bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corneal hysteresis and resistance factor in normal, keratoconus suspects and true keratoconus eyes
Authors: GATINEL D 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose To compare corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF) in normal, keratoconus suspects and true keratoconic eyes. Methods Data were collected from normal, keratoconus suspect and true keratoconus eyes. Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and collection of the aspect of the signal were obtained with the Ocular Response Analyser (ORA; Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, NY). Results The mean CH value was 11.2 ± 1.4 mm Hg (range :8.1‐14.4) in normal eyes, compared with 9.8± 1.6 mmHg (range:12.6‐6.1) in keratoconus suspect and 8.0 ± 1.3 mm Hg (range, 5.2‐11.1) in true keratoconic eyes. The difference was statistically significant between groups (P < 0.0001, ANOVA test). Mean CRF values in the normal, keratoconus suspect and keratoconic eyes were respectively 11.2 ± 1.5 mm Hg (range, 7.7‐14.6), 9.6± 1.7 mmHg (range 6 – 11.7) and 6.8 ± 1.4 mm Hg (range 3.5‐10). These difference was statistically significant. The aspects and heights of the peaks were also different between the groups. Conclusion Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor were significantly lower in true and suspect keratoconic eyes than in normal eyes. The signal peaks was significantly lower in keratoconic eyes.
Neuronal plasticity and macular edema
Authors: TICK S , GIRMENS JF , SAHEL JA , PAQUES M 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to analyze the retinal structure of the macula of patients having recovered from ME due to perfused retinal vein occlusion(RVO) and compare it to histology of experimental RVO in rats. Methods In 26 patients with perfused RVO having recovered from ME, averaged high resolution OCT cross scans were acquired. The aspect of retinal layering was analyzed and compared to that of fellow eyes. In parallel, the retinal structure of rats subjected to transient RVO was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Results All eyes had a normal macular profile. In 7 out of 14 eyes with normal visual function, disorganization of the layers presumably corresponding to the outer plexiform layer(OPL) was detected associated with variable thinning of the outer and inner nuclear layer (ONL, INL). Loss of central vision occurred was present only when disruption of the OS reflectance was apparent. In rats, a similar profile of OPL dizorganisation and ONL and INL thinning was observed. Electron microscopy objectivated synaptic migration into the ONL. Conclusion Neuroglial plasticity is challenged during macular edema. Remodeling of retinal layers may be detected by OCT even when visual acuity is normal. Post‐RVO ME neuroglial remodeling initially affects the OPL. Loss of cone OS is a crucial milestone during the course of ME, being the first event leading to irreversible visual loss. The fact that OPL damage precede cone OS loss may suggest that deafferentation participates to cone OS loss.
Corneal biomechanical properties and IOP measurements by ocular response analyzer (ORA)
Authors: TAYLOR DT 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose To describe the method of operation of the Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and the importance of corneal biomechanical properties in clinical practice. Methods The engineering and physics concepts behind the operation of the Ocular Response Analyzer will be introduced. The measurement parameters provided by the instrument will be introduced and defined. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of the Corneal Hysteresis and Corneal Resistance Factor measurements in the understanding of corneal biomechanical properties, and the clinical relevance of these parameters. Results Relevant results from existing peer‐reviewed literature will be presented. Conclusion The Ocular Response Analyzer provides clinically useful indicators of corneal biomechanical properties.
