bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision can be performed on a nonselective basis in patients with rectal cancer with excellent medium‐term results
Authors: Glancy D. G. , Chaudhray B. N. , Greenslade G. L. , Dixon A. R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim  Concerns exist regarding laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery due to increased rates of open conversion, complications and circumferential resection margin positivity. This study reports medium‐term results from consecutive unselected cases in a single surgeon series.Method  The results of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer over a 9‐year period within the context of an evolving ‘enhanced recovery protocol’ (ERP) were reviewed from analysis of a prospectively maintained database.Results  One hundred and fifty patients (91 male, median age 69 years, median BMI 26) underwent laparoscopic TME over 9 years. Median follow up was 28.5 months (range 0–88). Sixteen (10.6%) patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Six (4.0%) required open conversion and 13 (9.0%) had an anastomotic leakage. The proportion of Dukes stages were: A, 33.3%; B, 30.7%; C, 31.3%; D, 4.7%. Five (3.3%) patients had an R1 and one an R2 resection. Median length of postoperative stay was 6 days. Three (2.0%) patients died within 30 days. Four (2.7%) developed local recurrence and 14 (9.3%) developed distant metastases. Predicted 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival rates by Kaplan–Meier analysis were 85.8% and 78.7%, respectively.Conclusion  Laparoscopic TME surgery can safely be offered to unselected patients with rectal cancer with excellent medium‐term results.
The clinical features and management of testicular germ cell tumours in patients aged 60 years and older
Authors: Wheater Matthew J. , Manners James , Nolan Luke , Simmonds Peter D. , Hayes Matthew C. , Mead Graham M. 
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject ? and What does the study add?The treatment of younger men with testicular germ cell cancers is well documented with established intensive chemotherapy regimens for those with advanced disease. Although the majority of patients present in the third or fourth decade, men also present in later life. These patients are typically excluded from clinical trials and there are no contemporary published series describing their management.This series describes the management of older patients with testicular germ cell tumours at both early and advanced stages of disease. Patients with stage I seminoma can be safely managed with all recognised treatment strategies and state I non‐seminomas were managed with surveillance. Cure can still be achieved in older patients with advance germ cell tumours however chemotherapy regimens developed in younger patients must be tailored to the presence of co‐morbidity.OBJECTIVES• To review the practice of a large referral centre for the management of older patients with testicular germ cell cancer (GCC).• There are few published data available on the management of testicular GCC in elderly patients, who often have medical comorbidities and have been excluded from clinical trials.PATIENTS AND METHODS• We reviewed our prospectively collected database for patients presenting with GCC who were aged ≥60 years.• Details of presentation, management and outcome were recorded.RESULTS• In total, 60 patients aged ≥60 years were identified from 1461 patients treated with GCC from 1979–2005, representing 4% of the total population.• Median age was 67 years, 44 had seminoma (73%) and 16 had non‐seminoma histology (27%).• Stage I seminoma patients were managed with surveillance, adjuvant radiotherapy and adjuvant carboplatin. All stage I non‐seminomas underwent surveillance.• In total, 15 patients received systemic chemotherapy for metastatic disease with modified bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin; etoposide and cisplatin; carboplatin‐based regimens; or other combinations. Toxicity was manageable, with no toxic deaths.• In total, four patients (6.7%) died of GCC.CONCLUSIONS• In elderly patients, GCC should be managed with curative intent.• Conventional therapies are tolerable for most men with stage I seminoma. In metastatic disease, comorbidity may necessitate treatment modifications.• Most patients are cured with manageable toxicity.
Evaluation of the safety and efficiency of the dorsal slit and sleeve methods of male circumcision provided by physicians and clinical officers in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Buwembo Dennis Rogers , Musoke Richard , Kigozi Godfrey , Ssempijja Victor , Serwadda David , Makumbi Fredrick , Watya Stephen , Namuguzi Dan , Nalugoda Fredrick , Kiwanuka Noah , Sewankambo Nelson K. , Wabwire‐Mangen Fredrick , Kiggundu Valerian , Wawer Maria J. , Gray Ronald H. 
