bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of positron emission tomography and lymphangiography in the diagnosis of infradiaphragmatic hodgkin's disease
Authors: Valette F. , Querellou S. , Oudoux A. , Carlier T. , Dupas B. , Chatal J.-F. , Couturier O. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the respective roles of positron emission tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) and lymphangiography (LAG) in staging Hodgkin's disease (HD) patients with negative contrast-enhanced infradiaphragmatic computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: 28 patients underwent FDG-PET and LAG at initial staging. Concordant positive findings on both tests were regarded as actual HD locations and concordant negative findings as true negative. In case of discrepancy, the reference was biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Concordant results were obtained in 26 patients (24 negative, two positive). In two of the 24 negative patients, PET showed additional lesions in the spleen and one celiac lymph node (one patient), and in the right kidney and the right iliac crest (one patient). Discordant results were obtained in two patients. Both methods indicated infradiaphragmatic involvement in different locations in one patient. In the other, PET was falsely positive (PET done within 24 hours after a negative LAG), which was confirmed by biopsy (benign inflammatory, probably due to LAG medium). Conclusion: FDG-PET and LAG gave comparable results, making invasive LAG unnecessary. Furthermore, LAG, when performed before PET, can be responsible for false-positive PET results.
Secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography of patients with unclear disease in the pancreaticobiliary tract
Authors: Hellund J. C. , Skattum J. , Buanes T. , Geitung J. T. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose: To explore the usefulness of secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) on different pathological entities in the pancreaticobiliary tract (PBT) Material and Methods: Sixty-two patients with unclear disease in the PBT were examined with S-MRCP as the final radiological procedure. Nine groups of referral diagnoses were identified, and clinical outcome was evaluated. Results: In five patients with suspected pancreatic duct injury after blunt abdominal trauma, a negative predictive value of 100% was found after a median of 3.5 months of follow-up. In 22 patients with residual pain after cholecystectomy, investigated for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), delayed dilatation of the PD and pain were documented in four patients. Three of these were treated with endoscopic papillotomy (EPT), and no recurrences were found during an average of 13.6 months of follow-up. Five cases of pancreas divisum not previously seen were identified, and of 12 patients with suspected postoperative stenosis, five were successfully treated after being identified with S-MRCP. Useful information was obtained in most of the patients, i.e., findings not observed in previous radiological examinations or clarifying uncertain previous findings. Nine patients were referred to other non-radiological examinations, identifying that the origin of disease was outside the PBT. Conclusion: S-MRCP has the potential to become the final part of diagnostic workup in difficult PBT diseases, but further investigation of usefulness regarding different referral reasons is mandatory.
Zopiclone misuse: an update from Dublin
Authors: BANNAN NOREEN , ROONEY SIOBHAN , O'CONNOR JOHN 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe prevalence of zopiclone misuse in clients attending a methadone maintenance programme in Dublin through detection of its degradation product, 2‐amino‐5‐chloropyridine (ACP) on urinalysis is outlined. Urine samples from all 158 clients were tested for the presence of ACP, opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, alcohol and cannabis. Of the 37 (23%) clients who tested positive for ACP, 23 (62%) were interviewed. A profile of zopiclone misusers is outlined, including details of demographics, drug history, viral status, recent urinalysis results and opinions on zopiclone. Of the 14 (38%) clients who were not interviewed, information was obtained from their clinical casenotes and documented urinalysis results. The prevalence of zopiclone misuse was reported as 23%. Benzodiazepines were the most popular drug of misuse with zopiclone followed by heroin/opiates. Zopiclone is being misused by drug users in Dublin in the context of many other drugs. Prescribing of zopiclone should be restricted, especially among drug misusers.
Time‐limited buprenorphine replacement therapy for opioid dependence: 2‐year follow‐up outcomes in relation to programme completion and current agonist therapy status
Authors: KORNØR HEGE , WAAL HELGE , SANDVIK LEIV 
Published: March 2007

AbstractProgramme completion is predictive of post‐treatment abstinence and other improvements in persons with opioid dependence, while continued agonist treatment is associated with better outcomes than no agonist treatment. This study aimed to assess relationships between follow‐up outcomes of a 9‐month buprenorphine programme, completion and current agonist therapy status. Sixty‐eight of 75 opioid‐dependent former participants were assessed at study entry and 24 months thereafter. Outcome measures were opioid abstinence, substance use and psychosocial performance. Group comparisons were made between buprenorphine programme completers (n = 38) and non‐completers (n = 30), and between participants who were currently in agonist therapy (n = 37) and those who were not. Performance at follow‐up was compared to that at study entry. Nine people were abstinent from all opioids at follow‐up. Completers and non‐completers were similar in follow‐up performance and patterns of change, while participants' current agonist therapy status was related to both substance use and psychosocial outcomes. Reductions in street opioid use and injecting were seen regardless of completion and agonist therapy status. Retaining patients in agonist replacement therapy over time is more likely than completion of a time‐limited programme to influence long‐term outcomes. Time‐limited buprenorphine replacement therapy appears to be inappropriate for persons with opioid dependence
Six Months in Aceh
Authors: Hugo Malcolm 
Published: March 2007

Objective: Brief case histories are presented of people with schizophrenia treated in the Indonesian province of Aceh, where the author worked as a clinical psychologist for Medecines Sans Frontieres in 2005. Aceh was severely affected by the December 2004 tsunami, with significant destruction and loss of life. Conclusions: The case studies highlight the needs of patients and the current opportunities to establish more effective mental health services. The role of culture as a significant consideration and a possible barrier to accessing care is also discussed.
