bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver stiffness measurement as a predictive tool of clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus or alcohol‐related cirrhosis
Authors: LEMOINE M. , KATSAHIAN S. , ZIOL M. , NAHON P. , GANNE‐CARRIE N. , KAZEMI F. , GRANDO‐LEMAIRE V. , TRINCHET J.‐C. , BEAUGRAND M. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for assessing the presence and the severity of portal hypertension (PHT). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is a non‐invasive method for liver fibrosis assessment.Aims  To assess the relationship between LSM and HVPG in patients with compensated cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) or alcohol and to define the performance and the best cut‐off of LSM for the diagnosis of PHT in these patients.Methods  Between January 2004 and September 2006, we studied all the consecutive patients with compensated HCV or alcohol‐related‐cirrhosis referred for transjugular liver biopsy with HVPG measurement and LSM performed the same day.Results  Ninety‐two patients were eligible, 44 had HCV related‐cirrhosis and 48 alcoholic cirrhosis. LSM was positively correlated to HVPG in both groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of significant PHT was 0.76 ± 0.07 in HCV patients (best cut‐off at 20.5 kPa) and 0.94 ± 0.03 (best cut‐off at 34.9 kPa) in alcoholic patients.Conclusions  Liver stiffness measurement and HVPG were significantly correlated in patients with compensated cirrhosis because of HCV infection or alcohol. LSM could predict significant PHT in both these groups of patients with a higher cut‐off and a better performance in alcoholic patients.
Lagtimes in diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer: determinants and association with cancer stage and survival
Authors: WATTACHERIL J. , KRAMER J. R. , RICHARDSON P. , HAVEMANN B. D. , GREEN L. K. , LE A. , EL‐SERAG H. B. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Lagtimes to diagnostic colonoscopy have been used as practice performance measures.Aim  To evaluate the duration, determinants and outcomes of lagtimes between referral for endoscopic evaluation and colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.Methods  We examined the medical records of 289 patients with CRC and evaluated lagtimes, their potential determinants and their association with CRC stage at diagnosis as well as overall survival.Results  Median lag between referral and CRC diagnosis was 41 days (41.5% > 60 days, 30.1% > 90 days). The only significant predictor of lagtime was the initiating event for referral: abnormal symptom, laboratory test or imaging study was associated with shortest and presence of family history was associated with longest lagtimes respectively. Longer lagtimes were associated with lower mortality risk, but this was completely explained by earlier CRC stage. An analysis restricted to 100 patients referred for abnormal CRC screening tests found no association between duration of lag and CRC stage or mortality.Conclusions  There seems to be no meaningful association between mortality in patients with CRC and lagtimes between referral for colonoscopy and CRC diagnosis for periods up to 2–3 months. On the contrary, longer lagtimes were inversely associated with CRC stage at the time of diagnosis.
Nondigestive symptoms in non‐erosive reflux disease: nature, prevalence and relation to acid reflux
Authors: HERSHCOVICI T. , ZIMMERMAN J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Nondigestive symptoms are frequent in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Aim  To characterize nondigestive symptoms in non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients, as features of IBS are common in patients with NERD.Methods  A prospective, case–control study. NERD was defined in patients with reflux symptoms, a normal oesophageal mucosa and oesophageal pH <4 for ≥5% of the time during 24‐h pH monitoring. Nondigestive symptoms were scored on validated scales of somatic pain, urinary, sleep and neurasthenia. IBS was defined by the Rome I criteria.Results  pH‐positive NERD patients (n = 326) scored significantly higher than controls (nonpatient hospital visitors; n = 174) on all scales. The scores of pain, sleep and neurasthenia were highly specific in the discrimination of NERD patients from controls. In patients, nondigestive symptoms were independently associated with age, reflux symptoms severity and IBS status, but not with oesophageal acid exposure. NERD patients who met diagnostic criteria for IBS (49%) scored significantly higher on all the nondigestive symptoms scales than those had not met [IBS(−)]. Yet, IBS(−) patients scored significantly higher than controls on all scales.Conclusions  Nondigestive symptoms were highly prevalent in NERD patients and were specific in their discrimination from controls. Nondigestive symptoms correlated with reflux symptoms and were predicted by IBS status.
