bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field weed population dynamics: a review of model approaches and applications
Authors: HOLST N , RASMUSSEN I A , BASTIAANS L 
Published: January 2007

SummaryMathematical modelling is a commonly used tool for studying the long‐term dynamics of weed populations in agriculture. This was reflected in our review by the large number of scientific papers (134 original publications) and the continuing need to gain an overview over this fast developing field (20 previous review papers were found). In this article, we provide a more comprehensive review than earlier seen, striving to include all relevant publications. Thus, we cover models of the population dynamics of 60 weed species in 40 crops. An online, accompanying database provides an indexed bibliography. Despite the large variation in crops, weeds and geography, the models were surprisingly similar in their approach: structured around the weed life cycle, excluding environmental factors and giving little attention to validation or even documentation of model construction. In addition, their application was similar, limited mostly to strategic decision making. We hope that the overview provided by this review will inspire weed modellers and that it will serve as a basis for discussion and as a frame of reference when we proceed to advance the modelling of weed populations to a new level, developing new approaches and tackling new application domains.
Prohexadione‐calcium induces sunflower (Helianthus annuus) resistance against the root parasitic weed Orobanche cumana
Authors: FAN Z‐W , BUSCHMANN H , SAUERBORN J 
Published: January 2007

SummaryProhexadione‐calcium (PHDC) is a plant growth retardant that inhibits gibberellin biosynthesis and transiently alters the spectrum of flavonoids and their phenolic precursors. In this study, root chamber and pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of PHDC on Orobanche cumana seed germination and induction of sunflower resistance to this root parasitic weed. Root chamber experiments indicated that PHDC did not interfere with the progress of Orobanche seed germination, but retarded O. cumana tubercle formation and development. In pot experiments, control of O. cumana by PHDC depended on its dose, method of application and sunflower cultivar. In sunflower cv. HA89, PHDC at 10 mg LS−1 (litre soil) as two drenches or at 1 mm as two foliar sprays significantly reduced the total number and dry matter of O. cumana without influencing flower, leaf and root development. In sunflower cv. Albena, PHDC at 20 and 30 mg LS−1, but not at 10 mg LS−1, as two drenches significantly reduced O. cumana infection. Sunflower cv. HA89 was less susceptible to O. cumana and more inducible by PHDC than sunflower cv. Albena. The biochemical analysis of root extracts revealed a significantly higher accumulation of free phenolics in sunflower cv. HA89 after PHDC soil drench, but not in Albena. No significant lignification was observed after PHDC treatments. The results suggest that PHDC reduces O. cumana infection in sunflower by inducing host resistance, not by directly interfering with the parasite. Free phenolics play an important role in sunflower response to the parasite.
Readmission and survival following hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long‐term trends
Authors: Geelhoed E. A. , Brameld K. J. , Holman C. D. J. , Thompson P. J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: Exacerbations requiring hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contribute to a decline in health status and are costly to the community. Long‐term trends in admissions and associated outcomes are difficult to establish because of frequent readmissions, high case fatality and potential diagnostic transfer between COPD and asthma. The Western Australian Data Linkage System provides a unique opportunity to examine admissions for patients with COPD over the long term.Method: Nineteen years of hospital morbidity data, based on International Classification of Diseases‐9 criteria were extracted from the Western Australian Data Linkage System (1980–1998) and merged with mortality records to examine trends in hospital admissions for COPD.Results: The rate of hospital admissions for COPD has declined overall and the rate of first presentation declined in men and remained constant in women. The risk of readmission increased throughout the period (P < 0.0001) and more than half of all admissions were followed by readmission within a year. Median survival following first admission was 6 years (men 5 years; women 8 years). Age, sex and International Classification of Diseases subcategory each showed an independent effect on the risk of mortality (P < 0.0001). The poorest survival was in patients subcategorized as emphysema. For patients with multiple admissions, the likelihood of cross‐over between COPD and asthma was high and increased with the total number of admissions.Conclusion: The rate of admission for COPD has declined in Western Australia; however, the resource burden will continue to increase because of the ageing population. This has policy implications for the development of acute care treatment programmes for COPD.
