bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of narrow‐band imaging in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Kaiwen , Lin Tianxin , Fan Xinxiang , Duan Yu , Huang Jian 
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cystoscopy assisted by narrow‐band imaging compared with white‐light imaging for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.MethodsAn electronic database search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Ovid and Web of Science was carried out for all articles comparing narrow‐band imaging with white‐light imaging cystoscopy in the detection of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. The review process followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration.ResultsSeven studies with prospectively collected data including a total of 1040 patients were identified, and 611 patients with 1476 tumors were detected by biopsy. In the patient‐ and tumor‐level analysis, an additional 17% of patients (95% confidence interval, 10–25%) and an additional 24% of tumors (95% confidence interval, 17–31%) were detected by narrow‐band imaging, respectively. In the patient‐ and tumor‐level analysis, significantly higher detection rates using narrow‐band imaging (rate difference 11%; 95% confidence interval 5–17%; P < 0.001; and rate difference 19%; 95% confidence interval 12–26%; P < 0.001, respectively) rather than white‐light imaging were found. On the tumor level, an additional 28% of carcinoma in situ was detected (95% confidence interval 14–45%) by narrow‐band imaging, and a significantly higher detection rate (rate difference 11%; 95% confidence interval 1–21%; P = 0.03) was found. The false‐positive detection rate of tumor level did not differ significantly between the two techniques.ConclusionsCystoscopy assisted by narrow‐band imaging detects more patients and tumors of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer than white‐light imaging, and it might be an additional or alternative diagnostic technique for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.
Biomarkers for lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: Cho Kang Jun , Kim Joon Chul 
Published: November 2012

AbstractLower urinary tract dysfunction is highly prevalent, but has relatively low persistence and compliance with therapy because of poor efficacy. Although urodynamic study is the gold standard for detailed evaluation of lower urinary tract dysfunction, urodynamic study has limitations as a biomarker, such as invasiveness and a lack of reproducibility of symptoms. Thus, many investigations about new biomarkers for lower urinary tract dysfunction have been carried out and reported. For imaging biomarkers, bladder and prostate parameters assessed by ultrasonography have been used to evaluate lower urinary tract dysfunction. For urinary biomarkers, neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophics factor, prostaglandins and cytokines, have been analyzed and evaluated. Among these, nerve growth factor is considered one of the key factors in the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract dysfunction, and is researched in various ways. Serum markers have suggested that C‐reactive protein and sex hormones have a relationship with lower urinary tract dysfunction. The possibility of genetic biomarkers in lower urinary tract dysfunction has also been raised. Nevertheless, as yet these biomarkers have not shown enough evidence to reflect lower urinary tract dysfunction and require further investigation. This review will discuss promising and potential biomarkers in lower urinary tract dysfunction to date.
The Prostate Cancer Registry: monitoring patterns and quality of care for men diagnosed with prostate cancer
Authors: Evans Sue M. , Millar Jeremy L. , Wood Julie M. , Davis Ian D. , Bolton Damien , Giles Graham G. , Frydenberg Mark , Frauman Albert , Costello Antony , McNeil John J. 
Published: November 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Operating principles exist both within Australia and internationally to provide guidance on how to establish clinical registries. In establishing a registry, consideration needs to be given to its purpose, the stakeholders and the output it will generate and to whom output will be disseminatedThe present study describes how a prostate cancer‐specific registry was developed that aligns with generic operating principles. We describe the governance model, the data items collected, the collection methodology clinical indicators selected for reporting and the reporting framework.OBJECTIVE
To establish a pilot population‐based clinical registry with the aim of monitoring the quality of care provided to men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All men aged >18 years from the contributing hospitals in Victoria, Australia, who have a diagnosis of prostate cancer confirmed by histopathology report notified to the Victorian Cancer Registry are eligible for inclusion in the Prostate Cancer Registry (PCR).
A literature review was undertaken aiming to identify existing quality indicators and source evidence‐based guidelines from both Australia and internationally.
RESULTS
A Steering Committee was established to determine the minimum dataset, select quality indicators to be reported back to clinicians, identify the most effective recruitment strategy, and provide a governance structure for data requests; collection, analysis and reporting of data; and managing outliers.
A minimum dataset comprising 72 data items is collected by the PCR, enabling ten quality indicators to be collected and reported.
Outcome measures are risk adjusted according to the established National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Score (surgery only) risk stratification model. Recruitment to the PCR occurs concurrently with mandatory notification to the state‐based Cancer Registry.
