bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability of grade and stage in simultaneous paired liver biopsies in patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Skripenova Silvia , Trainer Thomas D , Krawitt Edward L , Blaszyk Hagen 
Published: May 2006

Background:Grading and staging of liver biopsies in patients with chronic hepatitis remains an inexact “gold standard” that is influenced by variabilities in scoring systems, sampling, observer agreement and expertise. Spatial disease variability relative to markers of the adequacy of biopsy has not been studied previously.Methods:Paired liver biopsy specimens were obtained from the right and left hepatic lobes of 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Histological grade and disease stage were assessed according to the Ludwig scoring system, and scores were evaluated in relation to differences in size and number of portal tracts in all paired samples.Results:The relative difference (%) in aggregate biopsy size and number of portal tracts was similar between paired samples with and without a difference in grade. Paired samples with a difference in stage showed a larger relative difference in biopsy size (p = 0.09) and in the number of portal tracts (p = 0.016).Conclusions:Our study shows a difference of one grade or one stage in 30% of paired liver biopsies, due to a combination of sampling variability and observer variability. Acknowledgment of “built-in” variability in grading and staging chronic hepatitis C by both clinicians and pathologists is essential for managing the individual patient with chronic hepatitis C.
Value of ezrin, maspin and nm23-H1 protein expressions in predicting outcome of patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma treated with radical radiotherapy
Authors: Mhawech-Fauceglia Paulette , Dulguerov Pavel , Beck Amy , Bonet Marta , Allal Abdelkarim S 
Published: May 2006

Background:Prognostic factors in predicting outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited to the clinical–pathological parameters, including lymph node metastasis, location, grade and stage of the disease.Aim:To determine whether the expression of these proteins has a value in predicting patient outcome.Methods:Ezrin, maspin and nm23-H1 immunohistochemistry in tissue samples of 120 patients with HNSCC were evaluated using the microarray technique.Results:In determining the association among each of the three proteins and the clinical–pathological parameters, low maspin expression was the only one found to be significantly associated with high tumour grade (p = 0.007); all others showed no significant associations. In univariate analysis, patients with tumours expressing high ezrin had a shorter disease-free survival (DFS) of 51% than those with low ezrin expression (DFS 84%; p = 0.08). In multivariate analysis, tumours with the combination of loss of maspin and low histological grade had longer DFS (83%) compared with those with high maspin and high histological grade (DFS 42%; p = 0.08).Conclusion:Our study is the first to determine the value of ezrin and maspin in HNSCC in a large series of patients with long follow-up. Ezrin and maspin seem to have a potential prognostic value in patients with HNSCC but results should be confirmed with further studies.
Expression of KAI1 and tenascin, and microvessel density are closely correlated with liver metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Huachuan , Tsuneyama Koichi , Cheng Chunmei , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Cui Zhengguo , Nomoto Kazuhiro , Murai Yoshihiro , Takano Yasuo 
Published: May 2006

Aim:To seek good markers to predict invasion and metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma (GIA).Methods:Expression of KAI1 and tenascin were examined on tissue microarrays containing gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 98), colorectal adenocarcinoma (n = 125), gastric adjacent non-cancerous mucosa (n = 95) and colorectal adjacent non-cancerous mucosa (n = 112) by immunostaining. Microvessel density (MVD) in GIA was labelled using anti-CD34 antibody by immunostaining. Expression of KAI1 and tenascin, and MVD were compared with clinicopathological features of tumours, including PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homology deleted from human chromosome 10) and EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) expression.Results:KAI1 expression was higher in GIAs than in their adjacent non-cancerous mucosa (p<0.05). KAI1 and tenascin expression showed a significantly negative association with liver metastasis of GIA (p<0.05), but not with depth of invasion, venous invasion or lymph node metastasis (p>0.05). A significantly negative relationship was observed between EMMPRIN and tenascin expression in GIA (p<0.05). MVD was positively correlated with depth of invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis of tumours (p<0.05), whereas it was negatively correlated with PTEN expression (p<0.05).Conclusions:Up-regulated KAI1 expression may play an important part in malignant transformation of gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Reduced expression of KAI1 and tenascin might underlie the molecular basis of liver metastasis of GIA. Angiogenesis is a key event in the invasion and metastasis of GIA. These markers might be used to indicate liver metastasis of GIA in clinicopathological practice.
The role of immunohistochemistry for smooth-muscle actin, p63, CD10 and cytokeratin 14 in the differential diagnosis of papillary lesions of the breast
Authors: Tse G M K , Tan P-H , Lui P C W , Gilks C B , Poon C S P , Ma T K F , Law B K B , Lam W W M 
Published: May 2006

