bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis, characterization and outcome of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries in the fetus: a multicenter series of 30 cases
Authors: Paladini D. , Volpe P. , Marasini M. , Russo M. G. , Vassallo M. , Gentile M. , Calabrò R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the anatomy, associated anomalies and outcome of 30 cases of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) detected prenatally.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study of the 30 cases of ccTGA confirmed at autopsy or postnatal echocardiography seen at one of three referral centers from 1994 to 2003. The following data were considered: gestational age at diagnosis, cardiac anatomy, associated cardiac and extracardiac anomalies and fetoneonatal outcome. All fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography and a detailed anomaly scan, with follow‐up scans at 3–4‐week intervals until delivery. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy or after delivery. Follow‐up data were retrieved from the clinical files of the patients.ResultsThe mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25.5 weeks. Intracardiac defects associated with the ccTGA included a ventricular septal defect in 21 cases, pulmonary outflow obstruction in 12 cases, an abnormal tricuspid valve in 10 cases, ventricular hypoplasia in five cases and dextro/mesocardia in five cases. The karyotype was normal in all 24 newborns, and unknown in the cases which resulted in termination of pregnancy (n = 5) or intrauterine death (n = 1). There were associated extracardiac anomalies in four cases only. Three of the four cases of atrioventricular block (AV block) developed in the third trimester, while the fourth appeared after birth. There were nine deaths (five terminations, two perinatal deaths and two infant deaths). The remaining 21 (70%) newborns were alive at a median follow‐up time of 32 months, 11 of them after various surgical procedures.ConclusionsOur data suggest that in fetuses with ccTGA the risk of chromosomal and extracardiac anomalies is low, in accordance with postnatal data. The spectrum of associated cardiac lesions is consistent with that reported in the pediatric literature. These data may be of use during prenatal counseling since no figures regarding survival and/or outcome of ccTGA in the fetus have been reported so far. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolated ventricular septal defects detected by color Doppler imaging: evolution during fetal and first year of postnatal life
Authors: Axt‐Fliedner R. , Schwarze A. , Smrcek J. , Germer U. , Krapp M. , Gembruch U. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the development during gestation and up to 1 year postnatally of isolated small ventricular septal defects (VSDs) not visible by gray‐scale imaging and detected only on color Doppler fetal echocardiography.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 146 fetuses with isolated VSDs detectable only on color Doppler echocardiography. Complete sequential gray‐scale, color Doppler and spectral Doppler examination of the fetal heart were performed. The following variables were documented: site of the VSD, presence of extracardiac or chromosomal anomalies, outcome of the pregnancy and evolution of the defect up to 1 year postnatally.ResultsA total of 113 fetuses reached their first year of postnatal life, 23 pregnancies were terminated, there were three stillbirths/neonatal deaths, and seven were lost to follow‐up. It was observed that 32.7% (n = 37) of all defects in neonates alive after 1 year closed in utero, 44.3% (n = 50) of defects closed spontaneously within the first postnatal year, and 23.0% (n = 26) of defects did not close. In all, a comparable number of perimembranous and muscular septal defects closed spontaneously in utero and during the first year of postnatal life. Among 35 fetuses with extracardiac anomalies 51.4% (n = 18) were euploid.ConclusionSmall VSDs, detectable only by color Doppler echocardiography, show a high spontaneous intrauterine and postnatal closure rate. These findings might be of value for prenatal parental counseling. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical Outcomes Research Based on Administrative Data: Inferior or Complementary to Prospective Randomized Clinical Trials?
Authors: Guller Ulrich 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe importance of surgical research has gained new prominence over the past decades as the relevance of well designed and well conducted studies has become increasingly evident. There are two basic but diametrically different methods of conducting research: the prospective randomized clinical trial and the retrospective surgical outcomes study based on administrative data. Administrative databases contain data that were initially collected for purposes other than scientific research. Whereas the prospective randomized clinical trial is familiar to most surgeons, surgical outcomes research based on administrative data constitutes a genre of investigation that is often unfamiliar to and even disparaged by the surgical community. In the present article, the strengths and weaknesses of both prospective randomized clinical trials and retrospective surgical outcomes research are discussed. Specifically, the advantages and limitations of investigations based on large administrative databases are outlined. Because both study designs play an important role in surgical research, carefully designed and implemented surgical outcomes research based on administrative data should be viewed as being complementary and not inferior to prospective randomized clinical trials.
