bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transurethral resection of the prostate in kidney transplant recipients: urological and renal functional outcomes at long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Volpe Alessandro , Billia Michele , Quaglia Marco , Vidali Matteo , Marchioro Giansilvo , Ceratti Giovanni , Sogni Filippo , De Lorenzis Elisa , De Angelis Paolo , Airoldi Andrea , Stratta Piero , Terrone Carlo 
Published: March 2013

Objectives
To assess prospectively the safety and efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients who have undergone renal transplantation (RT).
To assess the impact of TURP on renal graft function.
Patients and Methods
Urological and renal functional outcomes of TURP performed in RT recipients for treatment of lower urinary tract obstruction attributable to BPH were prospectively assessed in a series of 32 consecutive patients with follow‐up of ≥48 months.
Maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) at uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), post‐void residual urine volume (PVR), haemoglobin and serum creatinine (sCr) levels were recorded before TURP and 1, 6, 24 and 48 months after the procedure. The trends in these variables after TURP were evaluated.
Early and delayed complications were assessed and graded according to the Clavien classification system.
Results
TURP was performed at a mean of 6 months after RT.
No intraoperative complications occurred. Seven postoperative complications were observed (21.9%): two Clavien grade II and five Clavien grade IIIa.
Qmax, IPSS and PVR improved significantly after surgery and the improvement was maintained until 48 months. No patient required a repeat TURP during follow‐up.
SCr levels significantly decreased 1 and 6 months after TURP and did not significantly increase at long‐term follow‐up.
Conclusions
TURP for lower urinary tract obstruction attributable to BPH in RT recipients is safe and effective since it improves urinary flow, bladder emptying and related urinary symptoms.
TURP allows an early significant improvement of graft function that is maintained at a follow‐up of 48 months.
Survival after radical prostatectomy for clinically localised prostate cancer: a population‐based study
Authors: Røder Martin Andreas , Brasso Klaus , Christensen Ib Jarle , Johansen Jørgen , Langkilde Niels Christian , Hvarness Helle , Carlsson Steen , Jakobsen Henrik , Borre Michael , Iversen Peter 
Published: March 2013

Objectives
To describe survival and cause of death in a nationwide cohort of Danish patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).
To describe risk factors associated with prostate cancer mortality.
Patients and Methods
Observational study of 6489 men with localised prostate cancer treated with RP at six different hospitals in Denmark between 1995 and 2011.
Survival was described using Kaplan–Meier estimates. Causes of death were obtained from the national registry and cross‐checked with patient files.
Cumulative incidence of death, any cause and prostate cancer‐specific, was described using Nelson–Aalen estimates.
Risk for prostate cancer death was analysed in a Cox multivariate regression model using the covariates: age, cT‐category, PSA level and biopsy Gleason score.
Results
The median follow‐up was 4 years. During follow‐up, 328 patients died, 109 (33.2%) from prostate cancer and 219 (66.8%) from other causes. Six patients (0.09%) died ≤30 days of RP.
In multivariate analysis, cT‐category was a predictor of prostate cancer death (P < 0.001). Compared with T1 disease, both cT2c (hazard ratio [HR] 2.2) and cT3 (HR 7.2) significantly increased the risk of prostate cancer death. For every doubling of PSA level the risk of prostate cancer death was increased by 34.8% (P < 0.001). Biopsy Gleason score 4 + 3 and ≥8 were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer death compared with biopsy Gleason score ≤ 6 of 2.3 and 2.7 (P = 0.003), respectively.
The cumulative hazard of all‐cause and prostate cancer‐specific mortality after 10 years was 15.4% (95% confide3nce interval [CI] 13.2–17.7) and 6.6% (95% CI 4.9–8.2) respectively.
Conclusions
We present the first survival analysis of a complete, nationwide cohort of men undergoing RP for localised prostate cancer.
The main limitation of the study was the relatively short follow‐up.
Interestingly, our national results are comparable to high‐volume, single institution, single surgeon series.
