bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality‐of‐life assessment during palliative radiotherapy
Authors: Kearsley JH , Schonfeld C , Sheehan M 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA total of 164 consecutive patients with a range of biopsy‐proven locally advanced or metastatic cancers were interviewed t o assess quality of life using the Rotterdam Symptom Check List (RSCL) at three longitudinal time intervals during a course of palliative radiotherapy. Of the 164 patients, 120 were able to complete all 3 question‐naires. Paired t‐tests were used t o assess the significance of changes in the patients mean scores over time. Of the 33 symptoms assessed in the RSCL, changes in the degree o f symptomatology were highly consistent with changes expected in clinical practice, as a result of either disease progression or side effects o f treatment. It is concluded that the RSCL provides a practical assessment of various symptoms in patients receiving palliative radiotherapy, and that the changes in symptom profile over time are relevant to clinical practice. The RSCL has never been previously used in the assessment of palliative radiotherapy, and the present study validates this instrument.
Focal organizing pneumonia mimicking small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma on CT scans
Authors: Chen Suet Wan , Price Jeremy 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe present report of four cases highlights the potential for focal organizing pneumonia (FOP) to masquerade as a small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma on CT scans. Both entities may present the CT appearance of a peripheral spiculated lung nodule, often with an air bronchogram. A history suggestive of an infectious aetiology and the presence of other foci of inflammatory change on CT scan may be helpful clues to the diagnosis of FOP. Because FOP is comparatively rare, surgical excision will usually be required to exclude malignancy. In some cases, however, particularly after a negative percutaneous biopsy, conservative management with a follow‐up CT scan at 3‐4 weeks may be an alternative to immediate surgical intervention.
Pachymeningitis in Wegener's granulomatosis
Authors: Burrell Helen C , McConachie Norman S 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case of Wegener's granulomatosis is described in which meningeal thickening and enhancement was demonstrated on MR imaging. The diagnosis was suggested by the clinical picture, imaging findings and a positive anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; and confirmed by biopsy of ethmoidal tissue.
Translumbar inferior vena cava access for Hickman line insertion
Authors: Brooks Mark 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe procedure of translumbar inferior vena cava access and Hickman line insertion is described in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia and thrombosis of the right internal jugular and right innominate vein. This is a useful technique for the interventionist offering a central venous access service.
Liver metastases from transitional cell carcinoma are lipiodol avid
Authors: ATeoh  , Hewitt PM , Kearsley JH , Morris DL 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with symptomatic liver metastases is presented. When conventional chemotherapy failed, a lipiodol CT scan demonstrated avid uptake by the tumours, which has implications for targeted cancer therapy.
Traumatic carotid cavernous fistula: Anatomical variations and their treatment by detachable balloons
Authors: Phadke RV , Kumar S , Sawlani V , Mazumdar B , Gujral RB 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYEndovascular balloon occlusion has become a standard mode of therapy in carotid cavernous fistulas. Many angio‐architectural variations are, however, encountered in individual cases, some of which influence the therapeutic mode and outcome. We report on three patients with carotid cavernous fistulas treated by endovascular techniques.
Short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging in occult scaphoid injuries: Effect on management
Authors: Gelderen WFC Van , Gale RS , Steward AH 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYOver a 21‐month period, 16 patients with possible scaphoid fractures, where conventional radiographs were essentially normal on the day of injury and 10 days later, were examined by coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and T1 weighted sequences on a 0.2 Tesla scanner. The magnetic resonance (MR) examinations were done in between electively booked patients and management was altered in 50% of patients. It was expedient to do MR as radio‐isotope facilities were not available at the hospital. In four patients, the examination was entirely normal. In another four patients, intercarpal fluid collections only were demonstrated (two generalized and two localized). In these patients a plaster cast was not re‐applied. In two patients, bony injuries of the distal radius were demonstrated instead, with the scaphoid being normal. In the remaining six patients, variable appearances were shown, ranging from an actual fracture line demonstrated on both STIR and T1‐weighted images with the remainder of the scaphoid being hyperintense on STIR and hypointense on T1, to non‐visualization of the actual fracture line, which appeared to be represented by a much more hyperintense band through the waist of an otherwise hyperintense scaphoid on the STIR sequence. In all these patients a plaster cast was re‐applied empirically, including those patients with a definite fracture and those patients with apparent bone contusion only. Although the T1‐weighted images were anatomically superior, their addition did not alter management and it is suggested that coronal STIR images should suffice to demonstrate occult fractures of the scaphoid.