Systematic review: impact of non‐adherence to 5‐aminosalicylic acid products on the frequency and cost of ulcerative colitis flares
Authors: HIGGINS P. D. R. , RUBIN D. T. , KAULBACK K. , SCHOENFIELD P. S. , KANE S. V. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Ulcerative colitis (UC) can be maintained in remission with 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) medications, but frequent non‐adherence by patients who are feeling well has been associated with more frequent flares of colitis.Aim  To perform a systematic review of the published literature and unpublished randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regarding the impact of non‐adherence with 5‐ASA medications on the incidence of UC flares and costs of care.Methods  A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases was performed. Prospective studies of UC maintenance with 5‐ASAs in adults were selected if they included data on adherence and disease flares. Studies using insurance claims data to estimate the impact of non‐adherence on cost of care were included. Data from unpublished RCTs were obtained from the FDA with a request under the Freedom of Information Act.Results  The relative risk for flare in non‐adherent vs. adherent patients ranged from 3.65 to infinity. Data were obtained from six unpublished 5‐ASA RCTs, but none measured the impact of adherence on disease activity. The comorbidity‐adjusted annual costs of care in adherent patients were 12.5% less than in non‐adherent patients, despite increased medication expenditures.Conclusions  A substantial proportion of UC flares and medical costs of UC are attributable to 5‐ASA non‐adherence. As non‐adherence to 5‐ASA medications is common, cost‐effective strategies to improve adherence are needed. The impact of adherence on disease activity should be measured in RCTs of all inflammatory bowel disease treatments.
Review article: benefits and risks of chemotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: MITRY E. , ROUGIER P. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Although metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is largely a disease of older individuals, our understanding of disease processes and their optimal treatment has been gained through trials with populations largely confined to younger individuals.Aim  To identify through a review issues specific to geriatric patients with mCRC (physiological changes associated with aging, burden of coexisting illnesses, altered drug pharmacokinetics and functional impairment) and assess challenges to elderly patients posed by malignancy and exposure to cytotoxic medication.Methods  Our literature search for indexed articles published between 2000 and May 2008 employed terms including irinotecan, oxaliplatin, elderly, mCRC, targeted agents and biologicals.Results  Underrepresentation of older patients in clinical trials makes it difficult to extrapolate findings to older age groups. However, some trials have demonstrated that elderly patients can achieve survival benefits and toxicity comparable to younger patients, although dosage modifications may be required.Conclusions  Currently, benefits with pharmacological therapy are suggested but not proven in the elderly population. Although concurrent illnesses and disabilities can complicate treatment decision making, chronological age alone should not disqualify these patients with mCRC from receiving optimal treatment similar to that offered to their younger cohorts.
