bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of postoperative morbidity on long-term survival following liver resection for colorectal metastases
Authors: Laurent C , Sa Cunha A , Couderc P , Rullier E , Saric J 
Published: August 2003

AbstractBackgroundSurvival after resection of colorectal liver metastases may be influenced by the patient, the primary tumour and the liver metastases. Postoperative morbidity is associated with poor survival in several cancers. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate prognostic factors of survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases, including postoperative morbidity.MethodsFrom 1985 to 2000, 311 consecutive patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer underwent resection with curative intent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the influence of age, sex, site and stage of the colorectal tumour, disease-free interval, number, size and distribution of metastases, type of hepatectomy, pedicular clamping, resection margin, blood transfusion, postoperative morbidity and adjuvant chemotherapy on overall and disease-free survival.ResultsThe postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 3 and 30 per cent respectively. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 53 and 36 per cent respectively. Both overall and disease-free survival rates were independently associated with nodal status of the colorectal tumour, number of metastases and postoperative morbidity. Patients with postoperative morbidity had an overall and disease-free 5-year survival rate half that of patients with no morbidity: 21 versus 42 per cent for overall survival (P &lt; 0·001) and 12 versus 28 per cent for disease-free survival (P = 0·001) respectively.ConclusionLong-term survival can be altered by postoperative morbidity after resection of colorectal liver metastases by increasing the risk of tumour recurrence. This justifies optimizing the surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases to decrease postoperative morbidity and the use of efficient adjuvant treatments in patients with postoperative morbidity.
Risk factors for local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Fredriksson I , Liljegren G , Palm-Sjövall M , Arnesson L-G , Emdin S O , Fornander T , Lindgren A , Nordgren H , Idvall I , Holmqvist M , Holmberg L , Frisell J 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
It is not clear whether risk factors for local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery differ in women having surgery for in situ or invasive cancer. Furthermore, the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) and Nottingham Histological Grade (NHG) have been little studied as determinants of local recurrence risk.

Method
In a case–control study (491 cases and 1098 controls) nested within a cohort of 7502 women who had surgery for in situ or invasive cancer of the breast, patient characteristics, tumour characteristics and treatment-related variables were evaluated as risk factors for local recurrence.

Results
Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses showed that age below 40 years, tumour multicentricity and an unclear or unknown surgical margin were significant risk factors for local recurrence. Radiotherapy to the breast and adjuvant hormone therapy were protective. Cancer in situ was not associated with a higher risk of local recurrence than invasive cancer (odds ratio 1·0, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·8 to 1·3). NHG and NPI were not helpful in determining risk of local recurrence.

Conclusion
Margin status, age, tumour multicentricity, and use of radiotherapy and adjuvant hormone therapy were important determinants of risk of local recurrence. With the exception of surgical margin, variables related to the quality of surgical management did not predict risk of local recurrence.
Improved patient survival in recipients of simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplant compared with kidney transplant alone in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease
Authors: Mohan P , Safi K , Little D M , Donohoe J , Conlon P , Walshe J J , O'Kelly P , Thompson C J , Hickey D P 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
There are emerging data that simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplant (SPK) prolongs life compared with kidney transplant alone (KTA) in type 1 diabetics with end-stage renal disease. This study was a retrospective comparison of SPK with KTA in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods
Between 1 January 1992 and 30 April 2002, 101 patients with type 1 diabetes were transplanted. Fifty-one of these patients received a KTA and 50 had a SPK. All patients underwent coronary angiography with surgical correction of any coronary artery disease before being listed. All patients who underwent SPK received quadruple immunosuppressive therapy consisting of antilymphocyte globulin, calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), azathioprine and steroids. Those who underwent KTA received calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), azathioprine and steroids.

Results
Patient survival at 1, 3, 5 and 8 years was 96, 93, 89 and 77 per cent respectively after SPK, and 93, 75, 57 and 47 per cent respectively after KTA (P = 0·018 at 8 years).

Conclusion
The addition of pancreatic transplantation prolongs life in type 1 diabetic patients with renal failure compared with renal transplantation alone.
Attendance at a pain clinic with severe chronic pain after open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs
Authors: Hindmarsh A C , Cheong E , Lewis M P N , Rhodes M 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
The aim was to compare the frequency of severe chronic pain that required attendance at a pain clinic after open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs.

