bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Columnar‐lined esophagus: Time to drop the eponym of “Barrett”: Historical review
Authors: Bani‐Hani Kamal E , Bani‐Hani Bayan K 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere can be few medical conditions that have been surrounded by as much confusion about their definition or terminology as columnar‐lined esophagus (CLE); approximately 30 different terms and eponyms have been used to describe this condition. The history of this condition can be divided into five stages: (i) descriptive stage, 1906–1950; (ii) “argument” stage, 1950–1963; (iii) “significant” stage, 1963–1973; (iv) surveillance stage, 1973–1990; and (v) refined research stage, 1990–present. The use of the eponym “Barrett's” to describe CLE is not justified from a historical point of view. Lining of the lower esophagus by columnar epithelium was termed “Barrett's esophagus” after the presentation by Barrett in 1957. Although this finding has been attributed to Barrett, the work of others, including Tileston, Lortat‐Jacob, and Allison and Johnstone, preceded Barrett's description. The historical aspects of CLE were reviewed to show how little Norman Barrett had contributed to the core concept of this condition in comparison to the contributions of other investigators, particularly the contribution of Philip Allison. Based on many discussed historical facts, we are not in favor of retaining the term “Barrett's esophagus” and we propose that CLE be henceforth referred to as “columnar‐lined esophagus”.
Combination therapy of thymosin alpha‐1 and lamivudine for HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B: A prospective randomized, comparative pilot study
Authors: Lee Hyun Woong , Lee Joung Il , Um Soon Ho , Ahn Sang Hoon , Chang Hye Young , Park Yong Kwang , Hong Sun Pyo , Moon Young Myoung , Han Kwang‐Hyub 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Monotherapy of lamivudine, interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α), and thymosin alpha‐1 (Tα1) is unlikely to be sufficient for the eradication of a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of our study is to elucidate whether the combination of Tα1 and lamivudine is superior to lamivudine monotherapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:  Sixty‐seven patients were assigned to two different groups in a randomized manner. The combination group (n = 34) received Tα1 (1.6 mg subcutaneously, twice a week) and lamivudine (100 mg orally, daily) for 24 weeks, followed by continuous lamivudine therapy. The monotherapy group (n = 33) received lamivudine monotherapy continuously.Results:  The incidence of HBeAg seroconversion at 24 weeks was 26.5% (9/34) in the combination group and 6.1% (2/33) in the monotherapy group (P = 0.024). However, there was no statistically significant difference between 26.5% (9/34) in the combination group and 12.1% (4/33) in the monotherapy group at 52 weeks (P = 0.138). The emergence of viral breakthrough gradually increased to 35.3% (12/34) in the combination group, and to 21.2% (7/33) in the monotherapy group at 52 weeks (P = 0.201).Conclusions:  The combination treatment of Tα1 and lamivudine did not have an obvious benefit of virological and biochemical response as compared to the lamivudine monotherapy during the combination period. In addition, after the cessation of Tα1 treatment, the combination therapy did not prevent the occurrence of viral and biochemical breakthroughs.
Medications for the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure are underutilized in dialysis patients
Authors: Ranchord A. M. , Harding S. A. , Pidgeon G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe determined the prescription rates of medications for the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in stable dialysis patients. In patients with established ischaemic heart disease, statins, beta‐blockers and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers were substantially underprescribed. Furthermore, beta‐blockers and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers were prescribed in less than half of those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Contraindications to treatment were infrequent and did not explain these findings.
Experience with a new commercial skin testing kit to identify IgE‐mediated penicillin allergy
Authors: Nolan R. C. , Puy R. , Deckert K. , O’Hehir R. E. , Douglass J. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMany patients who describe a history of allergy to penicillin do not prove to be allergic and can be treated safely with penicillin. After a period of 2 years where testing of penicillin allergy was not possible, a new commercial kit has recently become available. We report our initial experience with use of the kit with 29 patients and discuss one patient who experienced anaphylaxis during i.d. testing.
