bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved quality of life after sympathetic block for upper limb hyperhidrosis
Authors: Panhofer P , Zacherl J , Jakesz R , Bischof G , Neumayer C 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
The aim of the study was to assess two disease-specific quality of life (QoL) instruments after limited endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block (TS) at T4 for upper limb hyperhidrosis.

Methods
Between 2001 and 2005, 112 patients underwent 223 TS procedures in a prospective study. Some 103 patients (92·0 per cent) had palmar, 87 (77·7 per cent) had axillary and 75 (67·0 per cent) had combined hyperhidrosis. QoL questionnaires devised by Keller et al. and Milanez de Campos et al. were employed before and after treatment. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 21·9(10·1) months.

Results
A total of 106 patients (94·6 per cent) were evaluated. All patients with palmar hyperhidrosis were completely or almost dry after surgery. Side-effects of compensatory sweating and gustatory sweating were observed in 17·0 and 28·3 per cent of patients respectively. QoL improved after TS in 100 per cent (Keller) and 97·3 per cent (Milanez de Campos) of patients illustrated by ameliorated scores of 78·7 and 67·8 per cent, respectively (both P &lt; 0·001). Both questionnaires showed that compensatory sweating resulted in reduced postoperative QoL (P = 0·011, Keller; P = 0·032, Milanez de Campos).

Conclusion
Endoscopic sympathetic block at T4 leads to improved QoL. Both current questionnaires fulfilled validation criteria for disease-specific QoL instruments in upper limb hyperhidrosis.
Comparative study of left colonic Peritonitis Severity Score and Mannheim Peritonitis Index
Authors: Biondo S , Ramos E , Fraccalvieri D , Kreisler E , Ragué J Martí , Jaurrieta E 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundPrognostic evaluation of patients with left colonic perforation is useful in predicting mortality. The aims of this prospective study were to determine the prognostic value of the left colonic Peritonitis Severity Score (PSS) and to compare it with the Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI).MethodsOne-hundred and fifty-six patients underwent emergency operation for distal colonic peritonitis. The PSS and MPI were calculated for each patient. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the association between the two scores. The predictive power of the two scoring systems and their differences were studied using the area under the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsForty-one patients died (26·3 per cent). The relationship between scores and mortality was statistically significant for each scoring system (P &lt; 0·001). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for the correlation between the MPI and PSS was 0·55 (P &lt; 0·001). There was no difference between areas under the ROC curves for the two systems.ConclusionThe PSS and MPI are both well validated scoring systems for left colonic peritonitis. Their routine use might allow stratification of patients according to mortality risk.
Survival benefit of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Kanemitsu Y , Hirai T , Komori K , Kato T 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) root nodal dissection before high ligation of the artery on survival in patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer.

Methods
Data on 1188 consecutive patients who underwent resection for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer, with high ligation of the IMA, were identified from a prospective database (April 1965 to December 1999). Survival of patients with involvement of nodes along the IMA proximal to the origin of the left colic artery (root nodes, station 253) through the bifurcation of the superior rectal artery (trunk nodes, station 252) was determined.

Results
Twenty patients (1·7 per cent) had metastatic involvement of station 253 lymph nodes and 99 (8·3 per cent) had metastases to station 252. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of patients with metastases to station 253 were 40 and 21 per cent, and those for patients with metastases to station 252 were 50 and 35 per cent, respectively.

Conclusion
High ligation of the IMA allows curative resection and long-term survival in patients with cancer of the sigmoid colon or rectum and nodal metastases at the origin of the IMA.
Malignant potential of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas
Authors: Tipton S G , Smyrk T C , Sarr M G , Thompson G B 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundSolid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are rare malignant lesions of the pancreas that typically occur in young women. Large series from any one centre are notably absent in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine long-term outcomes of operative therapy.MethodsThe records of all 14 patients diagnosed with pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas over 17 years were reviewed.ResultsThirteen of the 14 patients were female and the mean age at diagnosis was 30 years. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm was suspected in only half of these patients before operation. On computed tomography, ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, three lesions were solid, three were largely cystic, and five had solid and cystic components. All 14 patients underwent surgical exploration and curative resections were possible in 13, including distal pancreatectomy in nine, pancreaticoduodenectomy in three and resection of a local intraperitoneal recurrence in one patient. After follow-up ranging from 3 months to 20 years, 12 patients were alive, including one who had undergone re-exploration and resection of local and subcutaneous recurrences 9 years previously.ConclusionSolid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any solid or partly cystic pancreatic mass in women aged less than 35 years. An attempt at en bloc resection without formal lymphadenectomy should be undertaken, including resection of synchronous or metachronous distant metastases.
Long-term outcome of resection of large hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen X-P , Qiu F-Z , Wu Z-D , Zhang Z-W , Huang Z-Y , Chen Y-F 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
The role of hepatectomy in the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. This retrospective study evaluated whether the long-term outcome of hepatectomy for large HCC improved over 14 years in one centre.

