bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization of hepatoprotectants within the National Health Insurance in Taiwan
Authors: CHEN TZENG‐JI , CHOU LI‐FANG , HWANG SHINN‐JANG 
Published: June 2003

AbstractBackground: Although the hepatoprotectants of Western medicine have centuries of history, their utilization patterns have been seldom documented. Because the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan reimburses hepatoprotectant use, we could estimate the age‐ and sex‐specific prevalence and utilization patterns of hepatoprotectants in Western medicine within the health insurance system in Taiwan.Methods: We analyzed the outpatient prescription data of 50 000 randomly sampled insured patients in 2000. Only patients using drugs indicated for liver diseases and diagnostic codes related to liver diseases on the same visit were considered to be receiving hepatoprotectants. Drugs involved in Chinese medicine were not included.Results: Among the valid cohort of 46 614 people, 783 (1.7%) were identified as patients with liver disease and receiving hepatoprotectants. Highest prevalence of hepatoprotectant use was 4.9% in the 60–69 years age group. Silymarin, multivitamins, methionine, ursodeoxycholic acid, and liver hydrolysate accounted for 88.8% of the 3215 prescribed items of hepatoprotectants. Patients receiving hepatoprotectants had, on average, visited the clinics more frequently than those not using hepatoprotectants (30 vs 14 times in a year, P < 0.001), and used more insurance benefits (US$1352 vs US$456, P < 0.001).Conclusions: The frequency of use of major hepatoprotectants in Taiwan corresponded to the current modalities of treatment under discussion worldwide.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Validation of Rome II criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders by factor analysis of symptoms in Asian patient sample
Authors: KWAN AMBROSE CHI‐PONG , BAO TRAN NGOC , CHAKKAPHAK SURIYA , CHANG FULL‐YOUNG , KE MEI YUN , LAW NGAI MOH , LEELAKUSOLVONG SOMCHAI , LUO JIN YAN , MANAN CHUDAHMAN , PARK HYO JIN , PIYANIRAN WANICH , QURESHI AKHTAR , LONG TA , XU GUO MING , XU LIYING , YUEN HON 
Published: June 2003

AbstractBackground: It has been unclear as to whether the Rome II criteria could be applied to patients in the Asia region with functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine if symptoms of Asian patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders formed groups which corresponded to the Rome II diagnostic criteria.Methods: A modified English version of Talley's bowel disease questionnaire was developed in collaboration with various research teams in accordance with the Rome II criteria. This instrument was translated into the local languages of the following nine Asian regions: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. From September to December 2001, newly enrolled outpatients attending 14 GI or medical clinics in these regions were invited to complete the questionnaire. From these respondents, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders fulfilling the ‘12 weeks out of 12 months’ criteria were separated for further analysis. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to identify symptom clusters or factors. These factors were compared with the existing classification of functional GI diseases derived from the Rome II criteria.Results: Factor analysis of symptoms from 1012 functional GI patients supported the Rome II classification of the following groups of functional GI disorders: diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, functional dyspepsia, functional abdominal pain syndrome, functional heartburn, and functional vomiting. Functional diarrhea was combined with functional anorectal disorders, and globus merged with functional dysphagia into one factor. Some of the functional dyspepsia, abdominal bloating and belching symptoms were loaded into one factor.Conclusions: Factor analysis of symptoms from a sample of Asian patients with functional GI disorders partially supported the use of the Rome II classification.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Prevalence and associations of dry eye syndrome in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Chia Ee‐Munn , Mitchell Paul , Rochtchina Elena , Lee Anne J , Maroun Rita , Wang Jie Jin 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThis report describes the prevalence of self‐reported dry eye syndrome and associations with systemic and ocular factors in an older Australian population. Participants of the Extension Blue Mountains Eye Study, aged 50 or older (mean age 60.8 years, n = 1174) completed a comprehensive eye examination and dry eye questionnaire. At least one dry eye symptom was reported by 57.5% of participants, with 16.6% reporting moderate to severe symptoms, more frequent in women (age‐adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1−2.2). Three or more symptoms were reported by 15.3% of participants, also more frequent in women (age‐adjusted OR 1.7, CI 1.2−2.4). No age‐related trends or significant ocular associations were observed. After adjusting for age and sex, systemic factors significantly associated with dry eye syndrome included history of arthritis, asthma, gout, use of corticosteroids, antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy. In this older population, dry eye syndrome was common and has associations with female gender and systemic diseases.
Projected prevalence of age‐related cataract and cataract surgery in Australia for the years 2001 and 2021: pooled data from two population‐based surveys
Authors: Rochtchina Elena , Mukesh Bickol N , Wang Jie Jin , McCarty Cathy A , Taylor Hugh R , Mitchell Paul 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThis study aimed to estimate the number of Australians over 50 with cataract in the years 2001 and 2021. Data from two population‐based studies were pooled: the Blue Mountains Eye Study and Melbourne Visual Impairment Project and Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections were used. Similar definitions for the three cataract types were used in the two studies (nuclear ≥ grade 4, posterior sub­capsular ≥ 1 mm, cortical ≥ 10% lens area or ≥ 25% circumference). Combining the three types and prior surgery, it was estimated that in 2001, 1.7 million Australians had clinically significant cataract in either eye and 320 000 had previously undergone cataract surgery. It was estimated that the number of persons with cataract will rise to 2.7 million by 2021 (over 500 000 will have had cataract surgery). The number of Australians with cataract will grow by two‐thirds during the next 20 years, reflecting continued population ageing. Health care delivery systems will need to develop methods to handle this increased workload.
Prevalence of undetected ocular conditions in a pilot sample of school children
Authors: Rose Kathryn , Younan Christine , Morgan Ian , Mitchell Paul 
Published: June 2003