Darwin’s naturalization conundrum: dissecting taxonomic patterns of species invasions
Authors: Diez Jeffrey M. , Sullivan Jon J. , Hulme Philip E. , Edwards Grant , Duncan Richard P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDarwin acknowledged contrasting, plausible arguments for how species invasions are influenced by phylogenetic relatedness to the native community. These contrasting arguments persist today without clear resolution. Using data on the naturalization and abundance of exotic plants in the Auckland region, we show how different expectations can be accommodated through attention to scale, assumptions about niche overlap, and stage of invasion. Probability of naturalization was positively related to the number of native species in a genus but negatively related to native congener abundance, suggesting the importance of both niche availability and biotic resistance. Once naturalized, however, exotic abundance was not related to the number of native congeners, but positively related to native congener abundance. Changing the scale of analysis altered this outcome: within habitats exotic abundance was negatively related to native congener abundance, implying that native and exotic species respond similarly to broad scale environmental variation across habitats, with biotic resistance occurring within habitats.
Are there general mechanisms of animal home range behaviour? A review and prospects for future research
Authors: Börger Luca , Dalziel Benjamin D. , Fryxell John M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHome range behaviour is a common pattern of space use, having fundamental consequences for ecological processes. However, a general mechanistic explanation is still lacking. Research is split into three separate areas of inquiry – movement models based on random walks, individual‐based models based on optimal foraging theory, and a statistical modelling approach – which have developed without much productive contact. Here we review recent advances in modelling home range behaviour, focusing particularly on the problem of identifying mechanisms that lead to the emergence of stable home ranges from unbounded movement paths. We discuss the issue of spatiotemporal scale, which is rarely considered in modelling studies, as well as highlighting the need to consider more closely the dynamical nature of home ranges. Recent methodological and theoretical advances may soon lead to a unified approach, however, conceptually unifying our understanding of linkages among home range behaviour and ecological or evolutionary processes.
The BSG/ACPGBI guidelines for colonoscopic screening: what are we missing?
Authors: Subramanian A. , Thomasson L. , Hanson H. , Hodgson S. , Simson J. N. L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction  Before publication of the British Society of Gastroenterology and Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland guidelines in 2002, screening for people with a family history of colorectal cancer was sporadic and largely dependant on unvalidated local guidelines. Since 1990 we have been screening patients with both high and moderate risk family histories of colorectal cancer using local protocols which were more liberal than the new guidelines. In this study, we have analysed the pathology that would have been missed if we had been using the new guidelines in the period 1990–2002.Method  A total of 399 consecutive patients with a positive family history of colorectal malignancy underwent screening endoscopy according to local guidelines. Demographic, endoscopic and pathologic data were prospectively collected. Patients were retrospectively divided into those who would have been screened under the new guidelines (group 1) and those who would not (group 2). The recorded pathology was graded as significant or insignificant and the findings compared between the two groups.Results  A total of 399 patients underwent 557 endoscopies of which 278 (50%) were indicated under the new guidelines (group 1) and 279 (50%) were not indicated (group 2). A significant pathology or carcinoma was found in 15.8% of group 1 endoscopies and 10.0% of group 2 endoscopies. This difference was significant.Conclusion  If we had been using the new guidelines in the period 1990–2002, we would not have performed 279 (50%) of the 557 procedures, but would not have discovered significant pathology in 10% of the moderate risk endoscopies representing 39% of the significant pathology, which was actually present in this population.
