bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐radiofrequency ablation syndrome after percutaneous radiofrequency of abdominal tumours: One centre experience and review of published works
Authors: Carrafiello G , Laganà D , Ianniello A , Dionigi G , Novario R , Recaldini C , Mangini M , Cuffari S , Fugazzola C 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively post‐radiofrequency ablation (RFA) syndrome and to determine its effect on the quality of life in the 15 days after percutaneous RFA treatment. We carried out an internal review board‐approved prospective study of the delayed symptoms that occurred after 71 consecutive RFA sessions in 53 patients (12 women and 41 men; age range 45–83 years; mean age 71.6 years) with 45 primary liver tumours, 34 liver metastases, 3 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 2 residual lesions from RCC after nephrectomy and 1 pancreatic metastases from RCC. Postablation symptoms occurred in 17 of 53 (32%) patients. Six of 17 patients developed low‐grade fever (from 37.5 to 38.5°C). Other symptoms included delayed pain (9/17), nausea (7/17), vomiting (3/17), malaise (3/17) and myalgia (1). Postablation syndrome is a common phenomenon after RFA of solid abdominal tumours. Not only in our study but also in the previous ones the occurrence is observed in approximately one‐third patients. Patients should be informed that these symptoms are self‐limiting after RFA and most patients should be able to resume near‐complete preprocedural levels of activity within 10 days after the procedure.
Imaging of ascariasis
Authors: Das CJ , Kumar J , Debnath J , Chaudhry A 
Published: October 2007

Summary Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most common parasitic infestations of the gastrointestinal tract worldwide. During the intestinal phase of the disease, the adult worms usually remain clinically silent, sometimes causing a variety of non‐specific abdominal symptoms. When present in large numbers, the worms may get intertwined into a bolus, causing intestinal obstruction, volvulus or even perforation. Occasionally, the adult Ascaris worm may migrate into the Vater’s ampulla and enter the bile duct, gall bladder or pancreatic duct, leading to a variety of complications such as biliary colic, gallstone formation, cholecystitis, pyogenic cholangitis, liver abscess and pancreatitis. Imaging plays a significant role in showing the presence of worms and possible complications in intestinal as well as hepatobiliary ascariasis. This pictorial essay aims to illustrate various imaging features of ascariasis and its associated complications.
Usefulness of muscle denervation as an MRI sign of peripheral nerve pathology
Authors: Lisle DA , Johnstone SA 
Published: October 2007

SummaryPeripheral nerve disorders may be classified into compressive or entrapment neuropathies and non‐compressive neuropathies. Muscle denervation recognized on MRI may be a useful sign in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders. Acute or subacute denervation results in prolonged T2 relaxation time, producing increased signal in skeletal muscle on short tau inversion‐recovery and fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted images. Chronic denervation produces fatty atrophy of skeletal muscles, resulting in increased muscle signal on T1‐weighted images. This review will outline and illustrate the various ways that muscle denervation as seen on MRI may assist in the diagnosis and localization of peripheral nerve disorders.
Modern imaging of renal tuberculosis in children
Authors: Mapukata A , Andronikou S , Fasulakis S , McCulloch M , Grobbelaar M , Jee L 
Published: October 2007

SummaryRenal tuberculosis is relatively uncommon in children. Imaging of renal tuberculosis in children differs from adults in that intravenous urography is rarely performed for urinary symptoms in childhood because of radiation dose considerations. Modern imaging modalities include cross‐sectional techniques such as ultrasound, CT and MRI, which successfully show renal, calyceal, ureteric and bladder pathology of renal tuberculosis in children.