Regulatory T cells, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CXCL10, CXCL11, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as surrogate markers of host immunity in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Polimeno Marianeve , Napolitano Maria , Costantini Susan , Portella Luigi , Esposito Arianna , Capone Francesca , Guerriero Eliana , Trotta AnnaMaria , Zanotta Serena , Pucci Luigi , Longo Nicola , Perdonà Sisto , Pignata Sandro , Castello Giuseppe , Scala Stefania 
Published: March 2013

Objective
To identify a phenotype that could be informative and prognostic in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) peripheral blood was evaluated for TH1, TH2, regulatory T cells (Tregs), natural killer (NK) and NKT cells and for cytokines/chemokines.
Patients and Methods
Peripheral blood from 77 patients with RCC and 40 healthy controls was evaluated by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CD25, FoxP3, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD152, CD184, CD279, CD3, CD16, CD56, CD161, CD158a, CD4, CD26, CD30, CD183 and CD184.
A concomitant evaluation of 38 molecules was conducted in patients’ serum using a multiplex biometric ELISA‐based immunoassay.
Results
The number of NK cells CD3−/CD16+, CD3−/CD16+/CD161+ (NK) and CD3−/CD16+/CD161+/CD158a+ (NK‐ Kir 2+) was greater in the patients with RCC (P < 0.05); and the number of Treg cells CD4+/CD25high+/FOXP3+ and the subset CD4+/CD25high+/FOXP3+/CD45RA+ (naïve) and CD45R0+(memory) cells, were greater in the patients with RCC (P < 0.001). An increase in the following was observed in the serum of patients with RCC compared with healthy controls: interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, G‐CSF, CXCL10, CXCL11, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). According to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), CXCL10, IL‐6, IL‐8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), HGF and VEGF were associated with a network that controls cellular movement, tissue development and cellular growth.
Kaplan–Meier analysis for disease‐free survival showed that high numbers of CD4+/CD25high+/FOXP3+/CD45RA+ (Treg naïve) and low numbers of CD3−/CD16+/CD161+/CD158a+ (NK‐Kir+) cells predict short disease‐free survival in patients with RCC.
Conclusion
Concomitant evaluation of Treg (CD4+/CD25high+/FOXP3+ and CD4+/CD25high+/FOXP3+/CD45RA+) and of six soluble factors (IL‐6, IL‐8 ,VEGF, CXCL10, CXCL11, EGF, HGF) might be a surrogate marker of host immunity in patients with RCC.
ADHD and functional somatic symptoms: structural equations of a conceptual model
Authors: Giacobo Rodrigo Serra , Jané Maria Claustre , Bonillo Albert , Arrufat Francisco Javier , Araujo Eva 
Published: March 2013

AimsTo examine the effect of anxiety and parental overprotection on functional somatic symptoms (FSS) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodSeventy‐six children and adolescents (aged 6–17) with ADHD and their parents completed a clinical interview about psychiatric and somatic symptoms. Parents also reported about parenting styles. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used.ResultsThe generalized anxiety, overprotection, and specific phobia variables each had a direct effect on FSS.ConclusionsAnxiety symptoms and parental overprotection may play a role in the development of FSS in children with ADHD. Further research is necessary to corroborate our findings.