Clinicopathologic Comparison of Siewert Type II and III Adenocarcinomas of the Gastroesophageal Junction
Authors: Yuasa Norihiro , Miyake Hideo , Yamada Tatsuharu , Ebata Tomoki , Nimura Yuji , Hattori Tatsuo 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackgroundSince Misumi et al. and Siewert proposed a new classification for carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), few surgical studies using these criteria have been reported from Eastern countries. Siewert type II adenocarcinomas are managed using general rules for either gastric or esophageal cancer. We set out to determine whether type II adenocarcinoma is a distinct clinical entity requiring a more specific treatment plan.MethodsAmong 125 Japanese patients who underwent resection of adenocarcinoma of the GEJ (type I, 2; type II, 44; type III, 79), 101 who underwent R0 resections (type II, 40; type III, 61) were analyzed to evaluate surgical results and compare clinicopathologic factors.ResultsBarrett’s epithelium was recognized in two patients with type II adenocarcinoma. Type II differed significantly from type III in higher prevalence of Borrmann macroscopic type 2, more frequent lymph node metastasis (58% vs. 34%), higher metastatic rate to lower mediastinal lymph nodes (13%), increased risk of hepatic recurrence, and lower 5‐year survival after R0 resection (67.4% vs. 87.1%).ConclusionsClinicopathologic differences were evident between type II and III adenocarcinomas. Siewert type II adenocarcinoma differs sufficiently to be considered a clinical entity distinct and independent from type III.
Enhanced myocardial cathepsin B expression in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ge Junbo , Zhao Gang , Chen Ruizhen , Li Shuangjie , Wang Shijun , Zhang Xingang , Zhuang Yamin , Du Jiuzhong , Yu Xiaohua , Li Gaoping , Yang Yingzhen 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveCathepsin B is a prominent lysosomal protease and is involved in apoptosis as well as degradation of myofibrillar proteins in myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial cathepsin B expression in failing and non‐failing human hearts.Methods:Tissue samples were taken from transplanted left ventricles from 20 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 5 non‐failing donor hearts that could not be transplanted for technical reasons. Myocardial cathepsin B expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and Western blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining.Results:Positive cathepsin B staining was found in failing and non‐failing hearts. The expression of cathepsin B at mRNA and protein levels was significantly higher in failing hearts compared with non‐failing hearts. Correlation analysis revealed that cathepsin B at mRNA and protein levels negatively correlated with EF (r=0.66, p=0.002 and r=0.492, p=0.028, respectively) in patients with heart failure. The apoptotic index was 0.015±0.006 in failing hearts and 0.002±0.001 in non‐failing hearts (p<0.01).Conclusion:Increased myocardial expression of cathepsin B was found in patients with heart failure suggesting that cathepsin B might play a role in the genesis and development of heart failure.
‘Surgical skills box’: a new training aid for surgical trainees
Authors: Carr E R M , Benjamin E 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: Surgical trainees now receive less operating experience with the reduction in junior doctor hours.Design: We designed a simple, portable, versatile ‘surgical skills box’ which allowed surgical trainees to practise vascular anastomosis, suturing, tonsil ties, hand ties and grommet insertion.Discussion: With surgical trainees now receiving reduced operating experience it is more important than ever for them to practise their surgical skills outside the operating theatre environment.
Patients' understanding of words used to describe lumps: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chadha Neil K , Repanos Costa 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To explore the interpretation of words commonly used to describe lumps. Specific words were explored to assess their understandability and implication of threat to the patient.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was undertaken. Age, gender, level of education, employment and socio-economic group were determined. The questionnaire explored the following words: malignant, tumour, carcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, lipoma, lymph node, nodule, ganglion, benign, cyst and gland. Participants comprised 204 consecutive adult patients attending the ENT out-patient clinic at a Bristol teaching hospital.Results: Patients found ‘malignant’ and ‘tumour’ the most threatening words and were most unsure of the meaning of ‘sarcoma’ and ‘lipoma’. Nineteen per cent (n = 37) thought a ‘benign’ lump was a cancer. Results did not significantly differ between demographic groups.Conclusions: A significant misunderstanding of some words commonly used to describe lumps was found. This study provides important guidance on which terms to use and which to avoid in consultations with patients.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma with exuberant nodular fasciitis-like stroma: treatment outcome and prognosis
Authors: Basu S , Nair N , Shet T , Borges A M 
Published: February 2006

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like stroma (PTC-NFS) is one of the extremely rare variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma. To date, the majority of reported cases have been published in the surgical pathology and cytopathology literature, addressing the diagnostic difficulties posed by the condition's extensive, reactive stromal proliferation. Because of the rarity of PTC-NFS among papillary thyroid carcinoma variants, it has been unexplored from a clinical viewpoint. A MEDLINE search on the clinical course, role of radioiodine, treatment outcome and long term follow up of this disease yielded no result.We report the clinicoradiologic and histopathologic profile, together with post-treatment long term follow up, in a 35-year-old woman harbouring this rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a five-year follow up of this rare variant of PTC following total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment. Our follow-up findings reiterate the disease's favourable clinical course when managed in the same manner as a classical, differentiated papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, akin to that predicted by the pathologists, and emphasize the importance of differentiating PTC-NFS as a separate entity from the papillary carcinoma variants with aggressive histology. Given the rarity of this condition, the experience gained from the present case is a useful addition to the current knowledge on disease prognostication and management.A systematic review of the existing literature on PTC-NFS, including the case reported in the present paper, is also carried out, aiming to explore the patient characteristics and clinical behaviour pattern of this rare entity and to make appropriate recommendations on management strategy. The age of presentation ranges from 20 to 82 years, with a mean of 44.5 years. Female preponderance was observed, with a female to male ratio of 3[ratio ]1. No racial predilection was observed. Tumour size varied from 2 to 9 cm along its greatest diameter (mean = 4.3 cm). Metastasis to lymph nodes at presentation occurred in 25 per cent of cases. Metastasis to surrounding structures (e.g. parathyroid and skeletal muscle) was observed in 12.5 per cent. There have been no reports of pulmonary or skeletal metastasis at presentation.
