bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A prospective evaluation of the impact of scheduled follow‐up appointments with compliance rates after vasectomy
Authors: Dhar Nivedita Bhatta , Jones J. Stephen , Bhatt Amit , Babineau Denize 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVETo prospectively determine the impact of scheduled follow‐up appointments with compliance rates after vasectomy.PATIENT AND METHODSDuring a study period of 18 months, 228 consecutive men had a vasectomy, of whom 114 were instructed to bring a semen sample to the office and 114 were given a follow‐up appointment to submit samples. All men were instructed to submit specimens at 2 months after vasectomy and at 1‐month intervals until two consecutive samples were azoospermic. The mean (range) follow‐up was 16 (6–24) months. Compliance rates for the appointment and no‐appointment group were compared using a two‐sided Fisher’s exact test. A subgroup analysis used a logistic regression model.RESULTSIn the appointment group, 96/114 (84%) of patients complied with instructions to bring the first sample at 2 months, and in the no‐appointment group, 74/114 (65%) complied (P = 0.001). In the appointment group, 43/114 (48%) of patients complied with instructions to provide two consecutive azoospermic specimens and in the no‐appointment group, 23/114 (20%) complied (P = 0.005). A subgroup analysis of patients who provided a sample at 2 months indicated that, on adjusting for the results of the first test, patients with appointments were 1.17 times more likely to provide additional specimens than patients with no appointments. Adjusting for the type of appointment, patients who had sperm present in the first test were 6.72 times more likely to provide additional specimens than patients who were azoospermic on the first test.CONCLUSIONScheduling an appointment after vasectomy provides a statistically and clinically significant improvement in compliance.
Dynamic dose‐feedback prostate brachytherapy in patients with large prostates and/or planned transurethral surgery before implantation
Authors: Acher Peter L. , Popert Rick , Morris Stephen L. , Potters Louis , Austin‐Smith Susan L. , Johnson Ursula H. , Nichol Janette E. , Beaney Ronald P. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVETo compare the quality of permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) implants, dosimetric outcomes and urinary morbidity between patients with large (>50 mL) and those with smaller prostates, treated with a dynamic dose‐feedback technique as monotherapy for localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe series included patients with pre‐existing bladder outlet obstruction managed with planned transurethral resection or incision of the prostate; 155 consecutive men had PPB implants as monotherapy for localized prostate cancer using a dynamic dose‐feedback approach. Dosimetric variables assessed included the implant volume, the minimum dose to 90% of the prostate (D90), and the volumes of prostate receiving 100% and 150% of the prescribed dose as a percentage of the total volume (V100 and V150), during and after implantation. Urinary morbidity was recorded in terms of acute urinary retention (AUR), the need for surgical intervention after implantation and the American Urologic Association (AUA) symptom score at baseline, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months.RESULTSIn all, 38 patients had prostate volumes of ≥50 mL; prostate volume had no influence on any dosimetric variable assessed. Two patients with large prostates (≥50 mL) had AUR and required delayed surgery. Three patients with small prostates (<50 mL) had transient retention; the differences were not statistically significant (Fisher’s exact test). AUA symptom scores peaked at 6 weeks and returned to baseline within a year; there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Eight patients had planned transurethral surgery at ≥4 months before implantation; they all had D90s of >130 Gy and had no incontinence.CONCLUSIONUsing the dynamic feedback technique, there was no adverse dosimetric and urinary morbidity in men having PPB and with prostates of >50 mL. Likewise, there were no impediments, e.g. pubic arch interference, which precluded a favourable dosimetric implant in men with a large prostate. Large prostates should not be a contraindication to PPB and require no hormonal cytoreduction. Patients with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms can be managed with planned transurethral prostatic surgery before implantation, without compromising implant quality or morbidity.
Serum lipid level in Iranian patients with psoriasis
Authors: Farshchian M , Zamanian A , Farshchian M , Monsef A‐R , Mahjub H 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory and proliferative skin disease associated with abnormal lipid metabolism. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with psoriasis may have an increased risk of occlusive vascular disease.Objectives  The aim of this study was to determine lipid profile in Iranian patients with psoriasis.Subjects and methods  A cross‐sectional study was performed in 30 patients with approved psoriasis diagnosis attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department at Sina Hospital, Hamedan, Iran and 30 matched healthy individuals.Fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) were measured using standard enzymatic method. The psoriasis activity was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI Index).Results  FBS levels were higher in patients with psoriasis diagnosis but the differences were not significant (P‐value = 0.284).There were no significant differences between serum levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in two groups. There were no differences in lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, VLDL) compared with control subjects. (P‐value > 0.05)PASI Index and lipid profile did not have any significant correlation.The correlation between duration of disease and LDL were significant (P‐value = 0.033).Conclusion  Lipid profile in Iranian patients with psoriasis did not differ compared with control‐matched subjects.
