bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical analysis of the influence of forest extent on annual and seasonal surface temperatures for the continental United States
Authors: Wickham James D. , Wade Timothy G. , Riitters Kurt H.
Published: December 2012

Aim

Because of the low albedo of forests and other biophysical factors, most scenario‐based climate modelling studies indicate that removal of temperate forest will promote cooling, indicating that temperate forests are a source of heat relative to other classes of land cover. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that US temperate forests reduce surface temperatures.

Location

The continental United States.

Methods

Ordinary least squares regression was used to develop relationships between forest extent and surface temperature. Forest extent was derived from the 900 m2 2001 National Land Cover Database (NLCD 2001) and surface temperature data were from the MODIS 1 km2 8‐day composite (MYD11A2). Forest–surface temperature relationships were developed for winter, spring, summer, autumn and annually using 5 years of MODIS land surface temperature data (2007–11) across six spatial scales (1, 4, 9, 16, 25 and 36 km2). Regression models controlled for the effects of elevation, aspect and latitude (by constraining the regressions within a 1° range).

Results

We did not find any significant positive slopes in regressions of average annual surface temperatures versus the proportion of forest, indicating that forests are not a source of heat relative to other types of land cover. We found that surface temperatures declined as the proportion of forest increased for spring, summer, autumn and annually. The forest–surface temperature relationship was also scale dependent in that spatially extensive forests produced cooler surface temperatures than forests that were dominant only locally.

Main conclusions

Our results are not consistent with most scenario‐based climate modelling studies. Because of their warming potential, the value of temperate afforestation as a potential climate change mitigation strategy is unclear. Our results indicate that temperate afforestation is a climate change mitigation strategy that should be implemented to promote spatially extensive forests.
Prevalence of clinical hip abnormalities in haemophilia A and B: an analysis of the UDC database
Authors: Kelly D. , C. Zhang Q. , M. Soucie J. , Manco‐Johnson M. , DiMichele D. ,   the Joint Outcome Subcommittee of the Coordinating Committee for the Universal Data Collection Database and the Hemophilia Treatment Center Network Investigators
Published: December 2012

Clinical hip abnormalities, secondary to recurrent joint and/or muscle bleeding in persons with haemophilia, have not been well characterized and have the potential for significant morbidity. We aimed to examine the prevalence of clinical hip abnormalities in the US haemophilia population and to explore associations between these findings and putative risk factors. We conducted a study of hip abnormalities of 8192 subjects aged 2–69 years with haemophilia A and haemophilia B (54% of haemophilia A and haemophilia B are severe) currently enrolled in the Universal Data Collection (UDC) database. Associations between hip abnormality and type/severity of haemophilia A/B, current age, history of high‐titre (≥5 BU) inhibitor (HTinh), concomitant ankle (AA) and knee arthropathy (KA), overweight and obesity and prophylaxis were examined using logistic regression. Overall prevalence of hip abnormality at the last recorded UDC visit for all subjects was 16.7%. Haemophilia A (aOR = 1.3, 1.0–1.4), severe haemophilia (aOR = 1.3, 1.0–1.5), a history of HTinh (aOR = 1.4, 1.1–1.7), and concomitant AA (aOR = 1.7, 1.4–1.9) were each independently associated with hip abnormality. Older age (45–69 years) was significantly associated with hip abnormality prevalence only in subjects with KA (aOR = 3.4, 1.9–5.9). The presence of overweight (aOR = 1.4, 1.1–1.8) and obesity (aOR = 2.1, 1.6–2.8) was associated with hip abnormality only among subjects without KA. Hip abnormality prevalence was not influenced by prophylaxis (aOR = 0.9, 0.8–1.1). These data suggest that hip abnormalities in US patients with haemophilia are associated with haemophilia severity and type, HTinh, concomitant AA and, depending on the presence or absence of KA, advancing age and obesity.
Perceptions and attitudes towards exercise amongChinese elders – the implications of culturally based self‐management strategies for effective health‐related help seeking and person‐centred care
Authors: Liu Zhenmi , Speed Shaun , Beaver Kinta
Published: December 2012

Background

Encouraging the uptake of physical activity among a culturally diverse elderly population presents a challenge for health‐care providers across the world. Little is known about the health‐care needs of these populations, for example the increasingly ageing group ofChinese elders in many parts of the world who are now facing later life and increasing challenges to their health.

Objective

This study aimed to explore behaviours and attitudes towards exercise among olderChinese immigrants in theUKto provide insights into the health ofChinese populations in theUKand elsewhere.

Design

AGroundedTheory approach using purposive and theoretical sampling with in‐depth semi‐structured interviews.

Setting and participants

Chinese elders were recruited fromChinese communities in theNorthWest ofEngland. Thirty‐three participants were interviewed face‐to‐face and audio‐recorded.

Results

Participants self‐managed exercise based on cultural perceptions of health and ingrainedChinese values. Professional support and information was lacking and relied on folk norms rather than person‐centred recommendations for healthy living. Inappropriate exercise regimes could act as a substitute for seeking health‐related advice when exercise was often used as a self‐monitored barometer to assess their perceived health status.

