bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for hepatic arterial occlusion following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy
Authors: Yamagami T , Iida S , Kato T , Takegi H , Nishimura T 
Published: February 2006

SummaryWe report a case in which hepatic arterial occlusion developed during repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy through an implanted port‐catheter system for advanced malignant hepatic neoplasia. After successful recanalization of the hepatic artery by using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, another port‐catheter system was placed percutaneously by interventional radiology techniques, allowing the continuation of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.
Use of routine computed tomography brain scanning of psychiatry patients*
Authors: Agzarian MJ , Chryssidis S , Davies RP , Pozza CH 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of CT of the brain in patients presenting with a psychiatric condition without focal neurological signs. The reports of 397 consecutive CT brain scans of patients presenting to two acute tertiary hospital psychiatric services over a 2‐year period were assessed retrospectively. Of the 397 patients, 241 had psychosis, 87 had depression, 44 had bipolar affective disorder, seven had alcohol dependence, five had dementia, and the remaining 13 had a variety of diagnoses including personality disorder and transient ischaemic attack. Findings on 377 (95%) of the CT scans showed no abnormality. Specific abnormalities were described in 20 (5%) of the CT scans. Three scans showed non‐specific minor abnormalities, which, when followed up by MRI, showed no relevant abnormality. All the abnormalities shown on CT were considered to be clinically unrelated to the patient's psychiatric condition. In conclusion, the pretest probability of finding a space‐occupying lesion or other pertinent abnormality in patients presenting with psychiatric illnesses in this retrospective study appears not to be greater than that of the general population. The outcome of this study could be implemented to develop a clinical pathway for limiting assessment by CT for possible organic pathology in acute psychiatric illness.
Studies of the green algaPercursaria dawsonii(=Blidingia dawsoniicomb. nov., Kornmanniaceae, Ulvales) in British Columbia
Authors: Lindstrom Sandra C. , Hanic Louis A. , Golden Larry 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYWe cultured and sequenced newly collected material ofPercursaria dawsoniiHollenberg et I. A. Abbott, a poorly known epibiont of limpets found along the west coast of North America. Zoospores, parthenogametes, and zygotes exhibited empty‐spore germination, which produced a prostrate system that expanded by stolon‐like development. A dense carpet of initially uniseriate filaments arose from the prostrate system. These upright filaments soon became biseriate proximally and pluriseriate distally, where they were flat, twisted and distromatic for approximately four‐fifths of their length and rarely became hollow in larger individuals. These fronds became fertile distally and released quadriflagellate zoospores and/or biflagellate isogametes. Individual gametophytic fronds were dioecious, and alternated with isomorphic sporophytic fronds. The gametes moved rapidly and often exhibited an unusual side‐to‐side vibration that made them appear like winged insects. Comparisons of 18S rRNA gene and ITS sequences indicated thatP. dawsoniishould be included in the genusBlidingia, family Kornmanniaceae.
Evolution of meiotic patterns of oogenesis and spermatogenesis in centric diatoms
Authors: Mizuno Makoto 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYThe evolution of meiotic patterns of the oogenesis and spermatogenesis in centric diatoms was inferred according to the parsimony principle. The pattern provisionally named type 1, in which one of two daughter nuclei becomes pycnotic, no cytokinesis occurs at meiosis II and two eggs are produced, was inferred to be the most primitive among extant meiotic patterns of oogenesis. It was also inferred that the pattern provisionally named 4‐2EC, in which equal cytokinesis occurs after each nuclear division and four functional haploid cells are produced, is the most primitive among extant meiotic patterns of spermatogenesis. The evolution of meiotic pattern suggests that bipolar or multipolar forms are primitive among centric diatoms.
Inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes in the isogamous brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Kato Yusuke , Kogame Kazuhiro , Nagasato Chikako , Motomura Taizo 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYPatterns of inheritance of chloroplasts and mitochondria were examined by fluorescence microscopy and haplotype genome markers in the isogamous brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Lyngbye) Link. Germination of the zygote in this species was unilateral, the growing thallus developed entirely from the germ tube, and the original zygote cell did not develop except for the formation of a hair. Inheritance of chloroplasts was biparental, and partitioning of the two parental chloroplasts into the first sporophytic cells was accidental: either the maternal or the paternal chloroplast was migrated from the zygote into the germ tube cell, whereas the other chloroplast remained in the original cell. In contrast, the mitochondrial genome in all cells of the sporophyte came only from the female gamete (maternal inheritance). These inheritance patterns are similar to those of the isogamous brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus (Dillwyn) Lyngbye. Maternal inheritance of mitochondria might be universal in brown algae.
Six‐minute walk distance in healthy Singaporean adults cannot be predicted using reference equations derived from Caucasian populations
Authors: POH Hermione , EASTWOOD Peter R. , CECINS Nola M. , HO Kheng Thye , JENKINS Sue C. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:  The 6‐min walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to assess the functional exercise capacity of individuals with cardiopulmonary disease. Recent studies have established regression equations to predict the 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Caucasian populations; however, regression equations have yet to be established for the Singaporean population. The aim of this study was to determine 6MWD in healthy Singaporeans and identify contributors to 6MWD in this population. We also compared measured 6MWD with predicted 6MWD from two regression equations derived in Caucasian subjects.Methodology:  Thirty‐five healthy subjects (32 Chinese, 16 men) aged between 45 and 85 years performed three walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the three tests. Heart rate (HR) was recorded each minute during the 6MWT. Other measurements included age, height, leg length, smoking history and self‐reported physical activity.Results:  6MWD was 560 ± 105 m and was not significantly different between men and women (P = 0.19). 6MWD was related to age (r = −0.36, P = 0.03), height (r = 0.35, P = 0.04), leg length (r = 0.38, P = 0.02) and the maximum HR achieved on the 6MWT when expressed as a percentage of the predicted maximum HR (%predHRmax, r = 0.73, P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that age, height, weight and %predHRmax were independent contributors (P < 0.01) to 6MWD, explaining 78% of the variance. Predicted 6MWD using regression equations derived from Caucasian subjects exceeded measured 6MWD by more than 75 m (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  This is the first study to report 6MWD for healthy Singaporeans aged 45–85 years. The regression equation developed in this study explained 78% of the variance in 6MWD. Published equations derived from Caucasian subjects overestimate 6MWD in Singaporean Chinese.
Asthma severity is associated with an increase in both blood CXCR3+ and CCR4+ T cells
Authors: KURASHIMA Kazuyoshi , FUJIMURA Masaki , MYOU Shigeharu , ISHIURA Yoshihisa , ONAI Nobuyuki , MATSUSHIMA Kouji 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:  A predominance of type 2 helper T cells (Th2) in the bronchoalveolar space and peripheral blood is a well‐accepted feature of bronchial asthma. However, the relationship between peripheral blood Th2 cells and asthma severity has not been thoroughly investigated.Methods:  As Th1 cells predominantly express the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and Th2 cells express CCR4, we assessed the distribution of peripheral blood CXCR3+ and CCR4+ lymphocytes using flow cytometry in 186 patients with asthma and 75 normal subjects.Results:  The proportion of CXCR3+/CD45RO+ cells in CD4+ T cells increased as the severity of asthma increased. The percentage of CCR4+/CD45RO+ cells in CD4+ T cells were elevated in mild to severe asthma patients compared with controls. However, there was no significant difference in CCR4+/CD45RO+ cells between the mild to severe asthma patients. There was no relationship between the patient's age and the numbers of CXCR3+ or CCR4+ T cells. The percentage of CCR4+ cells in CD45RO+/CD4+ T cells correlated with the levels of total serum IgE (r = 0.630, P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The proportion of CCR4+ cells in blood memory helper T cells may be increased in patients with asthma and is associated with the level of serum IgE, but severity of asthma is also associated with the increase of blood CXCR3+ cells in memory helper T cells.
