bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound in Renal Carcinoma: An Essential in Follow‐up
Authors: POPERT R. J. M. , VINNICOMBE J. , COPTCOAT M. J. 
Published: March 2014

Summary— A total of 115 patients underwent radical nephrectomy for renal carcinoma in this hospital between 1983 and 1990. Follow‐up was available in 113 cases (mean 27 months, range 0–93). The overall actuarial survival was 66% at 2 years and 53% at 5 years. Fifty‐three patients have been followed up with annual abdominal ultrasound over the last 2 years.Abnormal ultrasound scans were reported in 6 patients (11%) on follow‐up. Two had para‐aortic lymph node recurrence amenable to further surgery. One patient developed a metachronous tumour and a partial nephrectomy was carried out. Three patients had local recurrence not amenable to further surgery.Ultrasound and computed tomography have found an invaluable place in the pre‐operative diagnosis and staging of renal carcinoma. Sixteen of 113 tumours were diagnosed by ultrasound or intravenous urography carried out for some other purpose; 8 were less than 5 cm in diameter and 12 were T category N0M0V0. The 2‐year survival rate in this group was 85% (mean 30 months, range 19–67).We consider the routine follow‐up of renal carcinoma with clinical examination and annual chest X‐ray to be inadequate. The application of ultrasound in the follow‐up of these patients has provided a valuable adjunct to our clinical practice. It has allowed the prompt diagnosis of lymph node recurrence or metachronous tumour amenable to secondary surgery with the potential for improved survival in this group of patients. We consider this to be the logical extension of the value of ultrasound in the pre‐operative diagnosis of renal carcinoma.
Outcome of Secondary Open Surgical Procedure in Patients who Failed Primary Endopyelotomy
Authors: KAVOUSSI L. R. , ALBALA D. M. , CLAYMAN R. 
Published: March 2014

Summary— Endopyelotomy is an effective method for treating pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction; however, up to 28% of patients fail endoscopic treatment and require a secondary open surgical procedure. Six patients underwent secondary open surgical procedures following failed endopyelotomy for primary PUJ obstruction at this institution.One patient had impaired renal function in the affected kidney prior to endopyelotomy and postoperative evaluation indicated further deterioration; nephrectomy was performed for chronic obstruction and pain. The remaining 5 patients underwent secondary open pyeloplasty. In 4 patients the operation was difficult and lengthy because of extensive periureteric fibrosis. Difficult dissection was associated with a repeat endoscopic attempt to repair the PUJ obstruction, urinoma formation or stent occlusion requiring intervention. A mean follow‐up of 1.7 years demonstrated no radiographic or clinical evidence of recurrent obstruction in the 5 patients undergoing secondary open pyeloplasty; all 6 patients are currently asymptomatic.
Treatment of urethral stones by retrograde manipulation and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Authors: EL‐SHERIF A.E. , PRASAD K. 
Published: March 2014

Objective To assess the effect of retrograde manipulation and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as a monotherapy for urethral stones that are not associated with urethral strictures.Patients and methods Between August 1993 and January 1995, 34 male patients (mean age 38.7 years, range 7–55) presented with urethral stones. No patient had a suggested or past history of urethral stricture. Lidocaine jelly (2%) was instilled and retained inside the urethra for 5 min. A 16 F urethral catheter was advanced gently to push the stone back to the urinary bladder. Twenty patients had ESWL of their stones in the bladder, using a Storz Modulith SL20, in the prone position. Tilting the patient about 15° towards the side with the stone minimized movement of the stone during fragmentation. In‐line co‐axial echography (3.5 MHz) and intermittent pulsed fluoroscopy were used to monitor stone fragmentation. In situ fragmentation of posterior urethral stones was not possible because localization was difficult and the treatment was painful. Thirteen patients had cysto‐urethroscopy and mechanical cystolitholapaxy under general anaesthesia.Results Stones impacted in the posterior urethra in 31 (91%) patients and in the anterior urethra in three (9%) patients. Stones ranged in size from 7 to 25 mm. One patient expelled an anterior urethral stone after the instillation of 2% lidocaine jelly. The urethral stones were pushed back to the bladder without complication in the remaining 33 patients. All 20 patients except one had their stones fragmented by ESWL in one session. The mean number of shock waves was 3600 ± 1480 (range 1200–6000) and the generator voltage ranged between 5 kV (560 bar) to 8 kV (940 bar). No patient in the ESWL group required anaesthesia or analgesia. Thirteen patients had successful mechanical cystolitholapaxy with no complications.Conclusion Both endoscopic lithotripsy and ESWL of urethral stones are safe and effective. However, transurethral lithotripsy requires general anaesthesia and carries a risk of bladder and urethral trauma. This study demonstrated that, in the absence of urethral stricture, urethral stones can be pushed back safely to the urinary bladder and fragmented effectively by ESWL. The success of the treatment depends on adequate anaesthesia of the urethra before inserting the urethral catheter. We propose that this new technique should be considered before resorting to endoscopic or surgical management of urethral stones, particularly in children.
