bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of long‐term survival outcome of operative vs nonoperative management of recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Bhangu A. , Ali S. M. , Cunningham D. , Brown G. , Tekkis P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAim  Complete surgical resection is considered the best treatment for recurrent rectal cancer (RRC). The aim of the study was to compare survival outcomes from operative and nonoperative patients presenting with RRC.Method  Patients with RRC whose management was discussed by a tertiary referral specialist multidisciplinary team between January 2007 and August 2011 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The primary end‐point was 3‐year overall survival.Results  Of 127 patients with RRC, it was isolated to the pelvis in 105 and associated with distant disease at presentation in 22. From the time of primary surgery to first recurrence, 1‐, 3‐, 5‐ and 10‐year local recurrence rates were 22%, 72%, 85% and 96%, respectively. The number of operated patients available at 1, 2 and 3 years’ follow‐up was 53, 34 and 23, respectively. Of 70 patients who underwent pelvic resection for recurrence, 64% received R0, 20% received R1 and 16% received R2 resections. Corresponding 3‐year overall survival rates were 69%, 56% and 20% (P = 0.011). There was no significant difference in survival between R2 resection and those managed nonoperatively (hazard ratio = 1.258; P = 0.579). Those undergoing surgery for pelvic recurrence affecting one or more compartments had a worse prognosis than those with single‐compartment involvement (hazard ratio = 2.640; P = 0.027). Three‐year local recurrence‐free survival was 80% with R0 resection vs 60% with R1 resection.Conclusion  Most recurrences occur within 5 years of primary surgery, although some occur up to 10 years later. R0 resection is the treatment of choice. There was no survival benefit of R2 resection over nonresected recurrences.
Zum Versagen der Marktdisziplinierung in der Finanzkrise
Authors: Tichy Gunther 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEconomic policy design frequently assumes that markets, reacting instantaneously to news, rapidly discipline countries’ unsustainable policies. Interest rates would rise immediately. The recent financial crisis calls this assumption seriously into question. The countries at the European periphery accumulated competition problems and enormous current-account deficits for one and a half decades before the spreads reacted. As the rating-agencies’ did no better job and their assessments are strongly correlated with the spreads, the paper uses their published reasons for downgrading countries to explain the changes of spreads. It appears that limited information in a complex situation forces financial-market participants as well as observers to reduce complexity to simple plausible ‘stories’ which can be easily communicated. These ‘stories’ concentrate on financial aspects and are highly persistent, but over-react if they are forced to shift to a new ‘story’.
Der volkswirtschaftliche Verlust durch Stromausfälle: Eine empirische Analyse für Haushalte, Unternehmen und den öffentlichen Sektor
Authors: Schmidthaler Michael , Reichl Johannes , Schneider Friedrich 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis work discusses different methodological approaches for the economic evaluation of electricity supply security, quantifies the expected economic costs of power outages in Austria, and provides an interpretation of the results regarding the future challenges of sustaining the currently high levels of electricity supply security. By applying a macroeconomic simulation tool, which assesses the damages of power outages which can be defined for the period between one to 48 hours taking into account the day of the week and time of day, the value of supply security can be estimated precisely with high spatial and sectoral resolution. This is demonstrated exemplarily for a power outage scenario which is similar in scope, timing and duration to a historic even in Italy in 2003 affecting over 50 million people. Decision-makers in politics and businesses can use the analysis tool APOSTEL to conduct precise evaluations of the value of supply security, for cost-benefit analyses of supply security enhancing investments, of regulatory descions which affect the level of supply securty and for many more applications with regards to energy policy. Precise knowledge of the social and economic value of a secure supply of electricity becomes even more crucial considering that the average value of lost load for a one-hour power cut in Austria on a weekday morning in the summer is calculated at 17.1 € per kWh of electricity not supplied.
