bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and decay patterns of common wood‐decay fungi in hazardous trees felled in the Helsinki City
Authors: Terho M. , Hantula J. , Hallaksela A.‐M. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryTo improve the management of ageing urban trees, the role of wood‐decay fungi as potential causes of stem breakage was investigated among hazardous trees removed in the Helsinki City area during 2001–2004. The study material comprised 194 trees, and included 76 Tilia spp. trees, 58 Betula spp. and 60 Acer spp. Thirteen species or genera of commonly occurring decay fungi were identified on the basis of fruiting bodies and pure cultures. The occurrence of the fungi was investigated in terms of frequency, visibility and as potential causes for stem breakage. Most hazardous fungi caused extensive horizontal decay in the stem; such fungi were Ganoderma lipsiense on Tilia and Acer, Phellinus igniarius on Acer, Inonotus obliquus and Cerrena unicolor on Betula and Kretzschmaria deusta on Acer, Tilia and Betula. Typically, Rigidoporus populinus was frequently present in weak fork formations on Acer trees. Agaric fungi (Pholiota, Armillaria, Pleurotus and Hypholoma) were frequently recorded but were of minor importance from the point of view of tree breakage hazard.
Rupture of hepatic aneurysm complicating hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler–Weber–Rendu disease) for which hepatic arterial coil embolization was effective
Authors: Miyabe Katsuyuki , Akita Shinji , Kitajima Yasuhiro , Hirai Masaaki , Naitoh Itaru , Hayashi Kazuki , Okamoto Tetsu , Okayama Yasutaka , Gotoh Kazuo , Ohara Hirotaka , Joh Takashi , Yokoyama Yoshifumi , Itoh Makoto 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA 74‐year‐old woman was transferred to our hospital for further examinations because of abdominal fullness and abnormal levels of serum liver/biliary enzyme persisting for 3 weeks. She had anemia and dilatation of many capillary vessels in her fingers, palms, and tongue in addition to reporting frequent incidences of nasal bleeding in herself and her family. Abdominal ultrasonography detected a cystic lesion in the right hepatic lobe, connected to a dilated tortuous hepatic artery. A low‐echoic hepatic phyma was also detected in the back of the cystic lesion. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the cystic lesion was an aneurysm and the low‐echoic phyma was a hematoma. Hepatic arteriography confirmed a hepatic aneurysm, tortuous dilatation of the hepatic artery, and the complication of an arteriovenous shunt in the liver. Taking all of these findings into consideration, this case was diagnosed as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HTT) complicated by a hepatic aneurysm causing intrahepatic hematoma. To prevent re‐rupture of the aneurysm, we performed a hepatic arterial coil embolization. After therapy, no blood flow to the aneurysm was detected by ultrasonic color Doppler method and the hematoma gradually diminished. There have been no reports of a case in which hepatic arterial embolization was effective for HHT‐associated hepatic aneurysm causing intrahepatic hematoma. This very rare case provides important clinical information regarding abdominal vascular complications of HTT and a less invasive treatment for them.
Association of chronic hepatitis B virus infection with insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis
Authors: Wang Chia‐Chi , Hsu Ching‐Sheng , Liu Chun‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Ding‐Shinn 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Chronic viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) may decrease tissue response to insulin, thereby causing insulin resistance. In addition, insulin resistance is associated with hepatic steatosis. However, whether these phenomena hold true for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains largely unknown. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the association of chronic HBV infection with insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.Methods:  A total of 507 subjects (243 men and 264 women; mean age 46.56 years) less than 60 years‐old attending a health examination center were enrolled in the study. All the subjects were negative for antibodies against HCV and consumed less than 140 g alcohol/week. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from each subject. Insulin resistance index was determined using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR). Hepatic steatosis was identified by ultrasound examination.Results:  Of the 507 subjects, 50 (9.9%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and designated HBV carriers. All variables were comparable between HBV carriers and non‐HBV carriers, except that HBV carriers had significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels (P < 0.05). By multivariate linear regression, HBV carriers were not associated with insulin resistance. In addition, multivariate regression analyses showed that HBV carriers were not associated with the presence of ultrasonographic fatty liver.Conclusions:  Chronic HBV infection seems not to be associated with insulin resistance or hepatic steatosis in HBV carriers.