The PCR adopts an opt‐out consent process to maximize recruitment.
The data collection approach is standardized, using a hybrid of data linkage and manual collection, and data collection forms are electronically scanned into the PCR.
A data access policy and escalation policy for mortality outliers has been developed.
CONCLUSIONS
The PCR provides potential for high‐quality population‐based data to be collected and managed within a clinician‐led governance framework.
This approach satisfies the requirement for health services to establish quality assessment, at the same time as providing clinically credible data to clinicians to drive practice improvement.
Life on a tropical planet: niche conservatism and the global diversity gradient
Authors: Romdal Tom S. , Araújo Miguel B. , Rahbek Carsten 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTAimThe niche conservatism hypothesis proposes that species distribution patterns are, by and large, governed by ancestral climatic affinities. Here, we test this hypothesis by combining information on current diversity gradients among lineages, lineage initiation dates, and palaeoclimatic reconstructions.LocationWorld‐wide.MethodsWe test the niche conservatism hypothesis by comparing slopes of latitudinal diversity gradients among terrestrial and aquatic lineages derived from 343 studies from around the world. The prediction is that clades originating during warm periods should be very species rich in tropical regions, exhibiting a steeper richness gradient from lower to higher latitudes than clades originating during cold periods, which are expected to exhibit shallower latitudinal species richness gradients.ResultsLatitudinal gradients for clades that originated in warm climates are steeper and with a strong tropical affinity, whereas organisms originating in colder periods exhibit a shallower diversity gradient or no tropical affinity.ConclusionsFor a broad variety of plants and animals of both marine and terrestrial realms our results are consistent with the idea that higher diversities have arisen among tropical clades because the earth has been predominantly tropical throughout most of its history. Most clades radiated in tropical climates, with subsequent climate changes causing a retraction in distributions. Our study implies that global climate change by itself, even when developing over tens of millions of years, could have shaped the large‐scale patterns of diversity prevailing on earth today.
Experimental Designs for Identifying Causal Mechanisms
Authors: Imai Kosuke , Tingley Dustin , Yamamoto Teppei 
Published: November 2012

SummaryExperimentation is a powerful methodology that enables scientists to establish causal claims empirically. However, one important criticism is that experiments merely provide a black box view of causality and fail to identify causal mechanisms. Specifically, critics argue that, although experiments can identify average causal effects, they cannot explain the process through which such effects come about. If true, this represents a serious limitation of experimentation, especially for social and medical science research that strives to identify causal mechanisms. We consider several experimental designs that help to identify average natural indirect effects. Some of these designs require the perfect manipulation of an intermediate variable, whereas others can be used even when only imperfect manipulation is possible. We use recent social science experiments to illustrate the key ideas that underlie each of the designs proposed.
Molecular analysis of the parallel domestication of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Mesoamerica and the Andes
Authors: Bitocchi Elena , Bellucci Elisa , Giardini Alessandro , Rau Domenico , Rodriguez Monica , Biagetti Eleonora , Santilocchi Rodolfo , Spagnoletti Zeuli Pierluigi , Gioia Tania , Logozzo Giuseppina , Attene Giovanna , Nanni Laura , Papa Roberto 
Published: November 2012

SummaryWe have studied the nucleotide diversity of common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris, which is characterized by two independent domestications in two geographically distinct areas: Mesoamerica and the Andes. This provides an important model, as domestication can be studied as a replicate experiment.We used nucleotide data from five gene fragments characterized by large introns to analyse 214 accessions (102 wild and 112 domesticated). The wild accessions represent a cross‐section of the entire geographical distribution ofP. vulgaris.A reduction in genetic diversity in both of these gene pools was found, which was three‐fold greater in Mesoamerica compared with the Andes. This appears to be a result of a bottleneck that occurred before domestication in the Andes, which strongly impoverished this wild germplasm, leading to the minor effect of the subsequent domestication bottleneck (i.e. sequential bottleneck).These findings show the importance of considering the evolutionary history of crop species as a major factor that influences their current level and structure of genetic diversity. Furthermore, these data highlight a single domestication event within each gene pool. Although the findings should be interpreted with caution, this evidence indicates the Oaxaca valley in Mesoamerica, and southern Bolivia and northern Argentina in South America, as the origins of common bean domestication.
