bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of smoking on outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy for urothelial carcinoma not invading muscle of the bladder
Authors: Sfakianos John P. , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Favaretto Ricardo Lima , Rioja Jorge , Herr Harry W. 
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The main goal of a prostate biopsy is to identify clinically relevant prostate cancer with the lowest possible morbidity from the procedure. Through time many have tried different variations in the procedure in an attempt to find the optimal methodology for performing prostate biopsies. These changes include better equipment in helping optimize cancer localizing, varying the number of cores in efforts to improve cancer detection and sampling various areas of the prostate to find cancer that may be hiding. To our knowledge we are the first to describe performing prostate biopsies with keeping the sampling size constant and varying the number of cores based on the size of the prostate.The study adds a variation in the current techniques used for prostate biopsies. In certain situations using a standard number of cores makes obtaining proper sampling of a prostate difficult. We propose a methodology in performing prostate biopsies that will allow for standardization of the tissue per core analyzed thus allowing for an improved sampling of the prostate.OBJECTIVETo determine the influence of smoking on the outcomes of patient with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) not invading muscle treated with BCG therapy.MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective chart review was conducted on 623 consecutive patients treated with BCG therapy for high‐grade Ta (n= 219; 35.2%), T1 (n= 215; 34.5%) and/or carcinoma in situ (n= 189; 30.3%). Cigarette smoking status was categorized as (smokers vs non‐smokers) and as (current smokers vs past smokers vs never smokers). In addition, we analyzed the time since smoking cessation as a continuous and categorical variable (smoking cessation after diagnosis vs 0.1–10 years before diagnosis vs more than 10 years before diagnosis). Association with outcomes was examined by univariate and multivariable analyses, adjusting for the effects of age, gender, stage and grade.RESULTSThe study cohort consisted of 423 males (67.9%) and 200 females (32.1%). Overall, 386 patients (62.0%) were past smokers, 97 (15.6%) were current smokers and 140 (22.5%) had never smoked. In both univariate and multivariable analyses, smoking status by any definition was not associated with the response to BCG therapy, disease recurrence, progression, all‐cause mortality or UCB‐specific mortality. TUR grade was significantly associated with disease progression. TUR stage and BCG response at 6 months were significantly associated with disease recurrence, progression, all‐cause mortality and UCB‐specific mortality.CONCLUSIONSSmoking does not appear to affect the response to BCG therapy or long‐term oncological outcomes.
Taking a climate chance: A procedural critique of Vietnam's climate change strategy
Authors: Fortier François 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis article asks through what processes and for which interests the emerging Vietnamese climate change strategy is being designed, and if, ultimately, it is likely or not to be effective in the face of the looming threat. Through a review of an emerging body of literature and field observations, the paper finds the strategy partial and problematic in several ways. Its technocratic process prevents a pluralist representation of interests, obfuscating and perpetuating sectorial ones, at the expense of a more transparent and democratic resource allocation. The strategy therefore reflects and reinforces existing power relations in both politics and production. It feeds into a business‐as‐usual complacency, protecting national and international interests vested in unchallenged continuity, even when considering post‐carbon technological fixes, which largely serve to expand capital accumulation opportunities. The article concludes that the national climate change strategy provides an illusion of intervention and security, but largely fails to identify and mitigate the underlying causes of climate change, or to lay the ground for a robust mid‐ and long‐term adaptation strategy that can cope with yet unknown levels of climatic and other structural changes.
Researching Pacific island livelihoods: Mobility, natural resource management and nissology
Authors: Christensen Andreas E. , Mertz Ole 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSmall island literature is vast in focus and aim, and is rooted in many different disciplines. The challenge is to find common grounds for researching small islands conceptually and theoretically. The aim of this article is to comment on how to research small islands, including a discussion on contemporary theories of nissology and conceptual analytical frameworks for island research. Through a review of selected case‐study‐based island literature on changing livelihoods coming out of the South Pacific, we wish to illustrate and discuss advantages of finding common grounds for small island studies. The focus is on two dimensions of island livelihood, migration and natural resource management, both of which are significant contributors in making island livelihoods and shaping Pacific seascapes. We argue that there is still a substantial lack of studies targeting small island dynamics that are empirical and interdisciplinary in focus and link socio‐economic and ecological processes of small island societies at temporal and analytical scales.
Guam culture, immigration and the US military build‐up
Authors: Owen Amy 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe island of Guam, located at a strategic aquatic cross‐roads in the Pacific, is undergoing changes that will greatly impact the local population and culture. This study investigates the concerns and perceptions of local Guam people regarding recent changes in US policy. The impending build‐up of the US Military and the recent opening of Guam to immigration are explored through a historic contextual analysis of current events along with a survey of the island population. The survey results indicate that positive feelings towards the build‐up were lower than what may have been expected from public discourse and uncertainty considerably greater than what have been expected from public discourse. Views varied by age and by income, with the youth and middle class the least optimistic. The build‐up was viewed overall as good for the island's economy and bad for the island's culture. Concerns over the build‐up, as well as incoming immigrants were based on access to already strained island resources rather than ethnic or racial bias. Unexpectedly, little variation existed among the attitudes of the diverse ethnicities that form Guam's unique ‘Guamanian’ culture.
ON ESTIMATION OF THE POPULATION SPECTRAL DISTRIBUTION FROM A HIGH‐DIMENSIONAL SAMPLE COVARIANCE MATRIX
Authors: Bai Zhidong , Chen Jiaqi , Yao Jianfeng 
Published: November 2010

