bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partial remission of a newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma in a hemodialysis patient after administration of immuno‐chemotherapy with rituximab‐CHOP
Authors: FELDMANN G. , NATTERMANN J. , GERHARDT T. , NÄHLE C. P. , SPENGLER U. , WOITAS R. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryTo date little data exist about treatment of hematologic malignancies in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). While administration of immunochemotherapy comprising the CD20‐antibody rituximab is a well‐established treatment strategy in patients with normal renal function, little information on safety and efficacy is available in the setting of ESRD. Here we describe for the first time a hemodialysis patient suffering from diffuse large B‐cell Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (DLBCL) who was treated with polychemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) in combination with rituximab (R‐CHOP). We observed no major adverse events and treatment resulted in a partial remission of the DLBCL. Thus, administration of R‐CHOP may be considered as a safe therapeutic option in this setting. Of note, this patient had a previous history of hairy cell leukemia. A review of the literature was performed and the potential etiologic link of these two B‐cell malignancies is discussed in the light of available information.
Predicting fluctuations of reintroduced ibex populations: the importance of density dependence, environmental stochasticity and uncertain population estimates
Authors: SÆTHER BERNT‐ERIK , LILLEGÅRD MAGNAR , GRØTAN VIDAR , FILLI FLURIN , ENGEN STEINAR 
Published: February 2007

Summary

Development of population projections requires estimates of observation error, parameters characterizing expected dynamics such as the specific population growth rate and the form of density regulation, the influence of stochastic factors on population dynamics, and quantification of the uncertainty in the parameter estimates.
Here we construct a Population Prediction Interval (PPI) based on Bayesian state space modelling of future population growth of 28 reintroduced ibex populations in Switzerland that have been censused for up to 68 years. Our aim is to examine whether the interpopulation variation in the precision of the population projections is related to differences in the parameters characterizing the expected dynamics, in the effects of environmental stochasticity, in the magnitude of uncertainty in the population parameters, or in the observation error.
The error in the population censuses was small. The median coefficient of variation in the estimates across populations was 5·1%.
Significant density regulation was present in 53·6% of the populations, but was in general weak.
The width of the PPI calculated for a period of 5 years showed large variation among populations, and was explained by differences in the impact of environmental stochasticity on population dynamics.
In spite of the high accuracy in population estimates, the uncertainty in the parameter estimates was still large. This uncertainty affected the precision in the population predictions, but it decreased with increasing length of study period, mainly due to higher precision in the estimates of the environmental variance in the longer time‐series.
These analyses reveal that predictions of future population fluctuations of weakly density‐regulated populations such as the ibex often become uncertain. Credible population predictions require that this uncertainty is properly quantified.
Quality of life and psychological well‐being in GH‐treated, adult PWS patients: a longitudinal study
Authors: Bertella L. , Mori I. , Grugni G. , Pignatti R. , Ceriani F. , Molinari E. , Ceccarelli A. , Sartorio A. , Vettor R. , Semenza C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a congenital alteration of chromosome pair 15. It is characterized by short stature, muscular hypotonia, hyperphagia, obesity, behavioural and emotional disturbances, hypogonadism and partial Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term effect of GH treatment on the psychological well‐being and Quality of Life (QoL) in an adult PWS group.Methods  A total of 13 PWS patients, their diagnosis confirmed by genetic tests, and their parents were recruited for this study. The participants were administered the 36‐Items Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Psychological General Well‐Being Index (PGWBI), for the assessment of QoL and psychological well‐being, at the beginning of GH treatment, and at following intervals of 6, 12 and 24 months. Modified versions of the same questionnaires were given to the parents.Results  Significant improvement with respect to the baseline was found, on both scales, in the evaluation of both physical and psychological well‐being, although the parents’ evaluation was less optimistic than that of the patients.Conclusion  Our findings suggest that the amelioration of QoL and psychological status is sustained in patients who continue GH treatment.