Managing scientific uncertainty in health legislation
Authors: Lipworth W. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractLegislation and regulation of biomedical research is seldom a one‐off process since biomedical science evolves rapidly, dynamically and often unpredictably. This paper discusses the challenges faced by regulators who need to produce legislation and policy in rapidly changing fields and outlines some practical suggestions for managing law reform and policy‐making under these circumstances.
Diagnosing cancer: changing patterns of care
Authors: Lim E. , Rosenthal M. A 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe prospectively assessed 100 consecutive inpatient referrals made to the Medical Oncology Unit. The major end‐point was the time to diagnostic biopsy. Referral trends and treatment outcomes were also recorded. Our results show that the referring units undertook the diagnostic process in the vast majority and the time to inpatient diagnostic biopsy has fallen from 10 to 4.6 days, compared with a similar study 13 years ago. This emphasizes the changing role of the oncologist in current day multidisciplinary cancer care.
Recruitment of volunteers to improve vitality in the elderly: the REVIVE* study
Authors: Caplan G. A. , Harper E. L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: Delirium is a common problem for frail, older patients in hospital and a marker of poor outcome and mortality. The aim of this study was to test a volunteer‐mediated delirium prevention programme for efficacy, cost‐effectiveness and sustainability on an Australian geriatric ward.Methods: Two controlled before‐and‐after studies were conducted. In study 1, 37 patients (>70 years, admitted to the geriatric wards) were enrolled during 5 months in 2003 for intensive individual study. Twenty‐one patients received usual care and 16 patients received the volunteer‐mediated intervention of daily orientation, therapeutic activities, feeding and hydration assistance, vision and hearing protocols. In study 2, we examined the effects of a general implementation for the whole department by measuring use of assistants in nursing, who were employed for individual nursing of delirious patients.Results: In study 1, we found a lower incidence (intervention vs control, 6.3% vs 38%; P = 0.032) and lower severity of delirium (1.2 vs 5.1; P = 0.045). There was a trend towards decreased duration of delirium (5.0 vs 12.5; P = 0.64). In study 2, use of assistants in nursing was reduced by 314 h per month suggesting a total annual saving of A$129 186 for the hospital.Conclusion: The programme prevents delirium and improves outcomes for elderly inpatients. Cost‐effectiveness supports the continuation of the programme and extension to other geriatric units.
The electronic, ‘paperless’ medical office; has it arrived?
Authors: Gates P. , Urquhart J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractModern information technology offers efficiencies in medical practice, with a reduction in secretarial time in maintaining, filing and retrieving the paper medical record. Electronic requesting of investigations allows tracking of outstanding results. Less storage space is required and telephone calls from pharmacies, pathology and medical imaging service providers to clarify the hand‐written request are abolished. Voice recognition software reduces secretarial typing time per letter. These combined benefits can lead to significantly reduced costs and improved patient care. The paperless office is possible, but requires commitment and training of all staff; it is preferable but not absolutely essential that at least one member of the practice has an interest and some expertise in computers. More importantly, back‐up from information technology providers and back‐up of the electronic data are absolutely crucial and a paperless environment should not be considered without them.
Evidence for functional expression of vascular angiotensin II type 2 receptors in patients with insulin resistance
Authors: Brillante D. G. , O’Sullivan A. J. , Johnstone M. T. , Howes L. G. 
