bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in the oral‐health‐related quality of life of Brazilian children after an educational preventive programme: an 1‐month longitudinal evaluation
Authors: Amato JN , Barbosa TS , Kobayashi FY , Gavião MBD 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveThis 1‐month longitudinal study assessed whether the oral status and the oral‐health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children changed after four sessions of an educational preventive programme.Study population and methodsFifty Brazilian students (11–12 year old) were examined for signs and symptoms of gingivitis using the Community Periodontal Index and two questions about gingival bleeding. The OHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child‐OIDP). Higher scores indicated worse OHRQoL. The results were analysed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Chi‐square, Wilcoxon signed‐rank and Mann–Whitney tests. The magnitude of the mean change was calculated using the effect size.ResultsTwenty‐four percentage of children had more than six sites with bleeding at follow‐up compared with 58% at baseline. There was a significant decline in the intensity and extension of impacts at follow‐up. A significant improvement in the clinical status and oral hygiene was observed for both transitional categories. There was a significant decline in the Child‐OIDP scores of those reporting ‘much improved’. A significant improvement in the global ratings of oral health was observed at follow‐up.ConclusionsIn the studied sample, an improvement occurred with respect to the severity of disease, intensity and extension of impacts and global ratings of oral health after 1‐month follow‐up. These results suggest that improving the global transition in health by enhancing coping and management skills while inducing slight changes in the clinical status and the specific aspects of health compromised by the disease is possible.
Assessment of spontaneous platelet aggregation using laser light scattering in healthy subjects: an attempt to standardize
Authors: Suzuki S. , Kudo H. , Koyama T. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryIntroductionWhen measuring platelet aggregation using laser light scattering, small aggregates forming without the addition of agonists may be observed. This event is called ‘spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA)’. The platelet hyperactivity observed in arterial thrombotic diseases can be detected with relative ease by measuring SPA. Standardization is urgently needed because of differences between measurement conditions among various laboratories.MethodsWe conducted a systematic study of factors that affect SPA measurement, compared SPA results to flow cytometry detection of surface antigens expressed on activated platelet membranes (P‐selectin, activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), and determined conditions that yield stable measurements.Results and ConclusionsWe evaluated results from 125 healthy volunteers and established conditions for a stable measurement of SPA. As the occurrence of SPA tended to increase with age, we determined conditions valid for subjects aged 20–60 years. Blood should be collected using a syringe, and the sample should be prepared after allowing the whole blood to rest for 30 min after collection. To isolate platelet‐rich plasma, a 2‐mL tube should be used and centrifuged at 150 g. The sample should be stored at room temperature, the platelet count of the sample should be (250 ± 10) × 109/L, and the measurement should be completed within 90 min of blood collection.
Val/Leu247 polymorphism of β2‐glycoprotein I and thrombosis in Chinese patients with SLE
Authors: Liang W. , Zhou J. , Zhou S. , Wang T. , Yang L. , Xu D. , Deng G. , Huang D. , Mei C. , He Y. , Zhang Z. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryIntroductionTo determine the polymorphism at position 247 of the β2‐glycoprotein I (β2GPI) gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls in the Chinese Han Population and elucidate the relationship between β2GPI polymorphisms and anti‐β2GPI levels, and furthermore investigate the correlation between β2GPI polymorphisms and thrombosis in patients with SLE.MethodsThe β2GPI polymorphisms of 300 patients with SLE and 300 healthy controls were examined by single‐specific–primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP‐PCR), the efficacy of which was confirmed by sequencing technology. Anti‐β2GPI antibodies were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. β2GPI polymorphisms associated with thrombosis and the presence of anti‐β2GPI antibodies were also statistically evaluated with SPSS software.ResultsThe genotype expressions and the allele frequencies were obtained in both patients with SLE and healthy controls. The SLE patients with thrombosis had significantly higher frequencies of the VV genotype and V allele than those without thrombosis and the controls, and there were no differences in VV genotype and V allele expression between the SLE patients without thrombosis and the controls. In contrast, the presence of anti‐β2GPI antibody was related to the VV genotype of β2GPI, and the anti‐β2GPI‐positive patients had obviously higher frequencies of the VV genotype than the negative ones and the controls.ConclusionThe study results suggested that the V/V genotype and the V‐encoding allele at position 247 of the β2GPI gene had strong correlation with the occurrence of thrombosis and the production of the anti‐β2GPI antibodies, showing that the Val247 β2GPI allele may be one of the genetic risk factors for the development of thrombosis in patients with SLE.