Background:Histological differentiation of mammary papillary lesions can be difficult. The evaluation of myoepithelial cells can be helpful, with benign papilloma showing a continuous myoepithelial cell layer, which becomes attenuated or absent in malignant papillary lesions.Methods:A large series of 100 papillomas (28 papillomas with florid epithelial hyperplasia) and 68 papillary carcinomas (9 invasive, 44 in situ, and 15 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) involving papillomas) of the breast were stained for myoepithelial cells by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to smooth-muscle actin (SMA), p63, CD10 and cytokeratin (CK) 14.Results:In the papillomas, using these four antibodies, myoepithelial cells were positive in 88%, 99%, 91% and 95% of cases, respectively, with SMA showing marked stromal component cell staining and CD10 showing epithelial and stromal staining. CK14 also showed epithelial staining in 71% of papillomas and 96% of papillomas with florid epithelial hyperplasia. In the papillary carcinomas, 36 (53%) cases showed staining of myoepithelial cells that were scattered, discontinuous and diminished in number and the remaining 32 (47%) cases did not show myoepithelial cells. Invasive papillary carcinoma has the lowest proportion (33%) with myoepithelial cells, and DCIS involving papillomas had the highest proportion (87%).Conclusions:p63 had the highest sensitivity and did not cross-react with stromal cells and only rarely with epithelial cells. CK14 has the added ability to distinguish between florid epithelial hyperplasia involving papilloma and DCIS involving papillomas. CK14 and p63 may be used as an adjunct in assessing difficult papillary lesions of the breast.
Spatial organisation of microbiota in quiescent adenoiditis and tonsillitis
Authors: Swidsinski A , Göktas Ö , Bessler C , Loening-Baucke V , Hale L P , Andree H , Weizenegger M , Hölzl M , Scherer H , Lochs H 
Published: May 2006

Background:The reasons for recurrent adenotonsillitis are poorly understood.Methods:The in situ composition of microbiota of nasal (5 children, 25 adults) and of hypertrophied adenoid and tonsillar tissue (50 children, 20 adults) was investigated using a broad range of fluorescent oligonucleotide probes targeted to bacterial rRNA. None of the patients had clinical signs of infection at the time of surgery.Results:Multiple foci of ongoing purulent infections were found within hypertrophied adenoid and tonsillar tissue in 83% of patients, including islands and lawns of bacteria adherent to the epithelium, with concomitant marked inflammatory response, fissures filled with bacteria and pus, and diffuse infiltration of the tonsils by bacteria, microabscesses, and macrophages containing phagocytosed microorganisms.Haemophilusinfluenzaemainly diffusely infiltrated the tissue,StreptococcusandBacteroideswere typically found in fissures, andFusobacteria,PseudomonasandBurkholderiawere exclusively located within adherent bacterial layers and infiltrates. The microbiota were always polymicrobial.Conclusions:Purulent processes persist during asymptomatic periods of adenotonsillitis. Most bacteria involved in this process are covered by a thick inflammatory infiltrate, are deeply invading, or are located within macrophages. The distribution of the bacteria within tonsils may be responsible for the failure of antibiotic treatment.
Fertility and exposure to solvents among families in the Agricultural Health Study
Authors: Sallmén M , Baird D D , Hoppin J A , Blair A , Sandler D P 
Published: May 2006

