bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IS RACE A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN DETERMINING OVARIAN CANCER SURVIVAL OUTCOMES? THE ANSWER IS NOT JUSTBLACK AND WHITE
Authors: Proulx Isabelle , Reilly Kristen 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo determine if there are disparities in survival outcomes in African–American (AA) and white American (WA) women who seek treatment for ovarian cancer in the USA.BackgroundAmong gynaecologic malignancies in the USA, epithelial ovarian cancer continues to be the leading cause of death, surpassing uterine and cervical cancer combined. An estimated 21 990 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011 in the USA. Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy that have provided an increasing number of treatment options for women with this disease, mortality remains high, with 15 460 women dying from ovarian cancer in 2011. These outcomes reflect the fact that there is no effective screening tool for ovarian cancer. Thus, the majority of cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, and prognosis is usually poor. In addition, race has been postulated to be a prognostic factor of survival in women with ovarian cancer in a number of studies. Large epidemiological studies have demonstrated a lower incidence and death rate with epithelial ovarian cancer for AA compared with Caucasians. However, relative survival for AA appears to be significantly poorer. This research hypothesizes that this difference is not biologically determined, rather, it is the result of social inequalities. A literature review is required to assess the relationship between race and survival outcomes of ovarian cancer in AA and WA women in the USA.MethodsLiterature review of English peer-reviewed studies regarding differences in survival outcomes for black and white ovarian cancer patients in the USA. Studies assessed by HRs, forest plots, Kaplan–Meier survival plots, 5-year survival rates and statistical significance.ResultsStatistically significant results were demonstrated in two studies: Chanet al, 2008 (HR: 1.179, 1.095 to 1.270, 95% CI) Albainet al, 2009 (HR: 1.48, 1.03 to 2.11, 95% CI). 5-year survival rate (AA vs WA): Chanet al, 2008 (40.7% vs 44.1%), Albainet al, 2009 (17.8% vs 29.9%).ConclusionsDespite statistically significant evidence demonstrating that AA women experience worse survival outcomes in ovarian cancer than WA women, it would be premature to conclude that race is the only prognostic factor. Race is a social determinant that influences other variables that affect treatment and survival of ovarian cancer, such as education, occupation, socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. Therefore, future studies are required to further assess the complicated relationship between survival outcomes and race.
ASSESSING THE JOINT EFFECT OF SMOKING AND SEX, AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE PREVALENCE OF ARTHRITIS IN OBESE CANADIANS
Authors: Sabarre Kelley-Anne 
Published: March 2013

