bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in serum prostate‐specific antigen levels and the identification of prostate cancer in a large managed care population
Authors: Wallner Lauren P. , Frencher Stanley K. , Hsu Jin‐Wen Y. , Chao Chun R. , Nichol Michael B. , Loo Ronald K. , Jacobsen Steven J. 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
The use of a single, elevated PSA level to screen for prostate cancer is controversial given its reported low specificity and the questionable benefits of PSA screening on prostate cancer mortality. Current guidelines in the USA recommend against screening using a single PSA measurement. Previous studies suggest that using changes in PSA level over time, or PSA velocity, may improve the detection of prostate cancer and/or aggressive disease; however, this is also controversial as other studies suggest PSA velocity does not improve detection and may further contribute to the overdetection of indolent prostate cancer.
Given the questions that remain regarding the use of the rate of change in PSA as a screening tool for prostate cancer because of previous conflicting studies, which to date have included small, highly selected populations, this study adds to the existing knowledge by assessing this question in general practice settings among a large, diverse population.
Objective
To determine whether the rate of change in total serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels accurately detects prostate cancer and to evaluate whether it adds any predictive value to a single measurement of serum PSA alone, in general practice settings.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective cohort of 219 388 community‐dwelling men, aged ≥45 years, enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan, with no history of prostate cancer and at least three PSA measurements, were followed from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2007, for the development of biopsy‐confirmed prostate cancer.
Annual percent changes in total serum PSA levels were estimated using linear mixed models.
The accuracy of prostate cancer prediction was assessed for prostate cancer overall and for aggressive disease (Gleason score ≥7) and compared with that of a single measure of PSA level using area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves (AUCs).
Results
The men in this cohort experienced a mean change of 2.9% in PSA levels per year and the rate of change in PSA increased modestly with age (P ≤ 0.001).
Annual percent changes in PSA accurately predicted the presence of prostate cancer (AUC = 0.963) and aggressive disease (AUC = 0.955) and had more predictive accuracy for aggressive disease than did a single measurement of PSA alone (AUC = 0.727).
Conclusions
Longitudinal measures of PSA improve the accuracy of aggressive prostate cancer detection when compared with a single measurement of PSA alone.
Findings from this study provide insight into the usefulness of PSA velocity as a detection marker for aggressive prostate cancer.
Do differences in clinical symptoms and referral patterns contribute to the gender gap in bladder cancer?
Authors: Henning Armin , Wehrberger Marlies , Madersbacher Stephan , Pycha Armin , Martini Thomas , Comploj Evi , Jeschke Klaus , Tripolt Christian , Rauchenwald Michael 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is more prevalent in men than women; however, in women the tumour stage is generally more advanced at the time of the diagnosis and the prognosis is worse. Possible explanations include anatomical, genetic and socio‐economic factors.
The study shows that clinical symptoms before the first‐time diagnosis of UCB did not differ between the sexes, while primary care and referral patterns did. Women were more likely to receive symptomatic treatment or therapies for alleged UTIs without further investigation or referral to urological evaluation. The study highlights the fact that there may be a diagnostic delay in women which could contribute to the gender‐dependent disparities in stage distribution and prognosis of UCB.
Objective
To evaluate gender‐dependent disparities regarding clinical symptoms, referral patterns or treatments before diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).
Patients and Methods
A consecutive series of patients with newly diagnosed UCB completed a questionnaire at the time of admission for elective transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT). The questionnaire surveyed the presence of haematuria, dysuria, urgency and bladder pain as well as the number of consultations and treatments before urological evaluation. Tumour characteristics, clinical symptoms, treatments and referrals were compared between men and women in the patient series.