Cochrane's Problem: Psychoanalysis and Anejaculation
Authors: Macleod Sandy 
Published: March 2007

Objective: The stimulus inciting Archie Cochrane's interest in scientific medicine was his own ill health and the inability of psychoanalysis to cure his problem of sexual dysfunction. The aetiology and modern management of anejaculation will be considered. Conclusions: The treatment undertaken by Cochrane failed because his condition was organic. Evidence-based medicine was founded upon Cochrane's critical evaluation of his own psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
A fast and flexible approach to oligonucleotide probe design for genomes and gene families
Authors: Feng Shengzhong , Tillier Elisabeth R.M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMotivation: With hundreds of completely sequenced microbial genomes available, and advancements in DNA microarray technology, the detection of genes in microbial communities consisting of hundreds of thousands of sequences may be possible. The existing strategies developed for DNA probe design, geared toward identifying specific sequences, are not suitable due to the lack of coverage, flexibility and efficiency necessary for applications in metagenomics.Methods: ProDesign is a tool developed for the selection of oligonucleotide probes to detect members of gene families present in environmental samples. Gene family-specific probe sequences are generated based on specific and shared words, which are found with the spaced seed hashing algorithm. To detect more sequences, those sharing some common words are re-clustered into new families, then probes specific for the new families are generated.Results: The program is very flexible in that it can be used for designing probes for detecting many genes families simultaneously and specifically in one or more genomes. Neither the length nor the melting temperature of the probes needs to be predefined. We have found that ProDesign provides more flexibility, coverage and speed than other software programs used in the selection of probes for genomic and gene family arrays.Availability: ProDesign is licensed free of charge to academic users. ProDesign and Supplementary Material can be obtained by contacting the authors. A web server for ProDesign is available at http://www.uhnresearch.ca/labs/tillier/ProDesign/ProDesign.htmlContact: e.tillier@utoronto.ca or fsz@ncic.ac.cnSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa During Excision of Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Buckmiller Lisa M. , Richter Gresham T. , Waner Milton , Suen James Y. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground: The surgical excision of vascular anomalies is often accompanied with significant perioperative bleeding. Novel hemostatic agents, including recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa), have been shown to reduce bleeding in hemophilia and trauma patients along with decreasing blood loss during various surgical procedures. The role of rVIIa during excision of vascular anomalies has not been examined.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients from 2001 to 2003 who received perioperative rVIIa during excision of vascular anomalies at one institution.Results: Nine patients were identified who received perioperative rVIIa during removal of their vascular anomalies (7 venous malformations, 1 lymphatic‐venous malformation, 1 arteriovenous malformation). All patients received at least one dose of rVIIa during the perioperative period (2/9 received 2 doses). An accurate account of hourly blood loss was reported, and could be graphed, in three patients. These patients displayed significant reductions in hourly blood loss after the administration of rVIIa. These cases are detailed in this report. Surgeons reported subjective improvements in operative bleeding, efficiency, and operative time in six of six patients after the administration of rVIIa intraoperatively. Reduced postoperative bleeding was reported in two patients who received rVIIa for persistent drain output.Conclusion: rVIIa may be an effective adjunct in improving the surgical efficiency and outcome of excised vascular anomalies.