Recognizable phenotypes associated with intracranial calcification
Authors: LIVINGSTON JOHN H , STIVAROS STAVROS , VAN DER KNAAP MARJO S , CROW YANICK J 
Published: November 2012

Aim  In this observational study, we adopted a systematic approach to the radiological phenotyping of disorders associated with intracranial calcification, with the aim of determining if characteristic patterns could be defined as an aid to the future diagnosis of known conditions and the identification of new disorders.Method  A cranial imaging‐based scoring system was devised using both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging data. Patients were grouped into diagnostic categories where a definitive molecular diagnosis was known, or where the clinical and radiological features suggested a specific diagnosis. For patients in whom the diagnosis was unknown, subgroups were defined according to shared radiological features.Results  Data on 244 scans from 119 patients were analysed. A specific diagnosis was available for 59 patients (31males, 28 females; median age 50mo, range 1wk to 54y). These were as follows (number of patients in brackets): Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (33), cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcification and cysts (10), band‐like calcification with simplified gyration and polymicrogyria (6), COL4A1‐related disease (3), Degos disease (2), Krabbe disease (2), Alexander disease (1), mitochondrial disease (1), and tetrasomy 15 (1). In 60 patients the aetiology was unknown. Within this group, subsets demonstrating shared characteristics suggestive of a specific calcification phenotype could be identified.Interpretation  This study confirms the value of a systematic approach to radiological phenotyping of disorders associated with intracranial calcification.
Tie strength and family formation: Which personal relationships are influential?
Authors: KEIM SYLVIA , KLÄRNER ANDREAS , BERNARDI LAURA 
Published: November 2012

AbstractOn the basis of the analysis of qualitative interviews in Western Germany, it has been argued that personal relationships have a strong impact on individuals' family formation processes and childbearing intentions. Persons who influence individuals' childbearing choices were identified. Strong ties, such as among core family members (i.e., parents and siblings), are an important contributing factor, but the authors are also able to show that weak ties, such as those among colleagues and acquaintances, need to be considered when examining social influence on family formation processes. Apart from single network partners, influential groups of persons have been identified. Such groups serve as a comparative standard regarding the timing of having one's first child and subsequent children.
How do I provide leukapheresis products? Blood center experience and evidence for process improvement
Authors: Ginzburg Yelena , Kessler Debra , Narici Manlio , Caltabiano Melinda , Rebosa Mark , Strauss Donna , Shaz Beth 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundThe past few decades have seen a resurgence of interest in leukapheresis products to improve the survival of infected patients with neutropenia. These products have a short shelf life and require donor stimulation with dexamethasone before collection. Additionally, a system with good communications and logistical support is essential. A recent survey of blood centers in North America revealed that the majority of centers collecting leukapheresis products use steroid‐stimulated donors. The survey results suggested that an analysis of the process and potential process improvement would be of interest to the transfusion medicine community.Study Design and MethodsData from 2008 to 2011 regarding donor selection, donor dexamethasone stimulation, leukapheresis collection, and correlations between potentially pertinent variables for process improvement were analyzed. Results from an analysis of cost are also included.ResultsWe evaluate 432 leukapheresis donations and demonstrate correlations between 1) pre‐ and poststimulation white blood cell (WBC) count (p < 0.0001), 2) interval (donor stimulation to collection) and poststimulation WBC count (p < 0.0001), and 3) poststimulation WBC count and leukapheresis product granulocyte yield (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsSignificant improvement in granulocyte quality and yield can be accomplished in dexamethasone‐stimulated donors, by selecting eligible donors with relatively high normal prestimulation WBC counts and/or previously good responses to dexamethasone, increasing the duration between dexamethasone stimulation and granulocyte collection, and maintaining optimal hematocrit (5%‐10%) in granulocyte collections. Because the majority of surveyed blood centers collecting stimulated granulocytes use steroids alone, modifications presented here may prove useful. Further assessment of correlation between granulocyte yield and clinical outcome will await results of additional studies.
