bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients with high prostate‐specific antigen: Feasibility and 1‐year outcomes
Authors: Do Minh , Ragavan Narasimhan , Dietel Anja , Liatsikos Evangelos , Anderson Chris , McNeill Alan , Stolzenburg Jens‐Uwe 
Published: July 2012

Objectives:  Urologists are cautious to offer minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients with high prostate‐specific antigen (and therefore anticipated to have locally advanced or metastatic disease) because of concerns regarding lack of complete cure after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy and of worsening of continence if adjuvant radiotherapy is used.Methods:  A retrospective review of our institutional database was carried out to identify patients with PSA ≥20 ng/mL who underwent minimally invasive radical prostatectomy between January 2002 and October 2010. Intraoperative, pathological, functional and short‐term oncological outcomes were assessed.Results:  Overall, 233 patients met study criteria and were included in the analysis. The median prostate‐specific antigen and prostate size were 28.5 ng/mL and 47 mL, respectively. Intraoperative complications were the following: rectal injury (0.86%) and blood transfusion (1.7%). Early postoperative complications included prolonged (>6 days) catheterization (9.4%), hematoma (4.7%), deep venous thrombosis (0.86%) and lymphocele (5.1%). Late postoperative complications included cerebrovascular accident (0.4%) and anastomotic stricture (0.8%). Pathology revealed poorly differentiated cancer in 48.9%, pT3/pT4 disease in 55.8%, positive margins in 28.3% and lymph node disease in 20.2% of the cases. Adverse pathological findings were more frequent in patients with prostate‐specific antigen >40 ng/mL and (or) in those with locally advanced disease (pT3/pT4). In 62.2% of the cases, adjuvant radiotherapy was used. At 1‐year follow up, 80% of patients did not show evidence of biochemical recurrence and 98.8% of them had good recovery of continence.Conclusion:  Minimally invasive radical prostatectomy might represent a reasonable option in prostate cancer patients with high prostate‐specific antigen as a part of a multimodality treatment approach.
Role of routine transurethral biopsy and isolated upper tract cytology after intravesical treatment of high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Lightfoot Andrew J , Rosevear Henry M , Nepple Kenneth G , O'Donnell Michael A 
Published: July 2012

Objectives:  To investigate whether random bladder, and prostatic urethral biopsies and individual upper tract cytologies (restaging) provide useful clinical information in addition to cystoscopy and bladder cytology in assessing initial intravesical therapy response for high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent restaging at our institution after treatment for high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (Ta, T1 and Tis) between January 2000 and October 2009. A total of 78 patients undergoing 116 consecutive restagings were included. The presence of intravesical cancer at restaging was assessed by cystoscopy, bladder wash cytology and random bladder biopsies, whereas ureteral and prostatic urethral disease was determined using upper tract barbotage cytology and prostatic urethral biopsies.Results:  Indication for intravesical treatment was carcinoma in situ in 86, high‐grade T1 in 16 and high‐grade Ta in 14 cases. A total of 48 patients had primary disease and 68 had recurrence. Overall, 59 of 116 (50.9%) restagings showed positive bladder or prostatic biopsy and/or a positive cytology localized to the upper tract. Of the total number of recurrences, 12.9% (15 of 116) showed a negative cystoscopy and negative bladder cytology, and would have been missed on routine surveillance. A total of 23 of 116 (19.8%) restagings showed evidence of prostatic urethral and or ureteral disease.Conclusion:  Roughly 25% of high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer early recurrences after induction intravesical therapy would go unnoticed without the addition of random and directed prostate biopsies, and isolated upper tract cytologies to standard cystoscopy and bladder cytology.
