bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toxicodendron dermatitis in the UK
Authors: Walker S. L. , Lear J. T. , Beck M. H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  We present two cases of Toxicodendron dermatitis, one acquired in the United States but presenting in the United Kingdom (UK), the other a recurrent dermatitis following importation of the plant to the UK.Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are native to North America and belong to the genus Toxicodendron. This group of plants is of interest to the dermatologist because they contain a mixture of potent sensitisers which cause a severe allergic contact dermatitis.Conclusions  The dermatitis can present to the dermatologist in Europe after an individual has been in contact with the plant whilst visiting an endemic area. The plants have the potential to grow in Europe and it is therefore possible for an individual to be sensitised and subsequently to develop the rash without leaving the continent.
Clinical features of late‐onset Behçet's disease: Report of nine cases
Authors: Saricaoglu Hayriye , Karadogan Serap Koran , Bayazit Neval , Yucel Ali , Dilek Kamil , Tunali Sukran 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Behçet's disease (BD) is usually diagnosed between the second and fourth decades. Onset after 50 years of age is extremely rare. We aimed to analyze the clinical features of late‐onset patients with BD.Method  The study was conducted from 439 patients diagnosed as BD according to criteria of the International Study Group for BD. Clinical features of patients who were asymptomatic or suffered from only recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) until 50 years of age but fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of BD after this age were reviewed.Results  The age‐of‐onset was more than 50 years in nine patients (1.56%). Two patients developed erythema nodosum, two developed pathergy positivity, one developed papulopustules, pathergy positivity and ocular symptoms, one developed papulopustules and pathergy positivity, one developed ocular symptoms, one developed papulopustules and ocular symptoms, and one developed erythema nodosum and pathergy positivity as well as oral aphthae and genital ulcerations after the age of 50 years. The neurologic system was involved in two patients. Mucocutaneous symptoms of two patients worsened after interruption of therapy. Two patients with neurologic and ocular involvement flared during the follow up.Conclusion  Since the course of the disease is regarded to be relatively mild in mature patients, it is noteworthy that systemic manifestations such as ocular and neurologic involvement and acute flares developed after the age of 50 years in the limited number of patients with late‐onset BD in our series.
Clinical, histologic and immunologic features of pemphigus in Bangladesh
Authors: Amin Md. Nurul , Islam A. Z. M. Maidul 
Published: June 2006

We studied the clinical, histologic and immunologic features of 32 pemphigus patients evaluated in Dhaka. The diagnosis was pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in 72% of cases, and pemphigus foliaceous (PF) in 28%, with male to female ratios of 1.3 : 1 and 1.25 : 1, respectively. Only 25% of PV patients had vesicles or bullae involving mucous membranes as the initial presentation. Direct (DIF) and indirect (IIF) immunofluorescence tests were positive in all 32 patients. The DIF testing of tissue demonstrated intercellular substance (ICS) deposition of IgG (59%) or IgG plus C3 (41%). Serum ICS antibody titers ranged from 1 : 20–40 in PV and from 1 : 10–20 in patients with PF. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the characteristics of pemphigus in Bangladesh.
Florida Scrub‐Jays Compensate for the Sentinel Behavior of Flockmates
Authors: Bednekoff Peter A. , Woolfenden Glen E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSentinel coordination requires that individuals react to the sentinel behavior of others. Previous work showed that Florida scrub‐jays are sentinels more often when given supplemental food. Here we measured how birds in pairs reacted when their mates were fed. Scrub‐jays were sentinels less when their mates were fed, demonstrating compensation. Indirect evidence suggests that this compensatory decrease in sentinel behavior was smaller than the increase in sentinel behavior by their mates. In addition, males in newly established groups were sentinels less often.