IntroductionArthritis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease; it is known as the leading cause of chronic pain in North America. Researchers identified cigarette smoking as a major preventable risk factor for arthritis, and sex as a non-modifiable risk factor for arthritis.ObjectiveTo determine the association between a smoking–sex interaction, and the prevalence of arthritis among obese Canadians.MethodsUsing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), cycle 4.0, interaction variables were created to demonstrate the effect of smoking, the effect of sex, and the joint effect of smoking and sex in relation to the prevalence of arthritis. The association between exposures of interest, smoking and sex, and health outcome of interest, prevalence of arthritis, was examined using multiple logistic regression and log binomial regression modelling. Measures of additive interaction (relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), synergy index (S)) using both additive and multiplicative models were calculated and assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of the health outcome of interest was common; 29.7% of the study population reported having arthritis. The OR of arthritis was: 1.285 (1.148, 1.439) for male smokers; 1.606 (1.431, 1.802) for female non-smokers; and 2.240 (1.997, 2.513) female smokers compared with male non-smokers. All ORs were statistically significant, with the exception of individuals with some postsecondary education compared with individuals with less than secondary school education (OR=0.866 (0.747, 1.005)). Using logistic regression, measures of assumed additive interaction implied statistical significance of a biological interaction (RERI: 0.349 (0.142, 0.556), AP: 0.156 (0.065, 0.247), S 1.391 (1.102, 1.756)). The relative risk of arthritis was: 1.19263 (1.10369, 1.29105) for male smokers; 1.38933 (1.28697, 1.50282) female non-smokers; 1.61469 (1.49868, 1.74350) for female smokers compared with male non-smokers. Using log binomial regression, measures of additive interaction implied no statistical significance of a biological interaction (RERI: 0.033 (−0.072, 0.137), AP: 0.020 (−0.045, 0.085), S: 1.056 (0.879, 1.269)).ConclusionsAlthough it appears that a synergistic smoking–sex interaction was present when using a multiplicative model, the additive model did not confirm this synergistic effect. Given that the additive model reports more accurate risk for a common outcome such as arthritis, this leads us to believe that smoking and sex do not have a synergistic effect on the prevalence of arthritis among obese Canadians.
Family History of Colorectal Cancer in BRAF p.V600E-Mutated Colorectal Cancer Cases
Authors: Buchanan Daniel D. , Win Aung K. , Walsh Michael D. , Walters Rhiannon J. , Clendenning Mark , Nagler Belinda , Pearson Sally-Ann , Macrae Finlay A. , Parry Susan , Arnold Julie , Winship Ingrid , Giles Graham G. , Lindor Noralane M. , Potter John D. , Hopper John L. , Rosty Christophe , Young Joanne P. , Jenkins Mark A. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Background: Previous reports suggest that relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC)-affected probands carrying the BRAF p.V600E mutation are at an increased risk of CRC and extracolonic cancers (ECC). In this study, we estimated the association between a family history of either CRC or ECC and risk of CRC with a BRAF p.V600E mutation.
Methods: Population-based CRC cases (probands, ages 18–59 years at diagnosis), recruited irrespective of family cancer history, were characterized for BRAF p.V600E mutation and mismatch repair (MMR) status. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: The 690 eligible probands showed a mean age at CRC diagnosis of 46.9 ± 7.8 years, with 313 (47.9%) reporting a family history of CRC and 53 (7.7%) that were BRAF-mutated. Probands with BRAF-mutated, MMR-proficient CRCs were less likely to have a family history of CRC than probands that were BRAF wild-type (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.91; P = 0.03). For probands with a BRAF-mutated CRC, the mean age at diagnosis was greater for those with a CRC-affected first- or second-degree relative (49.3 ± 6.4 years) compared with those without a family history (43.8 ± 10.2 years; P = 0.04). The older the age at diagnosis of CRC with the BRAF p.V600E mutation, the more likely these probands were to show a family history of CRC (OR, 1.09 per year of age; 95% CI, 1.00–1.18; P = 0.04).
Conclusions: Probands with early-onset, BRAF-mutated, and MMR-proficient CRC were less likely to have a family history of CRC than probands that were BRAF-wild-type.
Impact: These findings provide useful insights for cancer risk assessment in families and suggest that familial or inherited factors are more important in early-onset, BRAF-wild-type CRC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(5); 917–26. ©2013 AACR.
Bridging the Gap between Biologic, Individual, and Macroenvironmental Factors in Cancer: A Multilevel Approach
Authors: Lynch Shannon M. , Rebbeck Timothy R. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
To address the complex nature of cancer occurrence and outcomes, approaches have been developed to simultaneously assess the role of two or more etiologic agents within hierarchical levels including the: (i) macroenvironment level (e.g., health care policy, neighborhood, or family structure); (ii) individual level (e.g., behaviors, carcinogenic exposures, socioeconomic factors, and psychologic responses); and (iii) biologic level (e.g., cellular biomarkers and inherited susceptibility variants). Prior multilevel approaches tend to focus on social and environmental hypotheses, and are thus limited in their ability to integrate biologic factors into a multilevel framework. This limited integration may be related to the limited translation of research findings into the clinic. We propose a “Multi-level Biologic and Social Integrative Construct” (MBASIC) to integrate macroenvironment and individual factors with biology. The goal of this framework is to help researchers identify relationships among factors that may be involved in the multifactorial, complex nature of cancer etiology, to aid in appropriate study design, to guide the development of statistical or mechanistic models to study these relationships, and to position the results of these studies for improved intervention, translation, and implementation. MBASIC allows researchers from diverse fields to develop hypotheses of interest under a common conceptual framework, to guide transdisciplinary collaborations, and to optimize the value of multilevel studies for clinical and public health activities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(4); 485–95. ©2013 AACR.
MicroRNA Expression Signatures during Malignant Progression from Barrett's Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Xifeng , Ajani Jaffer A. , Gu Jian , Chang David W. , Tan Weiqi , Hildebrandt Michelle A.T. , Huang Maosheng , Wang Kenneth K. , Hawk Ernest 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Barrett's esophagus is the precursor lesion of esophageal adenocarcinoma, whose progression follows sequential stages. However, the low progression rate and the inadequacy and subjective interpretation of histologic grading in predicting Barrett's esophagus progression call for more objective biomarkers that can improve risk prediction. We conducted a genome-wide profiling of 754 human microRNAs (miRNA) in 35 normal epithelium, 34 Barrett's esophagus, and 36 esophageal adenocarcinoma tissues using TaqMan real-time PCR-based profiling. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering using 294 modestly to highly expressed miRNAs showed clear clustering of two groups: normal epithelium versus Barrett's esophagus/esophageal adenocarcinoma tissues. Moreover, there was an excellent clustering of Barrett's metaplasia (without dysplasia) tissues from normal epithelium tissues. However, Barrett's esophagus tissues of different stages and esophageal adenocarcinoma tissues were interspersed. There were differentially expressed miRNAs at different stages. The majority of miRNA aberrations involved upregulation of expression in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma tissues, with the most dramatic alterations occurring at the Barrett's metaplasia stage. Known oncomiRs, such as miR-21, miR-25, and miR-223, and tumor suppressor miRNAs, including miR-205, miR-203, let-7c, and miR-133a, showed progressively altered expression from Barrett's esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma. We also identified a number of novel miRNAs that showed progressively altered expression, including miR-301b, miR-618, and miR-23b. The significant miRNA alterations that were exclusive to esophageal adenocarcinoma but not Barrett's esophagus included miR-375 downregulation and upregulation of five members of the miR-17-92 and its homologue clusters, which may become promising biomarkers for esophageal adenocarcinoma development. Cancer Prev Res; 6(3); 196–205. ©2013 AACR.
Performance of the EuroSCORE Models in Emergency Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Grant Stuart W. , Hickey Graeme L. , Dimarakis Ioannis , Cooper Graham , Jenkins David P. , Uppal Rakesh , Buchan Iain , Bridgewater Ben 
Published: March 2013

