bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Renal late effects in patients treated for cancer in childhood: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Jones Deborah P. , Spunt Sheri L. , Green Daniel , Springate James E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractImprovements in childhood cancer therapy have led to increasing numbers of long‐term survivors. These survivors are at risk for a variety of late effects due to the disease itself, treatment exposures (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), underlying medical problems, and health behaviors. The COG LTFU Guidelines are risk‐based, exposure‐related recommendations for the identification and management of late effects due to therapies utilized in the treatment of childhood cancer, and are designed for asymptomatic survivors presenting for routine medical follow‐up 2 or more years after completion of cancer therapy. The COG Guidelines Task Force on Urinary Tract Complications conducted an extensive review of the medical literature via MEDLINE. Specific treatment exposures which were reviewed include nephrectomy, chemotherapy regimens known to be nephrotoxic (cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, and methotrexate), and renal irradiation. Literature sources were ranked according to the strength of evidence and are cited in the review. This review summarizes the literature that supported the recommendations for cancer survivors at risk for nephrotoxicity previously outlined in the Children's Oncology Group Long‐Term Follow‐Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers (COG LTFU Guidelines). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:724–731. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pre‐treatment symptom cluster in breast cancer patients is associated with worse sleep, fatigue and depression during chemotherapy
Authors: Liu Lianqi , Fiorentino Lavinia , Natarajan Loki , Parker Barbara A. , Mills Paul J. , Sadler Georgia Robins , Dimsdale Joel E. , Rissling Michelle , He Feng , Ancoli‐Israel Sonia 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: The concept of symptom clusters is relatively new in cancer patients' symptom management. This study, which spanned four cycles of chemotherapy, combined three commonly seen pre‐treatment symptoms in cancer patients (i.e. sleep disturbances, fatigue and depression) into one symptom cluster, to explore the associations between pre‐treatment cluster categories and longitudinal profiles of these same symptoms during chemotherapy.Methods: This was a prospective study. Seventy‐six women with newly diagnosed stage I–III breast cancer, scheduled to receive at least four cycles of adjuvant or neoadjuvant anthracycline‐based chemotherapy participated. Data were collected at seven time points before and during treatment. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory—Short Form. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center of Epidemiological Studies—Depression. Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of symptoms they experienced before the start of chemotherapy (i.e. no symptoms, 1–2 symptoms or all three symptoms) and a symptom cluster index (SCI) was computed.Results: All women reported worse sleep, more fatigue and more depressive symptoms during treatment compared with baseline (all p's<0.01); however, those women with a higher SCI (i.e. more symptoms pre‐treatment) continued to experience worse symptoms during treatment compared with those who began with fewer symptoms (all p's<0.01).Conclusions: A higher clinically relevant‐based pre‐treatment symptom cluster was associated with more sleep disturbances, greater fatigue and more depressive symptoms during chemotherapy. Specific interventions for these pre‐treatment symptoms may improve the frequency and severity of these same symptoms during chemotherapy, when they are most severe and most disruptive to quality of life. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of an item bank for detecting and assessing psychological distress in cancer patients
Authors: Smith Adam B. , Rush Robert , Wright Penny , Stark Dan , Velikova Galina , Sharpe Michael 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: To validate an item bank for assessing and detecting psychological distress in cancer patients by (1) identifying whether additional items are required in the full item bank; (2) identifying any item bias in the existing item bank; (3) linking levels of distress against thresholds derived from gold‐standard psychiatric interviews (PSE/SCAN/SCID).Method: A Rasch analysis was conducted on a heterogeneous sample of cancer patients (n=4919) who had completed a combination of eight psychological distress screening instruments. A subset of patients had completed a psychiatric interview along with the HADS (n=381) or PHQ‐9 (n=440). Item thresholds were plotted along the latent trait. Furthermore, items were assessed for differential item functioning (DIF) by age and gender. Finally, optimum thresholds were derived for the HADS and PHQ‐9 and plotted along the latent trait distribution for the entire item bank.Result: Item thresholds exceeded the range of person measures, although a gap was still present along the latent trait. No DIF was observed for either age or gender. Putative cut‐offs were derived for the item bank detecting moderate to severe levels of psychological distress.Conclusion: The item bank covers the majority of levels of emotional distress reported by cancer patients. Additionally, initial thresholds have been derived on the item bank, which correspond to a formal psychiatric assessment. Further work is required to ascertain the stability of the item bank over time and by diagnosis and stage of disease, as well as to determine additional thresholds for levels of distress. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiresponse optimization of products with functional quality characteristics