The role of microRNAs in sensing nutrient stress
Authors: CHIOU TZYY‐JEN 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTRecent studies have demonstrated the novel functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating plant adaptive responses to nutrient stresses. Plant miRNAs usually down‐regulate the abundance of their target mRNAs by post‐transcriptional cleavage. miR395 and miR399 are up‐regulated during sulphate and phosphate (Pi) deficiency, respectively. miR395 participates in sulphate assimilation and allocation via adjusting the expression of ATP sulphurylase (APS) and a sulphate transporter (AtSULTR2;1). Up‐regulation of miR399 results in the down‐regulation of UBC24 encoding a ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme. Plants overexpressing miR399 or are defective in UBC24display Pi toxicity because of increased Pi uptake, enhanced root‐to‐shoot translocation and retention of Pi in the old leaves. This observation suggests that the miR399‐mediated regulation of UBC24 expression is critical in Pi homeostasis. Moreover, the existence and conservation of miR395 and miR399 and their target genes among many plant species reveals the evolutionary importance of these miRNA‐mediated nutrient stress responses.
Comparative Anatomy of the Meniscofemoral Ligament in Humans and some Domestic Mammals
Authors: Gupte C. M. , Bull A. M. J. , Murray R. , Amis A. A. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate the presence, position and relative sizes of the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFL) in three quadrupeds and humans and relate these to the caudal slope of the lateral tibial plateau. Canine, ovine and equine stifles and human knees were dissected to identify the presence of MFLs, their obliquity in relation to the caudal cruciate ligaments (CCL), the relative size and shape of the MFLs compared with the CCL, the points of femoral attachment of the MFLs and CCL, and the distance between the MFLs and CCL at their midpoints. The lateral tibial condyle was divided sagittally with a handsaw and the caudal slope was measured. An MFL was present in all quadrupeds. It was caudal to the CCL, being analogous to the human posterior MFL. There was no structure analogous to the human anterior MFL, a structure that has a different femoral attachment from the human posterior MFL and MFLs in other species examined. The meniscotibial attachments were of varying sizes. The size ratio between the MFL and CCL was greater in all three quadrupeds than it was in the human knee. The MFL lies more obliquely than the CCL in all species examined. The caudal tibial slope was steeper in the quadrupeds. In the stifle joints of quadrupeds, the MFL is a substantial structure and appears to be related to the caudal tibial slope. It is known to resist caudal translation of the tibia in conjunction with the lateral meniscus. This must be borne in mind when considering its function in the human knee.
Development of the Mesonephros in Camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Aly K. H. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe study of the development of the mesonephros in the camel (Camelus dromedarius) was carried out on 16 embryos ranging from 0.9 to 8.6 cm crown vertebral rump length (CVRL). At 0.9 cm CVRL, the mesonephros is represented by a narrow strip along the roof of the thoracolumbar part of the vertebral column. At 1.4 cm CVRL, some of the mesonephric tubules are canalized but others are still solid. The mesonephric corpuscles are well developed at 1.9 cm CVRL and occupy almost the entire abdominal cavity in between the liver and the gut. Histologically, the glomeruli occupy the ventromedial aspect of the mesonephros while the mesonephric tubules become numerous, larger and more coiled. At 3 cm CVRL, the metanephros is invaginated in the caudal pole of the mesonephros, and the mesonephric tubules in some areas are differentiated into secretory and collecting tubules. At 3.5 cm CVRL the mesonephros is related dorsally to the postcardinal vein and ventrally to the subcardinal vein. At 4.7 cm CVRL continuous regression of the mesonephros from cranialwards to caudalwards is observed. At 5.3–5.5 cm CVRL, the cranial part of the mesonephros is divided into medial and lateral regions, and later the medial region completely disappears and is replaced by the primordium of the adrenal gland. At 8.6 cm CVRL, the caudal part of the mesonephros completely disappears.