Habitat Quality, Social Dominance and Dawn Chorus Song Output in Black‐Capped Chickadees
Authors: Van Oort Harry , Otter Ken A. , Fort Kevin T. , Holschuh Carmen I. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIndividuals that settle in poor habitats may reduce resource investments in various life history traits; for example, resources may be withheld from costly advertisement signals. There may be geographic variation in advertisement levels that correspond with habitat quality; however, this is poorly documented and it is unclear whether such habitat effects have consequences for the function of mate‐choice signals within habitats. We examined song output of male black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) during the dawn chorus in two contrasting habitats (mature forest vs. young forest) known to differ in quality. Dominance rank is indicative of phenotypic quality in this species and was assessed during the preceding winter. We measured the song output of males participating in the dawn chorus during the nesting/egg laying period. Males living in young forest had reduced song output; however, a habitat–rank interaction term showed that dominant birds accounted for most of this difference. This suggests that signal reliability might be lost in poor habitats. We generate several hypotheses to explain these findings.
Prediction of the prognosis in patients with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis using the MELD scoring system
Authors: Yu Jian‐Wu , Wang Gui‐Qiang , Li Shu‐Chen 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAim:  To predict prognosis in patients with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis (AOCH) using the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) scoring system and to study the effects of age, sex, etiology, low serum sodium, and persistent ascites on MELD.Methods:  The MELD scores of 300 patients with AOCH were calculated according to the original formula. The 3‐month mortality in patients was measured, and the validity of the models was determined by means of the concordance (c) statistic. The influential factors on MELD were also assessed.Results:  The 3‐month mortality of AOCH patients with a MELD score of 20–29 was 56.0%, with a score of 30–39 it was 76.5%, and with a score over 40 it was 98.2%. The concordance (c) statistic of 3‐month mortality was 0.782. Univariate analysis showed that mortality was significantly related to age (P = 0.047), etiology (P = 0.039), serum sodium (P = 0.029) and ascites (P = 0.031) for patients with MELD scores 20–29. In multivariate analysis, in patients with MELD scores 20–29, age (P = 0.012), etiology (P = 0.024), serum sodium (P = 0.005) and ascites (P = 0.017) were independent predictors of mortality; for MELD scores above 30, only MELD score (P = 0.015) was independently predictive.Conclusions:  The MELD scoring system is a reliable method for predicting mortality in patients with AOCH. In the group with MELD score 20–29, factors including age, etiology, presence of low serum sodium and persistent ascites may influence the MELD scoring system. The MELD score is the decisive predictor of the prognosis of patients with AOCH when the MELD score is over 30.
QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH INGUINAL HERNIA
Authors: Mathur Sachin , Bartlett Adam St. J. R. , Gilkison William , Krishna Govind 
Published: June 2006

Background:  The natural history of untreated inguinal hernia (IH) is poorly understood. Whether a delay in operative repair of IH leads to excessive physical suffering or significant psychosocial impairment is not known. This study attempts to quantify the morbidity of patients with IH by assessing their quality of life (QOL) while on a waiting list for IH surgery.Methods:  QOL was measured in adult patients with IH who were on the waiting list using a standardized SF‐36 questionnaire. Scores were compared with a sample of age‐, sex‐ and comorbidity‐matched controls.Results:  A total of 143 patients were identified, of which 106 were included in the study. Patients with IH had significantly impaired QOL compared with comorbidity‐ and demographic‐matched controls across all of the domains measured. Subgroup analysis showed an inverse relationship between the size of the IH and the QOL and patients employed in manual work tended to have lower QOL compared with those with sedentary vocations.Conclusions:  In conclusion, we showed that the SF‐36 score is a good measure of QOL in this patient group. Those patients on the elective waiting list for repair of IH have a significantly impaired QOL compared with age‐, sex‐ and comorbidity‐matched controls.