Comparison of two imaging protocols for acute stroke: Unenhanced cranial CT versus a multimodality cranial CT protocol with perfusion imaging
Authors: Langer RD , Neidl van Gorkom K , Al Kaabi HO , Torab F , Czechowski J , Nagi M , Ashish GM 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe aim of the study was to validate a multimodality cranial computed tomography (CCT) protocol for patients with acute stroke in the United Arab Emirates as a basic imaging procedure for a stroke unit. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted between two groups: retrospective, historical group 1 with early unenhanced CCT and prospective group 2 undergoing a multimodality CCT protocol. Follow‐up unenhanced CCT >48 h served as gold standard in both groups. Group 1: Early unenhanced CCT of 50 patients were evaluated retrospectively, using Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, and compared with the definite infarction on follow‐up CCT. Group 2: 50 patients underwent multimodality CCT (unenhanced CCT, perfusion studies: cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time and CT angiography) <8 h after clinical onset and follow‐up studies. Modified National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was used clinically in both groups. Group 1 showed 38 men, 12 women, clinical onset 2–8 h before CCT and modified National Institute of Health Stroke Scale 0–28. Group 2 included 38 men, 12 women, onset 3–8 h before CCT, modified National Institute of Health Stroke Scale 0–28. Sensitivity was 58.3% in group 1 and 84.2% in group 2. Computed tomography angiography detected nine intracranial occlusions/stenoses. The higher sensitivity of the multimodality CCT protocol justifies its use as a basic diagnostic tool for the set‐up of a first‐stroke unit in the United Arab Emirates.
A randomized cross‐over study of auto‐continuous positive airway pressure versus fixed‐continuous positive airway pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: TO Kin W. , CHAN Wing C. , CHOO Kah L. , LAM Wai K. , WONG Kwan K. , HUI David S. 
Published: October 2007

Background and objectives:  To compare the efficacy of auto‐CPAP (AutoSet Spirit, ResMed) versus fixed‐CPAP (S6 Elite, ResMed) in improving daytime sleepiness, health status, objective compliance and the ultimate treatment preference in patients with severe OSA.Methods:  The study recruited 43 subjects aged 18–65 years with newly diagnosed severe OSA (AHI >30/h). Patients were initially treated with either auto‐CPAP or fixed‐CPAP for 2 months and then crossed over after a washout period of 1 week for another 2 months.Results:  The study was completed by 41 patients. Results are presented as mean (SE). Use of auto‐CPAP in the first and the second month was significantly higher than that of fixed‐CPAP [129.7 (9.9) and 130.5 (10.7) h vs 115.2 (9.5) and 113.2 (9.4) h, P = 0.04 and 0.01], whereas mean hourly use per night was 4.3 and 4.4 h versus 3.8 and 3.7 h, respectively. The Epworth sleepiness scores improved after 1 month in both treatments (13.4 to 8.5 and 8.2, P < 0.01 for both). The Sleep apnoea quality of life index improved in the first month in both compared with baseline [4.6 (0.2) to 5.0 (0.2) for auto‐CPAP and 4.9 (0.2) for fixed‐CPAP, P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively], with no difference between the two treatments. Nine and 30 patients preferred auto‐CPAP and fixed‐CPAP, respectively, at the end of the trial, whereas 14 and 25 patients would have chosen the same treatments if cost had not been a consideration.Conclusions:  Auto‐CPAP and fixed‐CPAP were equally effective in improving symptoms and health status in patients with severe OSA. Usage was higher with auto‐CPAP, but more patients ultimately chose fixed‐CPAP.
