bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient pad count is a poor measure of urinary incontinence compared with 48‐h pad test: results of a large‐scale multicentre study
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Bientinesi Riccardo , Gandi Carlo , Di Gianfrancesco Luca , Pierconti Francesco , Racioppi Marco , Bassi Pierfrancesco 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo determine in a large population of community‐dwelling incontinent patients the accuracy and determinants of pad count as a measure of urinary incontinence (UI), using data from a multicentre 48‐h pad test study.Materials and MethodsIncontinent patients, who were provided with absorbent products for the period January 2012 to March 2016, volunteered to perform a 48‐h home‐based pad test and to fill in a diary with information on pad usage. Correlations between UI measures (48‐h pad count and pad weight gain, mean pad weight gain per pad) were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate patient‐related and pad usage‐related factors influencing pad count.ResultsA total of 14 493 patients (median age 81 years) were included, with a total of 98 362 continence products used overall during the study period. The 48‐h pad count showed a weak correlation with 48‐h pad weight gain (R2 = 0.12; 0.19 for men and 0.11 for women) and mean pad weight gain per pad (R2 = −0.03). The weakest correlation was observed among patients using >6 pads/48 h (R2 = 0.02). A statistically significant negative association between pad absorption capacity and pad count was observed. Patients using products with a shaped and rectangular design had 34% and 40% higher propensity to use more pads than those using briefs (P < 0.001), respectively.ConclusionsThe results of this very large observational study confirmed that pad count is a poor measure of UI severity. Pad count only measured 12% of the variability of UI volume and was affected by several patient‐related and pad usage‐related factors. Consequently, pad count should not be used instead of the pad test as an objective measure of UI when an accurate evaluation is required for research or clinical purposes.
Symptomatic overlap in overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: development of a new algorithm
Authors: Ackerman A. Lenore , Lai H. Henry , Parameshwar Pooja S. , Eilber Karyn S. , Anger Jennifer T. 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo address challenges in the diagnosis and classification of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we sought to define the fundamental features of overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), two conditions with considerable symptomatic overlap. Through retrospective comparison of self‐reported symptoms in women with a range of clinical presentations and symptom severities, we have attempted to refine the diagnostic features of OAB and IC/BPS and to develop a novel clinical nomogram to improve patient screening and classification.Materials and MethodsWe performed a univariate analysis comparing responses to the female Genitourinary Pain Index (fGUPI), the OAB Questionnaire and O'Leary–Sant Indices (the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index) in an initial cohort of 50 patients with OAB, patients with IC/BPS and control subjects. Only eight questions differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups; we used five unique questions and three measuring bother to generate a novel composite scoring system and nomogram that included urgency incontinence, bladder pain and symptomatic bother domains to differentiate these populations, which was validated in a second cohort of 150 patients. The addition of a self‐reported bother index resulted in the creation of a diagnostic algorithm to identify and classify LUTS clusters across the total population.ResultsWhile all validated questionnaires could distinguish between controls and patients with storage LUTS, no combined symptom scores differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups. These results are reflective of the prevalence of significant bladder pain (35%) in patients with OAB and the presence of urge incontinence (25%) in patients with IC/BPS. Only the fGUPI pain domain scores differed between patients in the OAB and IC/BPS groups, but it was not accurate enough for diagnostic evaluation (68% accuracy). Our composite scores and nomogram gave a much‐improved diagnostic accuracy (94%) and demonstrated utility as a screening tool to identify storage LUTS in patients presenting for unrelated complaints, e.g. microhaematuria.ConclusionsThere is significant overlap of urinary tract symptoms between OAB and IC/BPS. We present a novel algorithm that provides a binary output capable of guiding clinical diagnosis. Future studies aimed at assessing the diagnostic value of novel classification schemes that address symptoms rather than specific diagnoses may improve patient prognosis.
