bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE PATTERN OF NODAL RECURRENCE FOLLOWING DEFINITIVE RADIOTHERAPY FOR NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA
Authors: Khoo Mark L. C. , Soo Khee‐Chee , Lim Dennis T. H. , Fong KAM‐WENG , Sethi Christopher H. K. Goh§** and Dharambir S. 
Published: July 2002

Background: The pattern of nodal metastasis in previously untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been studied and reported. In order to analyse the pattern of recurrent nodal disease in previously treated NPC, a retrospective study on 68 patients who underwent radical neck dissection for regionally recurrent NPC was conducted. Methods: Seventy‐four neck dissections were performed on 68 patients who developed nodal recurrence after a mean disease‐free interval of 39.2 months. None of the patients had evidence of local or systemic disease at the time of surgery. Histopathological reports of the 74 neck dissections were analysed with regard to the number of positive nodes as well as the number of involved nodal levels. Results: Of the 65 neck dissection specimens with analysable data, 31 showed metastatic disease at a single nodal level with a mean number of positive nodes of 1.2, while 34 showed metastatic disease at multiple levels with a mean number of positive nodes of 6.6. Nodal recurrence occurred at level II with the greatest frequency (78.5%). Of the 31 specimens with single level nodal involvement, 21 (67.7%) occurred at level II. Isolated involvement at the other levels did occur, but was uncommon (range 3–16%). Of the 34 specimens with multiple level nodal involvement, 30 (88.2%) showed involvement at level II. Once more than one level was involved, the frequency of involvement at any given level was at least 30%. Conclusion: The predominant involvement at level II and the high frequencies of involvement at all levels support the use of a classical radical neck dissection in treating recurrent nodal disease in NPC.
EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH CLINICAL INDICATORS IN SURGERY
Authors: Collopy B. T. , Rodgers L. , Woodruff P. , Williams J. 
Published: July 2002

Background: In 1997 a set of 53 clinical indicators developed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) Care Evaluation Programme (CEP), was introduced into the ACHS Evaluation and Quality Improvement Programme (EQuIP). The clinical indicators covered 20 different conditions or procedures for eight specialty groups and were designed to act as flags to possible problems in surgical care. Methods: The development process took several years and included a literature review, field testing, and revision of the indicators prior to approval by the College council. In their first year 155 health‐care organizations (HCO) addressed the indicators and this rose to 210 in 1998. Data were received from all states and both public and private facilities. Results: The collected data for 1997 and 1998 for some of the indicators revealed rates which were comparable with those reported in the international literature. For example, the rates of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy were 0.7 and 0.53%, respectively; the mortality rates for coronary artery graft surgery were 2.5 and 2.1%, respectively; the mortality rates after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were 2.5 and 3.7%, respectively; and the post‐tonsillectomy reactionary haemorrhage rates were 0.9 and 1.3%, respectively. Results for some indicators differed appreciably from other reports, flagging the need for further investigation; for example, the negative histology rates for appendectomy in children were 18.6 and 21.2%, respectively, and the rates for completeness of excision of malignant skin tumours were 90.7 and 90%, respectively. The significance of these figures, however, depends upon validation of the data and their reliability and reproducibility. Because reliability can be finally determined only at the hospital level they are of limited value for broader comparison. Conclusion: The process of review established for the indicator set has led to refinement of some indicators through improvement of definitions, and to a considerable reduction in the number of indicators to 29 (covering 18 procedures), for the second version of the indicators (which was introduced for use from January 1999). The clinical indicator programme, as it has with other disciplines, hopefully will provide a stimulus to the modification and improvement of surgical practice. Clinician ownership should enhance the collection of reliable data and hence their usefulness.