AbstractParents of 134 children (age 5−18 years; 84% participation) attending a private school gave informed consent for their child's participation in a pilot study to demonstrate the feasibility and estimate sample size for a larger study of myopia prevalence, the Sydney Myopia Study. LogMAR visual acuity and other ocular assessments, including cycloplegic autorefraction (tropicamide 1%) and examination of the media and fundus, were performed. The prevalence of significant ocular conditions was 28.2%. Eleven children (8.4%) wore glasses. Five were referred for a change in their correction. Previously undetected ocular conditions (19.8%) included one child with ocular pathology and four children with strabismus. Uncorrected refractive error (16.8%) was the most common reason for referral and was more predominant in the senior students (25%), corresponding with an age‐related shift in mean spherical equivalent refraction towards myopia (less than 7 years: +0.40 ± 0.60 D; more than 15 years: −1.15 ± 1.18 D). Three senior students were classified as having socially significant correctable vision impairment. These findings suggest that reliance on ad hoc referrals could result in delayed referral and that vision screening in both early and later school years may be desirable.
Müller cells express the neuronal progenitor cell marker nestin in both differentiated and undifferentiated human foetal retina
Authors: Walcott James C , Provis Jan M 
Published: June 2003

AbstractTritiated thymidine studies suggest that Müller cells are the last cells born in the retina, although several authors describe Müller cells throughout the retina from very early ages. In this study immunohistochemistry was used to identify progenitor and Müller cells in human foetal retina. Antibodies to nestin (an intermediate filament protein expressed by neural progenitor cells), vimentin, cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP) and glutamate and aspartate transporter (GLAST), which are each expressed by Müller cells, were used in combination with anti‐Ki67 to identify proliferating cells. By definition, Ki67‐positive proliferating cells were present in undifferentiated retina, but not in differentiated retina. Nestin‐immunoreactive (IR) cells colocalized with vimentin throughout the retina. CRALBP‐IR was detected in differentiated retina and in some proliferating cells. GLAST‐IR cells were present only within the differentiated region. Nestin, vimentin and CRALBP each colocalized with mitotic Ki67‐IR cells, suggesting that in foetal retina Müller cells and retinal progenitor cells are overlapping populations and that Müller cells are end‐stage progenitor cells.
Is there an auditory−visual flash‐lag effect?
Authors: Hine Trevor J , White Amanda MV , Chappell Mark 
Published: June 2003