Religionsökonomie: eine Übersicht
Authors: Höhener Janine , Schaltegger Christoph A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFor a long time, religion has been viewed as a topic outside the range of economics. In the last few decades however, economists increasingly started to extend their methods to non-market-based behavior, including religion. One main research area in the economics of religion concerns the economic consequences of religion both for the individual and for the society at large. The second field of research uses economic reasoning to explain religious behavior of individuals as well as the existence of religious groups. This article provides an overview on this literature and summarizes the main conclusions drawn so far.
Selective Endovascular Aneurysm Neck Ligation to Treat Compressive Cranial Neuropathy
Authors: Edgell Randall C. , Kaila Junaid , Haghighi Afshin Borhani 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo report a novel endovascular coiling technique for ligation of aneurysms presenting with cranial neuropathy.METHODSWe describe three patients (all female, median age: 57) presenting with unruptured, mass effect producing, aneurysms. All three were treated with coiling of the aneurysm inflow zone without deploying coils in the dome or fundus. Their clinical manifestations, the radiologic features of the aneurysms, and details of endovascular inflow zone ligation are presented.RESULTSClinical and radiological improvement was seen in all three patients after 6‐12 months follow‐up.CONCLUSIONThis technique may be considered in patients presenting with compressive cranial neuropathy and an aneurysm configuration that allows selective coiling of the inflow zone.
Photodynamic therapy for skin rejuvenation: review and summary of the literature – results of a consensus conference of an expert group for aesthetic photodynamic therapy
Authors: Karrer Sigrid , Kohl Elisabeth , Feise Konstantin , Hiepe‐Wegener Dagmar , Lischner Stephan , Philipp‐Dormston Wolfgang , Podda Maurizio , Prager Welf , Walker Torsten , Szeimies Rolf‐Markus 
Published: November 2012

SummarySkin rejuvenating effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for photoaged skin has been well‐documented in several clinical trials. Different photosensitizers (5‐aminolevulinic acid, methyl aminolevulinate) and diverse light sources (light‐emitting diodes, lasers, intense pulsed light) have been used with promising results. An improvement of lentigines, skin roughness, fine lines and sallow complexion has been achieved with PDT. These clinically evident effects are at least in part due to histologically proven increase of collagen and decrease of elastotic material in the dermis. Effective improvement of photoaged skin, simultaneous treatment and possibly also prevention of actinic keratoses, the possibility of repeated treatments and, in contrast to other procedures, limited and calculable side effects make PDT a promising procedure for skin rejuvenation.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection and Characterization of Left Atrial Catheter Ablation Lesions: A Multicenter Experience
Authors: HUNTER ROSS J. , JONES DANIEL A. , BOUBERTAKH REDHA , MALCOLME‐LAWES LOUISA C. , KANAGARATNAM PRAPA , JULI CHRISTOPH F. , DAVIES D. WYN , PETERS NICHOLAS S. , BAKER VICTORIA , EARLEY MARK J. , SPORTON SIMON , DAVIES L. CERI , WESTWOOD MARK , PETERSEN STEFFEN E. , SCHILLING RICHARD J. 
Published: November 2012

MRI Detection of Left Atrial Ablation Lesions. Introduction: We tested the hypothesis that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can reliably distinguish the presence or absence of left atrial (LA) ablation lesions by blinded analysis of pre‐ and postablation imaging.
Methods:
Consecutive patients at 2 centers undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by either wide area circumferential radiofrequency ablation (WACA) or ostial ablation with a cryoballoon underwent CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging pre‐ and 3 months postablation. Imaging was anonymized for blinded analysis of (1) LGE images, and (2) a 3D fusion image with LGE projected onto a segmented LA surface. Scans were categorized using both assessment techniques separately as pre‐ or postablation, and if postablation, whether lesions were in an ostial or WACA distribution.
