bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lesser curvature lymph node metastases with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Implications for gastroplasty
Authors: Schröder Wolfgang , Baldus Stefan E. , Mönig Stefan P. , Zirbes Thomas K. , Beckurts Tobias K. E. , Hölscher Arnulf H. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe creation of a gastric tube after subtotal esophagectomy includes resection of the lesser curvature and abdominal lymph nodes. The fundus rotation gastroplasty has been recently proposed as an alternative technique of reconstruction that preserves the vascular arcade of the lesser curvature. This study investigates the number of resected and metastatic lymph nodes associated with abdominal lymphadenectomy to assess the oncologic radicality of fundus rotation gastroplasty. In this prospective clinical trial a two‐field lymphadenectomy was performed in 39 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The abdominal lymphadenectomy included partial resection of compartment I (lymph node groups 1, 2, and 3) and compartment II (lymph node groups 7, 8, 9, and 11). A meticulous workup of the specimen allowed an exact classification of specific lymph node groups and their metastatic status. After two‐field lymphadenectomy a total of 1170 lymph nodes (average 30.0) including 690 abdominal lymph nodes with an average of 17.7 per patient were resected. Metastatic disease was found in 27 of 39 patients (pN1 69.2%), with metastatic growth in 116 of 867 resected lymph nodes (13.4%). Of the 27 pN1 patients, 21 had abdominal lymph node metastases. Metastatic lymph nodes at the lesser curvature (groups 1, 3, and 7) were detected in 11.7%, 16.7%, and 29.7% of the resected lymph nodes, respectively. Of the 21 patients (85.7%) with abdominal lymph node metastases, 18 had positive lymph nodes at the lesser curvature. Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is associated with a high rate of lymph node metastases at the lesser curvature and the left gastric artery. Therefore preservation of the lesser curvature and the left gastric artery for gastroplasty reduces the radicality regarding lymph node metastases.
Analysis of predictive factors for recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Yamada Hidehisa , Kondo Satoshi , Okushiba Shunichi , Morikawa Toshiaki , Katoh Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2011

AbstractHepatectomy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer has recently received general acceptance as a safe, potentially curative treatment. Most patients, however, die of recurrent disease after hepatectomy. The predictive factors for recurrence after first resection of liver metastases have not yet been clarified. The authors aimed to determine the factors that can predict recurrence, especially hepatic‐only recurrence after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. Seventy‐six patients who underwent liver resection of colorectal metastases were studied retrospectively. Forty‐seven (61.8%) of the patients had a recurrence. The patients’ disease‐free survival after first hepatectomy and the second recurrence sites were univariately and multivariately analyzed using 16 clinicopathologic variables. Wall invasion, lymph node metastases, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion of the primary tumor, 24 months or longer disease‐free interval after resection of the primary colorectal cancer, and bilateral liver metastases significantly influenced the disease‐free survival (log‐rank test:p<0.05). The multivariate analysis revealed that venous invasion of the primary tumor and bilateral hepatic metastases were independent risk factors for recurrence after hepatectomy. The liver was the only site of second recurrence in 23 patients. Patients with lymph node metastases and venous invasion of the primary tumor had a significant difference between hepatic‐only and extrahepatic recurrence after first hepatectomy (chi‐square test or Fishers’ exact test:p<0.05). Recurrence after hepatectomy was influenced more by factors associated with the primary colorectal cancer than factors surrounding the first liver metastases. Venous invasion of the primary colorectal cancer was the most important predictable factor for hepatic‐only second recurrence.