Resilience and restoration of tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and grassy woodlands
Authors: Buisson Elise , Le Stradic Soizig , Silveira Fernando A. O. , Durigan Giselda , Overbeck Gerhard E. , Fidelis Alessandra , Fernandes G. Wilson , Bond William J. , Hermann Julia‐Maria , Mahy Gregory , Alvarado Swanni T. , Zaloumis Nicholas P. , Veldman Joseph W. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTDespite growing recognition of the conservation values of grassy biomes, our understanding of how to maintain and restore biodiverse tropical grasslands (including savannas and open‐canopy grassy woodlands) remains limited. To incorporate grasslands into large‐scale restoration efforts, we synthesised existing ecological knowledge of tropical grassland resilience and approaches to plant community restoration. Tropical grassland plant communities are resilient to, and often dependent on, the endogenous disturbances with which they evolved – frequent fires and native megafaunal herbivory. In stark contrast, tropical grasslands are extremely vulnerable to human‐caused exogenous disturbances, particularly those that alter soils and destroy belowground biomass (e.g. tillage agriculture, surface mining); tropical grassland restoration after severe soil disturbances is expensive and rarely achieves management targets. Where grasslands have been degraded by altered disturbance regimes (e.g. fire exclusion), exotic plant invasions, or afforestation, restoration efforts can recreate vegetation structure (i.e. historical tree density and herbaceous ground cover), but species‐diverse plant communities, including endemic species, are slow to recover. Complicating plant‐community restoration efforts, many tropical grassland species, particularly those that invest in underground storage organs, are difficult to propagate and re‐establish. To guide restoration decisions, we draw on the old‐growth grassland concept, the novel ecosystem concept, and theory regarding tree cover along resource gradients in savannas to propose a conceptual framework that classifies tropical grasslands into three broad ecosystem states. These states are: (1) old‐growth grasslands (i.e. ancient, biodiverse grassy ecosystems), where management should focus on the maintenance of disturbance regimes; (2) hybrid grasslands, where restoration should emphasise a return towards the old‐growth state; and (3) novel ecosystems, where the magnitude of environmental change (i.e. a shift to an alternative ecosystem state) or the socioecological context preclude a return to historical conditions.
Oestrogenic activity of mimosine on MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line through the ERα‐mediated pathway
Authors: Huq AKM Moyeenul , Wai Lam Kok , Rullah Kamal , Mohd Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi , Stanslas Johnson , Jamal Jamia Azdina 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHormone replacement therapy has been a conventional treatment for postmenopausal symptoms in women. However, it has potential risks of breast and endometrial cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oestrogenicity of a plant‐based compound, mimosine, in MCF‐7 cells by in silico model. Cell viability and proliferation, ERα‐SRC1 coactivator activity and expression of specific ERα‐dependent marker TFF1 and PGR genes were evaluated. Binding modes of 17β‐oestradiol and mimosine at the ERα ligand binding domain were compared using docking and molecular dynamics simulation experiments followed by binding interaction free energy calculation with molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area. Mimosine showed increased cellular viability (64,450 cells/ml) at 0.1 μM with significant cell proliferation (120.5%) compared to 17β‐oestradiol (135.2%). ER antagonist tamoxifen significantly reduced proliferative activity mediated by mimosine (49.9%). Mimosine at 1 μM showed the highest ERα binding activity through increased SRC1 recruitment at 186.9%. It expressed TFF1 (11.1‐fold at 0.1 μM) and PGR (13.9‐fold at 0.01 μM) genes. ERα‐mimosine binding energy was −49.9 kJ/mol, and it interacted with Thr347, Gly521 and His524 of ERα‐LBD. The results suggested that mimosine has oestrogenic activity.
Lymphocytes are a major source of circulating soluble dipeptidyl peptidase 4
Authors: Casrouge A , Sauer A V , Barreira da Silva R , Tejera-Alhambra M , Sánchez-Ramón S ,   ICAReB, Cancrini C , Ingersoll M A , Aiuti A , Albert M L 
Published: September 2018

SummaryDipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4, CD26) is a serine protease that is expressed constitutively by many haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic tissues. It exists as a membrane-associated protein, as well as in an active, soluble form (herein called sDPP4), present at high concentrations in bodily fluids. Despite the proposed use of sDPP4 as a biomarker for multiple diseases, its cellular sources are not well defined. Here, we report that individuals with congenital lymphocyte immunodeficiency had markedly lower serum concentrations of sDPP4, which were restored upon successful treatment and restoration of lymphocyte haematopoiesis. Using irradiated lymphopenic mice and wild-type to Dpp4–/– reciprocal bone marrow chimeric animals, we found that haematopoietic cells were a major source of circulating sDPP4. Furthermore, activation of human and mouse T lymphocytes resulted in increased sDPP4, providing a mechanistic link between immune system activation and sDPP4 concentration. Finally, we observed that acute viral infection induced a transient increase in sDPP4, which correlated with the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Our study demonstrates that sDPP4 concentrations are determined by the frequency and activation state of lymphocyte populations. Insights from these studies will support the use of sDPP4 concentration as a biomarker for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
On the nature and systematic role of evidence: Husserl as a proponent of mentalist evidentialism?