Commercial interest
New non‐contact biometer
Authors: ROHRER K , FRUEH B , CLEMETSON I , WAELTI R , GOLDBLUM D 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose To evaluate and compare axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements assessed by optical biometry (OB), ultrasound biometry (UB), optical low coherence reflectometry pachymetry (OLCR‐P), and by a new prototype applying optical low coherence reflectometry biometry (OLCR‐B). Methods OLCR‐B (Haag‐Streit), OLCR‐P (optical low coherence reflectometry pachymetry; Haag‐Streit), OB (IOLMaster, Zeiss), and UB (Tomey AL‐3000) were performed in 35 eyes of 20 patients with incipient cataract. Among the patients were 13 women (age 60‐88) and 7 men (age 53‐90). There were no exclusion criteria. Bland‐Altman analysis was performed to investigate agreement of AL, ACD, LT and CCT measurements between the devices. Correlation between the techniques was also determined using linear regression. All measurements were performed according to the manufacturers recommendations. Results The mean AL was for OLCR‐B 24.35 mm ± 2.32 (SD), OB 24.33 mm ± 2.41, and UB 24.03 mm ± 2.27; the mean ACD for OLCR‐B 3.10 mm ± 0.51, OB 3.15 mm ± 0.52, and UB 3.09 mm ± 0.47; the mean LT for OLCR‐B 4.71 mm ± 0.42, and UB 4.73 mm ± 0.49; the mean CCT for OLCR‐B 543 mm ± 44, OLCR‐P 536 mm ± 32, and UB 541 mm ± 41. Bland‐Altman analysis and linear regression showed high correlation between the devices. Conclusion OLCR‐B, OLCR‐P, OB and UB give comparable results in patients with incipient cataract. The advantages of the OLCR‐B prototype are the non contact method, the exact measurement of AL, ACD, LT and CCT on the same interferometry method and hence the short duration of the measurements.
Commercial interest
Cellular characteristics of non‐allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis
Authors: Kari Osmo , Haahtela Tari , Laine Petri , Turunen Juha P. , Kari Marjatta , Sarna Seppo , Laitinen Tarja , Kovanen Petri T. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  This study examines the histology of conjunctival biopsy samples from patients with persistent allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (AEC) or non‐allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (NAEC).Methods:  Fourteen patients with conjunctivitis and eosinophilia in cytology samples were included in the study. Seven had positive skin‐prick tests (the AEC group) and seven had negative skin‐prick tests (the NAEC group). Eight asymptomatic subjects with negative skin‐prick tests served as a control group. In conjunctival biopsies eosinophils were identified with monoclonal antibodies. Mast cells were identified by specific immunostaining and tryptase‐positive granules were counted around them. The percentage of degranulated mast cells was used as a measure of cell activation. Eosinophil and goblet cell numbers were counted, epithelial thickness was measured, and the symptoms were characterized and graded.Results:  The numbers of eosinophils in biopsies were higher in patients with AEC than in healthy controls (p = 0.010). The proportion of activated mast cells tended to be higher in AEC patients (65%) than in NAEC patients (48%) or control subjects (40%). Patients with AEC had more goblet cells than control subjects (p = 0.049) and their epithelial layer was thicker (p = 0.054). Patients with AEC had more severe symptoms than control subjects (p = 0.0005), whereas the symptoms of NAEC patients did not differ statistically from those of controls (p = 0.065).Conclusions:  Patients with NAEC were characterized by mild eosinophilic inflammation and only minor structural conjunctival changes. The condition seems to run a relatively mild but persistent clinical course.
Epidemic multidrug‐resistant (MDR‐AmpC) Salmonella enterica serovar Newport strains contain three phage regions and a MDR resistance plasmid
Authors: Wu Guanghui , AbuOun Manal , Hackl Evelyn , La Ragione Roberto M. , Fookes Maria , Fenner Jackie , Pan Zhensheng , Wenzl Peter , Anjum Muna F. , Woodward Martin J. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryMultidrug‐resistant (MDR‐AmpC) Salmonella enterica serovar Newport has caused serious disease in animals and humans in North America, whereas in the UK S. enterica serovar Newport is not associated with severe disease and usually sensitive to antibiotics; MDR S. Newport (not AmpC) strains have only been isolated from poultry. We found that UK poultry strains belonged to MLST type ST166 and were distinct from cattle isolates for being able to utilize D‐tagotose and when compared by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and diversity arrays technology (DArT). Cattle strains belonged to the ST45 complex differing from ST166 at all seven loci. PFGE showed that 19 out of 27 cattle isolates were more than 85% similar to each other and some UK and US strains were indistinguishable. Both CGH and DArT identified genes (including phage‐related ones) that were uniquely present in the US isolates and two such genes identified by DArT showed sequence similarities with the pertussis‐like (artAB) toxin. This work demonstrates that MDR‐AmpC S. Newport from the USA are genetically closely related to pan‐susceptible strains from the UK, but contained three extra phage regions and a MDR plasmid.
Comparative outcomes of elderly patients undergoing Altemeier procedure versus laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse
Authors: De Oliveira Jr O. , Stein S.L. , Trencheva K.I. , Sonoda T. , Milsom J.W. , Lee S.W. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIntroduction: We compared outcomes of elderly patients (>70 years) who underwent the Altemeier procedure versus laparoscopic rectopexy for full‐thickness rectal prolapse.Materials and Methods: We reviewed our data from a prospective database and the medical records of patients treated at a single institution from 2002 to 2008. Patients who underwent surgery for full‐thickness rectal prolapse were evaluated.Results: Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic rectopexy (median age 82 years; ASA 2.6), and 16 patients underwent the Altemeier procedure (median age 85 years; ASA 2.8). The Altemeier procedure patients had a significantly higher recurrence rate when compared to laparoscopic rectopexy patients (P<0.045). The mean length of follow‐up was longer for the Altemeier group (20 months) compared to the laparoscopic rectopexy group (28.5 months; most recurrence (5/6) occurred <1 year. The median length of specimen removed in the Altmeier group was 9.5 cm (6.5–18.5 cm). The majority of patients in both groups had preoperative fecal incontinence. Significantly more Altemeier patients reported worsening perioperative fecal incontinence at 1–3 months (p<0.046). All laparoscopic rectopexy patients underwent general anesthesia while 44% of the Altemeier patients underwent regional anesthesia (p<0.003). One laparoscopic rectopexy patient required reoperation for an incarcerated trocar site hernia. No other major complications occurred in either group. There was no difference in rates of minor complications.Discussion: Compared to the Altemeier procedure, laparoscopic rectopexy for elderly patients with rectal prolapse resulted in a significantly smaller recurrence rate, better perioperative fecal incontinence and an equivalent morbidity rate.
TESTING FOR FRACTIONAL INTEGRATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY REAL EXCHANGE RATES
Authors: Mokoena Thabo M. , Gupta Rangan , Van Eyden Reneé 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper utilises “a class test for fractional integration” associated with the seminal contribution of Hinich and Chong to appraise the possibility that Southern African Development Community (SADC) real exchange rates can be treated as long memory processes. The justification for considering fractional integration is that the general failure to reject the unit‐root hypothesis in real exchange rates is caused by the restrictiveness of standard unit‐root tests regarding admissible low‐frequency dynamic behaviour. The paper presents evidence that, except for South Africa, none of the SADC real exchange rates are fractionally integrated. However, the results are found to be sensitive to the size of the sample.
GROWTH, EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Hodge Duncan 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe high rate of unemployment in South Africa stands out in an otherwise vastly improved set of macroeconomic fundamentals compared with the situation in the early 1990s. One might be tempted to argue that by this single indicator alone, the government's macroeconomic policies have been a failure. This paper explains why jumping to such a conclusion would be a mistake. Annual time series data on total formal sector employment is constructed dating back to 1946. The relationship between economic growth and formal sector employment is then measured and changes in the employment coefficient over time are described. The employment coefficient was found to be relatively stable, with a long‐term average value of 0.5. It returned to this value after a short‐lived collapse in the mid‐1990s. It is concluded that the main reason for the persistently high and rising rates of unemployment in South Africa since the mid 1990s was the very large increase in the labour force and not a historically deficient growth or employment performance of the economy.
EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMICS DEPARTMENTS
Authors: Luiz John M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractOver the past decade, economics departments in South Africa have seen major changes and a certain level of disruption. Much of this can be attributed to the integration of our discipline into the global arena after a period of academic isolation. This paper presents a survey of economics departments and covers everything from staff profiles and qualifications to curricula, and research output. This paper indicates that there has been some improvement in the state of economics at South African universities since 2003 when the previous survey was conducted. Research output is largely up as is the proportion in international journals, and more researchers are producing in leading international economics publications. However, the gap between South African economics departments and their international counterparts remains large.
A NOTE ON THE TRIMMED MEAN MEASURE OF CORE INFLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Blignaut Zelda , Farrell Greg , Munyama Victor , Rangasamy Logan 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper constructs and analyses the properties of a trimmed mean inflation rate for South Africa. Based on an analysis of the distributions of the consumer price index component price changes, a measure is constructed that provides an estimator of core inflation, which may be particularly useful to policymakers in an inflation‐targeting environment. The trimmed mean estimator focuses on the price movements of individual components that have a strong bearing on the current and future trend of the headline inflation rate, allowing monetary policy to be directed at the persistent or underlying sources of inflationary pressures.
Comparison of treatment modalities in burning mouth syndrome
Authors: Barker KE , Batstone MD , Savage NW 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a spontaneous burning pain in the oral mucosa without known organic cause or standardized treatment. The aims of this study were to assess and compare the efficacy of clonazepam and diazepam in relieving the symptoms associated with BMS and evaluate for which patients this treatment might be effective by correlating treatment efficacy with underlying psychological status.Methods:  The medical records of BMS patients attending an oral medicine private practice (1999–2004) were reviewed. The patients were then contacted and asked to complete a short questionnaire regarding their response to diazepam/clonazepam drug therapies. A second group of patients attending the above clinic (n = 30) were asked to fill out a hospital anxiety and depression assessment form in an attempt to correlate treatment success with underlying psychological status.Results: A total of 71.4 per cent of patients treated with clonazepam had partial or complete resolution of their oral symptoms, while 55.1 per cent of patients treated with diazepam had improvement of their oral symptoms. There was no correlation between underlying anxiety or depression and efficacy of benzodiazepine medication.Conclusions:  A greater percentage of patients taking clonazepam reported either partial or complete relief of symptoms compared to diazepam. However, the differences were not statistically significant. There was no correlation found between underlying psychopathology and treatment success with benzodiazepines.
Temporomandibular joint disorders in patients referred for third molar extraction
Authors: DeAngelis AF , Chambers IG , Hall GM 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  Third molar removal has been implicated as a precipitating event for temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of this study was to determine what proportion of patients had pre‐existing pain and dysfunction that could be attributed to the temporomandibular joints.Methods:  Sixty patients referred for third molar removal were clinically examined and a history of their presenting complaint recorded at the initial consultation visit. Patients were then diagnosed and categorized.Results:  Of the total number of patients examined, 13.3 per cent showed signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction while a further 23.3 per cent also had symptomatic third molar teeth.Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that the signs of temporomandibular joint disorders are common in patients referred for third molar extractions.
Correction of severe open bite using miniscrew anchorage
Authors: Kaku M , Kawai A , Koseki H , Abedini S , Kawazoe A , Sasamoto T , Sunagawa H , Yamamoto R , Tsuka N , Motokawa M , Ohtani J , Fujita T , Kawata T , Tanne K 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis report describes the treatment of a case of severe open bite with posterior crossbite. While treating open bite, the outcome may not always be successful with orthodontic therapy alone. In such cases, surgical therapy is often chosen to gain a stable occlusion. Skeletal anchorage systems such as miniscrews are now frequently used for correcting severe malocclusion. In this report, we treated an open bite by intruding the molars with miniscrews placed bilaterally in the interdental space between both the upper and lower posterior teeth. The active treatment period was 36 months and the patient’s teeth continued to be stable after a retention period of 36 months.
Cumulative sum quality control for calibrated breast density measurements
Authors: Heine John J. , Cao Ke , Beam Craig 
Published: November 2009

Purpose:Breast density is a significant breast cancer risk factor. Although various methods are used to estimate breast density, there is no standard measurement for this important factor. The authors are developing a breast density standardization method for use in full field digital mammography (FFDM). The approach calibrates for interpatient acquisition technique differences. The calibration produces a normalized breast density pixel value scale. The method relies on first generating a baseline (BL) calibration dataset, which required extensive phantom imaging. Standardizing prospective mammograms with calibration data generated in the past could introduce unanticipated error in the standardized output if the calibration dataset is no longer valid.Methods:Sample points from the BL calibration dataset were imaged approximately biweekly over an extended timeframe. These serial samples were used to evaluate the BL dataset reproducibility and quantify the serial calibration accuracy. The cumulative sum (Cusum) quality control method was used to evaluate the serial sampling.Results:There is considerable drift in the serial sample points from the BL calibration dataset that is x‐ray beam dependent. Systematic deviation from the BL dataset caused significant calibration errors. This system drift was not captured with routine system quality control measures. Cusum analysis indicated that the drift is a sign of system wear and eventual x‐ray tube failure.Conclusions:The BL calibration dataset must be monitored and periodically updated, when necessary, to account for sustained system variations to maintain the calibration accuracy.
Evaluation of similarity measures for use in the intensity‐based rigid 2D‐3D registration for patient positioning in radiotherapy
Authors: Wu Jian , Kim Minho , Peters Jorg , Chung Heeteak , Samant Sanjiv S. 
Published: November 2009

Purpose:Rigid 2D‐3D registration is an alternative to 3D‐3D registration for cases where largely bony anatomy can be used for patient positioning in external beam radiation therapy. In this article, the authors evaluated seven similarity measures for use in the intensity‐based rigid 2D‐3D registration using a variation in Skerl's similarity measure evaluation protocol.Methods:The seven similarity measures are partitioned intensity uniformity, normalized mutual information (NMI), normalized cross correlation (NCC), entropy of the difference image, pattern intensity (PI), gradient correlation (GC), and gradient difference (GD). In contrast to traditional evaluation methods that rely on visual inspection or registration outcomes, the similarity measure evaluation protocol probes the transform parameter space and computes a number of similarity measure properties, which is objective and optimization method independent. The variation in protocol offers an improved property in the quantification of the capture range. The authors used this protocol to investigate the effects of the downsampling ratio, the region of interest, and the method of the digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) calculation [i.e., the incremental ray‐tracing method implemented on a central processing unit (CPU) or the 3D texture rendering method implemented on a graphics processing unit (GPU)] on the performance of the similarity measures. The studies were carried out using both the kilovoltage (kV) and the megavoltage (MV) images of an anthropomorphic cranial phantom and the MV images of a head‐and‐neck cancer patient.Results:Both the phantom and the patient studies showed the 2D‐3D registration using the GPU‐based DRR calculation yielded better robustness, while providing similar accuracy compared to the CPU‐based calculation. The phantom study using kV imaging suggested that NCC has the best accuracy and robustness, but its slow function value change near the global maximum requires a stricter termination condition for an optimization method. The phantom study using MV imaging indicated that PI, GD, and GC have the best accuracy, while NCC and NMI have the best robustness. The clinical study using MV imaging showed that NCC and NMI have the best robustness.Conclusions:The authors evaluated the performance of seven similarity measures for use in 2D‐3D image registration using the variation in Skerl's similarity measure evaluation protocol. The generalized methodology can be used to select the best similarity measures, determine the optimal or near optimal choice of parameter, and choose the appropriate registration strategy for the end user in his specific registration applications in medical imaging.