Incidence of gastrointestinal complications in cardiopulmonary bypass patients
Authors: Byhahn Christian , Strouhal Ulrich , Martens Sven , Mierdl Stephan , Kessler Paul , Westphal Klaus 
Published: February 2011

AbstractGastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery are associated with a high mortality rate. Because of the absence of early specific clinical signs, diagnosis is often delayed. The present study seeks to determine predictive risk factors for subsequent gastrointestinal complications after cardiosurgical procedures. Within a 1‐year period, a total of 1116 patients who had undergone open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively studied for gastrointestinal complications. To determine predictive factors, all case histories of the patients were analyzed. Of the 1116 patients, 23 (2.1%) had gastrointestinal complications during the postoperative period, 10 of whom had to undergo subsequent abdominal surgery. Of these 23 patients, 20 died. Early gastrointestinal complications, which occurred mostly on postoperative days 6 or 7, consisted of bowel ischemia or hepatic failure. Late complications were gastrointestinal bleeding, pseudomembranous colitis, cholecystitis, and septic rupture of a spleen. The relative risk for abdominal complications after cardiopulmonary bypass was highly increased in association with (1) a cardiac index less than 2.0 l/min−1/(m2)−1, (2) postoperative onset of atrial fibrillation, (3) emergency surgery, (4) need for vasopressors, (5) need for intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, and (6) need for early redo thoracotomy due to surgical complications. All patients with necrotic bowel disease had elevated serum lactate levels. Furthermore, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping times were significantly prolonged in patients who developed gastrointestinal complications. A number of predictive factors contribute to the development of gastrointestinal complications after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Knowledge of these factors may lead to earlier identification of patients at increased risk and may allow more efficient and earlier interventions to reduce mortality.
Hemithyroidectomy: Long‐term effects on parathyroid function—preliminary report
Authors: Lindblom Pia , Westerdahl Johan , Bergenfelz Anders 
Published: February 2011

AbstractEarly hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery has frequently been reported, whereas data regarding long‐term effects on calcium homeostasis are scarce. We have previously studied patients after hemithyroidectomy with an oral calcium load test and found normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) suppression. However, the 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was decreased and the phosphate concentration increased, implying parathyroid insufficiency. We therefore proceeded to investigate PTH secretion and suppression in 10 euthyroid patients subjected to hemithyroidectomy due to benign thyroid disease before and at 1 year after surgery. In addition, biochemical variables known to influence calcium homeostasis were analyzed. Basal, maximal, and total PTH secretion were unaltered 1 year postoperatively. However, maximal PTH secretion was reached at a lower serum level of ionized calcium, and there was a tendency toward increased parathyroid sensitivity to ionized calcium. Furthermore, compared to preoperatively, total serum calcium, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, and free thyroxine (T4) concentrations were decreased at follow‐up. Total serum calcium and 1,25‐dihydoxyvitamin D concentrations were decreased 1 year after hemithyroidectomy. These changes were not due to parathyroid insufficiency. Instead, our results imply increased parathyroid sensitivity to calcium and possibly reduced peripheral sensitivity to PTH.
Cross‐sectional analysis of speech and cognitive performance in 32 patients with classic galactosemia
Authors: Hoffmann Björn , Wendel Udo , Schweitzer‐Krantz Susanne 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term outcome in classic galactosemia is disappointing with impaired IQ, reduced bone mineral density, and fertility problems. Moreover, speech impairment is common with conflicting reports regarding frequency, pattern, and relation to IQ.ObjectiveTo evaluate speech and cognitive performance in patients with galactosemia.MethodsSpeech performance was evaluated by means of the Hierarchische Wortlisten, a German word‐repetition test for the diagnosis of apraxia of speech, using real words and pseudo‐words. Cognitive performance was evaluated by use of age‐appropriate German versions of the Wechsler Scales.ResultsIn a cohort of 32 patients (12 females, 20 males; mean age 21.2 ± 7.2 years) with classic galactosemia, the mean IQ was 76.2 ± 14.8. Eighty‐four percent of the patients passed the speech test with errors. Speech errors were much more related to pseudo‐words than real words and were predominantly observed in words with three and four syllables. The performance in producing words was correlated to the IQ scores.ConclusionImpairment of speech affects a significant number of patients with galactosemia, appears in early childhood, and persists into adulthood. The pattern of speech impairment may allow labeling as apraxia of speech. In many cases impaired speech is related to decreased IQ.
