bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Monitored Colonoscopic Polypectomy: Long‐Term Follow‐Up
Authors: Franklin Morris E. , Portillo Guillermo 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundColonoscopy is widely used to remove benign polyps. However, a variety of “difficult polyps” are not accessible for colonoscopic removal because of their size, broad base, or difficult location (impossible to see the polyp’s base, polyps behind mucosal folds or in tortuous colonic segments). The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‐term follow‐up and oncologic safety of laparoscopically monitored colonoscopic polypectomy (LMCP).MethodsFrom May 1990 to January 2008, all the patients undergoing LMCP were analyzed and prospectively followed with colonoscopic studies at 6 months, 1 year, and every year thereafter.ResultsA total of 209 polyps were removed in 160 patients: 82 men (51%) and 78 women (49%). The mean age was 74.7 years (range 46–99 years). During a mean follow‐up of 63.37 months (range 6–196 months) and median follow‐up of 65 months, there has been no recurrence.ConclusionsLong‐term follow‐up demonstrated that a combined endoscopic‐laparoscopic approach is safe and effective. Malignant lesions identified during LMCP can be treated laparoscopically during the same operation, avoiding the need of a second procedure, with good long‐term oncologic outcome.
Corrective lower limb osteotomies in children using temporary external fixation and percutaneous locking plates
Authors: Bar-On Elhanan , Becker Tali , Katz Kalman , Velkes Steven , Salai Moshe , Weigl Daniel M. 
Published: March 2009

Background We describe a new method for corrective osteotomy and the fixation of lower limb deformities in children. Methods Following osteotomy, the desired position is obtained and temporarily stabilized using an external fixator. Definitive fixation is performed with a plate and locking screws inserted percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure was performed in 18 segments in 11 patients. Corrections were performed in all planes. Results The mean follow up was 18 months (range 6–36 months). All patients were corrected to within 2° of that which was planned. Union was obtained in 16 segments in ten patients within 6–16 weeks. Conclusions The method was found to be effective for the correction of deformity in the pediatric population. Advantages compared to conventional methods include minimal soft tissue dissection and the ability to adjust the position before definitive fixation.
On finitely recursive programs
Authors: BASELICE SABRINA , BONATTI PIERO A. , CRISCUOLO GIOVANNI 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDisjunctivefinitary programsare a class of logic programs admitting function symbols and hence infinite domains. They have very good computational properties; for example, ground queries are decidable, while in the general case the stable model semantics are Π11-hard. In this paper we prove that a larger class of programs, calledfinitely recursive programs, preserve most of the good properties of finitary programs under the stable model semantics, which are as follows: (i) finitely recursive programs enjoy a compactness property; (ii) inconsistency checking and skeptical reasoning are semidecidable; (iii) skeptical resolution is complete for normal finitely recursive programs. Moreover, we show how to check inconsistency and answer skeptical queries using finite subsets of the ground program instantiation. We achieve this by extending the splitting sequence theorem by Lifschitz and Turner: we prove that if the input programPis finitely recursive, then the partial stable models determined by any smooth splitting ω-sequence converge to a stable model ofP.
Decreased intratumoral arteries reflect portal tract destruction and aggressive characteristics in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Aishima Shinichi , Iguchi Tomohiro , Nishihara Yunosuke , Fujita Nobuhiro , Taguchi Kenichi , Taketomi Akinobu , Maehara Yoshihiko , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi 
Published: March 2009

Aims:  To assess the relationship between arterial blood supply and the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).Methods and results:  The intratumoral arterial vessel density (AVD) was assessed in 76 cases of mass‐forming type of ICC using anti‐h‐caldesmon antibody, a marker of smooth muscle cells, and AVD compared with pathological findings. AVD was directly correlated with the presence of intratumoral portal tracts (P < 0.0001) and inversely correlated with the grade of tumour necrosis (P = 0.0013). AVD was inversely correlated with vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0159 and P = 0.0023, respectively). The hilar type of ICC had lower AVD regardless of tumour size, whereas the peripheral type with high AVD showed branching ductular formation composed of cuboidal cells with mild nuclear atypia. AVD was found to be an independent prognostic factor on multivariate survival analysis (P = 0.0013).Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that intratumoral arterial vessels reflect engulfed portal tracts in ICC and decreased arterial vessels indicate aggressive tumour behaviour. Our results could contribute to clinical tumour staging and more effective therapy.