Results
In men (n = 130) the distribution of tumour stages was pTa 62.3%, pT1 23.1% and pT ≥ 2 12.3%. The respective percentages in women (n = 38) were pTa 57.9%, pT1 23.7% and pT ≥ 2 18.4% (P > 0.05). The prevalence of clinical symptoms in men vs women was as follows: gross haematuria 65 vs 68%, dysuria 32 vs 44%, urgency 61 vs 47%, and nocturia 57 vs 66%, respectively (P > 0.05). A total of 78% of men vs 55% of women directly consulted a urologist (P < 0.05). Symptomatic treatment for voiding disorders/pain was given without further evaluation to 19% of men vs 47% of women 1 year before the diagnosis of UCB (P < 0.05). A total of 3.8% of men vs 15.8% of women received three or more treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs) within the same time period (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
In the present study there were no gender‐related differences in clinical symptoms of UCB, but women were more likely to be treated for voiding complaints or alleged UTIs without further evaluation or referral to urology than men.
Gender‐dependent disparities in referral patterns exist and might delay definitive diagnosis of UCB in women.
International partnerships and the development of a Sister Hospital Programme
Authors: Brown D. , Rickard G. , Mustriwati K.A. , Seiler J. 
Published: January 2013

BROWN D., RICKARD G., MUSTRIWATI K.A. & SEILER J. (2013) International partnerships and the development of a Sister Hospital Program. International Nursing Review60, 45–51Background:  Despite some progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, there are still major discrepancies in health service provision between developed and developing countries. Nurses are key players to improving the quality of health services. Increasingly, partnerships are being initiated between nurses of different countries to enable those working in developing countries to improve standards of clinical care.Aim:  This paper describes a partnership between two major teaching hospitals: one in Indonesia and one in Australia, designed to assist in improving standards of clinical care within the Indonesian hospital.Methods:  The nature of the partnership, conceptualized as a Sister Hospital Program, is described. The processes and outcomes of the pilot programme conducted in 2011 are outlined. A brief description of the methods used to gain financial support from the Northern Territory Government is provided. The programme offered a skills development programme for selected staff from Sanglah General Hospital in Bali at Royal Darwin Hospital in northern Australia.Instruments:  The paper uses Green's PROCEED‐PRECEDE framework both to describe and evaluate the pilot programme.Results:  The skills development programme was enthusiastically evaluated by staff from both hospitals and has led to major changes in the management of patients within the Emergency Department of Sanglah General Hospital. The success of the pilot has resulted in longer‐term funding by the Australian government.Wider policy outcomes:  The partnership model described in the paper is submitted as a possible framework for others wishing to build long‐term and collaborative relationships between nurses of different nations.
Work environment and participation: the case of teachers in Denmark and New Zealand
Authors: Knudsen Herman , Markey Raymond , Simpkin Gay 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEmployees' participation in decision making at work is often identified as a key element in work environment quality. In this comparative case study, the focus is on teachers' work in Denmark and Zealand. The substantial variations in work environment quality found across four schools are shown to be associated with corresponding differences in participation. In particular, perceived work environment quality is associated with collective and representative forms of participation.
Early Repolarization Pattern Associated with Sudden Cardiac Death: Long‐Term Follow‐Up in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: FURUKAWA YOSHIO , YAMADA TAKAHISA , MORITA TAKASHI , IWASAKI YUSUKE , KAWASAKI MASATO , KIKUCHI ATSUSHI , NAITO TAKASHI , FUJIMOTO TADAO , OZU KENTARO , KONDO TAKUMI , SENGOKU KAORUKO , YAMAMOTO HIRONORI , MASUYAMA TOHRU , FUKUNAMI MASATAKE 
Published: January 2013

Early Repolarization Pattern in CHFBackgroundIdentification of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) at a risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important objective. Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is associated with ventricular fibrillation in patients without structural heart diseases. Moreover, ERP was reported to be associated with SCD in patients with old myocardial infarction in a case‐control study. However, little information is available on the prognostic significance of ERP in CHF patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether ERP is associated with SCD in CHF patients.Methods and ResultsThe study population consisted of 132 consecutive outpatients with NYHA class I, II and III congestive heart failure and radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%. All patients underwent the standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram at enrollment, where we assessed the presence of ERP using the criteria of J‐point elevation ≥ 0.1 mV in at least 2 inferior or lateral leads. The primary endpoint of this study was SCD. At enrollment, 16 patients had ERP. During the follow‐up period of 6.7 ± 3.5 years, 26 patients had SCD. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that SCD was observed significantly more frequently in patients with ERP than in those without ERP (63% [10/16] vs 14% [16/116], P < 0.0001]. A multivariate Cox analysis revealed that ERP was significantly and independently associated with SCD (hazard ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–8.6; P = 0.002).ConclusionERP in inferior leads would be associated with an increased risk of SCD in CHF patients.
