bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partial hepatectomy as first‐line treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cillo Umberto , Vitale Alessandro , Brolese Alberto , Zanus Giacomo , Neri Daniele , Valmasoni Michele , Bonsignore Pasquale , Grigoletto Francesco , Burra Patrizia , Farinati Fabio , D'Amico Davide Francesco 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundPartial hepatectomy (PH) and liver transplantation (LT) compete as first‐line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A prospectively collected database was retrospectively reviewed to establish when PH can compete with LT.MethodsBetween 1991 and 2002, PH was performed in 131 cases of HCC (Child‐Pugh A–B, technically resectable tumor without metastases). To ascertain patient survival after PH, we compared this series with a group of 40 HCC patients (G1–G2 HCC with no gross vascular invasion or metastasis) enlisted for liver transplantation during the same period.ResultsThe 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year intention‐to‐treat survival rates were 75%, 52%, and 31% for resection and 89%, 71%, and 63% for transplantation. Two tumor‐related variables (gross vascular invasion and histological grade) and three liver function parameters (Child‐Pugh score, bilirubin, Okuda stage) proved to be independent predictors of survival after resection, whereas nodule size and number, and Milan criteria did not. The 5‐year survival of the best candidates for resection (favorable tumor biology with very well preserved liver function, n = 52) was 58%. On a descriptive basis alone, this result did not differ significantly from the outcome in LT patients. PH patients with a poorly differentiated tumor and/or gross vascular invasion (n = 28) had the worst outcome, irrespective of their liver function parameters.ConclusionsFor technically resectable tumors without aggressive features (G3 or macroscopic vascular invasion), PH can only compete with LT, in terms of long‐term survival, when patients with a well‐preserved liver function are selected. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:213–220. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regioselective separation of isomeric triacylglycerols by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography: Stationary phase and mobile phase effects
Authors: Momchilova Svetlana , Itabashi Yutaka , Nikolova‐Damyanova Boryana , Kuksis Arnis 
Published: October 2006

AbstractComplete regioselective separation of five pairs of isomeric dipalmitoyl polyalkenoyl glycerols with two to six double bonds in the unsaturated acyl residues has been achieved by RP‐HPLC on a single ODS column. Four ODS columns with stationary phases containing different percentages of free silanol groups have been tested. Binary mobile phases of ACN admixed with dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1‐propanol, 2‐propanol, ethanol, or acetone have been examined. The choice of modifier depended on the nature of the stationary phase. The more polar solvents were better suited for stationary phases with higher percentage of free silanol groups. Isomeric species were eluted according to chain length, number of double bonds, and the position of the unsaturated acyl chain in the glycerol molecule. Retention increases in the order 20:5 < 22:6 < 18:3 < 20:4 << 18:2. Within each isomeric pair, the species with unsaturated acyl chain occupying either the sn‐1‐ or the 3‐position were retained preferentially. Complete simultaneous regioselective separation of 10 isomeric triacylglycerols in a single isocratic run on a single ODS column was demonstrated.
In vitro and in vivo tissue repair with laser‐activated chitosan adhesive
Authors: Lauto A. , Stoodley M. , Marcel H. , Avolio A. , Sarris M. , McKenzie G. , Sampson D.D. , Foster L.J.R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSutures are currently the gold standard for wound closure but they are still unable to seal tissue and may induce scarring or inflammation. Biocompatible glues, based on polysaccharides such as chitosan, are a possible alternative to conventional wound closure. In this study, the adhesion of laser‐activated chitosan films is investigated in vitro and in vivo. In particular we examine the effect of varying the laser power, as well as adding a natural cross‐linker (genipin) to the adhesive composition.Study Design/Materials and MethodsFlexible and insoluble strips of chitosan films (surface area ∼34 mm2, thickness ∼20 µm) were bonded to sheep intestine using several laser powers (0, 80, 120, and 160 mW) at 808‐nm wavelength. The strength of repaired tissue was tested by a calibrated tensiometer to select the best power. A natural cross‐linker (genipin) was also added to the film and the tissue repair strength compared with the strength of plain films. The adhesive was also bonded in vivo to the sciatic nerve of rats and the thermal damage induced by the laser assessed 4 days post‐operatively.ResultsChitosan adhesives successfully repaired intestine tissue, attaining a maximum repair strength of 14.7±4.3 kPa (n = 30) at the laser power of 120 mW. The chitosan‐genipin films achieved lower repair strength (9.1±2.9 kPa). The laser caused partial demyelination of axons at the site of operation, but the myelinated axons retained a normal morphology proximally and distally.ConclusionsThe chitosan adhesive effectively bonded to tissue causing only localized thermal damage in vivo, when the appropriate laser parameters were selected. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A prospective study of admissions for febrile neutropenia in secondary paediatric units in South East England