Glycated haemoglobin A1c for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old: a community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lin Shuo , Hu Li , Li Xiaofeng , Chen Yanming , Xu Haixia , He Shengqing , Ren Zhuozhuo , Tang Xixiang , Qiu Yawei , Xu Jing , Mu Panwei , Zeng Longyi 
Published: March 2013

SummaryObjectiveLittle is known about using glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to diagnose diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old. This study aims to evaluate HbA1c in diagnosing diabetes and identify the optimal threshold to be used in Chinese community subjects aged over 50 years.MethodsA community‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted from October 2010 to January 2011 in Shipai community of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. A total of 1494 subjects (72·8%) aged over 50 years were investigated. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG1st) and HbA1c were assayed in each participant. Diabetic candidates with FPG1st ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%) were informed to undergo a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Diagnosis of diabetes was made by 1999 World Health Organization criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of HbA1c for diagnosing diabetes were calculated by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.ResultsAmong 1494 subjects, 161 subjects (10·8%) with previously diagnosed diabetes and 21 with missing data were excluded. Among the remaining 1312 subjects (87·8%), 861 subjects (65·6%) with either FPG1st ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%) were invited to perform OGTT. Finally, 453 subjects (52·6%) performed OGTT (FPG2nd and 2‐h plasma glucose were measured) and 54 subjects (11·9%) were identified as being diabetes. The area under ROC curve was 0·916 (0·887–0·940) for HbA1c and 0·972 (0·953–0·985) for FPG2nd in diagnosing diabetes (P = 0·045). An HbA1c threshold of 48 mmol/mol (6·5%) yielded the highest combination of sensitivity (75·9%) and specificity (95·5%) for diagnosing diabetes.ConclusionAn HbA1c threshold of 48 mmol/mol (6·5%) was highly specific and had a good sensitivity for diagnosing diabetes among Chinese subjects aged over 50 years with FPG ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%). This threshold may be suitable for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old.
Dose‐related cerebellar abnormality in rats with prenatal exposure to X‐irradiation by magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis
Authors: Sawada Kazuhiko , Saito Shigeyoshi , Horiuchi‐Hirose Miwa , Mori Yuki , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Murase Kenya 
Published: March 2013

AbstractCerebellar abnormalities in 4‐week‐old rats with a single whole body X‐irradiation at a dose of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 Gy on embryonic day (ED) 15 were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry. A 3D T2W‐MRI anatomical sequence with high‐spatial resolution at 11.7‐tesla was acquired from the fixed rat heads. By MRI volumetry, whole cerebellar volumes decreased dose‐dependently. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the cortical volume (standardized β = 0.901; P < 0.001) was a major explanatory variable for the whole cerebellar volume, whereas both volumes of the white matter and deep cerebellar nuclei also decreased depending on the X‐irradiation dose. The present MRI volumetric analysis revealed a dose‐related cerebellar cortical hypoplasia by prenatal exposure to X‐irradiation on E15.
Temporal Sequences Quantify the Contributions of Individual Fixations in Complex Perceptual Matching Tasks
Authors: Busey Thomas , Yu Chen , Wyatte Dean , Vanderkolk John 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPerceptual tasks such as object matching, mammogram interpretation, mental rotation, and satellite imagery change detection often require the assignment of correspondences to fuse information across views. We apply techniques developed for machine translation to the gaze data recorded from a complex perceptual matching task modeled after fingerprint examinations. The gaze data provide temporal sequences that the machine translation algorithm uses to estimate the subjects' assumptions of corresponding regions. Our results show that experts and novices have similar surface behavior, such as the number of fixations made or the duration of fixations. However, the approach applied to data from experts is able to identify more corresponding areas between two prints. The fixations that are associated with clusters that map with high probability to corresponding locations on the other print are likely to have greater utility in a visual matching task. These techniques address a fundamental problem in eye tracking research with perceptual matching tasks: Given that the eyes always point somewhere, which fixations are the most informative and therefore are likely to be relevant for the comparison task?
A Computational and Empirical Investigation of Graphemes in Reading
Authors: Perry Conrad , Ziegler Johannes C. , Zorzi Marco 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIt is often assumed that graphemes are a crucial level of orthographic representation above letters. Current connectionist models of reading, however, do not address how the mapping from letters to graphemes is learned. One major challenge for computational modeling is therefore developing a model that learns this mapping and can assign the graphemes to linguistically meaningful categories such as the onset, vowel, and coda of a syllable. Here, we present a model that learns to do this in English for strings of any letter length and any number of syllables. The model is evaluated on error rates and further validated on the results of a behavioral experiment designed to examine ambiguities in the processing of graphemes. The results show that the model (a) chooses graphemes from letter strings with a high level of accuracy, even when trained on only a small portion of the English lexicon; (b) chooses a similar set of graphemes as people do in situations where different graphemes can potentially be selected; (c) predicts orthographic effects on segmentation which are found in human data; and (d) can be readily integrated into a full‐blown model of multi‐syllabic reading aloud such as CDP++ (Perry, Ziegler, & Zorzi, 2010). Altogether, these results suggest that the model provides a plausible hypothesis for the kind of computations that underlie the use of graphemes in skilled reading.