Diuresis and voiding pattern in healthy schoolchildren
Authors: MATTSSON S. , LINDSTRÖM S. 
Published: March 2014

Objective To analyse how differences in diuresis affect the normal pattern of micturition of healthy children.Subjects and methods Two hundred and six healthy continent schoolchildren, aged 7–15 years, completed a frequency/volume chart for 24 h by recording the time and volume of each micturition. Several diuresis variables were calculated from these charts and compared with sex, age, oral fluid intake, functional bladder capacity, voiding intervals and volumes.Results The weight‐corrected mean diuresis per 24 h varied 10‐fold between individuals, independently of recorded fluid intake. In the majority, the diuresis decreased during the night, but the opposite diurnal pattern occurred in 12% of the children. The individual night‐time diuresis was positively correlated with functional bladder capacity and the daytime diuresis was positively correlated with voiding frequency.Conclusions The weight‐corrected diuresis varies many‐fold among healthy continent children. A substantial proportion has a reversed diurnal pattern with a larger diuresis during the night. The individual bladder size is adapted to accommodate their typical nightly urine production.
The IFS Annual Lecture: Economics of Education Research and Its Role in the Making of Education Policy
Authors: Machin Stephen 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper is based on my 2013 IFS Annual Lecture and it explores the reasons for the substantial interest that economists currently have in education research. To do so, it sets the economics of education field in its historical context, and explores a number of reasons why the research area has grown by so much in recent years. The role of economic research in the making of education policy has also increased through time, for some of the same reasons, and this has played a significant part in the use of evidence‐based policy in a range of areas of education.
A Wealth Tax on the Rich to Bring Down Public Debt? Revenue and Distributional Effects of a Capital Levy in Germany
Authors: Bach Stefan , Beznoska Martin , Steiner Viktor 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe idea of higher wealth taxes to finance the mounting public debt in the wake of the financial crisis is gaining ground in several OECD countries. We evaluate the revenue and distributional effects of a one‐time capital levy on personal net wealth that is currently on the political agenda in Germany. We use survey data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) and estimate the net wealth distribution at the very top, based on publicly‐available information about very rich Germans. Since net wealth is strongly concentrated, the capital levy could raise substantial revenue, even if relatively high personal allowances are granted. We also analyse the compliance and administrative costs of the capital levy.
The Effect of La2O3 Addition on Sol–Gel Derived Mullitization
Authors: Mandić Vilko , Tkalčec Emilija , Kurajica Stanislav 
Published: March 2014

Monophasic gel with stoichiometric 3Al2O3·2SiO2 composition and gels with 0.99, 1.96, and 2.91 mol% La2O3 added were sol–gel derived. The crystallization path, structure evolution, microstructure, and morphology of calcined premullite powders and sintered ceramic bodies have been investigated as a function of La2O3 content and sintering temperature. In addition to mullite, spinel phase at about 980°C, and α‐alumina at above 1000°C were determined; however, neither La2O3 nor La‐related compounds had crystallized. The La2O3 predominately incorporated into the glassy phase, enhanced with La2O3 level, which affected both mullite structure and composition, as confirmed by electron microscopy, Rietveld structure refinement, determination of unit cell parameters, electron microscopy, and achieved density of the sintered bodies. Increased thermal treatment changes the alumina/silica ratio in mullite (towards 3:2 below 1200°C, and toward 2:1 above), and decreases the mullite/amorphous ratio. Sintered dense ceramic bodies revealed a positive densification effect and increased sinterability as a result of the lanthanum‐induced increase in glassy phase.