Australian pathways and solutions for dealing with older impaired doctors: a prevention model
Authors: Peisah C. , Adler R. G. , Williams B. W. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractOur ageing medical workforce poses many challenges, not the least of which is acknowledging the contributions of ageing practitioners who continue to practise safely and competently while ensuring that those who are incompetent by virtue of impairment are identified, assessed and either rehabilitated or encouraged to retire. Hitherto, there has been little attempt to review approaches to impairment on a national basis in Australia, let alone with a focus on older doctors. Information regarding pathways for dealing with impairment was obtained from the websites and confirmed by representatives of regulatory bodies of every state or territory in Australia. Using a prevention model we outline the current Australian regulatory processes, address some of the barriers and suggest some solutions to dealing with the older impaired doctor. Much of the focus in dealing with the older impaired doctor is tertiary prevention based, that is, reducing the negative influence of established impairment. There is some uniformity in the way that Australian regulatory bodies deal with impairment that espouses the dual goals of protecting the public and rehabilitating the doctor. The approach is typically individualized and multi‐levelled, beginning with assessment followed by rehabilitation where appropriate. A range of secondary and primary prevention measures is proposed for dealing with the problem of the older impaired doctor. These include educating the medical community, encouraging early notification and facilitating career planning and timely retirement of older doctors. This will have benefits both in protecting the public as well as preventing an undignified and humiliating end to often‐unblemished careers in medicine.
Contribution of vibration to musculoskeletal disorders in New Zealand
Authors: Wigley R. D. , De Groot J. A. , Walls C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to remind Australasian doctors about the importance of vibration as an occupational exposure capable of causing musculoskeletal disease. This is a common problem in the northern hemisphere, but only four reports have been found in Australasian published work. Nine cases are reported together with a summary of vibration disorders and their nomenclature. Of the nine cases reviewed, six arose from compensation disputes and two resulted in Department of Labour prosecutions. Three patients had hand symptoms arising from using vibrating concrete drills, two patients used heavy floor‐polishing machines in hospitals and three used heavy metal polishing machines. One had general pain from whole‐body vibration in a digging machine. Minor circulatory signs were found in two patients, but cold exposure was not noted. Vibration disease is underreported in New Zealand. Doctors must question patients about vibration exposure in taking an occupational history, as vibration is an important factor in the causation of occupational musculoskeletal disorders. As vibration can be controlled, illness can be prevented.
Investigations on shell–nozzle junction of steam generator for LBB justification
Authors: MURTHY D. S. RAMACHANDRA , PUKAZHENDHI D. M. , NAVIN D. PREM , CHELLAPANDI P. , CHETAL S. C. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTSteam generators are important components of a nuclear reactor. They are subjected to system pressure and force controlled bending moments. Leak before break (LBB) criteria based on a fracture mechanics approach is used to ensure the reliability of the primary heat transport system of nuclear reactors. Experimental studies were recently completed for justifying LBB for the cold end of the shell–nozzle junction of the steam generator of the 500 MWe Fast breeder reactor (FBR) under construction at Kalpakkam. The internal diameter of the main tube is 1120 mm and that of the nozzle is 386.4 mm. The thickness of the main tube is 24 mm while that of the nozzle is 18 mm. Fatigue tests were conducted on two carbon steel and two modified 9Cr1Mo steel shell–nozzle junction specimens at room temperature under constant internal pressure and cyclic in‐plane bending moment. Fracture tests were conducted on these components until collapse after the fatigue test. FEM analysis was also performed to identify critical locations and factor of safety for fatigue loading and collapse. The objective of the studies was to obtain the factor of safety for crack initiation, through‐wall and critical crack size, and collapse. The studies demonstrated adequate factor of safety for all the above LBB criteria.
