bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of splenectomy on circulating T‐lymphocyte subsets in stage III gastric cancer
Authors: Cho Min Young , Kroh Matthew D. , Joh Yong Geul , Suh Sung Ock 
Published: March 2003

Background:  The role of splenectomy remains unclear in patients with gastric cancer who undergo total gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of splenectomy on circulating T‐lymphocyte subsets and survival in advanced gastric cancer.Methods:  Analysis of lymphocyte subsets was performed in 40 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III gastric adenocarcinoma located on the upper one‐third of the stomach, who underwent a curative total gastrectomy with or without splenectomy. Circulating T‐lymphocyte subsets were measured on venous blood by using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies at preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18.Results:  The proportion of lymphocytes and the values of CD3, CD8, CD16 and CD25 subsets were higher in the splenectomy group of patients at postoperative month 3. In the spleen preservation group at the same point of treatment, the proportion of granulocytes and the values of CD4 and CD4 : CD8 ratio were higher. Except for CD16 levels, all T‐lymphocyte subsets showed no sig­nificant difference between splenectomy and spleen preservation groups after postoperative month 3. Increased CD16 levels in the splenectomy group were not associated with improvement in patients’ 5‐year survival rates.Conclusion:  These results suggest that the long‐term impact of splenectomy does not play an important role in postoperative quantitative changes of circulating T‐lymphocyte subsets of patients with stage III gastric cancer who have undergone total gastrectomy. Furthermore, splenectomy does not give a prognostic benefit, based on tumour recurrence and survival of patients with proximal one‐third gastric cancer who undergo total gastrectomy.
Survey of current cementing techniques in total knee replacement
Authors: Lutz Michael John , Halliday Brett Richard 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Current techniques in total knee replacement (TKR) vary greatly. Cementing techniques in TKR are no exception. Identification of current trends would aid ongoing research into future developments.Methods:  A questionnaire was sent to all orthopaedic surgeons in Queensland, Australia. A range of factors influencing cementing techniques for the tibial plateau were investigated.Results:  Eighty‐five percent of questionnaires were returned. Ninety‐one percent of surgeons regularly cement the tibial plateau, 90% use some form of lavage prior to cement application, 95% of surgeons apply cement by hand only. Techniques aimed at increasing cement penetration (cement gun, intraosseous suction) are used infrequently.Conclusions:  In contrast to total hip replacement, measures are not often taken to ensure that there is penetration of cement or a complete cement mantle into the tibial plateau in TKR. This may be because of a perceived lack of evidence in modern literature. This study also illustrates the wide variation in technique in a relatively common orthopaedic operation.
Changing pattern of adrenalectomy at a tertiary referral centre 1970−2000
Authors: Sidhu Stan , Bambach Christopher , Pillinger Stephen , Reeve Thomas , Stokes Gordon , Robinson Bruce , Delbridge Leigh 
Published: March 2003

Background:  In 1987, a report from this unit described the changing indications for open adrenalectomy over a 15‐year period. The indications for adrenalectomy had switched from it being the principal therapeutic procedure used in advanced breast cancer in the early 1970s, to being predominately performed for Cushing's disease or incidental, asymptomatic, adrenal masses by the early 1980s. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the presentation and management of adrenal disease in the last 15 years and to compare these findings with our previously published results.Methods:  Information was gathered from a prospective database of all patients undergoing adrenalectomy in the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 2000. Information was obtained on patient presentation, diagnostic investigations, indications for surgery, procedure performed and surgical outcomes. Prior to 1987, information was gathered by retrospective review of case notes of patients who had undergone adrenalectomy at Royal North Shore Hospital. During the period from 1 January 1970 to 31 December 2000, 236 patients underwent adrenalectomy. Excluding the 68 adrenalectomies performed for breast cancer, left 168 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for functional or non‐­functional masses. There were 97 (58%) women and 71 (42%) men, with a mean age of 48 years.Results:  Of the 168 patients, the principal indications for surgery were hyperaldosteronism (32%), phaeochromocytoma (20%), hypercortisolism (20%), incidentaloma (16%), carcinoma (6%) and