Combination endo‐radiological colorectal stenting: a prospective 5‐year clinical evaluation
Authors: Baraza W. , Lee F. , Brown S. , Hurlstone D. P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective  Self‐expanding metallic stents have found increasing use in the palliation of malignant large‐bowel obstruction or as a ‘bridge to surgery’ to facilitate a planned operative procedure. We describe a 5‐year experience of using the combined endoscopic/fluoroscopic through‐the‐scope method of stent placement in a tertiary referral centre.Method  A prospective database of patients referred for colorectal stenting was compiled. Technical success, clinical success (decompression) and procedure‐related complications were measured as end‐points.Results  Sixty‐three patients underwent 71 stenting procedures; 39 (62%) patients were male and the median age of patients was 78 years; 32 patients had metastatic disease and seven strictures were due to extrinsic compression. The indication for stenting was palliation in 56 patients and preoperative in seven patients. There was a technical success rate of 91% and a clinical success rate of 89%. Complications occurred in 24% of the cohort: overgrowth, (8%), migration (6%), fistulation (4%), stent fracture (3%), tenesmus (3%) and faecal urgency (1%). There was no procedure‐related death within the cohort and no technical failures proximal to the descending colon.Conclusion  Combination endoscopic/fluoroscopic colorectal stenting is effective and safe. It may be particularly useful in the stenting of more proximal colonic strictures.
A taxonomic reappraisal of the European Daphnia longispina complex (Crustacea, Cladocera, Anomopoda)
Authors: Petrusek Adam , Hobæk Anders , Nilssen Jens Petter , Skage Morten , ČErný Martin , Brede Nora , Schwenk Klaus 
Published: April 2008

The Daphnia longispina complex contains some of the most common water flea species in the northern hemisphere, and has been a model organism for many ecological and evolutionary studies. Nevertheless, the systematics and nomenclature of this group, in particular its Palaearctic members, have been in flux for the past 150 years; this hinders the correct interpretation of scientific results and promotes the erroneous use of species names. We revise the systematics of this species complex based on mitochondrial sequence variation (12S rDNA and COI) of representative populations across Europe, with a special focus on samples from type localities of the respective taxa. Combining genetic evidence and morphological assignments of analysed individuals, we propose a comprehensive revision of the European members of the D. longispina complex. We show that D. hyalina and D. rosea morphotypes have evolved several times independently, and we find no evidence to maintain these morphotypes as distinct biological species. Alpine individuals described as D. zschokkei are conspecific with the above‐mentioned lineage. We suggest that this morphologically and ecologically plastic but genetically uniform hyalina–rosea–zschokkei clade should be identified as D. longispina (O. F. Müller, 1776). The valid name of Fennoscandian individuals labelled D. longispina sensu stricto in the recent literature is D. lacustris G. O. Sars, 1862. Additionally, we discovered another divergent lineage of this group, likely an undescribed species, in southern Norway. Our results present a solution for several prevailing taxonomic problems in the genus Daphnia, and have broad implications for interpretation of biogeographical patterns, and ecological and evolutionary studies.
The role of lymph‐node dissection in the treatment of upper urinary tract cancer: a multi‐institutional study
Authors: Abe Takashige , Shinohara Nobuo , Harabayashi Toru , Sazawa Ataru , Ishikawa Shuhei , Kubota Kanako , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Osawa Takahiro , Shibata Takeshi , Shinno Yuichiro , Kamota Shinji , Minami Keita , Sakashita Shigeo , Takeuchi Ichiro , Kumagai Akira , Mori Tatsuya , Togashi Masaki , Nonomura Katsuya 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVESTo determine the role of lymph‐node (LN) dissection in patients undergoing surgery for upper urinary tract (UUT) cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed the clinicopathological data from 312 patients with UUT cancer treated predominantly by nephroureterectomy. The relationship between clinical characteristics and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was analysed, focusing on node‐related information.RESULTSIn all, 166 patients had LN dissection while 146 did not (pNx). Multivariate analysis showed that T stage, grade and pN status were significant variables for CSS. The difference in survival between the pN0 and pNx groups remained significant in a multivariate analysis. The median (range) number of LNs removed was 6 (1–65). There was no significant difference in CSS between the 72 patients with fewer than six LNs removed and the 78 with six or more removed.CONCLUSIONSLN dissection is important for postoperative stratification of patients with UUT cancer because node‐positive disease was one of the variables with a significant adverse effect on survival. In addition, the significant difference in survival between the pN0 and pNx groups might indicate a therapeutic benefit of LN dissection, although removing more LNs did not uniformly increase the probability of CSS.