Real‐time endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration is useful for diagnosing sarcoidosis
Authors: OKI Masahide , SAKA Hideo , KITAGAWA Chiyoe , TANAKA Shigeru , SHIMOKATA Tomoya , KAWATA Yoshihiro , MORI Kouki , KAJIKAWA Shigehisa , ICHIHARA Shu , MORITANI Suzuko 
Published: October 2007

Background and objective:  Several studies of real‐time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) have reported a sensitivity of approximately 90% in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar malignancies. However, few studies have addressed its role in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of EBUS‐TBNA in confirming a pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis.Methods:  Fifteen consecutive patients with suspected sarcoidosis and mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy were investigated prospectively. EBUS‐TBNA with an echo‐bronchoscope and a dedicated echogenic 22‐gauge needle was carried out in patients under conscious sedation, followed by conventional TBNA of the same lesion using a 19‐gauge needle.Results:  EBUS‐TBNA and/or TBNA demonstrated non‐caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 14 of 15 patients (93%). All 14 patients with a pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis were considered to have sarcoidosis based on subsequent clinical assessments. The single patient with a negative EBUS‐TBNA and TBNA had a malignant melanoma diagnosed following surgical biopsy. EBUS‐TBNA confirmed a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in 13 of the 14 patients (93%) by identifying non‐caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 18 of 23 lymph nodes (78%) sampled. When two needle aspirates of one or two lymph nodes were carried out, the percentage positive pathological diagnosis for sarcoidosis for (i) EBUS‐TBNA; (ii) TBNA; and (iii) the combination of EBUS‐TBNA and TBNA were 93% (13 of 14 patients), 93% (13 of 14 patients) and 100% (14 of 14 patients), respectively. There were no complications associated with the procedures.Conclusion:  EBUS‐TBNA is less invasive and acceptably sensitive as a method for obtaining pathological confirmation of sarcoidosis.
Development and validation of diagnostic prediction model for solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: YONEMORI Kan , TATEISHI Ukihide , UNO Hajime , YONEMORI Yoko , TSUTA Koji , TAKEUCHI Masahiro , MATSUNO Yoshihiro , FUJIWARA Yasuhiro , ASAMURA Hisao , KUSUMOTO Masahiko 
Published: October 2007

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to develop a simple prediction model for the underlying diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) based on clinical characteristics and thin‐section CT findings.Methods:  Retrospective analysis was carried out on 452 patients with SPN (113 benign and 339 malignant) smaller than 30 mm, who underwent thin‐section CT followed by surgical resection and histological diagnosis. The clinical characteristics were collected from medical records, and radiographic characteristics from thin‐section CT findings. The prediction model was determined using multivariate logistic analysis. The prediction model was validated in 148 consecutive patients with undiagnosed SPN, and the diagnostic accuracy of the model was compared with that of an experienced chest radiologist.Results:  The prediction model comprised the level of serum CRP, the level of carcinoembryonic antigen, the presence or absence of calcification, spiculation and CT bronchus sign. The areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve in training and validation sets were 0.966 and 0.840, respectively. The diagnostic accuracies of the prediction model and the experienced chest radiologist for the validation set were 0.858 and 0.905, respectively.Conclusion:  The simple prediction model consisted of two biochemical and three radiographic characteristics. The diagnostic accuracy of an experienced chest radiologist was higher compared with the prediction model.
Simultaneous bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: LEE Shih‐Chun , CHENG Yeung‐Leung , HUANG Chi‐Wang , TZAO Ching , HSU Hsian‐He , CHANG Huang 
Published: October 2007

Objective:  While primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is common in adolescents and young adults, simultaneous bilateral PSP (SBPSP) is rare and can be life‐threatening if it progresses to tension pneumothorax. This study reviewed cases of PSP to identify the clinical features of SBPSP.Methods:  All patients with PSP diagnosed and treated between June 1996 and June 2006 were reviewed, and the clinicoradiological features and outcomes were evaluated.Results:  Of the 616 patients with 807 episodes of PSP, 13 had SBPSP (1.6%) at first presentation, and all were male (mean age 20.9 ± 4.7 years, range 16–25 years). Compared with the non‐SBPSP patients, SBPSP patients had significantly lower body weight and BMI (P = 0.018 and <0.001, respectively) and higher body height/body weight ratio (P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in their age, sex, smoking habits or body height. Patients with SBPSP had a significantly higher incidence of bleb/bullae seen in HRCT of the lung compared with non‐SBPSP (88.5% vs 63.5%, P = 0.016). In multiple logistic regression analysis, BMI and presence of blebs/bullae were independent risk factors for SBPSP. All patients with SBPSP received bilateral video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery and recovered uneventfully. The mean follow‐up period was 3.7 years (range 10 months–7 years).Conclusion:  Patients with PSP having a lower BMI, and bilateral bleb/bullae formation are at higher risk for the development of SBPSP. SBPSP needs urgent assessment and management, and bilateral video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment.
