bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical fate of branch duct and mixed forms of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia of the pancreas
Authors: Bournet Barbara , Kirzin Sylvain , Carrère Nicolas , Portier Guillaume , Otal Philippe , Selves Janick , Musso Carole , Suc Bertrand , Moreau Jacques , Fourtanier Gilles , Pradère Bernard , Lazorthes Franck , Escourrou Jean , Buscail Louis 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims:  The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical fate of, and to gain new insights into, branch duct and mixed (predominantly main duct type) forms of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia of the pancreas (IPMN).Methods:  During a 17‐year period, 99 successive IPMN patients (52 men, 47 women; mean age, 64 years) were included and divided into two groups for further comparison: one group had branch duct IPMN, whereas the other had mixed IPMN.Results:  Patients from the mixed IPMN group (n = 52) displayed a greater rate of symptoms (83% vs 55%, P = 0.004), pancreatic resection (67% vs 38%, P = 0.007), malignancy (35% vs 13%, P = 0.017) and death (15% vs 4%, P = 0.09) than those from the branch duct IPMN group. A 38‐month follow up of non‐operated, symptom‐free patients confirmed that more than 85% of branch duct IPMN patients were asymptomatic without evidence of malignancy. Borderline lesions and carcinoma are found in up to 50% of symptomatic resected branch duct IPMN cases.Conclusion:  Patients with the mixed form of IPMN as well as with symptomatic branch duct IPMN should require pancreatic resection because of symptoms and the risk for malignancy. In silent branch duct IPMN without radiological signs of malignancy, a non‐operative watch‐and‐wait strategy can be discussed.
Resistance to metronidazole, clarithromycin and levofloxacin of Helicobacter pylori before and after clarithromycin‐based therapy in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Wei‐Lun , Sheu Bor‐Shyang , Cheng Hsiu‐Chi , Yang Yao‐Jong , Yang Hsiao‐Bai , Wu Jiunn‐Jong 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Clarithromycin‐based triple therapy has been commonly applied as the first‐line therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Levofloxacin could serve as an alternative in either first‐line or second‐line regimens. This study surveyed the prevalence of levofloxacin resistance of H. pylori isolates in naive patients and in patients with a failed clarithromycin‐based triple therapy.Methods:  The study collected the H. pylori isolates from 180 naive patients and 47 patients with a failed clarithromycin‐based triple therapy. Their in vitro antimicrobial resistance was determined by E‐test.Results:  The naive H. pylori isolates had resistance rates for amoxicillin, levofloxacin, clarithromycin and metronidazole of 0%, 9.4%, 10.6% and 26.7%, respectively. An evolutional increase of the primary levofloxacin resistance was observed in isolates collected after 2004, as compared to isolates collected before 2004 (16.3% vs 3.2%, P = 0.003). There was no evolutional increment of the primary clarithromycin resistance. The clarithromycin resistance elevated significantly after a failed clarithromycin‐based triple therapy (78.7% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). The post‐treatment isolates remained to have a levofloxacin resistance rate of near 17%, but the levofloxacin‐resistant isolates were correlated with a higher incidence of metronidazole resistance (P = 0.023). No strain was found to be resistant to amoxicillin even after eradication failure.Conclusion:  The levofloxacin resistance of naive H. pylori remains less than 10% in Taiwan. With relatively lower resistance to levofloxacin than to metronidazole of the H. pylori isolates collected after a failed clarithromycin‐based therapy, proton pump inhibitor–levofloxacin–amoxicillin may be an alternative choice to serve as the second‐line therapy.