Race-Ethnicity and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease – Comparison between Chinese and White Populations
Authors: Mok Vincent , Srikanth Velandai , Xiong Yunyun , Phan Thanh G. , Moran Chris , Chu Shuguang , Zhao Qianhua , Chu Winnie W. C. , Wong Adrian , Hong Zhen , Liu Xinfeng , Wong Lawrence K. S. , Ding Ding 
Published: March 2014

Background and Aim Studies in stroke patients suggest that lacunar stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage might be more common in Chinese than Whites. We hypothesized that other manifestations of subclinical cerebral small vessel disease, namely white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, and microbleeds, are also more common in Chinese than Whites. We compared the community prevalence of these lesions between Han Chinese and White Australians. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (1·5-Tesla) was performed on participants of the Shanghai Aging Study ( n = 321, mean age 69 ± 6 years) and Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait ( n = 397, mean age 72 ± 7 years). A single-rater recorded measures of WMH, lacunes, and microbleeds. We compared lesion prevalence between age- and gender-matched subgroups from the two cohorts. Among all subjects ( n = 718), we performed multivariable logistic regression to examine if race-ethnicity was independently associated with these lesions. Results Among age- and gender-matched subjects, confluent WMH were significantly more prevalent in Chinese (38·5%) than Whites (28·4%; P = 0·01). There was no difference in the prevalence of lacunes (Chinese 29·1% vs. Whites 29·5%, P = 0·93) and microbleeds (Chinese 10·1% vs. 9·0%, P = 0·67) between Chinese and Whites. In multivariable logistic regression, Chinese ethnicity was associated with confluent WMH (odds ratio 1·7, 95% confidence interval 1·1–2·6, P = 0·01), but no differences were seen for lacunes and microbleeds. The association between Chinese ethnicity with confluent WMH became insignificant when subjects with history of stroke were excluded. Conclusions In this population-based cross-national comparison, Han Chinese had a higher prevalence of confluent WMH than White Australians, but had a similar prevalence of lacunes and microbleeds.
Sexual life of Japanese patients with erectile dysfunction taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: An Internet survey using the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales‐Short Form questionnaire
Authors: Tsujimura Akira , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Soda Tetsuji , Takezawa Kentaro , Okuda Hidenobu , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Takao Tetsuya , Nonomura Norio , Miyagawa Yasushi 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate details of sexual function of erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.MethodsA Japanese version of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales‐Short Form was used to carry out a nationwide survey using the Internet. A total of 556 erectile dysfunction patients (age 30–70 years) who had been prescribed a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and had attempted sexual intercourse within the past 6 months were included in this survey. Scores were compared in relation to the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors most frequently taken within the past 6 months.ResultsIn the subdomains of self‐confidence and spontaneity of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales‐Short Form, scores for vardenafil and tadalafil were significantly higher than those for sildenafil. In the subdomain of time concern of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales‐Short Form, the score for tadalafil was significantly lower than that for others.ConclusionsOur findings support the hypothesis that Japanese patients with erectile dysfunction have high sexual self‐confidence, spontaneity and low time concerns when taking tadalafil. These characteristics of tadalafil could be associated with high patient satisfaction and high preference.