Background:Several studies have reported associations between solvent exposure and reduced female fertility, but the evidence is inconclusive for male fertility.Objectives:To investigate the impact of solvent exposure on subfertility among families of male licensed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study cohort.Methods:The couples enrolled between 1993 and 1997. Cross-sectional questionnaire information on work tasks was used to assess exposure to solvents. The data were limited to couples (wife aged less than 40 years) with an attempt at pregnancy in the last four years (n = 2112).Results:Twenty eight per cent of the couples were defined as subfertile (not conceiving a pregnancy after at least 12 months of unprotected intercourse, regardless of whether or not a pregnancy ultimately occurred). Adjusted subfertility odds ratios (OR) for exposure to solvents were calculated with logistic regression. Female (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.75) and male exposure to solvents (OR 1.21 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.57) for monthly exposure and 1.40 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.03) for daily or weekly exposure) were associated with subfertility. In farming, spouses may share or exchange jobs. To account for potential dual exposure, variables for parental exposure (either parent exposed or both parents exposed) were also defined. Both were strongly associated with subfertility (OR 1.62 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.17) and OR 2.10 (95% CI 1.22 to 3.60), respectively).Conclusions:Solvents may impair fertility of either gender, though the evidence for female effects is stronger than for male effects.
Injustice at work and incidence of psychiatric morbidity: the Whitehall II study
Authors: Ferrie J E , Head J , Shipley M J , Vahtera J , Marmot M G , Kivimäki M 
Published: May 2006

Background:Previous studies of organisational justice and mental health have mostly examined women and have not examined the effect of change in justice.Aim:To examine effects of change in the treatment of employees by supervisors (the relational component of organisational justice) on minor psychiatric morbidity, using a cohort with a large proportion of men.Methods:Data are from the Whitehall II study, a prospective cohort of 10 308 white-collar British civil servants (3143 women and 6895 men, aged 35–55 at baseline) (Phase 1, 1985–88). Employment grade, relational justice, job demands, job control, social support at work, effort–reward imbalance, physical illness, and psychiatric morbidity were measured at baseline. Relational justice was assessed again at Phase 2 (1989–90). The outcome was cases of psychiatric morbidity by Phases 2 and 3 (1991–93) among participants case-free at baseline.Results:In analyses adjusted for age, grade, and baseline physical illness, women and men exposed to low relational justice at Phase 1 were at higher risk of psychiatric morbidity by Phases 2 and 3. Adjustment for other psychosocial work characteristics, particularly social support and effort–reward imbalance, partially attenuated these associations. A favourable change in justice between Phase 1 and Phase 2 reduced the immediate risk (Phase 2) of psychiatric morbidity, while an adverse change increased the immediate and longer term risk (Phase 3).Conclusion:This study shows that unfair treatment by supervisors increases risk of poor mental health. It appears that the employers’ duty to ensure that employees are treated fairly at work also has benefits for health.
Chronic fatigue syndrome-like caseness as a predictor of work status in fatigued employees on sick leave: four year follow up study
Authors: Huibers M J H , Leone S S , Kant IJ , Knottnerus J A 
Published: May 2006

Objective:To assess whether CFS-like caseness (meeting the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)) predicts work status in the long term.Methods:Prospective study in a sample of fatigued employees absent from work. Data were collected at baseline and four years later, and included CFS-like caseness and work status (inactive work status and full work incapacity).Results:CFS-like cases at baseline were three times more likely to be unable to work at follow up than fatigued employees who did not meet CFS criteria at baseline (ORs 3–3.3). These associations grew even stronger when demographic and clinical confounders were controlled for (ORs 3.4–4.4).Conclusion:A CFS-like status (compared to non-CFS fatigue) proved to be a strong predictor of an inactive work status and full work incapacity in the long term. Since little is known about effective interventions that prevent absenteeism and work incapacity or facilitate return to work in subjects with chronic fatigue, there is a great need for powerful early interventions that restore or preserve the ability to work, especially for workers who meet criteria for CFS.
Association of ventricular arrhythmias detected by implantable cardioverter defibrillator and ambient air pollutants in the St Louis, Missouri metropolitan area
Authors: Rich D Q , Kim M H , Turner J R , Mittleman M A , Schwartz J , Catalano P J , Dockery D W 
Published: May 2006

