bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complications after discharge for surgical patients
Authors: Kable Ashley , Gibberd Robert , Spigelman Allan 
Published: December 2004

Aim:  To measure the type and frequency of complications for surgical patients 1 month after discharge.Methods:  A post‐discharge patient survey was conducted in 2000 for patients who had undergone one of five elective operations: transurethral resection of the prostate, hysterectomy, major joint replacement, cholecystectomy, herniorrhaphy. Two hundred and fourteen patients (74%) returned the survey forms, which were sent 1 month after surgery. Patients were recruited from two teaching hospitals in the Hunter Area Health Service, New South Wales, Australia.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐five (63%) patients reported one or more complications and 78 (37%) received treatment for 109 complications. Eighty‐six per cent reported pain after discharge and 41% reported moderate to severe pain. Seventeen per cent reported infections after discharge and 94% of these patients were given treatment. Twenty‐eight per cent reported bleeding after discharge and 20% of these were given treatment. Eleven (5%) patients were readmitted for treatment of problems related to their surgery including four who required further surgery. One hundred and seventy‐two patients accessed a range of health services during the first month after discharge, resulting in 266 occasions of service. Twenty‐eight per cent of post‐discharge services were unplanned.Conclusions:  The lack of post‐discharge monitoring conceals information about surgical outcomes. Patient reporting is an effective method of monitoring post‐discharge outcomes. There is scope to develop post‐discharge services to improve the quality of care in the areas of post‐discharge pain management, the use of prophylactic measures and to provide treatment for complications that occur during this period.
Total glossectomy: is it justified?
Authors: Bova Ronaldo , Cheung Ian , Coman William 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The treatment of advanced malignancies of the tongue with total glossectomy is controversial.Methods:  The present study retrospectively reviews 20 patients that had total glossectomy with or without laryngectomy performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia) over the past 10 years. The clinicopathologic parameters, perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed.Results:  The 5 years disease free and disease specific survival rates were 34% and 38%, respectively. Ninety per cent of patients acquired independent oral feeding prior to discharge, while 57% of patients that had laryngeal preservation performed achieved satisfactory vocal rehabilitation.Conclusion:  Total glossectomy is an oncologically sound surgical procedure that should only be performed in carefully selected patients with advanced malignancies affecting the tongue.
Cumulative sum control charts for assessing performance in arterial surgery
Authors: Beiles C. Barry , Morton Anthony P. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The Melbourne Vascular Surgical Association (Melbourne, Australia) undertakes surveillance of mortality following aortic aneurysm surgery, patency at discharge following infrainguinal bypass and stroke and death following carotid endarterectomy. Quality improvement protocol employing the Deming cycle requires that the system for performing surgery first be analysed and optimized. Then process and outcome data are collected and these data require careful analysis. There must be a mechanism so that the causes of unsatisfactory outcomes can be determined and a good feedback mechanism must exist so that good performance is acknowledged and unsatisfactory performance corrected. A simple method for analysing these data that detects changes in average outcome rates is available using cumulative sum statistical control charts.Methods:  Data have been analysed both retrospectively from 1999 to 2001, and prospectively during 2002 using cumulative sum control methods. A pathway to deal with control chart signals has been developed.Results:  The standard of arterial surgery in Victoria, Australia, is high. In one case a safe and satisfactory outcome was achieved by following the pathway developed by the audit committee.Conclusion:  Cumulative sum control charts are a simple and effective tool for the identification of variations in performance standards in arterial surgery. The establishment of a pathway to manage problem performance is a vital part of audit activity.
