bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative outcomes of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the UK in 2012
Authors: Jackson Benjamin L. , Fowler Sarah , Williams Simon T. ,   the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) – Section of Oncology
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesTo define the perioperative morbidity and 30‐day mortality of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) using the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) nephrectomy dataset for 2012, the first year of public reporting of individual surgeon outcomes in the UK.Patients and MethodsAll nephrectomies recorded in the database in 2012 were analysed, and cytoreductive cases identified. Outcome measures were: blood loss of >1000 mL, transfusion requirement, intra‐ and postoperative complications assessed by Clavien–Dindo score, and 30‐day mortality (including failure‐to‐rescue rate). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of adverse outcomes.ResultsIn all, 279 cases were undertaken by 141 surgeons in 90 centres. World Health Organization (WHO) Performance Status (PS) was 0 or 1 in 72.4% (202 cases). Open nephrectomy was performed in 59% (163 cases), with the remainder laparoscopic. The conversion rate for laparoscopy was 14% (16 cases). In all, 40 patients underwent preoperative tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor treatment. No significant differences in outcome were observed for this group. The 30‐day mortality was 1.79%. Intraoperative complications occurred in 11.9% and postoperative complications in 20.8%. Complications of Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ III occurred in 8%. Blood loss of >1000 mL occurred in 15.4% of cases and 24.1% of patients required a perioperative transfusion. Tumour of >10 cm was an independent risk factor for blood loss of >1000 mL (P = 0.021) and intraoperative complications (P = 0.021). The number of metastatic sites was an independent predictor of blood loss of >1000 mL (P = 0.001) and transfusion requirement (P = 0.026) WHO PS of ≥2 was also independently associated with intraoperative complication risk (P = 0.021).ConclusionsCN in contemporary UK practice appears to have excellent perioperative outcomes overall. Risk factors for adverse perioperative outcomes include tumours of >10 cm, number of metastatic sites and WHO PS of ≥2. The balance of risk and benefit for CN should be carefully considered for patients with poor PS or extensive metastases.
Defining the learning curve for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate using MRI‐transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) fusion‐guided transperineal prostate biopsies as a validation tool
Authors: Gaziev Gabriele , Wadhwa Karan , Barrett Tristan , Koo Brendan C. , Gallagher Ferdia A. , Serrao Eva , Frey Julia , Seidenader Jonas , Carmona Lina , Warren Anne , Gnanapragasam Vincent , Doble Andrew , Kastner Christof 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesTo determine the accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) during the learning curve of radiologists using MRI targeted, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided transperineal fusion biopsy (MTTP) for validation.Patients and MethodsProspective data on 340 men who underwent mpMRI (T2‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted MRI) followed by MTTP prostate biopsy, was collected according to Ginsburg Study Group and Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy standards. MRI data were reported by two experienced radiologists and scored on a Likert scale. Biopsies were performed by consultant urologists not ‘blinded’ to the MRI result and men had both targeted and systematic sector biopsies, which were reviewed by a dedicated uropathologist. The cohorts were divided into groups representing five consecutive time intervals in the study. Sensitivity and specificity of positive MRI reports, prostate cancer detection by positive MRI, distribution of significant Gleason score and negative MRI with false negative for prostate cancer were calculated. Data were sequentially analysed and the learning curve was determined by comparing the first and last group.ResultsWe detected a positive mpMRI in 64 patients from Group A (91%) and 52 patients from Group E (74%). The prostate cancer detection rate on mpMRI increased from 42% (27/64) in Group A to 81% (42/52) in Group E (P < 0.001). The prostate cancer detection rate by targeted biopsy increased from 27% (17/64) in Group A to 63% (33/52) in Group E (P < 0.001). The negative predictive value of MRI for significant cancer (>Gleason 3+3) was 88.9% in Group E compared with 66.6% in Group A.ConclusionWe demonstrate an improvement in detection of prostate cancer for MRI reporting over time, suggesting a learning curve for the technique. With an improved negative predictive value for significant cancer, decision for biopsy should be based on patient/surgeon factors and risk attributes alongside the MRI findings.