Authors: Fogliatto Flavio S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn multiresponse experiments (MREs) the same experimental unit is evaluated with respect to more than one response simultaneously. Optimization of MREs typically involves determining the point in the design region where responses perform best with respect to given criteria. Utility functions are used to transform response outcomes at each experimental treatment into performance measures. Here we investigate the optimization of MREs where some response outcomes are profiles rather than individual values. A functional response gives one or more profiles as observed outcomes at each treatment, and the objective is to identify the outcome that is closest to a target profile. We propose the use of the Hausdorff distance, a similarity metric from the field of image recognition, in combination with a desirability function to obtain a utility function that gives the distance of a functional response outcome to its desired target. A case example from the food industry illustrates our propositions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging mass spectrometry using peptide isoelectric focusing
Authors: Vaezzadeh Ali R. , Simicevic Jovan , Chauvet Alexis , François Patrice , Zimmermann‐Ivol Catherine G. , Lescuyer Pierre , Deshusses Jacques P. M. , Hochstrasser Denis F. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractImaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) has emerged as a powerful technique in the field of proteomics. The use of Immobilized pH Gradient–IsoElectric Focusing (IPG‐IEF) is also a new trend, as the first dimension of separation, in shotgun proteomics. We report a combination of these two outstanding technologies. This approach is based on the separation of shotgun‐produced peptides by IPG‐IEF. The peptides are then transferred by capillarity to a capture membrane, which is then scanned by the mass spectrometer to generate MS images. This high‐throughput methodology allows a preview of the sample to be obtained in a single day. We report the application of this new pipeline for differential comparison of the membrane proteome of two different strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in a proof‐of‐principle experiment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac output following fetoscopic coagulation of major placental vessels in fetal sheep
Authors: Tchirikov M. , Strohner M. , Popovic S. , Hecher K. , Schröder H. J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo measure changes in cardiac output (CO) after partial cord occlusion in fetal sheep in order to investigate pathophysiological fetal adaptation mechanisms in a simulated acute placental insufficiency model under standardized conditions, with the aim of finding relevant methods for monitoring human fetuses during stress situations.MethodsWe used minimally invasive, percutaneous endoscopic techniques to close umbilical vessels in mid‐gestational fetal sheep. Placental blood flow was reduced by preferentially closing first arterial and then the concomitant venous umbilical vessels within a short time interval. The investigations were carried out on 11 pregnant ewes at a median gestational age of 86 (range, 73–95) days. Major placental arteries and veins were occluded permanently by coagulation with bipolar forceps under percutaneous fetoscopic control. The fetal CO and Doppler parameters in the ductus venosus (DV), umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) were measured.ResultsIn spite of heart rate reduction, the CO was not significantly affected by vessel occlusion (mean ± SD, 500 ± 194 mL/min before and 457 ± 219 mL/min after coagulation) because stroke volume slightly increased from 2.65 ± 1.16 mL/beat to 3.1 ± 1.5 mL/beat. The right to left CO ratio remained at 1.4. The UV flow/combined CO ratio decreased from 34 ± 14% to 25 ± 10% after vessel coagulation. The pulsatility index in the DV increased from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.4. The DV blood flow volume remained relatively constant after the intervention. The DV shunting rate, given as DV/UV flow ratio, increased significantly from 30.8 ± 4.7% to 59.3 ± 25.0%.ConclusionsThe nearly simultaneous closure of arterial and venous umbilical vessels changed the flow pattern in the UA and significantly reduced placental blood perfusion. It did not distinctly change the blood flow volume rate through the DV, and consequently the DV shunting rate was increased. The combined CO was not significantly affected by the vascular obstruction, whereas the fraction of combined CO directed to the placenta was reduced. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The incision angle of mediolateral episiotomy before delivery and after repair
Authors: Kalis Vladimir , Karbanova Jaroslava , Horak Miroslav , Lobovsky Libor , Kralickova Milena , Rokyta Zdenek 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relevance of the suture angle when evaluating mediolateral episiotomy, and the safety of the accepted lower limit of 40° for the incision angle.MethodThe angles formed by the incision and suture lines with the midline were measured, and any perineal tear noted, in 50 consecutive women undergoing their first vaginal delivery.ResultsThe angles were significantly different (40° and 22.5°, respectively; P < 0.001). The only variable significantly linked to the difference was the timing of the episiotomy.ConclusionThe suture angle cannot currently be used to assess the adequacy of the incision angle; moreover, an incision angle of 40° is probably too acute to prevent potential sphincter damage.