Cytotoxicity of topical antimicrobial agents used in burn wounds in Australasia
Authors: Fraser John F. , Cuttle Leila , Kempf Margit , Kimble Roy M. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Burn sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with major burns. The use of topical antimicrobial agents has helped improve the survival of these patients. Silvazine (Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Melbourne, Australia) (1% silver sulphadiazine and 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate) is used exclusively in Australasia, and there is no published study on its cytotoxicity. This study compared the relative cytotoxicity of Silvazine with 1% silver sulphadiazine (Flamazine (Smith & Nephew Healthcare, Hull, UK)) and a silver‐based dressing (Acticoat (Smith & Nephew Healthcare, Hull, UK)).Methods:  Dressings were applied to the centre of culture plates that were then seeded with keratinocytes at an estimated 25% confluence. The plates were incubated for 72 h and culture medium and dressings then removed. Toluidine blue was added to stain the remaining keratinocytes. Following removal of the dye, the plates were photographed under standard conditions and these digital images were analysed using image analysis software. Data was analysed using Student’s t‐test.Results:  In the present study, Silvazine is the most cytotoxic agent. Seventy‐two hour exposure to Silvazine in the present study results in almost no keratinocyte survival at all and a highly statistically significant reduction in cell survival relative to control, Acticoat and Flamazine (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). Flamazine is associated with a statistically significant reduction in cell numbers relative to control (P < 0.05), but is much less cytotoxic than Silvazine (P < 0.005).Conclusion:  In this in‐vitro study comparing Acticoat, Silvazine and Flamazine, Silvazine shows an increased cytotoxic effect, relative to control, Flamazine and Acticoat. An in‐vivo study is required to determine whether this effect is carried into the clinical setting.
The Meaning of the Turning Point of the Index of Motor Current Amplitude Curve in Controlling a Continuous Flow Pump or Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Endo G.J. , Kojima K. , Nakamura K. , Matsuzaki Y. , Onitsuka T. 
Published: December 2004

It is the goal of this section to publish material that provides information regarding specific issues, aspects of artificial organ application, approach, philosophy, suggestions, and/or thoughts for the future Abstract: In this series, we investigated the meaning of the t‐point of index of motor current amplitude (ICA) curve from a point of view of flow rate on in vitro and in vivo studies. On mock circulation loop and left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–equipped pigs, we detected the t‐point and compared the pump flow at the t‐point with the simultaneous cardiac output. The pump flow at the t‐point showed high correlation against the simultaneous cardiac output for in vitro or in vivo study. By detection of the t‐point of the ICA curve and measuring or estimating the pump flow at t‐point, the cardiac output may be assessed without any sensor in various cardiac conditions.
Cystatin C in the anterior segment of rat and mouse eyes
Authors: Wassélius Johan , Håkansson Katarina , Abrahamson Magnus , Ehinger Berndt 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose: Cystatin C is a mammalian cysteine protease inhibitor. This study describes the localization of cystatin C in the anterior segment of normal rat and mouse eyes. Cysteine proteases play an important role in protein degradation (e.g. of photoreceptor outer segments in the retinal pigment epithelium) and the balance between these proteases and their specific inhibitors is therefore of great interest.Methods: Cells containing cystatin C were identified by immunohistochemistry and quantified by ELISA. Messenger RNA levels were analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.Results: Cystatin C is present at biologically significant levels in the corneal epithelium, endothelium and stromal keratinocytes, lens epithelium, epithelial cells in the ciliary processes, aqueous humour and iris stromal cells. In the rat anterior segment, the highest cystatin C concentrations were found in the ciliary epithelium.Conclusions: Cystatin C is present in several cell types and is probably locally produced. The inhibitor is likely to be an important regulator of cysteine proteases in the retinal pigment epithelium, ciliary epithelium, aqueous humour, lens epithelium and in the corneal endothelium and epithelium.
Vigabatrin‐associated loss of vision: rarebit perimetry illuminates the dose−damage relationship
Authors: Frisén Lars 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  The utility of vigabatrin in the treatment of epilepsy is partially offset by its retinal toxicity. The relationship between dosage and damage is obscure. This may be due to perimetric shortcomings. The new technique of rarebit (‘microdot’) perimetry might be more informative.Methods:  Twelve patients who had been treated with vigabatrin for various durations were examined by manual, kinetic perimetry and by rarebit perimetry.Results:  Rarebit results differed significantly between patients and normal controls and rarebit deficits were directly proportional to cumulated vigabatrin doses (correlation coefficients were − 0.92 in the nasal field and − 0.82 in the temporal field). Manual perimetry results were less clearly related to dosage (r = − 0.54 and r = − 0.73, respectively).Conclusion:  Rarebit perimetry indicates that each treated subject will develop visual loss and that visual loss will be proportional to the accumulated dose. Conventional perimetry is less well suited to detecting and quantifying vigabatrin‐associated visual loss.