Molten Salt Synthesis of Bismuth Ferrite Nano‐ and Microcrystals and their Structural Characterization
Authors: Zhu Xinhua , Zhou Jun , Jiang Mengchao , Xie Jun , Liang Shuang , Li Shuyi , Liu Zidong , Zhu Yingying , Zhu Jianmin , Liu Zhiguo 
Published: March 2014

Bismuth ferrite nano‐ and microcrystals were prepared by a facile molten salt technique in two kinds of molten‐salt‐based systems (NaCl–KCl and NaCl–Na2SO4). In the NaCl–KCl salt system, a systematic study indicating the effects of process parameters (e.g., calcination temperature, holding time as well as the molten salt ratios) on the bismuth ferrite formation mechanism and structural characteristics is reported. The results show that almost pure phase BiFeO3 powders with minimum impurity phase of Bi2Fe4O9 were synthesized at temperatures of 700°C–800°C, whereas high calcination temperature (e.g., 900°C) resulted in the formation of almost pure phase Bi2Fe4O9 powders. The prolonged holding time increased the particle size via the Ostwald ripening mechanism; however, there was little effect on the particle morphology. Similar phenomenon occurred as increasing the molten salt ratios. In the NaCl–Na2SO4 salt systems, it is found that low NP‐9 (nonylphenyl ether, NP‐9) surfactant content (0–5 mL) led to the formation of almost pure phase BiFeO3 powders, whereas high NP‐9 surfactant content (e.g., 20 mL) resulted in pure phase Bi2Fe4O9 powders. The average particle size of the BiFeO3 powders was decreased as increasing the NP‐9 surfactant content, whereas their morphologies did not change significantly. Because of the simplicity and versatility of the approach used, it is expected that this methodology can be generalized to the large‐scale preparation of other important transitional metal oxides with controllable sizes and shapes.
Genome‐wide association study for egg production and quality in layer chickens
Authors: Wolc A. , Arango J. , Jankowski T. , Dunn I. , Settar P. , Fulton J.E. , O'Sullivan N.P. , Preisinger R. , Fernando R.L. , Garrick D.J. , Dekkers J.C.M. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryDiscovery of genes with large effects on economically important traits has for many years been of interest to breeders. The development of SNP panels which cover the whole genome with high density and, more importantly, that can be genotyped on large numbers of individuals at relatively low cost, has opened new opportunities for genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). The objective of this study was to find genomic regions associated with egg production and quality traits in layers using analysis methods developed for the purpose of whole genome prediction. Genotypes on over 4500 birds and phenotypes on over 13 000 hens from eight generations of a brown egg layer line were used. Birds were genotyped with a custom 42K Illumina SNP chip. Recorded traits included two egg production and 11 egg quality traits (puncture score, albumen height, yolk weight and shell colour) at early and late stages of production, as well as body weight and age at first egg. Egg weight was previously analysed by Wolc et al. (). The Bayesian whole genome prediction model – BayesB (Meuwissen et al. ) was used to locate 1 Mb regions that were most strongly associated with each trait. The posterior probability of a 1 Mb window contributing to genetic variation was used as the criterion for suggesting the presence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) in that window. Depending upon the trait, from 1 to 7 significant (posterior probability >0.9) 1 Mb regions were found. The largest QTL, a region explaining 32% of genetic variance, was found on chr4 at 78 Mb for body weight but had pleiotropic effects on other traits. For the other traits, the largest effects were much smaller, explaining <7% of genetic variance, with regions on chromosomes 2, 12 and 17 explaining above 5% of genetic variance for albumen height, shell colour and egg production, respectively. In total, 45 of 1043 1 Mb windows were estimated to have a non‐zero effect with posterior probability > 0.9 for one or more traits.