Changes in the Content of Phenolic Compounds in Flaxseed Oil During Development
Authors: Herchi Wahid , Sakouhi Faouzi , Arráez‐Román David , Segura‐Carretero Antonio , Boukhchina Sadok , Kallel Habib , Fernández‐Gutierrez Alberto 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe phenolic fraction of flaxseed oil was quantified during the development of three varieties (H52, O116 and P129). Seed samples were collected at regular intervals from 7 to 56 days after flowering (DAF). During oilseed processing, less polar compounds are co‐extracted with oil. The methanolic extracts were obtained by solid phase extraction. Separation of phenolic compounds was conducted by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The main phenolic compounds detected during maturation were: diphyllin, pinoresinol, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and vanillin. The highest amount of lignans (6.74 mg of analyte/kg of flaxseed oil) was detected at 7 DAF in P129 variety. The maximum level of phenolic acids (2.57 mg of analyte/kg of flaxseed oil) was reached at 7 DAF in P129 which had also the highest content of simple phenols (1.37 mg of analyte/kg of flaxseed oil) at the same date after flowering. At full maturity, the content of phenolic compounds in three varieties ranged from 0.26 to 0.36 mg of analyte/kg of flaxseed oil. The highest content of total phenolic compounds using the Folin–Ciocalteu method was detected in P129 variety (196.42 mg CAEs/kg of flaxseed oil) at 7 DAF. Results of this study indicate that flaxseed oils contain different amounts of phenolic compounds using different methods.
Review: Electrical spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic polyneuropathy, a systematic review on treatment efficacy and safety
Authors: Pluijmsl Wouter A. , Slangenl Rachel , Joostenl Elbert A. , Kesselsl Alfons G. , Merkiesl Ingemar S.J. , Schaperl Nico C. , Faberl Catharina G. , van Kleefl Maarten 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Painful diabetic polyneuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. Drug therapies are ineffective in many patients. Therefore other treatment modalities should be considered, including spinal cord stimulation. We performed a systematic review to evaluate treatment efficacy and safety of spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic polyneuropathy.Search strategy and selection criteria: A systematic search with reference tracing was conducted in Pubmed and Embase from January 1980 to March 2010 to determine possible eligible articles. Reports were identified using the following keywords: (1) “diabetic neuropathies” AND “electric stimulation”; (2) “diabetic neuropathies” AND “spinal cord” and (3) “pain” AND “electric stimulation” AND “spinal cord”. Subsequently, data were recruited on the efficacy and safety of spinal cord stimulation in this disorder.Data collection and analysis: The search strategy was designed by one reviewer. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two reviewers. Data for individual studies was reported and pooled data analysis was performed if appropriate.Results: Three prospective case series and one retrospective cohort study were identified (including 25 patients). At 1 year spinal cord stimulation resulted in ≥50% pain relief in 63% of patients. After 1 year analgesics usage was reduced in most SCS‐treated patients with complete withdrawal in 60%. No major adverse events were reported.Conclusion: Available literature shows promising results for the pain‐relieving effect of spinal cord stimulation in painful diabetic polyneuropathy. The outcome of a randomized clinical trial is needed before spinal cord stimulation can be considered to be integrated in the standardized treatment algorithm.
