bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrast-enhanced FDG-PET/CT vs. spio-enhanced MRI vs. FDG-PET vs. CT in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer: a prospective study with intraoperative confirmation
Authors: Rappeport E. D. , Loft A. , Berthelsen A. K. , von der Recke P. , Noergaard Larsen P. , Mellon Mogensen A. , Wettergren A. , Rasmussen A. , Hillingsoe J. , Kirkegaard P. , Thomsen C. 
Published: May 2007

Background: The choice of imaging before liver surgery is debated regarding the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). No studies have compared contrast-enhanced PET/CT with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR imaging. Purpose: To compare PET/CT with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR imaging, PET, and CT in the detection of liver metastases (LM) and extrahepatic tumor from colorectal cancer (CRC). Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with suspected LM underwent PET/CT with a contrast-enhanced CT protocol and SPIO-enhanced MR imaging. Readers independently analyzed images from MR imaging, PET/CT, and the CT part and PET part of the PET/CT study. Imaging findings were compared with surgical and histological findings. Results: Lesion-by-lesion sensitivity and accuracy for liver lesions was 54% and 77% for PET alone, 66% and 83% for PET/CT, 82% and 82% for SPIO-enhanced MR imaging, and 89% and 77% for CT alone, respectively. CT and SPIO-enhanced MR imaging were less specific but significantly more sensitive than PET ( P<0.0001). For extrahepatic tumor, sensitivity and specificity was 83% and 96% for PET/CT and 58% and 87% for CT, respectively. Conclusion: CT and SPIO-enhanced MR imaging are more sensitive but less specific than PET in the detection of LM. PET/CT can detect more patients with extrahepatic tumor than CT alone.
Thin-section diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with parallel imaging
Authors: Oner A. Y. , Celik H. , Tali T. , Akpek S. , Tokgoz N. 
Published: May 2007

Background: Thin-section diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is known to improve lesion detectability, with long imaging time as a drawback. Parallel imaging (PI) is a technique that takes advantage of spatial sensitivity information inherent in an array of multiple-receiver surface coils to partially replace time-consuming spatial encoding and reduce imaging time. Purpose: To prospectively evaluate a 3-mm-thin-section DWI technique combined with PI by means of qualitative and quantitative measurements. Material and Methods: 30 patients underwent conventional echo-planar (EPI) DWI (5-mm section thickness, 1-mm intersection gap) without parallel imaging, and thin-section EPI-DWI with PI (3-mm section thickness, 0-mm intersection gap) for a b value of 1000 s/mm2, with an imaging time of 40 and 80 s, respectively. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), relative signal intensity (rSI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured over a lesion-free cerebral region on both series by two radiologists. A quality score was assigned for each set of images to assess the image quality. When a brain lesion was present, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and corresponding ADC were also measured. Student t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean SNR values of the normal brain were 33.61±4.35 and 32.98±7.19 for conventional and thin-slice DWI ( P>0.05), respectively. Relative signal intensities were significantly higher on thin-section DWI ( P<0.05). Mean ADCs of the brain obtained by both techniques were comparable ( P>0.05). Quality scores and overall lesion CNR were found to be higher in thin-section DWI with parallel imaging. Conclusion: A thin-section technique combined with PI improves rSI, CNR, and image quality without compromising SNR and ADC measurements in an acceptable imaging time.
Neural mechanism of cognitive control impairment in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Zhang Long Jiang , Yang Guifen , Yin Jianzhong , Liu Yawu , Qi Ji 
Published: May 2007

Background: Many studies have claimed the existence of attention alterations in cirrhotic patients without overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE). No functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in this respect has been published. Purpose: To investigate the neural basis of cognitive control deficiency in cirrhotic patients using fMRI. Material and Methods: 14 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and 14 healthy volunteers were included in the study. A modified Stroop task with Chinese characters was used as the target stimulus, and block-design fMRI was used to acquire resource data, including four stimulus blocks and five control blocks, each presented alternatively. Image analysis was performed using statistical parametric mapping 99. After fMRI examinations were complete, behavior tests of Stroop interference were performed for all subjects. Overall reaction time and error numbers were recorded. Results: Both healthy volunteers and patients with hepatic cirrhosis had Stroop interference effects. Patients with hepatic cirrhosis had more errors and longer reaction time in performing an incongruous color-naming task than healthy volunteers ( P<0.001); there was no significant difference in performing an incongruous word-reading task ( P = 0.066). Compared with controls, patients with hepatic cirrhosis had greater activation of the bilateral prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex when performing the incongruous word-reading task. With increased conflict, activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), parietal lobe, and temporal fusiform gyrus (TFG) was decreased when patients with hepatic cirrhosis performed the incongruous color-naming task. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that patients with hepatic cirrhostic have cognitive control deficiency. The abnormal brain network of the ACC–PFC–parietal lobe–TFG is the neural basis of cognitive control impairment in cirrhotic patients.
Increasing socioeconomic inequalities in male cirrhosis of the liver mortality: Australia 1981–2002
Authors: NAJMAN JAKE M. , WILLIAMS GAIL M. , ROOM ROBIN 
Published: May 2007