Authors: Duncan C. , Chisholm J.C. , Freeman S. , Riley U. , Sharland M. , Pritchard‐Jones K. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe Paediatric Oncology Centres (POCs) treating childhood cancer in South East England produce unified supportive care guidelines for use in the secondary pediatric (shared care) units. This study evaluated the adherence to current guidelines for febrile neutropenia (FN) and documented outcome in terms of bacterial isolates, antibiotic resistance patterns, length of hospital stay, and mortality.ProcedureProspective study of pediatric FN admissions between July 2001 and December 2002.ResultsData were received on 433 eligible FN episodes in 212 patients. The recommended empirical antibiotics (piptazobactam + gentamicin) were used in 354 (82%) admissions. Blood cultures were positive in 129 episodes (30%). Gram‐positive organisms predominated (120/149 organisms isolated) and the majority were coagulase‐negative Staphylococci (95/120). There were 27 Gram‐negative isolates and 1 fungal isolate. No Gram‐negative isolate was resistant to both first‐line antibiotics. Only one death was recorded in the study group. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days.ConclusionsWe obtained data on a large number of shared care episodes of FN. The antibiotic guidelines were followed in most episodes. Bacteremia was common, but little resistance to first‐line antibiotics was documented among Gram‐negative isolates, confirming the safety of the strategy in our population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:678–681. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue in children with newly diagnosed high‐risk or relapsed medulloblastoma or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor
Authors: Sung Ki Woong , Yoo Keon Hee , Cho Eun Joo , Koo Hong Hoe , Lim Do Hoon , Shin Hyung Jin , Ahn Seung Do , Ra Young Shin , Choi Eun Seok , Ghim Thad T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundSingle or tandem double high‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) was used to treat children with newly diagnosed high‐risk or relapsed medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (MB/sPNET) in order to defer or avoid radiotherapy in young children.ProcedureThirty‐seven HDCTs were given to 25 children with newly diagnosed high‐risk or relapsed MB/sPNET. Tandem double HDCT was used for 12 of 15 patients initially intended to receive double HDCT.ResultsThree‐year EFS (±SE) in 6 newly diagnosed high‐risk (>3 years old), 8 newly diagnosed (<3 years old), and 11 relapsed MB/sPNET was 83.3 ± 15.2%, 62.5 ± 20.5%, and 29.1 ± 15.7%, respectively. Three‐year EFS for patients in CR or PR and in less than PR at first HDCT was 67.4 ± 11.0% and 16.7 ± 15.2%, respectively (P = 0.001). Three‐year EFS in patients initially intended to receive double HDCT and single HDCT was 66.0 ± 12.4% and 40.0 ± 15.5%, respectively. For 19 patients in CR or PR at first HDCT, 3‐year EFS was 88.9 ± 10.5% in tandem double HDCT group, and 44.4 ± 16.6% in single HDCT group, respectively (P = 0.037). Although four treatment‐related mortalities (TRMs) occurred during 25 first HDCTs, no TRM occurred during 12 second HDCTs. In four of eight young children, craniospinal radiotherapy was successfully withheld without subsequent relapse.ConclusionsHigh‐dose chemotherapy may improve the survival of children with newly diagnosed high‐risk MB/sPNET, and, to some extent, the survival of those with relapsed MB/sPNET. Further study is necessary to elucidate the efficacy of tandem double HDCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitic pattern of graft versus host disease in children
Authors: Melín‐Aldana Héctor , Thormann Kimberly , Duerst Reggie , Kletzel Morris , Jacobsohn David A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundLiver involvement by graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is characterized histologically by bile duct damage, which may be severe. A different pattern, “hepatitic GVHD,” has been described in adult patients. This pattern also shows marked lobular hepatitis and hepatocellular damage. We report the development of hepatitic GVHD in six pediatric patients.ProcedureClinical information and histologic features of liver biopsy samples were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsPatients' ages ranged from 3 to 11 years. Underlying diagnosis, pre‐transplant conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis varied. Peripheral blood stem cells were the source of the allograft in four patients, matched sibling in one, and matched‐unrelated donor in one. Hepatic GVHD was detected between 149 and 310 days post‐transplant. Prior acute GVHD had developed in two patients, and involved the skin and/or gastrointestinal tract. No patients had significant ductopenia. Only one patient had significant lymphocytic infiltration of bile ducts (ductitis). Bile duct epithelial damage and significant portal/periportal inflammation were present in all patients. Lobular necro‐inflammation was present in five patients. Five patients improved with immunosuppression and one died with progressive GVHD.ConclusionsThis series focuses on hepatitic GVHD in pediatric patients. Clinical and histologic patterns are similar to what has been described in adults. Specific etiology and pathogenesis of this entity remain unclear. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:727–730. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of telemedicine on pediatric neuro‐oncology in a developing country: The Jordanian‐Canadian experience
