bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Congenital Heart Diseases in the Boxer Dog: A Retrospective Study of 105 Cases (1998–2005)
Authors: Chetboul V. , Trollé J. M. , Nicolle A. , Carlos Sampedrano C. , Gouni V. , Laforge H. , Benalloul T. , Tissier R. , Pouchelon J.‐L. 
Published: August 2006

SummarySubaortic stenosis (SAS) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases (CHD) in dogs with Boxers being predominantly affected. However, the increasing availability of modern diagnostic imaging systems now allows a better assessment of cardiac morphology and function, thereby facilitating early detection of CHD in awake animals. In this context, the case records of Boxer dogs diagnosed with CHD using echocardiography combined with Doppler mode, were retrospectively reviewed (1998–2005). One hundred and five Boxers exhibiting either a single CHD (53/105, 50.5%) or association of several CHD (52/105, 49.5%) were included. The most common CHD was atrial septal defect (ASD) observed in 56.2% of these animals (59/105), followed by mitral dysplasia (58/105, 55.2%), and SAS (49/105, 46.7%). SAS was associated with one or two CHD in 29.5% of cases (31/105). Most of the dogs with a low intensity left heart base systolic murmur had an isolated ASD whereas most of the dogs with a similar but high intensity murmur had SAS, either isolated or associated with a concurrent CHD. The incidence of ASD and mitral dysplasia in Boxer dogs is higher than previously assumed, and ASD is a common cause of left heart base systolic murmur in this breed of dog. This confirms that the detection of such a murmur should not be used as the unique criterion for diagnostic confirmation of SAS.
PROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF COLORECTAL RESECTIONS IN A PERIPHERAL PUBLIC HOSPITAL
Authors: Gollop Susan J. , Fancourt Michael W. , Gilkison William T. C. , Kyle Stephen M. , Mosquera Damien A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Colorectal disease requiring surgery is common in New Zealand where there is no established national colorectal screening programme. We established an audit to review our current practice in colorectal surgery.Methods:  Prospective audit data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing colorectal resection between April 2003 and December 2004, using a standardized pro forma.Results:  In all, 170 colorectal resections were carried out of which 117 (69%) were for malignancy and 120 (71%) were elective. Median patient age was 72 years (interquartile range 62–78 years) and median length of stay was 10 days (interquartile range 8–14 days). Colonoscopy was the most common method of investigation. In elective patients with malignancy, the average delay between onset of symptoms and surgery was 25 weeks. Duke’s stage C was the most common stage at presentation (44%). Complications developed in 83 (49%) of patients including 20 (12%) patients returned to theatre, 5 (3%) anastomotic leaks and 8 deaths (5%). In patients undergoing surgery aged over 80 (n = 40) the median length of stay was 10 days (7–14) with a complication rate of 21 (55%) including 5 (13%) who were returned to theatre and 6 (16%) deaths.Conclusion:  This audit has confirmed that there is an acceptable level of care at Taranaki Base Hospital when compared with those in published work. Elective patients with malignancy have a delay of nearly 6 months between the onset of symptoms and surgery. Patients in Taranaki are more likely to present with an advanced stage of tumour compared with other unscreened populations.
Temporal variation in plant–soil feedback controls succession
Authors: Kardol Paul , Martijn Bezemer T. , van der Putten Wim H. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSoil abiotic and biotic factors play key roles in plant community dynamics. However, little is known about how soil biota influence vegetation changes over time. Here, we show that the effects of soil organisms may depend on both the successional development of ecosystems and on the successional position of the plants involved. In model systems of plants and soils from different successional stages, we observed negative plant–soil feedback for early‐successional plant species, neutral feedback for mid‐successional species, and positive feedback for late‐successional species. The negative feedback of early‐successional plants was independent of soil origin, while late‐successional plants performed best in late‐ and worst in early‐successional soil. Increased performance of the subordinate, late‐successional plants resulted in enhanced plant community diversity. Observed feedback effects were more related to soil biota than to abiotic conditions. Our results show that temporal variations in plant–soil interactions profoundly contribute to plant community assemblage and ecosystem development.
The effect of population structure on the adaptive radiation of microbial populations evolving in spatially structured environments
Authors: Habets Michelle G. J. L. , Rozen Daniel E. , Hoekstra Rolf F. , de Visser J. Arjan G. M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSpatial structure is thought to be an important factor influencing the emergence and maintenance of genetic diversity. Previous studies have demonstrated that environmental heterogeneity, provided by spatial structure, leads to adaptive radiation of populations. In the present study, we investigate not only the impact of environmental heterogeneity on adaptive radiation, but also of population fragmentation and niche construction. Replicate populations founded by a single genotype of Escherichia coli were allowed to evolve for 900 generations by serial transfer in either a homogeneous environment, or a spatially structured environment that was either kept intact or destroyed with each daily transfer. Only populations evolving in the structured environment with intact population structure diversified: clones are significantly divergent in sugar catabolism, and show frequency‐dependent fitness interactions indicative of stable coexistence. These findings demonstrate an important role for population fragmentation, a consequence of population structure in spatially structured environments, on the diversification of populations.
