bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic sensitivity of multidetector-row spiral computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of type-ii endoleaks and their source: comparison between axial scans and reformatting techniques
Authors: Saba L. , Pascalis L. , Montisci R. , Sanfilippo R. , Mallarini G. 
Published: May 2008

Background: After endovascular stent-graft placement, several complications may occur. Retrograde filling of the aneurysm (type-II endoleak) is the most common. Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy, image quality, and interobserver agreement of multidetector-row spiral computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) in the diagnosis of type-II endoleak, by using various types of reformatting techniques in comparison to regular axial images. Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients who had had endovascular repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with stent graft were retrospectively studied. In 12 of 24 patients, a type-II endoleak was found. CT scans were obtained after intravenous administration of 130 ml of nonionic contrast material using a 4–6-ml/s flow rate. All patients were investigated with axial scans, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), shaded-surface display (SSD), and volume-rendering (VR) techniques. For each patient and for each reconstruction method, the image quality of the scans was scored as 0 for bad quality, 1 for poor quality, 2 for good quality, and 3 for excellent quality images. Two radiologists reviewed the CT images independently. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each reconstruction method, with the axial images as the reference method. Interobserver agreement and kappa value were also recorded. Results: MPR showed the highest sensitivity (83% and 67% for observers 1 and 2, respectively), PPV (91% and 80% for observers 1 and 2, respectively), and NPV (85% and 71% for observers 1 and 2, respectively), whereas VR showed the highest specificity (92% for both observer 1 and 2). Conclusion: Reformatting techniques provide good-quality images; nevertheless, their efficacy in the study of type-II endoleak was found to be suboptimal in comparison to regular axial images. The MPR technique is probably the best choice in conjunction with axial images.
Image-guided transvaginal drainage of pelvic abscesses and fluid collection using a modified seldinger technique
Authors: Kim Seung Ho , Kim Seung Hyup , Han Heon , Kim Sam Soo , Lee Ji Yeon , Jeon Yong Hwan 
Published: May 2008

Background: Transvaginal drainage using the trocar method is advantageous as a single-step procedure; however, the procedure may occasionally be difficult to perform, due to buckling of the catheter in the elastic vaginal tissues, despite the presence of a stiff stylet. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of image-guided transvaginal drainage of pelvic abscesses and fluid collection using a modified Seldinger technique. Material and Methods: Fifteen patients (mean age 43 years, range 24–82 years) who underwent transvaginal aspiration ( n=1) or catheter drainage ( n=14) guided by ultrasound and fluoroscopy were enrolled in this retrospective study. A small coronal incision was performed to facilitate puncture using an 18G needle, tract dilatation, and the insertion of a drainage catheter by the Seldinger technique. Outcome was analyzed with respect to clinical success, technical success, and procedure-related complications. Results: The overall clinical success rate was 87% (13/15 cases). The success rate of catheter drainage was 86% (12/14 cases), and the use of aspiration alone was successful in one patient. Technical success was achieved in all patients, without procedure-related complications. Conclusion: Image-guided transvaginal drainage with a modified Seldinger technique can be a safe and effective alternative treatment for pelvic abscesses and fluid collection.
Blood flow pattern and wall shear stress in the internal carotid arteries of healthy subjects
Authors: Sui Binbin , Gao Peiyi , Lin Yan , Gao Bing , Liu Long , An Jing 
Published: May 2008