Published: January 2007

Aim: Angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptors are believed to become over‐expressed in response to cardiovascular damage and to mediate beneficial effects (e.g. vasodilation). It is unknown whether AT2 receptors are functionally expressed in patients with insulin resistance (INSR). In this study, we investigated the role of the highly selective AT2 receptor antagonist, PD123319, on arterial stiffness and haemodynamic parameters in patients with INSR, compared with an age‐ and gender‐matched control (N) group to determine whether there is functional expression of vascular AT2 receptors in patients with INSR.Methods: We studied 10 subjects with INSR [mean age 28 ± 5 years, body mass index (BMI) 30.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2, mean cholesterol level 4.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l, mean homeostasis model assessment 2.78 ± 0.84] and 10 age‐ and gender‐matched normal subjects (mean age 27 ± 7 years, BMI 23.6 ± 2.5 kg/m2, mean cholesterol level 3.9 ± 0.6 mmol/l). All were normotensive, non‐smokers and on no medications. Subjects received a 3‐min infusion of PD123319 (10 μg/min). At the end of the infusion, arterial stiffness indices [stiffness index (SI) and reflective index (RI)] and haemodynamic parameters [cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and stroke index (ZI)] were measured.Results: RI (mean % change: INSR 13.8 ± 15.5%, N −0.2 ± 4.6, p = 0.04) and SVRI (mean % change: INSR 13.5 ± 9.7%, N −1.5 ± 5.7, p = 0.005) increased significantly in response to PD123319 infusion in patients with INSR compared with controls. There were no significant changes in SI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and ZI.Conclusion: The results suggest the functional expression of AT2 receptors in small vessels that determine the inflection of the digital volume pulse wave in patients with INSR, possibly as an indicator of early vascular damage.
Improved glycaemic control of thrice‐daily biphasic insulin aspart compared with twice‐daily biphasic human insulin; a randomized, open‐label trial in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Authors: Clements M. R. , Tits J. , Kinsley B. T. , Råstam J. , Friberg H. H. , Ligthelm R. J. 
Published: January 2007

Aim:  This trial evaluated the potential for improving glycaemic control by intensifying a conventional twice‐daily therapy with premixed human insulin (HI) to a thrice‐daily regimen using premixed formulations of biphasic insulin aspart (BIAsp) in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.Methods:  This was a multicentre, open‐label, parallel group trial. After a 4‐week run‐in period, patients were randomized 1 : 1 to 16 weeks of treatment. A total of 748 patients were screened, 664 were exposed to trial drug and 604 completed the trial.Results:  Haemoglobin A1c, the primary efficacy endpoint, was shown to be significantly lower for the BIAsp treatment group compared with the biphasic HI (BHI) 30 group [estimated mean difference: −0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−0.48; −0.16), p = 0.0001]. The average blood glucose level was significantly lower in the BIAsp group [estimated mean difference: −0.79, 95% CI (−1.17; −0.40), p = 0.0001]. There were few major hypoglycaemic episodes, 11 in the BIAsp group and 7 in the BHI 30 group. Although intensification of insulin therapy with BIAsp three times a day was associated with a higher risk of minor hypoglycaemia (relative risk = 1.58, p = 0.0038), the overall rate of minor hypoglycaemia remained low with both the BIAsp and the BHI treatments (13.1 vs. 8.3 episodes/patient year respectively). Overall safety and patient satisfaction were similar with the two insulin therapies.Conclusions:  This trial confirmed that a thrice‐daily BIAsp regimen can safely be used to intensify treatment for patients inadequately controlled on twice‐daily BHI. A treat‐to‐target trial is required to explore the full potential of the BIAsp regimens and evaluate their use as a viable alternative to intensification with a basal‐bolus regimen.
Simple enucleation for the treatment of renal angiomyolipoma
Authors: Minervini Andrea , Giubilei Gianluca , Masieri Lorenzo , Lanzi Federico , Serni Sergio , Carini Marco 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVESTo report on the role of simple enucleation for treating renal angiomyolipoma (AML) in a series of patients treated in our department.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the data of all 37 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of renal AML who had either radical nephrectomy (three) or nephron‐sparing surgery by simple enucleation (34) between January 1986 and December 2005. Indications for intervention included either symptomatic AML or a tumour of >4 cm, regardless to the presence of symptoms or renal masses suspicious of malignancy. The patients’ status was evaluated last in October 2006.RESULTSThe mean (sd, median, range) pathological tumour size was 5.2 (3.4, 4.8, 1.5–15) cm; five patients (15%) were affected by tuberous sclerosis. Simple enucleation was successful in all patients but in three (9%) a sharp dissection a few millimetres from the tumour was used during critical steps of the procedure where it seemed difficult to define the right plane of enucleation. Warm ischaemia was used in 79% of patients, with a mean ischaemic time of 11.2 min. Two patients (6%) required renal hypothermia. A simple parenchymal compression was used in five cases (15%). The mean (range) intraoperative blood loss was 170  (70–650) mL. None of the patients had postoperative bleeding requiring re‐intervention but one (3%) required two units of blood after surgery. There were no major complications, e.g. prolonged acute tubular necrosis/chronic renal insufficiency and urinary leakage/urinoma, but two patients had urosepsis not associated with perirenal fluid collection and that required targeted antibiotic therapy. At a mean (median, range) follow‐up of 56 (50.5, 10–120) months none of the patients had local tumour recurrence. Two patients had a small AML elsewhere in the operated kidney, detected 18 and 36 months after surgery, with a kidney recurrence rate of 6%.CONCLUSIONSOur data confirm the optimum results of simple enucleation for renal AMLs; this technique provides excellent long‐term local control and no patient had urinary leakage/fistula afterward.