The use of a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope for ultrasound staging of tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum
Authors: Santoro G. A. , D'Elia A. , Battistella G. , Di Falco G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  Tumours of the upper rectum, and many in the middle third, are not accessible to endorectal ultrasound staging because of the difficulty in reaching all sites of the rectum with a rigid probe. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether using a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope, endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) can accurately stage any rectal lesion irrespective of its distance from the anal verge.Method  A total of 173 consecutive patients with a primary rectal tumour were included. A rotating, high multifrequency (5.0–10 MHz) endoprobe was introduced through a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope and advanced above the lesion. A computer allowed for three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of 2D images. Treatment was selected on the basis of 3D‐ERUS findings. ERUS staging was correlated with pathological staging.Results  The depth of invasion was correctly determined by 3D‐ERUS in 78.2% of tumours of the lower rectum, 76.4% of tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 80.9% of tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 78.5% of tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.9% of tumours of the upper rectum. The accuracy for the absence of lymph node metastases was 81.2% for tumours of the lower rectum, 78.5% for tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 85.7% for tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 83.3% for tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.5% for tumours of the upper rectum. Analysis showed that there was no difference between the various tumour sites.Conclusion  Our findings indicate that using a dedicated proctosigmoidoscope, tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum are equally accessible to ultrasonographic evaluation. The distance of the tumour from the anal verge does not influence the accuracy of examinations considered adequate by the operator.
Risk factors for severity and relapse of pseudomembranous colitis in an elderly population
Authors: Moshkowitz M. , Ben‐Baruch E. , Kline Z. , Shimoni Z. , Niven M. , Konikoff F. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is well recognized as an important cause of diarrhoea in patients receiving antibiotics, with significant consequences of morbidity and mortality. Mortality among elderly patients is high, and even with successful treatment, a significant number of patients relapse.To evaluate the outcome of elderly patients with PMC, and to try to identify risk factors that might influence mortality or relapse.Method  We studied 72 consecutive hospitalized patients with endoscopically proven PMC. The medical records of all patients with their clinical history and laboratory data were reviewed in detail. These data included: pre‐hospitalization residence and physical status, background medical history, presenting symptoms, antibiotic history, haematological and biochemical parameters, treatment, duration of hospitalization, complications, mortality within 30 days of hospitalization and relapse.Results  Of the 72 patients (M/F = 34/38, mean age = 77 years), 47% were nursing home residents. Prior to hospitalization, 91.6% of patients had received antibiotic treatment (cephalosporins – 64%, penicillins – 42% and quinolones – 28%), 26% of patients received antacid therapy and 36% had been fed with a nasogastric tube (NGT). Thirty‐seven (51%) patients recovered without complications, 21 (29%) patients died within 30 days of hospitalization and 14 (19%) patients were re‐hospitalized because of relapse of PMC. Multivariate analysis revealed that white blood cell count above 20 × 103/mm3 (P = 0.009), serum albumin level of less than 2.5 g/dl (P = 0.02), and pre‐hospitalization NGT feeding (P = 0.01) were associated with high mortality. Treatment with acid‐reducing drugs (P = 0.01) and living at a nursing home (P = 0.06) were associated with high relapse rates.Conclusion  Pseudomembranous colitis is an important complication of antibiotic therapy and is associated with high mortality and recurrence rate, especially in old and debilitated persons. Pre‐admission NGT feeding, severe leucocytosis and hypoalbuminaemia on admission are associated with increased mortality. Pre‐hospitalization acid reducing treatment and nursing home residency are associated with increased risk of recurrence.
Surgical treatment of complicated pilonidal disease: limited separate elliptical excision with primary closure
Authors: Akinci O. F. , Coskun A. , Ozgonul A. , Terzi A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  We aimed at treating complicated pilonidal sinus (PS) patients by a simple and effective surgical procedure.Method  Between 2000 and 2004, 24 selected complicated PS patients were treated with ‘limited separate elliptical excision and primary closure’. Patients with extensive or bilateral gluteal involvement, having more lateral, caudal or cephalic sinuses, multiple recurrences and unhealed chronic wounds after pilonidal surgery were included. Asymmetric excision and primary closure was performed to main diseased tissue in the midline. Additionally, small separate elliptical excisions with primary closure were performed in other involved tissues. The fistula tract or granulation tissue were excised subcutaneously if present. All patients were operated under local anaesthesia. The fascial attachments between the skin and coccyx were released at the deep point in the midline and at one side of wound. Suction drains and prophylactic antibiotics were used; subcutaneous tissues were closed with running polyglactin sutures and skin with polypropylene subcutaneously.Results  The mean age of patients was 28.4 years (range 18–38). The mean follow‐up time was 2.8 years. One recurrence, one seroma, one wound infection and one wound breakdown were recorded. Healing was always by first intention except in patients with wound infection and breakdown.Conclusion  Most of the complicated PS patients can be operated with acceptable rates of recurrences and complications by using ‘limited separate elliptical excisions with primary closure’.