Discussion and conclusion

Chinese elders may undertake inappropriate exercise, leading to high‐risk situations, if appropriate professional information is not provided. Health‐care practitioners should devote attention to understandingChinese elders' attitudes towards exercise, as this may ultimately lead to successful health promotion activities. A person‐centred approach that acknowledges and works with self‐management practices is advocated.
Critical appraisal training increases understanding and confidence and enhances the use of evidence in diverse categories of learners
Authors: Odierna Donna H. , White Jenny , Forsyth Susan , Bero Lisa A.
Published: December 2012

Background

Training in evidence‐based medicine is most commonly offered to physicians, medical students and health‐care decision‐makers.

Setting and participants

We partnered with community organizations to recruit participants and develop trainings for consumers, non‐physician health‐care providers and journalists in California.

Intervention

We conducted half‐day and one‐day workshops in critical appraisal of health evidence. Workshops consisted of didactic presentations, small‐group practice sessions and class discussions.

Outcome measures

We measured knowledge and confidence immediately before and after the workshops and at follow‐up 6 months later. We also asked participants to describe their use of health evidence before the workshops and at follow‐up.

Results

At baseline, 41% of the consumers, 45% of the providers and 57% of the journalists correctly answered questions about health evidence. Scores increased by about 20% (P < 0.05) in all groups at the end of the workshops and remained significantly over baseline at follow‐up. At baseline, 26% of the participants were confident in their understanding of critical appraisal concepts, significantly increasing to 54% after the workshops and sustained (53%) at follow‐up. During discussions, participants’ comments often focused on funding and the potential effects of financial conflicts of interest on study findings. Participants did not use evidence more frequently at follow‐up but said that they applied workshop skills in evaluating research, communicating with others and making decisions about health care.

Conclusion

It is possible to successfully conduct critical appraisal workshops to aid health‐related decision making for groups who have previously not had access to this kind of training.
Prognostic significance of heat shock proteins in urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder
Authors: Yu Hui‐Jung , Chang Yen‐Hwa , Pan Chin‐Chen
Published: December 2012

Aims

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of molecules induced by a variety of environmental and pathophysiological stresses, including cancer. The expression of HSPs has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis and immunity in neoplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression and clinicopathological relevance of several HSPs in urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemical staining for HSP27, HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90 was performed on samples collected from 744 clinical cases. The results were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics using univariate and multivariate analyses. High expression of HSP70 predicted recurrence of non‐muscle‐invasive urothelial carcinoma treated by transurethral resection, and low expression of HSP27 correlated with progression and cancer‐specific mortality for non‐muscle‐invasive cancers treated by transurethral resection. Low expression of HSP27 also predicted cancer‐specific mortality for patients who underwent cystectomy.

Conclusions

Both HSP27 and HSP70 impact on the biological behaviour of urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Immunohistochemical assessment of HSPs can provide useful prognostic information that could ultimately help to develop individualized surveillance programmes.
Occupational ocular accidents amongst Greek endodontists: a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Zarra T. , Lambrianidis T.
Published: December 2012

Aim

To investigate amongst Greek endodontists, the incidence of ocular accidents during practice, the circumstances associated with them, the therapeutic measures taken after the accidents, their compliance with the use of eye protection and their eye care behaviour.

Methodology

One hundred and forty‐seven endodontists met the inclusion criteria and were invited to participate in the survey. Data were gathered through interviews based on a questionnaire. Participants were asked for personal/professional data, information on ocular accidents in the past 5 years, post‐accident actions and the type of eye protection used. Their eyesight status and frequency of ocular examination were also recorded. Data were analysed using chi‐square test, independent samples t‐test and logistic regression. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05.

Results

The response rate was 84%. Ocular accidents were reported by 73% of the participants. Amalgam and NaOCl were the foreign bodies most frequently associated with ocular accidents. Medical assistance was sought in 16% of the most recent accidents. No permanent eye damage was reported. Regular use of magnification (OR:0.305, 95%CI:0.123–0.754) and years of clinical experience (OR:0.191, 95%CI:0.066–0.551) were significant predictors for the incidence of ocular accidents. Adequate eye protection was utilized by 82% of endodontists. Endodontists with eyesight deficiencies attended more frequently for ocular examination (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

A high percentage of endodontists experienced ocular accidents. Regular use of magnification and increasing years in practice were associated with a reduced risk of ocular accidents. The majority of endodontists reported using adequate eye protection.
Urinary retention in a female patient caused by a urethral venous thrombus with massive edema
Authors: Nishizawa Koji , Matsuoka Takashi , Watanabe Yuji , Wani Yoji , Terai Akito
Published: December 2012