Methods
This was a retrospective analysis of 7999 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair between January 1994 and December 2001. The definition of severe chronic pain was pain related to inguinal hernia surgery that was bad enough for the patient to seek further medical help and be referred to the specialist pain clinic after exclusion of surgically correctable pathology such as hernia recurrence.

Results
During the study there were 7153 open repairs and 846 laparoscopic repairs. Sixty-nine patients (1·0 per cent) were referred to the pain clinic a median of 16·9 (range 5·1–69·4) months after open hernia repair. Three patients (0·4 per cent) were referred a median of 16·5 (range 7·3–21·5) months after laparoscopic hernia repair (P = 0·045).

Conclusion
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was associated with a significantly lower frequency of attendance at the pain clinic with severe chronic pain.
Randomized clinical trial of suction versus standard clearance of the diathermy plume
Authors: Pillinger S H , Delbridge L , Lewis D R 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Diathermy smoke contains complex hydrocarbons and organic material, and may contain viable tumour cells or viral particles. These particles measure from 0·05 to more than 25 µm, and long-term exposure to such particles may have adverse effects on health. This study investigated whether a suction clearance device reduces the amount of smoke reaching the surgeon's mask.

Methods
This was a randomized clinical trial in which subjects were randomized to standard diathermy equipment (group 1) or a diathermy smoke extraction system (group 2). All patients underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery with standard anterior cervical collar incision and division of the strap muscles. The difference in the amount of smoke reaching the level of the operator's mask was measured by means of an aerosol monitor.

Results
Fifteen patients were randomized to each group. The mean amount of smoke detected at the level of the operator's mask was 0·137 mg/m3 in group 1 and 0·012 mg/m3 in group 2 (P &lt; 0·001). The maximum amount detected was 2·411 and 0·255 mg/m3 respectively (P &lt; 0·001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of incision time or background particles measured before and after surgery. There was no correlation between gland weight and incision time or amount of smoke detected.

Conclusion
Suction clearance of the diathermy plume resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of smoke reaching the level of the operator's mask. Although the risk of diathermy smoke inhalation is currently unknown, use of such a system appears advisable.
Cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibition in colorectal cancer therapy
Authors: Church R D , Fleshman J W , McLeod H L 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Cyclo-oxygenase inhibition for the treatment of colorectal neoplasia has been studied with renewed interest since the discovery of cyclo-oxygenase (Cox) 2 and the introduction of specific Cox-2 inhibitors. These drugs have implications for both the prevention of colorectal carcinoma and the potential treatment of the disease.

Methods and results
A Medline database search was performed for articles using the keywords ‘colonic, colon or rectal and neoplasia or cancer’ and ‘cyclo-oxygenase or Cox-2.’ Cross-references of relevant historical papers were also included. There is substantial evidence that Cox-2 plays a role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The specific inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to inhibit cancer growth in in vitro and in vivo models. The mechanisms of action for these effects are poorly understood and potential clinical applications at present remain under investigation.

Conclusion
Cox-2 inhibitors have great promise as useful additions to current cancer treatments. There is a need for randomized clinical trials to define a role for these drugs in chemoprevention, recurrence prophylaxis, and adjuvant therapy for colorectal and other solid tumours.
Interstitial laser thermotherapy for liver tumours
Authors: Nikfarjam M , Christophi C 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastases from colorectal cancer are the most common malignant liver tumours. Surgical resection is the optimum treatment in suitable patients. Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) is gaining acceptance for the treatment of irresectable liver tumours and as a potential alternative to surgery. An understanding of the principles of therapy and review of clinical outcomes may allow better use of this technology.

Method
An electronic search using the Medline database was performed for studies on the treatment of hepatic malignancy published between January 1983 and February 2003.

Results
Current information on the efficacy of ILT is based on prospective studies. ILT appears to be a safe and minimally invasive technique that consistently achieves tumour destruction. The extent of destruction depends on the fibre design, delivery system, tumour size and tumour biology. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging provides the most accurate assessment of laser-induced tumour necrosis. In selected patients with HCC and colorectal cancer liver metastases, ILT achieves complete tumour necrosis, provides long-term local control, and improves survival, compared with the natural history of the disease. In addition, ILT has survival benefits for patients with other tumour types, especially those with isolated liver metastases from a breast cancer primary.

Conclusion
ILT improves overall survival in specific patients with liver tumours. Advances in laser technology and refinements in technique, and a better understanding of the processes involved in laser-induced tissue injury, may allow ILT to replace surgery as the procedure of choice in selected patients with liver malignancies.
Peripheral parenteral nutrition
Authors: Anderson A D G , Palmer D , MacFie J 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) currently accounts for almost 20 per cent of all parenteral nutrition administered in the UK. In the absence of consensus guidelines there is wide variation in practice. Heterogeneity of clinical trials has made direct comparisons difficult and meta-analysis impossible.