Authors: Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Mansour Asem , Musharbash Awni , Drake James , Swaidan Maisa , Tihan Tarik , Bouffet Eric 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundTelemedicine is widely used in industrialized countries for educational purposes. Twinning experiences using telemedicine between institutions in industrialized and developing countries (DC) have been limited. Pediatric neuro‐oncology is a complex multidisciplinary discipline that is underserved in most of DC and provides a model to test the feasibility of such tool for twinning purposes.MethodsA computer, an EMLO visual presenter HV‐7600SX document camera, and a TANDBERG 6000 model videoconference unit were used to present data. For connectivity, we used a six‐channel ISDN telephone line. Each channel is 64 megabytes/sec.ResultsBetween December 2004 and May 2006, 20 sessions of videoconference were held between King Hussein Cancer Center and the Hospital for Sick Children to discuss 72 cases of 64 patients with various brain tumors (5 patients were discussed twice and 1 patient four times). In 23 patients (36%), major changes from original plan were recommended on different aspects of the care. In 21 patients (91%), those recommendations were followed, with potentially significant positive impact on patients' care.ConclusionsVideoconferencing is a feasible and practical twinning tool in pediatric neuro‐oncology with a potentially major impact on patient care. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:39–43. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase transitions in anisotropic two‐dimensional quantum antiferromagnets
Authors: Roscilde T. , Cuccoli A. , Verrucchi P. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe study the thermodynamic properties of anisotropic two‐dimensional quantum antiferromagnets, with both easy‐plane and easy‐axis anisotropy. We make use of the Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) method based on the continuous‐time loop algorithm. For S = 1/2 and very small anisotropies our QMC data reveal that both the Ising and Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless universality class (for the easy‐axis and easy‐plane models, respectively) are well observed and that the critical temperature remains finite even for anisotropies as small as 10–3, i.e. comparable to the anisotropies measured in real layered compounds; this result rules out the possibility of quantum fluctuations to destroy the finite‐temperature transition before the isotropic limit is reached. The phase diagram of the S = 1/2 2d‐XXZ antiferromagnet in the region of small anisotropies is then presented.
Application of holmium yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser in treatment of acquired posterior choanal atresia following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Ku Peter K M , Tong Michael C F , van Hasselt Andrew 
Published: October 2006

Aims: To report on the use of holmium yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser in the treatment of acquired posterior choanal atresia following radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials and methods: Five patients with acquired bilateral choanal atresia and two with unilateral choanal atresia in the posterior choanae were identified following treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by external radiotherapy, from July 1998 to April 1999. The mean age was 44.6 years (range, 22–65 years). Two patients had stage two and five had stage three disease according to Ho's classification. All patients received 66 Gy of external irradiation delivered to the nasopharynx and a mean dose of 61 Gy (39.8–72 Gy) to the neck. Five patients received an additional external boost of 20 Gy and two received 14 Gy delivered to the parapharyngeal region. Two other patients also received intracavitatory brachytherapy of 18 Gy delivered to the nasopharynx. One patient had concurrent chemotherapy by cisplatinum during external radiotherapy. The mean onset of nasal symptoms was 17 months (range, 2–38 months) following irradiation. All patients were treated by transnasal endoscopic holmium YAG laser resection. Merocel® epistaxis packing and a modified nasopharyngeal tube were used to stent the nasal airway for two weeks post-operatively.Results: The mean follow up was 26.8 months (range, 20–32 months) after surgery. All patients were symptom free on follow up. Five patients (71 per cent) retained full patency in the posterior choanae. Two patients (28 per cent) had bilateral mild restenosis in the postnasal space, not requiring revision surgery. The surgical fields were almost bloodless. No adverse post-operative complications occurred, except for delayed nasal septal perforation in one patient and unilateral exposure of the septal cartilage in another; no further treatment was required in either patient.Conclusion: Acquired posterior choanal atresia is an unusual complication following radiotherapy, and it can occur early after treatment. It can be successfully treated by transnasal endoscopic holmium YAG laser resection of the scar tissue, with minimal bleeding. A two week period of Merocel® nasal packing and nasopharyngeal tube stenting was sufficient to prevent severe restenosis in the posterior choanae; nasal breathing through the tube lumen was possible during this time.
Information technology in ENT: are we ready to be ‘Connected For Health’?