Female urinary retention is rarely caused by an unknown condition. In such a case, common causes including neurogenic, anatomical, traumatic and iatrogenic voiding dysfunction are excluded. Both the radiological and histological findings specific to the condition remain unclear. We herein report a 75‐year‐old woman in whom a large venous mass and massive edema at the proximal urethra caused urinary outlet obstruction based on magnetic resonance images and histological findings. Ultrasonography and cystoscopy showed a urethral mass lesion protruding into the bladder neck. Fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted and gadolinium‐enhanced T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images suggested thrombosed veins with massive edema under the urethral mucosa. Transurethral resection of the mass lesion was carried out, and histopathological analysis proved the presence of thrombosed large veins. The patient regained normal urination, and the mass lesion did not recur. Thrombosed venous mass with edema at the proximal urethra might be an important cause of atypical urinary retention in women.
Leukaemia cutis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia following varicella zoster virus reactivation
Authors: Hapgood G. , Mooney E. , Dinh H. V. , Gin D. , McLean C. , Ting S. B.
Published: December 2012

We report a case of a 75‐year‐old male with indolent chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) for 8 years, who presented with a 6‐month history of a painful, zosteriform eruption in a T3‐4 distribution that evolved into an unusual crop of papular nodules. Upon biopsy and immunostaining of these lesions CLL was proven consistent with leukaemia cutis related to varicella‐zoster virus reactivation. In the absence of other treatment indices, he was commenced on chlorambucil with successful resolution of both his pain and the lesions.
The physiology of fish behaviour: a selective review of developments over the past 40 years§
Authors: Huntingford F. A.
Published: December 2012

During the past 40 years many new techniques have emerged that have been pivotal in furthering understanding of the physiology of fish behaviour. Behavioural studies have been enhanced by video recording systems and software for computerized event recording analysis, fine scale anatomical studies by fluorescence confocal microscopy, neurophysiological studies by visualisation and neuroendocrinology with techniques for identifying, localizing and quantifying many neurochemicals within the central nervous system. This array of approaches has been complemented by developments in molecular biology that include the ability to monitor expression profiles for known genes in specific neural structures and within the whole transcriptome. This article explores how the deployment of new techniques during the last four decades has advanced the understanding of two extensively studied systems. The first of these is the fast‐start escape response, concentrating on work on goldfish Carassius auratus and zebrafish Danio rerio. The second is the link between social experience and neuroendocrinology and how this relates to life‐history traits in the cichlid Burton's mouthbrooder Astatotilapia burtoni. These two case studies are then used to explore the extent to which the behaviour of animals can be explained in terms of underlying physiological mechanisms.
Metabolic consequences of differing protein diets in experimental renal disease
Authors: WILLIAMS A. J. , WALLS J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Investigation into the effects of two different dietary proteins, casein and soya, fed at isonitrogenous and isocaloric levels, upon renal function, plasma amino acids and serum lipids, in normal and subtotally nephrectomized rats was undertaken. Groups 1 (24% casein, n = 10) and 2 (24% soya, n = 10) were maintained upon the diets for a 10‐week period following subtotal nephrectomy, whilst groups 3 (24% casein, n = 6) and 4 (24% soya, n = 5) served as normal controls. Determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and histological analysis were undertaken at the end of the study. Serum lipids and plasma amino acids were determined in subtotally nephrectomized rats (group 5, 24% casein, n = 11: group 6, 24% soya, n = 12) 12 weeks following reduction in renal mass, and serum lipids determined in normal control animals (group 7, 24% casein, n = 10: group 8, 24% soya, n = 10). The glomerular filtration rate and ERPF in normal animals fed casein were significantly greater than those fed soya (P < 0·01). Survival, proteinuria, renal histological damage and blood urea when killed were all significantly worse in subtotally nephrectomized animals fed casein. Serum cholesterol of groups 5 and 7 fed casein were significantly higher than groups 6 and 8 (P < 0·05), whilst a significant reduction in serum triglyceride was found for group 6 (P < 0·001). Plasma amino acids, and essential amino acid ratios of subtotally nephrectomized rats were equivalent, with the exception of plasma glycine (P < 0·05).
Book review
Authors: Rieger G.
Published: December 2012

Book reviewed in this article:

