bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural history of hepatitis B virus–related cirrhotic patients hospitalized to control ascites
Authors: Kim Seung Up , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Nam Chung Mo , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Chon Chae Yoon , Ahn Sang Hoon 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Few studies have assessed the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related cirrhotic ascites. We investigated the natural history of patients with HBV‐related cirrhotic ascites hospitalized to control ascites and determined their prognosis, including survival rates and prognostic factors affecting survival.Methods:  Between January 1996 and December 2005, 203 consecutive patients with HBV‐related cirrhotic ascites were followed for a median of 80.7 months (range, 15–149) after their first significant ascitic decompensation that required hospitalization.Results:  The mean age of all patients was 52.6 years. Male gender predominated (male/female, 138/65). A subgroup analysis of 165 patients who had ascitic decompensation as their first episode of hepatic decompensation revealed that gastrointestinal variceal bleeding developed after a median interval of 8 months following ascitic decompensation in 31 (18.8%) patients, hepatic encephalopathy occurred at 9 months in 53 (32.1%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis appeared at 12.7 months in 24 (14.5%), hepatorenal syndrome occurred at 8.1 months in five (3%), and hepatocellular carcinoma was observed at 21.2 months in 10 (6.1%). The overall median survival was 12.4 months. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 50.7 and 18.7%. The prognostic factors that independently correlated with survival at the time of ascitic decompensation were Child–Pugh classification B/C (P = 0.030), serum white blood cell (WBC; P = 0.035), serum creatinine (Cr; P = 0.039), serum sodium (Na; P = 0.010), and antiviral therapy (P = 0.040).Conclusions:  The prognosis of HBV‐related cirrhotic patients with ascitic decompensation is poor. Child–Pugh class, serum WBC/Cr/Na, and antiviral therapy primarily influenced survival.
Diagnosis and management of childhood obesity: A survey of general practitioners in South West Sydney
Authors: Sivertsen Louise M , Woolfenden Susan R , Woodhead Helen J , Lewis Di 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  To describe general practitioners' (GPs) diagnosis and management of overweight and obesity in children, their attitudes regarding obesity and their awareness of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) clinical practice guidelines.Method:  A cross‐sectional written survey of members of the Liverpool Division of General Practice (located in South West Sydney, Australia).Results:  Of 137 questionnaires sent, 85 (62%) were returned. Although the majority prescribed the correct interventions, there was variability in complications screening, ranging from 75% screening for psychosocial problems to 30% for fatty liver. Less than a third (28%) of GPs used NHMRC guidelines in their practice and only 9% used body mass index charts to correctly diagnose childhood obesity. GPs felt that childhood obesity was a significant issue and identified parental denial and lack of community support as barriers to treatment.Conclusion:  Although NHMRC guideline adherence was far from universal, the GPs in our survey are motivated and aware of the importance of managing childhood obesity. If the primary care approach is to work, then GPs need support and education in an environment where there is greater community awareness of the impact of childhood obesity.
Feeding problems in preterm infants of preeclamptic mothers
Authors: Ersch Jörg , Baenziger Oskar , Bernet Vera , Bucher Hans Ulrich 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  Maternal disease can cause prematurity and neonatal complications, notably feeding problems. To determine the relationship between maternal disease and the nature and severity of neonatal feeding problems, we compared feeding profiles, time to demand feeding and length of hospital stay between preterm infants of preeclamptic mothers, mothers with amniotic infection and mothers with other disease causing prematurity.Methods:  The retrospective study used labour ward data collected from 2002 to 2005 in a tertiary university centre to analyse three groups of singletons born at <32 completed gestational weeks to mothers with preeclampsia (n = 61), amniotic infection (n = 55) and non‐preeclamptic non‐amniotic infection controls (n = 55). The groups were similar in gestational age, birthweight and sex ratio; all infants received enteral feeding according to departmental guidelines. Feeding profiles and enteral/oral nutrition were compared.Results:  Feeding problems occurred in 46% of the preeclamptic group, 11% of the amniotic infection group and 13% of controls. Full oral demand feeding was established at 36 0/7 weeks postmenstrual age, 35 3/7 weeks (P = 0.03) and 35 2/7 weeks (P < 0.0001), respectively. Feeding problems were the main cause of delay (7–10 days) in hospital discharge in the preeclamptic group (P = 0.0002).Conclusions:  Feeding problems are greater, and hospital stay longer, in preterm infants of preeclamptic mothers than in other preterm infants.