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research)Level of Evidence 2cWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?MC reduces heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men for safe and efficient rapid scale‐up; task shifting from physicians to clinical officers is safe and the use of bipolar cautery will reduce operative time, but is associated with higher adverse events.OBJECTIVE• To assess the safety and efficiency of the dorsal slit and sleeve male circumcision (MC) procedures performed by physicians and clinical officers (COs).PATIENTS AND METHODS• We evaluated the time required for the MC procedure (efficiency) and moderate/severe adverse events (AEs) for MC (safety) by trained physicians and COs using the sleeve and dorsal slit MC methods in a service programme.• Univariate and multiple regressions with robust variance estimation were used to assess factors associated with operative duration (linear) and AEs (logistic).RESULTS• Six physicians and eight COs conducted 1934 and 3218 MCs, respectively; there were 2471 dorsal slit and 2681 sleeve MC procedures. The overall mean operative duration was 33 min for newly trained providers, whichdecreased to ≈20 min after ≈100 MCs.• The adjusted mean operative duration for dorsal slit MC was significantly shorter than that for the sleeve MC method (Δ− 2.7 min, P < 0.001).• The operative duration was longer for COs than physicians for the sleeve procedure, but not the dorsal slit procedure; however this difference reduced with increasing numbers of MCs completed.• The unadjusted AE rates were 0.6% for dorsal slit MC and 1.4% for the sleeve method (P= 0.006) and 1.5% for physicians and 0.68% for COs (P= 0.003); however, there were no significant differences after multivariate adjustment.• Use of bipolar cautery significantly reduced operative duration (Δ− 4.0 min, P= 0.008), but was associated with higher AE rates (adjusted odds ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.26–3.61, P= 0.005).CONCLUSION• The dorsal slit MC method is faster than sleeve resection, and can be safely performed by non‐physicians; however, use of bipolar cautery may be inadvisable in this setting.
Impact of hip circumference and height on incident diabetes: results from 6‐year follow‐up in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Bozorgmanesh M. , Hadaegh F. , Zabetian A. , Azizi F. 
Published: May 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1330–1336 (2011)AbstractAim  To investigate the effects of height and hip circumference, individually and in combination with waist circumference, on incident diabetes.Methods  A total of 1589 men and 2132 women, free of diabetes at baseline aged ≥ 20 years participated in a 6‐year follow‐up examination. The standard 2‐h post‐challenge plasma glucose test was performed at baseline and during follow‐up. The Cox model was used to regress the hazard of diabetes on height and hip circumference individually and in combination with waist circumference.Results  Median follow‐up was 6 years, with a total of 9433 and 12 607 person‐years follow‐up among men and women, respectively. The incidence rate of diabetes (95% CIs) was 9.0 (7.6–11.5) and 11.0 (9.6–−13.4) per 1000 persons per year in men and women, respectively. Among men, after multiple adjustments, the anthropometric measures were no longer associated with incident diabetes. Among women, the age‐adjusted hazard ratio (95% CIs) of diabetes was 0.80 (0.61–1.04) for height, 1.39 (1.21–1.60) for hip circumference and 1.86 (1.59–2.17) for waist circumference. After further adjustment for waist circumference, the hazard ratios were 0.69 (0.53–0.90) for height and 0.76 (0.61–0.96) for hip circumference. These inverse associations resisted multiple adjustments. The hazard ratio for waist circumference increased by 7 and 54% when height and hip circumference were included in the models.Conclusion  We observed that height and hip circumference were inversely associated with incident diabetes among women and that these associations could be explored by considering the effect of waist circumference. The risk of diabetes attributable to waist circumference might be underestimated were the effects of height and hip circumference not considered.
Placing Immigrant and Minority Family and Community Members at the School's Centre: the role of community participation
Authors: Díez Javier , Gatt Suzanne , Racionero Sandra 
Published: May 2011

Schools alone cannot reverse the high rates of school failure in the poorest communities in Europe; they need the contributions of the entire community. Coordination between families, the larger community, and the school has proven crucial to enhance student learning and achievement, especially for minority and disadvantaged families. However, families from such backgrounds often participate in their schools only peripherally because the schools take a ‘tourist’ approach, call parents to inform them about school projects and teachers' programmes, or consult them about decisions to be made by professionals, rather than engaging them in their children's education. In contrast, the INCLUD‐ED project studied schools across Europe whose students are culturally diverse and from low SES backgrounds; here, the communities are deeply involved in the schools and the students do well academically. This article focuses on three strategies used by these successful schools to engage immigrant and minority community members in more active, decisive, and intellectual ways and thus have greater impact on the school and the students' learning. It also describes some specific practices of involvement grounded in those strategies and the improvements they generate. Though the schools studied use different practices, the three strategies have been found to contribute to a transformative result in all schools: moving minority and disadvantaged families from the periphery of school participation to the centre.The opinion of the community is what moves things forward.— Laura, head teacher of a primary school
Infliximab partially impairs the anti‐Mycobacterium tuberculosis immune responses of severe psoriasis patients with positive tuberculin skin‐test