other reasons (6%). Examination of the number of cases in each pathological group for the periods 1970−1986 and 1987−2000, revealed an 8‐fold increase in the number of operations for hyper­aldosteronism, and a 3‐fold increase in cases of phaeochromocytoma. The number of operations for the other pathological groups remained steady. The annual incidence of adrenalectomy in the hospital has steadily risen since 1990, with a linear increase in the adrenalectomy rate since the introduction of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 1995. There were fewer complications in either the open or laparoscopic group since 1987 compared with the pre‐1987 cohort.Conclusions:  In the past 5 years, there has been a linear increase in the number of adrenalectomies performed in this unit for hyperaldosteronism and to a lesser extent phaeochromocytoma. This is a reflection of increased clinical awareness, improved diagnostic modalities and the advent of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
Authors: Rabbitt Philippa , Pathma‐Nathan Nimilan , Collinson Trevor , Hewett Peter , Rieger Nicholas 
Published: March 2003

Background:  The current Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) protocol for T1 and T2 anal cancers is combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy excluding the inguinal region from the field. Several centres worldwide irradiate both inguinal regions as there is a small incidence of involvement with early stage tumours. The presence of inguinal lymph node metastases is not accurately detected using clinical and most radiological assessment modalities. We have developed a method of sampling the sentinel node in the groin using established node mapping techniques.
Methods:  A combination of radio‐labelled Antimony Sulphide and Patent Blue dye injected around the anal cancer enable identification of the sentinel node in the groin, using a gamma probe and direct visualization of the blue node.
Results:  This technique has been used in four patients. A groin sentinel node was identified and removed in three of these, with pathological assessment excluding metastatic disease in the inguinal region. The fourth patient had a sentinel node mapped to a meso‐rectal node. This was not sampled.
Conclusions:  The application of this effective technique will allow accurate staging of anal cancers to better plan future treatment regimes.
Serum interleukin‐6 measurement in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Authors: Gürleyik Günay , Gürleyik Emin , Çetinkaya Fuat , Unalmiser Selcuk 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Many attempts have been made to determine ways of decreasing the negative laparotomy rate after a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentration in the diagnosis of appendicitis, and in the prevention of non‐therapeutic laparotomy in patients with right iliac fossa pain.
Methods:  Serum IL‐6 concentrations were measured at admission in 77 consecutive patients who were operated on for the treatment of acute appendicitis. The final diagnosis was established by histopathological examination. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of IL‐6 concentrations in the diagnosis of appendicitis were calculated.
Results:  The negative laparotomy rate was 17% (13/77) in this series. The IL‐6 level was elevated in seven of 13 patients (54%; false positive) with a normal appendix. The IL‐6 level was normal in 10/64 patients (16%; false negative) with acute appendicitis. The IL‐6 level was highly elevated in all patients with perforated appendicitis. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated as 84, 46, 78, and 89 and 38%, respectively.
Conclusions:  Unacceptably high false negative and positive rates decrease the accuracy of the serum IL‐6 test for appendicitis. Serum IL‐6 measurement is not of benefit in increasing the accuracy of the diagnosis of appendicitis. Serum IL‐6 results are not useful for preventing negative laparotomies in the majority of patients with right iliac fossa pain.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DEFECTS FOR FATIGUE STRENGTH PREDICTION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF MATERIALS
Authors: Beretta S , Murakami Y 
Published: March 2003

A wide range of studies and experimental evidence have shown that the lower bound of fatigue properties can be correctly predicted by considering the maximum occurring defect size. The estimate of this dimension can be done by analysing the defect sizes using the statistics of extremes.The scope of this paper is to discuss and investigate the two key points in a successful application of this technique: the first is the choice of statistical method for the analysis of data; the second is the knowledge of the minimum number of defects needed to obtain a good estimate of extreme defects.The results obtained in this study allow one to formulate a procedure for estimating the extreme defects with a precision suitable for fatigue strength prediction.
