bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Airborne Fungal Propagule Concentrations in an Irrigated Cropland Zone
Authors: Muñoz Rodríguez Adolfo F. , Palacios Inmaculada Silva , Molina Rafael Tormo , Bernabé José Antonio Rodríguez 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe composition of fungal propagules (spores, sporangia and hyphae) in the atmosphere was studied in a zone of irrigated cropland in the lower floodplains (Vegas Bajas) of the River Guadiana (Badajoz, SW Spain). The air was sampled once or twice per week from May to August in 1998 and 1999, using portable Burkard volumetric traps at ground level, in 10 farms producing tomato, beet, plum, pear, nectarine and/or rice. The mean total concentrations were between 3460 and 76 955 propagules/m3. The genusCladosporiumwas the most abundant, amounting to 75.3% of the propagule total. Other frequent types, in approximate order of their abundance, wereAlternaria,Stemphylium, smoothUstilago, hyphae,Oidium, basidiospores,Aspergillus,Torula, uredospores,Epicoccumand roughUstilago. There were differences between farms which were explicable on the basis of the different crops and local conditions. For example, there seemed to be more airborne propagules where rice or beet was grown. The conditions neighbouring some farms, such as proximity to the river, also had a major effect on the temporal variation of the concentrations.
CLINICAL ADVANTAGES OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR GASTRIC CANCERS IN REMNANT STOMACH SURPASS CONVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTION
Authors: Hoteya Shu , Iizuka Toshiro , Kikuchi Daisuke , Yahagi Naohisa 
Published: December 2009

Aim:  Endoscopic submucosal dissection was developed to address the shortcomings of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. The present study evaluated the benefits of endoscopic submucosal dissection compared with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection for the treatment of neoplasms arising from the remnant stomach after gastrectomy or esophagectomy.Methods:  This study, which was designed as a historical control study, evaluated 22 gastric cancers in remnant cancers treated by conventional endoscopic mucosal resection and another 40 cancers treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.Results:  Patient characteristic between the two groups were not different except for tumor size, which was larger in patients with endoscopic submucosal dissection. The local complete resection rate and the curative resection rate were significantly higher in the endoscopic submucosal dissection group compared to those in the mucosal resection group (95.0% vs 40.9% and 80.0% vs 40.9%, respectively). Complication rate showed no significant difference in the two groups, although submucosal dissection required a longer operation time.Conclusion:  Endoscopic submucosal dissection represents a reliable treatment for gastric cancers in the remnant stomach, surpassing endoscopic mucosal resection.
EFFICACY OF AZATHIOPRINE IN MILD OR MODERATE RELAPSE IN CROHN'S DISEASE: CLINICAL AND ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION
Authors: Murakami Yuji , Matsui Toshiyuki , Hirai Fumihito , Takatsu Noritaka , Takaki Yasuhiro , Nagahama Takashi , Hisabe Takashi , Beppu Takahiro , Miyaoka Masaki , Maki Shinichiro , Takeichi Masao , Nishimura Taku , Ueki Toshiharu , Yao Kenshi 
Published: December 2009