Focus on Increasing Treatment Self‐Efficacy to Improve Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Adherence
Authors: Nokes Kathleen , Johnson Mallory O. , Webel Allison , Rose Carol Dawson , Phillips J. Craig , Sullivan Kathleen , Tyer‐Viola Lynda , Rivero‐Méndez Marta , Nicholas Patrice , Kemppainen Jeanne , Sefcik Elizabeth , Chen Wei‐Ti , Brion John , Eller Lucille , Kirksey Kenn , Wantland Dean , Portillo Carmen , Corless Inge B. , Voss Joachim , Iipinge Scholastika , Spellmann Mark , Holzemer William L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPurpose: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment self‐efficacy is the confidence held by an individual in her or his ability to follow treatment recommendations, including specific HIV care such as initiating and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The purpose of this study was to explore the potential mediating role of treatment adherence self‐efficacy in the relationships between Social Cognitive Theory constructs and self‐ reported ART adherence.Design: Cross‐sectional and descriptive. The study was conducted between 2009 and 2011 and included 1,414 participants who lived in the United States or Puerto Rico and were taking antiretroviral medications.Methods: Social cognitive constructs were tested specifically: behaviors (three adherence measures each consisting of one item about adherence at 3‐day and 30‐day along with the adherence rating scale), cognitive or personal factors (the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale to assess for depressive symptoms, the 12‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐12) to assess physical functioning, one item about physical condition, one item about comorbidity), environmental influences (the Social Capital Scale, one item about social support), and treatment self‐efficacy (HIV Adherence Self‐Efficacy Scale). Analysis included descriptive statistics and regression.Results: The average participant was 47 years old, male, and a racial or ethnic minority, had an education of high school or less, had barely adequate or totally inadequate income, did not work, had health insurance, and was living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for 15 years. The model provided support for adherence self‐efficacy as a robust predictor of ART adherence behavior, serving a partial mediating role between environmental influences and cognitive or personal factors.Conclusions: Although other factors such as depressive symptoms and lack of social capital impact adherence to ART, nurses can focus on increasing treatment self‐efficacy through diverse interactional strategies using principles of adult learning and strategies to improve health literacy.Clinical Relevance: Adherence to ART reduces the viral load thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality and risk of transmission to uninfected persons. Nurses need to use a variety of strategies to increase treatment self‐efficacy.
Rural African American Parents’ Knowledge and Decisions About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
Authors: Thomas Tami Lynn , Strickland Ora L. , DiClemente Ralph , Higgins Melinda , Haber Michael 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPurpose: To identify predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among rural African American families.Design: Cross‐sectional descriptive study in schools in three rural counties in southeastern United States. The sample consisted of African American parents or caregivers with children 9 to 13 years of age who attended elementary or middle school in 2010–2011.Methods: Using an anonymous, 26‐item survey, we collected descriptive data during parent‐teacher events from African American parents with children in elementary or middle school. The main outcome was measured as a response of “yes” to the statement “I have or will vaccinate my child with the HPV vaccine.” In addition, composite scores of knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs were compared. No interventions were conducted.Findings: We identified predictors of HPV vaccination and found that religious affiliation had a correlation with vaccinating or planning to vaccinate a child.Conclusions: Results indicate a need for further research on the role of local culture, including religion and faith, in rural African Americans’ decisions about giving their children the HPV vaccination.Clinical Relevance: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding rural African American parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and spiritual beliefs when designing health education programs and public health interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake among African American boys and girls living in rural areas.
An Image Skeletonization‐Based Tool for Pollen Tube Morphology Analysis and PhenotypingF
Authors: Wang Chaofeng , Gui Cai‐Ping , Liu Hai‐Kuan , Zhang Dong , Mosig Axel 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe mechanism underlying pollen tube growth involves diverse genes and molecular pathways. Alterations in the regulatory genes or pathways cause phenotypic changes reflected by cellular morphology, which can be captured using fluorescence microscopy. Determining and classifying pollen tube morphological phenotypes in such microscopic images is key to our understanding the involvement of genes and pathways. In this context, we propose a computational method to extract quantitative morphological features, and demonstrate that these features reflect morphological differences relevant to distinguish different defects of pollen tube growth. The corresponding software tool furthermore includes a novel semi‐automated image segmentation approach, allowing to highly accurately identify the boundary of a pollen tube in a microscopic image.
A dimensional analysis‐based model for the prediction of nitrogen concentrations in Laborec River, Slovakia
Authors: Zeleňáková Martina , Čarnogurská Mária 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDuring the past decades, several models that predict the concentration profiles after a discharge of pollutants in a river have been developed. A model that predicts nitrogen concentrations in a river has been developed and is presented in this paper. The developed model that determines nitrogen concentrations in a water stream is based on a dimensional analysis. Fundamentals of the modelling of the pollutant predictions in a water stream consist of a derivation of function dependency from expressed non‐dimension arguments. Non‐dimension arguments are stated from variables, which influence the occurrence of pollutants. The model for the prediction of nitrogen concentrations in water streams has been developed for the Laborec River (eastern Slovakia). The differences between the nitrogen concentrations predicted from developed models and measured concentrations in the river are also discussed here.