Relationship between near‐infrared spectroscopy, and subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography in Japanese community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Yoshimatsu Tatsuki , Yoshida Daisuke , Shimada Hiroyuki , Komatsu Taiki , Harada Atsushi , Suzuki Takao 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows estimation of the percentage of body fat (%BF) regardless of the patient's posture; thus, it is useful for assessment of elderly patients with severe decline of basic activity who cannot hold a standing position. However, the accuracy by which the near‐infrared light emitted from NIRS reflects subcutaneous tissue is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess how correctly NIRS reflects the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness derived from ultrasonography in community‐dwelling elderly.Methods:  A total of 93 community‐dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older were enrolled in this study (mean 75.8 years, 6.7 SD). Participants were assessed according to optical density (OD) measurements by NIRS, subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness by ultrasonography, and muscle strength. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for each sex. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors that contributed to OD for each sex.Results:  OD measured at the forearm and thigh were significantly correlated with subcutaneous fat thickness. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, subcutaneous fat thickness was found to be a significant determinant of OD in men (forearm β = −0.37, P = 0.01; thigh β = −0.63, P < 0.001) and women (forearm β = −0.50, P < 0.001; thigh: β = −0.52, P < 0.001).Conclusions:  These results suggest that NIRS can appropriately estimate fat‐free mass. By adding other variables to OD as the predictive variable, skeletal muscle mass might be estimated in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 351–357.
Self‐reported oral complaints in older mentally ill patients
Authors: Kossioni Anastassia E , Kossionis George E , Polychronopoulou Argy 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self‐reported oral complaints in older hospitalized mentally ill patients and relate them to the primary psychiatric diagnosis.Methods:  A total of 89 older hospitalized psychiatric patients consented to participate in the study, and were interviewed and clinically examined. The medical data were obtained from the hospital's medical records.Results:  The mean age of the patients was 73 years (range 59–94 years). A total of 54% suffered from psychotic disorders, 26% from dementia and 20% from mood disorders. The most common oral complaint was xerostomia (45%), followed by dysgeusia (28%), oral malodor (26%), pain when chewing (25%), burning mouth (23%), chewing difficulties (12%) and sialorrhoea (2%). The prevalence of burning mouth, dysgeusia and oral malodor differed significantly among psychiatric diagnoses and was increased in patients with mood disorders. A close association was recorded between burning mouth, dysgeusia, xerostomia and oral malodor complaints. Stepwise logistic regression showed that the use of antidepressants and burning mouth complaints were significantly associated with mood disorders.Conclusions:  An increased prevalence of oral complaints was recorded in the elderly psychiatric patients with mood disorders. Those patients should be systematically evaluated and managed for oral complaints, and particularly for burning mouth. The close association between burning mouth complaints and mood disorders requires further investigation to clarify the potential diagnostic value of the symptom for mood disorders. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 358–364.
Ocular manifestations of a metastatic adenocarcinoma in a horse
Authors: Matheis Franziska L. , Birkmann Katharina , Ruetten Maja , Pot Simon A. , Spiess Bernhard M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA 10‐year‐old German Warmblood gelding was referred to the Equine Department of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland, for an iris mass OD, lethargy, intermittent fever, and coughing. Ophthalmic examination revealed a 7 × 9 mm raised, fleshy, whitish to pinkish, vascularized iris mass at the 2 o`clock position OD. Fundic examination showed multifocal round, brown to black, slightly raised lesions with indistinct margins and a surrounding hyperreflective zone OU. Physical examination revealed a temperature of 39.2 °C, sinus tachycardia, preputial and ventral edema, and an enlarged right mandibular lymph node. Results of a complete blood count and plasma biochemical profile showed mild anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. Severe splenopathy, moderate splenomegaly, and severe pulmonary pathology with nodules and large areas of consolidated lung parenchyma were observed on abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiographs, respectively. Fine needle aspirates of the enlarged mandibular lymph node showed malignant epithelial neoplastic cells. The horse was euthanized because of the poor prognosis and subsequently underwent postmortem examination. Macroscopic necropsy and histopathology revealed an adenocarcinoma of suspected pulmonary origin with involvement of eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, diaphragm, skeletal muscles, mandibular, pulmonary, and internal iliac lymph nodes. Metastatic adenocarcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with iris masses, multifocal chorioretinal infiltrates, and clinical signs that conform to a paraneoplastic syndrome.