Effects of dutasteride on storage and voiding symptoms in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of benign prostatic obstruction: The 1‐year outcomes from a prospective urodynamic study
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Gotoh Momokazu , Kato Masashi , Funahashi Yasuhito , Narita Michiro , Mitsui Kotoko 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily for 12 months on lower urinary tract symptoms in treatment‐naïve patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsThe present open‐label, single‐center, prospective study recruited 105 outpatients. International Prostate Symptom Score, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, quality of life score testing and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index were used for assessing subjective symptoms. Urodynamic study including uroflowmetry, cystometry and pressure flow study were carried out to evaluate objective symptoms. As parameters of storage function, first desire to void, maximum cystometric capacity and occurrence of involuntary detrusor contraction were measured, whereas maximum flow rate, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate, post‐void residual urine and bladder outlet obstruction index were assessed as parameters of voiding function. Wilcoxon's rank–sum test, Student's t‐test and the χ2‐test were carried out to evaluate changes in subjective and objective symptoms.ResultsA total of 97 patients with a mean age of 68.8 years and mean prostate volume of 57.6 mL were included in the analysis. Subjective symptom parameters improved significantly after 2 months, and progressively improved until after 12 months. Significant improvements in storage function objective parameters and voiding function objective parameters were observed after 6 months, and further improvements were obtained after 12 months.ConclusionsDutasteride is effective in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms by improving storage and voiding function, as well as subjective symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in the Korean population: A 5‐year propensity‐score matched comparative analysis versus open radical prostatectomy
Authors: Koo Kyo Chul , Tuliao Patrick , Yoon Young Eun , Chung Byung Ha , Hong Sung Joon , Yang Seung Choul , Rha Koon Ho 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo compare the oncological outcomes of robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with those of open radical prostatectomy in contemporary Korean prostate cancer patients.MethodsFrom a group of 1172 patients consisting of 592 (50.5%) robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and 580 (49.5%) open radical prostatectomy cases carried out between 1992 and 2008, 175 robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy cases were matched with an equal number of open radical prostatectomy cases by propensity scoring based on patient age, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen, biopsy Gleason score and clinical tumor stage. Competing‐risks survival analyses were used to evaluate oncological outcomes, including rates of positive surgical margin, biochemical‐recurrence, adjuvant therapy, cancer‐specific survival, overall survival and metastasis‐free survival during the mean follow up of 58.4 months.ResultsPositive surgical margin rates were comparable between robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and open radical prostatectomy cohorts (19.4% vs 21.8%), with comparable rates for all pathological stages and risk subgroups. Positive surgical margin rates according to location were comparable, with the apical margin being the most common location. Robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy recovered higher lymph node yields compared with open radical prostatectomy (12.5 vs 3.8; P < 0.001). The robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and the open radical prostatectomy groups showed equal oncological outcomes regarding 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival (log‐rank P = 0.651), metastasis‐free survival (log‐rank P = 0.876), cancer‐specific survival (log‐rank P = 0.076) and overall survival (log‐rank P = 0.648), respectively. Between groups, there was no difference in the rate of adjuvant therapy, time to first adjuvant therapy failure or in the rate of subsequent secondary treatment.ConclusionsRobot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy represents an effective surgical approach for the treatment of prostate cancer in the Korean population, as it provides equivalent oncological outcomes to open radical prostatectomy.
Evaluation of a clinical pathway for ‘radical laparoscopic prostatectomy’: an interrupted time series study
Authors: Rotter Thomas , Machotta Andreas , Kinsman Leigh , Champion Robert 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was a rigorous evaluation of a clinical pathway (CP) in patients who underwent a radical laparoscopic prostatectomy (RLP). The study was performed at a German university hospital. The Department of Urology has considerable expertise and performs more than 200 RLP per year. The CP for ‘RLP’ was developed based on the best available evidence and introduced in July 2003. It was composed of six modules, and in each module standardized recommendations for clinical examination, therapy and outcome measurement were given. An interrupted time series design with multiple linear regression models was used to measure the effects of a CP for ‘RLP’ on length of hospital stay, and durations of operation and anaesthesia before and after implementation. χ2 tests were used to compare the number of patients admitted to intensive care unit, the number requiring re‐operation during admission, the number requiring transfusion(s) of blood products and 30‐d readmission rates. A total of 254 patients were analysed. A significant reduction in operation time and admission to intensive care but also a significant increase of patients readmitted to the hospital after the implementation of a CP was observed. Inconclusive results always warrant careful exploration, and measures on CP uptake should always be used to evaluate the success or failure of the implementation strategy.