Methods
Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for all clinical trials relating to the use of PPN in adults. Relevant papers from the reference lists of these articles and from the authors' personal collections were also reviewed.

Results and conclusions
Effective PPN is possible in about 50 per cent of inpatients requiring parenteral nutrition. Evidence relating to optimal feed composition, choice of cannula, infusion technique and pharmacological manipulation is discussed, along with practical recommendations for the administration of PPN.
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (Br J Surg 2003; 90: 515-516)
Authors: Muir Gray J A 
Published: August 2003

Abstract
The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses can be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk) or by post. All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length. Letters submitted by post should be typed on A4-sized paper in double spacing and should be accompanied by a disk.
Functional genomics via metabolic footprinting: monitoring metabolite secretion by Escherichia coli tryptophan metabolism mutants using FT–IR and direct injection electrospray mass spectrometry
Authors: Kaderbhai Naheed N. , Broadhurst David I. , Ellis David I. , Goodacre Royston , Kell Douglas B. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWe sought to test the hypothesis that mutant bacterial strains could be discriminated from each other on the basis of the metabolites they secrete into the medium (their ‘metabolic footprint’), using two methods of ‘global’ metabolite analysis (FT–IR and direct injection electrospray mass spectrometry). The biological system used was based on a published study of Escherichia coli tryptophan mutants that had been analysed and discriminated by Yanofsky and colleagues using transcriptome analysis. Wild‐type strains supplemented with tryptophan or analogues could be discriminated from controls using FT–IR of 24 h broths, as could each of the mutant strains in both minimal and supplemented media. Direct injection electrospray mass spectrometry with unit mass resolution could also be used to discriminate the strains from each other, and had the advantage that the discrimination required the use of just two or three masses in each case. These were determined via a genetic algorithm. Both methods are rapid, reagentless, reproducible and cheap, and might beneficially be extended to the analysis of gene knockout libraries. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of computational tools for the inference of protein interaction specificity rules and functional annotation using structural information
Authors: Ferrè Fabrizio , Via Allegra , Ausiello Gabriele , Brannetti Barbara , Zanzoni Andreas , Helmer‐Citterich Manuela 
Published: August 2003