Malignant transformation of leg ulcers: a retrospective study of 85 cases
Authors: Combemale P , Bousquet M , Kanitakis J , Bernard P ,   the Angiodermatology group of the French Society of Dermatology
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Malignant transformation remains a rare, under‐recognized and ominous, complication of leg ulcers, although its exact prevalence is unknown.Patients and methods  This retrospective French study included cases of chronic ulcers of vascular origin complicated by histologically proven carcinomas. For squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the duration of the ulcer had to be longer than 3 years. For basal cell carcinomas (BCC), a negative previous biopsy of the ulcer was considered.Results  Eighty patients, accounting for 85 tumours, were included, with a female : male ratio of 2.5 : 1 and a mean age of 75 years. Eighty‐eight percent of the ulcers were of venous origin and their mean duration was 27.5 years. Five patients developed bilateral cancers. Clinical findings included abnormal granulation tissue in 76% of cases, absence of healing in 14% and unusual extension in 6%. Histologically, 83/85 (98%) of tumours were SCC, among which 82% were very well or well differentiated and 18% moderately or poorly differentiated. The two remaining cases were BCC. The overall death rate was 32%; it was higher when lymph‐node (66%) or visceral metastases (83%) were present. Leg amputation was performed in 29/51 (57%) of patients, irrespective of the degree of histological differentiation. For well‐differentiated (grade I) and localized (stage Ia) SCC, simple surgical excision was preferred to amputation.Conclusion  Malignant transformation of chronic leg ulcers of vascular origin is mainly encountered in elderly patients and manifests as an abnormally vegetating lesion, which may be occasionally bilateral. Malignant transformation usually occurs towards well‐differentiated SCC and only exceptionally towards BCC. The high death rate, especially in metastatic cases, is at least partly due to delay in diagnosis. Surgery remains the treatment of choice. Leg amputation should be considered in the most extensive cases.
Treatment of vitiligo vulgaris with narrow‐band UVB and oral Polypodium leucotomos extract: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Middelkamp‐Hup MA , Bos JD , Rius‐Diaz F , Gonzalez S , Westerhof W 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  The first choice treatment for vitiligo vulgaris is narrow‐band UVB (NB‐UVB), but no satisfactory treatment exists.Objectives  To investigate if Polypodium leucotomos, an antioxidative and immunomodulatory plant extract, improves NB‐UVB‐induced repigmentation.Methods  Fifty patients with vitiligo vulgaris randomly received 250 mg oral P. leucotomos or placebo three times daily, combined with NB‐UVB twice weekly for 25–26 weeks.Results  Repigmentation was higher in the P. leucotomos group vs. placebo in the head and neck area (44% vs. 27%, P = 0.06). Small repigmentation increases (P = n.s.) were observed for the trunk (6% increased repigmentation), extremities (4%), and hands and feet (5%) in the P. leucotomos group vs. placebo. Patients attending more than 80% of required NB‐UVB sessions showed increased repigmentation in the head and neck area in the P. leucotomos group vs. placebo (50% vs. 19%, P < 0.002); no significant differences were seen in the other body areas. Patients with skin types 2 and 3 showed more repigmentation in the head and neck area in the P. leucotomos group vs. placebo (47% vs. 21%, P = 0.01), and no significant differences were seen in the other body areas. No conclusions could be drawn on skin types 4 and 5 due to low patient numbers.Conclusion  There is a clear trend towards an increase in repigmentation of vitiligo vulgaris affecting the head and neck area when NB‐UVB phototherapy is combined with oral P. leucotomos. This effect may be more pronounced in light skin types.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellites from a marine foodfish species ribbonfish Trichiurus haumela
Authors: YANG WEN TONG , FENG FELICIA , YUE GEN HUA 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe ribbonfish, Trichiurus haumela, is an important marine foodfish species. Supply of this fish relies on capture from the wild. No information about genetic diversity and population structure of wild stocks is available. Therefore, we developed the first set of 10 polymorphic microsatellites. The average allele number was 13.2 per locus ranging from six to 20. The expected heterozygosity was 0.84, whereas the observed heterozygosity was 0.71. This set of microsatellites provides a tool for assessing genetic diversity and population structure of this species.
Tetranucleotide microsatellites from the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
Authors: SHAMBLIN BRIAN M. , FAIRCLOTH BRANT C. , DODD MARK , WOOD‐JONES ALICIA , CASTLEBERRY STEVEN B. , CARROLL JOHN P. , NAIRN C. JOSEPH 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 15 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The primers were tested on 30 individuals that nested along the Georgia, USA coast. The primer pairs developed in this study yielded an average of 13.9 alleles per locus (range of 10–21), an average observed heterozygosity of 0.91 (range 0.79–1.00), and an average polymorphic information content of 0.88 (range 0.84–0.92).
