bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On subducting slab entrainment of buoyant asthenosphere
Authors: Phipps Morgan J. , Hasenclever Jörg , Hort M. , Rüpke L. , Parmentier E. M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractLaboratory and numerical experiments and boundary layer analysis of the entrainment of buoyant asthenosphere by subducting oceanic lithosphere implies that slab entrainment is likely to be relatively inefficient at removing a buoyant and lower viscosity asthenosphere layer. Asthenosphere would instead be mostly removed by accretion into and eventual subduction of the overlying oceanic lithosphere. The lower (hot) side of a subducting slab entrains by the formation of a ∼10–30 km‐thick downdragged layer, whose thickness depends upon the subduction rate and the density contrast and viscosity of the asthenosphere, while the upper (cold) side of the slab may entrain as much by thermal ‘freezing’ onto the slab as by mechanical downdragging. This analysis also implies that proper treatment of slab entrainment in future numerical mantle flow experiments will require the resolution of ∼10–30 km‐thick entrainment boundary layers.
Sex ratio variation in gynodioeciousLobelia siphilitica: effects of population size and geographic location
Authors: CARUSO C. M. , CASE A. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractVariation in population sex ratio can be influenced by natural selection on alternate sex phenotypes as well as nonselective mechanisms, such as genetic drift and founder effects. If natural selection contributes to variation in population sex ratio, then sex ratio should covary with resource availability or herbivory. With nonselective mechanisms, sex ratio should covary with population size. We estimated sex ratio, resource availability, herbivory and size of 53 populations of gynodioeciousLobelia siphilitica. Females were more common in populations with higher annual temperatures, lower soil moisture and lower predation on female fruits, consistent with sex‐specific selection. Females were also more common in small populations, consistent with drift, inbreeding or founder effects. However, small populations occurred in areas with higher temperatures than large populations, suggesting that female frequencies in small populations could be caused by sex‐specific selection. Both selective and nonselective mechanisms likely affect sex ratio variation in this gynodioecious species.
Historic and contemporary levels of genetic variation in two New Zealand passerines with different histories of decline
Authors: TAYLOR S. S. , JAMIESON I. G. , WALLIS G. P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe compared historic and contemporary genetic variation in two threatened New Zealand birds (saddlebacks and robins) with disparate bottleneck histories. Saddlebacks showed massive loss of genetic variation when extirpated from the mainland, but no significant loss of variation following a severe bottleneck in the 1960s when the last population was reduced from ∼1000 to 36 birds. Low genetic variation was probably characteristic of this isolated island population: considerably more genetic variation would exist in saddlebacks today if a mainland population had survived. In contrast to saddlebacks, contemporary robin populations showed only a small decrease in genetic variation compared with historical populations. Genetic variation in robins was probably maintained because of their superior ability to disperse and coexist with introduced predators. These results demonstrate that contemporary genetic variation may depend more greatly on the nature of the source population and its genetic past than it does on recent bottlenecks.
Papillar Morphology of the Rumen of Forest Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) and Semidomesticated Reindeer (R. t. tarandus)
Authors: Soveri T. , Nieminen M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe papillar morphology of the ventral and dorsal rumen of the wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus Lönn.) and semidomesticated reindeer (R. t. tarandus L.) was studied in October and November 1996. The morphological measurements which were carried out were: the lengths of the papillae, the number of the papillae per square centimetre, the cross‐sectional area and perimeter of sections cut from the middle of papillae. From these measurements mean papillar volume, areal papillar volume, mean papillar (epithelial) surface area, areal papillar surface and surface enlargement factor were calculated. No differences in these measurements between ventral and dorsal walls of the rumen were evident. The semidomesticated reindeer had longer papillar perimeters, larger mean and areal papillar surface areas, larger mean papillar volumes, and a larger surface enlargement factor in the ventral rumen than did forest reindeer. This may be a result of differences between feeding habits, the semidomesticated reindeer preferring a diet including more plants rich in carbohydrates e.g. lichens, which has resulted in a high production of volatile fatty acids and thus stimulation of papillar growth.
