bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Free Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction after Oncologic Surgery
Authors: Grammatica Alberto , Piazza Cesare , Paderno Alberto , Taglietti Valentina , Marengoni Alessandra , Nicolai Piero 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo provide surgeons and clinicians with a critical review of microvascular reconstructive options and their expected outcomes after head and neck cancer resection in the elderly.Data SourcesMedline, Isiweb, and Cochrane databases.Review MethodsA literature search was performed in May 2014 and included studies published between 2000 and 2014. Keywords were used for articles identification, and inclusion criteria were defined for consideration in the present review.ConclusionsEvaluation of the pertinent literature is hampered by a number of biases, such as a lack of general consensus of a definition of “elderly,” differences among scales used to quantify comorbidities, and subjective evaluation of flap‐related and systemic complications. However, our findings showed no differences in terms of free flap success, surgical complications, or mortality rate between older and younger patients. Moreover, recipient site complications do not seem to be affected by age.Implication for PracticeMicrovascular reconstruction in the elderly can be performed with high success rates, even though medical complications can occur more frequently compared to younger patients. Minor and major surgical complications in the elderly appear to be comparable to those in the younger population and do not affect final outcome or the perioperative mortality rate. Flap outcome does not seem to be significantly affected by age. Careful preoperative assessment and postoperative monitoring are mandatory to prevent adverse events, and prompt management is warranted whenever present.
Office‐Based Photoangiolytic Laser Treatment of Reinke’s Edema
Authors: Koszewski Ian J. , Hoffman Matthew R. , Young W. Greg , Lai Ying‐Ta , Dailey Seth H. 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, tolerability, and voice outcomes of office‐based photoangiolytic laser treatment of Reinke’s edema.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects and MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing office‐based laser treatment of endoscopy‐proven Reinke’s edema. Safety and tolerability were evaluated by reviewing complications. Voice outcomes were analyzed by comparing pre‐ and postprocedural acoustic, aerodynamic, and Voice Handicap Index measurements. Complete data sets were not available for all subjects; sample size for each parameter is reported with the corresponding result.ResultsNineteen patients met inclusion criteria. There were no minor or major complications. Five procedures were truncated due to patient intolerance. Phonatory frequency range increased (n = 12, P =. 003), while percent jitter decreased (n = 12, P =. 004). Phonation threshold pressure decreased after treatment (n = 4, P =. 049). Voice Handicap Index also decreased (n = 14, P <. 001).ConclusionThis study represents the largest series of patients undergoing office‐based photoangiolytic laser treatment specifically for Reinke’s edema. Our data suggest that this is a safe and effective modality to treat dysphonia associated with Reinke’s edema, although patient intolerance of the procedure may represent a barrier.
Clinical impact of model-based type iterative reconstruction with fast reconstruction time on image quality of low-dose screening chest CT
Authors: Yuki Hideaki , Oda Seitaro , Utsunomiya Daisuke , Funama Yoshinori , Kidoh Masafumi , Namimoto Tomohiro , Katahira Kazuhiro , Honda Keiichi , Tokuyasu Shinichi , Yamashita Yasuyuki 
Published: March 2015

Background Model-based type iterative reconstruction algorithms with fast reconstruction times are now available. The clinical feasibility of their reconstruction has not been evaluated adequately. Purpose To investigate the effects of model-based type iterative reconstruction, i.e. iterative model reconstruction (IMR), with fast reconstruction time on the qualitative and quantitative image quality at low-dose chest computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods Thirty-one patients undergoing low-dose screening chest CT were enrolled. Images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), and IMR algorithms. The CT attenuation and image noise for all reconstructions were calculated at the lung apex, middle, and base. Using a 4-point scale, two reviewers visually evaluated the image quality with respect to vessel sharpness, streak artifact, the mediastinum, and the overall image quality of each reconstruction method. Results The mean estimated effective dose was 1.0 ± 0.3 mSv. There was no significant difference in the CT attenuation among the three reconstructions. The mean image noise of FBP, HIR, and IMR images was 124.3 ± 57.3, 34.8 ± 10.2, and 22.9 ± 5.8 HU, respectively. There were significant differences for all comparison combinations among the three methods ( P < 0.01). The best subjective overall image quality for the lung and mediastinum was obtained with IMR ( P < 0.01). The reconstruction time for IMR was within 3 min in all cases. Conclusion At low-dose chest CT, IMR can improve the qualitative and quantitative visualization of both lung and mediastinal structures especially in the lung apex at a clinically acceptable reconstruction time. Its application may improve diagnostic performance.
Valsartan Promoting Atherosclerotic Plaque Stabilization by Upregulating Renalase
Authors: Zhou Mingxue , Ma Chao , Liu Weihong , Liu Hongxu , Wang Ning , Kang Qunfu , Li Ping 
Published: March 2015