Glucose Metabolism In Quinine‐Treated Patients With Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria
Authors: Davis T. M. E. , Pukrittayakamee S. , Supanaranond W. , Looareesuwan S. , Krishna S. , Nagachinta B. , Turner R. C. , White N. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTo investigate host and drug effects on glucose metabolism in acute falciparum malaria, 10 previously untreated, fasting Thai males with uncomplicated infections were given a 2‐h intravenous glucose infusion (5 mg/kg ideal body weight min) with an infusion of quinine dihydrochloride (10 mg/kg body weight) during the second hour. Eight patients were restudied in convalescence. Fasting plasma glucose (mean ± SD) and insulin (geometric mean (— SD to + SD)) were higher during acute illness (5.5 ± 1.0 mmol/l and 6.2 (5.0–7.7) mU/l) than in convalescence (4.2 ± 0.25 mmol/l and 3.7 (2.1–6.7) mU/l; P <0.001 and P = 0.058 respectively). After 1 h, both plasma glucose (9.3 ± 1.4 vs 7.5 ± 0.8 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and insulin (21.2 (13.8–32.5) vs 15.2 (11.2–20.8) mU/l, P = 0.089) remained higher during acute illness; mathematical model (CIGMA) assessment of these values indicated lower tissue insulin sensitivity on admission (97% (71–134)) than in convalescence (139% (109–178), P < 0.025) but normal beta‐cell function on both occasions. Two‐hour plasma glucose (9.5 ± 2.0 mmol/l) and insulin (81.8 (51.5–129.9) mU/l) concentrations during acute illness were also significantly higher than in convalescence (7.2 ± 1.2 mmol/l and 40.1 (23.5–68.4) mU/l, P ± 0.025) despite similar end‐infusion free plasma quinine concentrations (P> 0.5). Basal plasma free fatty acid concentrations were increased in acute illness (0.68 ±.24 vs 0.21 ± 0.12 mmol/l, P < 0.001) but fell to low levels at 2 h in both studies. These data suggest tissue insulin resistance and augmented quinine‐stimulated insulin secretion in acute falciparum malaria, factors which are likely to influence the clinical situation in which malaria‐associated hypoglycaemia occurs.
Mating tactic dependent sperm transfer rates in Panorpa similis (Mecoptera; Panorpidae): a case of female control?
Authors: KULLMANN HARALD , SAUER KLAUS P. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. Male Panorpa scorpionflies offer salivary masses as nuptial gifts during copulation. Previous studies have shown that there is usually a strong correlation between the number or size of salivary masses provided and copulation duration. As a result of constant sperm transfer rates, copulation duration is the most important determinant of male fitness in these species.2. Differences in copulation durations for gift‐giving and non‐gift‐giving males of the Caucasian scorpionfly Panorpa similis have been shown to be much smaller on average than those observed in other Panorpa species. In this study, we therefore focus on the number of sperm transferred in copulations of P. similis both with and without salivary masses.3. We find that although the average copulation duration in the presence of nuptial gifts is only twice as long as the average copulation duration without nuptial gifts, gift‐giving males transfer almost 11 times more sperm during copulations than non‐gift‐giving males. This is as a result of substantially higher sperm transfer rates (sperm/minute) in copulations in which nuptial gifts are present.4. Implications of this finding for the interpretation of the mating system of P. similis and the question of which sex controls sperm transfer rates are discussed.
Queen condition, mating frequency, queen loss, and levels of worker reproduction in the hornets Vespa affinis and V. simillima
Authors: MARTIN STEPHEN J. , TAKAHASHI JUN‐ICHI , KATADA SHIN‐ICHI 
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. Mature queens of the hornet Vespa affinis are unusual in that they lose all their body hair and wings. This has been used as evidence for matricide in hornets. Factors favouring matricide such as low paternity and long annual lifecycle are present in most hornets.2. We determined paternity in V. affinis and compared queen condition, levels of queen loss, and worker reproduction in 163 V. affinis and 63 V. simillima colonies. These two species have very similar lifecycles and colony sizes, but different paternities (1.3 vs 2.4). Furthermore, in queen‐right V. affinis colonies small proportions (4%) of reproductive workers were present, whereas in queen‐right V. simillima colonies no reproductive workers were detected.3. Despite these differences, queen damage in both species was influenced predominantly by her age and in V. affinis was not influenced by presence of reproductive workers.4. The number of queen‐less V. simillima (9/63 = 14%) and V. affinis (28/163 = 17%) colonies were also not significantly different (P = 0.8). Therefore, queen damage and proportions of queen‐less colonies were not linked making it a poor indicator of matricide.5. It is proposed that graded control of sexual and worker production in wasps and hornets prevents a situation where kin‐selected matricide is ever favoured.
The influence of bioturbation on the vertical distribution of soil organic matter in volcanic ash soils: a case study in northern Ecuador
Authors: Tonneijck F. H. , Jongmans A. G. 