Changes in food supply in Mediterranean countries from 1961 to 2001
Authors: Garcia-Closas Reina , Berenguer Antoni , González Carlos A 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo describe geographical differences and time trends in the supply of the most important food components of the traditional Mediterranean diet.DesignFood supply data collected from national food balance sheets for the period 1961–2001.SettingSelected Mediterranean countries: Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey.ResultsDifferences of almost 30-fold and five-fold were found in the supply of olive oil and fruits and vegetables, respectively, among the Mediterranean countries studied during the 1960s. A favourable increasing trend for the supply of fruit and vegetables was observed in most Mediterranean countries. However, an increase in the supply of meats and dairy products and a decrease in the supply of cereals and wine were observed in European Mediterranean countries from 1961 until 2001. Only in African and Asiatic Mediterranean countries were cereals the base of food supply. During the 1990s, Greece's food supply pattern was closest to the traditional Mediterranean diet, while Italy and Spain maintained a high availability of fruits, vegetables and olive oil, but were losing the other typical components. Among African and Asiatic Mediterranean countries, only Turkey presented a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern except with respect to olive oil, the supply of which was very low. France showed a Western dietary pattern, with a high supply of animal products and a low supply of olive oil.ConclusionsDietary supplies in the Mediterranean area were quite heterogeneous in the 1960s and have experienced a process of Westernization, especially in European Mediterranean countries.
A multilevel study of socio-economic inequalities in food choice behaviour and dietary intake among the Dutch population: the GLOBE study
Authors: Giskes Katrina , Turrell Gavin , van Lenthe Frank J , Brug Johannes , Mackenbach Johan P 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the influence of individual- and area-level socio-economic characteristics on food choice behaviour and dietary intake.SettingThe city of Eindhoven in the south-east Netherlands.DesignA total of 1339 men and women aged 25–79 years were sampled from 85 areas (mean number of participants per area = 18.4, range 2–49). Information on socio-economic position (SEP) and diet was collected by structured face-to-face interviews (response rate 80.9%). Individual-level SEP was measured by education and household income, and area-level deprivation was measured using a composite index that included residents' education, occupation and employment status. Diet was measured on the basis of (1) a grocery food index that captured compliance with dietary guidelines, (2) breakfast consumption and (3) intakes of fruit, total fat and saturated fat. Multilevel analyses were performed to examine the independent effects of individual- and area-level socio-economic characteristics on the dietary outcome variables.ResultsAfter adjusting for individual-level SEP, few trends or significant effects of area deprivation were found for the dietary outcomes. Significant associations were found between individual-level SEP and food choice, breakfast consumption and fruit intake, with participants from disadvantaged backgrounds being less likely to report food behaviours or nutrient intakes consistent with dietary recommendations.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that an individual's socio-economic characteristics play a more important role in shaping diet than the socio-economic characteristics of the area in which they live. In this Dutch study, no independent influence of area-level socio-economic characteristics on diet was detected, which contrasts with findings from the USA, the UK and Finland.
Why are rural Indian women so thin? Findings from a village in Maharashtra
Authors: Chorghade GP , Barker M , Kanade S , Fall CHD 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo identify social, behavioural and cultural factors that explain the thinness of young women relative to their men in rural Maharashtra, India.DesignTwelve focus group discussions were conducted to explore the villagers' understanding of why women in their area might be thinner than men.SettingPabal village and surrounding hamlets, in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India.SubjectsSamples of young mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers were selected from families in the village with children below 10 years of age.ResultsFour factors were identified that the villagers felt contributed to the disparity in thinness. First, marriage isolated girls from their own families and villages, and brought the expectation of early motherhood. Young brides were often unable to relax and eat adequately. Second, marriage increased the workload of young women. They were expected to do the heaviest household chores as well as farm work in this predominantly agricultural community. Third, women had no financial autonomy or freedom of movement, and were therefore denied access to supplementary food sources available to men. Fourth, young women felt responsible for their household's health and success. They were encouraged to fast regularly to ensure this. Despite feeling responsible, young women had no control over factors that might affect the household's well being. This made them anxious and worried a great deal of the time.ConclusionsInterventions to improve the nutritional status of young women in this region need to recognise the roles and responsibilities taken up by young brides.