Aim:  The present study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) in patients with active and relapsing Crohn's disease (CD) and the usefulness of endoscopy in this evaluation.Methods:  The 53 patients with active CD treated with AZA at our hospital were subjected to the following retrospective analysis: (i) evaluation of the clinical efficacy of AZA through comparison of the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI); (ii) analysis of the relationship of the clinical efficacy to the difference in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV); (iii) evaluation of mucosal healing through analysis of the scores of the endoscopic findings in 16 patients; and (iv) analysis of the relapse rate.Results:  (i) Among the 53 patients, treatment was rated as having induced complete remission in 22.6%, as being effective in 41.5%, and as being ineffective in 13.3% of patients. The treatment was discontinued in 22.6% of patients. (ii) The post‐treatment MCV was significantly increased after treatment. (iii) When the ulcer score estimated after treatment was compared with that before the start of treatment, a significant improvement of the score was noted. (iv) When the non‐relapse rate after AZA therapy was calculated in the 41 patients followed up for 12 months, it was 84.8%.Conclusion:  AZA was shown to cause endoscopic mucosal healing as well as clinical efficacy. In the present study, it was inferred that the efficacy of AZA therapy in CD patients is manifested clinically first and that mucosal healing is an effect that occurs later.
Use and abuse of faecal occult blood tests in an acute hospital inpatient setting
Authors: Friedman A. , Chan A. , Chin L. C. , Deen A. , Hammerschlag G. , Lee M. , Liddell J. , Loh K. , Moore E. , Ng J. , Gibson P. R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground/Aims: The role of the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is untested. The aims of this study were to define the use of FOBT in a general hospital setting and to determine its influence on patient management.Methods: Case notes and laboratory reports were retrospectively reviewed in all FOBTs performed in 2006 across three acute hospitals, with specific reference to clinical setting, indication, influence over clinical decision‐making and management. Both guaiac and immunological tests were performed on all specimens.Results: A total of 330 patients aged 2–104 (mean 74) years, 47% men, had 461 tests performed. A positive result was recorded in one or both tests in 64% of patients. Evidence of dietary restriction was found in only eight (2%) of patients and 218 (66%) patients took one or more medications that could have caused a false positive result. Indications were mostly for overt or suspected gastrointestinal blood loss with or without anaemia and/or iron deficiency, but 5% were for non‐bloody diarrhoea and 3% screening for colorectal cancer. Patient care was adversely affected or delayed in 54 patients (16%), mostly because of the result being the stimulus for the decision to refer or not for endoscopy. Only one was considered appropriate as a screening test for colorectal cancer.Conclusions: The FOBT was applied in clinically inappropriate settings without consideration to confounding issues, and often led to inappropriate clinical decisions with considerable cost to hospital and patient. There is no place for FOBT in an acute hospital setting.
The Midas Effect: A Critique of Climate Change Economics
Authors: Foster John Bellamy , Clark Brett , York Richard 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTGlobal climate change is perhaps the most serious problem the world faces. Despite its severity, mainstream economic approaches to addressing the problem fail to get to the root cause — the capitalist global economy — falling instead for ‘the Midas Effect’, the notion that ecological values can be converted into economic values. Here we highlight the severity of the global climate crisis, which requires that atmospheric carbon levels be reduced (to 350 ppm), and explain how capitalism is the primary driving force behind this crisis. We argue that to address this problem properly, nothing less than an ecological revolution is required, where we replace the current capitalist system with one based on meeting human needs in a sustainable way, not furthering capital accumulation.
Modeling Contextual Effects in Developmental Research: Linking Theory and Method in the Study of Social Development
Authors: Ojanen Tiina , Little Todd D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis special section was inspired by the recent increased interest and methodological advances in the assessment of context‐specificity in child and adolescent social development. While the effects of groups, situations, and social relationships on cognitive, affective and behavioral development have long been acknowledged in theoretical discussions of social development, empirical research has largely relied on the assessment of individual differences rather than contextual differences in these processes—perhaps due to the fact that advanced data analytic techniques are required to access contextual dependencies in such data. While still developing, best practice data analytic techniques enable us to access the ‘social’ of social development in more precision today than ever before. In this special section we examine three of these techniques through the work of our invited authors.
Adult vocational training for migrants in North‐East Italy
Authors: Magnani Natalia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis article contributes to the study of policies for the integration of immigrants into the labour markets of European immigration countries by focusing on the specific issue of vocational training for immigrant workers in Italy. Vocational training has a central role in the European employment strategy. Moreover, with regard to migrants, it is also relevant to the topical issue of the governance of international labour migration.The article analyses both the demand and the supply of vocational training in north‐east Italy, generally regarded as the rich and industrialised heart of the country. It draws on 30 interviews conducted with key informants and experts from local and regional governmental bodies, trade unions, employment offices, and private educational agencies in the main towns of the Veneto region.Various types of vocational training for immigrant workers are considered, from traditional full‐time courses financed by the European Social Fund to new projects for the selection and pre‐training of immigrants in their countries of origin. The extent to which these policy tools are able to meet the actual needs of immigrant workers and of the local business sector is investigated, as well as their problematic interaction with the national regulatory framework for immigration control.
Quality of life in patients with lepromatous leprosy in China
Authors: An J‐G , Ma J‐H , Xiao S‐X , Xiao S‐B , Yang F 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground Leprosy has an impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). However, there has been no study specifically on the impact of the severest type of leprosy‐lepromatous leprosy on QoL.Objective To describe the use of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) among patients with lepromatous leprosy in China.Methods Sixty‐four inpatients with lepromatous leprosy of Shangluo hospital and Hanzhong hospital and sixty‐four controls (healthy volunteers or patients with other dermatoses) matched for age and gender were asked to complete DLQI questionnaires from 2 September 2008 to 20 December 2008. Extensive data were collected besides DLQI, including demographic data and disease‐related characteristics. Absence or presence of disability among patients with lepromatous leprosy was evaluated at the same time.Results The overall mean DLQI score for lepromatous leprosy (18.78) was higher than that for control (9.00) (P < 0.001). Patients with lepromatous leprosy scored significantly higher for all items (P < 0.001) except Q4 (clothes choice). Controls scored significantly lower for all domains of DLQI. Scores of LL increased markedly with increasing clinical severity, but were not associated with educational level, gender, age and disease duration. The inter‐item correlation averaged 0.240 and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.759, indicating high internal consistency.Conclusions This is the first exclusive study to attempt to measure the impact of lepromatous leprosy on QoL. Lepromatous leprosy has a severe impact on QoL.
Induced resistance to pests and pathogens in trees
Authors: Eyles Alieta , Bonello Pierluigi , Ganley Rebecca , Mohammed Caroline 
Published: December 2009