Authors: Berghofer Philipp 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this paper, I shall show that for Husserl, (a) evidence determines epistemic justification and (b) evidence is linked to originary givenness in the sense that one's ultimate evidence consists of one's originary presentive intuitions. This means that in contemporary analytic terminology, Husserl is a proponent of evidentialism and mentalism. Evidentialism and mentalism have been introduced into current debates by Earl Conee and Richard Feldman. Finally, I shall highlight that there is one significant difference between Husserl and Earl Conee and Richard Feldman. Although Conee and Feldman argue that the fundamental principles of epistemology are principles of best explanation, Husserl opts for phenomenological principles as the most fundamental epistemic principles. The main difference is that for Husserl, experiences gain their justificatory force by virtue of their phenomenal character, namely, their originary givenness.
A rare fatal complication of bleeding immediately following polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafting in a lady with Goodpasture syndrome
Authors: Kavalam George Joseph , Safreen Siddiqua , Abraham Georgi , Sundararajan Saravanan , Mathew Milly , Murugan Senthil , George Deepu S 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe report a 28‐year‐old female with no history of allergies and recent onset of Goodpasture syndrome who developed life‐threatening bleeding immediately after placement of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft as an access for hemodialysis in the left upper limb by an experienced vascular surgeon. In spite of transfusing fresh frozen plasma, packed cells and cryoprecipitate, her prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio became progressively worse which were normal at the beginning of the surgery. She had profound hypotension and succumbed within 8 hours. We suspect a rare phenomenon of the interaction of her blood with the PTFE graft causing activation of bleeding and coagulation factors leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Mothers’ perception of maternal and child health information disseminated via different modes of ICT in Nigeria
Authors: Obasola Oluwaseun I. , Mabawonku Iyabo M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundA few studies have examined mothers’ perception of ICT and maternal and child health (MCH) information promoted using ICT. The effectiveness of different modes of delivery of such information is unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate mothers’ perceived usefulness of ICT and MCH information disseminated through e‐health projects in Nigeria.MethodsThe study was a descriptive survey that was based on the mixed method paradigm. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 1001 mothers involved in ongoing ICT based projects in Nigeria. The mothers were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Four focus group discussion sessions were also organised for thirty mothers.ResultsMobile phones were viewed as useful (35.0%) or very useful (42.2%) and radio as useful (34.8%) or very useful (57.5%%). But they expressed a negative perception towards the use of DVD/TV (Not useful, 66.5%) and the Internet/computer (Not useful 67.7%). Mothers’ perception of MCH information disseminated was also positive. They reported the need for more MCH information products in local languages using acceptable ICT.ConclusionMothers’ perception of preferred modes of delivery of maternal and child health information varies according to location.
Dynamic mechanical properties and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite produced by high moisture extrusion
Authors: Wu Min , Huang Xin , Gao Fei , Sun Yang , Duan Hao , Li Dong 
Published: September 2018

SummaryTexturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten were prepared at high moisture using a twin‐screw extruder. Effects of feed moisture content, extrusion temperature and wheat gluten content on the dynamic mechanical properties, microstructures and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite were investigated. All extruded samples were well fitted with Burger's model in creep‐recovery tests (R2 ≥ 0.978). The creep‐recovery rate decreased with an increasing extrusion temperature. The addition of wheat gluten increased the resistance to creep and the unrecoverable deformation of TSP samples. The extrusion parameters affected the microstructure and morphology of extruded products. The fractal dimension of TSP products decreased with an increase in moisture content and wheat gluten content. Texturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten composite could form well‐structure products.
Role of systemic inflammatory response markers in urological malignancy
Authors: Ohno Yoshio 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe systemic inflammatory response is associated with survival in patients with a variety of cancers. This inflammatory response is measured in the peripheral blood, and can be monitored using two categories of indices: concentration of specific serum proteins (albumin, C‐reactive protein) and differential blood cell count (neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets). Furthermore, combinations of these indices, such as the Glasgow Prognostic Score, which consists of the serum C‐reactive protein and albumin level; the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio; the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio; and the prognostic nutritional index, which is based on peripheral blood lymphocyte count and serum albumin level, have also been evaluated and compared in cancer research. To date, there are hundreds of studies that have shown the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response markers in patients with urological cancer. Most studies have evaluated the prognostic and predictive role of the pretreatment value of the markers, although some have focused on the role of the post‐treatment value at specific points during the clinical course. The advantages of systemic inflammatory response markers are that they are easily measurable and inexpensive in the clinical setting. However, it is important to consider how clinicians use these markers in clinical practice. The present review provides a concise overview regarding systemic inflammatory markers in urological cancers, specifically C‐reactive protein, Glasgow Prognostic Score/modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and prognostic nutritional index.