Comparison of Computer‐assisted Sperm Motility Analysis Parameters in Semen from Belgian Blue and Holstein–Friesian Bulls
Authors: Hoflack G , Opsomer G , Rijsselaere T , Van Soom A , Maes D , De Kruif A , Duchateau L 
Published: February 2007

ContentsSubjective microscopic sperm motility results have recently been demonstrated to differ between Holstein–Friesian (HF) and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls. However, such assessments are rather imprecise. In the present study, sperm motility was assessed objectively by means of the Hamilton Thorne CEROS version 12.2c computer‐assisted sperm motility analyser (CASA), and differences between the BB and HF breed could also be demonstrated. Higher percentages of both totally (p < 0.0001) and progressively (p < 0.0001) motile spermatozoa were encountered in the HF breed compared with the BB breed. Furthermore, a lower kinetic efficiency of the BB spermatozoa, evidenced by a lower beat cross‐frequency (p = 0.0007) combined with a higher lateral head displacement (p = 0.0015), was the basis for the lower velocity of BB sperm cells. Additionally, BB spermatozoa move less straight forward, resulting in a lower straightness (p < 0.0001). No sperm motility differences were observed between age groups within the BB breed. The breed differences were observed in the examined bull populations residing at AI centres, in Belgium for the BB bulls and in the Netherlands for the HF bulls. However, these bull populations are selected for fertility. A similar pattern was observed in an unselected bull population of both breeds, although these differences were mostly non‐significant for the different CASA parameters. Nevertheless, these data suggest that a genetic component might be responsible for the observed sperm motility breed differences.
Fluorescent Stain Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Mitochondrial Potential and Integrity of Plasma and Acrosomal Membranes in Boar Sperm
Authors: De Andrade AFC , De Arruda RP , Celeghini ECC , Nascimento J , Martins SMMK , Raphael CF , Moretti AS 
Published: February 2007

ContentsThe purpose of this study was to validate a technique for simultaneous evaluation of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa, using an association of fluorescent probes: Propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC‐PSA) and JC‐1. Three ejaculates from each of four different boars, all showing motility ≥80% and abnormal morphology ≤10%, were diluted in TALP medium and split into two aliquots. One of the aliquots was flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed in three continuous cycles, to induce damage in cellular membranes and to disturb mitochondrial function. Three treatments were prepared with the following fixed ratios of fresh semen : flash frozen semen; 100 : 0 (T100), 50 : 50 (T50), and 0 : 100 (T0). The samples were then submitted to a stain technique. To a 150‐μl aliquot of diluted semen it was added 3 μl of PI (0.5 mg/ml), 2 μl of JC‐1 (153 μm) and 50 μl of FITC‐PSA (100 μg/ml). Samples were incubated at 38.5 °C for 8 min, in the dark. An 8‐μl sample was put on a slide, coverslipped and immediately evaluated by epifluorescent microscopy. The association of fluorescent probes was divided into eight cell classes, according to plasma membrane integrity, intact acrosome and mitochondrial function. For plasma membrane integrity, detected by PI probe, the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R2 = 0.97 was obtained. The intact acrosome, verified by the FITC‐PSA probe, produced the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R2 = 0.98. The mitochondrial potential, marked by JC‐1, was estimated by the equation: (p < 0.001) and R2 = 0.99. The group of spermatozoa with combined intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome and high mitochondrial potential (IPIAH), was estimated by the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R2 = 0.97. The resulting linear equations demonstrate that this technique is efficient and practical for the simultaneous evaluations of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa.
Practice patterns of Finnish public health nurses
Authors: Koponen Päivikki , Kalkas Hertta 
Published: February 2007

Koponen P, Kalkas H. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 97–104 Practice patterns of Finnish public health nurses The aim of this study was to: (i) describe the practice patterns of Finnish public health nurses during the development of primary health care based on the ‘population responsibility’ principle; and (ii) to identify the relation of public health nurses’ task division models and types of community (rural/town) to their practice patterns. A detailed recording of public health nurses’ home and clinic visits was developed and used during three annual study periods in 8–9 health centres by 93–118 public health nurses. The total number of recorded visits varied annually from 4842 to 6841. Statistical significance was determined by Chi‐squared. Significant differences were found between the three study periods and also in the practice patterns of public health nurses (PHN) with different task division models and of PHN working in different types of community. However, the short study periods limited the practical importance of these findings.
