bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does overweight influence the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma? Results of a multicenter study
Authors: Steffens Sandra , Ringe Kristina I , Schroeer Katharina , Lehmann Rieke , Rustemeier Julia , Wegener Gerd , Schrader Mark , Hofmann Rainer , Kuczyk Markus A , Schrader Andres J ,   German Renal Cell Tumor Network
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of overweight on prognosis of renal cell carcinoma patients.Patients And MethodsA total of 2030 patients who underwent surgery for renal cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2011 in three University Medical Centers were included in this retrospective analysis. For all patients, height and weight measurements at the time of diagnosis were available for review. The median (mean) follow up was 56.6 months (66.0 months).ResultsA low body mass index was significantly associated with poor tumor differentiation, histology, microscopic vascular invasion and metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. A lower‐than‐average body surface area – stratified according to the European average for men (1.98 m2) and women (1.74 m2) – was significantly related to older age, poor tumor differentiation, the histological subtype and microscopic vascular invasion. In addition, a low visceral fat area calculated in a subgroup of 133 evaluable patients was associated with a higher risk of advanced disease (pT3‐4 and/or N/M+) at diagnosis. The tumor‐specific 5‐year survival rate was 71.3, 78.7 and 80.1%, for patients with a body mass index of, <25, 25–30 and ≥30. Multivariate analysis confirmed body mass index as an independent prognostic factor.ConclusionOur findings suggest that overweight represents an independent prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma patients. Further research should address the question of why obese people have a higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma, but at the same time a significantly better prognosis than other patients, particularly in the case of localized disease.
The neonatal susceptibility window for inhalant allergen sensitization in the atopically predisposed canine asthma model
Authors: Royer Christopher M. , Rudolph Karin , Barrett Edward G. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAllergic asthma often begins in early life and, although many risk factors have been enumerated, the specific factors that initiate disease progression in an individual remain unclear. Using our dog model of early life allergen inhalation, we tested the hypothesis that the atopically biased neonatal immune system would exhibit tolerance to ragweed if allowed to mature normally before exposure or artificially through innate immune stimulation with early life exposure. Dogs were subjected to a series of inhalational ragweed exposures from 1 to 20 weeks old, with or without inhalation of a Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist (CRX‐527), or from 13 to 31 weeks old. Serum allergen‐specific antibody response was assessed at 4, 8 and 20 weeks after the last sensitizing exposure. At 24 or 35 weeks old, airway hyper‐responsiveness to methacholine and ragweed challenges and pulmonary inflammation by bronchoalveolar lavage were tested 1 and 4 days after ragweed challenge at 28 or 39 weeks old. Allergen‐free immune maturation resulted in no airway hyper‐responsiveness and very little ragweed‐specific IgE relative to the control group, but eosinophilia developed upon ragweed challenge. TLR4 agonism yielded no airway hyper‐responsiveness, but a strong airway neutrophilia developed upon ragweed challenge. Our data indicate that an atopic predisposition creates a critical window in which allergen exposure can lead to an asthmatic phenotype. Allergen‐free immune maturation may lead to allergen tolerance. TLR4 agonism before early life allergen exposure may abrogate the development of allergen‐specific bronchonconstriction, but allergen‐specific pulmonary inflammation remains a strong concern.