In‐patient management of diabetes mellitus and patient satisfaction
Authors: Bhattacharyya A. , Christodoulides C. , Kaushal K. , New J. P. , Young R. J. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAims To devise a system for assessing in‐patient glycaemic control and care satisfaction in diabetic patients admitted to hospital for reasons other than their diabetes.Methods Consecutive January to March 2001 case‐notes were reviewed. Admissions with acute metabolic complications, acute myocardial infarction and pregestational or gestational diabetes were excluded. Glycaemic control, frequency of blood monitoring and management of hyperglycaemia were recorded. The diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire was used to assess preadmission satisfaction with care. Post‐admission a 12‐stem questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with in‐patient diabetes management.Results Hypoglycaemia was common. Although none developed a hyperglycaemic emergency, high blood glucose was prevalent and, frequently, persistent hyperglycaemia or recurrent hypoglycaemia was not acted on appropriately. The overall score for in‐patient satisfaction with treatment was fair (4.1 ± 1.8 on a six‐point scale; 6 = very satisfied and 1 = very dissatisfied). Scores were higher among patients on surgical wards than on medical wards (P = 0.008), but satisfaction did not vary when patients were stratified according to sex, age and mode of treatment.Conclusion Current systems are not achieving satisfactory in‐patient glycaemic control and there is poor satisfaction with medical in‐patient diabetes care. Following changes intended to produce improvements, this assessment system can be used recurrently to monitor in‐patient care and satisfaction.
Fetal echocardiography during indomethacin treatment
Authors: Respondek M. , Weil S. R. , Huhta J. C. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractFetal echocardiograms were evaluated in 315 studies performed in 107 fetuses exposed to indomethacin. In the majority of cases, the results of the fetal echocardiography study were within normal limits (74%). The most common abnormal phenomena were tricuspid valve regurgitation (10%), ductal constriction (6%), tricuspid valve regurgitation and ductal constriction (5%), an increased ductal velocity (2%), and other (3%).The difference between the prevalence of ductal constriction in the whole series of studies (11%) compared to the prevalence of ductal constriction per fetus (25%) (p < 0.001) suggests that this phenomenon was only temporary and disappeared when medication was discontinued. The mean gestational age for detection of tricuspid valve regurgitation was 27.7 ± 2.8 weeks and for ductal constriction, 30.9 ± 2.1 weeks (t‐test, p < 0.01). Trivial tricuspid valve regurgitation was detected at a mean of 26.7 ± 2.2 weeks and significant tricuspid valve regurgitation at 29.6 ± 2.3 weeks (t‐test, p < 0.01).We conclude that indomethacin treatment is relatively safe for the fetal heart. The most common side‐effects are tricuspid valve regurgitation and ductal constriction. Tricuspid valve regurgitation may be detected before ductal constriction, but by itself it is not a contraindication for the continued use of indomethacin. Copyright © 1995 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The effect of overstorey proteas on plant species richness in South African mountain fynbos
Authors: Vlok J. H. J. , Yeaton R. I. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryTwo South African mountain fynbos sites, similar in drainage, elevation, slope angle, slope aspect and soil type but with differing fire histories, were studied to measure how the effect of high densities of overstorey proteas in one fire cycle affects the α‐diversity levels of the plant community in the following fire‐cycle, how their repeated absence due to several short fire‐cycles affects their species richness and finally, at what spatial scale such patterns are most appropriately measured. High prefire canopy cover percentages and densities of overstorey proteas increase the postfire α‐diversity of understorey species. In addition, the increase in species richness observed occurred for all higher plant life history types present. At sites where one or more short fire cycles resulted in the repeated absence of overstorey proteas, the number of plant species present in the understorey was lower than at a site where overstorey proteas persisted. These results are dependent on the spatial scale at which the α‐diversity of understorey species is measured. At small quadrat sizes (< 5 m2), overstorey proteas decrease the number of understorey species present, while at larger quadrat sizes (100 m2) higher species richness is observed. The contradiction in conclusions when α‐diversity is measured at different spatial scales can be attributed to the patchiness of fynbos communities. Overstorey proteas play an important role in maintaining the patchiness component of fynbos communities by diminishing the effect of understorey resprouting species, making available regeneration niches for the maintenance of plant species richness. Where small quadrats are used, the effect of patchiness on the dynamics of the mountain fynbos community is lost. Thus, it is the fire history prior to the last fire and how it affects overstorey proteas that is important in the determination of α‐diversity levels in mountain fynbos plant communities.