Retrogression, reaging and residual stresses in 7010 forgings
Authors: Robinson J.S. , Tanner D.A. , Whelan S.D. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTOpen die forgings of the aluminium alloy 7010 (DTD5636) have been retrogressed at temperatures between 200 and 240 °C and then reaged (RRA). Tensile, fracture toughness and stress corrosion cracking values are reported. Retrogression at 200 °C offers the most promising combination of properties, and the long retrogression time of approx. 2500 s will enable thick sections to be treated. Residual stresses induced during quenching are also predicted, and initial experimental results suggest that some stress relief occurs during the retrogression heat treatment.
X‐ray diffraction studies on fatigue crack plastic zones developed under plane strain state conditions
Authors: Dias  , Lebrun  , Bignonnet  
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAn overview of the X‐ray fractography technique, as performed on fatigue crack surfaces of several steels and Al‐alloys under different loading conditions, is presented. The plastic zone sizes of fatigue cracks, for plane strain conditions, are measured from the in‐depth distribution of residual stresses and X‐ray diffraction peak broadening. In addition to the usual monotonic plastic zone size determination methodology, a model for the estimation of the reverse plastic zone size was established in the case of fatigue softening materials. Monotonic and cyclic plastic zone sizes are related to the stress intensity by, respectively, rpm = α  (Kmax /σys )2 and rpc = α  (ΔK/2σ′ys )2. The α‐value, in the monotonic plastic zone size equation, increases as the yield strength of the material increases, following the relationship α = 0.196  [σys /(129 + 0.928σys )]2. The α‐value versus σys evolution has been understood through the influence of the hardening rate of materials on the plastic zone size. X‐ray fractography has been applied to actual failure analyses to predict some aspects of the actual loadings.
Fibre reinforcement and fracture response in geopolymeric mortars
Authors: SILVA F. J. , THAUMATURGO C. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe inorganic polymeric cement called geopolymer or PSS, has been studied in recent years as a binder for mortar and concrete. The present work reports the fracture toughness studies in mortars made of PSS cement matrix reinforced by wollastonite microfibers (Ca(SiO3)). KI‐curves for PSS cement composites were determined according to the superposition asymptotic assumption and compared with reference Portland cement (PC) composites. The maximum toughness gain occurs in both composite systems with Vf = 2%. For higher fibre volumes (3 and 5%), KI values decrease, due to an increase in porosity. Microstructural analyses showed that toughening mechanisms, as debonding and pullout of the fibers, are more common in PSS cement composites than in the reference PC composites. The difference of toughness between PSS and PC cement (0% of fibers) is about 80%. This demonstrates the high performance of these geopolymeric materials.
Fracture mechanics and notch sensitivity
Authors: ATZORI B. , LAZZARIN P. , MENEGHETTI G. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA diagram valid for the analysis of the fatigue limit of cracks and notches centred in an infinite plate was recently proposed by the authors of the present work with the aim to make explicit the bridging at the fatigue limit between defect sensitivity (correlated to the length parameter a0, according to El Haddad–Topper–Smith's definition) and notch sensitivity (correlated to a*, where a* is a particular notch depth corresponding to the intersection between the ΔKth and Δσ0/Kt curves). The expression being valid, defect sensitivity and notch sensitivity were seen as two sides of the same medal. Such a diagram is now extended to finite size components by simply introducing the shape factor α commonly used in fracture mechanics. The obtained critical defect size is termed aD, which is a material and geometry dependent parameter, in order to distinguish it from a0, which is a material parameter. As a consequence the critical notch depth aN is introduced, such that . This results in the proposal of a ‘universal’ diagram able to summarize experimental data related to different materials, geometry and loading conditions. The diagram, the validity of which is checked by means of several results available in the literature, is applied both to the interpretation of the scale effect and to the surface finishing effect.