Results of a survey of the role of multidisciplinary team coordinators for colorectal cancer in England and Wales
Authors: Soukop M. , Robinson A. , Soukop D. , Ingham‐Clark C. L. , Kelly M. J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  Over the last 6 years, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have been established and play a key role in organizing the delivery of cancer care in the UK. There are no published data on the roles of their co‐coordinators.To seek the views of colorectal multidisciplinary team co‐ordinators (MDTCs) on what they do and how they do it.Method  Questionnaires were sent to the colorectal MDTC, or equivalent, in all 180 NHS hospital trusts in England and Wales where colorectal cancer surgery is performed.Results  There was a 70% response rate. Seventy‐one per cent of trusts now have a dedicated MDTC, whereas in 2002, only 40% had one. MDTCs generally keep their information on databases, but these differ, and are not coordinated with data entry into the national colorectal cancer database of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. In only 26 trusts does the MDTC communicate decisions to primary care, and the patients seem almost completely excluded from this process.Conclusion  The recently formed national MDTC Forum should grasp the opportunity of coordinating all of this well‐intentioned but pluralistic activity to the benefit of patients, primary care and hospital teams. An effective MDTC with a robust database will be the key in achieving cancer waiting time targets with useful audit, thereby improving patient care.
Anorectal three‐dimensional endosonography and anal manometry in assessing anterior rectocele in women: a new pathogenesis concept and the basic surgical principle
Authors: Regadas F. S. P. , Murad‐Regadas S. M. , Wexner S. D. , Rodrigues L. V. , Souza M. H. L. P. , Silva F. R. , Lima D. M. R. , Regadas Filho F. S. P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  The anatomy of the anal canal, the anorectal junction and the lower rectum was studied with 3‐D ultrasound.Method  Seventeen women with normal bowel transit, without rectocele (group 1) and 17 female patients with a large anterior rectocele (group 2) were examined with a B&K Medical Rawk®. Mean age was 44.5 and 51.6 years respectively. In group 1, one (5.8%) patient was nuliparous, five (29.4%) had a caesarian section, 11 (64.7%) had a vaginal delivery while in group 2, two (11.7%) patients were nuliparous, four (23.5%) had a caesarian section and 11 (64.7%) had a vaginal delivery. Images were reconstructed in midline longitudinal (ML) and transverse (T) planes. The external (EAS) and internal (IAS) anal sphincters were measured in both projections.Results  In the ML plane, the EAS length was longer in group 1 (1.94 cm vs 1.61 cm, P < 0.05), the gap length was shorter (1.54 cm vs 1.0 cm P < 0.01) and the wall thickness was shorter in group 2 (0.40 cm vs 0.50 cm P < 0.01). The IAS (0.18 cm vs 0.23 cm P < 0.01) and EAS thickness (0.68 cm vs 0.77 cm, P < 0.05) (left lateral of the posterior quadrant) was greater in group 2. In group 1, the anterior upper anal canal wall in normal females was an extension of the rectal wall and the circular muscle was thicker in the mid‐anal canal to form the IAS. In group 2, however, the wall layers were not identified and the IAS was found to be more distal. The differences were not statistically significant in the anal canal resting and squeeze pressures in the two groups.Conclusion  Obstetric trauma does not seem to play any role in rectocele pathogenesis because the anal sphincter muscles are anatomically and functionally normal and rectocele is also present in nuliparous and in women with caesarian sections. It seems that it is associated with the absence of EAS and thinner IAS in the anterior upper anal canal. Herniation starts at the upper anal canal extending to the lower rectum in high or large rectoceles and maybe produced by rectal intussusception because of excessive and prolonged straining during defecation. In fact, the denomination ‘rectocele’ should be changed to ‘anorectocele’.