Heroin purity and composition in Sydney, Australia
Authors: MAHER LISA , SWIFT WENDY , DAWSON MICHAEL 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe aim of the study was to provide baseline data on the pharmacological properties of heroin available for retail sale in Cabramatta, Sydney. A retrospective sampling frame was constructed consisting of all suspected heroin seizures in Cabramatta between October 1996 and March 1997 (n = 487). A total of 33 street‐level ‘exhibits’, comprising 88 samples, were selected. Ion chromatography was used to determine whether heroin was present as the free base or as the hydrochloride (or other salt). High performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was used to assess the presence of diacetylmorphine hydrochloride (heroin hydrochloride), O‐6‐monoacetylmorphine hydrochloride (degradation product) and acetylcodeine hydrochloride (synthesis byproduct). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromotography with refractive index detection were used to detect adulterants and diluents. All samples contained heroin as the hydrochloride salt. No heroin free base was encountered. The mean purity was 66% with 85% of samples having an average purity of at least 50%. The samples were free of harmful adulterants. Adulterants detected were pharmacologically inactive diluents largely used to add bulk (sugars) or pharmacologically active adulterants used to improve the bioavailability of heroin HCL when smoked (caffeine). Results have implications for attempts to reduce drug‐related harms and, in particular, suggest that interventions designed to facilitate transitions from heroin injecting to smoking require careful consideration of the pharmacological factors associated with route of administration.
The Holyoake Codependency Index: further evidence of factorial validity
Authors: DEAR GREG E. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe Holyoake Codependency Index (HCI) is a 13‐item self‐report scale that measures codependent traits. The HCI contains three subscales that correspond to key themes within the codependency literature and that were derived from factor analysis using a clinical sample of mainly females. The factor structure was subsequently replicated with an all‐female general community sample. In this study the factor structure was replicated using a mixed‐sex sample of 107 undergraduate university students and 378 other people who were snowball sampled from the student sample, and was found to hold for both male and female participants.
Alcohol tolerance and nicotine cross‐tolerance in adolescent mice
Authors: Lopez Marcelo F. , White Nancy M. , Randall Carrie L. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe present experiment was designed to evaluate the development of tolerance to alcohol and cross‐tolerance to nicotine in adolescent mice. C57BL/6J mice (30–40 days old) were injected IP with alcohol (2.5 g/kg) for 4 consecutive days. A control group received four saline injections. On the test day, all subjects received an alcohol injection. Tolerance to alcohol's hypothermic effect was observed. Mice (male and female) exposed to alcohol for the 4 previous days showed less hypothermic response to an alcohol challenge than animals injected for 4 days with saline and then challenged with alcohol. Tolerance to alcohol's motor incoordinating effects and differences in blood alcohol concentrations were not observed. Thirty days following alcohol treatment, the same mice received a single nicotine injection (1 mg/kg) to assess cross‐tolerance. Nicotine's effect on locomotor activity (open field test) and rectal temperature varied as a function of prior adolescent alcohol exposure and gender. Specifically, female mice who had been exposed to alcohol administrations were more resistant to nicotine's effect on locomotion and temperature than saline‐treated animals. In summary, these data demonstrate that adolescent mice develop tolerance to some, but not all, alcohol‐induced responses, and that female mice are cross‐tolerant to nicotine's effects on temperature and activity.
Effects of central and systemic injections of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands on the anxiolytic actions of ethanol in rats
Authors: Morato G. S. , Ferreira V. M. M. , Ferrara P. , Farges R. C. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe influence of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands Ro5‐4864 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or PK11195 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) on the anxiolytic effect of ethanol (1.2 g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) was investigated in rats tested on the elevated plus‐maze. Other animals were injected through intrahippocampal administrations of the ligands (0.5 or 1.0 nmol/0.5 μl) before ethanol (1.2g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) and submitted to the elevated plus‐maze test. The results showed that the systemic administration of either ligands 24 hours before the ethanol treatment resulted in a reduced anxiolytic effect of this drug. Only PK11195 reversed the effect of ethanol after intrahippocampal injection. These data suggest that peripheral benzodiazepine receptors play a role in ethanol anxiolysis.