HLA class I/II matching and chronic endothelial cell loss in penetrating normal risk keratoplasty
Authors: Reinhard Thomas , Böhringer Daniel , Enczmann Jürgen , Kögler Gesine , Wernet Peter , Böhringer Stefan , Sundmacher Rainer 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Objective:  Chronic endothelial cell loss of the graft is very common after penetrating keratoplasty. The aetiology of this is unknown. Clinically, non‐identifiable immune reactions have been suspected. Recently, we were able to demonstrate that proper human leucocyte antigen (HLA) matching is a suitable means to reduce classical immune reactions in normal risk keratoplasty patients. In this study, we therefore investigated whether HLA‐matched grafts also experience less chronic endothelial cell loss.Methods:  A homogenous group of 223 normal risk keratoplasty patients was divided into six groups with different degrees of HLA matching (group 1 with unknown HLA data, group 2 with up to two mismatches, group 3 with three mismatches, group 4 with four mismatches, group 5 with five mismatches and group 6 with six mismatches on the HLA A, B, DR loci). All serological HLA A, B, C and all moleculargenetic HLA DRB, DRQB typings of donors and recipients were performed in a single laboratory accredited by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Only patients with at least three postoperative endothelial cell density values were included in the study. The slopes of the regression lines for each individual scatterplot of endothelial cell density values plotted against postoperative time (linear regression, lost cells/mm2/day), and after logarithmic transformation (exponential regression, annual relative loss of cells) were evaluated, respectively.Results:  There were no statistically significant differences between the six groups.Conclusion:  Whereas proper HLA matching at present standards is already a suitable means to reduce identifiable immune reactions and to prolong graft survival even in normal risk keratoplasty patients, the same HLA matching procedures are not effective in reducing the extent of chronic endothelial cell loss. For several reasons this does not yet exclude, however, the possibility that the underlying cause of chronic endothelial cell loss is immunological.
Retinopathy in acute leukaemia at initial diagnosis: correlation of fundus lesions and haematological parameters
Authors: Reddy S. C. , Jackson N. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose: To determine the prevalence of retinal changes in newly diagnosed acute leukaemia patients, and to establish the relationship between retinal lesions and haematological parameters in these patients.Methods: A total of 127 patients with acute leukaemia (myeloid and lymphoid), of both genders, aged between 13 and 77 years, were examined by an ophthalmologist for retinal changes using direct/indirect ophthalmoscopy within 2 days of diagnosis before starting chemotherapy.Results: Retinal lesions were seen in 62 cases (49%), with intraretinal haemorrhages being the most common lesion (42%). A high white blood cell count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.04) and white‐centred haemorrhages (p = 0.001), while a low platelet count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.03) in acute myeloid leukaemia patients.Conclusions: A high white blood cell count may be considered as important as a low platelet count in the pathogenesis of leukaemic retinopathy.
Complications of Neodymium: YAG laser goniopuncture after deep sclerectomy
Authors: Vuori Marja‐Liisa 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To study the complications of Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) goniopuncture after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI). Methods:  All patients who underwent a Nd:YAG goniopuncture after a successful DSCI for primary open‐angle glaucoma were included in a non‐randomized clinical study. Results:  Nd:YAG goniopuncture was performed in 31 patients. The mean time from surgery to goniopuncture was 3.2 ± 3.2 months. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before goniopuncture was 32.0 ± 10.8 mmHg (SD); the mean IOP 1–2 hours after goniopuncture was 16.5 ± 6.3 mmHg. After a mean follow‐up of 5.4 ± 2.8 months, the mean IOP was 17.8 ± 11.6 mmHg. Three patients had a spontaneous iris prolapse after Nd:YAG goniopuncture and consequently high IOP. No signs of severe hypotension were observed. Conclusion:  There are potentially serious complications relating to Nd:YAG goniopuncture after deep sclerectomy. However, further studies are needed to determine the safest time and level of IOP at which to perform Nd:YAG goniopuncture.