Immunoglobulin Subclass Deficiencies. Monographs in Allergy Vol. 20, Volume Eds L.‐Å. Hanson, T. Söderström, Göteborg; V. A. Oxelius, Lund. Karger, Basel, 1986.
Gastrointestinal permeability to polyethylene glycol: an evaluation of urinary recovery of an oral load of polyethylene glycol as a parameter of intestinal permeability in man
Authors: PHILIPSEN E. K. , BATSBERG W. , CHRISTENSEN A. B.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The permeability of the gastrointestinal tract was investigated by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG), given orally. The PEG solutions contained oligomers with molecular weights from 414 to 1206. The urinary recovery of ingested PEG was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Considerable inter‐ and intra‐individual variations in recovery were found in a reference group of 33 healthy subjects. Intake of food did not change the recovery of PEG, 611% (SEM 0·52, n = 13) compared with that for the reference group, 6·45% (SEM 0·39, n = 33). The PEG recovery in a group of ileostomy patients was 5·86% (SEM 0·62, n = 13). No correlation was found between PEG recovery and small bowel transit time. The lipophillic properties of PEG were determined by measuring the partition coefficients in 1‐octanol/water and in methylhexanoate/water systems. From these results, correlated with the values for the hydrodynamic volumes of PEG, it was concluded that the intestinal permeation of PEG observed was probably determined by the hydrophillic/hydrophobic properties of the mucosal membrane, rather than by the presence of intercellular junctions or paracellular pores. The PEG molecules with molecular weights from 414 to 1206 were, therefore, not suitable as solitary probes for permeability studies in man.
Human hepatocytes exhibit receptors for α2‐macroglobulin and pregnancy zone protein‐proteinase complexes
Authors: PETERSEN C. MUNCK , CHRISTIANSEN B. S. , JENSEN P. H. , MOESTRUP S. K. , GLIEMANN J. , SOTTRUP‐JENSEN L. , INGERSLEV J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Hepatocytes were isolated by application of the two‐step collagenase technique to pieces of human liver. 125I‐labelled α2‐macroglobulin‐trypsin complex bound to hepatocytes at 4°C with a half time of approximately 4·5 h. At near equilibrium half of the receptors were saturated at an α2‐macroglobulin‐trypsin complex concentration of about 60 pmol l−1 and the Scatchard plot was linear. Dissociation of the labelled complex was slow (T½ = 24 h) at low receptor occupancies. At high receptor occupancies dissociation was biphasic with a rate constant (K − 1) for the initial rapid phase of about 2·4 × 10−2 min−1. Labelled α2‐macroglobulin‐trypsin complex bound at 4°C was rapidly internalized at 37°C (T½ = 1·9 min), and in 3·5 h approximately 10% of the label was released into the medium in a trichloroacetic acid‐soluble form. At 37°C, 125Iα2‐macroglobulin‐trypsin was taken up by hepatocytes and trichloroacetic acid soluble radioactivity appeared in the medium following a sigmoidal curve. Similar results were obtained with 125I‐pregnancy zone protein‐chymotrypsin complex. At 4°C, hepatocytes bound nearly equal amounts of labelled α2‐macroglobulin‐trypsin and pregnancy zone protein‐chymotrypsin complex, and a large excess (100 nmol l−1) of one of the macroglobulins could almost completely abolish binding of trace amounts (5−20 pmol l−1) of the other. The present findings strongly suggest that the hepatocyte is of major importance for removal of α2‐macroglobulin‐ and pregnancy zone protein‐proteinase complex in humans, in agreement with previous results in rats and mice.
The complementary use of electron backscatter diffraction and ion channelling imaging for the characterization of nanotwins
Authors: ALIMADADI H. , FANTA A.B. , PANTLEON K.
Published: December 2012

On the example of electrodeposited nickel films, it is shown that unique information on twins with dimensions on the nanoscale can be obtained by suitable combination of ion channelling imaging and electron backscatter diffraction analysis, whereas both (routine) single techniques cannot meet the requirements for analysis of these films. High‐resolution electron backscatter diffraction is inadequate for full characterization of nanotwins, but image quality maps obtained from electron backscatter diffraction at least yield a qualitative estimation of the location and number of nanotwins. Complementing this information with ion channelling imaging provides more representative insights into the microstructure, because it supplements the quantitative investigation of the number and width of twin lamellae with additional crystallographic orientation analysis provided by EBSD. To this end, two methods for adjusting EBSD data based on ion channelling images are proposed. Thorough selection of the complementary techniques opens future perspectives for the investigation of other challenging samples with nanoscale features in the microstructure.
Bioclimatic regions influence genetic structure of four JordanianStipaspecies
Authors: Hamasha H. R. , Schmidt‐Lebuhn A. N. , Durka W. , Schleuning M. , Hensen I.
Published: December 2012

Strong environmental gradients can affect the genetic structure of plant populations, but little is known as to whether closely related species respond similarly or idiosyncratically to ecogeographic variation. We analysed the extent to which gradients in temperature and rainfall shape the genetic structure of fourStipaspecies in four bioclimatic regions in Jordan. Genetic diversity, differentiation and structure ofStipaspecies were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. For each of the four study species, we sampled 120 individuals from ten populations situated in distinct bioclimatic regions and assessed the degree of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation within and among populations. The widespread ruderalsStipa capensisandS. parviflorahad higher genetic diversity than the geographically restricted semi‐desert speciesS. arabicaandS. lagascae. In three of the four species, genetic diversity strongly decreased with precipitation, while genetic diversity increased with temperature inS. capensis. Most genetic diversity resided among populations in the semi‐desert species (ΦST = 0.572/0.595 inS. arabica/lagascae) but within populations in the ruderal species (ΦST = 0.355/0.387S. capensis/parviflora). Principal coordinate analysis(PCoA) and STRUCTURE analysis showed thatStipapopulations of all species clustered ecogeographically. A genome scan revealed that divergent selection at particularAFLPloci contributed to genetic differentiation. Irrespective of their different life histories,Stipaspecies responded similarly to the bioclimatic gradient in Jordan. We conclude that, in addition to predominant random processes, steep climatic gradients might shape the genetic structure of plant populations.
Fistula use after concurrent arteriovenous fistula formation and Tenckhoff catheter insertion
Authors: Jiang Simon H , Lan Patrick G , Yeung James , Gallagher Martin
Published: December 2012