Household economic impact and attitudes toward school closures in two cities in Argentina during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
Authors: Basurto‐Dávila Ricardo , Garza Roberto , Meltzer Martin I. , Carlino Oreste L. , Albalak Rachel , Orellano Pablo W. , Uez Osvaldo , Shay David K. , Santandrea Cora , Weis María del Carmen , Averhoff Francisco , Widdowson Marc‐Alain 
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Basurto‐Dávila et al. (2012) Household economic impact and attitudes toward school closures in two cities in Argentina during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. DOI: 10.1111/irv.12054.Background School closures were widely implemented in Argentina during the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic.Objectives  To assess the economic impact of school closures on households, their effectiveness in preventing children from engaging in social group activities, and parental attitudes toward them.Methods  Three schools that closed for 2 weeks in response to the pandemic were identified in two socioeconomically distinct cities in Argentina. All households with children enrolled in these schools were surveyed. Direct and indirect costs attributable to closures were estimated from the household perspective. Other information collected included children activities during the closures and parental attitudes toward the intervention.Results  Completed questionnaires were returned by 45% of surveyed households. Direct and indirect costs due to closures represented 11% of imputed monthly household income in the city with lower socioeconomic status, and 3% in the other city (P = 0·01). Non‐childcare expenses and loss of workdays were more common in the city with lower socioeconomic status. Childcare expenses were less common and were experienced by a similar percentage of households in both cities. About three‐quarters of respondents in both cities agreed with the closures. The main concern among those who disagreed with closures was their negative impact on education. Children in more than two‐thirds of affected households left their home at least once during the closures to spend time in public places.Conclusion  School closures may more significantly impact low‐income households. Authorities should consider the range of economic impacts of school closures among families when planning their implementation.
The significance of increased influenza notifications during spring and summer of 2010–11 in Australia
Authors: Kelly Heath A. , Grant Kristina A. , Tay Ee Laine , Franklin Lucinda , Hurt Aeron C. 
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Kelly et al. (2012) The significance of increased influenza notifications during spring and summer of 2010–11 in Australia. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. DOI: 10.1111/irv.12057.Background & objective  During the temperate out‐of‐season months in Australia in late 2010 and early 2011, an unprecedented high number of influenza notifications were recorded. We aimed to assess the significance of these notifications.Methods  For Australia, we used laboratory‐confirmed cases notified to the WHO FluNet surveillance tool; the percentage of these that were positive; notifications by state and influenza type and subtype; and surveillance data from Google FluTrends. For the state of Victoria, we used laboratory‐confirmed notified cases and influenza‐like illness (ILI) proportions. We compared virus characterisation using haemagglutination‐inhibition assays and phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin gene for seasonal and out‐of‐season notifications.Results  The increase in notifications was most marked in tropical and subtropical Australia, but the number of out‐of‐season notifications in temperate Victoria was more than five times higher than the average of the previous three seasons. However, ILI proportions in spring‐summer were not different to previous years. All out‐of‐season viruses tested were antigenically and genetically similar to those tested during either the 2010 or 2011 influenza seasons. An increase in the number of laboratories testing for influenza has led to an increase in the number of tests performed and cases notified.Conclusion  An increase in influenza infections in spring‐summer of 2010–11 in tropical and temperate Australia was not associated with any differences in virus characterisation compared with viruses that circulated in the preceding and following winters. This increase probably reflected a natural variation in out‐of‐season virus circulation, which was amplified by increased laboratory testing.
‘Patience, hormone replacement therapy and rain!’ Women, ageing and drought in Australia: Narratives from the mid‐age cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: Rich Jane L. , Wright Sarah L. , Loxton Deborah 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjective:  This paper explores women's experiences of drought in Australia. Despite the significance of drought for rural life in Australia, there is little research seeking to understand its psychological consequences. There is also a need to recognise gendered experiences of drought and for research that addresses its long‐term effects as people age in prolonged drought‐affected areas.Design:  The study explores longitudinal qualitative data collected by the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Free‐text comments (n = 217), collected via mailed survey at five time points (1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007) from the same 77 women, were subjected to a narrative analysis.Participants:  Participants from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health who were aged 45–50 when the study began in 1996.Results:  Findings indicate that drought has an impact on women as they age, particularly in reference to menopause, access to support systems and retirement.Conclusion:  This study concludes that the experience of drought cannot be disentangled from the realities of gender and ageing.
