bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Necrotizing fasciitis after peritonsillar abscess in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Skitarelić Neven , Mladina Ranko , Matulić Zlatko , Kovačić Maruan 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a rapidly progressive, severe bacterial infection of the fascial planes of the head and neck. Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus spp. (GABHS), Staphylococcus spp., or obligatory anaerobic bacteria are the most common causative pathogens. The disease usually results from a dental source or facial trauma. Extensive fascial necrosis and severe systemic toxicity are common manifestations of CNF. Review of the literature reveals only seven such cases, with four successful outcomes.The authors present the case of a 50-year-old immunocompetent female with CNF arising from a peritonsillar abscess. Intravenous immunoglobulins in conjunction with surgery and antibotics were used successfully.The authors also suggest the importance of the early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement, broadspectrum antibiotics, and possible usefulness of the intravenous immunoglobulins in the treatment of CNF, especially when the disease is associated with toxic shock syndrome.
An unusual cutaneous presentation of Hodgkin's disease
Authors: De Grip A. , Schofield J. B. , Shotton J. C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHodgkin's disease is a neoplasm of lymphoid tissue defined histopathologically by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in an appropriate cellular background. Hodgkin's disease extends only rarely into the skin. Sinus and fistula formation has been reported in very occasional cases. We now report a case of a 34-year-old woman presenting with a cutaneous lesion surrounding a discharging blind-ending sinus in the neck, subsequently diagnosed as Hodgkin's disease. To our knowledge this form of presentation of Hodgkin's disease has not been reported in the English literature before, and at the same time we would like to outline the difficulties in diagnosis encountered with these cutaneous lymphoid lesions.
Pre-treatment anaemia alters outcome in early squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated by radical radiotherapy
Authors: Grant D. G. , Hussain A. , Hurman D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pre-treatment anaemia on tumour recurrence and survival in patients treated with primary radiotherapy for early squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. A retrospective analysis of 117 patients with previously untreated T1N0M0and T2N0M0squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was carried out. Patients were considered anaemic if their pre-treatment haemoglobin levels were below 13 g/dl in males and 11.5 g/dl in females. The influence of pre-treatment haemoglobin levels on local control and survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Two- and five-year local-regional control estimates for anaemic patients were 58 per cent and 53 per cent respectively while patients with normal haemoglobin levels had two and five-year local-regional control rates of 90 per cent and 81 per cent respectively (p= 0.002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed pre-treatment haemoglobin significantly influencing recurrence-free survival (p= 0.0094).Patients with a low haemoglobin level prior to radiation therapy suffered higher levels of local-regional failure.
Spontaneous fracture of an ossified stylohyoid ligament
Authors: Blomgren Karin , Qvarnberg Yrjö , Valtonen Hannu 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe stylohyoid ligament extends from the styloid process to the hyoid bone. For an unknown reason it occasionally ossifies and forms a solid structure which can break because of trauma or even spontaneously. Symptoms of the fracture may mimic tumours, foreign bodies, infections or neuralgia. In our cases a spontaneous fracture of totally ossified stylohyoid ligaments presented as a painful neck swelling. The diagnosis was achieved by an ortopantomographic radiograph. In both cases the healing was spontaneous and complete.
The changing faces of a parotid mass
Authors: Hehar S. S. , Dugar J. , Sharp J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe development of a neurofibroma in the temporal and parotid regions of the facial nerve is rare. We report a case occurring in a 32-year-old male, where the initial presentation was a parotid mass. Cytologically this was initially thought to be a pleomorphic adenoma. However, the diagnosis was then changed to a schwannoma and finally a neurofibroma after complete excision of the lesion. The case illustrates how fine needle aspiration cytology under ultrasound guidance, and even histological examination of an incision biopsy can sometimes fail to give the correct diagnosis. In this case magnetic resonance imaging was used to help plan definitive surgery.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the spinal accessory nerve
Authors: Ho T. P. , Samuel P. R. , Jeannon J-P. , McElroy J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA 50-year-old man presented with a left-sided neck mass. Clinical examination revealed a large fluctuant 7 cm × 7 cm mass in the left posterior triangle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an encapsulated soft tissue lesion. He underwent exploration of the neck and a 14 cm by 8 cm mass enfolding the accessory nerve was identified and completely excised. Histological examination of the surgical specimen showed features in keeping with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST). We present the clinical and pathological features, of this condition.
Carcinoma of the ear: a case report of a possible association with chlorinated disinfectants
Authors: Monem S. A. , Moffat D. A. , Frampton M. C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn this report we present a case of squamous cell carcinoma developing in a mastoid cavity after prolonged exposure to the chemical disinfectant Eusol. The efficacy and safety of Eusol and other chloric acid (hypochlorous acid) derivatives in clinical use is debated.
Plexiform schwannoma of the cheek
Authors: Mannarà Giacinto M. , La Rosa Filippo C. , Marino Filippo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe present a case of subcutaneous plexiform schwannoma, a rare benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour characterized by a multinodular and plexiform growth pattern. A review of the literature was performed to identify the relationship between plexiform schwannoma and neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2, and schwannomatosis.It is also important to distinguish plexiform schwannoma from plexiform neurofibroma, a particular type 1 neurofibromatosis lesion, because of the propensity of the latter for malignant degeneration.
Medical, surgical and audiological complications of the first 100 adult cochlear implant patients in Birmingham
Authors: Proops D. W. , Stoddart R. L. , Donaldson I. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractOf the first 100 patients implanted on the Midland Cochlear Implant Programme the commonest aetiologies of deafness were idiopathic 31 per cent, meningitis 28 per cent and cochlear otosclerosis 16 per cent.The major complication rate was three per cent. The most severe was one individual who post-operatively developed a cerebral infarct and subsequently died. The minor complication rate was 39 per cent, all of which successfully resolved, and included 11 cases of wound infection, nine cases of vertigo, three transient facial palsies and two post-operative bleeds.Older patients and men were most likely to have a post-operative medical complication. Women were more likely to have an abnormal electrode insertion. Meningitis and otosclerosis were the most complicated aetiologies in terms of cochlear ossification and electrode insertion. A non-patient cochlea was associated with fewer active electrodes. In six cases which had been reported pre-operatively as showing patent cochleas, some form of obstructional ossification was encountered. Patients functioning with greater than 15 active electrodes performed better on auditory tests than patients with fewer than 15 active electrodes.
Quinsy following tonsillectomy (five case reports)
Authors: Randall C. J. , Jefferis A. F. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryFive cases of post-tonsillectomy quinsy are presented, usually associated with tonsillar remnants. Foot of these had no pus and one did, but the clinical picture was the same. Hence, if tonsillectomy is performed to prevent further quinsies, it must be careful and complete.
Ossicular reconstruction—a new prosthesis
Authors: Kirtane M. V. , Parsram K. S. , Shah A. K. , Karnik P. P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe have used human teeth for ossicular reconstruction in 20 tympanoplasties, the longest follow-up being over 2 years. The take of the graft and the hearing improvement have been very satisfactory and long-lasting. This preliminary report discusses the merits of the tooth as a prosthetic material for ossicular reconstruction. Our experience to-date indicates that the material satisfies all the criteria of an ideal prosthesis.
Transplanted ossicles after two decades
Authors: Lang J. , Kerr A. G. , Smyth G. D. L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe authors now report on the histological appearance of two very long-term ossicles, an autologous incus removed from the middle ear at revision surgery 21 years after repositioning and a homologous incus removed from the middle ear after 20 years. Having been placed in formalin immediately after removal from the ear, both specimens were later decalcified by ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, embedded in parrafin wax, serially sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin.
A System for accelerated provision of hearing aids to residents of homes for the elderly
Authors: Hart J. J. , Jones M. G. , Robertshaw D. , Flood L. M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA study was undertaken to detect undiagnosed deafness in elderly people, living in Part III Residential Homes in North Tees, South Tees and Hartlepool Health Districts, to provide hearing aids and to estimate the subsequent success in rehabilitation. The residents were referred by the senior staff in the homes and assessed by a doctor and audiology technician in a domiciliary setting. Those found to have a significant hearing impairment were prescribed hearing aids without formal pure tone audiometry. A pilot study compared the method of hearing evaluation employed with such conventional testing.Six months after fitting, the degree of compliance with aiding was assessed. The results show a significant level of undiagnosed deafness in the community and, with this method of provision, an acceptance rate of 41.2 per cent of those recommended for aiding at six months which is higher than suggested by previous similar studies of this population.
Prions and the ENT surgeon
Authors: Frosh Adam 
Published: November 2007