AbstractA flash adjacent to the path of a moving object appears behind the moving object: the ‘flash‐lag effect’. We sought to test the flash‐lag effect with a ‘click’ instead of a flash: a white triangle horizontally traversed the screen at a constant 12°/s passing through a fixation cross in the presence of a quiet click. The subject judged whether the click occurred before or after the triangle passed through the cross. To be perceived as co‐instantaneous events, the click had to be presented 127 ms after the moving triangle reached the cross (a ‘click‐lead’ effect, providing falsification of predictive accounts of the flash‐lag effect), as opposed to a standard flash‐lag effect condition where a flashed triangle replaced the click and had to appear 60 ms before the moving triangle to appear aligned. With the auditory versus visual processing speed advantage considered, the neural time required to calculate a moving object's position is constant, independent of the modality of the flag.
Sensitivity to the acceleration of looming stimuli
Authors: Trewhella James , Edwards Mark , Ibbotson Michael R 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine if observers could discriminate between looming stimuli simulating targets approaching the observers at either constant or non‐constant speeds. Discrimination between accelerating and constant‐speed approaches improved after 70−90 trials for accelerations >2 m/s2. For lower accelerations the ability to discriminate was poor regardless of the trial number. Following the learning phase, observers were able to identify accelerating targets from constant‐speed approaches fairly consistently at performance levels of 70−75% for accelerations as low as 4 m/s2 and at 80−96% for accelerations of 6−14 m/s2. Observers’ accuracy in identifying decelerating from constant‐speed targets did not increase as a function of increasing deceleration. In fact, observers had a slight bias to select the constant‐speed stimulus as being the decelerating stimulus. In summary, the sensitivity to acceleration for simulated motion in depth is poor, but increases as acceleration increases and sensitivity to acceleration is far greater than for deceleration.
Light rise of the human electroretinogram is normal in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Vaegan  , Lowry Brian , Beaumont Paul 
Published: June 2003

AbstractAim: To determine if the electroretinogram (ERG) light rise is reduced below normal in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and whether it is greater in patients with smaller ERG.Methods: Both eyes of 31 normal subjects and 59 subjects with RP had photopic ERGs on ISCEV standard and brighter backgrounds, before and after dark adaptation. Recordings <2.5 µV were excluded.Results: Ratios of amplitudes before and after dark adaptation varied little. The b‐wave averaged 1.88 (SD 0.41) in normal subjects and 1.66 (SD 0.62) in RP subjects, and a‐waves averaged 1.44 (SD 0.42) and 1.31 (SD 0.73), respectively. None of eight t−tests were significant (<2.4). There was a positive (not negative) correlation between RP subjects’ initial b‐wave amplitude and light rise but not for a‐waves. A‐wave light rises were smaller.Conclusion: Retinitis pigmentosa does not reduce the light rise of recordable ERG. The light rise of the ERG is larger in those RP subjects with larger initial b‐waves. This confirms previous findings. The difference between a‐ and b‐waves in RP suggests post‐receptoral processes are involved.
Oral and intravenous steroids in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Chan Colin CK , O'Day Justin 
Published: June 2003

AbstractGiant cell arteritis can result in devastating visual loss. Treatment with steroids does result in visual recovery in some patients but the exact percentage is unknown. Intravenous megadose steroids appear to offer some advantage over oral steroids presumably through non‐genomic effects, which manifest at doses of 500 mg or more. Side‐effects are more likely in the elderly especially those with renal and cardiac co‐morbidities. The authors’ current recommendation is that intravenous steroids should be given to patients with established visual loss or amaurosis fugax.
Supplementation of fexofenadine therapy with nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution to treat ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: Alexander Michael , Patel Piyush , Allegro Stacey , Hicks Angela 
Published: June 2003