BEYOND ABORTION: THE LOOMING BATTLE OVER DEATH IN THE ‘CULTURE WARS’
Authors: EVANS JAMES 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTBy concentrating on abortion, the culture wars have avoided facing a crisis about the end of life. This paper explores four themes: (1) the technological transformation of birth and death into matters of decision, not matters of fact; (2) abortion as the nexus of Eros (sex) with Thanatos (death); (3) the real crisis, conveniently masked by our obsession with sex, looming at the end of life, not at its beginning; (4) the surplus‐repression that protects us from assuming responsibility for choosing between life and death.
Consistency and asymptotic normality of least squares estimators in generalized STAR models
Authors: Borovkova Svetlana , Lopuhaä Hendrik P. , Ruchjana Budi Nurani 
Published: April 2008

Space–time autoregressive (STAR) models, introduced by Cliff and Ord [Spatial autocorrelation (1973) Pioneer, London] are successfully applied in many areas of science, particularly when there is prior information about spatial dependence. These models have significantly fewer parameters than vector autoregressive models, where all information about spatial and time dependence is deduced from the data. A more flexible class of models, generalized STAR models, has been introduced in Borovkovaet al. [Proc. 17th Int. Workshop Stat. Model. (2002), Chania, Greece] where the model parameters are allowed to vary per location. This paper establishes strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the least squares estimator in generalized STAR models. These results are obtained under minimal conditions on the sequence of innovations, which are assumed to form a martingale difference array. We investigate the quality of the normal approximation for finite samples by means of a numerical simulation study, and apply a generalized STAR model to a multivariate time series of monthly tea production in west Java, Indonesia.
Ethnic differences in preterm birth and its subtypes: the effect of a cumulative risk profile
Authors: Goedhart G , Van Eijsden M , Van Der Wal MF , Bonsel GJ 
Published: April 2008

Objective  To explore the effect of potentially explanatory risk factors on ethnic differences in the prevalence of preterm birth (PTB) and its subtypes.Design  Prospective population‐based cohort study.Setting and population  Pregnant women from Amsterdam attending their first antenatal visit for obstetric care. A total of 8266 women participated (response rate 67%). Ethnicity was based on the country of birth of the pregnant woman’s mother: the Netherlands, Surinam, the Antilles, Turkey, Morocco, Ghana and other non‐Dutch countries. Exclusion criteria were multiple births and gestational age at delivery less than 24 weeks.Methods  Risk factors were obtained using a multilingual questionnaire and from the Dutch Perinatal Registration. Risk factors were summed into a cumulative risk score. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.Main outcome measures  Odds ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for total, spontaneous and iatrogenic (medically indicated) preterm births for the ethnic minority groups versus the Dutch reference group.Results  After adjustment for all risk factors, the Surinamese (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.4), Ghanaian (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.6) and Antillean (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8–3.3) women had a higher risk of PTB compared with the Dutch women, in particular for iatrogenic preterm birth (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.4; OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0–10.4; OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.2, respectively). The ethnic minority groups had a higher cumulative risk score (ranging from 2.1 to 3.7) compared with the Dutch group (1.8). Adjustment for the cumulative risk score considerably decreased the risk of PTB among the Surinamese (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9–1.7), Ghanaian (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8–2.3) and Antillean (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.6–2.4) women.Conclusions  A cumulation of risk factors, mainly observed among the ethnic minority groups, contributes to the explanation of ethnic differences in PTB prevalence.