AbstractRecent developments in our understanding of prion diseases have raised concerns for the public health. There is now compelling evidence that the transmissible agent for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in affected individuals is accumulated in lymphoreticular tissues such as the appendix and tonsils. This agent demonstrates a remarkable resistance to standard methods of sterilisation used in hospital sterile services departments. The possible implications this has on the safety of surgical instruments in ENT and other surgical practice is discussed. This review also outlines the history of our understanding of prion diseases and describes the development of a diagnostic test for vCJD in the living patient by pharyngeal tonsil biopsy.
Acute mastoiditis in children: is surgical treatment necessary?
Authors: Cohen-Kerem R. , Uri N. , Rennert H. , Peled N. , Greenberg E. , Efrat M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAcute mastoiditis in children remains an otological problem. Although the widespread use of antibiotics has reduced the need for surgical intervention, surgery is frequently used in the treatment of acute mastoiditis and its complications. The charts of 44 patients hospitalized with signs of acute mastoiditis were reviewed. In 43.2 per cent of all patients, acute mastoiditis was the presenting sign of acute middle-ear infection. Post-auricular erythema and protrusion of the auricle were the most frequent signs at presentation. All four signs (post-auricular erythema, oedema, tenderness, and protrusion of the auricle) were present in 40.9 per cent of patients. No bacterial pathogen was isolated in 45.5 per cent of ear cultures. Complicated acute mastoiditis was diagnosed in 13.7 per cent of the patients. Eighty-seven per cent of patients responded well to intravenous antibiotics and myringotomy, and in 11.4 per cent mastoidectomy or abscess drainage were performed. We conclude that nearly all patients with uncomplicated mastoiditis recover following intravenous antibiotics and myringotomy. Mastoidectomy should be perfonned in selected cases, such as cases of complicated acute mastoiditis.
Assessment of distress associated with tinnitus
Authors: van Veen E. D. , Jacobs J. B. , Bensing J. M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper focuses upon the quality of the Dutch translation of the STSS (Subjective Tinnitus Severity Scale), a scale which assesses the severity of tinnitus and the related distress. Research has been done on the psychometric qualities of this scale, its relationship with loudness-matching procedures and several psychological variables. Data presented on 104 tinnitus patients demonstrated the reliability of the STSS with a coefficient alpha of 0.71. Factor analysis revealed four factors: emotional distress, intrusiveness, annoyance and cognitive distress. With regard to the validity, significant correlations of a moderate degree were found with several unitary subjective scales measuring the same construct (rs = 0.50, p<0.001 and rs = 0.43, p<0.01). Correlational research demonstrated that the STSS is independent of the loudness of tinnitus as measured by matching procedures (rs = 0.00).In contrast, significant correlations of a moderate magnitude were found with anxiety (rs = 0.33, p<0.001) and depression (rs = 0.31, p<0.01 and rs = 0.35, p<0.001).
Otomycosis: A common problem in North Iraq
Authors: Yehia M. M. , Al-Habib H. M. , Shehab N. M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractOtomycosis is a common disease in North Iraq. Of the 219 cases diagnosed clinically in Mosul Teaching Hospital seen during a 15 month period, 179 were due to fungus infection. The disease was more frequently encountered in young adults whose age was range from 16–30 years. The incidence of the disease was significantly higher in females (65.4 per cent), mainly housewives, than in males. Aspergillus species were the dominant isolated fungi (92.1 per cent).
Simple treatment for snoring also a means of prediction of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty success?
Authors: Ramalingam K. K. , Smith M. C. F. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe old Indian literature describes a technique known as Sutra-Neti. That is, passing a catheter or similar material through the nose and out of the mouth as a means of clearing the airway. One of our patients adapted this method, tying the catheter end to end, in order to control his severe snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. This was effective for several months. He subsequently responded well to a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Lessons from 40 years' surveillance of influenza in England and Wales
Authors: FLEMING D. M. , ELLIOT A. J. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYThe influenza virus continues to pose a significant threat to public health throughout the world. Current avian influenza outbreaks in humans have heightened the need for improved surveillance and planning. Despite recent advances in the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs, seasonal epidemics of influenza continue to contribute significantly to general practitioner workloads, emergency hospital admissions, and deaths. In this paper we review data produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners Weekly Returns Service, a sentinel general practice surveillance network that has been in operation for over 40 years in England and Wales. We show a gradually decreasing trend in the incidence of respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection (influenza-like illness; ILI) over the 40 years and speculate that there are limits to how far an existing virus can drift and yet produce substantial new epidemics. The burden of disease caused by influenza presented to general practitioners varies considerably by age in each winter. In the pandemic winter of 1969/70 persons of working age were most severely affected; in the serious influenza epidemic of 1989/90 children were particularly affected; in the millennium winter (in which the NHS was severely stretched) ILI was almost confined to adults, especially the elderly. Serious confounders from infections due to respiratory syncytial virus are discussed, especially in relation to assessing influenza vaccine effectiveness. Increasing pressure on hospitals during epidemic periods are shown and are attributed to changing patterns of health-care delivery.
A house of composers
Authors: ZanÉsi Christian , Gayou Évelyne 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAn interview is a strange format for a research review; however, it is sometimes a quick and effective way to present a problematic. In this case, Christian Zanési interviewed by Évelyne Gayou gives a perspective of the future activities of the GRM from an institutional perspective as well as in relation with the new electronic tendencies, thus answering the major question of the social function of a research and production institution today.
Inhibition of the Ras oncoprotein reduces proliferation of hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo in rats
Authors: da Silva Morais Alain , Saliez Alain , Leclercq Isabelle , Horsmans Yves , Stärkel Peter 
Published: November 2007