Authors: Silva L.C.R. , Geluk A. , Arnone M. , Romiti R. , Franken K.C.L.M. , Duarte A.J.S. , Takahashi M.D.F. , Benard G. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Infliximab and etarnecept are now widely used for treating severe psoriasis. However, these drugs, especially infliximab, increased the risk of tuberculosis reactivation. Surprisingly, epidemiological data suggest that the tuberculosis rate in patients taking infliximab in São Paulo State, Brazil, is similar to that of some developed, non‐endemic countries.Objective  The aim of this study was to better understand the effect of infliximab on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) immune responses of psoriasis patients in an endemic setting (Brazil).Methods  We evaluated the tuberculosis‐specific immune responses of severe psoriasis patients and healthy individuals, both tuberculin skin test (TST) positive, in the presence/absence of infliximab. Patients had untreated severe psoriasis, no co‐morbidities affecting the immune responses and a TST >10 mm. Healthy TST+ (>10 mm) individuals were evaluated in parallel. PBMC cultures from both groups were stimulated with different Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens (ESAT‐6, 85B and Mtb lysate) and phytohemagglutinin, with or without infliximab (5 μg/mL). Parameters evaluated were TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and IL‐10 secretion by ELISA, overnight IFN‐γ ELISpot and lymphocyte proliferative response (LPR).Results  Infliximab almost abolished TNF‐α detection in PBMC supernatants of both groups. It also significantly reduced the LPR to phytohemagglutinin and the Mtb antigens as well as the IFN‐γ levels secreted into day 5 supernatants in both groups. There was no concomitant exaggerated IL‐10 secretion that could account for the decreases in these responses. ELISpot showed that, contrasting with the central‐memory responses above, infliximab did not affect effector‐memory INF‐γ‐releasing T‐cell numbers.Conclusions  Infliximab affected some, but not all aspects of the in vitro antituberculosis immune responses tested. The preserved effector‐memory responses, putatively related to exposure to environmental mycobacteria, may help to explain the lower than expected susceptibility to tuberculosis reactivation in our setting.
Finger retronychias detected early by 3D ultrasound examination
Authors: Wortsman X. , Calderon P. , Baran R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  A new pattern of ingrown nail, called retronychia is involved in the posterior translation of the whole nail unit producing paronychia.Objective  To demonstrate an unusual case of paronychia that affected three of the fingers on the right hand.Methods  We used 3D ultrasound to study the whole nail unit in the fingers of both the affected (right) and non affected (left) hand.Results  Backward motion of the nail unit with decreased distance between the origin of the nail plates and the distal interphalangeal joint was clearly demonstrated by 3D ultrasound in the affected fingers.Conclusion  3D ultrasound provides non invasive and more understandable information about the physiopathological changes in retronychia.
Natural options for the management of hyperpigmentation
Authors: Leyden J.J. , Shergill B. , Micali G. , Downie J. , Wallo W. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFacial hyperpigmented disorders are a common complaint in the adult population of all races. First‐line topical treatments are usually hydroquinone or topical retinoids, which can cause irritant reactions. The need for better tolerated, yet effective, skin lightening agents that could be utilized by a wider population has led to the investigation of several potential botanical/natural compounds. There are currently many topical cosmetic formulations claiming skin depigmenting effects. A few of the ingredients (e.g. soy) are supported not only by in vitro results but also by a body of controlled clinical efficacy studies; other ingredients, instead, are backed mostly by in vitro data and a few small uncontrolled clinical studies. In this review, we describe the most common natural ingredients used for skin depigmentation and their major published studies: soy, licorice extracts, kojic acid, arbutin, niacinamide, N‐acetylglucosamine, COFFEEBERRY™ and green tea.
Differences between familial and sporadic cases of vitiligo
Authors: Karelson M. , Silm H. , Salum T. , Kõks S. , Kingo K. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Most cases of vitiligo are sporadic, but about 10–36% of the patients have positive family history.Objective  The aim of our study was to describe differences between familial and sporadic cases of vitiligo.Methods  A total of 186 adult vitiligo patients were examined, in 173 of whom the level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, gastric parietal cell antibodies (PCA), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti‐adrenal cortex antibodies and rheumatoid factor in blood was measured. All patients were divided in two groups: the cases with positive family history of vitiligo (51) and the sporadic cases (135).Results  The risk of onset of the disease up to 20 years of age was higher in the familial group (P = 0.008). Patients in familial group showed more widespread depigmentation compared with sporadic cases [body surface area (BSA) over 10%: P = 0.004; BSA over 50%: P = 0.001]. In familial group, patients had darker skin phototype (P = 0.045) and the disease had started more often as a vulgar vitiligo (P = 0.008). In sporadic vitiligo group, female gender was a risk factor for more widespread depigmentation (BSA over 10%, P = 0.001). Extensive depigmentation was associated with reported triggering factors and mucosal involvement in both groups and with leukotrichia only in familial group. Widespread depigmentation related to the risk of presence of autoantibodies (P = 0.03) in sporadic cases of vitiligo (especially of PCA: P = 0.04 and ANA: P = 0.0002).Conclusions  In this study, we demonstrated first time that patients with familial vitiligo have a higher risk for vulgar type at the beginning of the disease and female gender increases the risk for more extensive depigmentation in sporadic cases.