The Nocebo Effect of Informed Consent
Authors: Cohen Shlomo 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThe nocebo effect, the mirror‐phenomenon to the placebo effect, is when the expectation of a negative outcome precipitates the corresponding symptom or leads to its exacerbation. One of the basic ethical duties in health care is to obtain informed consent from patients before treatment; however, the disclosure of information regarding potential complications or side effects that this involves may precipitate a nocebo effect. While dilemmas between the principles of respect for patient autonomy and of nonmaleficence are recognized in medical ethics, there has not yet been an ethical discussion focused on the potential dilemma raised by the nocebo effect of informed consent (NEIC). This dilemma is especially pernicious, since it involves a direct causality of harm by the caregiver that is unparalleled by other potential harmful effects of information disclosure. This paper articulates the dilemma of the NEIC and offers a seminal ethical analysis.
Nevus oligemicus: a case series
Authors: Batalla A. , Flórez Á. , Posada C. , De la Torre C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Nevus oligemicus is a functional nevus caused by vasoconstriction of the cutaneous deep vascular plexus, and vasodilatation of vessels of the superficial dermis due to abnormal responses of adrenergic receptors. To the best of our knowledge, only 14 cases in 8 articles were reported in the revised indexed literature.Case report  We present five cases of nevus oligemicus in two males and in three female patients. Common characteristics in all patients were overweight and sedentary habits.Discussion  Nevus oligemicus is an uncommon condition characterized by livid and cyanotic patches with localized hypothermia as the key‐diagnostic sign. It has been suggested that this entity is probably underdiagnosed, as it is asymptomatic and remains stable in its evolution.
Educational Justice: Closing Gaps or Paying Debts?
Authors: Schouten Gina 
Published: July 2012

abstractThe question of our educational obligations to disadvantaged students has typically been conceptualized using the language of achievement gaps: how and to what extent should we ameliorate gaps between students in terms of their attainment of certain valuable outcomes that are correlated with education? Recently, some have argued that the language of achievement gaps is misconceived and problematic, and that we should instead conceptualize our obligations to students as an education debt that is owed to certain disadvantaged students as descendants of historic and structural injustices. Underlying this argument is a deeper conviction that the moral requirement to bring about a fair patterned distribution of educational outcomes is constrained by an obligation to rectify historical injustices. By conceptualizing the issue as a debt, rather than a gap (the argument goes), we can keep the priority of historical obligations squarely on the table. In this article, I defend the conceptual framework of achievement gaps in primary and secondary education by arguing that patterned principles of educational justice are not constrained by any claims and obligations that arise in virtue of historic injustices.
Not wrong, yet not quite right: Spanish ESL students' use of gerundial and infinitival complementation
Authors: Martinez‐Garcia Maria Teresa , Wulff Stefanie 
Published: July 2012

This study presents a contrastive analysis of gerundial and infinitival complementation produced by Spanish and German ESL learners and English native speakers. An analysis of more than 1,100 attestations of the target constructions obtained from theInternational Corpus of Learner Englishreveals that (i) advanced learners' construction choices are not necessarily ungrammatical, yet often non‐idiomatic, and (ii) German learners are overall more attuned to native‐like choices than Spanish learners. A preliminary case study suggests that Spanish ESL teaching materials may benefit from incorporating results of corpus‐based analyses of authentic language such as the present one. The present study seeks to close the gap between learner language research and ESL teaching materials, and to raise awareness about the gradual nature of second language proficiency.Este estudio presenta un análisis contrastivo del uso de completivas de gerundio e infinitivo producidas por parte de estudiantes españoles y alemanes de inglés como lengua extranjera, así como hablantes nativos de esta lengua. Un análisis de más de 1.100 ejemplos de las estructuras estudiadas obtenidos a partir del Corpus Internacional de Estudiantes de Inglés revela que (i) las construcciones utilizadas por los estudiantes más avanzados no son necesariamente agramaticales, aunque a menudo no sean idiomáticas, y (ii) los estudiantes alemanes son, en general, más sensibles a las opciones nativas que los estudiantes españoles. Un estudio preliminar sugiere que los materiales didácticos para la enseñanza de inglés para los hablantes nativos de español podrían beneficiarse de los resultados obtenidos mediante el análisis de la lengua en uso que se encuentra en un corpus, como el actual. El presente artículo tiene por objeto cerrar la brecha entre la investigación de la lengua empleada por los estudiantes y los materiales didácticos para la enseñanza de inglés como lengua extranjera, y así crear conciencia sobre el carácter gradual del aprendizaje de una segunda lengua.