Ras oncoproteins are probably implicated in normal and malignant cell growth in various organs. Inhibition of Ras interferes with cell proliferation of non-hepatic cells in vitro and in vivo. A potential role for Ras in normal and malignant hepatocyte proliferation prompted us to evaluate the impact of Ras inhibition by FTS (S-farnesylthiosalicylic acid) on hepatocyte proliferation in vitro in the human hepatic tumour cell line HepG2 and in vivo after PH (partial hepatectomy) in rats. Rats were administered with FTS intraperitoneally (1, 8 and 16 h after PH) and killed 12, 24 and 48 h after PH. Cell proliferation, phosphorlyation of members of the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway and levels and activity of cell cycle effectors (cyclin D, cyclin E, Cdk2 and Cdk4) were assessed in FTS-treated rats compared with controls. FTS significantly decreased overall cell count, PCNA (proliferating-cell nuclear antigen) expression and BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation into HepG2 cells after 7 days of culture. FTS treatment significantly reduced BrdU incorporation and PCNA expression in hepatocytes after PH. Unlike control rats, cell-membrane expression of Ras was decreased in FTS-treated animals after PH, resulting in decreased Raf membrane recruitment and phosphorylation and in reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2). The antiproliferative effect of FTS was linked to a decrease in expression and activity of the cyclin E/Cdk2 complex, without affecting cyclin D and Cdk4. Ras inhibition by FTS significantly decreased proliferation of HepG2 cells and normal hepatocytes after a strong and highly synchronized proliferation stimulus elicited by PH. The inhibitory effect was at least partially mediated by inhibition of Ras/Raf/MAPK signalling. It appears worthwhile to evaluate the impact of Ras inhibition on the development of hepatocarcinomas in vivo in adequate animal models.
On the Robustness of Vocal Development: An Examination of Infants With Moderate-to-Severe Hearing Loss and Additional Risk Factors
Authors: Nathani Suneeti , Oller D. Kimbrough , Neal A. Rebecca 
Published: November 2007