Retrospective case–control study of viral pathogen screening in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia lesions
Authors: García‐López R. , Moya A. , Bagan J.V. , Pérez‐Brocal V. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveThis study aimed to survey the presence of known oncoviruses in oral biopsies from patients diagnosed with the aetiologically undetermined proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and compare results to those from milder oral leukoplakia (OL) cases, oral squamous cell carcinoma, a common outcome of the lesions of interest, and healthy controls.DesignBlind, retrospective, case–control study.SettingA stomatology unit in an academic Hospital and a Public Health laboratory.ParticipantsForty patients were divided in four groups. Ten patients had been diagnosed with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, 10 with OL and 10 with OSCC, and 10 were healthy subjects.Main outcome measuresThe presence or absence of oncovirus DNA was assayed with the amplification of viral genetic markers using PCR and subsequent gel electrophoresis confirmation. Amplified fragments were sequenced and identified bioinformatically.ResultsNo DNA from the herpesvirus, papillomavirus or polyomavirus species was detected in the samples.ConclusionsNo association between proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and target viruses was detected. A higher throughput viral metagenomic approach may prove valuable for future analyses, as it would not be restricted to a priori knowledge of potential targets.
Development of an ENT undergraduate curriculum using a Delphi survey
Authors: Lloyd S. , Tan Z.E. , Taube M.‐A. , Doshi J. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo determine an ENT undergraduate syllabus.DesignTwo round Delphi survey.SettingEmail questionnaire.ParticipantsStakeholders with a vested interest in ENT undergraduate education.Main outcomes measuredMode and median scores for 232 learning outcomes.ResultsThe individual learning objectives that scored most highly were related to history taking and examination, red flag symptoms, common ENT conditions including all forms of otitis, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, thyroid disease, pharyngeal infection and airway compromise and formulation of differential diagnoses.ConclusionsUsing a Delphi technique, a structured, evidence‐based curriculum has been developed. This should assist those medical schools who do not currently have ENT in their curriculum but wish to reinstate it to produce a high quality teaching programme. It may also assist those medical schools who do have ENT in their curriculum to continue to develop their curriculum.
Pollution, habitat loss, fishing, and climate change as critical threats to penguins
Authors: Trathan Phil N. , García‐Borboroglu Pablo , Boersma Dee , Bost Charles‐André , Crawford Robert J. M. , Crossin Glenn T. , Cuthbert Richard J. , Dann Peter , Davis Lloyd Spencer , De La Puente Santiago , Ellenberg Ursula , Lynch Heather J. , Mattern Thomas , Pütz Klemens , Seddon Philip J. , Trivelpiece Wayne , Wienecke Barbara 
Published: August 2014

AbstractCumulative human impacts across the world's oceans are considerable. We therefore examined a single model taxonomic group, the penguins (Spheniscidae), to explore how marine species and communities might be at risk of decline or extinction in the southern hemisphere. We sought to determine the most important threats to penguins and to suggest means to mitigate these threats. Our review has relevance to other taxonomic groups in the southern hemisphere and in northern latitudes, where human impacts are greater. Our review was based on an expert assessment and literature review of all 18 penguin species; 49 scientists contributed to the process. For each penguin species, we considered their range and distribution, population trends, and main anthropogenic threats over the past approximately 250 years. These threats were harvesting adults for oil, skin, and feathers and as bait for crab and rock lobster fisheries; harvesting of eggs; terrestrial habitat degradation; marine pollution; fisheries bycatch and resource competition; environmental variability and climate change; and toxic algal poisoning and disease. Habitat loss, pollution, and fishing, all factors humans can readily mitigate, remain the primary threats for penguin species. Their future resilience to further climate change impacts will almost certainly depend on addressing current threats to existing habitat degradation on land and at sea. We suggest protection of breeding habitat, linked to the designation of appropriately scaled marine reserves, including in the High Seas, will be critical for the future conservation of penguins. However, large‐scale conservation zones are not always practical or politically feasible and other ecosystem‐based management methods that include spatial zoning, bycatch mitigation, and robust harvest control must be developed to maintain marine biodiversity and ensure that ecosystem functioning is maintained across a variety of scales.Contaminación, Pérdida de Hábitat, Pesca y Cambio Climático como Amenazas Críticas para los Pingüinos