Background:It has previously been reported that the risk of ventricular arrhythmias is positively associated with ambient air pollution among patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in Boston.Aims:To assess the association of community exposures to air pollution with ventricular arrhythmias in a cohort of ICD patients in metropolitan St Louis, Missouri.Methods:ICD detected episodes reported during clinical follow up were abstracted and reviewed by an electrophysiologist to identify ventricular arrhythmias. A total of 139 ventricular arrhythmias were identified among 56 patients. A case-crossover design was used with control periods matched on weekday and hour of the day within the same calendar month. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity in the 24 hours preceding the event.Results:There was a significant (24%, 95% CI 7% to 44%) increase in risk of ventricular arrhythmias associated with each 5 ppb increase in mean sulphur dioxide and non-significantly increased risk (22%, 95% CI −6% to 60%; and 18%, 95% CI −7% to 50%) associated with increases in nitrogen dioxide (6 ppb) and elemental carbon (0.5 μg/m3), respectively in the 24 hours before the arrhythmia.Conclusions:These results provide evidence of an association between ventricular arrhythmias and ambient air pollutants in St Louis. This is consistent with previous results from Boston, although the pollutants responsible for the increased risk are different.
Update of mortality and cancer incidence in the Australian petroleum industry cohort
Authors: Gun R T , Pratt N , Ryan P , Roder D 
Published: May 2006

Objectives:To update the analysis of the cohort mortality and cancer incidence study of employees in the Australian petroleum industry.Methods:Employees of Australian Institute of Petroleum member companies were enrolled in the cohort in four industry-wide surveys between 1981 and 1999. Mortality of 16 547 males and 1356 females was determined up to 31 December 2001 and cancer incidence to 31 December 2000. Cause specific mortality and cancer incidence were compared with those of the Australian population by means of standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardised incidence ratios (SIRs). Associations between increased incidence of specific cancers and employment in the petroleum industry were tested by trends according to period of first employment, duration of employment, latency, and hydrocarbon exposure, adjusting for personal smoking history where appropriate.Results:There was a significant elevation of the incidence of mesothelioma (SIR 1.77, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.79), melanoma (SIR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.58), and prostate cancer (SIR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.34). The SIRs of all leukaemias and of acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL) were not significantly different from unity, but all 11 ANLL cases were clustered in the middle to high hydrocarbon exposure categories. Tanker drivers had a significantly elevated incidence of kidney cancer (12 casesv5.84 expected, SIR 2.05, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.59). Lung cancer incidence was significantly reduced (SIR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.83)Conclusions:Most cases of mesothelioma are probably related to past exposure to asbestos in refineries. No occupational cause has been identified for the excess of melanoma, or prostatic or bladder cancer. The possibility of a causal relationship between cancer of the kidney and hydrocarbon exposure warrants further study. It is uncertain whether benzene exposures, particularly past levels of exposure, have been high enough to cause ANLL.
Prediction of sickness absence: development of a screening instrument
Authors: Duijts S F A , Kant I J , Landeweerd J A , Swaen G M H 
Published: May 2006