Empirical Likelihood for Compound Poisson Processes
Authors: Li Zhouping , Wang Xiping , Zhou Wang 
Published: November 2012

SummaryLet {N(t), t > 0} be a Poisson process with rate λ > 0, independent of the independent and identically distributed random variables with mean μ and variance . The stochastic process is then called a compound Poisson process and has a wide range of applications in, for example, physics, mining, finance and risk management. Among these applications, the average number of objects, which is defined to be λμ, is an important quantity. Although many papers have been devoted to the estimation of λμ in the literature, in this paper, we use the well‐known empirical likelihood method to construct confidence intervals. The simulation results show that the empirical likelihood method often outperforms the normal approximation and Edgeworth expansion approaches in terms of coverage probabilities. A real data set concerning coal‐mining disasters is analyzed using these methods.
Markerless Vision‐Based Augmented Reality for Urban Planning
Authors: Carozza Ludovico , Tingdahl David , Bosché Frédéric , van Gool Luc 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAugmented Reality (AR) is a rapidly developing field with numerous potential applications. For example, building developers, public authorities, and other construction industry stakeholders need to visually assess potential new developments with regard to aesthetics, health and safety, and other criteria. Current state‐of‐the‐art visualization technologies are mainly fully virtual, while AR has the potential to enhance those visualizations by observing proposed designs directly within the real environment.A novel AR system is presented, that is most appropriate for urban applications. It is based on monocular vision, is markerless, and does not rely on beacon‐based localization technologies (like GPS) or inertial sensors. Additionally, the system automatically calculates occlusions of the built environment on the augmenting virtual objects.Three datasets from real environments presenting different levels of complexity (geometrical complexity, textures, occlusions) are used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed system. Videos augmented with our system are shown to provide realistic and valuable visualizations of proposed changes of the urban environment. Limitations are also discussed with suggestions for future work.
High prevalence of subclinical iron deficiency in whole blood donors not deferred for low hemoglobin
Authors: Baart A. Mireille , van Noord Paulus A.H. , Vergouwe Yvonne , Moons Karel G.M. , Swinkels Dorine W. , Wiegerinck Erwin T. , de Kort Wim L.A.M , Atsma Femke 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundBlood donors that meet the hemoglobin (Hb) criteria for donation may have undetected subclinical iron deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical iron deficiency in whole blood donors with Hb levels above cutoff levels for donation by measuring zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels. In addition, prevalence rates based on other iron variables were assessed for comparison.Study Design and MethodsThe study population comprised 5280 Dutch whole blood donors, who passed the Hb criteria for donation. During donor screening, Hb levels were measured in capillary samples (finger prick), and venous blood samples were taken for measurements of ZPP and other iron variables. These variables included ferritin, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, red blood cell mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean cell Hb (MCH).ResultsWith a ZPP cutoff level of at least 100 μmol/mol heme, subclinical iron deficiency was present in 6.9% of male donors and in 9.8% of female donors. Based on other iron variables, iron deficiency was also observed. Prevalence rates ranged from 4.8% (based on transferrin saturation) to 27.4% (based on hepcidin concentration) in men and from 5.6% (based on sTfR concentration) to 24.7% (based on hepcidin concentration) in women.ConclusionResults from this study showed that subclinical iron deficiency is prevalent among blood donors that meet the Hb criteria for blood donation, based on ZPP levels and on other iron variables. This finding needs attention because these donors are at increased risk of developing iron deficiency affecting Hb formation and other cellular processes.