Influence of uveal melanoma therapy on patients' quality of life: a psychological study
Authors: Chabert Sophie , Velikay‐Parel Michaela , Zehetmayer Martin 
Published: December 2004

Abstract. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the quality of life of 98 patients treated with brachytherapy or stereotactic external beam irradiation, either with the Leksell Gamma Knife® or a 6‐MV LINAC. Methods: The EORTC QLQ‐C30 and the EORTC QLQ‐OPT37 psychological questionnaires and the HADS‐D scale were used. Two visual analogue scales (VASs) were applied to compare overall quality of life before and after treatment. Results: The results revealed no significant differences in quality of life (p = 0.215) among treatments with different methods of radiotherapy. Comparison of quality of life before and after therapy did, however, indicate a decrease in quality following radiotherapy. The average binocular visual acuity (VA) was 0.8 (range 0.3−1). Complications arising from the treatment included a reduction in VA in the affected eye, keratitis, cataract, scleral and corneal necrosis, radiation retinopathy, radiation optic neuropathy, retinal detachment and glaucoma. Conclusion: Due to the diagnosis revealed and the subsequent radiotherapy, patients with uveal melanoma experienced a reduced quality of life. However, compared to patients with other types of cancer, they seemed to feel relatively well and showed fewer signs of deterioration.
Efficacy and tolerability of the dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% combination (COSOPT™) versus latanoprost 0.005% (XALATAN™) in the treatment of ocular hypertension or glaucoma: results from two randomized clinical trials
Authors: Fechtner Robert D. , Airaksinen P. Juhani , Getson Albert J. , Lines Christopher R. , Adamsons Ingrid A. ,   the COSOPT versus XALATAN Study Groups
Published: December 2004

Abstract. Purpose: To compare the efficacy of the fixed dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% combination (COSOPT™) versus latanoprost 0.005% (XALATAN™). Methods: Two 3‐month, parallel group, randomized, observer‐masked and patient‐masked, multicentre, clinical trials were performed in patients with ocular hypertension or open‐angle glaucoma. Study 1 (n = 256) was conducted in the United States and Study 2 (n = 288) was conducted in Europe/Israel. Patients could be included whether or not they were currently taking ocular hypotensive therapy, and regardless of the effectiveness of any previous therapy. Patients were washed out from their usual ocular hypotensive medications and then those with a baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 24 mmHg were randomized to either the dorzolamide/timolol combination eye drops twice daily or latanoprost eye drops once daily in both eyes. Efficacy was assessed by daytime diurnal IOP (the mean of measurements made at 0800, 1000, 1400 and 1600 h). Results: At baseline, the mean daytime diurnal IOP was 26.1 mmHg in the dorzolamide/timolol combination group versus 25.6 mmHg in the latanoprost group in Study 1, and 25.3 mmHg in the dorzolamide/timolol combination group versus 24.7 mmHg in the latanoprost group in Study 2. After 3 months, the mean daytime diurnal IOP was 18.9 mmHg for the dorzolamide/timolol combination versus 18.4 mmHg for latanoprost in Study 1, and 17.4 mmHg for the dorzolamide/timolol combination versus 17.5 mmHg for latanoprost in Study 2. The difference between treatments in mean IOP change at 3 months was − 0.04 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.85, 0.77] in Study 1, and − 0.57 mmHg (95% CI − 1.31, 0.16) in Study 2. The probability that the true difference lay between − 1.5 and 1.5 mmHg, the predefined bounds for equivalance, was > 0.950 in both studies. Both treatments were well tolerated over 3 months, although ocular stinging occurred more frequently with the dorzolamide/timolol combination. Conclusion: The dorzolamide/timolol combination and latanoprost were equally effective at lowering IOP.