Corticosteroid prophylaxis for patients receiving intravascular contrast agents: A survey of current practice in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Bensusan D , Stevenson JD , Palmer FJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA survey was made of the use of corticosteroid prophylaxis in patients receiving intravascular contrast media. The replies of 807 respondents were available for analysis and they indicate that such a strategy is common for‘high‐risk’patients (62.4%), but very few respondents use corticosteroid prophylaxis for all patients (0.74%).
Routine chest radiography following endoscopic oesophageal dilatation for benign peptic oesophageal strictures
Authors: Foster DR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYEndoscopic oesophageal dilatation is a well‐established procedure for management of patients with benign oesophageal strictures. The most important complication of the procedure is perforation with a recorded incidence of approximately 1%. Patients undergoing the procedure require close observation after dilatation. Routine chest radiographs are advisable following the procedure.
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from carcinoma of the palatine tonsil
Authors: Biswal Biswa Mohan , Goyal Mayank , Prasad Rajiv Ranjan , Lai Punita , Sharma Raju , Mohanti Bidhu Klyan , Khader Jamal 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDistant metastases from carcinoma of the palatine tonsil are very uncommon. We encountered a case of a carcinoma involving the tonsillar region that resulted in subarachnoid mestastases following local radical radiotherapy. Metastases were diagnosed following magnetic resonance imaging and spinal fluid cytology. The patient succumbed to the disease after a rapid downhill course, 1 month following diagnosis of the secondary deposit. The present paper describes the rare site of distant metastasis and reviews the relevant literature.
Primary multiple hydatid cysts of the brain
Authors: Popli Manju Bala , Khudale B 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPrimary hydatid cyst of the brain in adults is rare and can pose various diagnostic problems. Multiplicity of these cysts is even rarer. The most important diagnostic tool is computed tomography scanning of the brain. Hydatid cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis when a cystic brain lesion is found in patients from an endemic echinococcosis area.
Are percutaneous transgastric biopsies using 14‐, 16‐ and 18‐G Tru‐Cut needles safe? An experimental study in the rabbit
Authors: Akan Hüseyin , Özen Necati , Incesu Lütfi , Gümü Salim , Günes Mustafa 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe evaluated perforation, peritonitis and bleeding after 14‐, 16‐, 18‐G Tru‐Cut needles were passed through the stomach in an animal model. Insertions were performed on seven anaesthetized rabbits with 18‐, 16‐and 14‐G needles simulating the clinical technique. Diluted contrast medium with methylene blue (60mL) was administered through a nasogastric tube after the biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the upper abdomen was performed 10 min after the insertion for leakage. The abdominal contents were inspected by laparotomy. There was no contrast medium leakage outside the gastrointestinal tract on CT images. Neither methylene blue nor other stomach content leakage was identified by laparotomy, even with manual squeezing. A tiny spot of blood was observed on the serosal surface of the stomach with the 18‐G needle passes (five cases), whereas a relatively large haematoma was present with 14‐G needle (four cases). Six of the rabbits survived and one died due to an inadvertant aortic injury. The results of the study show that transgastric route with an 18‐G cutting needle can be used without fear of peritonitis and bleeding.