Changing Trends of Peritonsillar Abscess
Authors: Marom Tal , Roth Yehudah , Itskoviz David , Cinamon Udi 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveTo assess changes in the characteristics of peritonsillar abscess (PTA).MethodsA retrospective cohort study. Data obtained from medical records of patients diagnosed as having a peritonsillar abscess that were treated in a secondary urban medical center over a ten‐year period (1998–2007).Results427 patients, within ages of 3 to 91 years (average 31.6, SD 15.2, median 30) were enrolled. 47 patients (11%) were admitted more than once for PTA. There was no gender, seasonal, or localization predominance. 13 patients (3%) developed PTA complications. 104 patients (24.4%) were 40 years old or older, having a longer hospitalization period, and were more prone to complications. 102 patients (23.9%) did not have acute tonsillitis before PTA evolvement. Smoking was more common among patients than in the general population rate (33% vs 25%), associated with a higher complication. Culture results and antibiotic therapy influence were analyzed for all PTA cases (n=486). In 283 patients (58.2%) developed PTA in spite of a prior antibiotic therapy. Smoking was associated with a higher infection rate by Streptococcus viridans.ConclusionsComparison of current data to earlier reports suggests that PTA has gradually changed its characteristics: affecting older patients, having a more vigorous presentation and a longer course, abscess evolvement without an anteceding tonsillitis, and patients developing PTA in spite of a prior adequate antibiotic therapy. In addition, smoking may be a predisposing factor.
Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy
Authors: Goldenberg David , Adil Eelam , Fedok Fred G , Adil Tabrez 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveParathyroid surgery is often challenging due to considerable variability in anatomy. Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) is a surgical option that has been made possible by the advent of new imaging techniques, specifically Sestamibi scanning. In this study, we review our experience, methods, and outcomes with MIRP in one of the largest case series reported in the literature.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on 365 patients who underwent MIRP between 1997 and 2007. Data including symptoms, pre‐ and postoperative calcium levels, and PTH levels were collected. Analyses were performed using Excel AnaylsisPak.ResultsIntraoperatively, an average of 20mCi Tc‐99m was injected for Sestamibi scanning. The mean pre‐op calcium was 10.9, whereas the mean post‐op level was 9.8. There was a significant difference between pre‐op and post‐op calcium levels (both ionized and total) (p<.01). Mean pre‐ and post‐op PTH levels were 277 and 46 respectively. Rapid PTH levels were therefore significantly lower post‐operatively (p<.01).ConclusionsMIRP is an effective method for removal of parathyroid adenomas. The benefits of MIRP include more accurate localization, shorter operative and recovery time, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results.
Narrow Band Imaging for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Detection
Authors: Leong Jern‐Lin , Mark Ignatius Hon‐Wah 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveTo determine if Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) improves sensitivity for detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to conventional nasoendoscopy.MethodsConsecutive patients suspected of having NPC were recruited prospectively from the otolaryngology clinic, Singapore General Hospital, over 6 months (8/2007 to 2/2008). All these patients had no prior history of having NPC. Examination of the nasopharynx was performed concurrently with both conventional and NBI nasoendoscopy. Photo documentation was carried out in all cases. Lesions identified as abnormal on NBI and/or conventional endoscopy were biopsied for histological confirmation. Concordance with histology was the outcome measure.ResultsA total of 59 patients were presented for screening of NPC. 7 were positive with NPC on histology and 52 were normal/negative cases. For each patient, both conventional and NBI endoscopy were used for examination of the nasopharynx. The accuracy rate of detection was improved from 98% to 100% by using NBI compared with conventional technique. All 7 positive samples (sensitivity of 100%) were found to be positive by using NBI. With conventional light nasoendoscopy, only 6 positive samples were detected (sensitivity of 86%), and 1 positive sample with focal tumor was falsely detected to be negative. For the 52 normal cases, the diagnostic accuracy was the same for both techniques with the rate of 100% (specificity of 100%).ConclusionsNBI endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is found to be more sensitive compared to conventional light endoscopy. NBI nasoendoscopy would be a better screening tool for early NPC as compared to conventional light nasoendoscopy.
The Effects of Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Steward David L , Bhatki Amol M , Falciglia Mercedes 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveInvestigate the effects of parathyroidectomy vs. medical observation for patents with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHP).MethodsA meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. Outcome parameters include biochemistries and bone density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal radius. Also, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) as measured by validated instruments was analyzed.ResultsA total of 5 trials involving 345 patients (163 observed, 182 surgery) were analyzed for serum calcium, 24‐hour urine calcium, and serum PTH levels. Surgical treatment produced a significant decrease in all of these parameters. Mean serum and 24‐hour urine calcium levels decreased from 10.6 mg/dl to 9.4 mg/dl (p<0.001), and 253 mg/d to 148 mg/d (p<0.001) respectively. Similarly, a significant decrease in serum PTH by 58 pg/ml (p<0.001) was observed. After analyzing 7 RCT involving 531 patients, bone density in both the lumbar spine [odds ratio 2.29 (1.37 – 3.85) p<0.01] and femoral neck [odds ratio 1.84 (1.106 – 3.066) p<0.02] demonstrated statistically significant improvement 2 years after parathyroidectomy when compared to observed patients. The difference in bone density of the radius did not reach statistical significance. Narrative interpreted data was available on three RCT regarding HRQOL. Primary data from authors has been requested to allow for complete analysis of this parameter.ConclusionsFor patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy results in a significant improvement in lumbar spine and femoral neck bone density, as well as a normalization of chemistries. HRQOL is similarly expected to be improved, however, qualitative data to support this is pending.