Increased endothelin‐1 levels of BAL fluid in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: TERASHITA Kyoko , KATO Shuichi , SATA Makoto , INOUE Sumito , NAKAMURA Hidenori , TOMOIKE Hitonobu 
Published: February 2006

Objective and background:  Pulmonary fibrosis in sarcoidosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Various factors have been intensely studied to define the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis in sarcoidosis. Endothelin (ET) consists of three isoforms and is known for its potent vasoconstrictor properties. ET plays an important role in the fibroproliferative process of interstitial lung diseases.Methods:  To investigate the role of ET in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in sarcoidosis, ET‐1 and ET‐3 concentrations were measured in BAL fluid (BALF) in 22 non‐smoking patients with sarcoidosis and in control subjects (n = 12). Immunoreactivity of ET‐1 was also evaluated in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from sarcoidosis patients. To assess the effects of ET in BALF on fibroblast proliferation, human foetal lung fibroblasts were cultured with sarcoidosis or control BALFs in the presence or absence of the ET‐receptor antagonist TAK‐044.Results:  ET‐1 levels in sarcoidosis BALF were significantly higher than those in control, whereas ET‐3 levels were not different between sarcoidosis and control. ET‐1 levels were correlated with the number of AMs in BALF. ET‐1‐immunoreactivity was found mainly in AM of sarcoidosis BALF. Sarcoidosis BALF significantly stimulated fibroblast proliferation, compared with control BALF, and the fibroblast proliferation induced by sarcoidosis BALF was inhibited by TAK‐044.Conclusions:  Increased levels of ET‐1 in AM could enhance fibrogenesis in pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Emphysema detected by lung cancer screening with low‐dose spiral CT: Prevalence, and correlation with smoking habits and pulmonary function in Japanese male subjects
Authors: OMORI Hisamitsu , NAKASHIMA Rumi , OTSUKA Nobuko , MISHIMA Yoshiko , TOMIGUCHI Seigi , NARIMATSU Akiko , NONAMI Yoshio , MIHARA Shuichi , KOYAMA Wasaku , MARUBAYASHI Tohru , MORIMOTO Yasuo 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  Screening with low‐dose spiral CT is a promising new tool for early lung cancer detection. A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of emphysema detected by CT screening, and to assess the correlation between the extent of emphysema and the severity defined according to the recently published Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria.Methods:  After informed consent, CT screening and pulmonary function tests were performed on 615 men between the ages of 40 and 69. Severity of emphysema was assessed visually. Only the pulmonary function data for male subjects were analysed because there were too few female subjects with emphysema.Results:  Emphysema was detected in 30.5% of current smokers, 14.1% of former smokers and 3.0% of non‐smokers. In male current smokers, airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) was seen in 18.1% of subjects with mild emphysema, and in 33.3% of subjects with moderate emphysema. FEV1 values were less than 80% of the predicted normal in 8.5% of subjects with mild emphysema, and 28.6% of subjects with moderate emphysema. The percentage of male subjects with emphysema equivalent to GOLD stage 0 was 90.0% for subjects in their 40s, 82.5% for those in their 50s, and 68.2% for those in their 60s.Conclusion:  A considerable percentage of the subjects with emphysema as detected by CT screening had GOLD stage 0. CT screening assists in detecting early‐stage emphysema.
Mechanisms by which systemic salbutamol increases ventilation
Authors: TOBIN Antony E. , PELLIZZER Anne‐Marie , SANTAMARIA John D. 