Use of structured expert judgment to forecast invasions by bighead and silver carp in Lake Erie
Authors: Wittmann Marion E. , Cooke Roger M. , Rothlisberger John D. , Rutherford Edward S. , Zhang Hongyan , Mason Doran M. , Lodge David M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIdentifying which nonindigenous species will become invasive and forecasting the damage they will cause is difficult and presents a significant problem for natural resource management. Often, the data or resources necessary for ecological risk assessment are incomplete or absent, leaving environmental decision makers ill equipped to effectively manage valuable natural resources. Structured expert judgment (SEJ) is a mathematical and performance‐based method of eliciting, weighting, and aggregating expert judgments. In contrast to other methods of eliciting and aggregating expert judgments (where, for example, equal weights may be assigned to experts), SEJ weights each expert on the basis of his or her statistical accuracy and informativeness through performance measurement on a set of calibration variables. We used SEJ to forecast impacts of nonindigenous Asian carp (Hypophthalmichthysspp.) in Lake Erie, where it is believed not to be established. Experts quantified Asian carp biomass, production, and consumption and their impact on 4 fish species if Asian carp were to become established. According to experts, in Lake Erie Asian carp have the potential to achieve biomass levels that are similar to the sum of biomasses for several fishes that are harvested commercially or recreationally. However, the impact of Asian carp on the biomass of these fishes was estimated by experts to be small, relative to long term average biomasses, with little uncertainty. Impacts of Asian carp in tributaries and on recreational activities, water quality, or other species were not addressed. SEJ can be used to quantify key uncertainties of invasion biology and also provide a decision‐support tool when the necessary information for natural resource management and policy is not available.El Uso de Juicio Experto Estructurado para Predecir Invasiones de Carpas Asiáticas en el Lago Erie
Foundational Tuning: How Infants' Attention to Speech Predicts Language Development
Authors: Vouloumanos Athena , Curtin Suzanne 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOrienting biases for speech may provide a foundation for language development. Although human infants show a bias for listening to speech from birth, the relation of a speech bias to later language development has not been established. Here, we examine whether infants' attention to speech directly predicts expressive vocabulary. Infants listened to speech or non‐speech in a preferential listening procedure. Results show that infants' attention to speech at 12 months significantly predicted expressive vocabulary at 18 months, while indices of general development did not. No predictive relationships were found for infants' attention to non‐speech, or overall attention to sounds, suggesting that the relationship between speech and expressive vocabulary was not a function of infants' general attentiveness. Potentially ancient evolutionary perceptual capacities such as biases for conspecific vocalizations may provide a foundation for proficiency in formal systems such language, much like the approximate number sense may provide a foundation for formal mathematics.
Sequencing approaches in cancer treatment
Authors: Sekar D. , Thirugnanasambantham K. , Hairul Islam V. I. , Saravanan S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractUse of sequencing approaches is an important aspect in the field of cancer genomics, where next‐generation sequencing has already been utilized for targeting oncogenes or tumour‐suppressor genes, that can be sequenced in a short time period. Alterations such as point mutations, insertions/deletions, copy number alterations, chromosomal rearrangements and epigenetic changes are encountered in cancer cell genomes, and application of various NGS technologies in cancer research will encounter such modifications. Rapid advancement in technology has led to exponential growth in the field of genomic analysis. The $1000 Genome Project (in which the goal is to sequence an entire human genome for $1000), and deep sequencing techniques (which have greater accuracy and provide a more complete analysis of the genome), are examples of rapid advancements in the field of cancer genomics. In this mini review, we explore sequencing techniques, correlating their importance in cancer therapy and treatment.