Zinc protoporphyrin levels have added value in the prediction of low hemoglobin deferral in whole blood donors
Authors: Baart A. Mireille , de Kort Wim L.A.M. , Moons Karel G.M. , Atsma Femke , Vergouwe Yvonne 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundIncreased zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels can indicate iron deficiency and may be predictive for low hemoglobin (Hb) deferral in blood donors. Prediction models for Hb deferral in whole blood donors have already been developed. In this study, we examined if addition of ZPP to these prediction models improves risk estimation of Hb deferral.Study Design and MethodsThis study included 4598 Dutch whole blood donors. Information on ZPP levels measured at the previous visit was added to the existing prediction models to estimate the risk of Hb deferral. Models were compared using the following measures: concordance (c)‐statistic, continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI), and clinical net benefit (NB).ResultsSeventy‐six male donors (2.9%) and 69 female donors (3.5%) were deferred because of a low Hb level. Previous ZPP level was associated with risk of Hb deferral (odds ratio for interquartile range of previous ZPP level, men 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.7‐2.3]; women 2.2 [95% CI, 1.9‐2.4]) in a multivariable risk model. Addition of ZPP into the models resulted in an increase of the c‐statistic from 0.93 to 0.94 for men and from 0.80 to 0.85 for women. The added value of ZPP was confirmed by measures of clinical usefulness. NRI for men was 0.42, and for women, 0.56. At relevant threshold probabilities between 10 and 15%, NB was higher for models considering ZPP.ConclusionThis study shows that ZPP measurements obtained at the previous visit may have added value in the risk prediction of Hb deferral in whole blood donors.
Comparison of transfusion efficacy of amotosalen‐based pathogen‐reduced platelet components and gamma‐irradiated platelet components
Authors: Sigle Joerg‐Peter , Infanti Laura , Studt Jan‐Dirk , Martinez Maria , Stern Martin , Gratwohl Alois , Passweg Jakob , Tichelli André , Buser Andreas S. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundTrials of transfusions of platelets (PLTs) treated with amotosalen‐based pathogen reduction (PR) showed lower corrected count increments (CCIs) compared to conventional PLT components (PCs). However, PR‐PLTs and conventional PCs often differed in various factors besides PR. We compared transfusion efficacy of single‐donor apheresis PCs treated with PR or gamma irradiation.Study Design and MethodsHematologic patients were assigned to receive PR‐PLTs or gamma‐irradiated conventional PCs, both prepared in PLT additive solution (PAS). One‐hour CCI (primary endpoint), 24‐hour CCI, time to next PLT transfusion, and transfusion requirement of red blood cells and plasma were analyzed.ResultsForty‐four patients assigned to PR‐PLTs received 220 PR‐PLTs and 136 conventional PCs; 72 controls received 517 conventional PCs. No differences between patient groups were observed for mean (±standard deviation [SD]) 1‐hour CCI (11.4 [±4.9] for PR‐PLT vs. 11.0 [±4.9] for controls), mean (±SD) 24‐hour CCI (6.1 [±4.4] for PR‐PLTs vs. 6.2 [±4.8] for controls), and for the other evaluated outcomes. No differences between PC types were observed for mean (±SD) 1‐hour CCI (10.6 [±6.7] for PR‐PLTs vs. 9.9 [±6.2] for conventional PCs) and mean 24 hour‐CCI (3.3 [±3.9] for PR‐PLTs vs. 4.2 [±5] for conventional PCs). Thirty‐five percent of PR‐PLTs and 38% of conventional PCs (p = 0.63) were associated with 1‐hour CCIs of less than 7.5. Inadequate 24‐hour CCIs were observed for 72% of PR‐PLTs and 64% of conventional PCs (p = 0.002).ConclusionsTransfusion efficacy of single‐donor apheresis PCs in PAS treated with amotosalen PR versus gamma irradiation is comparable.