Temporal patterns of territory settlement and detectability in mated and unmated NightingalesLuscinia megarhynchos
Authors: AMRHEIN VALENTIN , KUNC HANSJOERG P. , SCHMIDT ROUVEN , NAGUIB MARC 
Published: January 2007

In many bird species the sex ratio of adults is male‐biased, which is likely to have consequences for the ecology as well as for the conservation of a species. For example, when some males remain unpaired in a population, there should be strong selection on behavioural traits that enhance pairing success. A surplus of males is also likely to have important implications for the interpretation of breeding bird survey data. In our study population of NightingalesLuscinia megarhynchos, about half of the males stayed unpaired, suggesting that the number of males encountered singing was greater than the number of breeding pairs. Furthermore, the detectability (the probability of encountering a male singing) of mated males was only two‐thirds that of unmated males when censused in the morning or late in the breeding season. The relative detectability was more similar early in the season and during the twilight periods before sunrise and after sunset. Males that arrived earlier on the breeding grounds were more successful in attracting a mate than males arriving later. Some of the unmated males deserted their territories and prospected areas up to 4000 m distant, whereas others settled on the study site only late in the season and may actually have changed territories. We suggest that adult sex ratios and the time of the census should be taken into account when interpreting the results of breeding bird surveys.
Dietary specialization and fruit availability among frugivorous birds on Sulawesi
Authors: WALKER JONATHAN S. 
Published: January 2007

Over 20 months I collected data on the diet composition and fruit availability for 23 frugivorous bird species (pigeons, parrots, hornbills and passerines) in two lowland rain forests on Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using these data I determined species dependency on fruit, diet composition, diet breadth and the availability of their fruit resources. Fruit dependency ranged from 44 to 100% of diets across the assemblage, with significant inter‐order differences reflecting shared evolutionary history within orders. By contrast, diet breadths did not differ between bird orders owing to high within‐order variability, possibly as a result of species‐specific foraging strategies. Overall, no significant relationship existed between fruit dependency and diet breadth, which indicated that they are not interchangeable measures of dietary specialization, but that each provided important information on dietary specialization, and enabled assessment of resource requirements and availability. The assemblage consumed the fruits of 120 species representing 40 plant families. Figs (Ficus spp.) were of great importance across the assemblage and comprised 57% of all fruit‐eating records. For hornbills, passerines and pigeons, figs accounted for substantial proportions of monthly feeding records (= 58%) and were consumed whatever the availability of other fruits. Figs were therefore a fundamental part of species’ diets, possibly every month, and not merely important during times of relative scarcity of other fruit. Conservation of fig trees both inside and outside protected areas is likely to be important in maintaining healthy populations of figs and the frugivorous birds that depend on them.
Weather‐dependent survival: implications of climate change for passerine population processes
Authors: ROBINSON ROBERT A. , BAILLIE STEPHEN R. , CRICK HUMPHREY Q. P. 
Published: January 2007

Understanding demographic processes will be essential to construct robust models of population responses to climate change. We show that survival is related to the strength of the North Atlantic Oscillation in five out of ten British resident passerine species, and explore the importance of biologically more specific variables (duration of winter frosts and snow periods; occurrence of cold, wet days; spring temperature; and summer drought). The most important variables differed between species in relation to differences in foraging strategy. In almost all cases, first‐year survival was influenced by weather more than was the survival of adult birds. Particularly vulnerable species, such as the Wren Troglodytes troglodytes, may exhibit a 25% reduction in juvenile survival rates due to adverse weather within the range experienced in the last 30 years; variation in survival by 10% or more is commonplace in most species. Thus, climate influences on food availability may provide the mechanism by which populations will alter under changed climatic conditions, though the presence of density dependence may reduce the impact of this on long‐term population trajectories.
The response of the hepatocyte to ischemia
Authors: Massip‐Salcedo M. , Roselló‐Catafau J. , Prieto J. , Avíla M. A. , Peralta C. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract:Background: Ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury associated with hepatic resections and liver transplantation remains a serious complication in clinical practice, in spite of several attempts to solve the problem.Aims: To evaluate the response of the hepatocyte to ischemiaMethods: Published data are thus revised.Results: The response of the hepatocyte to ischemia is based on the sensitivity of hepatocytes to different types of ischemia, the kind of cell death of the hepatocyte when it is subjected to ischemia, and on the response of the hepatocyte to the different times and extents of ischemia. Clinical factors including starvation, graft, age, and hepatic steatosis, all of which contribute to enhancing liver susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion injury.Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning, based on the induction of a brief ischemia to the liver prior to a prolonged ischemia, has been applied in tumor hepatic resections for reducing hepatic I/R injury and recent clinical studies suggest that this surgical strategy could be appropriate for liver transplantation.