The effect of obesity and smoking status on lung age in Japanese men
Authors: MITSUMUNE Tadahiko , SENOH Etsuo , NISHIKAWA Hitoshi , ADACHI Michifumi , KAJII Eiji 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The lung age of smokers is greater than their real age. We have had the clinical impression that the lung age of non‐smokers might be older than their real age and that obese subjects with decreased VC and FEV1 would also have an increased lung age. This cross‐sectional study investigated the relationships between lung age and smoking status, and lung age and BMI.Methods:  Subjects comprised 3247 men who consulted our institute for health screening; 819 subjects were non‐smokers. In smokers and non‐smokers, lung age estimated by the predictive equation based on height and FEV1 was compared with chronological age. To investigate the relationship between lung age and BMI in non‐smokers, subjects were categorized into four groups based on quartiles of BMI and the lung age of the four groups compared. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the relative contribution of BMI and smoking status to lung age.Results:  The predictive equation used to estimate lung age significantly overestimated the chronological age of study subjects. In non‐smokers, higher BMI was significantly associated with higher lung age. BMI, duration of smoking and number of cigarettes per day were significantly associated with increased lung age.Conclusions:  Lung age could be used to motivate lifestyle change in obese individuals.
Exophthalmometric values and their biometric correlates: The Kandy Eye Study
Authors: Chan WengOnn , Madge Simon N , Senaratne Tissa , Senanayake Saman , Edussuriya Kapila , Selva Dinesh , Casson Robert J 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground:  To determine normal exophthalmometric values for a Sri Lankan population and investigate their demographic, physical, refractive and ocular biometric correlates.Methods:  The Kandy Eye study was a population‐based, cross‐sectional study. By randomized cluster sampling, 1721 eligible participants, who were 40 years old and over were identified; 1375 participated. Exophthalmometry was performed with Hertel's exophthalmometer. Participants' demographics including age, gender and ethnicity were recorded. Height, weight, body mass index, non‐cycloplegic refraction and ocular biometry were measured with standardized methods. Summary statistical analysis was performed for exophthalmometric values and relationships with other factors were tested using Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient analysis, standard single and multiple linear regression analysis.Results:  A total of 1341 subjects were included in the analysis. Exophthalmometric values for the population had a mean of 15.82 mm, standard deviation of 2.73 mm and range of 10.46–21.28 mm. Exophthalmometric values for men were significantly higher than women. There were no significant differences between the racial groups' exophthalmometric values (Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors). Exophthalmometric values were significantly correlated with age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, base and axial length but not to refractive spherical equivalents. Only gender, weight, base and axial length were independent predictors for exophthalmometric values after adjusting for confounders.Conclusion:  In this Sri Lankan population, our study provided the first reported estimates of a normal exophthalmometric range and determined gender, weight, base and axial length as its correlates. Sri Lankans are the first population to demonstrate this relationship between weight and exophthalmometric values and also showed that refraction is not a cause for pseudo‐proptosis.
VS11P EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMPLIFIED TECHNIQUE OF LAPAROSCOPIC INSERTION OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETER
Authors: Koh C. E. , Ward‐Harvey R. H. , Liu J. , Lusby R. 
Published: May 2009

Introduction:   Peritoneal dialysis catheters are traditionally inserted via a mini‐laparotomy. However, in recent years, numerous minimally invasive techniques have been described, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Laparoscopy offers a minimally invasive technique that also provides good views of the peritoneal cavity and allows the catheter to be secured to the abdominal wall. However, laparoscopy can also be technically challenging. A simplified technique of laparoscopic insertion is hereby described. The authors’ early experience with this technique is summarised.Methods:   All patients referred to the Vascular Surgery Unit for insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheter without a prior history of major abdominal surgery were offered laparoscopic insertion. Only a brief description is offered here. Using a two port technique, the peritoneal dialysis catheter is inserted into the pelvis and secured onto the anterior abdominal wall. Data was prospectively collected. All patients were routinely followed up at 2 weeks following procedure.Results:   There were 4 patients (3 females, 1 male) with an average age of 62. None have previously had major abdominal surgery. One patient has had open appendicectomy. The procedure was completed laparoscopically in all cases. The average time taken was 38 minutes (26–41 min). All patients were discharged the day after procedure. To date, no complications have been observed.Conclusions:   This paper describes a new simplified technique of laparoscopic insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheter and summarizes the authors’ early experience with this technique. The results of this technique are promising and warrant further evaluation in a prospective study.