Anxieties should not be forgotten when screening relatives of colorectal cancer patients by colonoscopy
Authors: Williams G. L. , Clarke P. , Vellacott K. D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective Individuals with a strong family history have a high risk of developing colorectal cancer. They could well benefit from targeted screening and their increased risk warrants an invasive procedure such as colonoscopy. This study aims to assess the anxieties of symptom‐free relatives offered screening by colonoscopy.Method A simple questionnaire was sent to 50 consecutive people who had colorectal cancer screening by colonoscopy because of a strong family history.Results Forty‐five questionnaires were answered. On assessing their anxiety levels before and after colonoscopy, 56% noticed an improvement after the test, 33% were still as anxious and 11% had raised anxiety levels despite screening. Although most of the screening colonoscopies were normal, 44% of asymptomatic relatives undergoing invasive screening had no improvement of their cancer anxieties.Conclusion Screening people with a strong family history of colorectal cancer may be an efficient, cost‐effective and focussed way of detecting early neoplasms rather than screening the general population. Using colonoscopy alone however, a large proportion of people still have cancer anxieties after being screened. This small study suggests that in order to attempt to alleviate anxieties, a colonoscopy alone is insufficient for some in this high‐risk group.
MACROECONOMETRIC MODELLING WITH A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE*
Authors: PESARAN M. HASHEM , SMITH RON 
Published: August 2006

This paper provides a synthesis and further development of a global modelling approach introduced in Pesaran et al. (Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, Vol. 22 (2004), pp. 129–162), where country‐specific models in the form of VARX* structures are estimated relating a vector of domestic variables, xit, to their foreign counterparts, , and then consistently combined to form a global vector autoregression. It is shown that the VARX* models can be derived as the solution to a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model where overidentifying long‐run theoretical relations can be tested and imposed if acceptable. This gives the system a transparent long‐run theoretical structure. Similarly, short‐run overidentifying theoretical restrictions can be tested and imposed if accepted. Alternatively, if one has less confidence in the short‐run theory the dynamics can be left unrestricted. The assumption of the weak exogeneity of the foreign variables for the long‐run parameters can be tested, where variables can be interpreted as proxies for regional and global factors. Rather than using deviations from ad hoc statistical trends, the equilibrium values of the variables reflecting the long‐run theory embodied in the model can be calculated. The paper also provides some new results on the relative importance of external shocks for the UK and the Euro area economies.
Electro‐optical synergy (ELOS™) technology for nonablative skin rejuvenation: a preliminary prospective study
Authors: Hammes S , Greve B , Raulin C 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground and objectives  In this preliminary prospective study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of nonablative wrinkle treatment using combined radiofrequency (RF) and optical energy (Polaris™). The dual energy technology of Polaris™, called ELOS™, which stands for electro‐optical synergy, uses synchronous pulses of bipolar RF current and pulsed visible light (diode laser) delivered in the same pulse.Materials and methods  Twenty‐four subjects with periorbital and perioral wrinkles received six treatments at 4‐week intervals with the Polaris™ WR (Syneron, Inc., Israel, 900 nm, max. RF energy 100 J/cm3, max. laser energy 50 J/cm2). Each treatment consisted of two passes over the treatment area using pulsed optical and RF parameters that were determined by the patient's skin phenotype and distribution of target chromophores. The follow‐up period was 3 months after the last treatment.Results  Independent scoring of blinded photographs showed a wrinkle score improvement of at least 1 (0 = no improvement, 1 = medium, 2 = good, 3 = excellent improvement) 3 months after the last of six treatment sessions. There was no difference between periorbital and perioral wrinkle reduction. Fifty‐eight per cent (14/24) of the subjects reported a notable wrinkle reduction; 16% noted mild to moderate oedema and erythema lasting for no more than 1 day. Scarring or pigmentary changes were not detected. The average pain score was 0.6 (0 = no pain, 5 = intolerable pain).Conclusion  Multiple treatments with the Polaris™ WR produced objective and subjective reduction of periorbital and perioral wrinkles. The occurrence of side‐effects and pain was very low. The clinical effect may be caused by matrix coagulation of the deep dermis by the RF and selective thermolysis of blood vessels with the 900 nm diode laser.
The EU Neighbourhood Policy: Implications for Economic Growth and Stability*
Authors: DODINI MICHAELA , FANTINI MARCO 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe article discusses the incentives, economic effects and risks of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The ENP should support growth provided that integration with the EU internal market is concrete and wide‐ranging. It should not endanger macro stability but involves two specific risks: over‐regulation and fragmentation of the internal market.
Relationship problems and physical aggression: The moderating role of temporal comparison
Authors: FRYE NANCY E. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBecause physical aggression in relationships frequently occurs within the context of disagreements, partners with more fodder for disagreements (e.g., more relationship problems) may be especially prone to engage in aggression. However, this may be less true among partners who have a means of coping with their relationship problems. Because previous research suggests that perceptions of improvement serve as a coping strategy in a wide range of adverse circumstances, the current study examined whether this coping strategy would prove effective in the context of relationship problems by examining data from a sample of married and cohabiting individuals. In both groups, perceived changes in problems moderated the association between problems and aggression; number of relationship problems was only significantly associated with level of physical aggression among partners who perceived low levels of improvement in those problems over time. Results are discussed in terms of implications for intervention strategies.