Life in Darwin's dust: intercontinental transport and survival of microbes in the nineteenth century
Authors: Gorbushina Anna A. , Kort Renate , Schulte Anette , Lazarus David , Schnetger Bernhard , Brumsack Hans‐Jürgen , Broughton William J. , Favet Jocelyne 
Published: October 2007

SummaryCharles Darwin, like others before him, collected aeolian dust over the Atlantic Ocean and sent it to Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in Berlin. Ehrenberg's collection is now housed in the Museum of Natural History and contains specimens that were gathered at the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Geochemical analyses of this resource indicated that dust collected over the Atlantic in 1838 originated from the Western Sahara, while molecular‐microbiological methods demonstrated the presence of many viable microbes. Older samples sent to Ehrenberg from Barbados almost two centuries ago also contained numbers of cultivable bacteria and fungi. Many diverse ascomycetes, and eubacteria were found. Scanning electron microscopy and cultivation suggested that Bacillus megaterium, a common soil bacterium, was attached to historic sand grains, and it was inoculated onto dry sand along with a non‐spore‐forming control, the Gram‐negative soil bacterium Rhizobium sp. NGR234. On sand B. megaterium quickly developed spores, which survived for extended periods and even though the numbers of NGR234 steadily declined, they were still considerable after months of incubation. Thus, microbes that adhere to Saharan dust can live for centuries and easily survive transport across the Atlantic.
Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's rectosigmoidectomy
Authors: Slawik S. , Dixon A. R. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of laparoscopic restoration of bowel continuity post Hartmann's procedure.Method  A prospectively electronic database of colorectal laparoscopic procedures between April 2001 and December 2006 has been used to identify surgical outcomes in 28 consecutive patients who have undergone laparoscopic reversal of an open Hartmann's procedure (LRH).Results  Twenty‐eight patients (11 males), median age 66 (32–89), median body mass index 26 have undergone an attempted LRH over a 5‐year period. Twenty (71%) had undergone surgery for complicated diverticulitis, eight (29%) for cancer; two followed an anastomotic dehiscence post‐laparoscopic high anterior resection. The median operation time was 80 min (40–255 min). Twenty‐six procedures (93%) were completed laparoscopically. There was one late conversion (to release a small bowel loop from the pelvis). A small, fibrotic rectal stump split whilst attempting a stapled anastomosis – the procedure was abandoned. The median time to normal diet was 18 h and median hospital stay was 3 days (1–63). There were three (11%) readmissions; wound infection (two) and abdominal pain. There were two deaths (7%) – mesenteric emboli and anticoagulant induced upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.Conclusions  We believe that in the hands of appropriately trained and experienced surgeons, laparoscopic ‘reversal’ of a Hartmann's procedure is a feasible, safe and largely predictive operation that allows for early return of gastrointestinal function and very early hospital discharge.
The role of interleukin‐6 in insulin resistance, body fat distribution and energy balance
Authors: Hoene M. , Weigert C. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryInterleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a central player in the regulation of inflammation, haematopoiesis, immune response and host defense mechanisms. During the last decade, an accumulating amount of data suggested a pivotal role for IL‐6 in metabolic processes, thus fortifying the picture of IL‐6 as a multifaceted, pleiotropic cytokine. Because of its secretion by adipose tissue and contracting skeletal muscle and its broad action on central and peripheral organs, IL‐6 has been termed an adipokine and a myokine. Its quantitative release from adipose tissue results in a subclinical, systemic elevation of IL‐6 plasma levels with increasing body fat content, which may be implicated in the proinflammatory state leading to insulin resistance. On the other hand, IL‐6 produced in the working muscle during physical activity could act as an energy sensor by activating AMP‐activated kinase and enhancing glucose disposal, lipolysis and fat oxidation. In addition, both impaired IL‐6 secretion and action are risk factors for weight gain. Thus, IL‐6 clearly has lipolytic effects and anti‐obesity potential. However, the application of IL‐6 itself is at least limited by a narrow therapeutic range and its important function for a balanced inflammatory response. Further studies on the molecular basis of the metabolic effects of IL‐6 could elucidate novel therapeutic strategies for custom‐designed, IL‐6‐related substances.