Prognostic factors in pulmonary tuberculosis requiring mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure
Authors: RYU Yon Ju , KOH Won‐Jung , KANG Eun Hae , SUH Gee Young , CHUNG Man Pyo , KIM Hojoong , KWON O Jung 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  The prognosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is believed to be poor. The aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to in‐hospital mortality in these patients.Methods:  The medical records of 32 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis as a primary cause of acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary referral hospital over a 10‐year period were reviewed retrospectively, and predictors of mortality were assessed.Results:  The patients’ median age was 69 years (range 25–88 years). The median length of intensive care unit stay was 11 days (range 2–88 days), and the median duration of mechanical ventilation was 9 days (range 2–86 days). Overall in‐hospital mortality was 59% (19/32). Independent predictive factors of in‐hospital mortality included tuberculous‐destroyed lungs (hazard ratio 6.61, 95% CI: 1.21–36.04, P = 0.029), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores ≥20 (hazard ratio 4.90, 95% CI: 1.43–16.80, P = 0.012) and sepsis (hazard ratio 5.84, 95% CI: 1.63–20.95, P = 0.007).Conclusion:  Acute respiratory failure caused by pulmonary tuberculosis necessitating mechanical ventilation has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis, particularly in patients with tuberculous‐destroyed lungs, high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and sepsis.
Video‐assisted thoracic surgery for spontaneous haemopneumothorax
Authors: LUH Shi‐Ping , TSAO Thomas Chang‐Yao 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to review the treatment options for spontaneous haemopneumothorax (SHP) by video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).Methods:  Records from 16 patients (14 male, age 16–38 years, mean age 26.1 years) with prominent SHP (blood loss over 400 cc in the first 24 h) undergoing VATS from July 1994 to December 2005 and treated by one thoracic surgeon in four medical centres or community hospitals of North and Mid‐Taiwan were reviewed retrospectively.Results:  Thirteen patients (81.3%) were identified to have a prominent bleeding source intraoperatively. Torn engorged vessels from the parietal pleura to adjacent bullae were found in nine patients, and bleeders adjacent or over the parietal part of the adhered pleura were found in the other four. Ruptured bullae/blebs or air leakage were found in 14 (87.5%). All underwent removal of intrapleural blood clot, control of bleeders and their bullae/blebs were resected through three‐port VATS (n = 13, 81.2%) or mini‐thoracotomy and VATS (n = 3, because of unstable vital signs or conversion because of dense adhesion). Mechanical or chemical pleurodesis was carried out in all patients. The mean operative time was 53.8 ± 21.7 min. There was no postoperative mortality. However, recurrent bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in one patient, and one other patient had a prolonged air leakage (>7 days) postoperatively and recovered spontaneously. The mean duration of chest tube drainage was 3.8 days and the median follow‐up period was 3.2 years.Conclusion:  SHP complicated by severe bleeding is a surgical emergency. VATS is a reasonable treatment for patients with SHP.
Recent discovery of an old disease: Malignant pleural mesothelioma in a village in south‐east Turkey
Authors: OSMAN Elbek , HASAN Bayram , MERAL Uyar , ERCAN Akbulut , MEHMET Tülü , NAZAN Bayram , AYHAN ÖZkur , ERHAN Ekinci , ÖNER Dikensoy 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  Environmental asbestos exposure is reportedly common in some districts of Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and effect of environmental asbestos exposure in a village in Gaziantep, Turkey, with reported cases of mesothelioma.Methods:  All villagers ≥14 years old were subject to an interview rediagnosis and a detailed questionnaire. Chest microfilms were performed in all cases, and additional standard CXRs were obtained when necessary. Samples collected from the natural mantle, and whitewash from the houses were analysed for the presence of asbestos.Results:  In total, 269 villagers took part in the study. The incidence of histopathologically diagnosed malignant pleural mesothelioma was 0.32% relative to the total village population in the year 2000. The verbal autopsy revealed eight possible cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma, all of whom had died within the past 12 years. Of these eight, there was a first‐degree kinship between three, and additionally, these patients had a third‐degree relationship with a biopsy proven case. Radiological evaluation showed pleural calcification and/or thickness in 3.3%, and pleural effusion in 0.4% of patients undergoing CXR. All houses in the village were constructed using adobe soil, and the interior whitewash was made from soil containing asbestos. Analysis of soil samples revealed tremolite and/or actinolyte asbestos.Conclusion:  The current findings suggest that environmental asbestos exposure continue to be a serious health concern in the Gaziantep region of Turkey.