An undergraduate paediatric curriculum based on clinical presentations and ‘key features’
Authors: Pinnock Ralph , Jones Alison 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  We wanted to develop and define an undergraduate paediatric curriculum in a way that would facilitate the development of clinical reasoning.Method:  We sent a series of four questionnaires to paediatricians in New Zealand to explore their perceptions of common presenting complaints for an undergraduate paediatrics curriculum. The final group of paediatricians consulted had no further suggestions to add to the twenty five presentations that had already been listed. Further consultation lead to the determination of the knowledge and skills students' require in order to assess and manage these presentations.Result:  We have defined with wide consultation, a framework for an undergraduate paediatric curriculum suitable for New Zealand.Conclusions:  When consulting with a range of experts it can be difficult to reach agreement. By describing the curriculum as a series of presenting complaints and using the concept of ‘key features’ we were able to reach agreement on the content and details of an undergraduate curriculum for paediatrics.
Effect of early versus late intervention with inhaled corticosteroids on airway wall thickness in patients with asthma
Authors: KURASHIMA Kazuyoshi , KANAUCHI Tetsu , HOSHI Toshiko , TAKAKU Yotaro , ISHIGURO Takashi , TAKAYANAGI Noboru , UBUKATA Mikio , SUGITA Yutaka 
Published: August 2008

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to determine whether early versus late initiation of long‐term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy decreases airway wall thickness in patients with asthma.Methods:  One hundred and eighty‐one patients with asthma not previously treated with ICS were given inhaled budesonide for 1 year. These patients were divided into five groups according to the duration of their asthma symptoms, which ranged from less than 1 year to more than 10 years. High‐resolution CT images and post‐bronchodilator FEV1 were examined before and 1 year after treatment.Results:  Before treatment, airway wall thickness was increased relative to the duration of asthma. Disease severity improved with ICS treatment even in patients who had suffered asthma symptoms for more than 10 years. Post ICS treatment, airway wall thickness decreased in patients with a duration of symptoms less than 3 years, and a minor response was seen in patients with a duration of symptoms from 3 to 5 years. However, there was no change in airway wall thickness in patients who had suffered asthma for more than 5 years. Post‐bronchodilator FEV1 improved only in patients who had suffered asthma for less than 3 years.Conclusions:  ICS therapy may improve asthma control in all asthma patients despite the disease duration, but early ICS treatment may be critical to reverse airway wall thickening associated with asthma.
Neurophysiological signature of effective anticipatory task‐set control: a task‐switching investigation
Authors: Lavric Aureliu , Mizon Guy A. , Monsell Stephen 
Published: August 2008

AbstractChanging between cognitive tasks requires a reorganization of cognitive processes. Behavioural evidence suggests this can occur in advance of the stimulus. However, the existence or detectability of an anticipatory task‐set reconfiguration process remains controversial, in part because several neuroimaging studies have not detected extra brain activity during preparation for a task switch relative to a task repeat. In contrast, electrophysiological studies have identified potential correlates of preparation for a task switch, but their interpretation is hindered by the scarcity of evidence on their relationship to performance. We aimed to: (i) identify the brain potential(s) reflecting effective preparation for a task‐switch in a task‐cuing paradigm that shows clear behavioural evidence for advance preparation, and (ii) characterize this activity by means of temporal segmentation and source analysis. Our results show that when advance preparation was effective (as indicated by fast responses), a protracted switch‐related component, manifesting itself as widespread posterior positivity and concurrent right anterior negativity, preceded stimulus onset for ∼300 ms, with sources primarily in the left lateral frontal, right inferior frontal and temporal cortices. When advance preparation was ineffective (as implied by slow responses), or made impossible by a short cue–stimulus interval (CSI), a similar component, with lateral prefrontal generators, peaked ∼300 ms poststimulus. The protracted prestimulus component (which we show to be distinct from P3 or contingent negative variation, CNV) also correlated over subjects with a behavioural measure of preparation. Furthermore, its differential lateralization for word and picture cues was consistent with a role for verbal self‐instruction in preparatory task‐set reconfiguration.