Methods
Data from 2102 patients who underwent hepatectomy for large HCC were collected prospectively and divided into two time intervals for analysis: before end of December 1996 (group 1) and after December 1996 (group 2). Clinicopathological data for the two groups were compared, and factors associated with long-term prognosis were further analysed.

Results
Cumulative 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 71·2, 58·8 and 38·7 per cent respectively in group 2, and were significantly better than respective rates of 67·8, 50·7 and 27·9 per cent in group 1. Cumulative 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 61·5, 38·6 and 23·8 per cent respectively in group 2, and 56·5, 34·7 and 18·9 per cent in group 1. There was a significant difference in median survival time after recurrence between groups 2 and 1 (17 and 10 months respectively; P = 0·043).

Conclusion
Hepatic resection in patients with large HCC has improved overall and disease-free survival during the past decade at this institute. Long-term survival can be improved significantly by aggressive treatment of recurrent tumours.
Safety and efficacy of endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy
Authors: Hanssen W E J , Kuhry E , Casseres Y A , de Herder W W , Steyerberg E W , Bonjer H J 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
Minimally invasive adrenalectomy has replaced open surgery in the treatment of benign adrenal tumours. Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches have been advocated. However, long-term outcome data are rare.

Methods
Over a period of 8 years, 123 patients underwent surgery for benign adrenal lesions using the endoscopic retroperitoneal approach. Data were analysed retrospectively by review of medical charts. Long-term results were obtained by sending questionnaires to patients and contacting their primary physicians.

Results
One hundred and twenty-three patients underwent 126 endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomies. Mean operating time for unilateral adrenalectomy was 115 min, whereas that for bilateral adrenalectomy was 208 min. The conversion rate was 4·8 per cent. Complications occurred after 15·9 per cent of adrenalectomies. One patient died during the postoperative period. Long-term results were obtained in 80 patients (74·8 per cent). Nine patients (11 per cent) reported chronic incisional pain and six patients (8 per cent) had chronic abdominal pain. Addisonian crisis after bilateral adrenalectomy occurred in three patients. Most patients (86 per cent) were satisfied with the cosmetic results.

Conclusion
Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy is a safe and effective procedure. Long-term outcome is acceptable and the procedure has excellent cosmetic results.
Novel Aza Peptide Inhibitors and Active‐Site Probes of Papain‐Family Cysteine Proteases
Authors: Verhelst Steven H. L. , Witte Martin D. , Arastu‐Kapur Shirin , Fonovic Marko , Bogyo Matthew 
Published: April 2006