Background—
Accurate risk-adjustment models are useful for clinical decision making and are important for minimizing any tendency toward risk-averse clinical practice. In cardiac surgery, emergency patients are potentially at greatest risk of inappropriate risk-averse clinical decisions. UK cardiac surgery outcomes are currently risk-adjusted with EuroSCORE models. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the EuroSCORE models in emergency cardiac surgery.

Methods and Results—
The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research database was used to identify adult cardiac surgery procedures performed in the United Kingdom between April 2008 and March 2011. A subset of procedures (July 2010–March 2011) was used for EuroSCORE II validation. The outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Model calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, calibration plots, calculation of calibration intercept and slope) and discrimination (area under receiver-operating characteristic curve [area under the curve]) were assessed. In total, 109 988 cardiac procedures at 41 hospitals were included, of which 3342 were defined as emergency procedures. Compared with performance in all cardiac surgery and nonemergency cardiac surgery, the logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II models had poorer discrimination (area under the curve, 0.703 and 0.690, respectively) and poorer calibration for emergency surgery. The EuroSCORE risk factors of female sex, chronic pulmonary disease, neurological disease, active endocarditis, unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, and pulmonary hypertension were not identified as important risk factors for emergency cardiac surgery.

Conclusions—
Both EuroSCORE models demonstrated poor calibration and comparatively poor discrimination for emergency cardiac surgery. This has important implications when these models are used for clinical decision making or to adjust governance analyses.
A Pharmacist-Led, American Heart Association Heart360 Web-Enabled Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Program
Authors: Magid David J. , Olson Kari L. , Billups Sarah J. , Wagner Nicole M. , Lyons Ella E. , Kroner Beverly A. 
Published: March 2013

Background—
To determine whether a pharmacist-led, Heart360-enabled, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) intervention improves blood pressure (BP) control compared with usual care (UC).