Background: Renalase is a protein that can regulate sympathetic nerve activity by metabolizing catecholamines, while redundant catecholamines are thought to contribute to atherosclerosis (As). Catecholamine release can be facilitated by angiotensin (Ang) II by binding to Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptors. Valsartan, a special AT1 antagonist, can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, but it remained unclear whether valsartan can promote the stability of atherosclerotic plaque by affecting renalase. Objective: This study examined the tissue distribution of renalase in ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet and the effect of valsartan on expression of renalase. Methods: ApoE−/− mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 13 or 26 weeks. As a control, 10 C57BL mice were fed with a standard chow diet. After 13 weeks on the high-fat diet, the ApoE−/− mice were randomized (10 mice/group) and treated with valsartan, simvastatin, or distilled water (control group) for an additional 13 weeks accompanied by a high-fat diet. Results: Knockout of ApoE caused a dramatic increase in expression of renalase in mice adipose tissue. With the disturbance of lipid metabolism induced by a high-fat diet, renalase expression decreased in the liver. Renalase can be expressed in smooth muscle cells and M2 macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque, and its expression gradually decreases in the fibrous cap during the transition from stable to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Valsartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist, promotes the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque by increasing the levels of renalase in serum and the expression of renalase in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque. It also reduces triglyceride levels in serum and increases the expression of renalase in the liver. Conclusions: Renalase may be a potential-related gene of lipid metabolism and As, and it may be the possible molecular target of valsartan to help stabilize atherosclerotic plaque.
‘Money makes the world go around’: Social workers in parliamentary finance committees in Israel
Authors: Weiss-Gal Idit , Nouman Hani 
Published: March 2015

Summary The study examined social workers’ participation in two powerful parliamentary committees in Israel: the Finance Committee (FC) and the Economics Affairs Committee (EAC). It sought to better understand the characteristics of social workers who participated in these committees, their inputs, and to uncover differences between these findings and those on social workers in other parliamentary committees. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses were conducted on the minutes of the committees’ sessions between 1999–2013. Findings At least one social worker spoke in 50 of the FC sessions and in 26 of the EAC sessions. These sessions dealt with a wide range of subjects, including national and local social services budgets, social problems, and vulnerable populations. The social workers expressed opinions on deficiencies in social policies and made recommendations for dealing with social problems. Their opinions conveyed support for social provision in a period in which the neo-liberal discourse was in ascendant. They also provided information on diverse aspects of current social policies. Most of the social worker participants were employed in the government sector. Implications In terms of theory, the study augments our knowledge of social workers as policy actors. In terms of practice, it shows that finance committees are relevant and accessible arenas of social work activity. Awareness of the inputs and the roles identified can enable social workers to better understand their potential contribution to the discussions of such committees and conceptualize their possible roles in them.
Concordance Between 11C-PIB-PET and Clinical Diagnosis in a Memory Clinic
Authors: Patricio Chrem Mendez , Gabriela Cohen , Julieta Russo Maria , Marcos Fernandez Suarez , Federico Nahas , Griselda Russo , Claudio Wierszylo , Santiago Paz , Leonardo Tabaschi , Jorge Campos , Alejandra Amengual , Janus Kremer , Salvador Guinjoan , Ramon Leiguarda , Gustavo Sevlever , Silvia Vázquez , Ricardo Allegri 
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Today, ligands that bind to fibrillar β-amyloid are detectable by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) allowing for in vivo visualization for Abeta burden. However, amyloid plaques detection per se does not establish Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis. In this sense, the utility of amyloid imaging to improve clinical diagnosis was settled only for specific clinical scenarios and few studies have assessed amyloid molecular neuroimaging in a broader clinical setting. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of PiB amyloid findings in different diagnostic syndromes grouped into high and low probability pre- test categories, taking into account pre-test clinical assumption of the presence of AD related pathology. Methods: 144 patients were assigned into categories of high or low pretest probability according to clinical suspicion of AD pathology. The high probability group included: amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), amnestic and other domains MCI, Dementia of Alzheimer’s Type (DAT), Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), logopenic Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and mixed dementia. The low assumption group included: normal controls, non-amnestic MCI, non-logopenic PPA and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Results: Only normal controls and DAT patients (typical and atypical presentation) were the most consistent across clinical and molecular diagnostics. MCI, non-logopenic PPA and FTD were the syndromic diagnoses that most discrepancies were found. Discussion: This study demonstrates that detecting in vivo amyloid plaques by molecular imaging is considerably frequent in most of the dementia syndromes and shows that there are frequent discordance between molecular diagnosis and clinical assumption.
Outcomes of covered expandable stents for the treatment of TASC D aorto-iliac occlusive lesions
Authors: Tewksbury Robert , Taumoepeau Lupe , Cartmill Andrew , Butcher Anna , Cohen Toby 
Published: March 2015