Published: October 2008

SummarySoil faunal bioturbation (‘bioturbation’) is often cited as a major process influencing the vertical distribution of soil organic matter (SOM). The influence of bioturbation on vertical SOM transport is complex because it is the result of interaction between different groups of soil faunal species that redistribute SOM through the soil profile in distinct ways. We performed a semi‐quantitative micromorphological analysis of soil faunal pedofeatures and related their occurrence to the vertical distribution of SOM and high‐resolution radiocarbon dating in volcanic ash soils under montane forest and grassland (páramo) vegetation in the northern Ecuadorian Andes. The páramo soil data suggest that bioturbation was largely responsible for the vertical distribution of SOM, while illuviation and root input were of minor importance. Bioturbation was caused by endogeic species, which typically mix the soil only over short vertical distances. Short vertical distance mixing was apparently enhanced by the upward shifting of bioturbation as a result of soil thickening due to SOM accumulation. A change from páramo to forest vegetation was accompanied by a change from endogeic to epigeic species. As these latter species do not redistribute material vertically, this eventually resulted in the formation of thick ectorganic horizons in the forest.
Understanding the role of managerial agency in achieving business benefits from ERP systems
Authors: Staehr Lorraine 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPrevious enterprise resource planning (ERP) research has identified ‘top management support’ as an important factor in implementation success. However, most studies are short on the detail of exactly how and why ‘top management support’ contributes to ERP success. Moreover, although ‘improved management decision‐making’ is often claimed as a business benefit of ERP systems, there is little evidence in previous ERP research of it having actually occurred. This paper examines the role of managerial agency at all levels in four Australian manufacturing organizations in achieving business benefits from ERP systems during the post‐implementation period. The research contributes to current understanding of the role of managerial agency in achieving business benefits from ERP systems by providing theoretically based, detailed and interesting insights from four interpretive case studies.
Clinical, salivary, and bacterial markers for caries risk assessment in schoolchildren: a 4‐year follow‐up
Authors: SÁNCHEZ‐PÉREZ LEONOR , GOLUBOV JORDAN , IRIGOYEN‐CAMACHO M. ESTHER , MOCTEZUMA PATRICIA ALFARO , ACOSTA‐GIO ENRIQUE 
Published: October 2008

Background.  In Mexico, there is a high prevalence of dental caries and large groups of children still show extensive untreated dental damage.Aim.  This study aims to evaluate, in a cohort of 6‐year‐old Mexican children, the relationship between caries increment at 4 years and the following caries risk markers: fissure morphology, caries experience, salivary flow rate, Snyder test results, and mutans and lactobacilli counts.Design.  To predict new caries lesions in 110 schoolchildren, clinical, salivary, and bacteriological caries risk markers were used, including fissure morphology, caries experience, salivary flow rate, Snyder test, and Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli counts. To determine the validity of these markers, the baseline data were compared with the caries increment after 4 years.Results.  The risk model's capacity to predict caries was moderate (specificity 79.6% and sensitivity 78.6%). Caries experience (P = 0.0001), Snyder test (P = 0.002), and fissure morphology (P = 0.024) had the strongest association with caries increment. Salivary flow rate, lactobacilli, and S. mutans counts did not contribute significantly to the prediction of caries lesions in these children.Conclusion.  In addition to the initial caries experience, tooth morphology and Snyder test proved to be useful predictors for caries. These three risk markers may be particularly useful in targeting caries prevention efforts in developing countries.
Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque samples and its association with early childhood caries
Authors: CHOI EUN‐JUNG , LEE SUNG‐HOON , KIM YOUNG‐JAE 
Published: October 2008

Background.  Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are closely associated with the development of early childhood caries (ECC). Recently, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) has been used for rapid and accurate quantification of these bacterial species.Aim.  This study aims to detect quantitatively the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in plaque samples by qRT‐PCR, and to assess their association with the prevalence of ECC in Korean preschool children.Design.  One hundred and five children (71 months old or younger) were examined and classified into three groups (caries‐free, ECC, severe ECC). Dental plaque samples were collected and qRT‐PCR was conducted using oligonucleotide primers specific for glucosyltransferase gene (S. mutans‐gtfB, S. sobrinus‐gtfU) and universal primer. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the dmfs (decayed, missing, or filled surfaces primary teeth) scores and the microbiological findings.Results.  There was a significant difference between the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in the plaque samples of the three groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of S. sobrinus to S. mutans showed strong correlation to the dmfs scores (r = 0.748, P < 0.05).Conclusions.  The qRT‐PCR results of this study showed that children with ECC had higher level of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in their dental plaque samples. The children with higher ratio of S. sobrinus to S. mutans in their dental plaque showed higher incidence of ECC.