AbstractRelatively few protein structures are known, compared to the enormous amount of sequence data produced in the sequencing of different genomes, and relatively few protein complexes are deposited in the PDB with respect to the great amount of interaction data coming from high‐throughput experiments (two‐hybrid or affinity purification of protein complexes and mass spectrometry). Nevertheless, we can rely on computational techniques for the extraction of high‐quality and information‐rich data from the known structures and for their spreading in the protein sequence space. We describe here the ongoing research projects in our group: we analyse the protein complexes stored in the PDB and, for each complex involving one domain belonging to a family of interaction domains for which some interaction data are available, we can calculate its probability of interaction with any protein sequence. We analyse the structures of proteins encoding a function specified in a PROSITE pattern, which exhibits relatively low selectivity and specificity, and build extended patterns. To this aim, we consider residues that are well‐conserved in the structure, even if their conservation cannot easily be recognized in the sequence alignment of the proteins holding the function. We also analyse protein surface regions and, through the annotation of the solvent‐exposed residues, we annotate protein surface patches via a structural comparison performed with stringent parameters and independently of the residue order in the sequence. Local surface comparison may also help in identifying new sequence patterns, which could not be highlighted with other sequence‐based methods. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ab initio protein structure prediction using pathway models
Authors: Yuan Xin , Shao Yu , Bystroff Christopher 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAb initio prediction is the challenging attempt to predict protein structures based only on sequence information and without using templates. It is often divided into two distinct sub‐problems: (a) the scoring function that can distinguish native, or native‐like structures, from non‐native ones; and (b) the method of searching the conformational space. Currently, there is no reliable scoring function that can always drive a search to the native fold, and there is no general search method that can guarantee a significant sampling of near‐natives. Pathway models combine the scoring function and the search. In this short review, we explore some of the ways pathway models are used in folding, in published works since 2001, and present a new pathway model, HMMSTR‐CM, that uses a fragment library and a set of nucleation/propagation‐based rules. The new method was used for ab initio predictions as part of CASP5. This work was presented at the Winter School in Bioinformatics, Bologna, Italy, 10–14 February 2003. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative modelling techniques: where are we?
Authors: Tramontano Anna 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe enormous increase in data availability brought about by genomic projects is paralleled by an equally unprecedented increase in the expectations for new medical, pharmacological, environmental and biotechnological discoveries. Whether or not we will be able to meet (at least partially) these expectations will depend on how well we will be able to interpret the data and translate the mono‐dimensional information encrypted in genomes into a detailed understanding of its biological meaning at the phenotypic level. The process is far from being trivial, and the obstacles along the road are formidable: even the problem of identifying coding regions in eukaryotic genomes is not completely solved. Far more complex is identification of the function of the encoded proteins, and this will probably represent the most challenging problem for the next generations of scientists. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microarray probe expression measures, data normalization and statistical validation
Authors: Saviozzi Silvia , Calogero Raffaele A. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractDNA microarray technology is a high‐throughput method for gaining information on gene function. Microarray technology is based on deposition/synthesis, in an ordered manner, on a solid surface, of thousands of EST sequences/genes/oligonucleotides. Due to the high number of generated datapoints, computational tools are essential in microarray data analysis and mining to grasp knowledge from experimental results. In this review, we will focus on some of the methodologies actually available to define gene expression intensity measures, microarray data normalization, and statistical validation of differential expression. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kainate‐induced endocytosis in retinal amacrine cells
Authors: Borsello Tiziana , Bressoud Raymond , Mottier Vincent , González Nicolas , Gomez Gabriel , Clarke Peter G.H. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractEndocytosis is enhanced in some cases of neuronal death. We report for the first time that intraocular injections, in chick embryos, of excitotoxic doses of kainate induce strong endocytosis in retinal amacrine cells destined to die and that even subtoxic doses can induce some degree of endocytosis. That the uptake was due to endocytosis rather than passive diffusion through the plasma membrane was shown ultrastructurally. The endocytosis was demonstrated by using three unrelated tracers—horseradish peroxidase, microperoxidase, and 4.4‐kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled dextran—suggesting that it does not depend on the binding of the tracers to a particular receptor. However, it appears to be surprisingly sensitive to the size of the ligand, because a heavier (42‐kDa) FITC‐dextran was not endocytosed. The induction of endocytosis by kainate can occur even when protein synthesis is blocked. These results indicate that toxic or near‐toxic doses of kainate induce endocytosis, raising the question of whether this is mechanistically implicated in causing or preventing excitotoxic neuronal death. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:286–295, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of gustatory nerve transection and regeneration on quinine‐stimulated Fos‐like immunoreactivity in the parabrachial nucleus of the rat
Authors: King Camille Tessitore , Deyrup Leif D. , Dodson Sara E. , Galvin Katherine E. , Garcea Mircea , Spector Alan C. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe distribution of quinine‐stimulated Fos‐like immunoreactivity (FLI) in several subdivisions of the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) known to be responsive to gustatory stimulation was examined in rats in which the chorda tympani nerve (CT) and/or glossopharyngeal nerve (GL) was transected (Experiment 1) and in rats in which the GL was transected with regeneration promoted or prevented (Experiment 2). We confirmed previous findings in the literature by demonstrating that rats intraorally infused with 3 mM quinine showed a robust population of FLI in the waist area and the external lateral (EL) and external medial (EM) subdivisions of the PBN (Yamamoto et al. [1994] Physiol Behav 56:1197–1202; Travers et al., [ 1999] Am J Physiol 277:R384–R394). In the waist area, only GL transection significantly decreased the number of FLI‐neurons elicited by intraoral infusion of quinine compared with water‐stimulated controls. In the external subdivisions neither neurotomy affected the number of FLI‐neurons. The effect of GL transection in the waist area was enduring for rats in which the GL did not regenerate (up to 94 days), but regeneration of the GL after 52 days restored quinine‐stimulated FLI to control values. In these same GL‐transected animals, there were parallel decreases in the number of gapes elicited by intraoral quinine stimulation that recovered, but only subsequent to regeneration of the GL. These data provide support for the role of the waist area in the brainstem processing that underlies oromotor rejection behaviors and also help substantiate the hypothesis that the CT and GL are relatively specialized with regard to function. Moreover, when the quinine‐induced pattern of neural activity in the second central gustatory relay, as assessed by FLI, is substantially altered by the loss of peripheral gustatory input from the GL, it can be restored upon regeneration of the nerve. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:296–308, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.