SummarySample covariance matrices play a central role in numerous popular statistical methodologies, for example principal components analysis, Kalman filtering and independent component analysis. However, modern random matrix theory indicates that, when the dimension of a random vector is not negligible with respect to the sample size, the sample covariance matrix demonstrates significant deviations from the underlying population covariance matrix. There is an urgent need to develop new estimation tools in such cases with high‐dimensional data to recover the characteristics of the population covariance matrix from the observed sample covariance matrix. We propose a novel solution to this problem based on the method of moments. When the parametric dimension of the population spectrum is finite and known, we prove that the proposed estimator is strongly consistent and asymptotically Gaussian. Otherwise, we combine the first estimation method with a cross‐validation procedure to select the unknown model dimension. Simulation experiments demonstrate the consistency of the proposed procedure. We also indicate possible extensions of the proposed estimator to the case where the population spectrum has a density.
Somatosensory evoked potentials of median and tibial nerves in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) under captivity: influence of ontogenic status in neonatal, infant, young, adult, and senile stages
Authors: Hernández‐Godínez Braulio , Ibáñez‐Contreras Alejandra , Durand‐Rivera Alfredo , Reyes‐Pantoja Sergio A. , Ramírez‐Hernández Roberto , Rodríguez‐Guzmán Paris , Tena‐Betancourt Eduardo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) constitute a useful neurophysiologic tool commonly used to assess the functionality and developmental degree of the nervous system.Objective To analyze somatosensory pathways of theMacaca mulattaspecies throughout different ontogenetic statuses.Methods Twenty non‐human primates were divided into five age‐dependant groups. Recording of SEPs was executed by stimulation of lower limb at the tibial nerve and upper limb and recorded at the median nerve.Results Two wave series were observed for all groups for both limbs studied. Significant differences were found at the upper right limb at C4, C7 and also for the antecubital fossa site. The lower limbs showed a single significant right‐wing deflection.Conclusions Differences found in signals generated by the nervous system in response to somatosensory stimuli among the studied groups are thought to be developmental in origin, as the most remarkable deviations were seen in younger monkeys.
The Role of the Foreskin in Male Circumcision: An Evidence‐Based Review
Authors: Dinh Minh H. , Fahrbach Kelly M. , Hope Thomas J. 
Published: November 2010