Sickness‐related dysfunction in persons with self‐reported multiple chemical sensitivity at four levels of severity
Authors: Gibson Pamela Reed , Vogel Valerie M 
Published: October 2008

Aim.  To examine quality of life outcome for persons who self‐report chemical sensitivity, often referred to as multiple chemical sensitivity.Background.  Multiple chemical sensitivity is poorly understood with few providers specialising in its treatment. This lack of treatment and the ubiquity of chemicals engender severe life impacts such as job loss, financial loss, social isolation and even homelessness for persons who experience these sensitivities.Design.  Survey.Method.  We examined chemical incitants, symptoms and sickness‐related behavioural dysfunction as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile in 254 persons self‐identified with multiple chemical sensitivity.Results.  Chemicals rated as causing the most symptomatology in respondents were pesticide, formaldehyde, fresh paint, new carpet, diesel exhaust, perfume and air fresheners. The five highest rated symptoms in this sample were tiredness/lethargy, difficulty concentrating, muscle aches, memory difficulties and long‐term fatigue. Overall mean Sickness Impact Profile score was 25·25%, showing serious impairment, with the most serious dysfunction in the categories of work (55·36%), alertness behaviour (53·45%) and recreation and pastimes (45·20%).Conclusion.  Multiple chemical sensitivity is an important health care issue because it often includes serious dysfunction, is poorly understood by providers and poses extensive financial and treatment obstacles for those who experience it.Relevance to clinical practice.  Persons with multiple chemical sensitivity seek medical treatment in a variety of contexts and informed providers can both avoid iatrogenic harm due to medical exposures and provide any possible treatment for the chemical sensitivities. Understanding the impact of the health condition is crucial to communicate with and treat persons who experience the sensitivities.
Elimination disorders in people with intellectual disability
Authors: Van Laecke E. 
Published: October 2008

Incontinence in children with intellectual and physical disabilities is an underestimated problem in paediatric urology. Literature is scarce, often limited to the incidence and urodynamics, and seldom focused on treatment and prevention. Lack of interest and knowledge of this population are the major reasons why urologists know so little. Very often continence difficulties are accepted and even expected in children with intellectual disabilities.The published prevalence of urinary incontinence in children with intellectual and physical disabilities varies between 23% and 86%. In our experience the prevalence ranges from 60% to 65%. The vast majority of these children have bladder dysfunction, showing overactive detrusor and sphincter dyssynergia on video‐urodynamic examination. The uroflow pattern is disturbed in over 65% of these children but is not correlated with the degree of urinary incontinence. Over 70% of the children have reduced bladder capacity. This is due to low bladder compliance and restricted fluid intake which effects urinary incontinence and is an important cause of constipation. Constipation is a common problem in intellectual and physical disabled children and there is a correlation between constipation and urinary incontinence.Children with intellectual disability, particularly those with a greater degree of disability need more time to become continent than typically developing children. Children with mild intellectual disability do not differ significantly from typically developing children with regard to nocturnal enuresis and faecal continence but they are more prone to urinary incontinence during the day. Greater mobility is associated with a higher incidence of continence.Some factors that influence continence, such as intellectual and motor capacity cannot easily be influenced but others, such as bladder capacity, detrusor overactivity and fluid intake, are treatable. It is importance that children with intellectual and physical disabilities suffering urinary incontinence are referred for assessment and treatment to increase their quality of life.