Rapid screening of tissue microarrays for Her‐2 fluorescence in situ hybridization testing is an accurate, efficient and economic method of providing an entirely in situ hybridization‐based Her‐2 testing service
Authors: Faratian Dana , Graham Ashley , Rae Frances , Thomas Jeremy 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing is the ‘gold standard’ method for Her‐2 status assessment in breast cancer patients, yet is only employed in about 30% of tests carried out because of cost and labour considerations. We have previously described tissue microarray (TMA)‐based testing to eliminate cost constraints, and now describe a rapid screening approach to reduce time spent testing.Methods and results:  We examined 88 cases of invasive breast cancer on TMAs comparing formal FISH scoring with a rapid screening technique. Each core was screened by two observers and results recorded as positive, equivocal or negative. Each approach was timed. Data were analysed by comparing the rapid screening results with formal counts. Using rapid screening, two‐thirds of negative and half the positive cases could be eliminated with 100% accuracy. It took 2 min per observer per case to rapid screen six TMA cores at ×100 magnification. The remaining cases required formal counting, which took no longer than with whole‐section techniques.Conclusion:  Rapid screening of TMAs for routine Her‐2 FISH testing is safe, economical and time efficient. The technique ensures that all patients receive ‘gold standard’ testing.
Effect of calorie restriction on subjective ratings of appetite
Authors: Anton S. D. , Han H. , York E. , Martin C. K. , Ravussin E. , Williamson D. A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Energy or calorie restriction (CR) has consistently been shown to produce weight loss and have beneficial health effects in numerous species, including primates and humans. Most individuals, however, are unable to sustain weight losses induced through reductions in energy intake, potentially due to increased hunger levels. The effects that prolonged CR has on subjective aspects of appetite have not been well studied. Thus, the present study tested the effect of 6 months of caloric restriction on appetite in healthy, overweight men and women.Methods:  Forty‐eight overweight men and women with a body mass index (BMI; kg m−2) between 25–29.9 took part in a 6‐month study and were randomised into one of four groups: healthy diet (control); 25% CR; 12.5% CR plus exercise (12.5% increased energy expenditure; CR + EX); low‐calorie diet [LCD; 3724 kJ day−1 (890 kcal day−1) until 15% of initial body weight was lost, then maintenance]. Appetite markers (i.e. hunger, fullness, desire to eat, etc.) were assessed weekly during a fasting state.Results:  Body weight was significantly reduced in all three energy‐restricted groups (CR = −10.4 ± 0.9%; CR + EX = −10.0 ± 0.8%; and LCD = −13.9 ±0.7%), indicating that participants were adherent to their energy restriction regimen, whereas the healthy diet control group remained weight stable (control = −1.0 ± 1.1%). Despite these significant weight losses, appetite ratings of participants in the three energy‐restricted groups at month 6 were similar to the weight stable control group.Conclusions:  CR regimens with low fat diets producing significant weight losses have similar effects on appetite markers over a 6‐month time period compared to a weight stable control group.
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of prostaglandin E2 and 15‐(S)‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mattsson N. , Yaong M. , Rosengren L. , Blennow K. , Månsson J.‐E. , Andersen O. , Zetterberg H. , Haghighi S. , Zho I. , Pratico D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract.Objective.  To test the hypothesis that the arachodinic acid metabolites prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 15‐(S)‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)‐HETE) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are elevated and reflect neuroinflammation and degenerative changes in multiple sclerosis (MS).Patients and methods.  We measured PGE2 and 15(S)‐HETE concentrations, as well as markers of axonal and astroglial injury in CSF from 46 MS patients, 46 healthy siblings and 50 controls.Results.  We found elevated levels of both PGE2 and 15(S)‐HETE in MS compared with the control and sibling groups. Siblings had lower PGE2 levels and higher 15(S)‐HETE levels than controls. There were no correlations between either PGE2 or 15(S)‐HETE and clinical scores of MS severity or biochemical markers of axonal or astroglial injury.Conclusion.  These data suggest no direct involvement of PGE2 and 15(S)‐HETE in the MS disease process. Rather, the elevated levels reflect a general up‐regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and neuroinflammation.