The intermediate disturbance hypothesis applies to tropical forests, but disturbance contributes little to tree diversity
Authors: Bongers Frans , Poorter Lourens , Hawthorne William D. , Sheil Douglas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts local species diversity to be maximal at an intermediate level of disturbance. Developed to explain species maintenance and diversity patterns in species‐rich ecosystems such as tropical forests, tests of IDH in tropical forest remain scarce, small‐scale and contentious. We use an unprecedented large‐scale dataset (2504 one‐hectare plots and 331 567 trees) to examine whether IDH explains tree diversity variation within wet, moist and dry tropical forests, and we analyse the underlying mechanism by determining responses within functional species groups. We find that disturbance explains more variation in diversity of dry than wet tropical forests. Pioneer species numbers increase with disturbance, shade‐tolerant species decrease and intermediate species are indifferent. While diversity indeed peaks at intermediate disturbance levels little variation is explained outside dry forests, and disturbance is less important for species richness patterns in wet tropical rain forests than previously thought.
A new specimen ofBaphetesfrom Nýřany, Czech Republic and the intrinsic relationships of the Baphetidae
Authors: Milner Angela C. , Milner Andrew R. , Walsh Stig A. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract‘Loxomma’bohemicumfrom the Upper Carboniferous assemblage from Nýřany, Czech Republic, is a nomen dubium restricted to the type and only specimen. The new binomenBaphetes orientalisis created for a skull referred toBaphetes bohemicusby later authors. A previously undescribed baphetid specimen from Nýřany is referred toB. orientalisdespite differences in skull proportions. It comprises a skull in dorsal aspect, mandibles and some associated postcranial elements. The skull possesses sclerotic ring elements within the orbital region of the dorsal fenestration of the skull, confirming the eye location. The elongate gastralia are arranged perpendicular to the interclavicle edge in contrast to the condition in temnospondyls and colosteids. Cladistic analysis of 24 characters of 11 baphetoids was carried out usingAcanthostegaandCrassigyrinusas outgroups.Eucrittawas the most primitive baphetoid, withSpathicephalusbeing the sister‐taxon to the remaining taxa, justifying a monotypic Spathicephalidae as a sister‐taxon to the Baphetidae. The Baphetidae are divided into a subfamily Baphetinae nom.nov. containing twoBaphetesspecies; and a subfamily Loxommatinae withLoxommaas a paraphyletic grade leading to aMegalocephalus +Kyrinionclade. The Linton taxon ‘Baphetes’lintonensisis transferred to the genusLoxommato give the new combinationLoxomma lintonensis.
Bite marks as evidence of predation in early vertebrates
Authors: Lebedev Oleg A. , Mark‐Kurik Elga , Karatajūtė‐Talimaa Valentina N. , Lukševičs Ervins , Ivanov Alexander 
Published: May 2009

AbstractStudy of lifetime bite traces on agnathans and fish (or gnathostomes) from Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and north‐western and central European Russia reveals evidence of predator–prey relationships in communities of Devonian age. Numerous bite traces on skeletal parts of agnathan pteraspidiforms and psammosteiforms, placoderm arthrodires and antiarchs and sarcopterygian porolepiforms and osteolepiforms are described. Evidence of healing shows that prey organisms responded to predation by reconstruction of damaged skeletal elements. Ichthyofaunistic analysis is used to establish possible predators. The most probable predators in the Middle and Late Devonian communities are sarcopterygian porolepiforms and osteolepiforms. Predatory tetrapods become evident during the Famennian. Global analysis of aquatic predators during the Silurian–Devonian interval shows a gradual increase in species numbers with time. During the Late Silurian, only ischnacantid acanthodians, early osteichthyans and sarcopterygians are known to belong to this trophic group. By the end of the Devonian this list is complemented by chondrichthyans, arthrodires, porolepiform, osteolepiform, struniiform and rhizodontiform sarcopterygians and tetrapods. Only Devonian agnathans show no predatory groups. In sarcopterygians, predatory dentitions, which developed according to more or less the same pattern, show little change during the Devonian.