Hyperuricaemia: another metabolic feature affecting the severity of chronic hepatitis because of HCV infection
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Macaluso Fabio S. , Cammà Calogero , Marco Vito D. , Cabibi Daniela , Craxì Antonio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundSeveral works observed a link between uric acid serum levels and clinical and histological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. An association between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and uric acid levels has been poorly investigated.AimsTo assess the potential association between uric acid serum levels and both histological features of liver damage and sustained virological response (SVR) in a homogeneous cohort of CHC patients.MethodsConsecutive biopsy‐proven CHC patients were included. Hyperuricaemia was diagnosed with uric acid serum levels >7 mg/dl in men, and >6 mg/dl in women. Patients underwent therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.ResultsHyperuricaemia, observed in 7.5% of patients, was associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.004–1.026, P = 0.008), arterial hypertension (OR 3.024, 95% CI 1.290–7.088, P = 0.01), estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 0.942, 95% CI 0.919–0.965, P < 0.001) and severity of steatosis (OR 3.176, 95% CI 1.828–5.517, P < 0.001) by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The following features were independently linked to the severity of liver steatosis (<5% vs. ≥5% to <30% vs. ≥30%) using ordinal regression analysis: age (OR 1.027, 95% CI 1.011–1.044, P = 0.01), body mass index (OR 1.088, 95% CI 1.039–1.138, P < 0.001), triglycerides (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001–1.009, P = 0.02), homeostasis model assessment (OR 1.095, 95% CI 1.014–1.184, P = 0.02), hyperuricaemia (OR 2.751, 95% CI 1.423–5.322, P = 0.003), hepatitis C virus genotype 3 (OR 4.567, 95% CI 1.515–13.763, P = 0.007) and severe necroinflammatory activity (OR 1.584, 95% CI 1.067–2.349, P = 0.02). No independent association was found among uric acid levels and necroinflammatory activity, fibrosis and SVR.ConclusionsIn CHC patients, hyperuricaemia was independently associated with severity of steatosis, representing, in this setting, via steatosis induction, an indirect factor affecting both liver damage and poor response to therapy, and thus a novel potential therapeutic target in CHC management.
Vertical and horizontal movements of Fuller's rose weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Australian citrus groves
Authors: Mo Jianhua , Stevens Mark M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractFuller's rose weevil (FRW; Asynonychus cervinus (Boheman)) is a pest of quarantine concern in many Asian markets for Australian citrus. We investigated vertical (tree climbing) and horizontal movements (inter‐tree movements) of FRW adults in a citrus orchard during 2009–2011 with mark‐recapture experiments. Trunk traps were used to intercept tree‐climbing adults. The results showed that the majority of the adults released on the foliage stayed in the canopy, however considerable numbers did drop and some dropped multiple times. The rate of drops appeared to be fixed, independent of how many times the weevils had dropped before. Inter‐tree movements of adults in the canopy occurred mainly within rows, probably because of touching foliage between within‐row neighboring trees. Movement directions on the ground were more random, when reliance on touching foliage was not necessary. According to fitted dispersal equations, the average dispersal distance was 38 m for weevils released on foliage and 127 m for those released on the ground. Trunk banding with chemicals is an important control tactic for FRW, and based on our results, chemicals should be applied at a high enough rate (or in a wide enough band) to ensure the weevils are killed by a single crossing. For maximum reductions of FRW populations in citrus, control actions should be applied not only to infested blocks but also to neighboring blocks in the orchard.