Psychotrichology: psychosomatic aspects of hair diseases
Authors: Harth Wolfgang , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike 
Published: November 2012

SummaryHair growth and hair disorders with changes in hair density or quality not only influence an individualís appearance but also often lead to an enormous emotional burden with low self‐confidence, impaired quality of life, and even psychological disorders. Psychosomatic hair diseases cover a wide spectrum of specific psycho‐dermatological disease patterns. This review provides an overview and classification of psychosomatic hair diseases based on primary and secondary disorders.Somatoform disorders are among the primary psychiatric diseases, especially body dysmorphic disorder in which patients have an exaggerated and excessive preoccupation of normal and physiological hair loss. Self‐inflicted skin diseases as trichotillomania, often with an impairment of impulse control, also belong to this group. Secondary/reactive psychosocial disorders may occur in congenital and acquired hair disorders. These may be accompanied by feelings of disfigurement, depressive and anxiety disorders including social avoidance. Furthermore, psychosomatic comorbidity could complicate coping with hair loss.Psychosomatic therapy and coping are based on an early and accurate differential diagnostic approach to psychosomatic disorders. Psychotrichological disorders need to be treated promptly with psychosomatic basic care, improvement of coping strategies, behavior therapy, depth psychology, and/or appropriate psychopharmacotherapy with antidepressants or anxiolytics.
Causes and risk factors for anaphylaxis
Authors: Worm Margitta , Babina Magda , Hompes Stephanie 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAnaphylaxis is in most cases an IgE‐dependent immunologic reaction. Mast cells are activated and release several mediators. Recent data about possible triggers of anaphylaxis indicate a clear age‐dependency. The most frequent triggers of anaphylaxis in children are foods; in adults venom and drugs predominate. In 2006 an anaphylaxis registry was established in German‐speaking countries. In the registry the triggers, circumstances, and treatment measures are collected from patients with anaphylaxis. However, the registry cannot supply epidemiological data like prevalence or incidence rates since the registration of cases is based on collaboration with allergy centers only. Similarly, other approaches to obtain data on the epidemiology of anaphylaxis are problematic given that allergic reactions of varying severity are covered by a number of codes in the ICD‐10.Research in the field of anaphylaxis is focused on the identification of risk factors. Several data indicate the relevance of co‐factors and augmentation factors in well‐defined patient groups. Among these factors physical activity, infection, alcohol and additives are relevant. In the future a unique coding system with a subtype analysis regarding the triggers and severity should help to provide data on the epidemiology of anaphylaxis. Furthermore the mechanisms of co‐factors and identification of biomarkers for risk assessment are important research areas for the future.
CHALLENGES PERCEIVED BY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS TO EDUCATING PATIENTS ABOUT CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Greer Raquel C. , Crews Deidra C. , Boulware L. Ebony 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYObjective: To identify primary care providers’ (PCPs) perceived barriers to educating patients about chronic kidney disease (CKD) during routine clinical visits.Methods: We conducted three focus groups of eighteen PCPs in Baltimore, Maryland (MD), USA. Focus groups began with the presentation of a hypothetical case of a patient with CKD, followed by open‐ended questions to assess providers’ perceived barriers to delivering education about CKD. Groups were audiotaped, transcribed and coded independently by two investigators who identified major themes.Results: PCPs reported on several patient, provider and system level barriers contributing to poor education about CKD in primary care that were both common and unique to barriers previously reported in educating patients regarding other chronic diseases.Conclusions: Interventions designed to address barriers to CKD education identified by PCPs could improve the delivery of education about CKD in primary care settings.
LONG‐TERM CARE AND NURSING MANAGEMENT OF A PATIENT WHO IS THE RECIPIENT OF A RENAL TRANSPLANT
Authors: Whittaker Clare , Dunsmore Victoria , Murphy Fiona , Rolfe Caroline , Trevitt Ray 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYThis is the final article in a three‐part education series on renal transplantation, which addresses the specialist knowledge required in the long‐term management of the people undergoing renal transplantation. The first article in this series (Murphy F., Trevitt R., Chamney M. et al. (2011). Patient health and well‐being while waiting for renal transplantation: Part 1. Journal of Renal Care 37(4), 224–231) addressed patient health and well being while waiting for a renal transplant. The second article (Trevitt R., Dunsmore V., Murphy F., Piso L., Perriss C., Englebright B. & Chamney M. (2012) Pre‐ and post‐transplant care: nursing management of the renal transplant recipient: Part 2. Journal of Renal Care 38(2), 107–114) examined pre‐ and post‐operative care and management.