Clinically localised prostate cancer is microsatellite stable
Authors: Azzouzi Abdel‐Rahmene , Catto James W.F. , Rehman Ishtiaq , Larre Stephane , Roupret Morgan , Feeley Kenneth M. , Cussenot Oliver , Meuth Mark , Hamdy Freddie C. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVESTo determine the frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) change with mono‐, di‐ and tetranucleotide markers in clinically localized prostate cancer, and to correlate those markers with clinical and pathological variables.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo forms of MSI have been described in human cancer: MSI typical of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, defined with mono‐ and dinucleotide repeat MS; and a second variety of MSI is best seen at selective tetranucleotide repeats, i.e. elevated microsatellite alterations at select tetranucleotides (EMAST). Prostate specimens were taken from 50 patients. The MS analysis used the Bethesda consensus panel (BCP) and four tetranucleotide loci shown to detect the presence of EMAST.RESULTSAll but four tumours were stable for the 14 loci investigated. There were two (4%) cases with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) instability among the BCP markers and the same instability rate (4%) amongst the EMAST markers. These four tumours were all unstable at one locus of the 10 markers of the BCP that classified them as MS stable.CONCLUSIONSThe MSI related to a mismatch repair deficiency or to the EMAST does not seem to be important in prostate cancer in the early stages of the disease.
The incidence of high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma on first‐time saturation needle biopsy, and the subsequent risk of cancer
Authors: Schoenfield Lynn , Jones J. Stephen , Zippe Craig D. , Reuther Alwyn M. , Klein Eric , Zhou Ming , Magi‐Galluzzi Cristina 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVETo investigate the detection rate and extent of high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and atypical glands (AG) suspicious for prostate cancer, and the cancer risk in subsequent biopsies, diagnosed by a first 24‐core saturation biopsy, as although the optimum extent of biopsy is controversial there is a trend to increase the number of cores taken, and apart from detecting prostate cancer, identifying HGPIN and AG is associated with a greater risk of finding cancer in subsequent biopsies, thus warranting a closer follow‐up.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 100 men with consecutive first‐time saturation biopsies; the indications for biopsy were an abnormal digital rectal examination and/or a serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of >2.5 ng/mL. Each biopsy specimen was reviewed retrospectively by two pathologists to confirm the histological diagnosis. The number and percentage of cores positive for HGPIN, bilateral involvement and multifocality (HGPIN involving two or more cores) were recorded in each case. The presence of AG and cancer was also recorded. An extended (10–12 cores) repeat biopsy was available in 23 patients.RESULTSThe median (range) age and PSA level of the patients was 63 (41–80) years and 4.9 (1.5–67.0) ng/mL, respectively. Of the 100 patients, 34% had normal findings (benign prostatic tissue, BPT), 39% had cancer, 26% had HGPIN and cancer, 22% had HGPIN alone, and 5% had AG. Repeat biopsies were available in nine of the 22 (41%) patients with HGPIN, four of five with AG, and 10 of the 34 (29%) with BPT. The median (range) interval between the first and second biopsy was 13 (4–36) months. Prostate cancer was detected at the second biopsy in a third of patients with isolated HGPIN on the first biopsy, and one of the four with AG. None of the patients with BPT had cancer on re‐biopsy. The cancer detection rate was significantly greater in patients with multifocal than in those with unifocal HGPIN (80% vs none, P = 0.010). The median number of cores and percentage of tissue involved by HGPIN was 3.5 (2–5) and 1.0 (0.5–1.2)%, respectively, in patients with cancer detected in repeat biopsies, compared to 1.0 (1–3) and 0.2 (0.2–0.6)% in patients without cancer on repeat biopsy (P = 0.023 and 0.015, respectively).CONCLUSIONIdentifying multifocal HGPIN on first saturation biopsy is associated with an overall cancer detection rate of 80% on repeat 10–12‐core biopsy. Although there were few patients, the detection of multifocal HGPIN warrants additional searches for concurrent invasive carcinoma by repeated biopsy.