EuropeanUnion Budget Contributions and Expenditures: A Lorenz Curve Approach
Authors: Groot Loek , Zonneveld Erik 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article investigates the (in)equality of the European budget with respect to financial contributions and expenditures across Member States. Standard tools from the measurement of income inequality, including the Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient, are applied to the distribution ofEuropeanUnion contributions and expenditure. In addition, the inequality in the allocation of the budget is juxtaposed against the distribution of voting power within the Council of Ministers. Redistribution from rich to poor members can mainly be attributed to unequal per capita contributions in funding theEUbudget, while voting power rather than the needs of individual members dominates with respect to expenditure. The accession to theEUof relatively smaller easternEuropean countries in 2004 and 2007 delivered more voting power to poorer countries with relatively small population shares. This change reinforced the voting power effect in expenditures.
Effectiveness of a calcium sodium phosphosilicate containing prophylaxis paste in reducing dentine hypersensitivity immediately and 4 weeks after a single application: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Neuhaus Klaus W. , Milleman Jeffery L. , Milleman Kimberly R. , Mongiello Kimberly A. , Simonton Thomas C. , Clark Courtney E. , Proskin Howard M. , Seemann Rainer 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimsThe aim of this single‐site, randomized, controlled, double‐blind, 3‐arm parallel study was to determine the effectiveness of a prophylaxis paste containing 15% calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS; NovaMin®) with and without fluoride in reducing dentine hypersensitivity immediately after a single application and 28 days following dental scaling and root planing.Materials & MethodsOverall, 151 subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects received a scaling and root planing procedure followed by a final prophylaxis step using one of three different prophylaxis pastes: Test‐A (15% NovaMin® and NaF), Test‐B (15% NovaMin®) and a control. Dentine hypersensitivity was assessed by tactile stimulus (Yeaple Probe®) and by air blast (Schiff scale) at baseline, immediately after and 28 days after a prophylaxis procedure. One hundred and forty‐nine subjects completed the study.ResultsSubjects having received the test prophylaxis pastes showed statistically lower (anova, p < 0.05) dentine hypersensitivity compared with the control group immediately after the prophylaxis procedure (Yeaple Probe®: Test‐A = 20.9 ± 12.6, Test‐B = 22.7 ± 12.9, Control=11.2 ± 3.1; Schiff score: Test‐A = 1.1 ± 0.6, Test‐B = 1.1 ± 0.6, Control = 2.0 ± 0.7) and after 28 days (Yeaple probe: Test‐A = 21.5 ± 11.9, Test‐B = 20.6 ± 11.3, Control = 11.8 ± 6.0; Schiff score: Test‐A = 1.0 ± 0.6, Test‐B = 1.0 ± 0.6, Control = 2.0 ± 0.7).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the single application of both fluoridated and non‐fluoridated prophylaxis pastes containing 15% CSPS (NovaMin®) provided a significant reduction of dentine hypersensitivity up to at least 28 days.