Background: The carotid bifurcation is one of the most susceptible locations for atherosclerotic plaques. It is important to assess wall shear stress (WSS) and blood flow patterns in this area. Purpose: To assess local WSS and blood flow patterns at the origin of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Material and Methods: Twenty-eight ICAs of 16 healthy volunteers were studied. A cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) sequence combined with a three-dimensional paraboloid model was applied to calculate WSS values and to obtain flow parameters. WSS spatial distribution features and local flow patterns were analyzed. Results: Mean WSS was 0.560±0.180 (range −0.745 to 3.563) N/m2 at the origin of 28 ICAs. Error points were found in six vessels. Four WSS spatial distribution patterns were classified according to the location of low WSS values. Reverse WSS was found in 20 vessels. The mean oscillatory shear index (OSI) for these vessels was 0.089±0.094 (range 1.00×10−6 to 0.490). Complex flow status including reverse velocity, flow stagnancy, and high oscillating WSS was displayed in the end systole of this area. Conclusion: Flow patterns were variant and complicated at the origin of the ICAs. Different types of local WSS spatial distributions were found around the vessel circumference.
Impaired physical health among methamphetamine users in comparison with the general population: the role of methamphetamine dependence and opioid use
Authors: McKETIN REBECCA , KELLY ERIN , McLAREN JENNIFER , PROUDFOOT HEATHER 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim. To examine the extent of physical health impairment among a community sample of methamphetamine users in comparison with the general population, and factors associated with impairment among this group. Method. A cross‐sectional survey of 309 regular methamphetamine users from Sydney. The Physical Component Scale of the Short Form 12 (SF‐12) was used to measure impairment in physical health (score < 40). Age‐matched general population data for the SF‐12 were derived from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well‐Being. Results. Participants had a higher prevalence of impaired physical health compared to the Australian general population (20% vs. 10%, p < 0.05), but this effect occurred among only dependent methamphetamine users over 24 years of age (25 – 34 years, 23% vs. 10%; 35 – 44 years, 41% vs. 12%). Methamphetamine dependence remained significantly predictive of impaired physical health after adjusting for age and other confounding factors. Opioid pharmacotherapy was also related strongly to poor physical health, accounting for 63% of participants with physical impairment. Other factors associated with impaired physical health were being female, having less than 10 years of schooling, and having been diagnosed previously with an anxiety disorder (p 5 0.05). Conclusion. Methamphetamine users are more likely to report impaired physical health than the general population, but this impairment is specific to older methamphetamine users who are dependent on the drug, particularly those who are enrolled in opioid pharmacotherapy.
The impact of a parent‐directed intervention on parent – child communication about tobacco and alcohol
Authors: BEATTY SHELLEY E. , CROSS DONNA S. , SHAW THÉRÈSE M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aim. Given the likelihood of engaging in the hazardous use of tobacco and alcohol increases during teenage years, pre‐adolescence is a critical time to implement prevention programmes. While social factors other than those associated with parenting play a role in determining a child's risk for initiation of tobacco and alcohol use, parents can have a significant influence on their children's decisions about these issues. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an in‐home parent‐directed drug education intervention on parent – child communication about tobacco and alcohol. Design and Methods. A group randomised intervention trial was conducted in Perth, Western Australia. Schools were selected using stratified random sampling and randomised to three study conditions. A total of 1201 parents of 10–11‐year‐old children were recruited from 20 schools. The impact of a self‐help intervention, comprised of five communication sheets containing information and activities designed to encourage parents to talk with their 10–11‐year‐old child about issues related to smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, was assessed. Results. Intervention‐group parents were more likely to have spoken with their children, to have spoken more recently, to have engaged the child during the discussion and to have addressed the topics identified as being protective of children's involvement in tobacco and alcohol. In addition, the duration of talks about alcohol was longer than for parents in the comparison group. Discussion and Conclusions. Parents of 10–11‐year‐old children appear to be receptive to participating in a home‐based drug‐related educational intervention and the parent‐directed intervention seems to have enhanced parent – child tobacco‐ and alcohol‐related communication.
Acceptability of hepatitis C virus testing methods among injecting drug users
Authors: WHITE BETHANY , DAY CAROLYN , THEIN HLA HLA , DOAB ANNA , BATES ANNA , HOLDEN JOANNE , VAN BEEK INGRID , MAHER LISA 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. The acceptability of testing methods and procedures has implications for uptake of blood‐borne virus screening in sentinel samples of injecting drug users (IDUs) likely to participate in surveillance. The aim of the current study was to determine the acceptability of three methods of hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing among injecting drug users (IDUs): oral fluid, capillary blood and venous blood sampling. Design and Methods. A cross‐sectional survey of IDUs was conducted in inner‐city Sydney in 2005 for a laboratory validation study of HCV antibody testing. Participants were tested using the three different specimen collection methods and asked about the acceptability of each method and a particular preference documented. Results. Two‐hundred and twenty‐nine IDUs participated in the study. Before and after specimen collection, the acceptability of all three collection methods for HCV testing was high (>85%). Oral fluid remained the preferred method after sample collection, with females (65%) significantly more likely than males (49%) to report a preference (unadjusted odds ratio 2.0; 95% confidence interval 1.1–3.5, p = 0.03) for that method. Discussion and Conclusions. Findings suggest that oral fluid testing is an acceptable and preferred alternative for HCV testing among IDUs. However, concerns reported by participants in the study indicate that information and education regarding the nature and diagnostic value of oral fluid testing is necessary prior to its implementation for surveillance purposes among this population.
Growing Wealth and Growing Pains: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore
Authors: Tan Susan , Fung Daniel , Hung Se-fong , Rey Joseph 
Published: May 2008