SummaryTree resistance can be enhanced by a variety of biotic and abiotic inducers, including nonpathogenic and pathogenic microbes, and herbivores, resulting in enhanced protection against further biotic injury. Induced resistance (IR) could be a valuable tool in sustainable pest management. IR has been actively studied in herbaceous plant species, and, in recent years, in woody plant species, and is fast emerging as an intriguing, eco‐friendly concept for enhancing tree resistance. However, before application of IR becomes possible, there is a need to increase our knowledge of the mechanisms of defence in forest trees. A richer understanding of these phenomena will play a critical role in developing sustainable integrated pest management strategies. This review summarizes our current knowledge of IR in forest trees, focusing on inducible defence mechanisms, systemic induction of resistance and phytohormone signalling networks. We conclude by discussing the potential advantages and limitations of applying IR‐based management tools in forest systems.

Contents

Summary
893

I.
Introduction
894

II.
Induced defence mechanisms in trees
894

III.
Systemic induction of resistance
897

IV.
Defence signalling networks
900

V.
Future prospects: what does IR offer for management of forest systems?
902

Acknowledegements
904

References
904
The distribution of saponins in vivo affects their synergy with chimeric toxins against tumours expressing human epidermal growth factor receptors in mice
Authors: Bachran C , Weng A , Bachran D , Riese SB , Schellmann N , Melzig MF , Fuchs H 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Certain saponins synergize with antitumour drugs to enhance their efficacy, but the mechanisms underlying this synergy in vivo are not well studied. Here, we describe the distribution of Saponinum album (Spn) from Gypsophila paniculata L. in mice after subcutaneous injection.Experimental approach:  The [3H]‐labelled Spn used for in vivo experiments was biologically active, as it still increased the cytotoxicity of a chimeric toxin in vitro. Distribution of [3H]‐Spn was measured in BALB/c mice, with or without subcutaneous tumours in the flank. Labelled Spn was subcutaneously injected in the neck, and samples of organs, blood, urine and tumour tissue were analysed for radioactivity, 5–240 min after the injection.Key results:  The majority of [3H]‐Spn distributed within 10 min throughout the entire animal, with high levels of radioactivity in the urine by 30 min. No preferential accumulation in tumour tissue or other organs was observed. In tumour‐bearing mice, using a sequential combination of Spn (given first) and a chimeric toxin against the epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB1, we tested two different pretreatment times for Spn. There was high antitumour efficacy (66% inhibition of tumour growth) after 60 min pre treatment with Spn, but no significant inhibition after 10 min pre treatment with Spn.Conclusions and implications:  [3H]‐Spn was rapidly cleared from the mice after s.c. injection, and antitumour synergy with chimeric toxins was correlated with the removal of excess Spn from tissues. Disposition of Spn in vivo may critically determine antitumour synergy with chimeric toxins.
Remote Monitoring of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators versus Quarterly Device Interrogations in Clinic: Results from a Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: AL‐KHATIB SANA M. , PICCINI JONATHAN P. , KNIGHT DAVID , STEWART MARGARET , CLAPP‐CHANNING NANCY , SANDERS GILLIAN D. 
Published: December 2009