Abstract Purpose: Ocular symptoms are often under‐treated in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The efficacy of fexofenadine hydrochloride 60 mg capsules supplemented with nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution was evaluated to determine the optimal drug regimen for control of ocular allergic symptoms. Methods: In this 5‐week, open‐label, randomized, multicentre comparative study, 89 patients with documented ragweed pollen allergy received fexofenadine b.i.d. with nedocromil rescue, fexofenadine q.d. with nedocromil b.i.d., or fexofenadine rescue with nedocromil b.i.d. during the ragweed pollen season. Results: For all regimens, mean symptom severity scores for itching, burning, tearing, redness, grittiness, discharge, light sensitivity and swelling improved significantly (P < 0.003). Similarly, all groups experienced significant (P < 0.02) improvement in all clinical signs: erythema, oedema, discharge, conjunctival injection and conjunctivitis, as well as quality‐of‐life scores (P < 0.0001). All regimens reduced overall symptom severity scores after 5 min (P < 0.05) with relief persisting over 12 h (P < 0.03). Improvements in mean symptoms, signs and quality‐of‐life scores were similar among the treatment groups as were onset and duration of action even though patients in two of the three study arms were taking one‐half or less of the recommended fexofenadine dosage. Patients and physicians judged the regimens containing lower fexofenadine dosages (with nedocromil b.i.d.) to be more effective overall than the regimen containing the highest fexo­fenadine dosage (with nedocromil as rescue only). Conclusions: Supplementation of oral fexofenadine therapy with nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution relieves ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allowing control of rhinal symptoms with half the recommended dosage of fexofenadine.
Trends in cataract surgery and postoperative endophthalmitis in Western Australia (1980−1998): the Endophthalmitis Population Study of Western Australia
Authors: Semmens James B , Li Jianghong , Morlet Nigel , Ng Jonathon 
Published: June 2003

Abstract Objectives: Postoperative endophthalmitis results from an intraocular infection and usually occurs following cataract surgery. It has significant morbidity and causes severe visual impairment or blindness of the eye. The aim of this study was to assess the trends in the incidence rates of cataract surgery and postoperative endophthalmitis in Western Australia for the period 1980−1998. Methods: The Western Australian Record Linkage Project was used to link the morbidity records for all patients treated for cataract surgery in Western Australia in 1980−1998. Patient records were selected using the international classification for diagnosis and procedure codes pertaining to cataract surgery and postoperative endophthalmitis. All cases of postoperative endophthalmitis were validated by case‐note review. The separate databases of the Royal Perth Hospital microbiology and anaesthetic departments as well as the vitreo‐retinal surgeon logbooks were used to cross‐validate the hospital morbidity database. Trends in the incidence rates of cataract surgery and postoperative endophthalmitis were assessed by Poisson regression. Results: There were 94 653 cataract procedures performed for 63 007 patients in Western Australia during the 19‐year period. The majority (88%) of cataract procedures performed were in patients aged 60 years or older. Postoperative endophthalmitis developed in 188 patients, with serious visual impairment occurring in 70.6% of patients for whom visual acuity data was available at presentation. The incidence rate of cataract surgery increased more than three‐fold from 1981 (102 per 100 000 person years) to 1998 (345 per 100 000 person years), mainly due to the increase in extracapsular cataract extraction during the 1980s and phacoemulsification extraction from 1990 onwards. In contrast, the average annual incidence rate of postoperative endophthalmitis remained relatively unchanged at around 2 per 1000 cataract procedures over the same period. Conclusion: Cataract surgery is becoming more prevalent in the elderly as the life expectancy of the population increases. There has been a dramatic shift in surgical practice during the last 30 years with small‐incision phacoemulsification being the predominant method of intervention used since 1990. Despite changes in surgical practice the incidence rate of postoperative endophthalmitis has remained the same.
Phylogenetic relationships of North American nymphophiline gastropods based on mitochondrial DNA sequences
Authors: Hershler Robert , Liu Hsiu‐Ping , Thompson Fred G. 
Published: June 2003