Distribution of signs and symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I in patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of the International Association for the Study of Pain
Authors: de Boerl Remco D.H. , Marinusl Johan , van Hiltenl Jacobus J. , Huygenl Frank J. , van Eijsl Frank , van Kleefl Maarten , Bauerl Martin C.R. , van Gestell Miriam , Zuurmondl Wouter W.A. , Perezl Roberto S.G.M. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to describe the occurrence of signs and symptoms in CRPS I patients meeting the IASP (Orlando) criteria, assess the occurrence of signs and symptoms in relation to disease duration and compare these to historical data based on a different diagnostic criteria set.Six hundred and ninety‐two ambulatory patients meeting the IASP criteria for CRPS I referred to the outpatient clinics of five participating centers were included in this cross‐sectional study.Characteristics were recorded in a standardized fashion and categorized according to the factor structure proposed by Bruehl/Harden. Subgroups were classified according to the duration of complaints and compared to historical data as described by Veldman et al. The Chi‐square test corrected for multiple comparisons was used for statistical analysis.The prevalence of sensory signs was higher in patients with longer disease duration, especially for the allodynia's and hyperalgesia (all p <0.001). Signs in vasomotor (color difference; p =0.0007) and sudomotor (edema; p <0.0001) subgroups were less frequently present in patients with longer disease duration (i.e. >6 months). Prevalences of signs in the motor subgroup were all higher (p <0.0001) in patients with longer disease duration, except for limited range of motion. Occurrence of signs was significantly lower (<0.001) than those reported by Veldman et al., except for hyperesthesia and dystonia. Occurrence rates may vary at different time points after onset of CRPS, which may be of influence for diagnosing patients with novel derived diagnostic criteria. We argue for a mechanism based description of CRPS I based on one set of uniform generally accepted diagnostic criteria in future studies.
Epidemiologic evidence of barometric pressure changes inducing increased reporting of oral pain
Authors: Kloss‐Brandstätterl Anita , Hächll Oliver , Leitgebl Philip C. , Buchnerl Andreas , Coassinl Stefan , Rassel Michael , Kronenbergl Florian , Klossl Frank R. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground and objective: The daily patient flow at dental emergency departments is subject to fluctuations. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether meteorological parameters were associated with the number of patients reporting acute pain in the oral cavity.Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients presenting with acute oro‐dental pain (n =1090) at the dental outpatient clinic in Innsbruck, Austria from January to March 2005. In addition, local weather data were supplied by the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics Austria. After exponential smoothing of both series of observations, linear regression on the number of patients was performed.Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the acute pain symptoms are not related to the air pressure itself but to the deviation of air pressure. The stronger the daily deviation from the average atmospheric pressure was, the more patients presented with acute pain at the dental emergency department (p =4.2×10−14). Our findings implicate that the association of air pressure deviation with variation in patient flow at dental clinics is a consequence of barometric pressure‐related oral pain.Conclusions: These findings suggest that changes in barometric pressure were the reason for the observed initiation and/or exacerbation of the various oral pains observed in the emergency room setting. This association has been considered to be rare, with most reports suggesting this phenomenon primarily affects divers and aircraft personnel. Our data suggests otherwise, by providing clear evidence that atmospheric pressure changes commonly influences painful oral conditions.
Electromyographic endotracheal tube placement during thyroid surgery in neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐Jing , Tseng Kuang‐Yi , Wang Fu‐Yuan , Lu I‐Cheng , Wang Hsun‐Mo , Wu Che‐Wei , Chiang Hui‐Ching , Chiang Feng‐Yu 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is widely used in thyroid surgery. This study aimed to investigate the influence of neck extension on electromyographic (EMG) endotracheal tube displacement and to determine the necessity of routinely checking the final electrode position after the patient had been fully positioned. A consecutive 220 patients undergoing thyroidectomy were enrolled. All patients were intubated with the EMG endotracheal tube under direct laryngoscopy. The electrode position and tube displacement were routinely checked and measured by laryngofiberoscopy before and after patient positioning. The patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (n = 110), the EMG tube was taped and fixed to the right mouth angle before full neck extension. In Group II (n = 110), the EMG tube was disconnected from the circuit tube and was not taped until full neck extension. In all patients, we ensured that the final electrode position was the optimal position with laryngofiberoscopic examination. The tube displacement after neck extension ranged from 16 mm upward to 4 mm downward in Group I and from 12 mm upward to 5 mm downward in Group II. The rate of tube displacement greater than 10 mm was 12.7% in Group I and 3.6% in Group II. Successful monitoring was achieved in all patients after the final optimal position of electrodes was ensured routinely. The electrode position can be severely displaced after the patient has been fully positioned. Verification of ideal position of electrodes before the beginning of the operation is a necessary step to guarantee functional intraoperative neuromonitoring.