Efficacy of glimepiride/metformin fixed‐dose combination vs metformin uptitration in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled on low‐dose metformin monotherapy: A randomized, open label, parallel group, multicenter study in Korea
Authors: Kim Hye‐soon , Kim Doo‐man , Cha Bong‐soo , Park Tae Sun , Kim Kyoung‐ah , Kim Dong‐lim , Chung Choon Hee , Park Jeong‐hyun , Jang Hak Chul , Choi Dong‐seop 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo compare the efficacy and safety of early combination therapy with glimepiride/metformin to metformin uptitration in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Korean type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled on low‐dose metformin monotherapy.Materials and MethodsIn a randomized, open label, parallel group, multicenter study, 209 Korean type 2 diabetic patients (HbA1c 7.0–10.0%, on metformin 500–1,000 mg/day) received glimepiride/metformin fixed‐dose combination (G/M FDC) or metformin uptitration treatment (Met UP). The primary end‐point was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.ResultsG/M FDC therapy provided significantly greater adjusted mean decreases vs Met UP therapy in HbA1c (−1.2 vs −0.8%, P < 0.0001), and fasting plasma glucose (−35.7 vs −18.6 mg/dL, P < 0.0001). A significantly greater proportion of patients with G/M FDC therapy achieved HbA1c < 7% (74.7 vs 46.6%, P < 0.0001) at the end of the study. More patients experienced hypoglycemia with G/M FDC therapy compared with Met UP therapy (41 vs 5.6%, P < 0.0001), but there was no serious hypoglycemia in any group. A modest increase in mean bodyweight occurred in the patients who were treated with G/M FDC therapy (1.0 kg), whereas a slight decrease was observed in the patients who were treated with Met UP therapy (−0.7 kg).ConclusionThe present study showed that glimepiride/metformin fixed‐dose combination therapy was more effective in glycemic control than metformin uptitration, and was well tolerated in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled by low‐dose metformin monotherapy in Korea. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (no. NCT00612144).
Pharmacological Treatment of Postprandial Reductions in Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ong Alice C. L. , Myint Phyo K. , Potter John F. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo systematically review the current literature on the pharmacological treatment of postmeal reductions in blood pressure (BP).DesignA systematic literature search and standardized data collection of randomized controlled trials on the pharmacological prevention of postprandial reductions in BP in adults using MEDLINE (1950–), EMBASE (1980–), and CINAHL databases was conducted up to July 2013. Bibliographies of relevant reports were also hand‐searched to identify all potentially eligible studies.SettingSystematic review of randomized controlled trials using PRISMA guidelines.MeasurementsArticles were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for randomized controlled trials.ResultsThirteen articles reporting 12 studies (1 study was reported in 2 articles) demonstrated that caffeine (5 studies); acarbose; 3,4‐DL‐threo‐dihydroxyphenylserine; guar gum (3 studies); and octreotide (2 studies) statistically attenuated the postprandial reduction in BP. One caffeine study did not show this. Most studies did not include individuals with symptomatic postprandial hypotension (PPH), so interpretation and application of these findings to this patient group should be made with caution. For symptomatic participants, there was improvement with acarbose but none with caffeine. Differences in the way the data were presented in the studies did not allow for quantification of treatment effects using meta‐analysis.ConclusionDrug interventions can attenuate postprandial reductions in BP, but they may not necessarily be effective in people with symptomatic PPH.