Objective: Several Asian regions have undergone a dramatic transformation, some becoming very affluent. This paper aims to ascertain how countries that are becoming wealthy have dealt with child and adolescent mental health issues. Method: Population health status, child and adolescent mental health services, child psychiatry training, the number of child psychiatrists and related matters were examined in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Results: Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are ethnically, religiously, socially and politically very different. In spite of considerable wealth and a growing recognition that mental health problems in the young are increasing, they face similar problems – lack of access to treatment due to a dearth of services and a lack of child psychiatrists (2.5, 0.5 and 2.8 per million people, respectively). Conclusions: Because the number of child psychiatrists is so small, their ability to provide services, advocate, train, maintain a professional identity, and deal with future crises is very limited. Other rapidly developing countries can learn from this experience and should take action early to prevent a similar outcome.
The Adolescent Intensive Management Team: An Intensive Outreach Mental Health Service for High-Risk Adolescents
Authors: Assan Ben , Burchell Peter , Chia Andrew , Coffey Catherine , Floreani Sophie , Weir Jennifer , Wingenfeld Hammond Sabine , Woods Barbara 
Published: May 2008

Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe the Adolescent Intensive Management (AIM) team at the Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), a unique model of intensive outreach service with high-risk and difficult-to-engage adolescents, and describe the profile of clients referred to it. Method: This study used a retrospective review of clients’ data, collected through file audit, over a 12-month period. Results: The result of the study showed that a 100% retention rate of adolescents with complex social, emotional and mental health needs is possible in a flexible and multi-system approach to service provision. Conclusion: Clients referred to the CAMHS’ AIM team displayed a pattern of multiple risk factors and comorbidities. Low caseload of 8–10 clients per clinician allowed flexibility and a level of intensity to make any necessary changes in service provision to better suit the client's needs. The majority of clients showed improvement in functioning following intervention by the team.
Microcirculatory Dysfunction in Cardiac Syndrome X: Role of Abnormal Blood Rheology
Authors: Lee Byoung Kwon , Durairaj Azhil , Mehra Anilkumar , Wenby Rosalinda B. , Meiselman Herbert J. , Alexy Tamas 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is of clinical interest, yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. It is well known that elevated blood viscosity and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation can adversely affect microcirculatory blood flow. The present study was designed to explore whether CSX is associated with abnormalities of blood rheology.Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 152 adult angina patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography; geometric and flow‐velocity data were obtained. Rheologic measurements were performed in a blinded manner; 21 subjects were later identified with CSX. Hemorheologic and clinical laboratory data were compared to 21 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls.Results: CSX patients had markedly abnormal blood rheology: (1) higher RBC aggregation and aggregability as judged by erythrocyte sedimentation rate and Myrenne indices at stasis and low shear (p < 0.001) and (2) elevated hematocrit‐corrected blood viscosity, plasma viscosity (p < 0.001), and yield stress (p < 0.01). White blood cell counts and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels were significantly elevated in CSX; coronary‐flow velocities were below normal.Conclusions: Abnormal hemorheologic parameters exist in subjects with CSX and may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease, presumably via adversely affecting blood flow in the coronary microcirculation. Therapeutic measures aimed at normalizing blood rheology and hence microcirculatory flow should be explored.
Inhibition of Angiogenesis by High Salt Diet is Associated with Impaired Muscle Performance Following Chronic Muscle Stimulation
Authors: Petersen Matthew C. , Greene Andrew S. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: High dietary salt has been demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether high salt impairs steady state muscle performance following a chronic stimulation protocol.Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rats were placed on a control diet (CD, 0.4% NaCl) or high salt diet (HSD, 4.0% NaCl) prior to implantation of an electrical muscle stimulator. In chronically stimulated animals, hind limb muscles were stimulated to contract eight hours daily for seven days. Sham animals received a stimulator that was never activated.Results: Following chronic stimulation, tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of animals on CD demonstrated an 84.6% increase in force of contraction at the end of an acute stimulation bout relative to sham animals fed CD. Decreased muscle fatigue was associated with an increase in capillaries per TA fiber (C:F). Chronic stimulation in HSD rats induced a smaller improvement (52.2%) in final force compared to HSD sham rats. This impairment of muscle performance in high salt‐fed rats correlated with inhibited angiogenesis. Infusion of angiotensin II in HSD animals restored angiogenesis and muscle fatigue to CD levels.Conclusions: This study suggests that angiogenic inhibition by high salt is associated with impaired skeletal muscle performance following chronic stimulation.
Retinal Vascular Caliber and the Long‐Term Risk of Diabetes and Impaired Fasting Glucose: The Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Kifley Annette , Wang Jie Jin , Cugati Sudha , Wong Tien Y. , Mitchell Paul 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the associations of retinal vessel caliber with the 10‐year incidence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study is a population based cohort study of Australian residents aged at least 49 years, with baseline examinations conducted during 1992–4. Retinal arteriolar and venular calibers were measured and summarized from baseline digitized images in 3368 participants. Diabetes was defined as a physician‐diagnosis of diabetes or fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL and IFG as fasting blood glucose 109 to 125 mg/dL. Ten year incidence of diabetes and IFG was defined from 5‐ and 10‐year follow up data. Results: After adjusting for age and gender, wider retinal venular caliber was associated with an increased incidence of diabetes and IFG. These associations were not significant after controlling for baseline glucose, body mass index and other factors. In persons 49–70 years of age at baseline, however, the association of wider retinal venular caliber and incident IFG persisted after further controlling for other factors (OR, 1.53, 95% CI, 1.11–2.12). Retinal arteriolar caliber was not associated with incident diabetes or IFG. Conclusions: This study suggests that wider retinal venular caliber was associated with higher risk of IFG in middle‐aged persons.
Bridging the gap: can impairment‐based therapy for anomia have an impact at the psycho‐social level?
Authors: Best Wendy , Greenwood Alison , Grassly Jennie , Hickin Julie 
Published: May 2008