Phylogeography of lions (Panthera leo ssp.) reveals three distinct taxa and a late Pleistocene reduction in genetic diversity
Authors: BARNETT ROSS , SHAPIRO BETH , BARNES IAN , HO SIMON Y. W. , BURGER JOACHIM , YAMAGUCHI NOBUYUKI , HIGHAM THOMAS F. G. , WHEELER H. TODD , ROSENDAHL WILFRIED , SHER ANDREI V. , SOTNIKOVA MARINA , KUZNETSOVA TATIANA , BARYSHNIKOV GENNADY F. , MARTIN LARRY D. , HARINGTON C. RICHARD , BURNS JAMES A. , COOPER ALAN 
Published: March 2009

AbstractLions were the most widespread carnivores in the late Pleistocene, ranging from southern Africa to the southern USA, but little is known about the evolutionary relationships among these Pleistocene populations or the dynamics that led to their extinction. Using ancient DNA techniques, we obtained mitochondrial sequences from 52 individuals sampled across the present and former range of lions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct clusters: (i) modern lions, Panthera leo; (ii) extinct Pleistocene cave lions, which formed a homogeneous population extending from Europe across Beringia (Siberia, Alaska and western Canada); and (iii) extinct American lions, which formed a separate population south of the Pleistocene ice sheets. The American lion appears to have become genetically isolated around 340 000 years ago, despite the apparent lack of significant barriers to gene flow with Beringian populations through much of the late Pleistocene. We found potential evidence of a severe population bottleneck in the cave lion during the previous interstadial, sometime after 48 000 years, adding to evidence from bison, mammoths, horses and brown bears that megafaunal populations underwent major genetic alterations throughout the last interstadial, potentially presaging the processes involved in the subsequent end‐Pleistocene mass extinctions.
Ecological context shapes hybridization dynamics
Authors: BUERKLE C. ALEX 
Published: March 2009

Gene exchange among oak species (Quercus) in Europe is known to be pervasive and to complicate population genetic studies of this species complex. A study in this issue of Molecular Ecology adds geographical and stand‐level resolution to the patterns of genetic variation among four species and documents the relatively high frequency of hybrids (10.7–30.5% of trees in a population, including hybrids between all pairs of species; Lepais et al. 2009). In addition, the authors show that the relative abundance of parental species affects the genetic composition of hybrids and shifts the average direction of introgression. Variation in the relative abundance of parental species is one example of how the ecological context of hybridization can influence the dynamics and outcome of contact between species and represents an opportunity to investigate the components of reproductive isolation between species. This research raises several questions about the dynamics of hybridization in this well‐studied species complex, and highlights methodological and conceptual issues associated with contemporary research on hybridization.