Tercentenary of Ars Conjectandi (1713): Jacob Bernoulli and the Founding of Mathematical Probability
Authors: Sylla Edith Dudley 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe Tercentenary of the publication of Jacob Bernoulli's Ars Conjectandi (The Art of Conjecturing) provides an opportunity to look at the origins of mathematical probability from Jacob Bernoulli's point of view. Bernoulli gave a mathematically rigorous proof of what has come to be called the weak law of large numbers, relevant to discovering ratios of unknown factors through sampling. The Art of Conjecturing was a bridge between the mathematics of expectation in games of chance as found in Huygens's On Reckoning in Games of Chance and mathematical probability as found in Abraham De Moivre's The Doctrine of Chances. This paper looks at the conceptual context as well as the mathematics of Bernoulli's book.
Androgenetic alopecia and polymorphism of the androgen receptor gene (SNP rs6152) in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia or prostate cancer
Authors: Kucerova R. , Bienova M. , Kral M. , Bouchal J. , Trtkova K.S. , Burdova A. , Student V. , Kolar Z. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundBoth androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are androgen‐dependent disorders.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between male androgenetic alopecia, androgen receptor (AR) gene polymorphism (SNP rs6152) and clinical characteristics of BPH and prostate cancer.MethodsOverall, 309 male subjects with prostate disease (BPH or CaP) were examined. We evaluated the standard grades of AGA (I–VII) by Hamilton–Norwood classification and 195 patients were also assessed by phototrichogram. Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels were also measured. Polymorphism rs6152 of the AR was evaluated from blood samples by PCR‐RFLP. Data were statistically evaluated.ResultsThe expected positive correlation between age and AGA grade and the expected negative correlation between hair density and age and between anagen/telogen and AGA were found. A statistically significant difference between patients with A and G alleles in terms of AGA grade was found. The predominant G allele was more frequent in patients with higher grade of alopecia and in patients with significantly higher PSA. There was no correlation between diagnosis (BPH or CaP) and polymorphism. Patients with prostate inflammation had a statistically significant higher grade of AGA, together with higher PSA.ConclusionsWe confirmed that the AR gene polymorphism (SNP rs6152 G>A) is associated with the development of AGA and higher PSA levels in patients with BPH but not cancer. A novel finding of our study is that BPH patients with prostate inflammation had a significantly higher grade of AGA together with significantly higher PSA levels.