AbstractRecent characterization of multiple classes of functionalized azapeptides as effective covalent inhibitors of cysteine proteases prompted us to investigate O‐acyl hydroxamates and their azapeptide analogues for use as activity‐based probes (ABPs). We report here a new class of azaglycine‐containing O‐acylhydroxamates that form stable covalent adducts with target proteases. This allows them to be used as ABPs for papain family cysteine proteases. A second class of related analogues containing a novel O‐acyl hydroxyurea warhead was found to function as covalent inhibitors of papain‐like proteases. These inhibitors can be easily synthesized on solid support, which allows rapid optimization of compounds with improved selectivity and potency for a given target enzyme. We present here one such optimized inhibitor that showed selective inhibition of falcipain 1, a protease of the malaria‐causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
Intramolecular Triplet Energy Transfer in Donor–Acceptor Molecules Linked by a Crown Ether Bridge
Authors: Xu Xiao‐He , Fu Xiao‐Gang , Wu Li‐Zhu , Chen Bin , Zhang Li‐Ping , Tung Chen‐Ho , Ji Hai‐Feng , Schanze Kirk S. , Zhang Rui‐Qin 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBichromophoric compounds BP‐C‐NP and BP‐C‐NBD were synthesized with benzophenone chromophore (BP) as the donor, and 2‐naphthyl (NP) and norbornadiene group (NBD) as the acceptor, respectively. Their intramolecular triplet energy transfer was examined. The bridges linking the donor and acceptors in these molecules involve a crown ether moiety complexing a sodium ion. Phosphorescence quenching, flash photolysis and photosensitized isomerization experiments indicate that intramolecular triplet energy transfer occurs with rate constants of about 3.3×105 and 4.8×105 s−1 and efficiencies of about 33 and 42 % for BP‐C‐NP and BP‐C‐NBD, respectively. Theoretical calculations indicate that these molecules adopt conformations below room temperature which allow their two‐end chromophores conducive to through‐space energy transfer.
Acetylene Decomposition on Rh(100): Theory and Experiment
Authors: L. S. Nieskens Davy , Ample‐Navarro Francisco , Jansen Maarten M. M. , Curulla‐Ferré Daniel , Ricart Josep , Niemantsverdriet Hans 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe decomposition of acetylene on a Rh(100) single crystal was studied by a combination of experimental techniques [static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS), temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD), and low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED)] to gain insight into the reaction pathway and the nature of the reaction intermediates. The experimental techniques were combined with a computational approach using density functional theory (DFT). Acetylene adsorbs irreversibly on the Rh(100) surface and eventually decomposes to atomic carbon and gas‐phase hydrogen. The combination of experimental and computational results enabled us to determine the most likely reaction pathway for the decomposition process.
Evaluation of the Dialysis Facility Compare website tool on Medicare.gov
Authors: Trisolini Michael , Zerhusen Eileen , Bandel Karen , Roussel Amy , Frederick Pamela , Schatell Dorian , Harris Shelly 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundMedicare launched its Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) website tool on Medicare.gov in 2001. This article reports on the methods and results of our recent evaluation of that website tool.MethodsWe conducted qualitative research with 270 dialysis and pre‐dialysis patients, family members, and dialysis professionals to obtain feedback, to study respondents' information needs, and to identify ways to improve DFC.ResultsParticipants viewed DFC as providing useful information, but also as needing improvement in both content and usability.ConclusionsWe recommended a number of improvements to DFC, many of which have been implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Our methods and results can provide guidance for future efforts to evaluate other patient‐oriented renal care websites.
Mortality difference by dialysis modality among new ESRD patients with and without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lin Ting‐Chia , Kao Min‐Tsung , Lai Ming‐Nan , Huang Chiu‐Ching 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn many parts of the world, diabetic nephropathy is the principal cause of patients requiring renal replacement therapy. The survival rate of diabetic patients on maintenance dialysis, either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), is lower than that of non‐diabetic patients on either modality. However, studies analyzing the rates of survival between the methods have reported conflicting results.MethodsWe used a retrospective analysis of data obtained from the China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. All new end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who were undergoing initial dialysis, either HD or PD, for more than 3 months at our hospital from January 2000 through December 2003, and were followed‐up through June 2004, were included. We compared survival rates between diabetic and non‐diabetic patients, and between the 2 modalities.ResultsOf the 445 patients studied, 219 patients (49.2%) received HD and 226 patients (50.8%) received PD as their initial therapy. One hundred two HD patients (46.6%) and 96 PD patients (42.5%) were diabetic. The average age was 60 ± 13 years for the HD patient group and 57 ± 16 years for the PD patient group. The hemoglobin level for the HD group was 9.5 ± 1.4 g/dL and 9.4 ± 1.3 g/dL for the PD group. The serum albumin level was 3.0 ± 0.6 g/dL for the HD group and 2.9 ± 0.6 g/dL for the PD group. There was no significant difference in the number of co‐morbidities between the HD and PD patients. Kaplan‐Meier survival curve and Cox‐regression analysis were used to compare the relative ratio (RR) of mortality between the HD and PD patient groups. Among these 445 patients, PD patients were associated with a significantly lower risk of death (RR: 0.382) compared with the HD patients. Older age (≥65 years), diabetes mellitus as the cause of ESRD, co‐morbidity of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, cerebral vascular accident, peripheral artery occlusive disease, or liver cirrhosis, and Hb levels <8.0 g/dL) and serum albumin levels <2.8 g/dL were associated with a significantly high risk of mortality.ConclusionWe found that new ESRD patients initiated treatment using PD had a higher survival rate than did those patients who chose to initate with HD. Additionally, non‐diabetic patients had a higher survival rate than did diabetic patients. More than 2 co‐morbidities, Hb level <8.0 g/dL), and serum albumin level <2.8 g/dL had a significantly high mortality rate in dialysis patients.
Electric characteristics of a dipole near the boundary between two media
Authors: Nakamura Takashi , Ogawa Kenji , Sato Risaburo 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper addresses the cases where a dipole is located near the boundary between two lossless media, and determines the equivalent permittivity for a homogeneous medium with matching the frequency characteristics of input admittance by means of the FDTD method. The paper reveals that the equivalent permittivity of the dipole near the boundary of lossless media consists of a complex number, and describes the behavior where the permittivity changes as a function of the gap between the dipole and the boundary. In particular, as the dipole leaves the boundary toward the medium with a lower permittivity, the equivalent permittivity changes discontinuously, indicating the asymmetric nature of the electric characteristics with respect to the boundary interface. Experimentally, the input admittance was measured when a monopole was placed near the boundary between a finite‐size clay and air. Experimental results and the results of theoretical analyses are compared to demonstrate the validity of this paper. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 89(9): 60–67, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10232
Wireless P‐MP transmission with multicode assignment algorithm
Authors: Nakamura Hiroshi , Shinkuma Ryoichi , Takahashi Tatsuro 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe demand for video service in mobile communications systems is increasing. In response to this demand, wireless P‐MP (Point‐to‐MultiPoint) video transmission, in which a given video is transmitted to several moving terminals via a single channel, has been studied. This scheme can make effective use of bandwidth, power, and spreading codes. In this paper, as wireless P‐MP video transmission schemes effective in the CDMA system, we propose MCAP (MultiCode Assignment algorithm for P‐MP transmission) and the P‐MP video transmission system. In MCAP, the mobile terminals receiving the identical video are divided into two groups, high quality and low quality, based on the channel quality. By performing transmission power and transmission rate control for each group, the transmission rate can be improved. Also, by using multicode transmission, transmission rate control and the channel allocation are carried out in a unified fashion. In this paper, by means of simulations, it is demonstrated that the proposed scheme can substantially improve the transmission rate without increasing the number of spreading codes and the power. Several schemes are compared as power control base selection schemes needed for MCAP. An optimum scheme is determined from the comparative evaluation results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 89(8): 14–25, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20280
Capacity‐controlled MIMO adaptive modulation scheme
Authors: Ibi Shinsuke , Sampei Seiichi , Morinaga Norihiko 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper notes that the modulation scheme used in MIMO (multiple‐input multiple‐output) system has only discrete spectral efficiency, which in addition has an upper limit from the viewpoint of implementation. A capacity‐controlled MIMO adaptive modulation scheme is proposed. In contrast to the conventional MIMO adaptive modulation, which aims at maximization of channel capacity based on the water‐filling theorem, the proposed scheme assigns the minimum necessary transmitted power satisfying the required QoS (quality of service) while maintaining constant transmission capacity by applying mode‐selective adaptive modulation based on a LUT (look‐up table). The algorithm of the proposed system is very simple, since the parameters for the adaptive modulation and the transmitted power control are determined by a single step. It is useful in the sense that the control part can easily be constructed in hardware. Furthermore, the overhead of the adaptive modulation is decreased by applying mode‐selective adaptive modulation. An evaluation by computer simulation is presented, and it is shown that the proposed system is useful in reducing the transmitted power while maintaining the specified transmission capacity. Furthermore, the proposed system is better in environments in which the fading variation in the channel has high spatial correlation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 89(8): 1–13, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20282
2D DOA estimation using beam steering antenna by the switched parasitic elements and RBF neural network
Authors: Matsumoto Takumi , Yoshihiko Kuwahara  
Published: April 2006