Methods and Results—

This randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 10 Kaiser Permanente Colorado clinics. Overall, 348 patients with BP above recommended levels were randomized to the HBPM (n=175) or UC (n=173) groups. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups; however, there was a trend toward a higher baseline BP for the HBPM group compared with the UC group (148.8 versus 145.5 mm Hg for systolic BP; 89.6 versus 88.0 mm Hg for diastolic BP). At 6 months, the proportion of patients achieving BP goal was significantly higher in the HBPM group (54.1%) than in the UC group (35.4%;
P
<0.001). Compared with the UC group, the HBPM group experienced a −12.4-mm Hg larger (95% confidence interval, −16.3 to −8.6) reduction in systolic BP and a −5.7-mm Hg larger (95% confidence interval, −7.8 to −3.6) reduction in diastolic BP. The impact of the intervention on BP reduction was even larger for the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. The HBPM group had more e-mail and telephone contacts and greater medication regimen intensification. The proportion of patients reporting high satisfaction with hypertension care was significantly greater in the HBPM group (58%) than in the UC group (42%),
P
<0.001.

Conclusions—
A pharmacist-led, Heart360-supported, home BP monitoring intervention led to greater BP reductions, superior BP control, and higher patient satisfaction than UC.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01162759
. Unique identifier: NCT01162759.
Low Plasma Arginine:Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine Ratios Predict Mortality After Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture
Authors: Staalsø Jonatan Myrup , Bergström Anita , Edsen Troels , Weikop Pia , Romner Bertil , Olsen Niels Vidiendal 
Published: March 2013

Background—
Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases, predicts mortality in cardiovascular disease and has been linked to cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In this prospective study, we assessed whether circulating ADMA, arginine:ADMA ratio, and nitrite/nitrate levels were associated with survival and cerebral vasospasm in SAH patients.

Methods—

One hundred and eleven patients were observed day 1 to 15 after SAH, with serial measurements of transcranial Doppler flow velocities (V
MCA
) and plasma biomarkers. Clinical status was assessed by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grading scale.

Results—

Overall 30-day mortality was 18%, but differed between patients grouped by low, midrange, and high arginine:ADMA ratio in the first week after SAH. Mortality rates were 14/37, 1/37, and 5/37 in the 3 groups, respectively (
P
-logrank=0.0003). Cox regression showed that low versus midrange or high arginine:ADMA was associated with a hazard ratio of 4.1 independent of World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade (95% confidence interval, 1.5–10.9;
P
=0.006). ADMA or arginine:ADMA had no association to V
MCA
, but there was an inverse relationship between V
MCA
and nitrite/nitrate levels (
P
<0.0001). The
NOS3
894G/G genotype was associated with 15% lower V
MCA
(
P
=0.01). ATbG-
NOS3
haplotype homozygosity was associated with up to 64% higher nitrite/nitrate levels (
P
=0.003).

Conclusions—
This study suggests that plasma arginine:ADMA ratios predict mortality after SAH. Both clinical and physiological measures of changes in cerebral hemodynamics are coupled to the nitric oxide system.
De Novo and Recurrent Aneurysms in Pediatric Patients With Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Koroknay-Pál Päivi , Niemelä Mika , Lehto Hanna , Kivisaari Riku , Numminen Jussi , Laakso Aki , Hernesniemi Juha 
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—
Long-term angiographic follow-up studies on pediatric aneurysm patients are scarce.

Methods—
We gathered long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up data on all pediatric aneurysm patients (≤18 years at diagnosis) treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, between 1937 and 2009.