Clinical Outcome After Surgery for 75 Patients With Parotid Sialadenitis
Authors: Patel Rajan S. , Low Tsu‐Hui H. , Gao Kan , O'Brien Christopher J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective: To analyze the clinical outcome of patients treated surgically for chronic parotid sialadenitis.Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of patients whose clinicopathologic information had been collected prospectively onto a dedicated head and neck database.Methods: Between 1987 and 2006, a total of 75 patients had 78 parotidectomies, 17 superficial and 61 near‐total, to treat chronic parotid sialadenitis. The clinicopathologic data including treatment morbidity and outcome were analyzed.Results: Temporary postoperative facial weakness occurred in 26 (33%) patients, and this was permanent, although partial, in one (1%) patient. There was no significant difference (P > .05) in the incidence of temporary facial nerve neuropraxia in the superficial (35%) and near‐total parotidectomy (33%) groups. Recurrence of symptoms was noted in two patients who had undergone near‐total parotidectomy and none of the patients who had undergone superficial parotidectomy. Chronic parotid sialadenitis was effectively treated in 97% of patients undergoing parotidectomy.Conclusion: Near‐total parotidectomy is a safe and efficacious surgical treatment in the management of patients with debilitating severe chronic parotid sialadenitis.
Animal Model for Cholesteatoma Induced in the Gerbil: Will the Profiles of Differentiation/Growth‐Regulatory Markers be Similar to the Clinical Situation?
Authors: Choufani Georges , Roper Nicolas , Delbrouck Carine , Hassid Sergio , Gabius Hans‐Joachim 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIntroduction: Cholesteatoma is a benign tumor of the middle ear characterized by an aggressive and invasive potential. The only current treatment being surgery, it is important to have access to a reliable animal model to study and better understand cholesteatoma pathogenesis. Our study aimed to examine the biological validity of the most common experimental model of cholesteatoma: the Mongolian gerbil.Material and Methods: We have induced cholesteatoma by surgical ligature of the gerbil's external auditory duct. Quantitative comparison of eight biological markers involved in inflammation (macrophage migration inhibitory factor [MIF]), cell differentiation (retinoic acid receptors‐α, ‐β, and ‐γ), and cell adhesion/apoptosis (galectins‐1, ‐3, ‐7, and ‐8). The immunohistochemical staining was quantified by computer‐assisted microscopy.Results: Two immunohistochemical parameters were determined in sections. The labeling index (LI) represents the percentage of tissue area specifically stained, and the mean optical density (MOD) denotes the staining intensity index. The LI reveals statistically significant differences for each marker tested. The MOD also shows statistically significant differences except for MIF (P = .259).Conclusion: From the panel of markers, the majority of staining parameters was statistically significantly different between sections of the animal model and clinical specimen. These data do not support the concept of complete validity of the popular animal model.
Flexible Laryngoscopy‐Guided Pharyngeal pH Monitoring in Infants
Authors: Ulualp Seckin O. , Rodriguez Sarah , Holmes‐Wright Camysha N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective: To evaluate flexible laryngoscopy‐guided pharyngeal pH probe monitoring as an alternative accurate and practical pharyngeal pH probe placement technique to eliminate the need for radiographs and esophageal manometry for pharyngeal pH monitoring in infants with extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD).Materials and Methods: Infants with suspected laryngopharyngeal acid reflux (LPR) who underwent pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring were included. Data analysis included description of the flexible laryngoscopy‐guided pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring technique and pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring findings, including the number of acid reflux episodes and percent acid exposure time.Results: Six infants (3 boys, 3 girls, age range, 2 wk–7.5 mo) with suspected LPR underwent pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring. Flexible laryngoscopy was used, under direct vision, to guide pH probe placement in the laryngopharyngeal region. The esophageal pH probe was located 5 cm distal to the pharyngeal pH probe. All infants tolerated the procedure. Of the six infants, four had pharyngeal acid reflux, and six had esophageal acid reflux. The number of acid reflux episodes ranged from 4 to 81 in the pharynx and from 5 to 173 in the esophagus. The percentage of acid exposure time was between 0% and 1.2% in the pharynx and between 0.1% and 1.5% in the esophagus.Conclusion: With the aid of flexible laryngoscopy, a pH probe can be placed in the laryngopharyngeal region in infants undergoing pharyngeal pH monitoring. Findings documented that not all esophageal acid reflux reach the pharynx. Flexible laryngoscopy‐guided pharyngeal pH probe placement can be used to detect LPR in infants with EERD.
Quality assurance: a study of the primary poultry producers' perspective
Authors: Manning L. , Baines R.N. , Chadd S.A. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeQuality assurance (QA) is considered to be a proven mechanism for delivering quality of product and service. This paper seeks to analyse how poultry producers view the benefits of the implementation of QA mechanisms in the poultry supply chain.Design/methodology/approachInitially, an information audit was undertaken to examine the recent developments in the area of research. The second stage involved qualitative and quantitative primary research. The poultry producers' attitudes were collected by means of a questionnaire. Attitudes were studied on two occasions. The data obtained from the study was analysed by a comparison of two means and then calculating the standard error of the difference in means.FindingsThis research has demonstrated that producers are primarily complying with farm assurance standards in order to maintain market access. In general, they have to date seen no other organisational or financial benefit of compliance other than continuing to supply their retail customers.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations concerning sample size, and possible skewing of respondent responses are discussed.Originality/valueThis research is of academic value and of value to those working in the food supply chain.