Straight to test. Results of a pilot study in a hospital serving an inner city population
Authors: Hammond T. M. , Fountain G. , Cuthill V. , Williams J. , Porrett T. R. C. , Lunniss P. J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjective  The main aims of the study were to determine the frequency with which two‐week wait (2ww) referrals for colorectal cancer (CRC) could proceed directly to straight to test (STT), and the potential improvement in time to diagnosis.Method  A telephone interview was attempted in all 2ww referrals not requiring an advocate and under 80 years. Data were assessed according to a test protocol, and where indicated a potential slot for the appropriate investigation was recorded (virtual test). All patients proceeded to clinic, following which differences in time from GP referral to virtual compared with actual requested test, and any discrepancies between virtual and requested tests were analysed.Results  Between 8th January and 16th February 2007, there were 42 2ww referrals. Twenty‐one patients were contacted, of whom 14 were suitable for STT: 13 virtual colonoscopies and one CT scan were booked. Following out‐patient consultation, eight colonoscopies; three flexible sigmoidoscopies, one barium enema, and two CT scans were actually booked. There was a difference of 15.5 days between the median times of the virtual and actual test. During this 6‐week period a total of nine patients were diagnosed with CRC, of whom three were referred via the 2ww pathway, but none were suitable for STT.Conclusions  This ‘straight to test’ pilot study suggests a potential strategy for reducing the time to diagnosis and therefore first treatment of those identified with CRC, and offers a methodology for individual hospitals to assess their suitability to employ such a strategy.
Assessment of the mucosa of the indefinitely diverted ileo‐anal pouch
Authors: Das P. , Smith J. J. , Lyons A. P. , Tekkis P. P. , Clark S. K. , Nicholls R. J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjective  One surgical option to treat failure after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is indefinite diversion (ID) without excision of the pouch. The study aimed to assess the mucosal morphology of the pouch and ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) over time after ID with particular reference to inflammation, dysplasia and carcinoma.Method  Patients with ID were identified from the hospital’s Ileal Pouch Database. Individuals were invited by mail to attend for flexible pouchoscopy and biopsy from the ileal pouch and immediately distal to the IAA.Results  Of 1822 patients on the database, 28 had undergone ID. Of these, 20 patients (18 ulcerative colitis, one familial adenomatous polyposis, one pseudo‐obstruction) of median age 42 (18–67) years took part. There were eight males. The median (range) intervals from diagnosis of primary disease, pouch surgery and ID to the time of study were 221 (63–410), 146 (31–314) and 44 (10–159) months respectively. One patient had dysplasia in the original resection specimen. Five patients developed type C changes in the pouch. Of these three were identified between RPC and ID, one developed between ID and the present assessment and one was identified for the first time at the present assessment. No case of dysplasia or cancer was found in any of the biopsies. Rectal mucosa was found in biopsies from the IAA in four patients (three stapled; one handsewn); this was inflamed in three patients.Conclusion  At a median follow‐up of 12 years after RPC and 3.6 years after indefinite diversion no instance of dysplasia or carcinoma in the ileal reservoir or distal to the IAA was found in any of the 20 patients having ID. Type C changes occurred at some time in five (25%) patients, indicating the importance of continued follow up.
Cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with known diabetes from the middle‐ and high‐income group population of Delhi: the DEDICOM survey
Authors: Nagpal J. , Bhartia A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAims  To determine the cardiovascular risk profile of known diabetic patients from the middle‐ and high‐income group populace of Delhi.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey was conducted using a probability proportionate to size (systematic) two‐stage cluster design. Thirty areas were selected for a house‐to‐house survey to recruit a minimum of 25 subjects (known diabetes ≥ 1 year; 35–65 years of age) per area. Data were collected by interview, blood sampling and from medical records. Scores from the Framingham, Joint British Society, United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation, and Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative Analysis Of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe studies were used to calculate summary estimates of risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.Results  Eight hundred and nineteen subjects (25–30 per cluster) were enrolled. The mean age of the subjects was 53.6 years, the mean duration since diagnosis was 8.1 years, the mean body mass index was 28.1 kg/m2, with 50.7% women; 74.3% had hypertension, 75.1% dyslipidaemia and 41.8% had poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 8.0%); 8.4% had already had a myocardial infarction, whereas 2.3% had suffered a stroke. Only 17.6% were taking aspirin, 3.4% were on lipid‐lowering drugs and 11.6% were taking antihypertensive agents. The risk engines estimated a 10‐year CHD risk of 12.6–13.9% and a stroke risk of 5.1–5.7%.Conclusion  The study documents that the cardiovascular profile of known diabetes patients from the middle and higher income groups of Delhi is poor, strengthening the case for targeting interventions at patients, providers and other stakeholders for improvement.
Financial Matching, Asymmetric Information and Entrepreneurial Risk Taking
Authors: Vesala Timo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe study financial matching in credit markets when entrepreneurs have private information about their success potential. Entrepreneurs can search for financing for either a “risky” or a “safe” investment and only the risky project is sensitive to entrepreneurs' intrinsic “types”. There is excess risk taking in the sense that entrepreneurs with inefficiently low success probabilities choose the risky investment. However, steady states featuring greater market liquidity are associated with higher efficiency. As market liquidity also reflects the intensity of competition among financiers, earlier results which indicate a negative relationship between competition and allocative efficiency do not hold in our setup.
Natural teeth and cognitive function in humans
Authors: BERGDAHL MAUD , HABIB REZA , BERGDAHL JAN , NYBERG LARS , NILSSON LARS‐GÖRAN 
Published: November 2007

A number of neurobiological, psychological and social factors may account for cognitive impairment. In animal studies a relation between dental status and cognitive performance has been found. It is unclear whether such a relation exists for humans. In a first step we compared the performance of 1,351 participants (53% women, 47% men; age M = 54.0) with natural teeth to 487 edentulous participants (59% women, 41% men; age M = 71.3) on 12 cognitive tests. The natural teeth group had a lower mean age, fewer women, more years of education, higher mini‐mental state (MMSE), and performed significantly higher on several cognitive tests. In a subsequent analysis, the cognitive performance of a subset of the participants (50–85 years) was examined. In this analysis, 211 had natural dentition and 188 were edentulous. The groups were matched for gender, age, social variables, diseases, stress and MMSE. The cognitive disadvantage of the edentulous group was still apparent. The results suggest that functional natural teeth relate to relatively preserved cognitive functioning in older age.
Programme Effectiveness in Activating Welfare Recipients to Work: The Case of Hong Kong
Authors: Tang Kwong‐leung , Cheung Chau‐kiu 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Some theories and research based on data in the West have implied the effectiveness of measures using the work‐first approach, human capital development, community work experience, and financial incentives to promote welfare recipients’ transition from welfare to work. Nevertheless, the generality of the implication does not hold without examining the effectiveness in a non‐Western setting. The present study thus employs survey data from 1,240 welfare recipients in Hong Kong to investigate the effectiveness of various measures for raising the recipients’ work motivation and diminishing their welfare dependency. The measures examined include the Intensive Employment Assistance Project (IEAP), Community Work (CW) Programme and Disregarded Earnings (DE) arrangements. Findings reveal the effectiveness of these three measures. Particularly, help received from various services of the IEAP was the principal factor in the effectiveness of the IEAP and the IEAP was effective for welfare recipients who were older or less skilled. The findings thus offer support to the generality of the claim about the effectiveness of welfare‐to‐work programmes.