The apical ectodermal ridge in the pectoral fin of the Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri): keeping the fin to limb transition in the fold
Authors: Hodgkinson Verity S. , Ericsson Rolf , Johanson Zerina , Joss Jean M. P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe apical ectodermal ridge (AER) in Neoceratodus develops after an initial period of mesenchymal proliferation and outgrowth of the fin bud and persists until chondrogenesis of the stylopod and zeugopod is initiated. At this time, the lateral margins of the AER convert to the fin fold leading to subsequent development of the dermal fin skeleton. Thorogood's (1991) fin fold model predicts that the AER should persist longer in Neoceratodus than it does in actinopterygians because of the comparatively extensive endochondral skeleton in lungfish. While the AER does persist into early chondrogenesis and is extended compared to actinopterygians (lost before fin radial chondrogenesis) it does not persist into further stages of chondrogenesis, providing partial support for Thorogood's model. Fgf8 appears in the lungfish fin epithelium during the initial period of fin outgrowth before a physical AER forms, when Fgf8 is restricted to the AER plus the preaxial and postaxial epithelium immediately adjacent to the AER. Fgf8 is no longer detected after the AER is replaced by a fin fold. Neoceratodus appears to provide a halfway point between ray fins and limbs during very early development as Thorogood proposed, but not precisely for the reasons his model suggests.
An enigmatic gnathostome vertebrate skull from the Middle Devonian of Bolivia
Authors: Pradel Alan , Maisey John G. , Tafforeau P. , Janvier Philippe 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA new taxon,Ramirosuarezia bolivianan. gen., n. sp. is erected for a single, articulated jawed fish (gnathostome) skull from the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) Icla Formation of Bolivia. The specimen displays an elasmobranch‐like braincase, but lacks unambiguous elasmobranch and even chondrichthyan characters, although its peculiar tooth‐bearing ‘labial’ elements evoke certain stem‐holocephalans. Its endoskeletal elements seem lined with either perichondral bone or non‐prismatic calcified cartilage, but show no evidence of endochondral bone. Although devoid of large dermal bones and scales,R. bolivianashares with certain ‘ostracoderms’, placoderms and holocephalans the lack of an otico‐occipital fissure, but lacks a hypophysial fenestra. Certain features (elongated braincase, ‘labial elements’, sharp denticles and teeth) are also suggestive of the equally enigmatic coeval stensioellids, once regarded as either primitive placoderms or stem holocephalans. The jaws are armed with platelets that bear blunt to pointed and sharp teeth, in which synchrotron radiation microtomography yields evidence of a large pulp cavity, a possibly osteichthyan‐like character. No character clearly supports affinities ofR. bolivianato any of the currently known major gnathostome groups. Tenuous hints suggest a relationship to the enigmatic fossilZamponiopteron, from the Eifelian of Bolivia, known by peculiar calcified ‘fin plates’ and isolated shoulder girdles.
The international influence of the Stockholm School
Authors: Schultze Hans‐Peter 
Published: May 2009

AbstractErik Stensiö revolutionized vertebrate palaeontology by introducing new methods to study the anatomy of fossil agnathans and fish. As head of the department of palaeozoology at the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet in Stockholm, he formed the so‐called ‘Stockholm School’ with his students and foreign researchers. Twice many foreign researchers worked together in the department; in the 1930s the group was composed of European nationals, whereas the group in the 1960s comprised researchers from China, Europe and North America. These people have carried on the ‘message’ in their countries. In contrast, palaeoichthyology faded out at the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, because Stensiö and his followers persisted with the definitions attained without accepting new ideas from outside. The ‘Stockholm School’ therefore had its continuation outside Sweden, and it has only recently returned to Sweden, from England.
Late Devonian tetrapod remains from Red Hill, Pennsylvania, USA: how much diversity?
Authors: Daeschler Edward B. , Clack Jennifer A. , Shubin Neil H. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe remains of Late Devonian tetrapods from the Red Hill locality in Pennsylvania help to elucidate the early stages of tetrapod evolution. Red Hill is a particularly informative site that preserves a diverse fauna and flora within a depositional setting suggesting penecontemporaneous deposition of locally derived material. Here, for the first time, we report on the full suite of early tetrapod remains from Red Hill and consider the implications for tetrapod diversity within the Red Hill ecosystem. Previously described material is reviewed and considered in relation to newly reported specimens. New material described includes isolated skull elements (two jugals, a postorbital, a lacrimal and a coronoid) and postcranial elements (a femur and a gastral scale). The characteristics of many of the Red Hill tetrapod specimens conform to the morphological expectations of Late Devonian forms. Several elements, however, illustrate more derived characteristics and strongly suggest the presence of the oldest known whatcheeriid‐like tetrapod. This study demonstrates the difficulty in making taxonomic associations with isolated remains, even when found in close proximity to one another. Exploration of the characteristics of each element, however, demonstrates the presence of at least three early tetrapod taxa at the Red Hill site.