The p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and related behaviours
Authors: Catts Vibeke S. , Al‐Menhali Noura , Burne Thomas H.J. , Colditz Michael J. , Coulson Elizabeth J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough changes to neural circuitry are believed to underlie behavioural characteristics mediated by the hippocampus, the contribution of neurogenesis to this process remains controversial. This is partially because the molecular regulators of neurogenesis remain to be fully elucidated, and experiments generically preventing neurogenesis have, for the most part, depended on paradigms involving irradiation. Here we show that mice lacking the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR−/−) have 25% fewer neuroblasts and 50% fewer newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus, coincident with increased rates of cell death of newly born cells and a significantly smaller granular cell layer and dentate gyrus, than those of p75NTR+/+ mice. Whereas p75NTR−/− mice had increased latency to feed in a novelty‐suppressed feeding paradigm they had increased mobility in another test of “depression”, the tail‐suspension test. p75NTR−/− mice also had subtle behavioural impairment in Morris water maze tasks compared to wild‐type animals. No difference between genotypes was found in relation to anxiety or exploration behaviour based on the elevated‐plus maze, light‐dark, hole‐board, T‐maze or forced‐swim tests. Overall, this study demonstrates that p75NTR is an important regulator of hippocampal neurogenesis, with concomitant effects on associated behaviours. However, the behavioural attributes of the p75NTR−/− mice may be better explained by altered circuitry driven by the loss of p75NTR in the basal forebrain, rather than direct changes to neurogenesis.
Mapping immediate‐early gene activity in the rat after place learning in a water‐maze: the importance of matched control conditions
Authors: Shires K. L. , Aggleton J. P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe expression of two immediate‐early genes (IEGs), Zif268 and c‐Fos, was quantified in hippocampal subregions and related structures following spatial learning in the Morris water‐maze. A critical feature was the novel control protocol alongside more standard controls, the purpose of which was to test whether hippocampal activity is set automatically when traversing an environment or whether it is dependent on reaching a specific goal using learning that requires the hippocampus (i.e. task dependent). The new control protocol (Procedural Task) made it possible to match swim time, swim distance and learning to escape from water with that of the experimental (Working Memory) group. Unlike the Working Memory group, the Procedural Task animals showed no evidence of learning the absolute platform location during the test session. While the Working Memory rats showed c‐Fos increases relative to the Procedural Task controls in the frontal and parahippocampal cortices, hippocampal levels did not differ. Again, for Zif268 there was no evidence of a relative increase of hippocampal activity in the Working Memory group. In fact, hippocampal Zif268 showed evidence of a relative decrease, even though the spatial working memory task is hippocampal dependent. The study not only highlighted the shortcomings of other control procedures used in water‐maze studies (free‐swimming or home cage control), but also indicated that the expression of these IEGs in the hippocampus is not a direct predictor of explicit spatial location learning. Rather, the activity in combinations of regions, including prefrontal cortex, provides a stronger correlate of water‐maze learning.
Arterial to endtidal carbon dioxide gradient during pediatric laparoscopic fundoplication
Authors: SANDERS JOHN C. , GERSTEIN NEAL 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBackground:  Discrepancies between arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and endtidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) measures have been demonstrated in ventilated children with cyanotic congenital heart disease, infants with respiratory failure and during visceral and urological laparoscopic surgery.Objectives:  Our objective was to assess the extent of the PaCO2 to ETCO2 gradient in children during laparoscopic fundoplication.Methods:  We prospectively collected data on patient characteristics, surgical conditions, pH, ETCO2and PaCO2 during laparoscopic fundoplication using carbon dioxide insufflation in children age <29 months.Results:  Data were collected on nine cases, four cases aged <1 year. A Pa‐ETCO2 gradient was present during insufflation. The gradient was larger in children age less than 1 year but statistically significantly different from a value of zero, only at t = 30 min (mean = 8 mmHg, sem = 0.81, P = 0.004) and t = 60 min (mean = 5 mmHg, sem = 1, P = 0.014). Minute ventilation was increased from 20% to 100% to control ETCO2.Conclusions:  ETCO2 may not accurately represent arterial values during laparoscopic fundoplication, especially in the infant when carbon dioxide insufflation is used. Consideration should be given to placing an arterial line for blood gas measurement in some patients.
