidence for homology. Topological analyses suggested that these porters contain numbers of TMSs ranging from four or five to twenty. Intragenic duplication events occurred multiple times during the evolution of these porters. They originated from a simple primordial protein containing 3 TMSs which duplicated to 6 TMSs, and then produced porters of the various topologies via insertions, deletions and further duplications. Except for family 21 which proved to be related to ABC1 exporters, they are all related to members of the previously identified ABC2 exporter family. Duplications that occurred in addition to the primordial 3 → 6 duplication included 5 → 10, 6 → 12 and 10 → 20 TMSs. In one case, protein topologies were uncertain as different programs gave discrepant predictions. It could not be concluded with certainty whether a 4 TMS ancestral protein or a 5 TMS ancestral protein duplicated to give an 8 or a 10 TMS protein. Evidence is presented suggesting but not proving that the 2TMS repeat unit in ABC1 porters derived from the two central TMSs of ABC2 porters. These results provide structural information and plausible evolutionary pathways for the appearance of most integral membrane constituents of ABC uptake transport systems.

Conclusions
Almost all integral membrane uptake porters of the ABC superfamily belong to the ABC2 family, previously established for exporters. Most of these proteins can have 5, 6, 10, 12 or 20 TMSs per polypeptide chain. Evolutionary pathways for their appearance are proposed.
Surgery and risk for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Lunny Carole , Knopp-Sihota Jennifer A , Fraser Shawn N 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Although the precise etiology of multiple sclerosis is largely unknown, there is some speculation that a prior history of surgery may be associated with the subsequent risk for developing the disease. Therefore, we aimed to examine surgery as a risk factor for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Methods
We searched for observational studies that evaluated the risk for developing multiple sclerosis after surgery that occurred in childhood (≤ 20 years of age) or “premorbid” (> 20 years of age). We specifically included surgeries classified as: tonsillectomy, appendectomy, adenoidectomy, or “surgery”. We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses and calculated odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model.

Results
We identified 33 case–control studies, involving 27,373 multiple sclerosis cases and 211,756 controls. There was a statistically significant association between tonsillectomy (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.08-1.61; 12 studies, I2 = 44%) and appendectomy (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.34; 7 studies, I2 = 0%) in individual’s ≤ 20 years of age and the subsequent risk for developing multiple sclerosis. There was no statistically significant association between risk for multiple sclerosis and tonsillectomy occurring after age 20 (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.94-1.53; 9 studies, I2 = 32%), in those with appendectomy at > 20 years (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 0.92-1.72; 5 studies, I2 = 46%), and in those with adenoidectomy at ≤ 20 years of age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.68-1.68; 3 studies, I2 = 35%). The combined OR of 15 studies (N = 2,380) looking at “surgery” before multiple sclerosis diagnosis was not statistically significant (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 0.83-1.70; I2 = 71%).

Conclusions
We found a small but statistically significant and clinically important increased risk for developing multiple sclerosis, in those with tonsillectomy and appendectomy at ≤ 20 years of age. There was no convincing evidence to support the association of other surgeries and the risk for multiple sclerosis. Well-designed prospective etiological studies, pertaining to the risk for developing multiple sclerosis, ought to be conducted and should include the examination of various surgeries as risk factors.
The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry: diagnostic-specific standardization in psychiatric ill patients
Authors: Gómez-Benito Juana , Guilera Georgina , Pino Óscar , Rojo Emilio , Tabarés-Seisdedos Rafael , Safont Gemma , Martínez-Arán Anabel , Franco Manuel , Cuesta Manuel J , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , Bernardo Miguel , Vieta Eduard , Purdon Scot E , Mesa Francisco , Rejas Javier ,   the Spanish Working Group in Cognitive Function
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a simple and easy to administer scale developed for screening cognitive deficits. This study presents the diagnostic-specific standardization data for this scale in a sample of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder patients.

Methods
Patients between 18 and 55 years who are in a stable phase of the disease, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or bipolar I disorder were enrolled in this study.

Results
The SCIP-S was administered to 514 patients (57.9% male), divided into two age groups (18–39 and 40–55 years) and two educational level groups (less than and secondary or higher education). The performance of the patients on the SCIP-S is described and the transformed scores for each SCIP-S subtest, as well as the total score on the instrument, are presented as a percentile, z-score, T-scores, and IQ quotient.