Snoring and breathing pauses during sleep in the Malaysian population
Authors: KAMIL Mohd Ariff , TENG Cheong Lieng , HASSAN Syed Almashoor 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of snoring and breathing pauses during sleep, and to assess associated factors, including morbidity and the impact on daytime functioning, in an adult Malaysian population.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of community‐dwelling adults aged 30–70 years was conducted. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Physical examinations were limited to measurements of body habitus and blood pressure.Results:  The sample consisted of 1611 adults (52.9% male). The prevalence of habitual snoring, breathing pauses and excessive daytime sleepiness were 47.3%, 15.2% and 14.8%, respectively. Seven per cent of respondents (8.8% male, 5.1% female) were clinically suspected to have obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The independent predictors of habitual snoring were older age, Chinese or Indian ethnicity (compared with Malays), smoking, obesity and use of sedatives. Clinically suspected OSAS and habitual snoring were significantly associated with difficulty in getting up in the morning, morning headache, driving and workplace accidents, hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease.Conclusions:  The prevalence of habitual snoring is high in the Malaysian population. Sleep‐related breathing disorders in Malaysian adults are associated with significant morbidity.
Evaluation of the relationship between radiological abnormalities and both pulmonary function and pulmonary hypertension in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis
Authors: AKKOCA YILDIZ Oznur , ERIS GULBAY Banu , SARYAL Sevgi , KARABIYIKOGLU Gulseren 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the radiological evidence of emphysema, and the extent of interstitial involvement, on lung function and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in patients with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP).Methods:  The records of 48 patients with suspected CWP were evaluated retrospectively. Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analyses and right heart catheterization were evaluated in all patients. Radiological scoring was according to International Labour Organization criteria, and emphysema was scored by CT scanning. Patients were grouped according to the mean PAP (≥20 mm Hg or ≤19 mm Hg).Results:  All patients showed a mild decrease in FEV1/FVC and a mild increase in FRC. Forty‐four per cent of patients developed mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension. Emphysema scores correlated significantly with airflow rates, including FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and FEF25−75%, and with carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO)% predicted as well as FRC% predicted and the ratio RV/TLC, which are indices of air trapping. Additionally, profusion and global profusion scores showed significant correlation with FEV1/FVC, DLCO% predicted, specific airway conductance and smoking. Mean PAP showed a significant negative correlation with FEF50% predicted, DLCO% predicted and profusion score.Conclusions:  The impairment of pulmonary function (mainly disturbance in airflow rates and air trapping) and pulmonary hypertension may be present, even in a simple form of CWP. The pulmonary function impairment in patients with CWP is likely to be attributable to the occurrence of emphysema. However, pulmonary hypertension was directly related to the profusion of pneumoconiotic nodules, which may result in obliteration of the vascular bed.
Lipid peroxides in stable asthmatics receiving inhaled steroids and long‐acting β2‐agonists
Authors: ALZOGHAIBI Mohammed A. , BAHAMMAM Ahmed S. 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  The effect of inhaled steroids on oxidative stress in asthmatics is unclear. The levels of lipid peroxides in the serum of asthmatic patients, whose symptoms were controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long‐acting β2‐agonists, were measured in this study.Methods:  Twenty asthmatic patients and 17 matched, healthy controls were recruited. Oxidative stress levels were quantified by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.Results:  After 3 months of treatment, the mean lipid peroxide concentrations were significantly higher in asthmatic patients than in the healthy controls (4.2 ± 0.13 µmol/mL vs. 3.6 ± 0.07 µmol/mL, respectively).Conclusion:  The level of lipid peroxides is higher in patients with asthma than in healthy controls, even when the asthma is well controlled after 3 months of treatment. A longer period of therapy may be required before lipid peroxidation normalizes.