AbstractLiver cirrhosis mortality is an indicator of harms associated with high levels of alcohol consumption. There is good evidence that changes in political and economic systems can lead to changing patterns of liver cirrhosis mortality. Socioeconomic inequalities in liver cirrhosis mortality have been periodically reported but there are few studies of changes in socioeconomic inequalities in liver cirrhosis mortality over time. This paper examines changes in socioeconomic inequalities in liver cirrhosis mortality in Australia for the period 1981–2002. Age standardised, liver cirrhosis mortality rates were calculated for occupational groupings for Australia 1981–2002. Occupations were grouped into non‐manual and manual categories, and there was imputation for missing data. Despite decreasing overall liver cirrhosis mortality rates over time, liver cirrhosis mortality continues to account for about 3% of all deaths. Manual workers have consistently experienced liver cirrhosis mortality rates which are twice or more the rate experienced by non‐manual workers. These inequalities appear to have increased in recent years and currently appear to be at historic highs (manual workers have mortality rates of about 2.5 times those of non‐manual workers). Increasing socioeconomic inequalities in liver cirrhosis mortality in Australia suggest that lower SES groups have, over time, increased their level of harmful alcohol consumption relative to middle and higher SES groups. It is suggested that this might be attributed to a relative improvement in the affordability of alcohol over time.
Clinical supervision in the alcohol and other drugs field: an imperative or an option?
Authors: ROCHE ANN M. , TODD CHELSEA L. , O'CONNOR JOHN 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThere is a growing interest in Clinical Supervision (CS) as a central workforce development (WFD) strategy. This paper provides a definition of and rationale for CS, characterises its various forms, identifies selection and training issues, and advises on policy and implementation issues central to redressing shortcomings in supervision practice within the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) field. Relevant selective literature is reviewed. Key conceptual issues were identified, and strategies developed to address implementation barriers and facilitate relevant policy. There is a common conceptual confusion between administrative supervision and CS. Clarification of the role, function and implementation of CS is required. Priority issues for the AOD field include: enhancing belief in CS; ensuring adequate resource allocation; developing evaluation protocols; and addressing specific arrangements under which supervision should occur. CS has been underutilised to date but holds considerable potential as a WFD strategy. It is fundamental to workers' professional development, can contribute to worker satisfaction and retention, and may improve client outcomes. Critical next steps are to establish the generalisability to the AOD field of the benefits observed from CS in other disciplines, and evaluate longer‐term gains of CS programs.
Overview of Psychiatric Ethics I: Professional Ethics and Psychiatry
Authors: Robertson Michael , Walter Garry 
Published: May 2007

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the current status of psychiatric ethics as a form of professional ethics and apply this approach to a common clinical situation. Conclusion: Psychiatry is a profession and, like all professions, comprises a set of specific skills and knowledge that are applied for the ‘common good’ of society. Such a proposition places the psychiatrist in a position of tension between contractarian and Hippocratic ideals of ethical conduct, in that there is an assumption of moral equivalence between the law and ethics. The supposition that legally defensible behaviours are the same as ethically defensible behaviours is integral to the definition of professional ethics. This frequently places psychiatrists at odds with the ‘do no harm’ principle.
Involving Carers in Mental Health Service Development
Authors: Hayman Faye , Fahey Anne 
Published: May 2007

Objective: A project designed to enhance carer participation in a mental health service is described. Method: Carers of people with a mental illness were involved in reviewing and developing policies, and developing a carer rights and responsibilities booklet. Results: Policies relevant to carers of people with a mental illness were reviewed and updated, and new policies developed to cover existing gaps. Carer and staff awareness of policies was increased. A carer rights and responsibilities booklet was developed. Conclusions: Involving carers at this level of service development enhances carer awareness and understanding of the processes involved in a mental health service, and improves staff understanding of carer issues and viewpoints. This process is valuable for mental health services, resulting in positive outcomes.
Consumer Participation in Mental Health Research: Articulating a Model to Guide Practice
Authors: Happell Brenda , Roper Cath 
Published: May 2007