Introduction Aortoiliac arterial occlusive disease is frequently encountered in the management of lower limb vascular insufficiency. We report our experience with covered balloon-expandable stents for treatment of TASC D lesions of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries. Methods A retrospective study of 30 patients who underwent aortoiliac stenting with the Atrium Advanta V12 from March 2010 to September 2012 was conducted. Patient demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms and procedural details were recorded. Outcomes assessed were primary patency, secondary patency, technical success, complications, limb salvage and survival. Results Median age was 67 years (range 48–84) and 40% of patients underwent treatment for critical limb ischaemia. Median follow-up was 13 months (range 3–38 months). Stent configuration comprised of long iliac stents in 20 patients, a large diameter aortic stent with iliac stenting in six patients, and aortic stent alone in four patients. Radiological success was achieved in 100% and the complication rate was 6%. Primary patency at 6, 12 and 24 months was 97%, 90% and 79%, respectively. Four cases of in-stent stenosis were reported, with three of these undergoing re-interventions resulting in a secondary patency rate of 97% at the end of follow-up. One patient death occurred within the follow-up period. Discussion This case series demonstrates that treatment of complex aortoiliac occlusive disease with covered balloon-expandable stents can have acceptable results with good patency and good clinical outcome. Secondary patency rates are comparable to open surgical revascularisation, with lower morbidity.
Expression of genes of the cardiac and renal renin–angiotensin systems in preterm piglets: is this system a suitable target for therapeutic intervention?
Authors: Kim Eleanor , Eiby Yvonne , Lumbers Eugenie , Boyce Amanda , Gibson Karen , Lingwood Barbara 
Published: March 2015

Objectives: The newborn circulating, cardiac and renal renin–angiotensin systems (RASs) are essential for blood pressure control, and for cardiac and renal development. If cardiac and renal RASs are immature this may contribute to cardiovascular compromise in preterm infants. This study measured mRNA expression of cardiac and renal RAS components in preterm, glucocorticoid (GC) exposed preterm, and term piglets. Methods: Renal and cardiac RAS mRNA levels were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genes studied were: (pro)renin receptor, renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R). Results: All the genes studied were expressed in the kidney; neither renin nor AT2R mRNA were detected in the heart. There were no gestational changes in (pro)renin receptor, renin, ACE or AT1R mRNA levels. Right ventricular angiotensinogen mRNA levels in females were lower in preterm animals than at term, and GC exposure increased levels in male piglets. Renal angiotensinogen mRNA levels in female term piglets were lower than females from both preterm groups, and lower than male term piglets. Left ventricular ACE2 mRNA expression was lower in GC treated preterm piglets. Renal AT2R mRNA abundance was highest in GC treated preterm piglets, and the AT1R/AT2R ratio was increased at term. Conclusions: Preterm cardiac and renal RAS mRNA levels were similar to term piglets, suggesting that immaturity of these RASs does not contribute to preterm cardiovascular compromise. Since preterm expression of both renal and cardiac angiotensin II-AT1R is similar to term animals, cardiovascular dysfunction in the sick preterm human neonate might be effectively treated by agents acting on their RASs.
Chromogranin A and cortisol at intraoperative repeated noxious stimuli: Surgical stress in a dog model
Authors: Höglund Odd Viking , Hagman Ragnvi , Stridsberg Mats 
Published: March 2015

Objectives: Biomarkers representing sympathetic tone and the surgical stress response are measured to objectively evaluate surgical techniques and anaesthetic protocols. If a part of the intraoperative procedure is repeated on the contralateral organ, one animal may potentially serve as its own control and, if so, may minimize the problem of individual differences of the stress response to anaesthesia and surgery. This study aimed to investigate the use of chromogranin A for measurement of the intraoperative sympathetic tone. Additional aims were to investigate chromogranin A and cortisol as indicators of the intraoperative surgical stress response caused by repeated noxious stimuli in dogs subjected to ovariohysterectomy and thereby to investigate the possibility of one dog serving as its own control. Methods: Experiments were carried out on 10 dogs subjected to ovariohysterectomy. Perioperative blood samples (0–6) were collected after premedication, immediately before induction of anaesthesia (0), after induction of anaesthesia and before incision (1), before (2) and after (3) removal of the first ovary, after a 15-min pause before removal of the second ovary (4), after removal of the second ovary (5) and after closing the abdomen (6). Plasma chromogranin A and cortisol were analysed. Results: Plasma chromogranin A did not change. Plasma cortisol concentration did not change between before anaesthesia and opening of the abdomen. Plasma cortisol increased at removal of the first ovary. Cortisol did not change at removal of the second ovary but remained increased compared to initial sample. Conclusion: The results suggest chromogranin A is a poor indicator of intraoperative sympathetic tone during elective surgery in dogs. Cortisol measurement was useful for assessment of intraoperative noxious stimuli. However, at these test conditions, neither plasma chromogranin A nor plasma cortisol was useful for assessment of repeated intraoperative noxious stimuli where one dog served as its own control.
Sleep Quality in Patients with Rotator Cuff Disease
Authors: Khazzam Michael S. , Mulligan Ed , Shirley Zachary , Brunette Meredith 
Published: March 2015