Assessment of pelvic stabilization devices for improved field reproducibility
Authors: Rattray G , Hopley S , Mason N , Jenkins M 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement in patient comfort and field positional accuracy provided by a new pelvic stabilization system when delivering multiple field radiotherapy to the pelvis. The Pelvic Cradle (BEHTS Manufacturing, Brisbane, Qld, Australia) is a stabilization device that provides reproducible patient positioning and levelling. Ninety patients were randomized into three groups. The first group was treated using the Pelvic Cradle, the second group was treated using current stabilization practices, and the third group was treated using the Pron Pillo (Chattanooga Pharmacal Company, USA) and current stabilization practices. Port films were assessed for field displacement in the lateral and cranio‐caudal directions. A patient survey was used to evaluate the patient's perception of comfort while receiving treatment. When compared to the control group, the pelvic cradle group demonstrated a 48% improvement in the mean lateral deviation from 3.8 mm to 2.0 mm (P < 0.001) and a 36% improvement in the mean cranio‐caudal deviation from3.9 mm to 2.5 mm (P < 0.001). The Pelvic Cradle was found to provide an improved level of field positional accuracy while maintaining patient comfort.
Magnetic resonance image detection of coincidental sphenoid sinus aspergillosis and pituitary microadenoma: A potential surgical disaster
Authors: Gupta A , Gupta RK , Banerjee D , Bhatia E 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWhile localizing the microadenoma in a patient with Cushing's disease on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fungal granuloma of the sphenoid sinus was coincidentally detected. This helped in the proper management of sphenoidal disease before undergoing trans‐sphenoidal removal of the microadenoma, thus averting the possible catastrophe of direct intracranial spread of aspergillus infection.
Complications of epilepsy and a ruptured pyonephrosis: Radiology to the rescue in the Brooks murder case
Authors: Foote GA , Koelmeyer TD , Eyre KED , Astley TM 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA woman and her lover were accused of murdering the woman's husband. Five weeks after fracture/dislocations of both shoulders and a central fracture/dislocation of the right hip were diagnosed the woman's husband died of septicaemia consequent on a ruptured infected hydronephrosis. The shoulder and hip injuries and the ruptured hydronephrosis were attributed to a beating with a blunt instrument. A review of the medical records of the deceased, particularly his radiological examinations, led the authors to conclude that his joint injuries and ruptured kidney were not due to the alleged assault. The joint injuries were the consequence of epileptic seizures and the ruptured kidney was also due to natural causes. These medical opinions provided evidence that led to acquittal of the accused.
Retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma: Review of clinico‐radiological features
Authors: Loke TKL , Yuen NWF , Lo KKL , Lo J , Chan JCS 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case is reported here of an ancient schwannoma in the retroperitoneum. The findings of abdominal ultrasound and CT in a patient with a retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma are presented, and the clinical and radiological features of this unusual tumour are reviewed. The presence of a large, well‐delineated complex cystic mass in the deep soft tissues should raise the possibility of an ancient schwannoma. It is important to recognize these tumours as benign with excellent prognosis so as to avoid unnecessary radical surgery.
Diffuse panbronchiolitis: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ng Perry , Dwyer Ross , Despas Paul 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDiffuse panbronchiolitis is an uncommon disease of unknown aetiology mainly occurring in Asian races. Treatment with erythromycin acting through unclarif ied mechanisms is promising and may improve the poor prognosis currently associated with the disease. A case is presented illustrating how the imaging features of the disease, particularly on high‐resolution computed tomography, may be used to support a diagnosis suggested on clinical grounds.
Pedunculated hepatic haemangioma with arterioportal shunt: Treated with angio‐embolization and surgery
Authors: Srivastava DN , Sharma S , Yadav S , Nundy S , Berry M 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case of symptomatic cavernous haemangioma of the liver with an unusual arterio‐portal shunting, which was treated by pre‐operative angiographic embolization, is described. The arterio‐portal shunting has been reported previously in only two cases.
Inverted Y ureter anomaly and associated distal yo‐yo phenomenon
Authors: Tüney D , Akpinar IN , Biren T , Aribal ME , Gurmen N 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDuplication of the distal ureter is a very rare anomaly. A case is reported here in which the lower ectopic limb of the duplicated distal ureter presents with a ureterocele, and shows a different pattern of backflow.
Renal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Mathew BS , Jayasree K , Gangadharan VP , Nair MK , Rajan B 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSymptomatic renal metastases from primary malignancy elsewhere in the body is an uncommon feature in disseminated cancer. Postmortem diagnosis is more frequent. A case is reported here of a patient with renal metastasis from lung carcinoma who presented with haematuria.