Background: Studies of therapy with people with aphasia tend to use impairment‐based and functional measures of outcome. The views of participants are not formally evaluated. Current health and socialcare practice requires intervention to be explicitly client‐centred and evidence‐based. It is therefore important to investigate the broader effects of speech and language therapy.Aims: To explore the outcome of a therapy for anomia using the Communication Disability Profile (CDP), focusing particularly on participants' ratings of ‘activity’.Methods & Procedures: Overall eight people with aphasia and their conversation partners participated in the study. There was a range of severity and type of aphasia. Following two baselines (at least 8 weeks apart), there were two phases of therapy for anomia each lasting 8 weeks. This first involved the use of spoken and written cues to aid word finding. The second encouraged the use of targeted words in connected speech and conversation. Eight weeks later, after no further therapy, participants were reassessed.Outcomes & Results: Participants' word finding in picture‐naming improved significantly, as did their activity ratings. The relationship between the group's word‐retrieval scores and CDP activity ratings over the course of the study tended towards significance, although there was considerable variation across individuals. Furthermore, all participants rated participation in activities requiring communication higher at the end than the start of the project.Conclusions: The findings suggest that therapy which targets word retrieval can have an impact on people with aphasia's views of their communicative activity and life participation. The findings support therapists' clinical insight that impairment‐based interventions can effect change beyond scores on language tests.
Cognitive approach to assessing pragmatic language comprehension in children with specific language impairment
Authors: Ryder Nuala , Leinonen Eeva , Schulz Joerg 
Published: May 2008

Background:Pragmatic language impairment in children with specific language impairment has proved difficult to assess, and the nature of their abilities to comprehend pragmatic meaning has not been fully investigated.Aims:To develop both a cognitive approach to pragmatic language assessment based on Relevance Theory and an assessment tool for identifying a group of children with pragmatic language impairment from within an specific language impairment group.Methods & Procedures:The authors focused on Relevance Theory's view of the role of context in pragmatic language comprehension using questions of increasing pragmatic complexity in different verbal contexts (scenarios with and without pictures and a story with supporting pictures). The performances of the children with and without pragmatic impairment on the most pragmatically demanding Implicature questions were examined. This study included 99 children: 27 with specific language impairment (including nine pragmatically impaired children) and two groups of typically developing children (32 children aged 5–6 years and 40 children aged 7–11 years).Outcomes & Results:The specific language impairment group performed similarly to their peers when utilizing context in inferring referents, inferring semantic meaning, and generating Implicatures, only when the answer was provided by pictorial context. Both the children with specific language impairment and the 5–6 year olds were not yet competent at utilizing verbal context when answering the most pragmatically demanding questions (targeting Implicature). On these questions the children with pragmatic language impairment performed significantly poorer than the rest of the specific language impairment group and performance scores on Implicature questions were found to identify accurately the children with pragmatic language impairment from the rest of the specific language impairment group (sensitivity = 89%).Conclusions:Children's ability to infer and integrate information in the comprehension of pragmatic meaning was found to be influenced by the available context. As children become more competent they are able to utilize verbal context and integrate information. Children with specific language impairment and those with pragmatic language impairment were found to be developmentally delayed at making inferences, but children with pragmatic language impairment had particular difficulty in integrating contextual information. Findings support the view that a cognitive approach to assessing pragmatic comprehension deficits could provide clinicians with a useful tool.