A significant proportion of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients will have abrupt technique failure requiring conversion to haemodialysis, often using temporary vascular catheters as bridging access. However, vascular catheter use has been associated with increased mortality and great effort has been made to reduce their use. Just under two decades ago, a trial of dual arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation and Tenckhoff catheter insertion reported only 4% of those in whom back‐up fistulae were formed ever used them. Patient demographic, surgical technique and fistula care over those decades have changed substantially, potentially making this practice feasible. Thirty‐five selected patients at Concord Repatriation and General Hospital had AVF formed at the time of Tenckhoff insertion and were entered prospectively into a vascular access database. We retrospectively examined this database with a median follow up of 345 days (interquartile range 183–658). Thirty‐one per cent of all patients used the preformed AVF, and a further 19% who were still on PD had clinically functioning AVF. The vast majority (62%) had abrupt PD technique failure. This is a marked difference to dated reports of AVF use after concurrent PD and AVF formation. It raises the possibility that the formation of back‐up fistula may be another method to reduce the need for vascular catheter use.
Neuropsychological performance in euthymic Indian patients with bipolar disorder type I: Correlation between quality of life and global functioning
Authors: Pattanayak Raman Deep , Sagar Rajesh , Mehta Manju
Published: December 2012

Aim

This study aims to assess the neuropsychological performance, quality of life (QoL) and global functioning in euthymic patients and healthy controls. It also explores the hypothesis that poorer cognitive performance will adversely influence the QoL of patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

We carried out a cross‐sectional assessment of 30 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder type I and compared them to a healthy control group. All the participants were evaluated for IQ, sustained attention, information processing speed, executive functions and memory using the Verbal Adult Intelligence Scale, the Trail Making Test A & B, the Stroop Color and Word Test, the N‐Back test and Postgraduate Institute Memory Scale. Patients were also rated on World Health Organization QoL (BREF, Hindi version) and Global Assessment of Functioning.

Results

The patient and control group were comparable in age, sex distribution, education, and verbal IQ. Compared to controls, the patients performed poorly on tests for sustained attention, information processing speed, cognitive flexibility, delayed recall and verbal retention. Patients had significantly lower scores in psychological and social domains of QoL as well as global functioning. The test for sustained attention, executive functions and verbal retention showed a significant correlation to QoL domains. On stepwise multiple regression, cognitive flexibility and set shifting (Trail Making Test Part B) could significantly predict the psychological and social QoL domains, explaining 17% and 32% of the variance, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with bipolar disorder display cognitive impairments in the euthymic period, which appears to adversely affect their QoL and overall functioning.
Intravesical chemotherapy plus bacille Calmette‐Guérin in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Houghton Baerin B. , Chalasani Venu , Hayne Dickon , Grimison Peter , Brown Christopher S. B. , Patel Manish I. , Davis Ian D. , Stockler Martin R.
Published: December 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer has a significant recurrence and progression rate despite transurethral resection. The current standard of care to lower the risk of recurrence and progression is adjuvant BCG followed by maintenance BCG. Despite this, a significant number of patients experience recurrence and progress to invasive cancer. Several randomized trials have studied combination therapy (BCG with chemotherapy) to try to reduce the recurrence and progression rate.

We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis and found that adjuvant BCG followed by maintenance therapy is the appropriate standard of care when compared with combination therapy. We conclude that further trials are warranted to test the effects of adding chemotherapy to BCG in patients with Ta or T1 disease, but not in those with Tis alone.

Objective

To determine if the combination of intravesical chemotherapy and maintenance bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), used in sequence, is superior to maintenance BCG alone in the treatment of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods

We searched biomedical literature databases for randomized controlled trials that compared sequential, intravesical chemotherapy added to maintenance BCG with maintenance BCG alone.

Studies that did not use maintenance BCG were excluded.

The meta‐analysis was performed using the fixed effects model.

Results

Four trials were identified, including 801 patients.

Adding chemotherapy to maintenance BCG did not result in a significant reduction in recurrence (relative risk [RR] 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–1.09; P = 0.32) or progression (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.61–1.27; P = 0.5).

The risk of recurrence (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61–0.92; P = 0.006) and progression (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.25–0.81; P = 0.007) were reduced when the single trial that included isolated Tis was excluded.

Toxicity was similar for both groups.

Conclusions

Adjuvant therapy with induction BCG followed by maintenance BCG is the appropriate standard of care for patients with resected NMIBC at high risk of recurrence.