Phenotypic plasticity, polymorphism and phylogeny within placoderms
Authors: Trinajstic K. , Dennis‐Bryan K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIntraspecies variation, polymorphism and asymmetric traits are observed within two families of Arthrodira, the Incisoscutidae and Camuropiscidae, from the Gogo Formation in northern Western Australia. Individual plates of the head and trunk shield show considerable variation between individuals. Plates that show the greatest degree polymorphic traits are the rostral (R), marginal (M), submarginal (SM), preorbital (PrO), anterior dorsolateral, anterior median ventral (AMV) and posterior ventrolateral (PVL) plates. The paths of the sensory line canals are the most variable feature and the dermal plates of the cheek show the greatest asymmetry. It is apparent that if anatomical data in arthrodires are to be interpreted with greater precision, detailed knowledge of intraspecies variation, polymorphic and asymmetric traits is essential. How these variables are treated in cladistic analysis is also critical. Here multistate characters were coded differently in five discrete analyses, each analysis yielding a different number of trees and relationships. It was concluded that including and coding for multistate characters gave the most robust tree. In addition, further morphological characters from a new specimen of Gogosteus sarahae Long (1994) indicates many of the characters used to separate this genus from Incisoscutum are inconsistent and so it is here considered that the genus Gogosteus is a junior synonym of Incisoscutum.
Two new iniopterygians (Chondrichthyes) from the Mississippian (Serpukhovian) Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana with evidence of a new form of chondrichthyan neurocranium
Authors: Grogan Eileen D. , Lund Richard 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe Iniopterygia are Palaeozoic chondrichthyans whose morphology and relationships are poorly understood. The morphology of two new taxa of Iniopterygidae, Rainerichthys zangerli and Papilionichthys stahlae, from the Upper Mississippian of Montana is now described. They exhibit the iniopterygian synapomorphy of dorsolaterally placed pectoral fins. They also display a laterally compressed head and body, a homocercal tail, and a single aspinous dorsal fin originating at approximately mid‐body. These taxa differ in upper dental elements, bony cranial plates, body squamation, buccopharyngeal denticles, cranial linking cartilages, palatoquadrate shape, pterygoid articulation, pectoral axis and pectoral girdle shape, and in the robustness of branchial and suprascapular cartilages. The neurocranium is unique among known chondrichthyans in presenting anterior ethmosphenoid and posterior otico‐occipital units separated by an intracranial joint. A complete otico‐occipital fissure is found posteriorly. One to two pairs of upper parasymphysial whorls and one median lower premandibular symphysial whorl are present. Symphysial whorls were mobile and the cranial complex appears to have been kinetic. Cladistic assessment places these new taxa as basal chondrichthyans below the divergence of the Elasmobranchii and the Euchondrocephali. The range of morphology within known iniopterygians supports rapid diversification and niche specialization in this group of atypical chondrichthyans.
A new platysomid from the Upper Carboniferous of Kansas (USA) and remarks on the systematics of deep‐bodied lower actinopterygians
Authors: Mickle Kathryn E. , Bader Kenneth 
Published: May 2009

AbstractScales and presumptive tooth plates from deep‐bodied platysomid actinopterygians have previously been reported from the Lower Permian of Kansas (USA), but until now, an articulated specimen from this state has not been recovered. The first articulated deep‐bodied platysomid fish from the Upper Carboniferous of Kansas is described herein. This specimen is compared to other known species from the genus Platysomus, with special attention paid to the North American taxa. The cranial osteology of this new specimen is closest to Platysomus schultzei from the Upper Carboniferous of New Mexico. The newly described platysomid species highlights the need for a revision of the fish included within the genus Platysomus.