Waist circumference correlates with hepatic fat accumulation in male Japanese patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, but not in females
Authors: Ishibashi Eriko , Eguchi Yuichiro , Eguchi Takahisa , Matsunobu Aki , Oza Noriko , Nakashita Shunya , Kitajima Yoichiro , Kuroki Shigetaka , Ozaki Iwata , Kawaguchi Yasunori , Ide Yasushi , Yasutake Tsutomu , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Mizuta Toshihiko , Ono Naofumi , Fujimoto Kazuma 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim: Abdominal obesity, a component of metabolic syndrome, is a major risk factor for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In recent worldwide definitions of metabolic syndrome, waist measurement has been proposed as a simple and useful estimate of abdominal obesity, taking into account gender differences in waist circumference. The present cross‐sectional study investigated the correlation of hepatic fat accumulation and waist circumference in Japanese NAFLD patients to determine if there are gender differences in this relationship.Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 2111) who had at least one of two criteria for liver disease (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level >30 IU/mL and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]/ALT ratio <1) underwent abdominal ultrasonography. Patients positive for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus or autoimmune antibodies and whose alcohol intake was >20 g/day were excluded. Patients with NAFLD underwent abdominal computed tomography. Hepatic fat accumulation was estimated by liver/spleen attenuation ratio (L/S ratio) and visceral adipose accumulation was measured as visceral fat area (VFA) at the umbilical level.Results: Of the 221 NAFLD patients, 103 were females. In males, the relationship between L/S ratio and waist circumference was negative (r =−0.356,P < 0.01), and there was no correlation in the female group. The relationship between L/S ratio and VFA was negative in both groups (males:r = −0.269,P < 0.01; females:r = −0.319,P < 0.01). Subcutaneous fat area/total fat area ratio at the umbilical level was larger in females than in males (P < 0.01).Conclusions: In NAFLD patients, waist measurement is more susceptible to gender differences than VFA.
MPP+‐induced neuronal death in rats involves tyrosine 33 phosphorylation of WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase WOX1
Authors: Lo Chen‐Peng , Hsu Li‐Jin , Li Meng‐Yen , Hsu Se‐Yei , Chuang Jih‐Ing , Tsai Ming‐Shu , Lin Sing‐Ru , Chang Nan‐Shan , Chen Shur‐Tzu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWW domain‐containing oxidoreductase (named WWOX, FOR or WOX1) is a pro‐apoptotic protein and tumor suppressor. Animals treated with dopaminergic neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium (MPP+) develop Parkinson's disease (PD)‐like symptoms. Here we investigated whether WOX1 is involved in MPP+‐induced neurodegeneration. Upon insult with MPP+in rat brains, WOX1 protein was upregulated and phosphorylated at Tyr33 (or activated) in the injured neurons in the striatum and cortex ipsilaterally to intoxication, as determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Also, WOX1 was present in the condensed nuclei and damaged mitochondria of degenerative neurons, as revealed by transmission immunoelectron microscopy. Time‐lapse microscopy revealed that MPP+induced membrane blebbing and shrinkage of neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells. Dominant‐negative WOX1, a potent inhibitor of Tyr33 phosphorylation, abolished this event, indicating a critical role of the phosphorylation in apoptosis. c‐JunN‐terminal kinase (JNK1) is known to bind and counteract the apoptotic function of WOX1. Suppression of JNK1 function by a dominant‐negative spontaneously induced WOX1 activation. WOX1 physically interacted with JNK1 in SK‐N‐SH cells and rat brain extracts. MPP+rapidly increased the binding, followed by dissociation, which is probably needed for WOX1 to exert apoptosis. We synthesized a short Tyr33‐phosphorylated WOX1 peptide (11 amino acid residues). Interestingly, this peptide blocked MPP+‐induced neuronal death in the rat brains, whereas non‐phospho‐WOX1 peptide had no effect. Together, activated WOX1 plays an essential role in the MPP+‐induced neuronal death. Our synthetic phospho‐WOX1 peptide prevents neuronal death, suggestive of its therapeutic potential in mitigating the symptoms of PD.