Alleviation of chronic venous leg ulcers with a hand‐held dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator (PlasmaDerm®VU‐2010): results of a monocentric, two‐armed, open, prospective, randomized and controlled trial (NCT01415622)
Authors: Brehmer F. , Haenssle H.A. , Daeschlein G. , Ahmed R. , Pfeiffer S. , Görlitz A. , Simon D. , Schön M.P. , Wandke D. , Emmert S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundCold atmospheric plasma (CAP, i.e. ionized air) is an innovating promising tool in reducing bacteria.ObjectiveWe conducted the first clinical trial with the novel PlasmaDerm® VU‐2010 device to assess safety and, as secondary endpoints, efficacy and applicability of 45 s/cm2 cold atmospheric plasma as add‐on therapy against chronic venous leg ulcers.MethodsFrom April 2011 to April 2012, 14 patients were randomized to receive standardized modern wound care (n = 7) or plasma in addition to standard care (n = 7) 3× per week for 8 weeks. The ulcer size was determined weekly (Visitrak®, photodocumentation). Bacterial load (bacterial swabs, contact agar plates) and pain during and between treatments (visual analogue scales) were assessed. Patients and doctors rated the applicability of plasma (questionnaires).ResultsThe plasma treatment was safe with 2 SAEs and 77 AEs approximately equally distributed among both groups (P = 0.77 and P = 1.0, Fisher's exact test). Two AEs probably related to plasma. Plasma treatment resulted in a significant reduction in lesional bacterial load (P = 0.04, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test). A more than 50% ulcer size reduction was noted in 5/7 and 4/7 patients in the standard and plasma groups, respectively, and a greater size reduction occurred in the plasma group (plasma −5.3 cm2, standard: −3.4 cm2) (non‐significant, P = 0.42, log‐rank test). The only ulcer that closed after 7 weeks received plasma. Patients in the plasma group quoted less pain compared to the control group. The plasma applicability was not rated inferior to standard wound care (P = 0.94, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test). Physicians would recommend (P = 0.06, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test) or repeat (P = 0.08, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test) plasma treatment by trend.ConclusionCold atmospheric plasma displays favourable antibacterial effects. We demonstrated that plasma treatment with the PlasmaDerm® VU‐2010 device is safe and effective in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Thus, larger controlled trials and the development of devices with larger application surfaces are warranted.
Implementation of evidence‐based falls prevention in clinical services for high‐risk clients
Authors: Day Lesley , Trotter Margaret J. , Hill Keith D. , Haines Terry P. , Thompson Catherine 
Published: March 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThe extent to which best practice for falls prevention is being routinely delivered by health care providers for community‐dwelling older adults is unclear. We investigated falls prevention practice among Hospital Admission Risk Programs (HARP) that provide and coordinate specialized health care for people at high risk of hospitalization.MethodCross‐sectional survey of all HARP services in Victoria, excluding one paediatric programme (n = 34). The questionnaire focused upon medication review and exercise prescription, as these are the evidence‐based falls interventions with a good fit with HARP services.ResultsCompleted questionnaires were received from 24 programmes (70.6%) that service 15 250 older clients (60+ years). All except one programme screened for medicine use; however, a lower proportion (65% of those that screen) target falls risk medications. Among the 17 programmes responding to the exercise prescription question, all routinely include strengthening exercises, and almost all (n = 15) include flexibility, endurance training and movement of the centre of gravity. A lesser proportion (71%) includes reducing the need for upper limb support. The majority of services (88%) undertake falls risk assessments, and all of these either make referral appointments for clients or refer to other services that make referral appointments for clients. Follow‐up of appointments and the resulting recommendations was high.ConclusionScreening for falls risk medications could be improved and staff training in exercise prescription for balance challenge in this high‐risk group may be needed. Although evidence‐based falls prevention practice within Victorian HARP services appears strong, the effect on falls risk may not be as high as that achieved in randomized trials.
Clinical manifestations of pancreas disease outbreaks in Norwegian marine salmon farming – variations due to salmonid alphavirus subtype
Authors: Jansen M D , Jensen B Bang , Brun E 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPancreas disease (PD) in Norwegian salmonid aquaculture has traditionally been caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV) subtype 3. Following the isolation of a novel SAV subtype in 2010, marine SAV2, two separate endemic areas have developed. It has been debated whether disease outbreaks due to marine SAV2 result in milder clinical manifestations compared to outbreaks caused by SAV3. The aim of this study was to descriptively investigate site‐level differences in the clinical manifestations of marine SAV2 and SAV3 at Norwegian seawater sites diagnosed with PD in 2012. The findings suggest that Norwegian PD outbreaks caused by marine SAV2 result in lower mortality and milder clinical signs compared to outbreaks caused by SAV3. For sites without reported PD‐related mortality, there was no difference in the mortality levels between sites infected by marine SAV2 and SAV3. The results also indicate that there are no differences in grading quality at slaughter between the SAV subtypes.