Results:
LGE imaging was performed in 50 patients (aged 60 ± 10 years, 68% male, 24 underwent WACA and 26 had cryoablation). Sensitivity and specificity for detection of ablation lesions was 60% and 96% on LGE imaging. Sensitivity was higher using 3D fusion imaging (88%; P = 0.003). The proportion in whom lesions were both detected and the distribution correctly assessed as WACA or ostial was higher with 3D fusion imaging compared to LGE imaging (54% vs 28%; P = 0.014). There was no difference in the detection of radiofrequency ablation lesions compared to cryoablation lesions (58% vs 62%; P = 1.000).
Conclusion:
LGE imaging of atrial scar is not yet sufficiently accurate to reliably identify ablation lesions or to determine lesion distribution. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 396‐403, April 2013)
Polyandry‐fecundity relationship in insects: methodological and conceptual problems
Authors: Torres‐Vila L. M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPolyandry is perhaps the most puzzling component of mating systems because the fitness benefits for females of mating with more than one male during lifetime are poorly understood. The occurrence and extent of polyandry varies considerably both among and within species, and a positive association between polyandry and fecundity is widespread but not universal. The scenario is further complicated because the scientific literature on this issue includes studies that are often inconclusive or contradictory even for the same target species. A previous meta‐analysis detected the crucial importance of two usually neglected aspects that potentially bias the interpretation of primary studies about the polyandry–fecundity relationship: the methodological approach – experimental or descriptive – and the polyandry concept itself – realized or potential. In this paper, we experimentally test the effect of these aspects with the moth Lobesia botrana. We used an innovative protocol in which the experimental and the descriptive methods were conducted simultaneously on the same target population and the results were then interpreted from the perspective of both concepts of polyandry. The results clearly showed that 1) the conclusions about the polyandry–fecundity relationship were strongly dependent on the methodological approach used and 2) the concept of polyandry invoked by the researcher was a confounding effect that potentially biases data interpretation. We suggest that greater attention must be paid to intraspecific variation among females in their propensity to remate. The differentiation in experimental studies between potentially polyandrous and monandrous phenotypes could greatly improve our knowledge about the maintenance of female mating polymorphism in most species and the adaptive significance of polyandry.
New Observations on the Ciliate Genus Vestibulongum (Pycnotrichidae): Vestibular Ultrastructure, Macronuclear Endosymbiotic Bacteria, Biogeography, and Evidence for Host Specificity
Authors: Grim J. Norman , Clements Kendall D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTwo isolates of the pycnotrichid ciliate genus, Vestibulongum, were collected from the host fish, Acanthurus xanthopterus, from two locations in the Southern Pacific Ocean. One was from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and a second from Papua New Guinea. These sites are thousands of km from the type locality, off the coast of South Africa. New data were collected from protargol‐stained samples to more fully characterize the general form and light microscopic structures of the ciliate. Specimens from all three sites had a long vestibule, characteristic of most members of the family. Data suggest that specimens from each site are the same genus. The kinetids of the Vestibulongum isolated from the GBR contained the typical components of postciliary, transverse, and nemodesmatal microtubules, and Kd fibrils. Also, two quite different forms of endomacronuclear bacteria were observed and are described. One of those has distinct endospores, which are similar to endospores in nuclear endosymbiotic bacteria in a species of Balantidium from the gut of another species of surgeonfish.