Negotiating Environmental Sovereignty in Costa Rica
Authors: Graef Dana J. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTThis article analyses the linked histories and changing national discourses surrounding a transnational mining concession and subsequent plans for hydroelectric development in Costa Rica. The analysis shows how project framing shifted from un‐environmental to green, paralleling a change in public debate from defence against a transnational threat to support of national sovereignty. Dissenters questioned an imperial project that would preclude the state and its citizens from the benefits of industrial development; now the problem is recalled as extractive development itself. Thus popular protests against the mine have come to be remembered as a defence of the nation's environment. This article defines environmental sovereignty as a relational concept that decentres human dominion. In addition, it argues for increased scholarly attention to unimplemented development. This case demonstrates how land deals transcend their own boundaries in time, space and imagination.
Competition over Authority and Access: International Land Deals in Madagascar
Authors: Burnod Perrine , Gingembre Mathilde , Andrianirina Ratsialonana Rivo 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTDespite the well‐publicized abandonment of Daewoo Logistics’ gigantic agricultural project, large‐scale land appropriations continue in Madagascar. Drawing on three case studies, this article analyses how relations between entities governing land access shape, and are shaped by, agribusiness‐related land deals. State representatives and local elites generally welcome agribusiness investments but find themselves competing over the corresponding benefits and over land management more generally. In a context of legal pluralism, competition occurs between state officials, between state and local actors and also within the local arena. Both state and local elites may seek to reassert their authority by imposing new constraints on investors’ access to land. Within the state, officials draw on different legal provisions to impose new procedures on investors but rarely enforce the 2005 land laws that recognize local rights and decentralize land management. Within the local arena, some local leaders seize upon investors’ land claims to extend their territory at the expense of other communities, awakening or exacerbating local land conflicts. As a consequence, investors struggle to obtain land‐use rights, whether legally formalized by state institutions or socially recognized by local entities, while the future of local land rights also remains uncertain.
State Involvement, Land Grabbing and Counter‐Insurgency in Colombia
Authors: Grajales Jacobo 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTThis article examines the linkages between organized armed violence, land grabbing and the Colombian state, where paramilitary groups are key actors in recent large‐scale land transfers. The author argues that institutional and violent mechanisms of land grabbing must be understood as historical processes of state formation and market reconfiguration. As such, crime and violence are not considered as extraneous factors, separated from political institutions and the market; they are instead analysed as constitutive components of political competition, accumulation and economic development. This article provides an analysis of these processes through an examination of agribusiness‐related land grabs in the Lower Atrato Valley in northwestern Colombia, illuminating the relations between private counter‐insurgent violence, criminal networks and state incentives to agribusiness.
Heritability and sibling recurrent risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip in Chinese population
Authors: Li Lianyong , Sun Keming , Zhang Lijun , Zhao Qun , Cheng Xiangjun , Dang Youting 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundPrevious familial segregation studies supported that developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a multifactorial genetic disease. However, the exact extent of genetic effects has not been fully evaluated, especially in Asian population. The aim of this study is to estimate the sibling recurrent risk and heritability of DDH in a large Chinese cohort.Materials and methodsFour hundred and twenty‐nine DDH probands and 534 matched normal controls were recruited from a screening programme for DDH, including 628 siblings in families of probands and 889 siblings in those of controls, respectively. The detailed information of family history was obtained, and the prevalence of DDH among siblings of probands, as well as controls, was determined. The sibling recurrent risk and heritability was estimated using classical liability threshold model.ResultsEighty‐seven siblings (13·85%) in families of proband and 14 siblings (1·57%) in normal control families were diagnosed as DDH. The recurrent risk in siblings of probands was at least tenfolds that in siblings of controls. Compared with the normal controls, the sibling recurrent risk was about 12‐fold increase in male sib, and 9‐fold increase in female sib. Overall, a high heritability of 83·59 ± 4·90% (h2 ± SE) was observed. When stratified by genders, it was even higher for female siblings (91·02 ± 7·25%).ConclusionThis study for the first time exhibits a high sibling recurrent risk and heritability for DDH in Asian population. It also shows there is a high probability to identify the underlying predisposition genes in future genetic study.