Impact of prior local therapy on overall survival in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer: Results from Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital
Authors: Patel Devin N , Jha Shalini , Howard Lauren E , Amling Christopher L , Aronson William J , Cooperberg Matthew R , Kane Christopher J , Terris Martha K , Chapin Brian F , Freedland Stephen J 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of previous local treatment on survival in men with newly diagnosed metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective study of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer in the year 2000 or later from eight Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Patients were categorized based on prior local therapy (none, prostatectomy ± radiation or radiation alone). Overall and cancer‐specific survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the association between prior local treatment and survival.ResultsOf 729 patients, 284 (39%) underwent no local treatment, 176 (24%) underwent radical prostatectomy ± radiation and 269 (37%) underwent radiation alone. On multivariable analysis, men with prior prostatectomy had improved overall (hazard ratio 0.71, P = 0.005) and cancer‐specific survival (hazard ratio 0.55, P < 0.001) compared with men with no prior local therapy. This improvement in overall (hazard ratio 0.89, P = 0.219) and cancer‐specific survival (hazard ratio 0.87, P = 0.170) was not seen in men with prior radiation alone. After further adjusting for comorbidity with the Charlson Comorbidity Index, patients with prior prostatectomy still had improved overall survival (hazard ratio 0.70, P = 0.003), whereas this was not seen in patients who received prior radiation alone (hazard ratio 0.88, P = 0.185).ConclusionsIndependent of patient‐ and disease‐related factors, men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer who had undergone prior radical prostatectomy have improved overall and cancer‐specific survival compared with those with no prior local therapy.
Bayesian Analysis of a Sensitive Proportion for a Small Area
Authors: Nandram Balgobin , Yu Yuan 
Published: September 2018

SummaryWithout accounting for sensitive items in sample surveys, sampled units may not respond (nonignorable nonresponse) or they respond untruthfully. There are several survey designs that address this problem and we will review some of them. In our study, we have binary data from clusters within small areas, obtained from a version of the unrelated‐question design, and the sensitive proportion is of interest for each area. A hierarchical Bayesian model is used to capture the variation in the observed binomial counts from the clusters within the small areas and to estimate the sensitive proportions for all areas. Both our example on college cheating and a simulation study show significant reductions in the posterior standard deviations of the sensitive proportions under the small‐area model as compared with an analogous individual‐area model. The simulation study also demonstrates that the estimates under the small‐area model are closer to the truth than for the corresponding estimates under the individual‐area model. Finally, for small areas, we discuss many extensions to accommodate covariates, finite population sampling, multiple sensitive items and optional designs.
Techniques to model uncertain input data of multi‐criteria decision‐making problems: a literature review
Authors: Pelissari Renata , Oliveira Maria Celia , Abackerli Alvaro J. , Ben‐Amor Sarah , Assumpção Maria Rita Pontes 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThere are a few studies in the literature regarding possible types of uncertainty in input data of multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) or multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problems and the techniques employed to deal with each of them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the different types of uncertainty that occur in input data of MCDM/MCDA problems and the most appropriate techniques to deal with each one of these uncertainty types. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review is presented in order to meet this objective. We selected and summarized 134 international journal articles. They were analyzed based on the type of data with uncertainty, the type of uncertainty, and the technique used to model it. We identified three distinct types of uncertainty in input data of MCDM/MCDA problems, namely (i) uncertainty due to ambiguity, (ii) uncertainty due to randomness, and (iii) uncertainty due to partial information. We identified a new generation of fuzzy approaches including Type‐2, intuitionistic, and hesitant fuzzy sets (FSs), which are used to model these types of uncertainty alongside other approaches such as traditional FSs theory, probability theory, evidential reasoning theory, rough set theory, and grey numbers. Finally, a framework that indicates techniques used in different decision‐making contexts under uncertainty is proposed.