Enzyme adaptation to alkaline pH: Atomic resolution (1.08 Å) structure of phosphoserine aminotransferase from Bacillus alcalophilus
Authors: Dubnovitsky Anatoly P. , Kapetaniou Evangelia G. , Papageorgiou Anastassios C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe crystal structure of the vitamin B6‐dependent enzyme phosphoserine aminotransferase from the obligatory alkaliphile Bacillus alcalophilus has been determined at 1.08 Å resolution. The model was refined to an R‐factor of 11.7% (Rfree = 13.9%). The enzyme displays a narrow pH optimum of enzymatic activity at pH 9.0. The final structure was compared to the previously reported structure of the mesophilic phosphoserine aminotransferase from Escherichia coli and to that of phosphoserine aminotransferase from a facultative alkaliphile, Bacillus circulans subsp. alkalophilus. All three enzymes are homodimers with each monomer comprising a two‐domain architecture. Despite the high structural similarity, the alkaliphilic representatives possess a set of distinctive structural features. Two residues directly interacting with pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate are replaced, and an additional hydrogen bond to the O3′ atom of the cofactor is present in alkaliphilic phosphoserine aminotransferases. The number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions at the dimer interface is increased. Hydrophobic interactions between the two domains in the monomers are enhanced. Moreover, the number of negatively charged amino acid residues increases on the solvent‐accessible molecular surface and fewer hydrophobic residues are exposed to the solvent. Further, the total amount of ion pairs and ion networks is significantly reduced in the Bacillus enzymes, while the total number of hydrogen bonds is increased. The mesophilic enzyme from Escherichia coli contains two additional β‐strands in a surface loop with a third β‐strand being shorter in the structure. The identified structural features are proposed to be possible factors implicated in the alkaline adaptation of phosphoserine aminotransferase.
A novel member of the YchN‐like fold: Solution structure of the hypothetical protein Tm0979 from Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Gaspar Joe A. , Liu Chengsong , Vassall Kenrick A. , Meglei Gabriela , Stephen Ricardo , Stathopulos Peter B. , Pineda‐Lucena Antonio , Wu Bin , Yee Adelinda , Arrowsmith Cheryl H. , Meiering Elizabeth M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe report herein the NMR structure of Tm0979, a structural proteomics target from Thermotoga maritima. The Tm0979 fold consists of four β/α units, which form a central parallel β‐sheet with strand order 1234. The first three helices pack toward one face of the sheet and the fourth helix packs against the other face. The protein forms a dimer by adjacent parallel packing of the fourth helices sandwiched between the two β‐sheets. This fold is very interesting from several points of view. First, it represents the first structure determination for the DsrH family of conserved hypothetical proteins, which are involved in oxidation of intracellular sulfur but have no defined molecular function. Based on structure and sequence analysis, possible functions are discussed. Second, the fold of Tm0979 most closely resembles YchN‐like folds; however the proteins that adopt these folds differ in secondary structural elements and quaternary structure. Comparison of these proteins provides insight into possible mechanisms of evolution of quaternary structure through a simple mechanism of hydrophobicity‐changing mutations of one or two residues. Third, the Tm0979 fold is found to be similar to flavodoxin‐like folds and β/α barrel proteins, and may provide a link between these very abundant folds and putative ancestral half‐barrel proteins.
Crystal structure of the YML079w protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals a new sequence family of the jelly‐roll fold
Authors: Zhou Cong‐Zhao , Meyer Philippe , Quevillon‐Cheruel Sophie , De La Sierra‐Gallay Inès Li , Collinet Bruno , Graille Marc , Blondeau Karine , François Jean‐Marie , Leulliot Nicolas , Sorel Isabelle , Poupon Anne , Janin Joel , Van Tilbeurgh Herman 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe determined the three‐dimensional crystal structure of the protein YML079wp, encoded by a hypothetical open reading frame from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a resolution of 1.75 Å. The protein has no close homologs and its molecular and cellular functions are unknown. The structure of the protein is a jelly‐roll fold consisting of ten β‐strands organized in two parallel packed β‐sheets. The protein has strong structural resemblance to the plant storage and ligand binding proteins (canavalin, glycinin, auxin binding protein) but also to some plant and bacterial enzymes (epimerase, germin). The protein forms homodimers in the crystal, confirming measurements of its molecular mass in solution. Two monomers have their β‐sheet packed together to form the dimer. The presence of a hydrophobic ligand in a well conserved pocket inside the barrel and local sequence similarity with bacterial epimerases may suggest a biochemical function for this protein.