Citation Dinh MH, Fahrbach KM, Hope TJ. The role of the foreskin in male circumcision: an evidence‐based review.  Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 279–283HIV sexual transmission via the male genital tract remains poorly defined. Male circumcision was shown to reduce female‐to‐male transmission in Africa, providing a clue that the foreskin plays a role in the route of transmission. Scientific data in four categories relating to how the foreskin might affect HIV transmission is summarized: (i) surface area, (ii) microbiologic environment, (iii) HIV‐1‐susceptible cells, and (iv) tissue structure. The relative contribution of each of these areas is yet unknown, and further studies will be crucial in understanding how male circumcision affects HIV transmission in men.
Anoikis mediators in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bunek J , Kamarajan P , Kapila YL 
Published: November 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 355–361Anoikis – apoptotic cell death triggered by loss of extracellular matrix (ECM) contacts – is dysregulated in many chronic debilitating and fatal diseases. Mechanisms rendering tumor cells resistant to anoikis, although not completely understood, possess significant therapeutic promise. In death receptor‐mediated anoikis mechanisms, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and receptor‐interacting protein (RIP) dissociate, leading to association of RIP with Fas, formation of the death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC), activation of caspase‐3, and propagation of anoikis. In contrast, anoikis resistance is accomplished through constitutive activation of survival pathways that include integrin‐dependent activation of FAK and extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, FAK and RIP association confers anoikis resistance by inhibiting the association of RIP with Fas and formation of the death signaling complex, which allows cells to escape anoikis. Up‐regulation of CD44 also contributes to survival signals and promotes anoikis resistance. This review will focus on the roles of death receptors, prosurvival pathways, and the molecular players involved in anoikis escalation and resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Association between AMELX polymorphisms and dental caries in Koreans
Authors: Kang SW , Yoon I , Lee HW , Cho J 
Published: November 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 399–406Objectives:  Dental caries is greatly influenced disease by environmental factors, but recently there are increasing evidences for a genetic component in caries susceptibility. AMELX is the gene coding amelogenin, which is the most important factor for normal enamel development. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dental caries and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AMELX.Subjects and methods:  For this study, we used DNA samples collected from 120 unrelated individuals older than 12 years of age. All of them were examined for their oral and dental status under the WHO recommended criteria, and clinical information such as DMFT and DMFS were evaluated. Individuals whose DMFT and DMFS index lower than 2 were designated ‘very low caries experience’ and higher than 3 were designated ‘higher caries experience’. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair samples, and single nucleotide polymorphisms of AMELX were genotyped. Genotyping of three SNPs (rs17878486, rs5933871, rs5934997, intron) in AMELX gene was determined by direct sequencing and analyzed with SNPStats.Results:  There were significant associations between rs5933871 and rs5934997 SNP and caries susceptibility in the water fluoridation group.Conclusions:  These results suggest that SNPs of AMELX might be associated with dental caries susceptibility in Korean population.
Quantitative analysis of masticatory activity during unilateral mastication using muscle fMRI
Authors: Yamaguchi S , Itoh S , Watanabe Y , Tsuboi A , Watanabe M 
Published: November 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 407–413Objective:  Quantitative analysis of the activities of all masticatory muscles is required to elucidate the mechanism of stomatognathic dysfunction. Electromyography can be used to record the activity of masticatory muscles, but quantification of the overall activity of every masticatory muscle has not been accomplished because of methodological limitations. In this study, we used muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging for simultaneous quantification of the overall activities of the masseter, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles during unilateral gum chewing.Methods:  Seven healthy male volunteers participated in the study. We evaluated changes in the mean proton transverse relaxation time in the bilateral masseter, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles before and after unilateral gum chewing, and to quantify the overall activity of these muscles simultaneously during unilateral gum chewing.Results:  After 5 min of chewing, the activity of the ipsilateral masseter was highest among the six muscles, followed by the ipsilateral medial pterygoid, contralateral lateral pterygoid and contralateral masseter muscles.Conclusion:  These results affirm the importance of the ipsilateral masseter muscle and quantitatively demonstrate the important contribution of the ipsilateral medial pterygoid and contralateral lateral pterygoid muscles during unilateral mastication.
Sexual Behavior Predictors of Satisfaction in a Chinese Sample
Authors: Tao Peng , Brody Stuart 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Previous multivariate research in Europe found that sexual satisfaction was associated directly with frequency of penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI) but inversely with masturbation and some aspects of non-PVI partnered sex.

Aims
To examine the associations of sexual satisfaction in a sample from the People’s Republic of China, including not only frequencies of various sexual behaviors, but also frequencies of orgasm.

Methods
Chinese industrial workers (N = 158, age over 24 years) completed the sexual satisfaction scale of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) and a short form of the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale, and provided details of the one month frequencies of engaging in, and having an orgasm from, PVI, masturbation, and non-PVI partnered sex.

Main Outcome Measures
Multiple regression prediction of sexual satisfaction from age, social desirability responding, and in separate analyses, frequencies of the sexual behaviors or the corresponding orgasm frequencies.

Results
For men and women, sexual satisfaction was associated with frequency of PVI and of PVI orgasm (the latter for women only), but not other sexual behavior or orgasm frequency. Similar results were obtained for the MSQ satisfaction scale and for a single satisfaction item.

Conclusions
Despite cultural differences (and our smaller, less diverse sample), the positive prediction of satisfaction from only PVI (and in our sample of women, PVI orgasm) frequency—but not other sexual activities—was similar to that in a Swedish sample. Future research might also examine possible occasional avoidance of ejaculation by some Chinese men.
Axonal Loss and Neurofilament Phosphorylation Changes Accompany Lesion Development and Clinical Progression in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Schirmer Lucas , Antel Jack P. , Brück Wolfgang , Stadelmann Christine 
Published: November 2010