Conclusions
We present the first jointly developed benchmarks for a cognitive screening test exploring functional psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), which provide increased information about patient’s cognitive abilities. Having guidelines for interpreting SCIP-S scores represents a step forward in the clinical utility of this instrument and adds valuable information for its use.
In vitro and in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae)
Authors: Njateng Guy Sedar Singor , Gatsing Donatien , Mouokeu Raymond Simplice , Lunga Paul Keilah , Kuiate Jules-Roger 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
During the last decades, the number of people suffering from dermatophytoses has seriously increased, mainly due to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms to a range of formally efficient antibiotics. Polyscias fulva, a medium size tree which grows in the West Region of Cameroon is traditionally used for local application against dermatoses and orally against venereal infections. The dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities.

Methods
The plant extract was prepared by maceration of its stem bark powder in CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1 v/v). The extract obtained was successively partitioned in hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. In vitro antidermatophytic activity was assayed by the well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The degree of dermal irritation of the crude extract was determined in guinea pigs using the occluded dermal irritation test method. The in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the extract-oil formulation (1.25, 2.5 and 5% w/w concentrations) was evaluated using Trichophyton mentagrophytes- induced dermatophytosis in a guinea pigs model.

Results
Phytochemical screening indicated that, the crude extract, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions contain in general saponins, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and phenols while the hexane fraction contains only alkaloids. The ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions displayed higher antifungal activities (MIC = 0.125-0.5 mg.mL-1) against eight dermatophytes as compared to the crude extract (MIC = 0.5-1 mg.mL-1). This latter appeared to have slight perceptible erythema effects on guinea pigs as the primary irritation index (PII) was calculated to be 0.54. In vivo, the antidermatophytic activities of the extract-oil formulations were dose-dependent. Griseofulvin-oil 5% at 0.01 g/kg and formulated extract-oil (5%) at 0.1 g/kg eradicated the microbial infection after thirteen and fourteen days of daily treatment respectively.

Conclusions
The results of preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluations indicate that the extract-oil formulation at 5% may constitute an alternative means to alleviate fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.
Protocol: does sodium nitrite administration reduce ischaemia-reperfusion injury in patients presenting with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction? Nitrites in acute myocardial infarction (NIAMI)
Authors: Siddiqi Nishat , Bruce Margaret , Neil Christopher J , Jagpal Baljit , Maclennon Graeme , Cotton Seonaidh C , Papadopoulo Sofia A , Bunce Nicholas , Lim Pitt , Schwarz Konstantin , Singh Satnam , Hildick-Smith David , Horowitz John D , Madhani Melanie , Boon Nicholas , Kaski Juan-Carlos , Dawson Dana , Frenneaux Michael P 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Whilst advances in reperfusion therapies have reduced early mortality from acute myocardial infarction, heart failure remains a common complication, and may develop very early or long after the acute event. Reperfusion itself leads to further tissue damage, a process described as ischaemia-reperfusion-injury (IRI), which contributes up to 50% of the final infarct size. In experimental models nitrite administration potently protects against IRI in several organs, including the heart. In the current study we investigate whether intravenous sodium nitrite administration immediately prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction will reduce myocardial infarct size. This is a phase II, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded and multicentre trial.

Methods and outcomes
The aim of this trial is to determine whether a 5 minute systemic injection of sodium nitrite, administered immediately before opening of the infarct related artery, results in significant reduction of IRI in patients with first acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI). The primary clinical end point is the difference in infarct size between sodium nitrite and placebo groups measured using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) performed at 6–8 days following the AMI and corrected for area at risk (AAR) using the endocardial surface area technique. Secondary end points include (i) plasma creatine kinase and Troponin I measured in blood samples taken pre-injection of the study medication and over the following 72 hours; (ii) infarct size at six months; (iii) Infarct size corrected for AAR measured at 6–8 days using T2 weighted triple inversion recovery (T2-W SPAIR or STIR) CMR imaging; (iv) Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction measured by CMR at 6–8 days and six months following injection of the study medication; and (v) LV end systolic volume index at 6–8 days and six months.

Funding, ethics and regulatory approvals
This study is funded by a grant from the UK Medical Research Council. This protocol is approved by the Scotland A Research Ethics Committee and has also received clinical trial authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (EudraCT number: 2010-023571-26).

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01388504 and Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN57596739
Existence of solutions for integro-differential equations of fractional order with nonlocal three-point fractional boundary conditions
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P , Ntouyas Sotiris K , Ahmad Bashir , Alhothuali Mohammed S 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
In this paper, we study the existence of solutions for Riemann-Liouville type integro-differential equations of fractional order

α
∈
(
2
,
3
]

with nonlocal three-point fractional boundary conditions via Sadovskii’s fixed point theorem for condensing maps. An illustrative example is also presented.

MSC:34A08, 34B10, 34B15.