Cardiac output measurement in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: SKOWNO JUSTIN J. , BROADHEAD MICHAEL 
Published: August 2008

SummaryMaintenance of cardiovascular stability is crucial to safe anesthetic practice, but measurement of cardiac output has been technically challenging, particularly in pediatric patients. Cardiovascular monitoring has therefore generally relied upon pressure‐based measurements, as opposed to flow‐based measurements. The measurement of cardiac output under anesthesia and in critical care has recently become easier as a result of new techniques of measurement. This article reviews the basic concepts of and rationale for cardiac output monitoring, and then describes the techniques available for monitoring in clinical practice.
Fluorangiographic study of the ocular fundus in normal horses
Authors: Molleda José M. , Cervantes Isabel , Galán Alba , Tardón Rodrigo , Gallardo José M. , Martín‐Suárez Eva M. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTPurpose: To describe the protocol and appearance of fluorescein angiography (FA) in normal horses.Animals: A total of 25 healthy horses aged between 5 and 15 years.Materials and Methods: The horses were sedated with 15 µg/kg detomidine and 50 µg/kg butorphanol and dilated with topical tropicamide 1%. All angiograms were recorded after intravenous bolus injection of 10 mg/kg of fluorescein sodium solution.Results: Two successive angiographic phases could be discerned: the choriopapillary phase, starting at 46.95 ± 9.48 s, and the retinal vascular phase, starting at 47.79 ± 10.38 s. The retinal vascular phase was divided in three parts:filling phase,maximum fluorescence point, andfading phase. During the filling phase, the dye progressed into the retinal vessels, obtaining maximum fluorescence at 59.79 ± 10.39 s, termed themaximum fluorescence point.Thefading phasestarted immediately following the maximum fluorescence point. During this phase, vascular fluorescence decreased to complete reduction at 74.76 ± 9.81 s. Also, areas of delayed choroidal filling, the presence of short retinal vessels in the ventral region of the optic disc, and a particular filling of the optic disc were also observed.Conclusions: The normal angiographic sequence was described in horses. FA may be a useful method for studying the integrity of the blood–retinal barriers in horses.
Ocular distribution and toxicity of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in normal equine eyes
Authors: Yi N. Y. , Davis J. L. , Salmon J. H. , Gilger B. C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective  To determine ocular distribution and toxicity of a single injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in normal horses.Animals studied  Six adult horses, donated to North Carolina State University.Procedures  Six horses were injected intravitreally with either 10, 20, or 40 mg (n = 2 each) of TA. The opposite eye of each horse was injected with balanced salt solution (BSS). Ocular toxicity was assessed by biomicroscopy, tonometry, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and electroretinogram. Aqueous humor (AH), vitreous humor (VH), and plasma samples were collected. Horses were euthanized 7 or 21 days after injection and eyes enucleated for histopathology. TA concentrations in AH, VH, and plasma were measured by HPLC.Results  Three control eyes and one TA eye developed inflammation after injection or collection of AH. Positive bacterial cultures (Corynebacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp.) were obtained from three of these eyes. Other than transient corneal edema in TA injected eyes, which resolved by 7 days after injection, no other changes were observed. TA crystals were visible within the vitreous body. No evidence of TA toxic effect was noted on histopathology. TA was detected in all AH and VH samples from treated eyes following injection. Drug was not detected in the plasma.Conclusions  There was no evidence of overt toxicity from intravitreal TA in normal horses and a single intravitreal injection resulted in TA ocular levels for 21 days. However, the risk for bacterial infections with intravitreal injection or anterior chamber aspirations in horses is high. Use of topical and systemic antibiotics after injection is recommended.