Co‐localization of IgA and TG3 on healthy skin of coeliac patients
Authors: Cannistraci C , Lesnoni La Parola I , Cardinali G , Bolasco G , Aspite N , Stigliano V , Picardo M 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), the skin's expression of coeliac disease (CD), is induced by the presence of IgA antibodies and epidermal transglutaminase (TG3) as the main autoantigen, stored in the papillary dermis and on the vessel walls.Aims  To evaluate the presence of IgA and TG3 deposits, considered to be the first step in inducing DH, in healthy skin of coeliac patients without cutaneous manifestations.Methods  Punch biopsies were taken from 11 consecutive coeliac patients, two with DH and nine without cutaneous manifestations, three of whom were adhering to a gluten‐free diet (GFD), and evaluated for the presence of deposits in the upper dermis and vessel walls by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.Results  In coeliac patients affected by DH we found the presence of IgA and TG3 deposits mainly on the upper dermis, but also in vessel walls. In all coeliac patients without DH and also in those patients who were following a strict GFD, we found widely variable deposits of IgA and TG3 in both the papillary dermis and the vessel walls, although a lower intensity of the fluorescence signal was detected than with coeliac patients affected by DH. Double immunostaining with anti‐IgA and anti‐TG3 antibodies showed a strong co‐localization in the upper dermis in patients with DH and a weaker co‐localization in those without DH.Conclusions  We have demonstrated the presence of IgA and TG3 deposits in the healthy skin of coeliac patients, which are considered to play a central role in the pathogenesis of DH.
Clinical and histopathological findings of ‘psoriatic neurodermatitis’ and of typical lichen simplex chronicus
Authors: Gunasti S , Marakli SS , Tuncer I , Ozpoyraz N , Aksungur VL 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  We have seen several patients with itchy lichenified plaques located bilaterally on the elbows and/or knees and have named this condition ‘psoriatic neurodermatitis’ (PN).Objective  The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and histopathological characteristics of these patients to those of patients with typical lichen simplex chronicus (LSC).Methods  Nineteen patients with PN and 34 patients with typical LSC were included. Besides clinical dermatological evaluation, the prick test was carried out on 49 patients; the Phadiatop test on 40 patients; the patch test with European standard series on 47 patients; histopathological evaluation on 39 patients; and clinical psychiatric examination on 38 patients.Results  Almost exclusively, PN was seen in females and was located on the extremities. It caused more plaques than typical LSC did. In PN, the plaques were smaller, sharper, more keratotic and less excoriated, and had fewer lichenoid papules around them. Itching was usually more severe in the evening, while resting and in a hot environment in typical LSC, but not in PN. In plaques of PN, microabscesses in the horny layer, hypogranulosis, regular acanthosis and thinning of the suprapapillary plates were more frequent, and hyperpigmentation in the basal layer was less. In patients with PN, depressive disorder was found more frequently; and generalized anxiety disorder or psychosomatic characteristics, less. There were no significant differences in the results of prick, Phadiatop and patch tests between patients with PN and those with typical LSC.Conclusion  In our opinion, it is most likely that the so‐called PN is itchy psoriasis superimposed by LSC.