Published: February 2006

Background and objective: Salbutamol (SAL) has systemic effects that may adversely influence ventilation in asthmatic patients. The authors sought to determine the magnitude of this effect and mechanisms by which i.v. SAL affects ventilation.Methods: A prospective study of nine healthy subjects (eight men, one woman; age 23 ± 1.4 years (SD)) was undertaken. Each subject received i.v. SAL at 5, 10 and 20 µg/min each for 30 min at each dose and was observed for 1 h post infusion. Minute ventilation (V̇E), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), CO2production (V̇CO2), occlusion pressure (P0.1), heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, glucose, arterial blood gases, lactate and potassium (K+) were recorded at baseline and at 30‐min intervals. The effect of 100% oxygen onV̇Eand P0.1during SAL infusion at 20 µg/min was observed. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM.Results: V̇Ewas significantly increased at 20 µg/min SAL (37.8 ± 12.1%,P = 0.01), as were V̇O2(22.5 ± 5.1%,P < 0.01) and V̇CO2(40.9 ± 10.6%,P < 0.01). Ventilation was in excess of metabolic needs as demonstrated by a rise in the respiratory exchange ratio (0.87 ± 0.03 to 0.99 ± 0.04,P < 0.05). Serum lactate rose by 124 ± 30.4% from baseline to 20 µg/min (1.1 ± 0.1 to 2.3 ± 0.25 mmol/L,P < 0.01) and base excess decreased (0.89 ± 0.56 to vs. −1.75 ± 0.52 mmol/L,P < 0.01) consistent with a lactic acidosis contributing to the excess ventilation. There was no significant differences inV̇Eor P0.1with FIO2 = 1.0, suggesting peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation was not responsible for the rise inV̇E. At 20 µg/min SAL, K+fell significantly from baseline (3.8 ± 0.06 to 2.8 ± 0.09 mmol/L,P < 0.001).Conclusion: Systemic SAL imposes ventilatory demands by increasing metabolic rate and serum lactate. This may adversely affect patients with severe asthma with limited ventilatory reserve.
Systems for implementing best practice for a chronic disease: management of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee
Authors: Brand C. , Cox S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Effective implementation of evidence‐based care has been associated with better health outcomes; however, evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines have been used with varying success.Aims: This study aimed to develop integrative tools to support implementation of best practice recommendations for nonsurgical management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee and to identify barriers to effective implementation.Methods: Published, peer reviewed clinical practice guidelines were updated and translated into an OA care pathway. Key decision nodes in the pathway were identified by a Multidisciplinary Working Group. Qualitative research methods were used to inform pathway development and to identify barriers and enablers for pathway implementation. Qualitative components included purposively selected stakeholder focus groups, key informant interviews and patient process mapping of 10 patient journeys in different settings over a 3‐month period. All interviews, facilitated by a trained project officer, were semistructured, recorded, then thematically analysed and summarized.Results: An OA care pathway, clinician and patient toolkits were developed that met the needs of multidisciplinary end‐users. Several system‐ and setting‐specific barriers to pathway implementation were identified. Opportunities to improve patient access, interprofessional communication, patient information and education and continuity of care processes were identified.Conclusion: Integrative tools for implementation of best evidence care for patients with OA of the hip and knee were tailored to end‐user needs and preferences. Multiple barriers exist that potentially limit effective implementation of best evidence. Comprehensive assessment of barriers and enablers to effective guideline or pathway implementation is recommended before implementation and evaluation.
Neurally mediated syncope and unexplained or nonaccidental falls in the elderly
Authors: Anpalahan M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractFalls and syncope are among the leading causes for which older patients seek hospital admissions. The prevalence of unexplained or nonaccidental falls is high in this group. The clinical spectrum of falls and syncope has been shown to overlap significantly in the elderly. Carotid sinus syndrome and vasovagal syncope, the two common examples of neurally mediated syncope (NMS), have been increasingly recognised as important attributable causes for unexplained falls and syncope. However, in clinical practice NMS is not widely investigated as a cause of fall and is likely to be underdiagnosed.
Clinical use of a shortened alcohol withdrawal scale in a general hospital*
Authors: Foy A. , McKay S. , Ling S. , Bertram M. , Sadler C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Multi‐item scales for monitoring alcohol withdrawal reactions have been used since the 1970s, and since 1985 we have used a modified version of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) in our general hospitals. This study was conducted to determine whether a shorter version of the scale would prove easier to use without loss of accuracy.Methods: A simultaneous ‘crossover’ clinical audit using two hospitals. The shortened scale was developed from the existing one, and had 10 items as opposed to the previous 18. The patients were followed throughout their course and the incidences of complication, the frequency of sedation, the delay in initiating monitoring and the ease of use were recorded.Results: There were 106 patients managed with the old scale and 96 with the new. The rate of complication was not different, being 16% in patients managed using the old scale and 14.5% using the new scale; the rates of sedation were 49 and 48%, respectively. Patients managed with the new scale had a shorter course with a median duration of 27.6 h compared with 40 h. The time from admission to first recording of a score was 5.4 h for the new scale and 4.8 h for the old, which is not a significant difference. Both scores were used according to instructions, but staff reported that the shortened scale was easier to use.Conclusions: We conclude that a shortened form of the CIWA alcohol withdrawal scale works as well as the original and is simple to use.