Daily rhythm of tear production in normal horse
Authors: Piccione Giuseppe , Giannetto Claudia , Fazio Francesco , Giudice Elisabetta 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective  This study was designed to assess the daily rhythm of tear production in clinically healthy horses, to compare left eye and right eye, and to evaluate the influence of time and gender.Animal studied  For our study 18 horses (nine female and nine male) were subjected to three different light/dark (L/D) schedules: 12/12 L/D cycles, constant light (24/0 L/D) and constant darkness (0/24 L/D).Procedures  In all subjects Schirmer tear tests were performed at 4‐h intervals over a 24‐h period.Results  A circadian rhythm of tear production was found during the 12/12 L/D period and during constant darkness. Also our results showed a statistical significant difference comparing left eye and right eye, and between gender.Conclusions  Our findings would suggest that the time of tear evaluation is significant in the diagnosis of tear film disorders, and that the difference between the two eyes and the two genders should be taken into consideration during the ophthalmic exam.
Exploring Academic Identities and Practices in a Competitive Enhancement Context: a UK‐based case study
Authors: FANGHANEL JOËLLE , TROWLER PAUL 
Published: August 2008

This article proposes that in a context where the roles assigned to academics are increasingly complex, where academic work is visibly managed and monitored with an emphasis on teaching quality and professionalised practices, better understandings of academic identities might emerge from a focus on the teaching dimension of the academic role. It seeks to capture this dimension through a theoretical framework that takes account of the context and realities in which academics operate.It examines this complexity through a set of policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the teaching function in UK universities, and a brief report on a study of 18 UK academics focusing on the nature of academic labour. It argues that the teaching dimension of the academic role cannot be usefully studied from outside the context in which academics evolve and construct their apprehensions of teaching practice, and without paying attention to the degree of agency available to them in the context where they operate. It points to the negative impact of competing initiatives directed disjointedly at teaching and research.
MARSHALL'S CETERIS PARIBUS IN A DYNAMIC FRAMEWORK
Authors: Cerina Fabio 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe paper aims to propose a formalization of the concept of ceteris paribus (CP) by means of a dynamic model. The basic result of the analysis is that the CP clause may assume essentially different meanings according to (1) the kind of variables assumed to be ‘frozen’ and (2) the length of the time horizon. It is then possible to distinguish, respectively, between an exogenous and an endogenous CP and, within the latter, between a short‐run and a long‐run CP. This double analytical distinction helps in understanding the role the CP clause plays in Marshall's thought and in economics in general.
Diagnostic value of brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET in the differentiation of parkinsonian type multiple system atrophy from Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kwon K.‐Y. , Choi C. G. , Kim J. S. , Lee M. C. , Chung S. J. 
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  Differentiation between parkinsonian type multiple system atrophy (MSA‐P) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is important but often difficult. We investigated the diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG PET) in differentiating MSA‐P from PD.Methods:  Twenty‐four patients with MSA‐P (16 probable and 8 possible) and eight patients with PD were included in this study.Results:  For analysis using the putaminal findings, the sensitivities were 58.3% by visual analysis of brain MRI, 95.8% by visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET, and 79.2% by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis of 18F‐FDG PET in differentiating MSA‐P from PD; the specificity was 100% for each analysis. Using the putaminal findings, visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET had a higher sensitivity compared with brain MRI (P = 0.004) and SPM analysis of 18F‐FDG PET revealed a tendency towards higher sensitivity compared with brain MRI (P = 0.063). For analysis using both putaminal and infratentorial findings, the sensitivities were 79.2% by visual analysis of brain MRI, 95.8% by visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET, 95.8% by SPM analysis of 18F‐FDG PET in differentiating MSA‐P from PD; the specificity was 100% for each analysis.Conclusion:  Both brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET showed diagnostic usefulness in differentiating MSA‐P from PD, with 18F‐FDG PET being more sensitive than brain MRI.