Central and peripheral neuroendocrine peptides and signalling in appetite regulation: considerations for obesity pharmacotherapy
Authors: Atkinson T. J. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAppetite and satiety are mediated by complex neuroendocrine signalling pathways involving over 40 hormones, neuropeptides, enzymes, other chemical messengers and their receptors. Research efforts continue to expand understanding of the role of signalling molecules between central hypothalamic nuclei and peripheral enteroendocrine cells; and discoveries of novel networks and messengers provide new biological insights on how to manipulate appetite–satiety pathways. Despite the vast array of peptides that are potentially useful for anti‐obesity drug development, only four classes of agents are approved: (i) catecholamine stimulants; (ii) serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors; (iii) lipase inhibitors; and (iv) more recently cannabinoid‐1 receptor antagonists. Clinical effects of these drugs confer modest improvements, and side effects negatively impact long‐term treatment course. This paper suggests single target pharmacological interventions are possibly hampered by the myriad of alternate orexigenic peptidic signals that drive hyperphagia, hence a multiple target model or combination treatment approach is proposed to offer greater therapeutic potential in modulating appetite and managing weight.
Sibling Similarities and Differences in Time Use: A Pattern‐Analytic, Within‐Family Approach
Authors: Shanahan Lilly , Kim Ji‐Yeon , McHale Susan M. , Crouter Ann C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSimilarities and differences in adolescent siblings' free time activities were investigated. Firstborns and second‐borns from 181 predominantly White, working, and middle‐class families reported on their time use and sibling relationships. Their parents reported on their socioeconomic status and neighborhood characteristics. Cluster analysis identified three groups of sibling dyads: Cluster 1 differentiated in leisure and time with friends, Cluster 2 differentiated in instrumental activities and time alone, and Cluster 3 did not differentiate in time use. Multinomial logistic regressions revealed that the longitudinal links between sibling relationship qualities and cluster membership were moderated by firstborns' sex. Findings highlight the importance of person‐oriented analytic strategies for understanding sibling similarities and differences and of within‐family variability in youth's time use.
Neural connectivity in children with bipolar disorder: impairment in the face emotion processing circuit
Authors: Rich Brendan A. , Fromm Stephen J. , Berghorst Lisa H. , Dickstein Daniel P. , Brotman Melissa A. , Pine Daniel S. , Leibenluft Ellen 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Pediatric bipolar disorder (BD), a highly debilitating illness, is characterized by amygdala abnormalities, i.e., volume reduction and hyperactivation during face processing. Evidence of perturbed amygdala functional connectivity with other brain regions would implicate a distributed neural circuit in the pathophysiology of BD, and would further elucidate the neural mechanisms associated with BD face emotion misinterpretation.Methods:  Thirty‐three BD and 24 healthy age, gender, and IQ‐matched subjects completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task of face emotion identification in which attention was directed to emotional (hostility, fearfulness) and nonemotional (nose width) aspects of faces. Voxel‐wise analyses examined whole brain functional connectivity with the left amygdala.Results:  Compared to healthy subjects, BD subjects had significantly reduced connectivity between the left amygdala and two regions: right posterior cingulate/precuneus and right fusiform gyrus/parahippocampal gyrus. Deficits were evident regardless of mood state and comorbid diagnoses.Conclusions:  BD youth exhibit deficient connectivity between the amygdala and temporal association cortical regions previously implicated in processing facial expressions and social stimuli. In conjunction with previously documented volumetric and functional perturbations in these brain regions, dysfunction in this distributed neural circuit may begin to clarify the pathophysiology of the face emotion misperceptions and social deficits seen in BD youth.