ICD: Remote Monitoring Versus Clinic Interrogations. Introduction:Remote monitoring is increasingly becoming the new standard of care for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) follow‐up. We sought to determine whether remote monitoring of ICDs improves patient outcomes compared with quarterly device interrogations in clinic.Methods and Results:In this single‐center pilot clinical trial, adult patients with an ICD were randomly assigned to remote monitoring versus quarterly device interrogations in clinic. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular hospitalization, emergency room visit for a cardiac cause, and unscheduled visit to the electrophysiology clinic for a device‐related issue at 1 year. We also examined health‐related quality of life, costs, and patient satisfaction with their ICD care. Of 151 patients enrolled in this trial, 76 were randomized to remote monitoring and 75 to quarterly device interrogations in clinic. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint (32% in the remote monitoring arm vs 34% in the control arm; P = 0.8), mortality, or cost between the 2 arms. Quality of life and patient satisfaction were significantly better in the control arm than in the remote monitoring arm at 6 months (83 [25th, 75th percentiles 70, 90] vs 75 [50, 85]; P = 0.002 and 88 [75, 100] vs 75 [75, 88]; P = 0.03, respectively), but not at 12 months.Conclusion:We showed no significant reduction in cardiac‐related resource utilization with remote monitoring of ICDs. However, given the small number of patients in our study, the real clinical and health economics impact of remote monitoring needs to be verified by a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial.(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 545‐550, May 2010)
Three‐Dimensional CT Overlay in Comparison to CartoMerge for Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation
Authors: STEVENHAGEN JEROEN , VAN DER VOORT PEPIJN H. , DEKKER LUKAS R.C. , BULLENS ROLAND W.M. , VAN DEN BOSCH HARRIE , MEIJER ALBERT 
Published: December 2009

CT Overlay for PV Antrum Isolation. Introduction: Three‐dimensional (3D) navigation systems are widely used for pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI). To circumvent left atrial (LA) mapping, 3D CT reconstructions of the LA can be superimposed directly (CT overlay) on the fluoroscopy image to guide ablation catheters and to mark ablation sites.
Methods and Results:
Sixty‐eight patients (pts) with symptomatic AF refractory to medical therapy were randomly assigned to CT overlay (group 1, n = 38) or CartoMerge (group 2, n = 30). In group 1 registration of the CT image was performed with contrast injections in 2 orthogonal projections. In group 2, visualization of all pulmonary vein (PV) ostia was done by PV angiography, followed by merging of the CT image and the Carto shell. We compared procedural success, procedure time, fluoroscopy time and radiation burden, measured as dose area product (DAP). Baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. Procedural success, defined as disappearance of PV potentials in all PVs, was achieved in 37/38 (97%) of group 1 patients and 27/30 (90%) patients in group 2 (P = NS). Total procedure time was significantly shorter in group 1 compared to group 2 (129 ± 34 vs 181 ± 30 min, P < 0.0001). Although fluoroscopy time tended to be longer in the CT overlay group (47 ± 16 vs 40 ± 13 min, P = 0.06), proper use of diaphragmation resulted in comparable radiation values for both groups (DAP 53 ± 27 vs 56 ± 35 Gy cm2, P = 0.76).
Conclusions:
CT overlay for PV isolation is feasible and may, in comparison to conventional LA navigation systems, shorten procedural time without increases in radiation burden. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 634‐639, June 2010)
ATP‐Induced Dormant Pulmonary Veins Originating from the Carina Region After Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: KUMAGAI KOJI , NAITO SHIGETO , NAKAMURA KOKI , HAYASHI TATSUYA , FUKAZAWA RIE , SATO CHIZURU , TAKEMURA NAOKI , MIKI YUKO , FUKE ETSUKO , TANAKA YASUAKI , HORI YASUHIKO , GOTO KOJI , IWAMOTO JOTARO , AONUMA KAZUTAKA , OSHIMA SHIGERU , TANIGUCHI KOICHI 
Published: December 2009