Crossing habitat boundaries: coupling dynamics of ecosystems through complex life cycles
Authors: Schreiber Sebastian , Rudolf Volker H. W. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEcosystems are often indirectly connected through consumers with complex life cycles (CLC), in which different life stages inhabit different ecosystems. Using a structured consumer resource model that accounts for the independent effects of two resources on consumer growth and reproductive rates, we show that such indirect connections between ecosystems can result in alternative stable states characterized by adult‐dominated and juvenile‐dominated consumer populations. As a consequence, gradual changes in ecosystem productivity or mortality rates of the consumer can lead to dramatic and abrupt regime shifts across different ecosystems, hysteresis and counterintuitive changes in the consumer abundances. Whether these counter intuitive or abrupt responses occur depend on the relative productivity of both habitats and which consumer life‐stage inhabits the manipulated ecosystem. These results demonstrate the strong yet complex interactions between ecosystems coupled through consumers with CLC and the need to think across ecosystems to reliably predict the consequences of natural or anthropogenic changes.
Gender Earnings Differential in Urban China
Authors: Wang Meiyan , Cai Fang 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study uses survey data collected from five large cities in China to describe and decompose the earnings difference between female and male workers. The results indicate that the main source of lower earnings for females lies in unequal pay within sectors, and that the earnings gap due to differences in sectoral attainment is relatively small. The results also reveal that most of the gender earnings differential is attributable to sex discrimination rather than to the gender difference in the endowment of human capital. Therefore, eliminating discrimination against females within individual sectors is effective in narrowing the gender earnings gap.
Explaining the Poverty Difference between Inland and Coastal China: A Regression‐based Decomposition Approach
Authors: Wan Guanghua , Zhang Yin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study proposes a decomposition framework for quantifying contributions of the determinants of poverty to spatial differences or temporal changes in poverty. This framework is then applied to address the issue why poverty incidence is higher in inland than in coastal China. The empirical application requires household or individual income observations which, generally speaking, are not available. Thus, a data‐generation method developed by Shorrocks and Wan is introduced to construct such observations from grouped income data. It is found that inland China is poorer than coastal China, mainly due to lower efficiency in resource utilization rather than less endowment of resources. Also, trade became poverty‐reducing in coastal China in the late 1990s but remained poverty‐inducing in inland China. Policy implications are briefly discussed.
THE CHANGING ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE NETHERLANDS: 1946–1981
Authors: JOHNSTON R. J. , O'NEILL A. B. , TAYLOR P. J. 
Published: March 2008

The relative strengths of the [Dutch] parties have remained remarkably constant since the first elections under universal manhood suffrage in 1918. Party loyalties have usually been strong and the popular vote very stable.A. Lijphart 1967The year 1967 proved to be a watershed. Although it is perhaps too soon to say whether this has been a period of ‘realignment’, it was most certainly one of ‘dealignment’.G. A. Irwin 1980
LABOUR FLEXIBILITY: A TALE OF TWO MILLS
Authors: HAYTER ROGER , GRASS ERIC , BARNES TREVOR 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn many established industries survival during the 1980s has required productivity improvements, massive job loss and the achievement of new, more ‘flexible’ working conditions. Yet, the search for smaller, more flexible work forces is necessarily an uncertain and contentious process, especially in situations characterized by IN SITU adjustments and entrenched Fordist labour relations. This article focuses on IN SITU restructuring and the search for flexibility in a Fordist labour relations environment, notably the coastal lumber industry of British Columbia, by comparatively analyzing the recent experiences of the Chemainus and Youbou sawmills. The differences in the introduction of new technology reflect the presence of an irreducible local component in labour control which in turn show variations in the strategies of management and labour in imposing and resisting that control. We also note that in contrast to the consistent profitability of the Chemainus mill, at Youbou the failure of management and union to achieve more comprehensive forms of flexibility is a reflection, and cause, of Youbou's marginality.