Consumer needs and requirements for food and ingredient traceability information
Authors: Van Rijswijk Wendy , Frewer Lynn J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe introduction of improved food traceability systems has aimed to restore consumer confidence in food safety and quality, in part by being able to provide consumers with more information about the origins of foods and food ingredients. However, little is known about consumers' opinions and beliefs associated with traceability, nor their preferences for information provision. In the current paper, consumer information needs and requirements regarding traceability are investigated. Semi‐structured interviews with consumers in four European countries focused on the need for traceability, the preferred means of communication, labelling and bodies held responsible for traceability and dealing with fraud. Results show that there is a clear consumer need for varied information about food and the production processes involved. Rigorous and accountable traceability systems may assist in making such information available to consumers.
Children's understanding of food and meals in the foodscape at school
Authors: Osowski Christine Persson , Göranzon Helen , Fjellström Christina 
Published: May 2011

AbstractChildren come into contact with food in different places and contexts, i.e. ‘foodscapes’. The aim of the paper was to study what knowledge children construct regarding food and meals in the foodscape at school and how they do so, focusing on the school meal context. Observations, interviews and focus group interviews were used. The children appropriated ideas and understandings from the adult world and society as a whole and used it among their peers in the school meal situation. This included the adoption of institutional commensality, the telling of stories about food, and the classification of foods in dichotomies.
Sex‐role conflict at work: its impact on consumption practices of working women in Turkey
Authors: Atik Deniz , Şahin Dicle Yurdakul 
Published: May 2011

AbstractChanging social norms regarding the role of women in society is fostered by women's participation in the workforce. Hence, changing role of working women in business life leads the transformation of gender stereotypes and roles. Women alter their gender role orientation according to the requirements of male‐dominated business life; however, the unchanged role in private life leads to sex‐role conflict. This study investigates the role of consumption as a key component of identity in the process of managing sex‐role conflict in a non‐Western cultural context. In‐depth interviews were conducted with working women with various cultural and educational backgrounds. According to the findings of the study, women are forming compatible identities, which reduce the perceived sex‐role conflict and consumption patterns are changing to suit the requirements of their new ways of living.
Consumer clothing disposal behaviour: a comparative study
Authors: Bianchi Constanza , Birtwistle Grete 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFast fashion retailing is leading consumers towards an increased rate of purchasing and the trend to keep clothing for an ever shorter time with the resulting rise in clothing disposal. The aim of this paper is to empirically explore antecedents of two methods of sustainable clothing disposal behaviour in two countries: donating to charities and giving away to family and friends. Using data from females located in Australia and Chile, the authors test the proposed model with structural equation modelling (SEM). The results of this study show that consumer recycling behaviour is a strong and direct driver of donating to charity. In addition, results find that consumer awareness of the environment and consumer age affect donating behaviour. The findings have value for fast fashion retailers, marketers, environmental activists, ecological researchers, charity institutions and public policy makers.
Positive interaction between lapatinib and capecitabine in human breast cancer models: study of molecular determinants
Authors: Chefrour Mohamed , Milano Gérard , Formento Patricia , Giacometti Sarah , Denden Amine , Renée Nicole , Iliadis Athanassios , Fischel Jean‐Louis , Ciccolini Joseph 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe combination of lapatinib and capecitabine is approved in Her2+ metastatic breast cancer. However, the pharmacological mechanisms for this association have not been fully elucidated. In this non‐clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy of this association on a panel of six human breast cancer cell lines as a means to identify the molecular determinants of response to this combination. Cell viability was evaluated after concomitant/sequential exposure, and response/resistance determinants for each drug such as dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), thymidylate synthase (TS), thymidine phosphorylase, Bax, Bcl2, P21 levels, and phospho p42/44 and HER1/2 signaling pathway were studied. Lapatinib proved to markedly downregulate TS activity, thus suggesting a subsequent better efficacy of capecitabine. Capecitabine optimized the downregulation of p‐AKT and p‐P42/44 expression by lapatinib. Consequently, we observed an increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and p21 protein expression in cells exposed to the combination. Overall, our data showed that whatever the schedule and the cell line were, additive to synergistic interaction was achieved in our models. The optimal in vitro combination was finally tested in tumor‐bearing mice. Our results fully confirmed that associating both drugs led to a 77% reduction in tumor growth as compared with control animals in BT474‐xenografted models. Taken together, this non‐clinical study shows that lapatinib and capecitabine modulate each other’s molecular determinants of response and that concomitant dosing seems to be the optimal way to combine these drugs. Besides, modulation of TS expression by lapatinib makes its association with capecitabine a promising way to overcome breast cancers resistant in relation with TS overexpression.