Validity and reliability of the Block98 food-frequency questionnaire in a sample of Canadian women
Authors: Boucher Beatrice , Cotterchio Michelle , Kreiger Nancy , Nadalin Victoria , Block Torin , Block Gladys 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the validity and reliability of the most recent adaptation of Block's full-diet food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among a sample of Canadian women.DesignParticipants completed a self-administered FFQ (FFQ1), two unannounced 24-hour recalls (weekday and weekend) and a second FFQ (FFQ2) between October 2003 and February 2004. FFQs and recalls were analysed for 32 nutrients using Block Dietary Data Systems and the University of Minnesota's Nutrient Data System. Mean and median intakes were computed, along with crude and deattenuated Pearson correlation coefficients between FFQ1 and the average of two recalls (validity) and between FFQ1 and FFQ2 (reliability).SettingOntario, Canada.SubjectsA random population-based sample (n= 166) of women aged 25 to 74 years.ResultsOne hundred and fifteen (69%) women completed FFQ1, 96 completed FFQ1 and both recalls, and 93 completed both FFQs, about 56 days apart. Mean intakes were similar for most nutrients. FFQ reliability was high, with Pearson correlation coefficients having a median of 0.75, ranging from 0.57 to 0.90 (macronutrients) and from 0.65 to 0.88 (micronutrients from supplements and food). FFQ validity was moderate to high, with deattenuated Pearson correlation coefficients having a median of 0.59, ranging from 0.11 to 0.73 (macronutrients) and from 0.50 to 0.76 (micronutrients from supplements and food). Our micronutrient correlations were similar to or higher than those of other studies that included supplements. Two correlations <0.40 were associated with fats.ConclusionsThe validity and reliability of this full-diet version of the Block FFQ were moderate to high, supporting its use in future studies among Canadian women.
Food insecurity among homeless and runaway adolescents
Authors: Whitbeck Les B , Chen Xiaojin , Johnson Kurt D 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity and factors related to it among homeless and runaway adolescents.DesignComputer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with homeless and runaway adolescents directly on the streets and in shelters.SettingInterviews were conducted in eight Midwest cities: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Kansas City, Lincoln, Omaha, St. Louis and Wichita.SubjectsThe subjects were 428 (187 males; 241 females) homeless and runaway adolescents aged 16–19 years. Average age of the adolescents was 17.4 (standard deviation 1.05) years.ResultsAbout one-third of the adolescents had experienced food insecurity in the past 30 days. Factors associated with food insecurity were age of adolescent, a history of caretaker neglect and abuse, having ever spent time directly on the street, a small post-runaway social network, and engaging in deviant and non-deviant street food-acquisition strategies.ConclusionsBased on these findings, our conservative estimate is that nationally more than 165 000 homeless and runaway adolescents experienced food insecurity in the past 30 days. These adolescents are largely hidden from public notice and they are usually missed in studies that address national hunger.
Excess dietary iodine intake in long-term African refugees
Authors: Seal Andrew J , Creeke Paul I , Gnat Daniella , Abdalla Fathia , Mirghani Zahra 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the iodine status of long-term refugees dependent on international food aid and humanitarian assistance.DesignA series of cross-sectional two-stage cluster or systematic random sample surveys which assessed urinary iodine excretion and the prevalence of visible goitre. Salt samples were also collected and tested for iodine content by titration.SettingSix refugee camps in East, North and Southern Africa.SubjectsMale and female adolescents aged 10–19 years.Main resultsThe median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) ranged from 254 to 1200 μg l−1 and in five of the camps exceeded the recommended maximum limit of 300 μg l−1, indicating excessive iodine intake. Visible goitre was assessed in four surveys where it ranged from 0.0 to 7.1%. The camp with the highest UIC also had the highest prevalence of visible goitre. The iodine concentrations in 11 salt samples from three camps were measured by titration and six of these exceeded the production-level concentration of 20 to 40 ppm recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), but were all less than 100 ppm.ConclusionsExcessive consumption of iodine is occurring in most of the surveyed populations. Urgent revision of the level of salt iodisation is required to meet current WHO recommendations. However, the full cause of excessive iodine excretion remains unknown and further investigation is required urgently to identify the cause, assess any health impact and identify remedial action.