Dormant Pulmonary Veins from the Carina Region. Introduction: Elimination of transient pulmonary vein recurrences (dormant PVs) induced by an ATP injection and ablation at the PV carina region is an effective strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The relationship between dormant PVs and the PV carina region has not been evaluated.
Methods:
A total of 212 consecutive symptomatic AF patients underwent circumferential PV electrical isolation (CPVEI) with a double lasso technique. They were divided into 2 groups in a retrospective review; Group 1: those given an ATP injection during an intravenous isoproterenol infusion after the CPVEI (n = 106), and Group 2: those in which it was not given after the CPVEI (n = 106). Radiofrequency energy was applied at the earliest dormant PV activation site identified using a Lasso catheter on the CPVEI line and then PV carina region if it was ineffective.
Results:
After a successful PVEI, 54 patients (51%) in Group 1 had PV reconnections during an ATP injection. Acute PVEI sites were observed on the carina region within the CPVEI line in the right PVs (16%) and left PVs (10%). Dormant PVs were reisolated at the carina region in the right PVs (23%) and left PVs (26%). The distribution of the dormant PV sites, except for the RIPV, significantly differed from that of the acute PVEI sites (P < 0.05). Further, AF recurred significantly in the Group 2 patients as compared to those in Group 1 during 16 ± 6.1 months of follow‐up (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
PV carina region origins may partly be responsible for an acute PVEI and potential recurrences. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 494‐500, May 2010)
A Novel Cryoballoon Technique for Mapping and Isolating Pulmonary Veins: A Feasibility and Efficacy Study
Authors: TANG MIN , KRIATSELIS CHARALAMPOS , NEDIOS SOTIRIS , YE GANG , ROSER MATHIAS , FLECK ECKARD , GERDS‐LI JIN‐HONG 
Published: December 2009

A Novel Cryoballoon Technique. Introduction: The study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a simplified cryoballoon technique in which a microcircular catheter was introduced into the central lumen of a cryoballoon catheter for the purpose of recording pulmonary vein (PV) potentials during ablation procedures and without interchanging catheters.
Methods and Results:
A total of 23 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were enrolled. A single transseptal puncture was made and a cryoballoon catheter was inserted into the left atrium. A 6‐pole mapping catheter with a 0.035‐inch shaft diameter was introduced into the PV through the central lumen of the cryoballoon catheter. In addition to the function as a recording device, the mapping catheter was also used as a “guide‐wire” during the procedure. A total of 84 PVs (84/92, 91.3%) were completely isolated using this novel cryoballoon technique. In 43 of the 84 veins (51.2%), isolation was observed in real time during the cryoablation; in the remaining 41 veins (48.8%), isolation was confirmed immediately post ablation attempt with the mapping catheter. Procedure time was 152.7 ± 54.9 minutes, and fluoroscopy time was 33.2 ± 17.3 minutes. At follow‐up (7.4 months, range 2–18 months), 17 (73.9%) patients were free from AF. There was 1 occurrence of phrenic nerve palsy during ablation of a right superior PV, which fully resolved after 1 month.
Conclusion:
The use of a cryoballoon catheter equipped with a 6‐pole micromapping catheter inserted through its central lumen for the purpose of mapping and ablation during PV isolation procedures is both feasible and effective. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 626‐631, June 2010)