Major, Blair and the Third Way in Social Policy
Authors: Lund Brian 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Tony Blair's adoption of the catchphrase ‘the Third Way’ to précis New Labour's policy orientation allowed him to distance ‘New’ Labour from ‘Old’ Labour and to appropriate many of John Major's modifications to Thatcherism, albeit framed within a new political language. This article sets out the basic similarities and differences between the social policies of the Major and Blair governments, arguing that, although the policies have been presented within different discourses, there has been a marked similarity in policy content, with Major espousing Third Way policies if not Third Way rhetoric. Indeed, towards the end of his second term of office, Blair started to go beyond the Third Way and towards Margaret Thatcher's favoured model of spirited competition between public and private suppliers.
The Dynamics of Perception: Modelling Subjective Wellbeing in a Short Panel
Authors: Pudney Stephen 
Published: November 2007

SummaryWe consider the issue of the dynamics of perceptions, as expressed in responses to survey questions on subjective wellbeing. We develop a simulated maximum likelihood method for estimation of dynamic linear models, where the dependent variable is partially observed through ordinal scales. This latent auto-regression model is often more appropriate than the usual state dependence model for attitudinal and interval variables. The paper contains an application to a model of households’ perceptions of their financial wellbeing, demonstrating the superior fit of the latent auto-regression model to both the usual static model and the state dependence model.
Effect of Biofeedback on Psychological Burden and Symptoms in Older Women with Urge Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Tadic Stasa D. , Zdaniuk Bozena , Griffiths Derek , Rosenberg Lisa , Schäfer Werner , Resnick Neil M. 
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of biofeedback (BFB) therapy on psychological burden of urge urinary incontinence (UI) and whether prior depression or current depressive symptoms affect older women's response to BFB.DESIGN: Secondary analysis of an ongoing trial.SETTING: Academic medical center.PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐two community‐dwelling women aged 60 and older with urge UI.INTERVENTION: BFB and behavioral training in urge suppression provided over 8 weeks.MEASUREMENTS: UI frequency on 3‐day bladder diary, psychological burden assessed using Urge Impact Scale (URIS‐24) total and subscale scores, history of depression, and depressive symptoms on the Mental Component Subscale (MCS) of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Survey (SF‐36). Age and chronic conditions were included as covariates.RESULTS: BFB improved UI (by 45%, P=.001) and psychological burden (P=.001 for total URIS‐24 score and for all three of its subscales; P=.01 for SF36‐MCS). However, although the magnitude of UI improvement was equivalent for those with and without a history of depression, improvement in psychological outcomes was twice as great in those with a history of depression, especially on the perception of control subscale, and improvement was not related to baseline depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION: In older women with urge UI, BFB significantly improves psychological burden, especially in those with a history of depression, in whom psychological burden is linked to change in perception of control. Psychological factors are relevant outcome measures for UI, and these data suggest that focusing on UI frequency alone may have underestimated BFB's efficacy and additional therapeutic benefits.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Authors: Bernstein Jack M. , Leasure William , Buel Allison 
Published: November 2007

A 60‐year‐old woman returned from visiting a cousin in Texas. For the past 6 weeks, she had not been feeling well and had lost almost 30 lb. She had frequent night sweats, although she did not recall having taken her temperature. Upon evaluation in the emergency department, results of physical examination were notable for cachexia and poor dentition. She was noted to have pyuria, and therapy was initiated for a urinary tract infection. Results of blood cultures performed the same day were positive for gram‐positive cocci, and vancomycin therapy was initiated. She developed difficulty in seeing to her, left and a computed tomographic scan of the brain was performed; results were interpreted as negative. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed a 3‐cm mass attached the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Initial interpretation was of an atrial myxoma. One of the authors was asked to consult on the case and noted bilateral conjunctival hemorrhages (Figure 1). Subsequently, the blood culture isolate was identified as Streptococcus mitis. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed multiple cerebral infarcts consistent with embolic origin. The patient underwent emergent cardiac surgery, and her mitral valve was replaced with a bioprosthetic valve. She successfully completed a 4‐week course of antibiotic therapy for her endocarditis. Conjunctival hemorrhages in a patient with Streptococcus mitis mitral valve endocarditis. image