Objective: Consumer involvement in mental health research is considered both a right and a benefit, despite the identified barriers to forming effective collaborative relationships. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature relating to consumer involvement in mental health research with a view to articulating a model to guide this process. Method: A qualitative review of the relevant literature was undertaken. Literature referring to consumer roles in research was accessed and reviewed with the aim of articulating the benefits of, and barriers to, consumer participation in research. Results: The literature has identified a number of important benefits and some significant barriers to consumer involvement in mental health research. However, a clear model to articulate definitions of involvement is lacking. Four distinct levels of involvement were articulated. Conclusions: The identification of clearly defined models for consumer involvement in mental health research is important in order to facilitate collaboration and avoid tokenism. Research is required in order to determine the applicability of these models within actual research projects.
Noninvasive Measure of Microvascular Nitric Oxide Function in Humans Using Very Low‐Frequency Cutaneous Laser Doppler Flow Spectra
Authors: Stewart Julian M. , Taneja Indu , Goligorsky Michael S. , Medow Marvin S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTObjective: While higher frequency oscillations (0.021–0.6 Hz) in cutaneous blood flow measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) relate to oscillations in blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity, very low‐frequency oscillations (VLF, 0.0095–0.021 Hz) do not. The authors investigated whether VLF LDF power is nitric oxide (NO) specific.Methods: LDF combined with intradermal microdialysis was used in the calves of 22 healthy volunteers aged 19–27 years. LDF power spectral analysis was performed by windowed fast Fourier transform. The authors tested whether the NO synthesis inhibitor nitro‐l‐arginine (NLA) produced selective decreases in VLF power before and after stimulation with acetylcholine.Results: NLA alone did not alter total power but selectively reduced VLF power by approximately 50%. LDF and spectral power increased markedly across all spectra with acetylcholine. This increase was blunted by NLA, which selectively reduced VLF power by approximately 50%. Conclusions: The data suggest that VLF oscillations in the laser Doppler signal are NO dependent, increase with cholinergic stimulation, and have potential as a noninvasive marker for NO‐dependent microvascular reactivity.
Computational Network Model Prediction of Hemodynamic Alterations Due to Arteriolar Remodeling in Interval Sprint Trained Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Binder Kyle W. , Murfee Walter L. , Song Ji , Laughlin M. Harold , Price Richard J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives: Exercise training is known to enhance skeletal muscle blood flow capacity, with high‐intensity interval sprint training (IST) primarily affecting muscles with a high proportion of fast twitch glycolytic fibers. The objective of this study was to determine the relative contributions of new arteriole formation and lumenal arteriolar remodeling to enhanced flow capacity and the impact of these adaptations on local microvascular hemodynamics deep within the muscle.Methods: The authors studied arteriolar adaptation in the white/mixed‐fiber portion of gastrocnemius muscles of IST (6 bouts of running/day; 2.5 min/bout; 60 m/min speed; 15% grade; 4.5 min rest between bouts; 5 training days/wk; 10 wks total) and sedentary (SED) control rats using whole‐muscle Microfil casts. Dimensional and topological data were then used to construct a series of computational hemodynamic network models that incorporated physiological red blood cell distributions and hematocrit and diameter dependent apparent viscosities.Results: In comparison to SED controls, IST elicited a significant increase in arterioles/order in the 3A through 6A generations. Predicted IST and SED flows through the 2A generation agreed closely with in vivo measurements made in a previous study, illustrating the accuracy of the model. IST shifted the bulk of the pressure drop across the network from the 3As to the 4As and 5As, and flow capacity increased from 0.7 mL/min in SED to 1.5 mL/min in IST when a driving pressure of 80 mmHg was applied.Conclusions: The primary adaptation to IST is an increase in arterioles in the 3A through 6A generations, which, in turn, creates an approximate doubling of flow capacity and a deeper penetration of high pressure into the arteriolar network.
An Imaging Spectroscopy Approach for Measurement of Oxygen Saturation and Hematocrit During Intravital Microscopy
Authors: Styp‐Rekowska B. , Disassa N. Mecha , Reglin B. , Ulm L. , Kuppe H. , Secomb T. W. , Pries A. R. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTObjective: Oxygen supply and partial pressure are key determinants of tissue metabolic status and are also regulators of vascular function including production of reactive oxygen species, vascular remodeling, and angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to develop an approach for the determination of oxygen saturation and hematocrit for individual microvessels in trans‐ and epi‐illumination intravital microscopy.Methods: A spectral approach was used, taking advantage of the availability of commercial imaging systems that allow digital recording of intravital images at a number of predetermined wavelengths within a relatively short time. The dependence of validity and precision of saturation measurements on critical experimental variables (reference spectra, number and selection of wavelengths, exposure time, analysis area, analysis model) was evaluated. In addition, a software approach for two‐dimensional analysis of images was developed.Results: Exposure times per wavelength of about 200 ms and use of up to 50 wavelengths evenly spaced from 500 to 598 nm allow automatic discrimination of microvessels from tissue background (segmentation) with reliable determination of oxygen saturation (in trans‐ and epi‐illumination) and hematocrit (in transillumination).Conclusions: The present imaging spectroscopy approach allows detailed assessment of oxygen transport and other functional parameters at the microcirculatory level.