Further trials are warranted to test the effects of adding chemotherapy to BCG in patients with Ta or T1 disease, but not in those with Tis alone.
A geographic analysis of male urethral stricture aetiology and location
Authors: Stein Daniel M. , Thum D. Joseph , Barbagli Guido , Kulkarni Sanjay , Sansalone Salvatore , Pardeshi Ashish , Gonzalez Chris M.
Published: December 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The incidence of specific aetiologies of urethral stricture disease has been reported from a variety of series throughout the world.

Most reported urethral stricture series are from single institutions or from a specific region of the world. We provide a multi‐centred series to compare aetiologic incidence between differing regional populations.

Objective

To better understand distinct regional patterns in urethral stricture aetiology and location among distinct regional populations.

Patients and Methods

Data on 2589 patients who underwent urethroplasty from 2000 to 2011 were collected retrospectively from three clinical sites, including 1646 patients from Italy, 715 from India and 228 from the USA.

Data from all sites were single‐surgeon series. As the data from the Italian and US cohorts were similar in aetiology, location and demographics, we combined these data to form group 1, and compared this group with men in the Indian cohort, group 2.

Age, stricture site and primary stricture aetiology were identified for each patient. Stricture site and primary aetiology were determined by the treating surgeon. Primary aetiology was defined as iatrogenic, trauma including pelvic‐fracture‐related urethral injury (PFUI), lichen sclerosus (LS), infectious, congenital, or unknown.

Results

There were more penile strictures (27 vs 5%) and fewer posterior urethral stenoses (9 vs 34%) in group 1.

There were more iatrogenic strictures identified in group 1 (35 vs 16%). When comparing the aetiology of iatrogenic strictures alone, more strictures in group 1 were attributable to failed hypospadias repair (49 vs 16%).

More patients presented with LS (22 vs 7%) and external trauma (36 vs 16%) in group 2.

Prevalence of strictures of infectious aetiology was low (1%) with similar proportions between the two groups.

Conclusions

We have shown that significant regional differences in stricture aetiology exist in a large multicentre cohort study. Group 1 had a higher proportion of penile strictures, largely owing to more iatrogenic strictures and, in particular, failed hypospadias repair. Group 2 had a higher proportion of PFUI and LS‐associated urethal stricture.

Identified infection‐related urethral stricture was rare in all cohorts.

Significant regional differences in stricture aetiology exist and should be considered when analysing international outcomes after urethroplasty. These data may also help the development of international disease prevention and treatment strategies.
Financing for Development: The Gap between Words and Deeds since Monterrey
Authors: Nunnenkamp Peter , Thiele Rainer
Published: December 2012

The Monterrey Consensus agreed at the UN summit on Financing for Development in 2002 promised a breakthrough in terms of donor generosity, aid effectiveness and new means of financing. However, the development orientation of world leaders proved to be short‐lived. This is even though our evaluation reveals progress since Monterrey in some areas, notably debt relief and private (FDI) flows. Calls for substantially scaling‐up regular aid had less effect than envisaged, and financial innovations have contributed only marginally to overall development financing so far. Nor is there much progress from the perspective of critics focusing on the quality of aid. In particular, the targeting of aid according to need and merit leaves much to be desired. The gap between words and deeds continues to be wide with regard to aid proliferation and donor co‐ordination as well.
Critical success factors for transforming pedagogy with mobile Web 2.0
Authors: Cochrane Thomas Donald
Published: December 2012

Mobile learning (mlearning) research has in general been characterised by short‐term comparative pilot studies with little high‐level critique or theory formation. Consequently, there is limited evidence in the literature of mlearning research that is longitudinal across multiple contexts, cooperative and participatory. In response, this paper reflects upon longitudinal (2006–2011) participatory action research and identifies six critical success factors for implementing mobile Web 2.0. These are drawn from the design and implementation of over 35 projects from 2006 to 2011, exploring pedagogical transformation enabled by mobile Web 2.0 integration in higher education. Two of these critical success factors are highlighted in this paper: the need for new approaches to technical and pedagogical support, and the sustained interaction of supporting communities of practice.
Outcome Prediction for Heart Failure Telemonitoring Via Generalized Linear Models with Functional Covariates
Authors: BARALDO STEFANO , IEVA FRANCESCA , PAGANONI ANNA MARIA , VITELLI VALERIA
Published: December 2012

An effective methodology for dealing with data extracted from clinical surveys on heart failure linked to the Public Health Database is proposed. A model for recurrent events is used for modelling the occurrence of hospital readmissions in time, thus deriving a suitable way to compute individual cumulative hazard functions. Estimated cumulative hazard trajectories are then treated as functional data, and they are used as covariates along with clinical survey data within the framework of generalized linear models with functional covariates.
Live Sociology: Social Research and its Futures
Authors: Back Les
Published: December 2012