Objectives: Sleep disturbance may be an important prognostic variable driving patients to seek treatment for rotator cuff disease related shoulder pain. Currently, little is known on the influence of rotator cuff pathology on sleep. The purpose of this study was to determine which patient factors correlate with sleep disturbance in patients with atraumatic rotator cuff disease. Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized single surgeon cross-sectional cohort study was performed evaluating the effects of rotator cuff disease on sleep quality. Time-zero prior to treatment intervention outcomes data was collected including the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation Rating (SANE), American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), patient demographics and medical comorbidities. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis to determine which patient reported factors were associated with sleep quality disturbance. Results: 147 shoulders in 131 subjects 66 right 49 left 16 bilateral (66 male, 65 female) with a mean age 56.4 were enrolled. There were 92 subjects with rotator cuff tendinitis, and 34 subjects full thickness rotator cuff tears confirmed on MRI. The mean SANE was 48, VAS 4.85, ASES 52, PSQI 8.26±5.0, and 92% of subjects reported nocturnal shoulder pain. Pearson correlation coefficient determined that female sex (males -0.23, p=0.001), higher pain VAS score (+0.26, p=0.003)), depression (+0.39, p<0.0001), presence of low back pain (+0.36, p<0.0001) smoking (+0.22, p=0.01), diabetes (+0.19, p=0.03), presence of osteoarthritis (+0.19, p=0.03), and NSAID use (+0.17, p=0.05) were associated with poor sleep quality. Factors associated with worse sleep quality. Age, SANE, ASES, presence of full thickness RCT, presence of biceps pain, or cervical spine symptoms were not 1predictive and did not correlate with worse sleep quality. Conclusion: Based on our findings pain, female gender, depression, presence of low back pain, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and prior NSAID use are all factors associated with worse sleep quality in patients with rotator cuff disease. These results demonstrate that the sleep quality does not seem to correlate with severity of rotator cuff pathology.
The Effect Of Concomitant Glenohumeral Joint Capsule Release During Rotator Cuff Repair - A Comparative Study Of 195 Patients
Authors: McGrath Jordan , Lam Patrick Hong , Tan Martin , Murrell George A.C. 
Published: March 2015

Objectives: Background: There is debate as to whether to operate or defer surgery on patients with concomitant rotator cuff tear and shoulder stiffness. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to compare the outcomes in those patients who had both their rotator cuff tear and shoulder stiffness treated with patients who had a rotator cuff repair but no stiffness. Methods: Methods: 1232 primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were performed during the study period, including 44 patients who received a concomitant glenohumeral joint capsule release for ipsilateral shoulder stiffness, forming the stiffness group. A chronologically matched group of four rotator cuff repair-only patients before and after each stiffness patient were chosen from the consecutive list of rotator cuff repairs. Twenty-five patients from the stiffness group and 170 patients from the non-stiffness group met the inclusion criteria, leaving a total cohort of 195 patients. Patients completed modified L’Insalata Questionnaires for patient-ranked pain and function scores pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and at one week, six weeks, 12 weeks, six months and two-years post-operatively, while examiners recorded range of motion, strength, and presence of impingement signs. Results: Results: Patients from both groups had significantly improved clinical outcomes at the two-year follow-up as compared to pre-operative values. Stiffness patients had 0/25 (0%) re-tears at two years, significantly less (p = 0.009) than the non-stiffness patients (34/170 [20%]). Range of motion was similar between groups at two-years for forward flexion, abduction and external rotation, while the non-stiffness group had a superior range of internal rotation (p < 0.02). Conclusion: Discussion: The good outcomes of rotator cuff repair with glenohumeral joint capsule release suggest that there is no advantage in delaying surgical repair of a rotator cuff tear to allow for stiffness to resolve. In contradistinction, the data presented in this paper suggests that shoulder stiffness with glenohumeral joint capsule release, confers an advantage in terms of repair integrity.