Chronic high‐dose nitrazepam dependence 123I‐IMP SPECT and EEG studies
Authors: Kitabayashi Yurinosuke , Ueda Hideki , Narumoto Jin , Iizumi Hideyuki , Tsuchida Hideto , Murata Nobufumi , Nakajima Shosaku , Fukui Kenji 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA patient who took 50–100 mg nitrazepam per day for 25 years is presented. 123I‐IMP SPECT (autoradiography method) and EEG were performed sequentially on the subject during and after the withdrawal syndrome. Severe hypoperfusion of the whole brain on SPECT and diffuse slow activity on EEG were demonstrated during the withdrawal syndrome and subsequently remarkably improved. However, the hypofrontal pattern on both early and delayed images in SPECT was unchanged. The changes observed on SPECT and EEG reflect the pathophysiology of dependence and withdrawal. Additionally, the hypofrontal pattern remained unchanged suggesting that organic brain damage can develop as a result of chronic high‐dose benzodiazepine abuse.
YM90K, a selective‐amino‐3‐hydroxy5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist, prevents induction of heat shock protein HSP ‐70 and hsp ‐70 mRNA in rat retrosplenial cortex by phencyclidine
Authors: NARITA NATSUKO , HASHIMOTO KENJI , TOMITAKA SHIN‐ICHIRO , MINABE YOSHIO , YAMAZAKI KOSUKE 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAbstract The non‐competitive N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist such as an abused drug phencyclidine (PCP) causes the induction of heat shock protein HSP‐70, a sensitive marker of neuronal injury, in the retrosplenial cortex of rat brain. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of a ‐amino‐3‐ hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor in the expression of heat shock protein HSP‐70 and hsp‐70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex by PCP. Administration of PCP (50 mg/kg, i.p.) caused the induction of heat shock protein HSP‐70 in the retrosplenial cortex of rat brain, whereas no HSP‐70 immunoreactivity was detected in the vehicle‐treated group. Pretreatment with a potent and selective AMPA receptor antagonist YM90K (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, i.p; 15 min) inhibited in a dose dependent manner, the induction of heat shock protein HSP‐70 by PCP (50 mg/kg). Furthermore, administration of PCP (50 mg/kg, i.p) caused marked expression of hsp‐70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex of rat brain, whereas the expression of hsp‐70 mRNA was NOT found in the vehicle‐treated group. Pretreatment with YM90K (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, i p; 15 min) also inhibited the expression of hsp‐70 mRNA by PCP (50 mg/kg), in a dose‐dependent manner. These results suggest that AMPA receptor may play a role in the expression of heat shock protein HSP‐70 and heat shock gene hsp‐70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex of rat brain by non‐competitive NMDA receptor antagonists such as PCP.
dl‐Fenfluramine inhibits ethanol‐induced ascorbic acid release in rat striatum studied by microdialysis
Authors: CHUN‐FU WU , WEN LIU , JING LIU , CHYON‐HWA YEH 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe effects of dl ‐fenfluramine, dl ‐5‐hydroxytryptophan(5‐HTP) and fluoxetine on ethanol‐induced striatal ascorbic acid (AA) release in rat were studied by microdialysis coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Ethanol (3.0 g/kg, i.p.) stimulated striatal AA release to more than 200% above the baseline. dl ‐Fenfluramine (20 mg/kg, i.p. or 40 mug/rat, i.c.v.), 10 min before ethanol administration, markedly inhibited ethanol‐induced AA release. A similar result was also observed following dl ‐5‐HTP (100 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. However, fluoxetine (10, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) showed no antagonistic effect on ethanol‐induced AA release. The suppressing effect of dl ‐fenfluramine and dl ‐5‐HTP on ethanolinduced AA release could be reversed by the 5‐HT receptor antagonist cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg, s.c.). All these drugs had no effect on basal AA release. The results give a first evidence for the involvement of central serotonergic system, and suggest that differential activities may exist between dl ‐fenfluramine, dl ‐5‐HTP and fluoxetine in regulating ethanol‐induced AA release in rat striatum.