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastroesophageal Reflux in a Population‐Based Study (The HUNT Study)
Authors: Nordenstedt Helena , Nilsson Magnus , Johnsen Roar , Lagergren Jesper , Hveem Kristian 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection may prevent gastroesophageal reflux, possibly through gastric atrophy. Since, however, previous results are contradictory and no population‐based studies are available, the relationship between H. pylori and reflux remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship in a population‐based, nested, case‐control study.Methods:  From a cohort of 65,363 individuals, representing 71.2% of the adult population in the Norwegian county of Nord‐Trondelag, we randomly selected 472 persons with recurrent reflux symptoms (cases) and 472 without such symptoms (controls). Occurrence of H. pylori and its virulence factor cagA was determined serologically, using an immunoblot assay. Gastric atrophy was assessed through serum levels of pepsinogen I. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounding factors, represented relative risks.Results:  H. pylori infection was not associated with a decreased risk of reflux symptoms (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.6), irrespective of positive cagA status (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.5). Gastric atrophy reduced the risk of reflux symptoms (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.0–0.6). Infection with H. pylori entailed a ninefold increase in the risk of gastric atrophy compared to non‐infection (OR 8.9, 95% CI 2.0–39.9).Conclusions:  H. pylori infection, irrespective of cagA status, did not affect the occurrence of reflux symptoms in this population‐based setting. Infected individuals are at increased risk of gastric atrophy, which in turn reduces reflux symptoms, but due to the low frequency of gastric atrophy among infected individuals overall, there was no association with reflux symptoms on a population level.
Oral Health Status and Oral Hygiene Practices of Patients with Peptic Ulcer and How These Affect Helicobacter pylori Eradication from the Stomach
Authors: Namiot Dorota B. , Namiot Zbigniew , Kemona Andrzej , Bucki Robert , Gotębiewska Maria 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori eradication from the oral cavity is more difficult than from the stomach. Thus, if the bacterium survives the antibacterial therapy in the oral cavity, it would be able to re‐infect the stomach within a few weeks. Since oral health status could correspond to oral infection with H. pylori, the aim of the study was to determine whether oral health and oral hygiene practices affect the efficacy of H. pylori eradication from the stomach.Material and Methods:  The study was performed in 137 patients with peptic ulcer who had undergone a 7‐day course of eradication treatment with one of two sets of drugs: 1, omeprazole, amoxicillin, and tinidazole or 2, omeprazole, clarithromycin, and tinidazole. The efficacy of H. pylori eradication from the stomach was evaluated at the second gastroscopy 4 weeks after cessation of eradication therapy by means of two methods: rapid urease test and histology. The examination of natural dentition and prosthetic restorations as well as the assessment of hygienic procedures referring to natural dentition and dentures accompanied the second gastroscopy.Results:  No association was found between the efficacy of H. pylori eradication from the stomach and the number of natural teeth, decayed teeth, use of dentures, debris index, or periodontal index. However, an association between eradication success and some oral hygiene procedures were noted. Unexpectedly, in patients treated with omeprazole, amoxicillin and tinidazole, the removal of dental prosthesis for the night and brushing the natural teeth twice a day or more reduced the efficacy of H. pylori eradication from the stomach.Conclusions:  Oral health and oral hygiene practices seem unlikely to increase the efficacy of H. pylori eradication from the stomach.
Factors Related to Helicobacter pylori Prevalence in an Adult Population in Brazil
Authors: Zaterka Schlioma , Eisig Jaime N. , Chinzon Decio , Rothstein Wolfgang 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is higher in developing countries. Sanitary facilities, crowding and ethnic group are some of the factors related to H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate in blood donors, free of dyspeptic symptoms, the prevalence and factors influencing H. pylori infection.Materials and Methods:  This study was conducted in São Paulo, a city known to have a mixed population coming from all over the country. A total of 1008 blood donors were initially included in the study. After a final revision of all the questionnaires, 993 were included in the final analysis (746 males). H. pylori status was checked by an ELISA test. The following associations to infection were analyzed: sex, age, ethnic group, previous upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, type of drinking water, crowding, sanitary facilities, and family income.Results:  Infection was observed in 496 of 746 male (66.5%) and in 156 of 247 female (63.2%) blood donors. Infection prevalence increased according to age group, regardless of sex. Prevalence was lower in White population than in non‐White. No relationship was observed between infection and smoking, drug addiction, and alcohol. A positive relation was observed between infection and previous upper GI endoscopy, and type of drinking water, regardless if currently or during childhood. Crowding and lack of toilet in the house during childhood resulted in a higher infection rate. Lower familial income and educational level showed a positive association to infection.Conclusions:  Prevalence of H. pylori is higher in non‐White population, independent of gender. A positive association was observed in aging, previous upper GI endoscopy, crowding, type of drinking water, lack of toilet during childhood, lower family income, and lower educational level.