Phylogenetic relationships of 36 nymphophiline species representing 10 genera were inferred from mtCOI sequence data and compared to recent morphology‐based classifications of this group. Parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of the molecular data set suggested monophyly of the North American nymphophilines and a sister or otherwise close relationship between this fauna and a European species assigned to the subfamily. Results also supported a previously hypothesized close relationship between the predominantly freshwater nymphophilines and the brackish‐water genus Hydrobia. Our analyses resolved a North American nymphophiline subclade composed of Floridobia, Nymphophilus, and Pyrgulopsis, and depicted the remaining North American genera (Cincinnatia, Marstonia, Notogillia, Rhapinema, Spilochlamys, Stiobia) as either a monophyletic or paraphyletic group. Two of the large North American genera (Floridobia, Marstonia) were supported as monophyletic groups while monophyly of Pyrgulopsis, a western North American group containing > 100 species, was equivocal. North American nymphophiline phylogeny implies that vicariance of eastern and western North American groups was followed by a secondary invasion of eastern coastal areas from the west. We attribute this to dispersal of salt‐tolerant progenitors along the Gulf of Mexico coast
Prograde, peak, and retrograde P–T paths from aluminium in orthopyroxene: High‐temperature contact metamorphism in the aureole of the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton, Nain Plutonic Suite, Labrador
Authors: McFarlane C. R. M. , Carlson W. D. , Connelly J. N. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractStatic heating during intrusion of the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton (MLP) caused replacement of garnet in the adjacent country rocks (Tasiuyak Gneiss) by coronal assemblages of orthopyroxene + cordierite. Thermometry based on Al solubility in orthopyroxene, applied to relict garnet and neighbouring orthopyroxene, preserves a temperature gradient from 700 to 900 °C at distances between 5750 and 20 m from the intrusion, reaffirming the robustness of this thermometry technique. Intracrystalline and intergranular variations of Al zoning in orthopyroxene are well‐preserved, suggesting that little diffusional modification of Al growth zoning occurred. Maximum Al2O3 in orthopyroxene ranges from c. 2.0 wt% at 5750 m from the intrusion to a maximum of 4.3 wt% at the contact. Individual orthopyroxene grains show decreasing Al from core to rim in samples < 500 m from the intrusion, while those at greater distances show an increase from core to rim. These features are interpreted with the aid of numerical models for conductive heat flow in the aureole. Coronas in samples close to the intrusion grew at high temperatures and along T‐t paths dominated by cooling, so maximum Al content in orthopyroxene in these samples occurs in the cores of grains that grew during the earliest stages of garnet consumption. In contrast, the corona‐forming reactions in rocks further from the contact proceeded along prograde heating paths, so maximum Al content in orthopyroxene occurs in the rims of grains that grew during the final stages of garnet consumption. These results document the ability of Al‐in‐orthopyroxene thermometry to preserve a detailed record of thermal histories in contact‐metamorphic granulites; they suggest that similar intracrystalline and intergranular variations of Al zoning in orthopyroxene in regional granulites may also preserve portions of both the prograde and peak‐T evolution.
A mineral equilibria study of the hydrothermal alteration in mafic greenschist facies rocks at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Authors: White R. W. , Powell R. , Phillips G. N. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe influx of a H2O–CO2‐dominated fluid into actinolite‐bearing metabasic rocks during greenschist facies metamorphism in the Kalgoorlie area of Western Australia resulted in a zoned alteration halo around inferred fluid conduits that contain gold mineralisation. The alteration halo is divided into two outer zones, the chlorite zone and the carbonate zone, and an inner pyrite zone adjacent to the inferred fluid conduits. Reaction between the fluid and the protolith resulted in the breakdown of actinolite and the development of chlorite, dolomite, calcite and siderite. In addition, rocks in the pyrite zone developed muscovite‐bearing assemblages as a consequence of the introduction of potassium by the fluid. Mineral equilibria calculations undertaken using the computer software thermocalc in the model system Na2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–CO2 show that mineral assemblages in the outer zones of the alteration halo are consistent with equilibrium of the protoliths with a fluid of composition XCO2 = CO2/(CO2 + H2O) = 0.1–0.25 for temperatures of 315–320 °C. The inner zone of the alteration halo reflect equilibrium with a fluid of composition XCO2≈ 0.25. Fluid‐rock buffering calculations show that the alteration halo is consistent with interaction with a single fluid composition and that the zoned structure of the halo reflects the volume of this fluid with which the rocks reacted. This fluid is likely to have also been the one responsible for the gold mineralisation at Kalgoorlie.