The production of female sex pheromone in Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) young males does not influence their mating chances
Authors: Benelli Giovanni , Bonsignori Gabriella , Stefanini Cesare , Raspi Alfio , Canale Angelo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn Bactrocera oleae females attract males, which is in contrast to the majority of Tephritidae. However, the major component of the secretion of the female rectal ampulla glands, 1,7‐dioxaspiro‐[5,5]‐undecane (DSU), was also isolated from the glands of young males. The DSU produced by females and young males attracts males, but not females. In this study, we investigated the role of the production of DSU in young males. The mating performances of young and old males were evaluated, as well as the male‐male courtships by old males oriented at young and old males. Young males were found not to have a mating advantage. Young males were courted more by other males. Frame‐by‐frame analysis of male wing vibrations showed that this behavior did not differ when oriented at females and young males, highlighting that young males are perceived as females by the courting males. Overall, the production of DSU in young B. oleae males did not seem to be a case of female chemical mimicry. The hypothesis that young olive fruit fly males could benefit indirectly from the DSU production, simply distracting mature males away from females, is discussed.
Effects of Prescribed Burning and Mechanical Bush Clearing on Ungulate Space Use in an African Savannah
Authors: Isaacs Lisa , Somers Michael J. , Dalerum Fredrik 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSavannah ecosystems exhibit constant transitions between states dominated by trees and states dominated by a combination of trees and grasses. Transitions between these states are driven by interactions between fire and herbivory. Bush encroachment (i.e. an increase in the density of woody vegetation) is often caused by anthropogenic disturbance such as climate change, invasive plants, fire control, and livestock practices. As bush encroachment alters the dynamics between fire and herbivory, it may have significant impact on savannah ecosystems. Two of the most common measures to mitigate bush encroachment are prescribed burning and bush clearing by mechanical treatments. We studied the effects of these two mitigation measures on ungulate space use in Lapalala Wilderness, a private conservation area within the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, northern South Africa. Burning and bush clearing affected both the overall abundance and the species composition of ungulates at particular patches, but these effects were influenced by habitat and the type of bush clearing treatment. Contrary to our expectations, most species occurred less frequently in burnt patches, and also less frequently in patches that had been bush cleared. Our results suggest that combined effects of fire and bush clearing may have positive effects on grazers and negative effects on browsers. Although our sampling design did not allow us to fully resolve interactive effects of burning and bush clearing treatments across habitats, our study highlights the fact that there are complex ecological consequences of habitat alterations in savannah ecosystems.
Seed Treatment Optimizes Benefits of Seed Bank Storage for Restoration‐Ready Seeds: The Feasibility of Prestorage Dormancy Alleviation for Mine‐Site Revegetation
Authors: Turner Shane R. , Steadman Kathryn J. , Vlahos Stephen , Koch John M. , Dixon Kingsley W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDormant seeds of 18 species from 9 families covering a diverse range of seed dormancy syndromes and life histories from the southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot were assessed for germinability following storage at 15–25°C for 36 months. A total of 10 species with physical dormancy (PY) and 8 with either physiological dormancy (PD) or morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) were assessed as part of the study. Prior to storage, germination from dormant seeds was 1–27%, rising to 41–100% following specific dormancy‐breaking treatments. When seed dormancy was removed prior to storage for 36 months seeds from all species were found to maintain a nondormant state and germinate to a similar level to that observed at the beginning of the experiment (44–100%). Likewise, seeds that did not receive a prestorage dormancy‐breaking treatment maintained a dormant state (0–50% germination) and subsequently responded well to a dormancy‐breaking treatment immediately prior to germination assessment (49–99%). There were minimal differences in response to dormancy‐breaking treatments before and after 36 months storage (average 4–6% difference) and in the germination responses observed between both storage environments assessed (15°C/15% eRH or 15–25°C air dried). Based on these findings, storing seeds in a nondormant state does not alter germinability and this approach provides significant benefits to current seed‐based restoration programs through reduction of double handling and improved seed use efficiency.