Determinants of alveolar ridge preservation differ by anatomic location
Authors: Leblebicioglu Binnaz , Salas Mabel , Ort Yirae , Johnson Ashley , Yildiz Vedat O. , Kim Do‐Gyoon , Agarwal Sudha , Tatakis Dimitris N. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate and compare outcomes following alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in posterior maxilla and mandible.MethodsTwenty‐four patients (54 ± 3 years) with single posterior tooth extraction were included. ARP was performed with freeze‐dried bone allograft and collagen membrane. Clinical parameters were recorded at extraction and re‐entry. Harvested bone cores were analysed by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn both jaws, ARP prevented ridge height loss, but ridge width was significantly reduced by approximately 2.5 mm. Healing time, initial clinical attachment loss and amount of keratinized tissue at extraction site were identified as determinants of ridge height outcome. Buccal plate thickness and tooth root length were identified as determinants of ridge width outcome. In addition, initial ridge width was positively correlated with ridge width loss. Micro‐CT revealed greater mineralization per unit volume in new bone compared with existing bone in mandible (p < 0.001). Distributions of residual graft, new cellular bone and immature tissue were similar in both jaws.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, the results indicate that in different anatomic locations different factors may determine ARP outcomes. Further studies are needed to better understand determinants of ARP outcomes.
A comparative analysis of the mechanisms underlying speciation on Lord Howe Island
Authors: Papadopulos A. S. T. , Price Z. , Devaux C. , Hipperson H. , Smadja C. M. , Hutton I. , Baker W. J. , Butlin R. K. , Savolainen V. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractOn Lord Howe Island, speciation is thought to have taken placein situin a diverse array of distantly related plant taxa (Metrosideros,HoweaandCoprosma;Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA108, 2011, 13188). We now investigate whether the speciation processes were driven by divergent natural selection in each genus by examining the extent of ecological and genetic divergence. We present new and extensive, ecological and genetic data for all three genera. Consistent with ecologically driven speciation, outlier loci were detected using genome scan methods. This mechanism is supported by individual‐based analyses of genotype–environment correlationswithinspecies, demonstrating that local adaptation is currently widespread on the island. Genetic analyses show that prezygotic isolating barriers within species are currently insufficiently strong to allow further population differentiation. Interspecific hybridization was found in bothHoweaandCoprosma, and species distribution modelling indicates that competitive exclusion may result in selection against admixed individuals. Colonization of new niches, partly fuelled by the rapid generation of new adaptive genotypes via hybridization, appears to have resulted in the adaptive radiation inCoprosma– supporting the ‘Syngameon hypothesis’.
Watershed degradation and the growing risk of erosion in Hawassa‐Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebretsadik Zenebe Mekonnen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWatershed degradation has resulted in high risk of erosion followed by risk of flooding in the lowlands and has become the most livelihoods' threatening factor in Ethiopia in general and in the fragile watersheds of Hawassa Zuria District in particular. The objectives of this study were: (a) to assess farmers' practices of land, water and biomass management in order to improve their livelihoods; (b) to assess the existing risks and interventions and the condition of the watershed; (c) to assess the socio‐economic patterns of the farmers in the watershed. A group discussion with different stakeholders, key informant interviews and observational survey through transect walks have been used as methods of data collection. The study result has shown that the most threatening factor of degradation is gully erosion due to vegetation removal from the watershed. About 94% of the farmers used and agreed that they stabilised gullies by physical and biological measures; 60% and 88% of the respondents, respectively have indicated diversion of run‐off above the gully and improvement of gully catchments as a means of gully erosion measures and reduce flooding risks in the lowlands. Community awareness creation on natural resource conservation and management as well as resolving tenure disagreements can also play role in gully control and land rehabilitation.