AbstractNeuroaxonal damage and loss are increasingly recognized as disability determining features in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. However, little is known about the long‐term sequelae of inflammatory demyelination on neurons and axons.Spinal cord tissue of 31 MS patients was compared to three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 10 control subjects. MS lesions were staged according to the density of KiM‐1P positive macrophages and microglia and the presence of myelin basic protein (MBP) positive phagocytes. T cells were quantified in the parenchyma and meninges. Neuroaxonal changes were studied by immunoreactivity (IR) for amyloid precursor protein (APP) and variably phosphorylated neurofilaments (SMI312, SMI31, SMI32).Little T cell infiltration was still evident in chronic inactive lesions. The loss of SMI32 IR in ventral horn neurons correlated with MS lesion development and disease progression. Similarly, axonal loss in white matter (WM) lesions correlated with disease duration. A selective reduction of axonal phosphorylated neurofilaments (SMI31) was observed in WM lesions. In ALS, the loss of neuronal SMI32 IR was even more pronounced, whereas the relative axonal reduction resembled that found in MS.Progressive neuroaxonal neurofilament alterations in the context of chronic inflammatory demyelination may reflect changes in neuroaxonal metabolism and result in chronic neuroaxonal dysfunction as a putative substrate of clinical progression.
Effect of Blanching in Water and Sugar Solutions on Texture and Microstructure of Sliced Carrots
Authors: Neri Lilia , Hernando Isabel Hernando , Pérez‐Munuera Isabel , Sacchetti Giampiero , Pittia Paola 
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Thermal processing of vegetables has pronounced effects on the cell structure, often negatively affecting the final textural properties of the product. In order to study the effect of thermal processing and the protective effect of sugars on the tissue, sliced carrots were subjected to blanching treatments under different time and temperature combinations both in water and in 4% sugar solutions made of trehalose or maltose. The influence of these process conditions on mass transfer, texture, and microstructure (Cryo‐scanning electron microscopy) was thus investigated. The total mass loss of all the samples blanched in water was associated to their cook value () except for the overprocessed one (90 °C, 10 min) that showed a total mass change significantly lower due to water uptake. The use of trehalose and maltose in the blanching solution reduced the solute loss while increasing the water loss. Microstructural analysis of the differently blanched carrots showed detachments between adjacent cell walls as well as plasmolysis phenomena as the time and temperature of the thermal treatment were increased. A protective effect of both sugars on cell structures was observed mostly in the sample treated at 90 °C. At macroscopic level, textural changes upon blanching were observed by a penetration test. As blanching time was increased, samples processed at 75 °C showed a hardness increase, while those processed at 90 °C showed a hardness decrease. However, both trehalose and maltose did not exert significant effects on the textural properties of blanched carrots when compared with those blanched in water.Practical Application:  The results of this study could offer interesting perspectives in the optimization of the heat treatments in order to preserve the quality of semi‐finished processed vegetables. Furthermore, the microstructural analysis is nowadays an important investigation tool that could contribute to a deeper understanding of both the effects of processing and ingredients on the vegetable microstructure and its relationship with the changes occurring on the quality properties at macroscopic level.
Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Bioactive Packaging Materials from Edible Chitosan and Casein Polymers: Assessment on Carrot, Cheese, and Salami
Authors: Moreira Maria del Rosario , Pereda Mariana , Marcovich Norma E. , Roura Sara I. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Antimicrobial packaging is one of the most promising active packaging systems for controlling spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. In this work, the intrinsic antimicrobial properties of chitosan (CH) were combined with the excellent thermoplastic and film‐forming properties of sodium caseinate (SC) to prepare SC/CH film‐forming solutions and films. The antimicrobial effectiveness of SC, CH, and SC/CH coatings on the native microfloras of cheese, salami, and carrots was evaluated. In vitro assays through the test tube assay indicated that the most significant antimicrobial effect was achieved by CH and SC/CH solutions on carrot and cheese native microfloras. SC film‐forming solutions did not exert antimicrobial activity on any of the native microflora studied. SC, CH, and SC/CH films stored in controlled environments showed that the retention of the antimicrobial action was observed until 5‐d storage, at 65% relative humidity in both temperatures (10 °C and 20 °C). In vivo assays were also performed with SC, CH, and SC/CH applied as coatings or wrappers on the 3 food substrates. CH and SC/CH applied at both immersion and wrapper exerted a significant bactericidal action on mesophilic, psychrotrophic, and yeasts and molds counts, showing the 3 microbial populations analyzed a significant reduction (2.0 to 4.5 log CFU/g). An improvement of the bactericidal properties of the CH/SC blend respect to those of the neat CH film is reported. The ionic interaction between both macromolecules enhances its antimicrobial properties.Practical Application:  The continuous consumer interest in high quality and food safety, combined with environmental concerns has stimulated the development and study of biodegradable coatings that avoid the use of synthetic materials. Among them, edible coatings, obtained from generally recognized as safe (GRAS) materials, have the potential to reduce weight loss, respiration rate, and improve food appearance and integrity. They can be used in combination with other food preservation techniques in order to extend the effectiveness of the food preservation chain. Moreover, antimicrobial films and coatings have innovated the concept of active packaging and have been developed to reduce, inhibit, or delay the growth of microorganisms on the surface of food in contact with the package. The use of antimicrobials packaging films to control the growth of microorganisms in food can have a significant impact on shelf‐life extension and food safety. In addition, antimicrobial films can be prepared by the combination of inherent antimicrobial materials (that is, CH), with good film‐forming protein‐based ones (that is, SC). Therefore, the objective of this work is to study the performance of 2 biodegradable and edible biopolymers and their combination as natural packages for selected food products.