The article draws on recent debates about empirical sociology's methodological crisis that results from the emergence of sophisticated information-based capitalism and digital culture. Researchers face the challenge of ‘newly coordinated social reality’ in which social relations and interconnections exist across time and space. However, this challenge co-exists with an unprecedented opportunity to use digital multimedia to reimagine social research. In the face of these developments it is argued that the sociological craft needs to be invigorated by a renewed focus on its political purpose. Digital culture offers researchers the opportunity to develop new methodological devices. This vision is contrasted with a critique of dead sociology that is characterized as objectifying, comfortable, disengaged and parochial. The article argues for a live sociology, able to attend to the fleeting, distributed, multiple and sensory aspects of sociality through research techniques that are mobile, sensuous and operate from multiple vantage points. If researchers enact reality rather than simply reflect it, there is an opportunity to create sociological forms of representation that are more knowing and innovative than their antecedents.
Children's literacy interest and its relation to parents’ literacy‐promoting practices
Authors: Hume Laura E. , Lonigan Christopher J. , McQueen Jessica D.
Published: December 2012

This study examined how children's literacy interests related to parent literacy‐promoting practices across time. Using a sample of 909 preschool‐age children and the newly developed Child Activities Preference Checklist, literacy interest appeared to be a complex construct, not easily captured by a single measure. In a subsample of 230 children with longitudinal data, parent literacy practices and child literacy interests related concurrently and across time. Parent literacy practices were more stable than child literacy interests, with children's literacy interest continuing to develop over the preschool year. Parent practices of exposing children to literacy and teaching them literacy concepts appeared to be distinct constructs. Exposure to literacy was especially important in the growth of literacy interests and the hypothesis that exposure has a negative effect on children with little initial interest was not fully supported.
Inner Constraints for Planar Features
Authors: Lichti Derek D. , Chow Jacky C. K.
Published: December 2012

Geometric features, planes in particular, have recently replaced signalised points as the object space primitives of choice for a number of fundamental terrestrial laser scanner data processing tasks such as registration, self‐calibration and deformation monitoring. The inner constraints for planes are developed in this paper owing to their importance as the optimal means of datum definition. Pertinent least squares adjustment results from several terrestrial laser scanner datasets are presented to demonstrate the impact of planar inner constraints on registration and self‐calibration. When solution quality is measured in terms of parameter precision and correlation, it is demonstrated that the planes should be constrained for both laser scanner registration and self‐calibration with a basic additional parameter set.
Longitudinal Changes in White Matter Integrity Among Adolescent Substance Users
Authors: Bava Sunita , Jacobus Joanna , Thayer Rachel E. , Tapert Susan F.
Published: December 2012

Background

The influence of repeated substance use during adolescent neurodevelopment remains unclear as there have been few prospective investigations. The aims of this study were to identify longitudinal changes in fiber tract integrity associated with alcohol‐ and marijuana‐use severity over the course of 1.5 years.

Methods

Adolescents with extensive marijuana‐ and alcohol‐use histories by mid‐adolescence (n = 41) and youth with consistently minimal if any substance use (n = 51) were followed over 18 months. Teens received diffusion tensor imaging and detailed substance‐use assessments with toxicology screening at baseline and 18‐month follow‐ups (i.e., 182 scans in all), as well as interim substance‐use interviews each 6 months.

Results

At an 18‐month follow‐up, substance users showed poorer white matter integrity in 7 tracts: (i) right superior longitudinal fasciculus, (ii) left superior longitudinal fasciculus, (iii) right posterior thalamic radiations, (iv) right prefrontal thalamic fibers, (v) right superior temporal gyrus white matter, (vi) right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and (vii) left posterior corona radiata (ps < 0.01). More alcohol use during the interscan interval predicted higher mean diffusivity (i.e., worsened integrity) in right (p < 0.05) and left (p = 0.06) superior longitudinal fasciculi, above and beyond baseline values in these bundles. Marijuana use during the interscan interval did not predict change over time. More externalizing behaviors at Time 1 predicted lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity (i.e., poorer integrity) of the right prefrontal thalamic fibers (p < 0.025).

Conclusions

Findings add to previous cross‐sectional studies reporting white matter disadvantages in youth with substance‐use histories. In particular, alcohol use during adolescent neurodevelopment may be linked to reductions in white matter quality in association fiber tracts with frontal connections. In contrast, youth who engage in a variety of risk‐taking behaviors may have unique neurodevelopmental trajectories characterized by truncated development in fronto‐thalamic tracts, which could have functional and clinical consequences in young adulthood.
A More Perfect Commodity: Bottled Water, Global Accumulation, and Local Contestation
Authors: Jaffee Daniel , Newman Soren
Published: December 2012