Midlife Physical Activity Preserves Lower Extremity Function in Older Adults: Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility–Reykjavik Study
Authors: Chang Milan , Saczynski Jane S. , Snaedal Jon , Bjornsson Sigurbjorn , Einarsson Bjorn , Garcia Melissa , Aspelund Thor , Siggeirsdottir Kristine , Gudnason Vilmundur , Launer Lenore J. , Harris Tamara B. , Jonsson Palmi V. 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesTo examine the long‐term association between midlife physical activity (PA) and lower extremity function (LEF) in late life.DesignLongitudinal study with an average of 25 years of follow‐up.SettingCommunity‐dwelling old population in Reykjavik, Iceland.ParticipantsFour thousand seven hundred fifty‐three community‐dwelling men and women (mean age 76 ± 6) in Reykjavik, Iceland.MeasurementsOn the basis of weekly hours of regular PA reported at the midlife examination, participants were classified as active or inactive. Measures of LEF in late life were gait speed on a 6‐m walk, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and knee extension (KE) strength tests. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association.ResultsParticipants who were active in midlife had significantly better LEF (faster gait speed, β = 0.50, P ≤ .001; faster TUG time, β = –0.53 P ≤ .001; stronger KE strength, β = 1.3, P ≤ .001) in late life than those who were not active in midlife after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. After adjustment for cognitive function in late life (speed of processing, memory, and executive function), participants who were active in midlife had significantly faster gait speed (β = 0.04, P ≤ .001), faster TUG time (β = −0.34, P ≤ .001), and greater KE strength (β = 0.87, P ≤ .001) in old age than those who were not active in midlife.ConclusionRegular PA in midlife is associated with better performance of LEF in later life, even after controlling for late‐life cognitive function.
A Community‐Based Culturally Competent Oral Health Promotion for Migrant Older Adults Living in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Mariño Rodrigo , Calache Hanny , Morgan Mike 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of a theory‐based oral health promotion intervention in a community environment by a nondental peer educator on the oral hygiene and gingival health of independent‐living Italian older adults.DesignA quasiexperimental design with a pretest–posttest nonequivalent control group with no intervention.SettingTen Melbourne‐based Italian social clubs participated in this evaluation.ParticipantsOne hundred forty‐four active members of the social clubs.InterventionA series of oral health seminars and four supervised brushing sessions at club premises. The intervention did not involve any direct oral health professional clinical care. Clubs were allocated to the control or intervention group.MeasurementsDental plaque levels and gingival bleeding scores were determined. A series of one‐way analyses of covariance were conducted using the baseline measures as covariates.ResultsControlling for pretest scores, the experimental group was significantly more likely than the control group to have improved gingival status and self‐efficacy. No significant effects were found regarding dental plaque.ConclusionWithin the setting of Italian social clubs, the intervention was effective at increasing self‐efficacy and reducing gingival bleeding. As such, it represents a useful approach for the design of oral health interventions in older migrant adults.
Clinician Roles and Responsibilities During Care Transitions of Older Adults
Authors: Schoenborn Nancy L. , Arbaje Alicia I. , Eubank Kathryn J. , Maynor Kenric , Carrese Joseph A. 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesTo identify the perceived roles and responsibilities of clinicians during care transitions of older adults.DesignQualitative study involving 1‐hour in‐depth semistructured interviews. Audiotapes of interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed, and themes and subthemes were generated.SettingAn acute care hospital, a skilled nursing facility, two community‐based outpatient practices, and one home healthcare agency.ParticipantsForty healthcare professionals directly involved in care transitions of older adults (18 physicians, 11 home healthcare administrative and field staff, four social workers, three nurse practitioners, three physician assistants, and one hospital case manager).MeasurementsPerspectives of healthcare professionals regarding clinicians' roles and responsibilities during care transitions were examined and described.ResultsContent analysis revealed several themes: components of clinicians' roles during care transitions; congruence between self‐ and others' perceived ideal roles but incongruence between ideal and routine roles; ambiguity in accountability in the postdischarge period; factors prompting clinicians to act closer to ideal roles; and barriers to performing ideal roles. A conceptual framework was created to summarize clinicians' roles during care transitions.ConclusionThis study reports differences between what healthcare professionals perceive as ideal roles of clinicians during care transitions and what clinicians actually do routinely. Certain patient and clinician factors prompt clinicians to act closer to the ideal roles. Multiple barriers interfere with consistent practice of ideal roles. Future investigations could evaluate interventions targeting various components of the conceptual framework and relevant outcomes.