Diabetes and breast cancer in Taiwanese women: a detection bias?
Authors: Tseng Chin‐Hsiao 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate whether diabetes is a risk factor for breast cancer considering confounders and potential detection examinations.MethodsNational Health Insurance data on 501 747 women without breast cancer were retrieved. Three‐year cumulative incidence (2003–2005) and risk ratios (RRs) between diabetic and nondiabetic women were calculated. Potential detection examinations were compared between diabetic and nondiabetic women by chi‐square test. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression for diabetes status/duration with and without adjustment for potential detection examinations and confounders.ResultsThe crude RR (95% confidence interval [CI]) for all ages, and age groups < 50, 50–64 and ≥ 65 years, was 2·62 (2·31–2·91), 2·69 (2·11–3·44), 1·39 (1·15–1·68) and 1·37 (1·03–1·84), respectively. Patients with diabetes more frequently received potential detection examinations than nondiabetes (17·5% vs. 7·4%, P‐value < 0·001). The unadjusted OR (95% CI) for breast cancer for diabetes status (yes vs. no) was 2·63 (2·31–2·98) and was significant for any diabetes duration. The OR for diabetes status was 1·81 (95% CI: 1·59–2·06) after adjustment for potential detection examinations. In models adjusted for potential detection examinations, age, living region, occupation, comorbidities and used medications, OR for diabetes status attenuated to 1·13 (95% CI 0·96–1·32, P‐value = 0·14) and none was significant for any diabetes duration. Potential detection examinations were associated with a fivefold to sevenfold higher risk in various models, indicating a strong impact of detection bias.ConclusionsAn association between diabetes and breast cancer is observed, but this can be due to potential detection bias and confounders.
Optical coherence tomography in patients with a history of juvenile multiple sclerosis reveals early retinal damage
Authors: Huhn K. , Lämmer R. , Oberwahrenbrock T. , Lämmer A. , Waschbisch A. , Gosar D. , Brandt A. , Paul F. , Linker R. A. , Lee D.‐H. 
Published: August 2014

Background and purposeSome 3%−10% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience disease onset before the age of 18 years (‘early’ onset MS, EOMS). Optical coherence tomography is a non‐invasive method to measure retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) and total macular volume (TMV) and may be useful to differentiate axonal and neuronal damage in the retina of patients with a history of EOMS. Here RNFLT and TMV in EOMS patients after a mean disease duration of 11.6 years were compared with patients with age‐ or disease‐duration‐matched later onset MS (LOMS) and healthy controls (HCs).MethodsIn this observational cross‐sectional study at two German academic MS centres, RNFLT and TMV were measured by spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography in 32 HCs, 36 EOMS (mean age at onset 15.5 ± 2.0 years) and 58 LOMS patients.ResultsIn comparison with HCs, EOMS patients displayed a significant reduction of RNFLT and TMV independently of a history of optic neuritis. In particular, RNFLT loss in EOMS was similar to that in LOMS and TMV loss was slightly higher compared with disease‐duration‐matched LOMS. In a generalized estimating model, the EOMS group also displayed a similar correlation between disease duration and RNFLT or TMV loss to LOMS patients.ConclusionsThese data argue for a significant amount of axonal and neuronal damage in the retina of EOMS patients and may provide a structural basis for the observation that EOMS patients reach states of irreversible disability at a younger age than patients with LOMS.
Serum proteomic analysis of a pre‐symptomatic multiple sclerosis cohort
Authors: Wallin M. T. , Oh U. , Nyalwidhe J. , Semmes J. , Kislinger T. , Coffman P. , Kurtzke J. F. , Jacobson S. 