Impairment of Myocardial Angiogenic Response in the Absence of Osteopontin
Authors: Zhao Xue , Johnson Jennifer N. , Singh Krishna , Singh Mahipal 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTObjective: Osteopontin (OPN), increased in the heart following myocardial infarction (MI), plays an important role in post‐MI remodeling. Angiogenesis, an important feature of tissue repair, begins in the infarcted myocardium within 3 days post‐MI. Here, the authors studied the role of OPN in myocardial angiogenesis using wild‐type (WT) and OPN knockout (KO) mice.Results: Measurement of angiogenic response using Griffonia simplicifolia lectin‐1 (GSL‐1) staining indicated reduced capillary density in the infarcted region of the OPN KO hearts as compared to WT hearts 7 and 14 days post‐MI. Arteriolar density was lower in OPN KO hearts 14 days post‐MI. The number of CD31 positive cells was also lower in the infarcted region of the OPN KO hearts as compared to WT hearts 14 days post‐MI. In contrast, capillary and arteriolar densities in the noninfarcted regions of OPN KO and WT hearts were not significantly different. In vivo myocardial angiogenesis measured using Matrigel implantation in the left ventricular myocardium indicated significant decrease in the percentage of vessel‐like areas in the OPN KO vs. WT hearts. Furthermore, in vitro Matrigel tube formation assay demonstrated a significant decrease in total tube length in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from OPN KO hearts as compared to CMECs from WT hearts. Treatment of OPN KO CMECs with purified OPN protein significantly increased total tube length, while bovine serum albumin had no effect.Conclusion: Lack of OPN impairs myocardial angiogenic response, leading to adverse remodeling post‐MI.
Subject–verb agreement and phonological processing in developmental dyslexia and specific language impairment (SLI): a closer look
Authors: Rispens Judith , Been Pieter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Problems with subject–verb agreement and phonological (processing) skills have been reported to occur in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and in those with developmental dyslexia, but only a few studies have compared such problems in these two groups. Previous studies have claimed a causal relationship between phonological processing deficits and morphosyntactic problems.Aims: The following questions were addressed in this study: (1) Are children with developmental dyslexia and SLI comparable in the level of sensitivity to subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition? (2) Are children with developmental dyslexia and SLI comparable in their performance profiles on tasks tapping subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition? (3) Are deficits in phonological processing skills related to morphosyntactic deficits?Methods & Procedures: Forty‐five children (mean age = 8;6 years) with developmental dyslexia, SLI and typically developing children participated. The sensitivity to subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition was measured.Outcomes & Results: Both the children with dyslexia and with SLI made more errors than the control children on the subject–verb agreement task, with the children with dyslexia scoring significantly better than the children with SLI. Similarly, the children with SLI and dyslexia both performed more poorly on the phoneme‐deletion task than the control group. Both clinical groups performed more poorly on the non‐word repetition task than the control children, with the children with dyslexia outperforming the children with SLI. In all three tasks differences in performance profiles were found between the children with developmental dyslexia and SLI. Across all three groups non‐word repetition was correlated with morphosyntactic sensitivity.Conclusions: The results show similarities between the performances of children with SLI and dyslexia on tasks tapping subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition: they scored more poorly than typically developing children. Qualitative analyses revealed, however, differences in the error patterns on all three tasks. Associations between non‐word repetition and sensitivity to subject–verb agreement were found, suggesting that problems with phonological processing impact on morphosyntactic skills.
Evaluation of the clinical decisions made for 2‐year‐olds referred for speech and language therapy: a follow‐up study
Authors: Emanuel Rosemary , Chiat Shula , Roy Penny 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Clinicians in the UK rely mainly on informal observations and structured and semi‐structured tasks rather than standardized testing in their assessments of pre‐school children referred with speech and language difficulties. The informal nature of the clinical decision‐making process at this age is unsurprising given the dearth of research on early clinical referrals. Evidence of outcome for young children referred with speech and language problems typically begins in the early school years.Aims: To examine the clinical decision‐making of an experienced individual therapist by evaluating the extent to which follow‐up evidence supported initial prognosis.Methods & Procedures: Forty‐three randomly selected pre‐school children referred to speech and language therapy services were seen at an average age of 2;8, when a range of informal assessments were carried out. They were followed up 18 months later. Outcomes were compared with initial diagnosis and prognosis.Outcomes & Results: Initial judgements showed high associations between the type of problem, the presence of complex difficulties, severity ratings and prognosis. In line with previous findings, prognosis was significantly associated with the type of problem and severity at outcome, although overall changes were more pronounced than had been predicted. A minority of children were rated substantially worse than predicted at follow‐up.Conclusions: This study illustrates the potential of this kind of approach to inform the process of decision‐making and reflective clinical practice with very young children. Limitations of the study and implications for future action research are discussed.