Prospects for conserving biodiversity in Amazonian extractive reserves
Authors: Moegenburg Susan M. , Levey Douglas J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNon‐timber forest product (NTFP) extraction is a popular alternative to timber extraction that figures prominently in efforts to utilize tropical forests sustainably. But the ability to conserve biodiversity through NTFP management, particularly in extractive reserves in Amazonia, has remained untested. We found that intensive management of Euterpe oleracea (Palmae) fruit, one of the most important extractive products in the Amazon, has substantial impacts on biodiversity, whereas moderate management does not. We mimicked traditional levels of fruit harvest in a replicated experiment over one fruiting season. High‐intensity harvest (75% of fruits removed) reduced avian frugivore species diversity by 22%. Low‐intensity harvest (40% of fruits removed), however, had no effect on diversity. On a larger scale, we found that forests with enriched densities of E. oleracea supported more fruit‐eating birds but fewer non fruit‐eating birds than non‐enriched forests. Taken together, these results suggest that intensive NTFP management to meet market demands may trigger substantial ecological impacts, at least at the level of our study. E. oleracea harvest should be limited where conservation of biodiversity is a goal.
Detecting evolutionary rate heterogeneity among mangroves and their close terrestrial relatives
Authors: Zhong Yang , Zhao Qiong , Shi Suhua , Huang Yelin , Hasegawa Masami 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMangroves form the dominant intertidal ecosystems and differ morphologically and physiologically from their close terrestrial relatives. We investigate the molecular evolutionary pattern of the typical mangrove family, i.e. Rhizophoraceae, and rate heterogeneity for the plastid matK and rbcL genes in different species of the family, as revealed by phylogenetic analyses and relative‐rate tests. Our study documents evolutionary rate heterogeneity in the Rhizophoraceae for the two genes: the mangrove genus Bruguiera has relatively slow substitution rates compared to the terrestrial genus Carallia at both synonymous and non‐synonymous sites in the matK sequences, and the synonymous and non‐synonymous substitution matrices are correlated. However, the rbcL non‐synonymous sites exhibit a high degree of rate heterogeneity among mangroves and related terrestrial groups, and uncoupling of rates with the synonymous sites. Selection is probably an important influence on the rate variation, suggesting further investigation for better understanding of various forces contributing to the rate heterogeneity and molecular adaptation in mangroves.
Root herbivory induces an above‐ground indirect defence
Authors: Wäckers Felix L. , Bezemer T. Martijn 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIndirect plant defences have largely been studied within the scope of above‐ground interactions. Here we provide novel evidence that root herbivory can induce an above‐ground indirect defence. Cotton plants (Gossypium herbaceum) exposed to root‐feeding wireworms (Agriotes lineatus) increased their foliar extrafloral nectar production ten‐fold in comparison to undamaged control plants. Mechanical root damage also yielded an increase in nectar production. In nature, extrafloral nectar production allows plants to recruit predators, which in turn protect the plant against above‐ground insect herbivores. Our results show that root‐feeding herbivores may alter such above‐ground defensive interactions.
Invariant properties in coevolutionary networks of plant–animal interactions
Authors: Jordano Pedro , Bascompte Jordi , Olesen Jens M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPlant–animal mutualistic networks are interaction webs consisting of two sets of entities, plant and animal species, whose evolutionary dynamics are deeply influenced by the outcomes of the interactions, yielding a diverse array of coevolutionary processes. These networks are two‐mode networks sharing many common properties with others such as food webs, social, and abiotic networks. Here we describe generalized patterns in the topology of 29 plant–pollinator and 24 plant–frugivore networks in natural communities. Scale‐free properties have been described for a number of biological, social, and abiotic networks; in contrast, most of the plant–animal mutualistic networks (65.6%) show species connectivity distributions (number of links per species) with a power‐law regime but decaying as a marked cut‐off, i.e. truncated power‐law or broad‐scale networks and few (22.2%) show scale‐invariance. We hypothesize that plant–animal mutualistic networks follow a build‐up process similar to complex abiotic nets, based on the preferential attachment of species. However, constraints in the addition of links such as morphological mismatching or phenological uncoupling between mutualistic partners, restrict the number of interactions established, causing deviations from scale‐invariance. This reveals generalized topological patterns characteristic of self‐organized complex systems. Relative to scale‐invariant networks, such constraints may confer higher robustness to the loss of keystone species that are the backbone of these webs.