Authors: Clamp P J , Virdi P , Vats A , Pothier D D 
Published: October 2006

The NHS Connecting for Health agency continues to implement the national programme for information technology within the National Health Service (NHS). In preparation, NHS employees are being encouraged to develop their information technology skills via the European computer driving licence training course.A postal survey of British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists members was undertaken to evaluate their levels of information technology training, competency and knowledge. Three hundred and thirty-six surgeons responded.Most respondents had received no formal information technology training. Only 3.9 per cent had taken the European computer driving licence course.Most surgeons felt comfortable using word processing and presentation software but were less comfortable with other applications. Junior surgeons were more confident in all areas of information technology application than senior surgeons.Seventy-two per cent of surgeons wanted more information technology training. Most felt that such training should be routine at undergraduate and postgraduate level.With the national programme committed to improving information technology infrastructure within the NHS, more formal training should be provided to ensure a basic standard of information technology competency amongst ENT surgeons.
Enhancing meaning in palliative care practice: A meaning-centered intervention to promote job satisfaction
Authors: FILLION LISE , DUPUIS RÉJEANNE , TREMBLAY ISABELLE , DE GRÂCE GASTON-RENÉ , BREITBART WILLIAM 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:This article introduces a new meaning-centered psycho-educational group intervention, calledEnhancing meaning in palliative care nursing, designed to support nurses providing palliative care. This intervention aims at increasing job satisfaction and quality of life, as well as preventing burnout in this particular population.Theoretical frameworks:Its format and content are founded on the meaning-centered psychotherapy approach developed for terminally ill cancer patients (Breitbart, 2001; Greenstein & Breitbart, 2000). Frankl's existential therapeutic approach, calledlogotherapy, serves as the underlying theoretical framework to this intervention.Development:Following the presentation of the context and the development of the intervention, its content is described.Conclusion:A brief description of the ongoing randomized controlled trial testing the intervention is then provided. Finally, the way in which this intervention could contribute to nurses' quality of life and suggestions for future developments are briefly discussed.
The relation between the experience of time and psychological distress in patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: WITTMANN MARC , VOLLMER TANJA , SCHWEIGER CLAUDIA , HIDDEMANN WOLFGANG 
Published: October 2006

Objective:The experience of time is strongly related to our momentary mood states. Patients with a life-threatening illness experience an extreme change in mood and suffer from psychological distress that can develop into clinically relevant psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among the subjective perception of time, psychological distress, and quality of life in patients with hematological malignancies.Methods:Eighty-eight inpatients with hematological malignancies rated how fast time passes subjectively on a visual analog scale and prospectively estimated a time span of 13 min. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) self-report measures of health-related quality of life (FACT-G) and spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp) were employed to assess psychological distress and quality of life.Results:Those patients who reported a lower quality of life, less spiritual well-being, and more anxiety experienced a slower passage of subjective time and overestimated the 13-min time interval.Significance of results:Our interpretation of the results is that patients with a life-threatening illness who show symptoms of psychological distress draw attention away from meaningful thoughts and actions and, thus, experience time as passing more slowly. An altered sense of time can be a sign of mental suffering, which should be addressed within psycho-oncological interventions. As this is the first study to demonstrate this relation in cancer patients, further research is needed to investigate the experience of time and its relation to meaning as an issue in clinical diagnostics.
Effect of Glucose or Glycerol as the Sole Carbon Source on Gene Expression from the Salmonella prpBCDE Promoter in Escherichia coli
Authors: Lee Sung Kuk , Keasling Jay D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe have developed an expression system (Salmonella‐based pPro system) containing the Salmonella enterica prpBCDE promoter (PprpB) and prpR encoding the positive transcriptional regulator of this promoter. In this study, the transcriptional efficiency of the pPro expression system was measured by placing the gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (gfp) under the control of PprpB and growing cells containing this construct in minimal medium supplemented with glucose or glycerol as a sole carbon source. In wild‐type Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21, the system exhibited high induced expression as well as high background expression; however, in E. coli JSB, a sbm‐ygfDGHI deletion mutant of E. coli BL21(DE3), the system showed low background expression and high induced expression. The system exhibited homogeneous expression at the single‐cell level, highly regulatable expression over a wide range of propionate concentrations, and fully induced expression at a low propionate concentration relative to that needed to induce the system in rich, undefined medium. The expression system is comparable to the widely used T7 promoter‐driven expression systems in glucose or glycerol minimal medium.
The mystery of intracellular developmental programmes and timers
Authors: Raff M. 
Published: October 2006

There has been a revolution in understanding animal development in the last 25 years or so, but there is at least one area of development that has been relatively neglected and therefore remains largely mysterious. This is the intracellular programmes and timers that run in developing precursor cells and change the cells over time. The molecular mechanisms underlying these programmes are largely unknown. My colleagues and I have studied such programmes in two types of rodent neural precursor cells: those that give rise to oligodendrocytes, which make myelin in the CNS (central nervous system), and those that give rise to the various cell types in the retina.