Genetic Improvement and Crop Management Strategies to Minimize Yield Losses in Warm Non‐traditional Wheat Growing Areas due to Spot Blotch Pathogen Cochliobolus sativus
Authors: Duveiller E. M. , Sharma R. C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSpot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus emerged as a major threat to wheat production in the warmer non‐traditional wheat growing areas in the late 1980s. This foliar disease causes significant yield losses annually (15–20% on average in South Asia) endangering the livelihoods of millions of small farmers. Effective measures in the field are needed to mitigate the impact of spot blotch on food security in affected areas. This review summarizes the global knowledge on genetic improvement and crop management strategies to minimize yield losses based on latest field research. Recent studies have shown that spot blotch severity is highly influenced by stress factors affecting crop physiology which in turn affects host tolerance and resistance to the pathogen. Soil nutrient and water stress aggravate spot blotch‐induced grain yield losses. Heat stress which is gradually increasing in Asia causes higher levels of disease damage. Genetic improvement is the cornerstone of a sustainable control of spot blotch in all affected regions. Resistance is essentially based on Chinese and South American sources and inter‐specific crosses with broadly adapted semi‐dwarf germplasm. A list of genotypes consistently reported in the last 10 years to harbor at least partial resistance to spot blotch, along with their inheritance of resistance, has been compiled to help breeding programmes. As the fungus is aggressive under conditions of high relative humidity and heat which in turn influences plant susceptibility, a synthesis of the different tools for scoring disease severity is given. Because resistance is incomplete, the ultimate goal is the accumulation of minor genes of resistance in adapted high yielding genotypes. This paper shows how the use of resistant varieties, timely seeding, adequate fertilization, crop rotation, and the judicious use of fungicides can be part of an integrated management strategy for controlling yield losses due to spot blotch.
Thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Virus‐ or therapy‐related?
Authors: Vezali Elena , Elefsiniotis Ioannis , Mihas Constantinos , Konstantinou Evangelos , Saroglou George 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Thyroid dysfunction (TD) represents an extrahepatic manifestation of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Moreover, the currently approved treatment of CHC is often associated with TD. However, it remains debatable if TD is mainly virus‐ or treatment‐related. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and features of TD, and to identify its predictors in treated and untreated CHC patients.Methods:  Ninety‐four patients with CHC and normal thyroid function were evaluated long‐term for TD: 33 were untreated (control group) and 61 were treated with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFN‐α) plus ribavirin (treatment group). Mean follow up was 80.1 and 39.4 months, respectively.Results:  All patients in the control group remained euthyroid, while 13 treated patients (21.3%) developed TD (P < 0.001). Eleven of these were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and two with hyperthyroidism, which then converted to hypothyroidism. In the majority of cases (9/13, 69.2%) TD did not reverse after treatment discontinuation and required hormone replacement therapy. Pretreatment virological parameters did not predict TD, according to multiple logistic regression analysis. TD was not associated with total dose of PEG‐IFN‐α or ribavirin, viral kinetics or with virological outcome, but it was linked to development of other therapy‐related autoimmune disorders (odds ratio, 8.29).Conclusion:  Antiviral therapy of CHC possibly induces de novo or exacerbates pre‐existing silent TD. TD does not seem to correlate with any pretreatment virological parameter; it is probably not related to dose or treatment duration, nor linked to viral kinetics or virological outcome. The role of chronic hepatitis C per se in TD remains to be determined.
An interlaboratory comparison of 16S rRNA gene‐based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods for assessing microbial diversity of seafloor basalts
Authors: Orcutt Beth , Bailey Brad , Staudigel Hubert , Tebo Bradley M. , Edwards Katrina J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryWe present an interlaboratory comparison between full‐length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) for microbial communities hosted on seafloor basaltic lavas, with the goal of evaluating how similarly these two different DNA‐based methods used in two independent labs would estimate the microbial diversity of the same basalt samples. Two samples were selected for these analyses based on differences detected in the overall levels of microbial diversity between them. Richness estimators indicate that TRFLP analysis significantly underestimates the richness of the relatively high‐diversity seafloor basalt microbial community: at least 50% of species from the high‐diversity site are missed by TRFLP. However, both methods reveal similar dominant species from the samples, and they predict similar levels of relative diversity between the two samples. Importantly, these results suggest that DNA‐extraction or PCR‐related bias between the two laboratories is minimal. We conclude that TRFLP may be useful for relative comparisons of diversity between basalt samples, for identifying dominant species, and for estimating the richness and evenness of low‐diversity, skewed populations of seafloor basalt microbial communities, but that TRFLP may miss a majority of species in relatively highly diverse samples.