Taste Disorders after Stapedotomy
Authors: Aedo Cristian , Stott‐Caro Carlos , Albertz Nicolas , Tabilo Patricio 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveTo asses temporal evolution of taste disorders after stapedotomy and its correlation with chorda tympani nerve (CTN) preservation.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between 2002 and 2007. Medical records of 141 patients with otosclerosis subject to stapedotomy were analyzed in search for CTN preservation or section during stapedotomy. A survey was applied to evaluate postoperative taste function and its evolution on time. Fisher's test was applied.ResultsCTN was preserved in 131 patients (93%) and sectioned in 10 patients (7%). The incidence of taste disorder was 7% (10 patients) in the CTN preservation group and 20% (2 patients) in the sectioned group (p> 0.05). All patients had full recovery of taste function before 12 months after surgery, being faster in the CTN preservation group than the sectioned group (6 months vs. 12 months respectively). Patients with section of CTN have an odds ratio of 3 compared with CTN preservation patients.ConclusionsTaste disorders are present in patients subjected to stapedotomy even when CTN is preserved, with full recovery 12 months after surgery.
Drug‐Eluting Spacer for Chronic Ethmoid Sinusitis Treatment
Authors: Kuhn Frederick A , Melroy Christopher T , Levine Howard L , Diamond Andrew J 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of managing chronic ethmoid sinusitis with an implantable drug‐eluting spacer filled with triamcinolone acetate.Methods13 patients with chronic ethmoid sinusitis had drug‐eluting spacers inserted on 22 sides under fluoroscopic guidance. The spacers were filled with triamcinolone acetate and their position was checked fluoroscopically. The spacers remained in place for 2–4 weeks. The measured post‐treatment outcomes were SNOT‐20 and Lund‐MacKay CT scores. Serum triamcinolone levels were measured and complications were monitored.ResultsAll patients demonstrated a reduction in post‐treatment LMK score; the average ethmoid sinus score decreased from 3.9 to 1.6 (59% reduction) (p<0.001). Average SNOT‐20 scores changed from 1.91 to 1.12, a clinical and statistically significant reduction from baseline (p<0.001). Drug plasma testing did not demonstrate presence of drug in all samples tested; however, drug was detected in a majority, suggesting drug elution. One patient experienced epistaxis 1 week after surgery at the retention suture site. There were no orbital or intracranial injuries.ConclusionsThis study introduces a catheter‐based, self‐retaining temporary drug‐eluting spacer as an alternative to ethmoidectomy for chronic ethmoid sinusitis treatment. The spacer has a perforated balloon membrane, specifically designed to allow the slow local delivery of a low corticosteroid dose over an extended time period. The spacers were delivered safely and there was significant resolution of ethmoid sinus disease without surgically removing the sinuses.
S106 – Botulinum Toxin A Can Positively Impact First Impression
Authors: Anstead Amy S , Dayan Steven 
Published: August 2008

ObjectivesFirst impression is influenced by facial appearance and improved by cosmetic surgery. We wished to determine if treatment with Botox(r) (botulinum toxin A/BTxnA) would improve first impression.MethodsWomen received BTxnA in the forehead. Photos were taken prior to, and 1 week after, BTxnA injection in both smiling and relaxed poses. Photos were randomly divided into books with each subject represented only once per book. Evaluators completed a survey rating their first impression on various measures of success for each photo in the book.ResultsNo differences were seen for social skills, financial, or relationship success scales. Significant decrease in first impression scores between treatment photos was seen for academic performance and occupational success. However, analysis of between‐subject effects found that ‘smile/relax’ accounted for the decreased score in both scales. Significant increases in first impression scores were seen for the scales of dating success, attractiveness, and athletic success, where ‘smile/relax’ and BTxnA contributed significantly to the improved scores.ConclusionsBTxnA improved first impression scores for scales of dating success, attractiveness and athletic success. Academic performance and occupational success scores were not affected by BTxnA when the ‘smile/relax’ variable was included. The ‘smile/relax’ variable was a more important predictor for academic performance and occupational success scores.