Spatio‐temporal, ontogenetic and interindividual variation of age‐0 diets in a population of yellow perch
Authors: Roswell Charles R. , Pothoven Steven A. , Höök Tomas O. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDietary niches of fishes have traditionally been evaluated at the population level, with diet pattern central tendencies compared spatio‐temporally among habitats and populations. More recently, however, studies have emphasised the importance of within‐population diet variation and niche partitioning. Several studies have examined diets of young yellow perch (Perca flavescens) at the population level and have described an ontogenetic transition from zooplankton to benthic prey during the first year of life. However, independent of ontogenetic diet shifts, intrapopulation variation of young yellow perch diets remains largely unexplored. We quantified patterns of diet composition in age‐0 yellow perch collected from Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, USA during July–October, 2009 and 2010. We observed substantial variation in diet composition among individuals across and within sites, but found relatively weak evidence indicating an ontogenetic diet shift. Zooplankton were the dominant prey for age‐0 yellow perch on most occasions, and individual diets were composed primarily of either zooplankton (e.g. Daphnia spp., Calanoida) or benthic (i.e. Chironomidae larvae, Chydoridae) prey. These patterns were not simply attributable to differences in prey availability and ontogenetic diet shifts, because a) not only diet composition, but also prey selectivity (Chesson's α) varied among sites and b) individual and spatial diet differences were evident independent of ontogeny. Within‐cohort differences in diet composition may be an important, but often overlooked, phenomenon with implications for cumulative trophic interactions and intracohort growth and survival among young fish.
Optimizing Hydroxyurea use in children with sickle cell disease: low dose regimen is effective
Authors: Sharef Sharef Waadallah , Al‐Hajri Maya , Beshlawi Ismail , Al‐Shahrabally Aamir , Elshinawy Mohamed , Zachariah Mathew , Mevada Surekha Tony , Bashir Wafaa , Rawas Abdulhakim , Taqi Aqeela , Al‐Lamki Zakiya , Wali Yasser 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesHydroxyurea (HU) is the standard treatment for severely affected children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Starting dose is 15–20 mg/kg/day that can be escalated up to 35 mg/kg/day. Ethnic neutropenia is common in this area of the world that requires judicious usage of myelosuppressive drugs. Aim was to assess the efficacy of a lower initial dose of HU and cautious dose escalation regimen in patients with SCD.MethodsWe assessed 161 patients with SCD on HU, at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, retrospectively from 1998 to 2008 and prospectively from 2009 to 2011. Starting dose of HU was 10–12 mg/kg/day, adjusted based on response or side effects. Patients were divided into two groups according to the dose of HU (10–15.9 mg/kg/day and 16–26 mg/kg/day).ResultsNineteen patients were excluded for various reasons. Forty‐four children were in the low‐dose group and 98 were in the high‐dose group. There was significant reduction in the annual number of admissions due to vaso‐occlusive crisis in both groups (P < 0.001). However, the difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). In addition, there was an observed clinical improvement regarding the acute chest syndrome (ACS). Both groups had comparable significant improvements in their laboratory markers [e.g., hemoglobin (Hb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)]. All 142 patients tolerated the treatment well. Reversible toxicities occurred in both low‐ and high‐dose groups.ConclusionIn SCD patients, low‐dose regimen of HU is a feasible option that ensured safety and yet did not affect efficacy.