Risk of Medication‐Associated Initiation of Oxybutynin in Elderly Men and Women
Authors: Kalisch Ellett Lisa M. , Pratt Nicole L. , Barratt John D. , Rowett Debra , Roughead Elizabeth E. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo determine whether there is greater risk of initiation of oxybutynin to treat urinary incontinence (UI) after initiation of medicines reported to be associated with UI.DesignPrescription sequence symmetry analysis (PSSA).SettingAdministrative claims data from the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.ParticipantsIndividuals who initiated oxybutynin and a medicine reported to be associated with UI in a 12‐month period.MeasurementsBetween January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2011, the distribution of incident dispensing of medicines reported to be associated with UI (prazosin, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), hormone replacement therapy (HRT), opioid analgesics, anticonvulsants, levodopa, antipsychotics, sedatives, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), venlafaxine, anticholinesterases) was assessed before and after incident dispensing of oxybutynin (to treat UI). Crude and adjusted sequence ratios (ASRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.ResultsSignificant associations between initiation of CCBs, ACEIs, ARBs, and hypnotic‐sedatives and subsequent initiation of oxybutynin were found. ASRs ranged from 1.28 (95% CI = 1.19–1.39) for ACEIs to 1.59 (95% CI = 1.29–1.96) for verapamil. In women, there was greater risk of initiation of oxybutynin after prazosin (ASR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.29–2.63) and HRT (ASR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.42–1.67) initiation. PSSA showed no significant association with initiation of opioids, anticonvulsants, levodopa, SSRIs, venlafaxine, or anticholinesterases and subsequent initiation of oxybutynin.ConclusionThis study highlights the potential for initiation of commonly used medicines to be associated with subsequent initiation of oxybutynin to treat UI. Greater awareness of the potential for medicines to contribute to UI is required.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Memory Index Score (MoCA‐MIS) as a Predictor of Conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Julayanont Parunyou , Brousseau Mélanie , Chertkow Howard , Phillips Natalie , Nasreddine Ziad S. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo assess the usefulness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score (MoCA‐TS) and Memory Index Score (MoCA‐MIS) in predicting conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingCommunity‐based memory clinic.ParticipantsIndividuals meeting Petersen's MCI criteria (N = 165).MeasurementsBaseline MoCA scores at MCI diagnosis were collected from charts of eligible individuals with MCI, and MoCA‐TS, MoCA‐MIS, and a cognitive domain index score were calculated to assess their prognostic value in predicting conversion to AD.ResultsOne hundred fourteen participants progressed to AD (MCI‐AD), and 51 did not (nonconverters; MCI‐NC); 90.5% of participants with MCI with a MoCA‐TS less than 20/30 and a MoCA‐MIS less than 7/15 at baseline converted to AD within the average follow‐up period of 18 months, compared with 52.7% of participants with MCI above the cutoffs on both scores. Individuals with multiple‐domain amnestic MCI had the highest AD conversion rates (73.9%).ConclusionIdentifying individuals with MCI at high risk of conversion to AD is important clinically and for selecting appropriate subjects for therapeutic trials. Individuals with MCI with a low MoCA‐TS and a low newly devised memory index score (MoCA‐MIS) are at greater risk of short‐term conversion to AD.
Using the Past to Predict the Future: Latent Class Analysis of Patterns of Health Service Use of Older Adults in the Emergency Department
Authors: Hastings S. Nicole , Whitson Heather E. , Sloane Richard , Landerman Lawrence R. , Horney Carolyn , Johnson Kimberly S. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo classify older adults in the emergency department (ED) according to healthcare use and to examine associations between group membership and future ED visits and hospital admissions.DesignSecondary analysis.SettingMedicare Current Beneficiary Survey.ParticipantsAdults aged 65 and older with at least one treat‐and‐release ED visit between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2007 (N = 4,964).MeasurementsMeasures of health service use included primary care visits, treat‐and‐release ED visits, and hospital days in the 12 months preceding the index ED visit.ResultsFive groups of individuals in the ED with distinct patterns of health service use were identified. “Primary Carederly” (39%) had low rates of ED and hospital use and a high mean number of primary care visits. “Wellderly” (34%) had fewer visits of all types than other groups. “Chronically Illderly” (14%) had the highest mean number of primary care visits and hospital days. “Acute Carederly” (9.8%) had lowest mean number of primary care visits but higher ED visits and hospital days than all other groups except the “Sickest Elderly.” Sickest Elderly (3.2%) had the highest number of ED visits; mean number of hospital days was more than four times that of any other group. Primary Carederly and Wellderly had a lower risk of hospital admission within 30 days of the index ED visit than the other groups.ConclusionIn older adults released from an ED, group membership was associated with future health services use. Classification of individuals using readily available previous visit data may improve targeting of interventions to improve outcomes.