Objectives:To develop a concise screening instrument for early identification of employees at risk for sickness absence due to psychosocial health complaints.Methods:Data from the Maastricht Cohort Study on “Fatigue at Work” were used to identify items to be associated with an increased risk of sickness absence. The analytical procedures univariate logistic regression, backward stepwise linear regression, and multiple logistic regression were successively applied. For both men and women, sum scores were calculated, and sensitivity and specificity rates of different cut-off points on the screening instrument were defined.Results:In women, results suggested that feeling depressed, having a burnout, being tired, being less interested in work, experiencing obligatory change in working days, and living alone, were strong predictors of sickness absence due to psychosocial health complaints. In men, statistically significant predictors were having a history of sickness absence, compulsive thinking, being mentally fatigued, finding it hard to relax, lack of supervisor support, and having no hobbies. A potential cut-off point of 10 on the screening instrument resulted in a sensitivity score of 41.7% for women and 38.9% for men, and a specificity score of 91.3% for women and 90.6% for men.Conclusions:This study shows that it is possible to identify predictive factors for sickness absence and to develop an instrument for early identification of employees at risk for sickness absence. The results of this study increase the possibility for both employers and policymakers to implement interventions directed at the prevention of sickness absence.
Work–family conflict as a risk factor for sickness absence
Authors: Jansen N W H , Kant IJ , van Amelsvoort L G P M , Kristensen T S , Swaen G M H , Nijhuis F J N 
Published: May 2006

Objectives:(1) To study both cross-sectional and prospective relationships between work–family conflict and sickness absence from work; (2) to explore the direction of the relationships between the different types of conflict (work–home interference and home–work interference) and sickness absence; and (3) to explore gender differences in the above relationships.Methods:Data from the Maastricht Cohort Study were used with six months of follow up (5072 men and 1015 women at T6). Work–family conflict was measured with the Survey Work–Home Interference Nijmegen (SWING). Sickness absence was assessed objectively through individual record linkage with the company registers on sickness absence.Results:In the cross-sectional analyses, high levels of work–family conflict, work–home interference, and home–work interference were all associated with a higher odds of being absent at the time of completing the questionnaire, after controlling for age and long term disease. Differences in average number of absent days between cases and non-cases of work–home interference were significant for men and most pronounced in women, where the average number of absent days over six months follow up was almost four days higher in women with high versus low–medium work–home interference.Conclusions:A clear relation between work–family conflict and sickness absence was shown. Additionally, the direction of work–family conflict was associated with a different sickness absence pattern. Sickness absence should be added to the list of adverse outcomes for employees struggling to combine their work and family life.
The Judicial System of the European Community And Its Recent Evolution
Authors: Mengozzi Paolo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe Treaty of Nice triggered considerable change in the European Community's judicial system. Immediately it gave rise to a modification. It foresees the establishment of judicial panels charged to hear and determine at first instance certain classes of action or proceedings brought in specific areas. Furthermore, it adds that "the decisions given by judicial panels may be subject to a right of appeal on points of law only or, when provided for in the decision establishing the panel, a right of appeal also on matters of fact, before the Court of First Instance". This article analyses the consequences of these recent changes.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: An Overview of its Jurisdictional Procedure
Authors: Caminos Hugo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe UN Convention on the Law of the Sea established the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as one of the compulsory procedures to be chosen by States for the settlement of their disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention. ITLOS became operational on 1 October 1996. As a specialized judicial forum, the jurisdiction of ITLOS is limited to matters related to the Law of the Sea. On the other hand it is open to entities other than States, "which contributes to the Tribunal's comprehensive character. The Tribunal's decisions […] are final and are required to be complied with by all the parties to the disputes. Thus except in relation to its jurisdiction, […] in other respects the Tribunal enjoys a standing comparable to the ICJ". The jurisdiction in personam of ITLOS is a remarkable innovation. The author gives an overview of the jurisdictional procedure of the Tribunal in this article.
Remarks on Proceedings before the International Court of Justice
Authors: Pellett Alain 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWithout a doubt, the Court has demonstrated its ability to have the rapidity required in certain circumstances; but this is simply more discouraging for the States that have not been able to benefit from the same exceptions. They have the impression that the case that they have submitted to the Court has not been considered as urgent or important. Indeed, not all cases reflect the same degree of urgency; but, for the Parties, the cases they submit are always, or almost always, essential and represent situations where sovereignty is at stake a factor which the Judges perhaps are not always wary of. The author describes some procedural weaknesses of the I.C.J but concludes that they do not detract from the strength of the role of Justice on the international plane.