Bottled water sits at the intersection of debates regarding the social and environmental effects of the commodification of nature and the ways neoliberal globalization alters the provision of public services. Utilizing Polanyi's concept of fictitious commodities and Harvey's work on accumulation by dispossession, this article traces bottled water's transformation from elite niche item to a product consumed by three fourths of U.S. households. Drawing on ethnographic research with participants in two cases of proposed spring water extraction from rural communities by industry leader Nestlé Waters, we make two principal arguments. First, the case of bottled water necessitates a reevaluation of existing theoretical frameworks regarding water privatization and commodification. Municipal tap water networks pose substantial barriers to capital accumulation, leading one influential scholar to frame water as an “uncooperative commodity.” However, bottled water's characteristics enable it to evade many of these constraints, rendering it a “more perfect commodity” for accumulation. Second, expansion of the market good of bottled water alters the prospects for the largely publicly provided good of tap water. We conclude that the growth of this relatively new commodity represents a more serious threat to the project of universal public drinking water provision than that posed by tap water privatization.
Ruptured Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm Presenting as a Sinonasal Organized Hematoma: Conventional Approach May Endanger Life
Authors: Kuo Chin‐Lung , Li Wing‐Yin , Luo Chao‐Bao , Ho Ching‐Yin
Published: December 2012

Sinonasal organized hematoma (SOH) is an uncommon benign entity with locally aggressive behavior. The conventional approach is complete resection. This approach, however, can cause massive hemorrhage and mortality in our patient due to a ruptured internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm hidden inside the SOH. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a huge SOH with skull base invasion caused by a hidden ICA aneurysm, which usually would not be large enough to result in a sinonasal mass lesion. This case suggests that the possibility of an aneurysm should always be considered if a SOH is suspected, especially when it is huge and close to the ICA. Surgical resection may not be the first therapeutic choice unless the differential cause of a hidden aneurysm can be excluded.
Aligning Expatriate Managers’ Expectations with Complex Global Assignments
Authors: Harvey Michael , Buckley M. Ronald , Richey Glenn , Moeller Miriam , Novicevic Milorad
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical, yet practical framework for managing unrealistic expectations of expatriate marketing managers relative to their role in complex global marketing assignments. The formation of these unrealistic expatriate marketing managers’ expectations is examined using relational contracting theory. We explore alternative HRM evaluation/support designs that can suppress the development of expatriate marketing managers’ entitlement process and thus enhance the reality of expatriate marketing managers’ expectations relative to the role in a subsidiary of the multinational enterprise.
Social and genetic benefits of parental investment suggest sex differences in selection pressures
Authors: Schroeder Julia , Cleasby Ian , Dugdale Hannah L. , Nakagawa Shinichi , Burke Terry
Published: December 2012

Provisioning behavior in altricial birds is often used to measure parental investment and is assumed to have fitness consequences to the parents providing it, with the benefits outweighing the costs. Here we investigate the fitness costs and benefits (parent survival and offspring recruitment) of provisioning behavior in wild house sparrowsPasser domesticus, using long‐term data from a pedigreed isolated population. We disentangled the long‐term fitness consequences in terms of number of recruits, of provisioning behavior from those of other parental investments and individual quality through a cross‐foster design. We accounted for extra‐pair offspring in all analyses. Provisioning behavior confers social fitness benefits in terms of the number of recruits to both parents. Only in females we detected an influence individual quality: female sparrows with high provisioning frequencies were associated with more genetic recruits than those who provided food less frequently to their young, even though foster parents reared the offspring. We detected a relationship between annual survival probability and provisioning behavior only in males, but not in females. This finding, together with indirect benefits differing by sex, indicates that different selection pressures are acting on the sexes. Our study can show that it is justified to use provisioning behavior as a form of parental investment sensu Trivers, since we show that this behavior is costly to parents and that the genetic fitness benefits exceed the costs.
Darwin's naturalization hypothesis: scale matters in coastal plant communities
Authors: Carboni Marta , Münkemüller Tamara , Gallien Laure , Lavergne Sébastien , Acosta Alicia , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: December 2012

Darwin proposed two seemingly contradictory hypotheses for a better understanding of biological invasions. Strong relatedness of invaders to native communities as an indication of niche overlap could promote naturalization because of appropriate niche adaptation, but could also hamper naturalization because of negative interactions with native species (‘Darwin's naturalization hypothesis’). Although these hypotheses provide clear and opposing predictions for expected patterns of species relatedness in invaded communities, so far no study has been able to clearly disentangle the underlying mechanisms. We hypothesize that conflicting past results are mainly due to the neglected role of spatial resolution of the community sampling. In this study, we corroborate both of Darwin's expectations by using phylogenetic relatedness as a measure of niche overlap and by testing the effects of sampling resolution in highly invaded coastal plant communities. At spatial resolutions fine enough to detect signatures of biotic interactions, we find that most invaders are less related to their nearest relative in invaded plant communities than expected by chance (phylogenetic overdispersion). Yet at coarser spatial resolutions, native assemblages become more invasible for closely‐related species as a consequence of habitat filtering (phylogenetic clustering). Recognition of the importance of the spatial resolution at which communities are studied allows apparently contrasting theoretical and empirical results to be reconciled. Our study opens new perspectives on how to better detect, differentiate and understand the impact of negative biotic interactions and habitat filtering on the ability of invaders to establish in native communities.