Published: August 2014

Background and purposeSusceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is determined by environmental and genetic factors, but the cause remains unknown. Changes to the proteome prior to first symptom onset may reflect the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.MethodsThis preliminary study utilized pre‐symptomatic and post‐symptomatic serum from a sample of 100 incident population‐based US military veterans with MS along with 100 matched healthy controls. All samples were obtained from the Department of Defense Serum Repository. Multidimensional protein identification technology tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed on tryptic peptides of lectin‐captured glycosylated serum proteins following albumin/immunoglobulin G depletion. Identified proteins were analyzed with the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis program.ResultsThe mean intervals between first symptom onset and the collection of pre‐symptomatic and post‐symptomatic sera were −6.0 and +1.1 years, respectively. Pre‐symptomatic proteins from the MS group were differentially regulated compared with both control groups indicating that proteomic changes are detected prior to symptom onset. Pathway analysis showed that proteins involved in the complement and coagulation pathways and lipid transport are significantly altered in the serum of subjects with MS compared with healthy donors.ConclusionsCompared with healthy controls, differential proteomic changes were noted in the serum of patients with MS that preceded the onset of symptomatic disease. Further work is in progress to confirm or refute these findings.
Resolving regulatory uncertainty: legislative language for potentially invasive bioenergy feedstocks
Authors: Quinn Lauren D. , Scott Elise C. , Endres A. Bryan , Barney Jacob N. , Voigt Thomas B. , McCubbins James 
Published: August 2014

AbstractConcerns about invasions by novel bioenergy feedstocks are valid, given the parallels between the traits of energy crops and those of many common invasive plants. As the bioenergy industry is poised to introduce nonnative bioenergy crops to large acreages in the United States under state and federal mandates, it is important to consider these concerns – and not simply in an academic sense. Instead, the prevention of invasions should be codified in statutes and regulations pertaining to bioenergy production on both the state and federal level. Unfortunately, this is not occurring regularly or consistently at this time. The few existing regulations that do consider invasiveness in bioenergy systems suffer from vague terminology that could have major economic, environmental, and legal consequences. Here, we discuss existing regulatory challenges and provide solutions to address invasion potential of bioenergy crops. We provide model definitions and provisions to be included in revised or new state and federal regulations, including an invasion risk assessment process, a permit and bond system for high‐risk crops, and a risk mitigation provision for all novel crops. Our proposal provides a consistent and transparent system that will allow the industry to move forward with minimal risk of invasion by novel feedstocks.
Biochar mineralization and priming effect on SOM decomposition in two European short rotation coppices
Authors: Ventura Maurizio , Alberti Giorgio , Viger Maud , Jenkins Joseph R. , Girardin Cyril , Baronti Silvia , Zaldei Alessandro , Taylor Gail , Rumpel Cornelia , Miglietta Franco , Tonon Giustino 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAs studies on biochar stability in field conditions are very scarce, the carbon sequestration potential of biochar application to agricultural soils remains uncertain. This study assessed the stability of biochar in field conditions, the effect of plant roots on biochar stability and the effect of biochar on original soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition in two (Italy and United Kingdom) short rotation coppice systems (SRCs), using continuous soil respiration monitoring and periodic isotopic (δ13CO2) measurements. When root growth was excluded, only 7% and 3% of the biochar carbon added was decomposed after 245 and 164 days in Italy and United Kingdom sites respectively. In the presence of roots, this percentage was increased to 9% and 8%, suggesting a small positive priming effect of roots on biochar decomposition. A decreased decomposition rate of original SOM was observed at both sites after biochar incorporation, suggesting a protective effect of biochar on SOM. This study supports the carbon sequestration potential of biochar and highlights the role of root activity on biochar decomposition, questioning the applicability of laboratory incubation studies to assess biochar stability.