bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nephron‐sparing surgery for pathological stage T3b renal cell carcinoma confined to the renal vein
Authors: Kolla Surendra B. , Ercole Cesar , Spiess Philippe E. , Pow‐Sang Julio M. , Sexton Wade J. 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo report the functional and oncological outcome of nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) for pathological stage pT3bNxMx (2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis staging) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumour thrombus confined to the renal vein.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf the 305 patients who underwent NSS at our institute from October 2004 to July 2009, seven (2%) were found to have stage T3bNxMx RCC on final pathology. Their charts were reviewed to identify demographic, operative and pathology details of these patients, in addition to obtaining functional and oncological outcome data.RESULTSAll seven patients had centrally located endophytic tumours. There were absolute indications for NSS in six patients (solitary kidney in five, renal insufficiency in one). The clinical stage was T1a in five and T3b in two patients; in those with cT1a, thrombus was first identified with intraoperative ultrasonography in two and by palpation of the renal vein or during the NSS in the remaining three. Renal surface hypothermia was applied in four cases (mean 77 min) and warm ischaemia in three (mean 38 min). The mean (range) tumour size was 3.9 (2.5–6) cm and all the tumours were clear cell RCC on histology, and all had negative surgical margins. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by 24% after surgery. One patient developed new‐onset renal failure (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Postoperative urine leak occurred in one patient successfully managed with a JJ stent. One patient developed a local recurrence with level III inferior vena caval (IVC) tumour thrombus 9 months after NSS and was managed with radical excision and IVC thrombectomy followed by postoperative dialysis. