bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A FEASIBILITY CASE CONTROLLED STUDY OF DAY CASE HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY
Authors: Lam D.T.Y. , Fong W.N. , Lam S.C.W. , Kwok S.P.Y. 
Published: August 2010

Introduction: Haemorrhoidectomy is traditionally an in‐patient procedure. With many benefits, day surgery arrangement is an attractive alternative. We explored the feasibility of day surgery haemorrhoidectomy in a case controlled design.Method: A single surgeon’s experience of day‐surgery haemorrhoidectomy between 1 July 1999 and 31 March 2000 was compared with in‐patient haemorrhoidectomy during the same period. The operations were performed in a government funded public hospital. Statistical tests were applied where appropriate.Results: There were 30 day‐surgery and 15 in‐patient haemorrhoidectomies. The groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, severity of haemorrhoids, method and duration of haemorrhoidectomy, blood loss, residual haemorrhoids, follow up duration and unplanned re‐admission rate. Significantly more day‐patients received general than spinal anaesthesia. Twenty‐six of 30 (87%) patients were successfully discharged after day‐surgery. Two were admitted for transient fever (< 24 hours), 1 for micturition syncope and 1 for acute urinary retention. There were 4 unplanned re‐admissions after day‐surgery: 1 for pain and 3 for secondary bleeding. All stopped spontaneously. All the 3 unplanned re‐admissions after in‐patient surgery were for secondary bleeding. All stopped spontaneously. Patient stay was significantly shorter with day‐surgery (1 ± 1 day) than in‐patient arrangement (4 ± 1.6 days).Conclusion: Day‐surgery haemorrhoidectomy is feasible. The significantly shorter hospital stay implies savings in public medical expenses.
2‐PORT LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY USING A MODIFIED LAPAROSCOPE
Authors: Poon C.M. , Lee D.W.H. , Chan K.W. , Chan K.C. , Cheung M.H.Y. , Lee K.W. 
Published: August 2010

Introduction: We previously reported 2‐port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) had better patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, it was a technically demanding procedure even in expert hands. We recently have modified the laparoscope for this procedure.Method: From September 2000, we prospectively recruited patients for elective LC using the modified laparoscope. This newly devised laparoscope could achieve a wider operative view. 2‐port LC was performed using a 10 mm modified operating laparoscope through a 11 mm supraumbilical port and a 5 mm subxyphoid port as shown. Traction suture or additional 5 mm port will be added in difficult cases.
Results: Over a 1‐month period, we performed 14 LC (M : F = 5 : 9). The median age was 54.5 (interquartile range (IQR) 45–67.75). The indications for LC were symptomatic gallstones (11), biliary pancreatitis (1), post‐cholecystitis (1) and gallbladder polyp (1). Median operative time was 53 min (IQR 38–61). 2 patients required additional traction suture or an additional 5 mm port. There was no conversion to open surgery. Median total hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay were 3 days (IQR 2–3.5) and 2 days (IQR 1–2.25) respectively. Median oral postoperative analgesia requirement was 1 dose (IQR 0–3).Conclusion: The initial results of 2‐port LC using this modified operating laparoscope is safe and rewarding.
INTRAOPERATIVE ANGIOGRAPHY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NEUROVASCULAR DISORDERS *
Authors: Lui Wai‐Man , Fan Yiu‐Wah , Cheng Pui‐Wai , Wong Wai‐Cheong 
Published: August 2010

The advantages of high‐quality intraoperative angiography in cerebrovascular surgery are readily apparent. Intraoperative assessment of the vascular anatomy before the wound is closed allows for recognition and correction of technical defects and reduced the need for another operation. Apart from verifying a perfect surgical result after clipping of cerebral aneurysms or excision of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), this technique can assist in the intraoperative localization of small vascular malformations; document the patency of bypass graft; and demonstrate inadvertent occlusion of normal arteries.Lussenhop and Spence7 were among the pioneers to present their experiences with intraoperative angiographic studies, primarily in the management of intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Others extended the indications of intraoperative angiography in treating cerebral aneurysms, cerebral revascularization procedures and carotid endarterectomy surgery.In this retrospective review, we reported our early experience in using intraoperative angiography after surgical treatment of arteriovenous malformation, cerebral aneurysms and extracranial‐intracranial (ECIC) bypass procedures.From April 1999 to November 2000, 30 intraoperative digital substraction angiography were performed at Queen Mary Hospital. Of these 30 procedures (Table 1), 19 were done for cerebral aneurysm surgery; 10 were done for cerebral arteriovenous malformations; one was done for ECIC bypass surgery. Tables 1 outlines the neurovascular procedures included in this series.From April 1999 to November 2000, a total of 32 intraoperative angiography were attempted. Two out of 32 were failed due to technical problem. In one patient the machine break down during the procedure and in the other patient intimal tear of the femoral artery was noted during the angiographic studies. The procedure was abandoned to avoid further damage to the femoral artery. Thirty patients had intraoperative angiography successfully done with no complication. Four studies were performed in prone position; one study in park bench position; 25 studies in supine position.Our experience found that intraoperative angiography was safe and that it frequently revealed unclipped aneurysm, unexpected major vessels occlusion. The cost, time, effort, and complications of intraoperative angiography appear to be less than the cost, in financial terms, of reoperations and devastating postoperative complications.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF LAPAROSCOPIC TOTAL MESORECTAL EXCISION AND COLONIC J POUCH RECONSTRUCTION IN RECTAL CANCER
Authors: Tsang W.W.C. , Chung C.C. , Ha J.P.Y. , Chan S.W. , Kwok S.Y. , Li M.K.W. 
Published: August 2010

Aim: Our objective was to assess the technical feasibility, safety and results of performing total mesorectal excision (TME), which is now the widely accepted operation of choice in low and mid‐rectal cancers, in the laparoscopic fashion.Methods: From March 1999 onwards, all patients with low or mid‐rectal cancers who were admitted into our unit were subjected to laparoscopic TME (LTME) with a covering loop ileostomy. Exclusion criteria include (1) clinical or radiological evidence of distant metastasis; (2) locally advanced disease as evident by clinical perirectal tumour fixation or adjacent organ involvement on CAT scan. The ileostomy would be closed at around 12 weeks after the surgery and after the integrity of the anastomosis has been confirmed by a barium enema study. All patients would be followed at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the ileostomy closure to assess their bowel function and any evidence of recurrence.Results: 21 consecutive patients were subjected to LTME. There were 12 males and 9 females with a mean age of 63 (40–80). The average distance of the tumour from anal verge was 7.5 cm (4– 10 cm). The mean operating time was 197 min (135–300 min). Average blood loss was 144 mL (20–600 mL). There was no conversion. Mean postoperative stay was 10.5 days (7–21 days). The anastomosis was on average 4.2 cm (2–5 cm) from the anal verge. The average distal margin was 4.5 cm (3–6 cm). There were 5 Dukes’A, 6 Dukes’B and 10 Dukes’C diseases. There was no mortality or anastomotic leakage. At an averge follow‐up period of 10 months, there was no local recurrence but 2 systemic recurrence. Six patients developed 7 complications: 4 patients developed transient postoperative urine retention, including one male with impotence. One patient developed port‐site hernia which required re‐operation. One other patient developed pouchitis after ileostomy closure, which necessitated subsequent pouch excision. At 3 month after ileostomy closure, the average bowel motion was 4.5/day with no incontinence or constipation. 11% of the patient had faecal urgency and 22% had sensation of incomplete evacuation. At 6 month after ileosotmy closure, the average bowel motion was 1.8/day and there was no recorded incontinence, constipation, urgency or sensation of incomplete evacuation.Conclusion: LTME is a feasible and safe operation with an acceptable operating time and morbidity rate. Preliminary functional outcome is comparable to open surgery.
2 LITRES OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) VERSUS SODIUM PHOSPHATE AS BOWEL CLEANSING REGIMEN FOR COLONOSCOPY: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Poon C.M. , Chan K.C. , Chan K.W. , Sin K.S. , Lee S.W.H. , Chan A. 
Published: August 2010

Introduction: Sodium phosphate (Fleet Phosphosoda) has been reported to have equal effectiveness and better patient tolerance compared with 4 litres of PEG as bowel cleansing regimen. Poor patient tolerance invariably associated with large amount of fluid consumed. This study compared 2 litres of PEG with Fleet phosphosoda in effectiveness and patient tolerance.Patients and method: From July 2000, 164 consecutive patients admitted to day surgery ward for elective colonoscopy were prospectively randomized to receive either a 2 litre PEG solution or a 90 mL oral sodium phosphate preparation in two divided doses with a litre of water in between. Patients with history of congestive heart failure, impaired renal function (Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl) and previous colectomy were excluded from the study. A questionnaire was used to assess patients’ acceptance. Blinded endoscopists would score the adequacy of bowel preparation from rectum to caecum during colonoscopy.Results:

PEG group (n = 85)
NaP group (n = 77)
P value

Age (median +/− IQR)

49 (37–66)
51 (41–69.5)
0.34

M : F ratio

39 : 46
38 : 39
0.66

Ease of consumption (mean +/− SD)

4.4 +/− 3.1
4.7 +/− 3.1
0.52

(0 = easy – 10 = difficult unscaled VAS)

Willingness to repeat procedure

3.6 +/− 3.1
4.0 +/− 3.1
0.44

(0 = willing – 10 = unwilling unscaled VAS)

Patient satisfaction

3.5 +/− 3.1
3.7 +/− 3.1
0.68

(0 = satisfy – 10 = unsatisfy unscaled VAS)

Endoscopic score: 0–5
Rectum
1.3 +/− 0.9
1.5 +/− 1.1
0.46

0 = clear
Sigmoid colon
1.6 +/− 0.8
1.6 +/− 1.0
0.73

1 = bubble obscured view or small amount of clear fluid

Descending colon
1.5 +/− 0.8
1.5 +/− 0.8
0.85

2 = large amount of clear fluid
Transverse colon
1.3 +/− 0.8
1.4 +/− 0.8
0.41

3 = fluid faeces  4 = semisolid faeces

Ascending colon
1.3 +/− 1.0
1.3 +/− 0.8
0.41

5 = solid faeces
Caecum
1.4 +/− 1.1
1.0 +/− 0.7
0.01

Patients' experience on colonoscopy

17 (20%)
14 (18.4%)
0.77

Duration (mins)

22.5 +/− 13.9
20.4 +/− 13.1
0.33

Complete colonoscopy

79 (92.9%)
71 (92.2%)
0.86

Therapeutic procedure

20 (23.5%)
16 (20.8%)
0.67

Endoscopist satisfaction

3.0 +/− 2.0
2.9 +/− 2.0
0.83

Conclusion:2 litres of PEG is equally effective and acceptable by patients compared with Fleet phosphosoda
A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE EXTERNAL VENTRICULAR DIVERSION OF CSF PERFORMED IN A LOCAL NEUROSURGICAL UNIT IN HK
Authors: Kwok K. , Yam K.Y. , Fong D. 
Published: August 2010

Introduction: External ventricular diversion (EVD) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a simple neurosurgical procedure for the temporary relief of acute hydrocephalus due to various intracranial pathologies.In Tuen Mun Hospital, the ventricles are drained usually via a frontal burr hole on the ipsilateral side into a close ventricular drainage system. The distal end of the drain is passed through a skin‐tunnel of 3–5 cm long and anchored to the skin. The system is handled with great care and full aseptic technique is exercised during CSF sampling. Apart from prophylactic antibiotic prior to surgery, no antibiotic is given during the course of drainage.Because of the large bore size of the catheter, the drainage is usually more tolerant to thick clot or high protein content in the CSF during acute situations. If the patient remains shunt dependent, the external drainage is later taken over by a permanent ventricular shunt at a suitable time.Method: Clinical records of the 107 cases of EVDs done between the period of March 1998 and September 2000 were reviewed, targeting at:1) the local epidemiology of the EVDs we have performed, and2) the outcomes and complications.Results: EVD was very often done following spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage/ intraventricular haemorrhage (36%) and as an adjunct to surgical clipping of aneurysms (33%). Only 38 patients (35%) eventually needed a permanent shunt.It was evidenced that the longer the placement of EVD, the more the complications.Among these complications, EVD infection was of the greatest significance. EVD infection, which was diagnosed by positive CSF culture, was found in 9 cases (8.4%) of the 107 primary drainage.Chest infection (50%) was the commonest co‐existing systemic infection, followed by urinary tract infection (20%).Conculsion:External ventricular diversion is a safe procedure if precaution is taken to avoid infection. In two third of cases, permanent shunt is not required precluding the morbidity of foreign body implantation.
THE APPLICATION OF STEREOTACTIC NAVIGATION GUIDANCE IN NASOPHARYNGECTOMY
Authors: To E.W.H. , Cheng J.H.H. , Pang P.C.W. 
Published: August 2010

Aims: This study is to present the application of stereotactic navigation guidance in anterior skull base surgery. The anterior skull base is remote from the surface structure of the facial skeleton and create a difficult access for tumour resection. The location of the internal carotid arteries which lie at the paranasopharyngeal space and other structures can be identified precisely with the use of stereotactic navigation guidance to allow safe and exact tumour dissection and clearance in and around the anterior skull base region.Method: Ten adult Chinese patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma which affects the nasopharynx or sphenoid sinus were studied between July 1999 and September 2000. All the patients were operated under general anaesthesia with the aid of stereotactic navigation guidance for location of the internal carotid arteries intra‐operatively.Results: All the internal carotid arteries could be identified and located. The resection margins were all clear. There was no mortality or major morbidity. All patients recovery uneventfully and discharged home within 10 days and has got no recurrence on follow up ranging from 2 to 14 months.Conclusion: Stereotactic navigation guidance is an effective technique in locating the internal carotid artery to allow safe tumour dissection in the anterior skull base region.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN HONG KONG CHINESE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Leung C.M. , Chung C.C. , Ng W.K. , Ip K.S. , Leong I.S. , Li F.T.W. , Kung K.N. , Lao W.C. , Luk Y.W. , Pang S.W. , Li M.K.W. 
Published: August 2010

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is reported to be rare in the Hong Kong Chinese.Aim: To study the characteristics of IBD in our ethnic Chinese.Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive Chinese patients of IBD diagnosed and treated at our hospital from year 1993 to 2000.Results: There were 35 and 15 patients with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), respectively, as determined by a combination of clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histologic criteria. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.3 and 1 : 1.1 for UC and CD, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 42.0 (range, 18–79) and 41.1 (range, 10–74) for UC and CD, respectively. No documented positive correlation between smoking and CD was evident. None of the patients had a family history of IBD. Common presenting symptoms were blood in stool (86%), diarrhoea (71%), abdominal pain (49%) and weight loss (14%) for UC. Main presenting symptoms for CD were abdominal pain (55%), diarrhoea (45%), blood in stool (45%) and weight loss (36%). Extraintestinal manifestations were rare. One patient had sclerosing cholangitis in association with UC. Another patient with CD developed sacroiliitis. Of the 15 patients with CD, 8 had ileocolic disease (55%), 5 colonic disease alone (36%) and 2 isolated small intestine disease alone (9%). A predilection to involve the colon (87%) is a distinct feature. Of the 35 patient with UC, 11 had proctitis (31%), 8 rectosigmoiditis (24%), 3 left sided colitis (9%) and 13 extensive colitis (39%). All patients with UC responded to medical therapy. None required surgical resection. Ten patients (67%) with CD responded to medical therapy alone. Surgical resection was undertaken in 5 CD patients (33%).Conclusions: In comparison with Western figures, a relatively higher proportion of distal colitis alone namely, proctitis and rectosigmoiditis was seen in our Chinese UC patients whereas a predilection to involve the colon was a distinct feature in our Chinese CD patients. A higher age at diagnosis and the absence of family history were also characteristic features of IBD patients in our series.
Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis and Cervicitis Aimed at Preventing Premature Delivery
Authors: Begum Sayeda , Sagawa Tadashi , Fujimoto Seiichiro 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective: We performed screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis during pregnancy for prevention of premature delivery. The incidence and the etiology of lower genital tract infections and premature delivery were examined to elucidate the effectiveness and problems of this trial.Methods: Three hundred sixty‐five pregnant women who attended the obstetrical outpatient clinic in our hospital were included as subjects. The screening was done at prenatal‐care visits around the 10th, 20th, and 30th gestational weeks.Results: Fifty‐eight women were diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis and 54 women were successfully treated. Thirty‐five women were diagnosed as cervicitis and all were cured. Nine women (2.5%) delivered before the 37th gestational week and 1 woman delivered before the 35th gestational week because of cervical incompetence.Conclusions: The treatment of bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis may prevent microbes in the lower genital tract from penetrating the intrauterine cavity and thereby reduce the incidence of premature delivery. 1992;
Special Quotes Invoke Autocorrelation in Japanese Stock Prices*
Authors: Tsutsui Yoshiro , Hirayama Kenjiro , Tanaka Takahiro , Uesugi Nobutaka 
Published: August 2010

It is reported in the present paper that 1‐min returns on TOPIX have exhibited significant autocorrelation at 5‐min intervals since 1997/1998. Special quotes that are issued whenever there is a price jump in excess of a predetermined band seem to be the source of this autocorrelation, because these have been automatically updated at 5‐min intervals since August 1998 and have appeared during the first 30 min from opening. Individual stock returns also exhibit fifth‐order autocorrelation, but this disappears when the data with special quotes are excluded from the sample. Therefore, the autocorrelation is caused by the special quotes: a type of market microstructure noise.
A SEMI‐MARKOV MODEL FOR EAR INFECTION
Authors: McGlLCHRIST C.A. , HlLLS L. J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryA recent study of the prevalence of middle ear infection among Australian aborigines reports, for different age groups, the number currently infected, the number currently not infected and the number who are currently not infected but have scarring of the ear drum showing evidence of a previous infection. Incidence and recovery are modelled by a semi‐Markov model in which incidence of the infection is allowed to be nonstationary.
ADJUSTING RESIDUALS IN ESTIMATION OF DISPERSION EFFECTS
Authors: Ghosh Subir , Duh Yi‐Jing 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThis paper studies a method of adjusting the ordinary least squares residuals, when estimating and comparing dispersions, at various levels of factors in a replicated factorial experiment. Using a general dispersion model, theoretical results demonstrate the benefits of the method of adjusting residuals. An illustrative example is included.
SOME SECOND ORDER ASYMPTOTICS IN NONLINEAR REGRESSION
Authors: Wei Bo‐Cheng 
Published: August 2010

SummarySome asymptotics related to statistical curvature are studied from a geometric point of view. The method of stochastic expansion is used to study the second order information loss and some conditional inference for the least squares estimator in nonlinear regression in which the samples are independent but not necessarily identically distributed.
ON AN IDENTITY FOR FINDING MOMENTS OF SAMPLE MOMENTS OF BIVARIATE NORMAL RANDOM VARIABLES
Authors: Prabhakaran V.T. , Mahajan V.K. , Uma  
Published: August 2010

SummaryProbabilistic arguments are used to establish an identity useful for deriving the moments of the sample variances and covariance of a bivariate normal population. Some variances and covariances are derived to illustrate the use of the identity.
USE OF A LOG‐LINEAR MODEL TO COMPUTE THE EMPIRICAL SURVIVAL CURVE FROM INTERVAL‐CENSORED DATA, WITH APPLICATION TO DATA ON TESTS FOR HIV POSITIVITY
Authors: Becker Niels G. , Melbye Mads 
Published: August 2010

SummaryWe describe how a log‐linear model can be used to compute the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimate of the survival curve from interval‐censored data. This permits such computation to be performed with the aid of readily available statistical software such as GLIM or SAS. The method is illustrated with reference to data from a cohort of Danish homosexual men, each of whom was tested for HIV positivity on one or more of six possible follow‐up times.
BERNOULLI SAMPLING
Authors: Deshmukh Shailaja R. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe concepts of the Bernoulli count process of a point process and Bernoulli sampling of a discrete parameter stochastic process are introduced. The Bernoulli count process determines the stochastic structure of the point process, and a process obtained by thinning a discrete parameter stochastic process by Bernoulli sampling satisfies the same property. Stationarity and the Markov property remain invariant under Bernoulli sampling.
ROBUST ESTIMATION FOR EPIDEMIC MODELS
Authors: Marschner Ian C. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryA robust approach to the analysis of epidemic data is suggested. This method is based on a natural extension of M‐estimation for i.i.d. observations where the distribution may be asymmetric. It is discussed initially in the context of a general discrete time stochastic process before being applied to previously studied epidemic models. In particular we consider a class of chain binomial models and models based on time dependent branching processes. Robustness and efficiency properties are studied through simulation and some previously analysed data sets are considered.
ENCOUNTERS WITH STATISTICAL INFERENCE – AN INTERVIEW WITH EVAN WILLIAMS
Authors: Laslett G.M. , Lloyd C.J. , Robinson G.K. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryEmeritus Professor Evan J. Williams was interviewed at the CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics in Melbourne on 13 February 1991. Three major phases of his working life were discussed: time at CSIRO; time in the United States of America; time at The University of Melbourne. This article is based on an edited recording of the interview.
VARIABLE SELECTION ALONG CANONICAL VECTORS
Authors: Campbell N.A. , Furby S.L. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryWhen describing and displaying inter‐group relationships using canonical variate analysis, the question often arises: which variables contribute most to the group separation along particular canonical vectors? This problem is discussed in the context of an example which uses remotely sensed data to discriminate between cover classes. The appropriate between‐groups matrix to be input into subset selection procedures is identified. When combined with subsequent simplification of the vectors, the approach leads to a simpler interpretation of the canonical variate display.