Results—
Fifty-nine patients with cerebral aneurysms in childhood had long-term clinical and radiological follow-up (median, 34 years; range, 4–56 years). Twenty-four patients (41%) were diagnosed with altogether 25 de novo and 11 recurrent aneurysms, with 9 (25%) of the aneurysms being symptomatic. New subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in 7 patients; 4 of these patients died. Eight patients (33%) had multiple new aneurysms. The annual rate of hemorrhage was 0.4%, and the annual rate for the development of de novo or recurrent aneurysm was 1.9%. There were no de novo aneurysms in 7 patients with previously unruptured aneurysms. However, 1 recurrent aneurysm was diagnosed. Current and previous smoking (risk ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–5.55) was the only statistically significant risk factor for de novo and recurrent aneurysm formation in patients with previous subarachnoid hemorrhage, whereas hypertension, sex, or age at onset had no statistically significant effect. Smoking was also a statistically significant risk factor for new subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions—
Patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms in childhood have a high risk for new aneurysms and new subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially if they start to smoke as adults. Life-long angiographic follow-up is mandatory.
Crucial Evidence: Hobbes on Contractual Obligation
Authors: Venezia Luciano 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
In this paper, I will introduce the notions of crucial argument and crucial evidence in the philosophy of intellectual history (broadly construed, including the history of political thought). I will use these concepts and take sides in an important controversy in Hobbes studies, namely whether Hobbes holds a prudential or a deontological theory of contractual obligation. Though there is textual evidence for both readings, I will argue that there is especially relevant evidence – crucial evidence – for interpreting Hobbes’s account in a deontological fashion.
The Continuum of Hydroclimate Variability in Western North America during the Last Millennium
Authors: Ault Toby R. , Cole Julia E. , Overpeck Jonathan T. , Pederson Gregory T. , St. George Scott , Otto-Bliesner Bette , Woodhouse Connie A. , Deser Clara 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The distribution of climatic variance across the frequency spectrum has substantial importance for anticipating how climate will evolve in the future. Here power spectra and power laws (β) are estimated from instrumental, proxy, and climate model data to characterize the hydroclimate continuum in western North America (WNA). The significance of the estimates of spectral densities and β are tested against the null hypothesis that they reflect solely the effects of local (nonclimate) sources of autocorrelation at the monthly time scale. Although tree-ring-based hydroclimate reconstructions are generally consistent with this null hypothesis, values of β calculated from long moisture-sensitive chronologies (as opposed to reconstructions) and other types of hydroclimate proxies exceed null expectations. Therefore it may be argued that there is more low-frequency variability in hydroclimate than monthly autocorrelation alone can generate. Coupled model results archived as part of phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are consistent with the null hypothesis and appear unable to generate variance in hydroclimate commensurate with paleoclimate records. Consequently, at decadal-to-multidecadal time scales there is more variability in instrumental and proxy data than in the models, suggesting that the risk of prolonged droughts under climate change may be underestimated by CMIP5 simulations of the future.
Diagnosing Northern Hemisphere Jet Portrayal in 17 CMIP3 Global Climate Models: Twentieth-Century Intermodel Variability
Authors: Delcambre Sharon C. , Lorenz David J. , Vimont Daniel J. , Martin Jonathan E. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The present study focuses on diagnosing the intermodel variability of nonzonally averaged NH winter jet stream portrayal in 17 global climate models (GCMs) from phase three of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3). Relative to the reanalysis, the ensemble-mean 300-hPa Atlantic jet is too zonally extended and located too far equatorward in GCMs. The Pacific jet varies significantly between modeling groups, with large biases in the vicinity of the jet exit region that cancel in the ensemble mean. After seeking relationships between twentieth-century model wind biases and 1) the internal modes of jet variability or 2) tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs), it is found that biases in upper-level winds are strongly related to an ENSO-like pattern in winter-mean tropical Pacific Ocean SST biases. The spatial structure of the leading modes of variability of the upper-level jet in the twentieth century is found to be accurately modeled in all 17 GCMs. Also, it is shown that Pacific model biases in the longitude of EOFs 1 and 2 are strongly linked to the modeled longitude of the Pacific jet exit, indicating that the improved characterization of the mean state of the Pacific jet may positively impact the modeled variability. This work suggests that improvements in model portrayal of the tropical Pacific mean state may significantly advance the portrayal of the mean state of the Pacific and Atlantic jets, which will consequently improve the modeled jet stream variability in the Pacific. To complement these findings, a companion paper examines the twenty-first-century GCM projections of the nonzonally averaged NH jet streams.