Nutritional profile of pizza commonly consumed in Bahrain
Authors: Musaiger Abdulrahman O. , D'souza Varghese Reshma , Al‐Jedah Jassim H. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to determine the proximate, mineral, sterol composition, and fatty acid profile of pizzas commonly consumed in Bahrain.Design/methodology/approachFive different types of pizza were purchased from various food outlets in Manama city, the capital of Bahrain. Proximate composition was determined by measuring the moisture, ash, fat, protein (N × 6.25), crude fiber, and carbohydrate content. The elements Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were measured using the flame system, while fatty acids were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) as their methyl esters, and sterols in the extracted fat were determined quantitatively by GLC.FindingsOn a fresh weight basis the dishes contained 47.50‐63.22 per cent w/w moisture, 8.25‐13.45 per cent w/w protein (N × 6.25), 8.43‐11.35 per cent w/w fat, and 11.76‐28.75 per cent w/w carbohydrates. The energy value ranged from 187.43‐259.60kcal (784.20‐1,086.18kJ)/100g, while a significant variation in the fiber and ash content was not observed. Of the minerals tested sodium (4,301.0‐5,315.3ppm), calcium (1,431.3‐2,143.2ppm), iron (9.10‐22.712ppm), and zinc (10.85‐17.65ppm) were the most prominent, while potassium, magnesium, and manganese were considerably lower. Analysis of sterol composition showed that cholesterol (9.87‐20.91mg/100g) and β‐sitosterol (5.91‐9.65mg/100g) were the most prominent sterols, whilst the presence of campesterol and stigmasterol was low. The main fatty acids present were oleic (22.10‐32.40mg/100g) and palmitic acid (24.0‐26.7mg/100g), while considerable amount of linoleic, stearic, and myristic acids were also present.Originality/valueDespite the popular misconception regarding the nutritional value of fast foods like pizzas, the pizza commonly consumed in Bahrain could be a considerable source of nutrition and make nutritional contribution to the diet, if eaten in moderation.
An assessment of food consumption within urban households in Osun State, Nigeria
Authors: Funke Olumakaiye Montunrayo 
Published: March 2007

PurposeMalnutrition affects one out of every three individuals living in developing countries. This disturbing state of affairs causes untold suffering. Little attention has been paid to the general food consumption within households in the developing countries. This study therefore aims to focus on the food consumption of urban households in Osun State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachOne‐hundred‐and‐fifty‐eight nuclear households were purposively selected, which contained an average of four to six household members. Structured interview Schedule was used to collect information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, while a chart designed to collect information on daily individual food intake was also used. Statistical techniques like frequency count and percentage were used in data quantification of socioeconomic characteristics, while food composition table was used to analyse the Recommended Dietary Allowance met by the respondents.Findings – The results indicated that the body mass index (BMI) of women between the age range of 21 and 40 was 17.89, which implied mild malnutrition, while women who are 40 years and above had BMI of 18.64 which was marginal, whereas, their male counterparts of the same age ranges were normal with BMI of 23.69 and 20.81, respectively. Other age groups in the households had relatively normal BMI.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the research was that it only assessed nuclear households in urban areas. Future study could include extended and polygamous households in both urban and rural areas.Originality/valueThis research established the facts that women of reproductive age tend towards being malnourished as a result of inadequate nutrients intake and this could be corrected through effective nutrition education.
The practical aspects of British companies establishing and developing business in Poland
Authors: Adams Nigel 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to provide information on the practical aspects of British companies establishing and developing business in Poland.Design/methodology/approachThe case study is based on the author's experience, assisting and working with British companies to establish businesses that have developed successfully in Poland.FindingsInvesting in Poland has been a success story for Beck & Pollitzer Engineering Ltd. The move to Poland has been in line with the European market expansion strategy of the company and has benefited from developing business operations in a market with high growth potential. The access to qualified and comparatively cheap labour force in Poland has reduced the overall cost of the investment. Moreover, the market access to the Russian buyers via the Polish company has provided an additional value‐added to the British company.Research limitations/implicationsThe single case study and related managerial experience give company specific information that is difficult to be generalised.Practical implicationsShows that a medium‐sized British company can succeed in a volatile foreign market.Originality/valueThe case study provides a manager's perspective of a company's expansion into the dynamic Polish market.