Purpose
Onset of canonical babbling by 10 months of age is surprisingly robust in infancy, suggesting that there must be deep biological forces that keep the development of this key vocal capability on course. This study further evaluated the robustness of canonical babbling and other aspects of prelinguistic vocal development.

Method
Longitudinal observation was conducted on 4 infants who were at risk for abnormal vocal development because of bilateral moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss and additional risk factors for developmental delay.

Results
Two of the infants were delayed in the onset of canonical babbling and showed greater fluctuation in canonical babbling ratios following its onset than did typically developing infants. On the same measures, the remaining 2 infants were within normal limits, although their age of onset for canonical babbling was later than the mean for typically developing infants. Volubility was not notably different from typically developing infants. Differences from typically developing infants were, however, observed in proportions of various prelinguistic syllable types produced across time.

Conclusion
Results provided further evidence of robustness of canonical babbling and indicated the need for a large parametric study evaluating effects of varying degrees of hearing loss and other risk factors on vocal development.
Effects of Training on the Acoustic–Phonetic Representation of Synthetic Speech
Authors: Francis Alexander L. , Nusbaum Howard C. , Fenn Kimberly 
Published: November 2007

Purpose
Investigate training-related changes in acoustic−phonetic representation of consonants produced by a text-to-speech (TTS) computer speech synthesizer.

Method
Forty-eight adult listeners were trained to better recognize words produced by a TTS system. Nine additional untrained participants served as controls. Before and after training, participants were tested on consonant recognition and made pairwise judgments of consonant dissimilarity for subsequent multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis.

Results
Word recognition training significantly improved performance on consonant identification, although listeners never received specific training on phoneme recognition. Data from 31 participants showing clear evidence of learning (improvement ≥ 10 percentage points) were further investigated using MDS and analysis of confusion matrices. Results show that training altered listeners’ treatment of particular acoustic cues, resulting in both increased within-class similarity and between-class distinctiveness. Some changes were consistent with current models of perceptual learning, but others were not.

Conclusion
Training caused listeners to interpret the acoustic properties of synthetic speech more like those of natural speech, in a manner consistent with a flexible-feature model of perceptual learning. Further research is necessary to refine these conclusions and to investigate their applicability to other training-related changes in intelligibility (e.g., associated with learning to better understand dysarthric speech or foreign accents).