Maternal obesity, length of gestation, risk of postdates pregnancy and spontaneous onset of labour at term
Authors: Denison FC , Price J , Graham C , Wild S , Liston WA 
Published: April 2008

Objective  To investigate the effect of maternal body mass index (BMI) on postdates pregnancy, length of gestation and likelihood of spontaneous onset of labour at term.Design  Retrospective cohort study.Setting  Swedish Medical Birth Register.Population  A total of 186 087 primiparous women (of whom 143 519 had spontaneous onset of labour at term) who gave birth between 1998 and 2002.Methods  Mann–Whitney test, one‐way analysis of variance, linear regression and single variable logistic regression.Main outcome measures  Postdates pregnancy (≥294 days or 42+0 weeks), length of gestation and likelihood of spontaneous onset of labour at term.Results  About 6.8% of pregnancies delivered postdates. Higher maternal BMI (kg/m2) during the first trimester was associated with longer gestation (P < 0.001) as was a greater change in BMI between the first and third trimesters (BMI measured on admission prior to delivery) with mean (SD) gestation at delivery of 280.7 (8.6) and 283.2 (8.6) days for increases in BMI of <2 and ≥10 kg/m2, respectively. Higher BMI during the first trimester was associated with a lower chance of spontaneous onset of labour at term. Compared with BMI 20 to <25 kg/m2, the odds ratios (95% CI) for spontaneous onset of labour at term were 1.21 (1.15–1.27) for BMI of <20 kg/m2, 0.71 (0.69–0.74) for BMI of 25 to <30 kg/m2, 0.57 (0.54–0.60) for BMI of 30 to <35 kg/m2 and 0.43 (0.40–0.47) for BMI of ≥35 kg/m2. Higher BMI during the first trimester (BMI of ≥35 kg/m2 compared with BMI of 20 to <25 kg/m2) was also associated with an increased risk of complications including stillbirth (OR 3.90, 95% CI 2.44–6.22), gestational diabetes (OR 5.61, 95% CI 4.61–6.83) and caesarean section (OR 2.39; 95% CI 2.20–2.59).Conclusions  Higher maternal BMI in the first trimester and a greater change in BMI during pregnancy were associated with longer gestation and an increased risk of postdates pregnancy. Higher maternal BMI during the first trimester was also associated with decreased likelihood of spontaneous onset of labour at term and increased likelihood of complications.
Survey of prenatal screening policies in Europe for structural malformations and chromosome anomalies, and their impact on detection and termination rates for neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome
Authors: Boyd PA , DeVigan C , Khoshnood B , Loane M , Garne E , Dolk H ,   EUROCAT working group
Published: April 2008

Objective  To ‘map’ the current (2004) state of prenatal screening in Europe.Design  (i) Survey of country policies and (ii) analysis of data from EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) population‐based congenital anomaly registers.Setting  Europe.Population  Survey of prenatal screening policies in 18 countries and 1.13 million births in 12 countries in 2002–04.Methods  (i) Questionnaire on national screening policies and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) laws in 2004. (ii) Analysis of data on prenatal detection and termination for Down’s syndrome and neural tube defects (NTDs) using the EUROCAT database.Main outcome measures  Existence of national prenatal screening policies, legal gestation limit for TOPFA, prenatal detection and termination rates for Down’s syndrome and NTD.Results  Ten of the 18 countries had a national country‐wide policy for Down’s syndrome screening and 14/18 for structural anomaly scanning. Sixty‐eight percent of Down’s syndrome cases (range 0–95%) were detected prenatally, of which 88% resulted in termination of pregnancy. Eighty‐eight percent (range 25–94%) of cases of NTD were prenatally detected, of which 88% resulted in termination. Countries with a first‐trimester screening policy had the highest proportion of prenatally diagnosed Down’s syndrome cases. Countries with no official national Down’s syndrome screening or structural anomaly scan policy had the lowest proportion of prenatally diagnosed Down’s syndrome and NTD cases. Six of the 18 countries had a legal gestational age limit for TOPFA, and in two countries, termination of pregnancy was illegal at any gestation.Conclusions  There are large differences in screening policies between countries in Europe. These, as well as organisational and cultural factors, are associated with wide country variation in prenatal detection rates for Down’s syndrome and NTD.