Regulation of opioid receptors by opioid antagonists: implications for rapid opioid detoxification
Authors: DAWS LYNETTE C. , WHITE JASON M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractOpioid receptor antagonists have long been used in the diagnosis of opioid dependence and in the treatment of both opioid overdose and addiction. More recently they have been used in rapid opioid detoxification, a technique which has generated much ethical and scientific controversy. Because of this, the present review aims to integrate and summarize the current state of knowledge on adaptational changes to opioid systems as a result of antagonist administration. It is generally accepted that chronic treatment with an opioid antagonist results in opioid receptor upregulation. However, the mechanism(s) underlying this resultant opioid supersensitivity remain unresolved. In addition, there is not yet consensus regarding whether changes in opioid receptor number are directly responsible for the functional changes observed after chronic opioid antagonist treatment. Moreover, changes in opioid receptor number and sensitivity to opioid agonists and antagonists after chronic opioid antagonist treatment are dependent on dosing regimes as well as the kinetic properties of the antagonist itself. The role of these variables is appraised critically given the implication that an opioid antagonist can enhance functional responses. For example, such responses are an important consideration in the use of opioids because of possible adverse outcomes, such as overdose, after cessation of administration. Based on the literature discussed in this review it is concluded that caution is essential in the use of opioid antagonists for rapid opioid detoxification.
Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma: Analysis of Outcome of a Rare Neoplasm
Authors: McCarter Martin D. , Lewis Jonathan J. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Brennan Murray F. 
Published: July 2002

Purpose. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma represents an unusual soft‐tissue
sarcoma that historically is reported to carry an exceptionally poor prognosis.The objectives
of this study were to use a prospectively gathered sarcoma database to test the prevailing
clinical bias and more accurately describe the natural history, characterize the prognostic
features, estimate survival and evaluate treatment strategies for this unusual sarcoma.Patients and methods. From a large database of nearly 4000 sarcomas
at a single institution, 15 patients with pathologically confirmed extraskeletal osteosarcoma
were analysed.Results and discussion. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma usually occurs as a
large, deep, high‐grade lesion in the lower extremity of older patients. Overall and
disease‐specific survival at 5 years was 50%, with a median follow‐up of 35 months (range
3– 200 months). Use of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy did not appear to influence
survival, but an effect may have been missed by the relatively low numbers in each
group.When matched to a comparable group of patients with stage III extremity sarcomas,
there was no significant difference in overall or disease‐specific survival between groups.
Treatment for extraskeletal osteosarcoma should follow established guidelines for treatment
of soft‐tissue sarcomas, with the decision regarding adjuvant therapy to be based on
individual risk factors.
The Relevance of Flow Cytometry for Biochemical Analysis
Authors: O'Connor José‐Enrique , Callaghan Robert C. , Escudero Marta , Herrera Guadalupe , Martínez Alicia , Monteiro María‐do‐Céu , Montolíu Hilario 
Published: July 2002

AbstractFlow cytometry (FCM) allows the simultaneous measurement of multiple fluorescences and light scatter induced by illumination of single cells or microscopic particles in suspension, as they flow rapidly through a sensing area. In some systems, individual cells or particles may be sorted according to the properties exhibited. By using appropriate fluorescent markers, FCM is unique in that multiple structural and functional parameters can be quantified simultaneously on a single‐particle basis, whereas up to thousands of biological particles per second may be examined. FCM is increasingly used for basic, clinical, biotechnological, and environmental studies of biochemical relevance. In this critical review, we summarize the main advantages and limitations of FCM for biochemical studies and discuss briefly the most relevant parameters and analytical strategies. Graphical examples of the biological information provided by multiparametric FCM are presented. Also, this review contains specific sections on flow cytoenzymology, FCM analysis of isolated subcellular organelles, and cell‐free FCM.
Appreciation of Ying‐Lai Wang
Authors: Liedy W. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThis appreciation of Professor Ying‐Lai Wang has been provided by Qi‐Shui Lin, Bo‐Liang Li, E. C. (Bill) Slater, and Bill Whelan, each contributing biographical details and personal reminiscences of an outstanding Chinese biochemist. The account by Drs. Lin and Li is condensed from an appreciation that appeared in Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica 33, 365‐367 (2001). Another account of Professor Wang's life is to be found in Nature 412, 38 (2001), written by L. Ling‐chi Wang.