Factors affecting short‐ and long‐term effects of leukocyte removal therapy in active ulcerative colitis
Authors: Nakano Ryo , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Ikeda Yuji , Kishi Tomoya , Tsuruoka Nanae , Shimoda Ryo , Sakata Yasuhisa , Yamaguchi Kanako , Fujimoto Kazuma 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimLeukocyte removal therapy (LRT) is recognized as an effective treatment for active ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, factors associated with the efficacy and long‐term effects of LRT were evaluated.MethodsFrom April 1998 to March 2010, 98 patients with moderate to severe UC were randomly assigned to granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis (GMA) (n = 47) or leukocytapheresis (LCAP) (n = 51) treatment. Patients received two sessions of LRT in the first week, followed by three weekly administrations. All patients were treated with 5‐aminosalicylic acid and corticosteroid. Steroid doses were tapered if patients achieved clinical improvement. Clinical remission was defined as a decrease in clinical activity index to < 4 and endoscopic findings to Matts' grade 1 or 2. When clinical activity index decreased but still remained ≥ 5 and Matts' grading was 1 or 2, the patient was considered to have improved. Patients were observed for at least 1 year and diagnosed as relapsed when additional treatment was required.ResultsSeventy‐one (73%) patients achieved clinical remission or improvement. No significant difference was found between LCAP and GMA. Increased age, ≥ 3 attacks of UC, and ≥ 2 sessions of LRT were indicative of refractoriness to LRT. During 1 year observation, 28 patients were relapsed. Duration of UC, ≥ 3 attacks of UC, and ≥ 2 sessions of LRT were indicative of refractoriness to the long‐term effects of LRT.ConclusionBoth GMA and LCAP were effective to treat active UC. However, long duration of UC, multiple UC attacks, and past history of LRT reduce the efficacy.
Characteristics of elderly hepatitis C virus‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Kiriyama Seiki , Tanikawa Makoto , Hisanaga Yasuhiro , Kanamori Akira , Tada Toshifumi , Tanaka Junko 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimThe average age of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients has been rising in Japan. We evaluate characteristics of HCV‐positive patients who develop HCC in older age to determine an optimal surveillance strategy.MethodsA total of 323 patients with three or more years of follow‐up before HCC diagnosis and 323 propensity‐matched controls without HCC were studied. HCC patients were classified into four groups according to age at the time of HCC diagnosis: group A (≤ 60 years, n = 36), group B (61–70 years, n = 115), group C (71–80 years, n = 143), and group D (> 80 years, n = 29). Clinical and laboratory data were compared.ResultsPlatelet counts were significantly higher in the older groups at HCC diagnosis (P < 0.0001). The rate of platelet counts decline was lower in older groups (P = 0.0107). The average integration value of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in groups A, B, C, and D were 80.9 IU/L, 62.3 IU/L, 59.0 IU/L, and 44.9 IU/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). In older patients (≥ 65 years old), cirrhosis and average integration value of ALT were significantly associated with hepatocarcinogenesis, but platelet count was not.ConclusionElderly HCV‐positive patients (≥ 65 years old) with low ALT values developed HCC regardless of their platelet counts. These findings should be taken into account when designing the most suitable HCC surveillance protocol for this population.
Acid‐suppressive therapy is associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Deshpande Abhishek , Pasupuleti Vinay , Thota Priyaleela , Pant Chaitanya , Mapara Sulaiman , Hassan Sohaib , Rolston David D K , Sferra Thomas J , Hernandez Adrian V 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimProton pump inhibitors (PPI) and H2‐receptor antagonists (H2RA) are frequently prescribed in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. There are conflicting reports regarding the role of acid‐suppressive therapy in predisposing hospitalized patients with cirrhosis to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the association between acid‐suppressive therapy and the risk of SBP in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE and four other databases for subject headings and text words related to SBP and acid‐suppressive therapy. All observational studies that investigated the risk of SBP associated with PPI/H2RA therapy and utilized SBP as an endpoint were considered eligible. Data from the identified studies were combined by means of a random‐effects model and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.ResultsEight studies (n = 3815 patients) met inclusion criteria. The risk of hospitalized cirrhotic patients developing SBP increased when using acid‐suppressive therapy. The risk was greater with PPI therapy (n = 3815; OR 3.15, 95% confidence interval 2.09–4.74) as compared to those on H2RA therapy (n = 562; OR 1.71, 95% confidence interval 0.97–3.01).ConclusionsPharmacologic acid suppression was associated with a greater risk of SBP in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients receiving a PPI have approximately three times the risk of developing SBP compared with those not receiving this medication. Prospective studies may help clarify this relationship and shed light on the mechanism(s) by which acid‐suppressive therapy increases the risk of SBP in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.