Variation of glucoraphanin metabolismin vivoandex vivoby human gut bacteria
Authors: Li Fei , Hullar Meredith A. J. , Beresford Shirley A. A. , Lampe Johanna W. 
Published: February 2011

Glucosinolates, phytochemicals found in cruciferous vegetables, are metabolised to bioactive isothiocyanates (ITC) by certain bacteria in the human gut. Substantial individual variation in urinary ITC excretion has been observed in previous cruciferous vegetable-feeding studies. We hypothesised that individual differences in gut microbial community contribute to the observed variation in glucosinolate metabolism, i.e. gut microbiota composition between high- and low-ITC excreters differs. We recruited twenty-three healthy individuals and fed them a standardised meal containing 200 g of cooked broccoli. After the meal, 24 h urinary ITC excretion was measured. Study participants with the highest (n5) and lowest (n5) ITC excretion provided faecal samples forex vivobacterial cultivation with 50 μm-glucoraphanin, the major glucosinolate found in broccoli. When grownex vivo,faecal bacteria from the selected high-ITC excreters were able to degrade more glucoraphanin than those from the low-ITC excreters (P = 0·05). However, bacterial fingerprints of faecal andex vivoculture microbiota revealed no statistically significant differences between the high- and low-ITC excreters in terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. In conclusion, glucosinolate degradation by faecal bacteriaex vivomay be associated within vivobacterial glucosinolate metabolism capacity, but no direct link to specific bacterial species could be established, possibly due to the complexity and functional redundancy of the gut microbiota.
Political Competition and Unequal Social Rights
Authors: Mätzke Margitta 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMajor social reforms affect the extent to which social rights are granted widely and equally or selectively and in a manner re-enforcing social stratification. Thus, they affect the amount of institutionally sanctioned inequality in a welfare state. This paper seeks to explain the politics of making decisions about unequal social rights. It emphasizes the importance of studying the substantive contents of the policy changes that are on the reform agenda; the kind of actors involved in reform controversies; and the kind of demands they raise. Which actors involved prevail in these controversies, however, is a function of the dynamic of political competition at the time of legislative decision-making. That dynamic tends to be centrifugal; it empowers groups at strategic positions in the political constellation. The paper develops analytical categories for capturing both typological distinctions of substantive policy contents and the empowering dynamic. It demonstrates the significance of this model by analyzing four instances of major welfare reform in Germany.
What Drives the Diffusion of Privatization Policy? Evidence from the Telecommunications Sector
Authors: Schmitt Carina 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis paper examines the extent to which diffusion mechanisms have been important for the privatization of telecommunications in the OECD world. It analyzes a panel dataset for 18 OECD countries between 1980 and 2007 using spatial econometric techniques. The sample includes 18 OECD countries between 1980 and 2007. The empirical findings strongly suggest that spatial interdependencies are significant for privatization policies. First, closely related countries from a geographical or economic perspective influence each other to a greater extent than non-related countries. Second, there is no evidence that governments adopt policies of countries with a similar cultural background or the policies of those countries where privatization has been shown to lead to the intended economic results at the company level. Third, the importance of diffusion is highly influenced by national characteristics such the openness of the economy.
The virology, epidemiology, and clinical impact of West Nile virus: a decade of advancements in research since its introduction into the Western Hemisphere
Authors: MURRAY K. O. , WALKER C. , GOULD E. 
Published: February 2011

SUMMARYWest Nile virus (WNV) is now endemic in the USA. After the widespread surge of virus activity across the USA, research has flourished, and our knowledge base has significantly expanded over the past 10 years since WNV was first recognized in New York City. This article provides a review of the virology of WNV, history, epidemiology, clinical features, pathology of infection, the innate and adaptive immune response, host risk factors for developing severe disease, clinical sequelae following severe disease, chronic infection, and the future of prevention.