The Allee effect, stochastic dynamics and the eradication of alien species
Authors: Liebhold Andrew , Bascompte Jordi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrevious treatments of the population biology of eradication have assumed that eradication can only be achieved via 100% removal of the alien population. However, this assumption appears to be incorrect because stochastic dynamics and the Allee effect typically contribute to the extinction of very low‐density populations. We explore a model that incorporates Allee dynamics and stochasticity to observe how these two processes contribute to the extinction of isolated populations following eradication treatments of varying strength (percentage mortality). As a case study, we used historical data on the dynamics of isolated gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar, populations to fit parameters to this model. The parameterized model was then used in simulations that evaluated the efficacy of various eradication strategies. The results indicated that eradication of isolated gypsy moth populations could be easily achieved following a treatment of >80% mortality as long as populations were relatively low (indicated by <100 males captured in pheromone traps).
Comparison of microbial populations in model and natural rumens using 16S ribosomal RNA‐targeted probes
Authors: Ziemer Cherie J. , Sharp Richard , Stern Marshall D. , Cotta Michael A. , Whitehead Terence R. , Stahl David A. 
Published: March 2003

A model rumen system, dual‐flow continuous culture fermenters, was evaluated by two comparative criteria in two experiments using ribosomal (r)RNA‐targeted DNA probes to compare key microbial groups in samples. The initial experiment measured temporal changes in population structure during adaptation of ruminal microbial populations in fermenters over 240 h. The fermenter inoculum contained 34.9% Bacteria, 60.1% Eukarya and 6.8% Archaea measured as a fraction of total small subunit (SSU) rRNA quantified using a universal probe. The cellulolytic bacterial genus Fibrobacter comprised 9.5% of total SSU rRNA in the inoculum. After 240 h of fermenter operation, the average abundance was 80.9% Bacteria, 6.1% Eukarya, 5.1% Archaea and Fibrobacter genus accounted for 6.6% of the total SSU rRNA. Divergence between ruminal and fermenter population structure was evaluated in the second experiment and samples were classified as ruminal, inoculum or fermenter (96, 120, 144 and 168 h of fermenter operation). Fermenter samples had higher relative abundances of Bacteria (84.5%) and Archaea (2.1%) and lower relative abundances of Eukarya (1.8%) than ruminal samples (average 48.0% Bacteria, 1.3% Archaea and 61.5% Eukarya). The relative abundance of Fibrobacter was similar in all samples, averaging 2.5%. The ruminal and fermenter samples had similar proportions of F. succinogenes and F. succinogenes subgroup 3 (as a percentage of Fibrobacter SSU rRNA). Fibrobacter succinogenes subgroup 1 and F. intestinalis proportions of Fibrobacter were lower in fermenter samples (8.2% and 0.7% respectively) than in ruminal samples (28.4% and 2.2% respectively). Fermenters were able to maintain a core prokaryotic community structure similar to the native microbial community in the rumen. Although protozoa populations were lost, maintenance of Fibrobacter and archaeal populations indicated that the model system supported a functional community structure similar to the rumen. This model rumen system may serve as a suitable tool for studying aspects of ruminal microbial ecology and may resolve some of the relationships between microbial community structure and function by providing control of experimental conditions.