Is there a risk to safety when working in the New South Wales underground coal‐mining industry while having binaural noise‐induced hearing loss?
Authors: Viljoen D. A. , Nie V. , Guest M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Underground coal‐mine workers suffer noise‐induced hearing loss and continue working in the industry while having varying degrees of deafness. Few studies have researched the risk to safety arising from the loss of hearing.Aims: This study is designed to investigate the possible association between hearing loss and accidents in the New South Wales underground coal‐mining industry.Methods: A study was conducted, gathering data over a 10‐year period from 1994 to 2003, which identified 97 cases that have had accidents and 983 controls that have had no accidents. Hearing loss levels were noted and compared in the cases and controls. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether the variables were significant risk factors in the occurrence of accidents.Results: Hearing loss levels in the total cohort varied from 0 to 54%. The proportion of cases with hearing loss appeared to be significantly higher in the young age group of <29 years than in the controls, but was not significantly different in the older age groups.Conclusions: This study indicates that workers who have lost up to 54% binaural high tone hearing and are older than 29 years do not appear to have an increased risk to safety when compared with workers who do not have hearing loss. However, workers in the young age group of <29 years who have high tone hearing loss may be at an increased risk of accident.
Pneumonitis associated with leflunomide: a profile of New Zealand and Australian reports
Authors: Savage R. L. , Highton J. , Boyd I. W. , Chapman P. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Pneumonitis has very rarely been observed in patients taking leflunomide in clinical trials. Evidence is emerging that it is more frequent in clinical practice.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate voluntary reports of suspected respiratory reactions to leflunomide held by the New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre (NZPhvC) and the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Unit (ADRU) to ascertain if they fulfilled the criteria for pneumonitis and to define characteristics of this reaction.Method: Reports of respiratory adverse reactions attributed to leflunomide and received by the NZPhvC and the ADRU were analysed to identify those that were likely to be pneumonitis based on the criteria of Searles and McKendry. Features of these reports were examined to provide further information about this adverse reaction.Results: The NZPhvC and the ADRU received 14 reports considered to be pneumonitis occurring in patients taking leflunomide. Two case reports fulfilled the Searles and McKendry criteria for definite or probable hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The patients in the remaining reports had radiological evidence of pulmonary infiltrates, an acute respiratory illness and no evidence of precipitating infection. In two cases the patients were taking leflunomide alone; one improved when it was withdrawn. In the other 12 cases, patients were taking leflunomide in combination with methotrexate. In nine of these 12 patients pneumonitis occurred after leflunomide was added to methotrexate, usually within 12–20 weeks. One of the two patients who died had possible previous methotrexate pneumonitis. Leflunomide washout with cholestyramine was used to treat three patients, one with life‐threatening illness, with good results.Conclusion: This case series supports observations that leflunomide can cause pneumonitis either as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate. The case histories indicate that prompt recognition is important to avoid life‐threatening disease and support the use of cholestyramine to remove leflunomide.
Retrospective data for diabetic foot complications: only the tip of the iceberg?
Authors: Wraight P. R. , Lawrence S. M. , Campbell D. A. , Colman P. G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAdmission rates for diabetes‐related foot complications to an Australian hospital were assessed by comparing the frequently used method of retrospectively identifying patients according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes with that of prospectively identifying patients at the time of admission. The aim was to determine the true admission rate of diabetes‐related foot complications and to assess the ability of ICD discharge codes to accurately represent the clinical severity of each identified admission. The retrospective study of ICD codes identified approximately one‐third of the patients admitted during the prospective studies. Furthermore, ICD codes allocated in the prospective studies failed to accurately represent the clinical condition in 61% of cases and the corresponding Weighted Inlier Equivalent Separations weighting resulted in a $215 000/year deficit for admissions to a single hospital.