Evaluation of a new inflammatory molecule (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1) in the diagnosis of pleural effusion
Authors: CHAN Ming‐Cheng , CHANG Kai‐Ming , CHAO Wen‐Cheng , LIN Liang‐Yi , KUO Benjamin Ing‐Tiau , HSU Jeng‐Yuan , WU Chieh‐Liang 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell‐1 (TREM‐1) is a newly discovered molecule that is associated with the inflammatory response to microorganisms. We investigated the role of surface and soluble TREM‐1 in differentiating different disease entities in pleural effusion formation.Methods:  Sixty‐seven patients with pleural effusion due to transudate (14), malignancy (15), tuberculous pleuritis (16), para‐pneumonic effusion (10) and empyaema (12) were included in this study. Surface TREM‐1 was measured by flow cytometry and was expressed as mean fluorescence intensity and soluble TREM‐1 was measured by ELISA and expressed as pg/mL. Results are given as mean levels ± SEM.Results:  Surface TREM‐1 was measured in 24 patients and the levels were highest in para‐pneumonic effusion (30.0 ± 8.4) and lowest in malignant pleural effusion (5.2 ± 1.1) and tuberculous pleuritis (5.2 ± 2.4). Soluble TREM‐1 was highest in effusions of infectious aetiology (para‐pneumonic effusion (979.4 ± 229.6) and empyaema (1712.6 ± 299.5)) and lowest in non‐infectious effusions (transudate (81.2 ± 4.5 pg/mL) and malignancy (111.3 ± 20.7). At a cut‐off value of 114 pg/mL, soluble TREM‐1 yielded a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 89.7% in differentiating non‐infectious effusion from tuberculous pleuritis. At a cut‐off value of 374 pg/mL, sTREM‐1 yielded a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 90.9 in differentiating tuberculous pleuritis from bacterial pleural effusion.Conclusion:  Soluble and surface TREM‐1 are valuable markers in establishing the aetiology of pleural effusions.
Effect of a simple educational intervention on the hospital management of community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: SERISIER David J. , BOWLER Simon D. 
Published: May 2007

Background and objectives:  Both the speed of commencement and the appropriateness of i.v. antibiotic administration influence outcomes in patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). While quality improvement projects have been linked to better CAP management and outcomes, there are limited data evaluating simple and achievable interventions.Methods:  A simple educational programme targeting rapid and appropriate antibiotic administration for the inpatient treatment of CAP was evaluated using a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted through the emergency department with CAP during ‘pre‐intervention’ and ‘post‐intervention’ periods.Results:  There were 108 pre‐intervention patients (56 women, median age 63 years) and 88 post‐intervention patients (43 women, median age 61 years) included in the evaluation. Comparison of indicators of care in the post‐intervention period with those in the pre‐intervention period showed there were significant changes in: median time to antibiotic administration (2.5 h vs 3.5 h, 95% CI: 0–1.25, P = 0.01); subjects not prescribed macrolide antibiotics (2.3% vs 10.2%, 95% CI for OR 1.02–46.19, P = 0.04); hospital length of stay (3.5 vs 6 days, 95% CI: 1–3, P < 0.001) and mortality (0% vs 6.5%, 95% CI for OR 1.13 to infinity, P = 0.02).Conclusion:  A simple, inexpensive educational intervention was associated with significant improvements in the hospital management of CAP. The widespread introduction of similar programmes has the potential to effect substantial improvements in management, and possibly patient outcomes, and requires prospective confirmation in a larger, randomized sample.
Clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: CHO Young‐Jae , LEE Sang Min , YOO Chul‐Gyu , KIM Young Whan , HAN Sung Koo , SHIM Young‐Soo , YIM Jae‐Joon 
Published: May 2007

Background and objectives:  Patients with liver cirrhosis are likely to be susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) because of immune system dysfunction. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics and treatment responses in TB patients with cirrhosis.Methods:  Cases were patients with TB detected during their follow up for liver cirrhosis over a 4‐year period. Controls were randomly selected patients with TB but no liver disease, matched to cases by age and gender in a 3:1 ratio.Results:  Thirty‐six cases and 108 controls were enrolled. Extrapulmonary TB was more common in cases than controls (31% vs 12%, P = 0.02). Clinical and radiographic manifestations and response to treatment did not differ between the two groups. The frequency of hepatotoxicity was higher in the cases than in the controls who were treated with a regimen containing rifampicin and isoniazid, although the difference was not statistically significant (27% vs 10%, P = 0.079).Conclusions:  TB patients with liver cirrhosis show extrapulmonary involvement more frequently. Patients with pulmonary TB and cirrhosis usually respond well to anti‐TB treatment although appear to present more frequently with treatment‐related hepatotoxicity.
Arm span as an independent predictor of pulmonary function parameters: validation and reference values
Authors: GOLSHAN Mohammad , CRAPO Robert O. , AMRA Babak , JENSEN Robert L. , GOLSHAN Roozbeh 
Published: May 2007

Background and objectives:  To determine if arm span can be used as a measure of body length in developing prediction equations for lung function and to compare these equations with height‐derived equations.Methods:  Standing height and arm span were measured for all study subjects. Spirometry measurements included FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 and FEF25−75. These data were used to develop prediction equations using multiple regression analysis based on age, gender and arm span. An independent group (225 subjects) was used to evaluate the accuracy of the equations. Predicted values for each parameter were calculated separately for arm span and height and compared with the measured values.Results:  Study subjects comprised 1865 healthy non‐smoking Persian volunteers. Arm span‐based equations accurately predicted all of the spirometric parameters. The standard errors of the estimate for prediction equations based on arm span were slightly smaller than those based on standing height. Average predicted values based on height predicted from arm span did not consistently agree with the measured values.Conclusions:  Predicting pulmonary parameters using equations based on arm span is as reliable as using equations based on standing height and are more accurate for patients in whom height cannot be measured reliably.
Pulmonary function testing in New Zealand: The use and importance of reference ranges
Authors: MARSH Suzanne , ALDINGTON Sarah , WILLIAMS Mathew V. , WEATHERALL Mark , ROBIONY‐ROGERS David , JONES David , BEASLEY Richard 
Published: May 2007

Background and objectives:  The diagnosis, assessment and management of a wide range of respiratory diseases rely on accurate interpretation of lung function tests through the use of reference equations to generate predicted values. This paper ascertains the suitability of reference equations currently used in New Zealand through comparison with newly derived equations from the Wellington Respiratory Survey, and discusses the relevance of the findings to the Asia Pacific region.Methods:  A survey of lung function testing facilities determined the reference equations in common usage. Pulmonary function test results from healthy, lifelong non‐smoking subjects (n = 180) were expressed as percentage predicted values, with comparisons made between the currently used and Wellington Respiratory Survey reference equations. Differences in disease severity classification in subjects with COPD (n = 46) and asthma (n = 61) were determined, using the different reference equations.Results:  Currently used equations significantly underpredict measured values for FEV1, PEF, TLC and RV by up to 20%. Severity classification of COPD and asthma based on per cent predicted FEV1 was substantially altered by the choice of reference equation.Conclusion:  Many reference equations in current usage in New Zealand are no longer suitable for use. The applicability of reference equations used in other populations and countries within the Asia Pacific region requires further investigation. We recommend that up‐to‐date reference equations are derived and implemented if those currently used are shown to be unsatisfactory.