Liver transplantation: The death/life paradox
Authors: Lumby Judy 
Published: February 2007

Lumby J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997;3:231–238Liver transplantation: The death/life paradoxTransplantation of organs has increased dramatically over the last 3 decades. The Australian National Liver Transplant Unit was established in 1985 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Their first 5 years was reported in a paper in 1992 in which survival was defined as ‘going home’. The study reported in this paper followed a 3 year study with one woman who experienced a liver transplant in which survival had many dimensions, of which going home was not one. This post doctoral study of 2 years extended the earlier work with one woman by exploring the experience with eight ‘survivors’. It highlighted the paradox of facing life and death at the same time, which occurs when one has a terminal illness but is on a waiting list for a donor organ which could be life saving. Focus groups were used as the methodology while story telling within the group became the means by which individuals and the group recalled and made meaning of their experiences.
Ropivacaine versus lidocaine for deep‐topical, nerve‐block anaesthesia in cataract surgery: a double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ugur Bakiye , Dundar Sema Oruç , Ogurlu Mustafa , Gezer Erdal , Ozcura Fatih , Gursoy Feray 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ropivacaine versus lidocaine for deep‐topical, nerve‐block anaesthesia in cataract surgery.Methods:  This prospective controlled randomized double‐blind study comprised 64 patients undergoing clear corneal phacoemulsification. Patients were equally divided into two group receiving either deep‐topical anaesthesia with 1% ropivacaine‐soaked sponge (Group R, n = 32) or 2% lidocaine‐soaked sponge (Group L, n = 32). The level of intraoperative and postoperative pain was assessed by patients using a verbal analogue scale from 1 to 10. The duration of surgery, the need for supplemental anaesthesia, surgeon satisfaction, and intraoperative and early postoperative complications were recorded. The patients’ heart rate, arterial blood pressure and peripheric oxygen saturation (SpO2) were obtained just before the anaesthesia and during the surgery.Results:  The demographic data of the patients and duration of surgery were similar in both groups. No significant difference in the mean pain scores of patients were found in the ropivacaine and lidocaine groups. Surgical satisfaction was also statistically insignificant. None of the patients had significant difference in heart rate, blood pressure or SpO2 during the surgical procedure.Conclusion:  Deep‐topical anaesthesia with ropivacaine and lidocaine in cataract surgery is safe and the two anaesthetic agents do not present differences in the degree of analgesia achieved. Deep‐topical anaesthesia with ropivacaine or lidocaine was equally effective in providing anaesthesia with sufficient quality for cataract surgery.
Teaching of ophthalmology in undergraduate curricula: a survey of Australasian and Asian medical schools
Authors: Fan Jennifer C , Sherwin Trevor , McGhee Charles NJ 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:  Despite established international guidelines on preferred teaching components for ophthalmology in undergraduate curricula, with increasingly less specialty‐based undergraduate teaching within curricula, teaching of core ophthalmology knowledge and skills may become marginalized. This survey aims to evaluate the current state of undergraduate ophthalmology teaching in Australasia and proximate Asian medical schools.Methods:  A questionnaire was developed to determine the content and extent of ophthalmology teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum. The questionnaire was sent to 25 medical schools throughout Australasia and Asia.Results:  Nineteen of the 25 questionnaires were returned (76% response rate). Ophthalmology teaching programmes ranged from 2 to 20 days: five (26%) medical schools having one ophthalmology attachment; six schools (32%) two attachments; and the remainder three or more. Only seven of the schools taught all 13 ophthalmology topics recommended in current curriculum guidelines. Ocular examination (100%), lens and cataract (95%) and ocular manifestations of systemic disease (95%) were the most commonly taught topics, with intraocular tumours only covered by 10 schools (53%). Students in 14 schools (74%) attended ophthalmology operating theatre, but only two schools (11%) offered attendance at optometry clinics. Ten schools (53%) required a pass in ophthalmology to complete the academic year.Conclusion:  Ophthalmology may increasingly be a small, or even absent, component of undergraduate medical curricula. Despite established international ophthalmology curriculum guidelines, this survey highlights significant lack of uniformity in their implementation.