PUBLICATION BIAS IN PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE AUSTRALIAN ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
Authors: Harris Ian A. , Mourad Mohamed S. , Kadir Agus , Solomon Michael J. , Young Jane M. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  The selective publication of articles based on factors, such as positive outcome, statistical significance and study size is known as publication bias. If publication bias is present, any clinical decision based on a review of the published work will also be biased. Publication bias has been shown in various specialties, based on review of publication rates for abstracts presented at major scientific meetings. This study was conducted to investigate publication bias in orthopaedics.Methods:  Abstracts presented at the 1998 Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Details of sample size, study setting, country of origin, outcome and study type were recorded for each abstract. Publication within 5 years was ascertained by electronic searching of Medline and Embase databases and direct author contact. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of publication.Results:  The overall publication rate was 31%. Publication was more likely if the study was a laboratory study, rather than a clinical study (odds ratio (OR), 3.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69–7.01, P < 0.001). Sample size, country of origin, study type, statistical significance and positive outcome were not significantly associated with publication.Conclusion:  According to this study, laboratory studies were significantly more likely to be published than clinical studies. In contrast to previous studies, publication bias due to the selective publication of papers with a positive outcome or those reporting statistical significance was not found.
EFFECT OF RESECTION AND OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH RETROPERITONEAL SARCOMA
Authors: Chiappa Antonio , Zbar Andrew P. , Biffi Roberto , Bertani Emilio , Biella Francesca , Viale Giuseppe , Pace Ugo , Pruneri Giancarlo , Orecchia Roberto , Lazzari Roberta , Poldi Davide , Andreoni Bruno 
Published: June 2006

Background:  A consecutive series of 47 patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) were resected and prospectively followed.Method:  Between July 1994 and March 2005, 47 patients (24 men, 23 women; mean age, 56 years; range, 17–82 years) were evaluated.Results:  A total of 23 patients had primary RPS and 24 patients had recurrent RPS. A total of 30 out of 47 patients (64%) underwent removal of contiguous intra‐abdominal organs. The peroperative mortality was nil and significant preoperative complications occurred in eight cases only (17%). High tumour grade and incomplete resection were significant variables for a worse survival in all 47 patients, both in the univariate and multivariate analyses (P = 0.008 and P = 0.016, respectively). Among 28 radically resected patients, only histological grade affected overall survival (90% 5‐year survival for low‐grade tumour vs 26% 5‐year survival for high‐grade tumour; P = 0.006) with a similar effect noted for disease‐free survival.Conclusions:  Histological grade was the only factor that affected overall and disease‐free survival for RPS tumours. An aggressive surgical approach in both primary and recurrent RPS is associated with long‐term survival.
RECURRENT PHYLLODES TUMOURS OF THE BREAST: PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Tan Ern Y. , Hoon Tan Puay , Yong Wei S. , Wong Hwee B. , Hui Ho G. , Yeo Allen W. Y. , Wong Chow Y. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Phyllodes tumours (PT) of the breast are fibro‐epithelial neoplasms that are known to recur locally in up to 19% of patients. The failure to achieve adequate surgical margins is an important risk factor for local recurrence. This, however, is a common problem as PT are clinically similar to the more common fibro‐adenoma and are therefore often locally excised without any gross surgical margins. It is still debatable as to whether it is necessary to subject the patient to repeat surgery to obtain pathologically negative margins after a diagnosis of a benign or borderline PT is made. Although the majority of recurrences are histologically similar to the initial tumour, a malignant recurrence is possible. Malignant tumours can metastasize through the haematogenous route and metastases are associated with a poor prognosis as they are poorly responsive to conventional chemotherapy.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed 37 women who presented with local recurrence over a 10‐year period to the Singapore General Hospital. Data, including age at the time of diagnosis, clinical presentation, histological features, type of surgery carried out, clinical progression and characteristics of locally recurrent disease, were analysed. Comparisons were made between those with benign, borderline and malignant tumours, as well as between those who developed a malignant recurrence and those who did not.Results:  The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 39.6 ± 7.4 years and the mean tumour size was 6.0 ± 5.1 cm. A total of 22 patients were classified as having benign tumour, 9 as having borderline tumour and 6 as having malignant tumour. Tumour grade did not influence the tumour size, the adequacy of surgical margins or the time interval to local recurrence or the number of recurrences. Local recurrence occurred after a median interval of 20 months. Although malignant tumours tended to recur earlier, this was not found to be statistically significant. The majority of recurrent tumours were histologically similar to the initial tumour; however, seven patients (19%) developed a malignant recurrence from an initially benign or borderline tumour. Although these tumours were larger, recurred more frequently and within a shorter interval, no significant predictive factor was found on multivariate analysis. Distant metastasis developed only in patients with malignant tumours and accounted for all three mortalities in the study.Conclusions:  It may be acceptable to use an expectant management towards benign and borderline tumours that are excised without adequate surgical margins. However, surgery for locally recurrent tumours, as well as malignant tumours, should aim to achieve adequate surgical margins to reduce the risk of local recurrence, particularly that of a malignant recurrence.