Improvements in cheek volume in lipoatrophic individuals switching away from thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Authors: Benn P , Sauret‐Jackson V , Cartledge J , Ruff C , Sabin CA , Moyle G , Linney A , Reilly G , Edwards SG 
Published: March 2009

BackgroundThymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are associated with subcutaneous fat loss. Facial changes cannot be assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans. There are limited objective data on the reversibility of facial lipoatrophy.MethodsWe performed a facial volume substudy of a randomized thymidine NRTI replacement study carried out in HIV‐infected subjects with moderate to severe lipoatrophy. Facial volume changes were assessed using validated 3D laser imaging. Changes in body composition were measured using DEXA scans. The association between changes in facial volume and body composition parameters at 48 weeks was measured using Spearman's rank correlation.ResultsForty‐seven individuals (46 male), 11 receiving zidovudine and 36 receiving stavudine, switched to either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF) (n=23) or abacavir (ABC) (n=24). Thirty‐nine of these 47 patients (84.8%) reported facial lipoatrophy at baseline. The median volume increase in both cheeks from baseline was 1857.3 mm3. These volume changes and increases in limb fat at 48 weeks were similar in the two groups and correlated significantly (Spearman's r=0.41, P=0.004).ConclusionsFacial volume in lipoatrophic individuals was found to increase after thymidine NRTI replacement. We demonstrated a significant correlation between improvements in facial and limb fat parameters. Switching from thymidine NRTIs in patients with facial lipoatrophy could potentially reduce the need for cosmetic interventions.
Prevalence and distribution of solitary oral pigmented lesions: a prospective study
Authors: De Giorgi V , Sestini S , Bruscino N , Janowska A , Grazzini M , Rossari S , Lotti T 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSolitary pigmented lesions are uncommon in the oral mucosa. A review of the literature reveals no information regarding the relative frequency of these lesions. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative prevalence of solitary oral pigmented lesions in a selected population of patients. This study includes 265 consecutive patients who accessed the dermatology out‐patients’ surgery of the Department of Dermatology, University of Florence between March 2006 and July 2007. The sample we studied presented 5.7% of oral pigmented lesions; the most frequent being vascular lesions. Despite the various methods used, the differential diagnosis for these particular lesions is not always easy. There is some difficulty in distinguishing between a benign pigmented lesion and a growing melanoma which, though rare (1% of all oral malignancies), is a serious and often fatal disease. Therefore, biopsy with histological exam represents the diagnostic gold standard.
Pulsed dye laser vs. photodynamic therapy in the treatment of refractory nail psoriasis: a comparative pilot study
Authors: Fernández‐Guarino M , Harto A , Sánchez‐Ronco M , García‐Morales I , Jaén P 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Nail psoriasis is often refractory to traditional treatments, and patients with nail psoriasis usually demand a therapeutic option. Both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and pulse dye laser (PDL) have proved effective for plaque‐type psoriasis, but they have not been evaluated in nail psoriasis. On the other hand, delta‐aminolaevulinic acic has been shown to penetrate into the nail matrix and nail bed occluded with bioadhesive patches.Objectives  To compare the efficacy of PDT and PDL in the treatment of nail psoriasisMethods  We studied 61 nails treated with PDT and 60 nails treated with PDL in a group of 14 patients. The PDT used PDL as the light source. Sessions were applied monthly treating one hand with PDT and the other with PDL. The hand treated with PDT was occluded with methyl‐aminolaevulinic acic (MAL, Metvix®) for 3 h using a bioadhesive patch. The nails treated were evaluated at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months according to the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score.Results  A decrease in NAPSI score was observed with both treatments and in both nail matrix and nail bed involvement. No statistical differences were found between PDT and PDL (P = 0.632, P = 0.084, P = 0.535, at baseline, and 3 and 6 months, respectively), and between nail matrix and nail bed NAPSI scores (P = 0.423 and P = 0.853, respectively). The subjective impression of the patients was good, especially regarding the decrease in the pain.Conclusions  PDL seems to be effective in the treatment of nail psoriasis and improves nail matrix and nail bed involvement. MAL does not seem to play role in the clinical response.Conflicts of interestNone declared.