COMPOSITION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN DIATHERMY PLUME AS DETECTED BY SELECTED ION FLOW TUBE MASS SPECTROMETRY
Authors: Moot Andrew R. , Ledingham Katherine M. , Wilson Paul F. , Senthilmohan Senti T. , Lewis David R. , Roake Justin , Allardyce Randall 
Published: February 2007

Background:  There is some evidence that surgical plume may pose a risk to health professionals, but the risks posed by volatile organic compounds have not been thoroughly investigated.Methods:  The composition of volatile organic compounds in diathermy plume produced during surgery was analysed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry.Results:  Hydrogen cyanide (3–51 parts per million), acetylene (2–8 parts per million), and 1,3‐butadiene (0.15–0.69 parts per million) were identified in the plume.Conclusion:  Although there is no evidence of adverse health effects from the volatile organic compound in diathermy plume, the evidence that it is safe to breathe this plume is lacking. Therefore, we would recommend the use of smoke evacuators where practical.
OUTCOMES AFTER OESOPHAGOGASTRECTOMY FOR CARCINOMA OF THE OESOPHAGUS
Authors: Omundsen Mark , Babor Richard , Johnston Peter 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Carcinoma of the oesophagus is a rare but a highly lethal malignancy. The incidence of adenocarcinoma in particular is increasing in the Western world. Despite improvements in staging, perioperative care and the use of adjuvant/neoadjuvant regimen the prognosis remains poor.Methods:  All patients who had biopsy‐proven oesophageal carcinoma between the years 1992 and 2004 in the Wellington region, New Zealand, were retrospectively reviewed. The personal and tumour characteristics, operation details, complications and the details of hospital stay of patients who had had a resection were recorded in a database . Survival data were recovered from the notes, hospital database or general practitioner records and were available for all patients who had surgery. Survival analyses were calculated using Kaplan–Meier estimates.Results:  One hundred and ninety‐one patients were diagnosed with oesophageal carcinoma during the study period (59% adenocarcinoma, 32% squamous cell carcinoma). Only 35% (n = 67) had a resection (81% adenocarcinoma, 13% squamous cell carcinoma). Fifty‐one (77%) had an Ivor Lewis procedure, 9 (14%) had only a laparotomy and 6 (9%) had a laparotomy, right thoracotomy and cervical incision. Forty‐six (70%) tumours were in the distal third of the oesophagus and 13 (20%) were at the oesophagogastric junction. Perioperative mortality was 10% (n = 7) and anastomotic leak rate 9% (n = 6). Five‐year survival was 23%.Conclusion:  Results from our institution for the resection of oesophageal cancer compare favourably with those in the published work. Staging with computed tomography and laparoscopy has resulted in acceptable resection and survival rates. Survival for this disease is still largely stage dependent and earlier diagnosis probably holds the key to improved prognosis.
Neuroblastoma and anaesthesia
Authors: CREAGH‐BARRY P. , SUMNER E. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe haemodynamic problems associated with anaesthesia and neuroblastoma were reviewed in 52 children who underwent 138 operations at The Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK. At diagnosis 42 patients (81%) had elevated urinary catecholamine metabolites; nine (17%) were hypertensive, of whom eight were treated with adrenergic blockade. The incidence of intra‐operative hypertension due to excess catecholamine release was 9% (13/138), and was confined to the group undergoing tumour excision (29%; 13/45). Hypertension was observed more frequently in patients who had not received chemotherapy. It was effectively controlled by labetalol. Patients symptomatic of catecholamine secretion before surgery should be managed in a similar manner for those with a phaeochromocytoma. Surgical manipulation of the tumour predisposes to paroxysmal hypertension. Careful monitoring is advised.