EFFECT OF AGE ON PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC CANCER
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Osaki Tomohiro , Murakami Daiki , Sakamoto Teruhisa , Kanaji Shingo , Tatebe Shigeru , Tsujitani Shunichi , Ikeguchi Masahide 
Published: June 2006

Background:  The incidence of gastric cancer among the elderly has recently been increasing; however, the prognostic value of age in patients with gastric cancer remains elusive.Methods:  A total of 1473 patients with gastric cancer, who had undergone curative gastrectomy were reviewed to investigate the prognostic significance of age.Results:  Blood vessel invasion and differentiated type were more frequently observed in elderly than nonelderly patients (P < 0.0001) and elderly patients underwent limited lymph node dissection compared with nonelderly patients (P < 0.001). Moreover, chemotherapy was carried out in nonelderly patients more frequently than in elderly patients (P < 0.005). Ten‐year survival rates were 70.2 and 81.4% in elderly and nonelderly patients, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Postoperative mortality rates were 3.2 and 2.0% in elderly and nonelderly patients, respectively. Hematogenous recurrence was more frequently observed in elderly patients than nonelderly patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age was an independent prognostic factor.Conclusions:  Age clinically serves as a simple predictor of survival in patients with gastric cancer and should be taken into account along with conventional clinicopathological variables such as depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis.
OCCURRENCE AND FATE OF PALMAR TYPE OF MEDIAN ARTERY
Authors: D’Costa Sujatha , Narayana Kilarkaje , Narayan Prashanthi , Jiji  , Nayak Soubhagya R. , Madhan S. J. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  The median artery represents a persistent part of the embryonic arterial axis of the upper extremity. It appears mainly as two types: an antebrachial type and a palmar type. The palmar type is of major clinical significance.Method:  This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence and fate of the palmar type of the median artery in 19 cadavers. The occurrence was 15.8% and of this two incidences (5.2%) were on the right side and four (10.6%) were on the left side. On the right side, the artery originated from the ulnar and joined with the superficial palmar arch or anterior interosseous artery and communicated with the radial artery.Conclusions:  This study concludes that palmar type of median artery is found at a higher incidence than the antebrachial type and that it may be involved in the pronator teres syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and anterior interosseous syndrome.
IS LOBECTOMY NECESSARY IN THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY HYDATID CYSTS?
Authors: Hasdiraz Leyla , Oğuzkaya Fahri , Bilgin Mehmet 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Hydatidosis is endemic in Turkey and many other areas of the world. The definitive treatment for pulmonary hydatidosis is surgical. The purpose of this study was the review of surgical therapy of our patients with pulmonary hydatid disease and the necessity of lobectomy.Methods:  We reviewed 107 patients: 26 of whom were women and 81 were men. The median age was 30 years (range, 7–57 years). Chest roentgenogram, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest and upper abdomen were carried out as diagnostic study. All patients underwent thoracotomy and cystotomy with or without capitonnage.Results:  Four patients had two cysts in the same lobe and one patient had three cysts (one perforated and two intact) in the left lower lobe (4.6%). In nine patients, the cysts were >10 cm in diameter (8.4%). In 18 patients, the cysts were suppurative (16.8%). None of the patients required lobectomy. Of the 107 patients, prolonged air leaks (n = 8), atelectasis (n = 3) and empyema (n = 3; two had empyema preoperatively because of pleural perforation of cysts and the other had prolonged air leak) were observed in the postoperative period. There was no death.Conclusion:  The effective treatment of hydatid cysts in the lung is the complete excision of the cyst with maximum preservation of lung parenchyma. We believe that the decision of lobectomy must be taken very carefully, even in the case of infected hydatid cysts, atelectasis, giant cysts and multiple cysts in the same lobe.