AbstractCircularly polarized patch antennas are used as the radiating elements, and parasitic elements connected to either open or short circuits are placed on concentric circles centered around a feed element. Based on this configuration, a method is proposed for estimating the direction of arrival in a hemispherical space by beam scanning using switched parasitic elements and an RBF neural network. In order to realize direction‐of‐arrival estimation in the hemispherical space, a new form of postprocessing is added. After the switching method of the parasitic elements and the circular array radius are investigated, the method is compared with the use of an interferometer in terms of accuracy, resolution, and calculation load, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 89(9): 22–31, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20295
Peritoneal B‐2 cells comprise a distinct B‐2 cell population with B‐1b‐like characteristics
Authors: Hastings William D. , Tumang Joseph R. , Behrens Timothy W. , Rothstein Thomas L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractB‐1 and B‐2 cells are lymphocyte populations that differ in development, surface marker expression, tissue localization, and function. Though mainly found in the spleen, lymph nodes, and circulation of mice, small numbers of B‐2 cells are found in the peritoneal cavity, a site predominantly populated by B‐1 cells. Here, we characterized peritoneal B‐2 cells, and determined their relationship to B‐1 cells. We found that peritoneal B‐2 cells appear to be intermediate between splenic B‐2 and peritoneal B‐1 cells in terms of surface marker expression of B220, CD80, and CD43, expression of several marker genes, and in vitro viability and IgM secretion. Adoptive transfer of peritoneal B‐2 cells into severe combined immunodeficiency mice resulted in the acquisition of a phenotype reminiscent of B‐1b cells, as shown by up‐regulation of Mac‐1 and CD43, and down‐regulation of CD23. Moreover, adoptively transferred peritoneal B‐2 cells recapitulated B‐1 cell function by producing natural IgM in recipient mice. These data suggest that peritoneal B‐2 cells express some characteristics of B‐1b cells and that this similarity increases with additional time in the peritoneal cavity.