Preoperative body size and composition, habitual diet, and post‐operative complications in elective colorectal cancer patients in Norway
Authors: Berstad P. , Haugum B. , Helgeland M. , Bukholm I. , Almendingen K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundBoth malnutrition and obesity are related to worsened post‐operative outcomes after colorectal surgery. Obese cancer patients may be malnourished as a result of short‐term weight loss. The present study aimed to evaluate preoperative nutritional status, body composition and dietary intake related to post‐operative complications (POC) and post‐operative hospital days (POHD) in elective colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.MethodsAnthropometry, body composition measured by bioelectric spectroscopy and dietary habits assessed by a validated food‐frequency questionnaire were examined in 100 newly‐diagnosed CRC patients. Data from 30‐day POC and POHD were collected from medical records. Nonparametric and chi‐squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyse associations between body and dietary variables and post‐operative outcome.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients had at least one POC. The median POHD was six. Body size and composition measures and short‐term weight loss were no different between patients with and without POC, or between patients with POHD <7 and ≥7. Dietary variables were otherwise no different between patients with and without POC, although the median intake of marine n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, the sum of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) was significantly lower in patients with versus without POC (0.7 versus 1.2 g day−1, P = 0.04).ConclusionsWe found that preoperative body size, body composition and short‐term weight loss were not related to 30‐day post‐operative outcomes in CRC patients. A high content of marine n‐3 PUFA in preoperative habitual diets may protect against POC after CRC surgery.
Coeliac disease: the path to diagnosis and the reality of living with the disease
Authors: Taylor E. , Dickson‐Swift V. , Anderson K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundCoeliac disease (CD) is an under‐diagnosed and often misunderstood disease, yet is one of the most common food intolerance disorders. The only treatment available to prevent the health impacts of CD is a lifelong, strict gluten‐free diet (GFD). There are few studies that explore the experiences of diagnosis and the everyday experiences of living with this chronic condition.MethodsUtilising a qualitative study design, and purposive sampling, the present study describes the experiences of 10 women with coeliac disease in Victoria, Australia. Individual interviews were conducted with women aged between 31 and 60 years who had been diagnosed with CD for at least 2 years.ResultsA thematic analysis of the interview transcripts highlighted a number of issues for those living with the disease. Reactions to diagnosis, transition to a GFD and the changes needed to live with CD are discussed.ConclusionsA range of recommendations including the need to increase CD awareness and education and further research on the impacts of living with the disease are made.
Assessment of supplement use (including vitamin D) in Inuvialuit adults in the Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Kozicky S. K. , Mathe N. , Butler J. L. , Hébert T. M. , Corriveau A. , Sharma S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundInuvialuit of Arctic Canada are at high risk for inadequate vitamin D status as a result of rapid dietary transitions and a lack of solar ultraviolet B exposure. This may have implications for the development of adverse skeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Data are limited regarding supplement use in Arctic Aboriginal populations. The present study aimed to describe the type and extent of supplement use, emphasising vitamin D, and to identify differences between supplement users and non‐users.MethodsSupplement information was collected from a population‐specific quantitative food frequency questionnaire in three communities in the Northwest Territories, Canada, as part of a cross‐sectional study. Data were analysed for frequency of supplementation and types of supplements. Users and non‐users were compared in terms of age, sex, body mass index, education, marital status, income support, employment and chronic disease diagnosis using nonparametric tests and the chi‐squared test.ResultsResponse rates ranged from 65% to 85%. Included in the analysis were 192 Inuvialuit (45 males, 147 females) with a mean (SD) age of 43.6 (13.9) years. Twenty‐three percent reported using a supplement, with multivitamins being the most common. Three percent indicated taking a vitamin D‐containing supplement. No significant differences between supplement users and non‐users were found.ConclusionsDespite limited sun exposure for many months of the year, a small proportion of Inuvialuit adults were using supplements, and specifically vitamin D‐containing supplements. Future population‐based intervention strategies should promote consumption of vitamin D rich foods and encourage the use of vitamin D supplements if diet alone is unable to meet recommendations.