Risk factors for anxiety at induction of anesthesia in children: a prospective cohort study
Authors: DAVIDSON ANDREW J. , SHRIVASTAVA PRANI P. , JAMSEN KRIS , HUANG GRACE H. , CZARNECKI CAROLINE , GIBSON MARGARET A. , STEWART STEPHANIE A. , STARGATT ROBYN 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground : In children anxiety at induction of anesthesia is a common and important aspect of the psychological impact of anesthesia and surgery. Previous studies examining risk factors for increased anxiety have found contradictory results. This may be due to using small, or highly selective population samples, or failure to adjust for confounding variables. Results may also be culturally or institutionally specific. The aim of this study was to identify possible risk factors in a large representative cohort of children.Methods : One thousand two hundred fifty children aged 3–12 years were recruited. Anxiety at induction of anesthesia was assessed using the modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale. Children with an anxiety score of greater than 30 were classified as having high anxiety. Anesthetists were blinded to the assessment. Data recorded included age, gender, past healthcare history, family details, use of sedative premedication, anesthesia details, admission details, parental anxiety and child temperament. An unadjusted analysis was performed to identify possible risk factors for high anxiety. An adjusted regression analysis was then performed including the potential risk factors identified in the unadjusted analysis.Results : The incidence of high anxiety at induction was 50.2%. In the adjusted analysis, younger age, behavioral problems with previous healthcare attendances, longer duration of procedure, having more than five previous hospital admissions and anxious parents at induction were all associated with high anxiety at induction. Hospital admission via the day stay ward was associated with less anxiety. Sedative premedication was associated with less anxiety in children with ASA status greater than one. However, the variability explained by factors included in the model was low (5.3%).Conclusions : Some simple preoperative questions can help identify children at risk of heightened anxiety at induction of anesthesia; however, it remains difficult to precisely predict which child will experience high anxiety.
The effect of capsicum plaster in pain after inguinal hernia repair in children
Authors: KIM KYO S. , KIM DONG W. , YU YEON K. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground : Capsicum plaster at a classical Chinese acupoint is an alternative to acupuncture, which has been used as a supplemental therapy to opioid analgesics for pain control during the postoperative period. We investigated the postoperative analgesic efficacy of capsicum plaster at Zusanli (ST‐36) points after pediatric hernia repair.Methods : This double‐blind, sham‐controlled study was designed in 108 children, aged 4 month to 9 year, undergoing unilateral hernia repair, and was randomly assigned to three treatment regimens: group Zusanli (Z) = capsicum plaster at Zusanli acupoints and placebo tape on the shoulder as a nonacupoint, group Sham (S) = capsicum plaster on the shoulders and placebo tape at Zusanli acupoints, and group control (C) = placebo tape at Zusanli acupoints and on the shoulder. The postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements during 24 h postoperatively were assessed.Results : Total meperidine consumption was significantly lower in group Z (0.87 ± 0.35 mg·kg−1) compared with group C (1.27 ± 0.41 mg·kg−1) and S (1.22 ± 0.45 mg·kg−1) (P < 0.001). The pain scores on both the objective pain scale (OPS) and the Children Hospital of Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), were significantly lower in group Z compared with the other groups at 6 and 24 h postoperatively, but not at the 10 min and 1 h postoperative time periods.Conclusions : Placement of capsicum plaster at the Zusanli points reduces pain and postoperative opioid consumption in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair, but not in the first six postoperative hours.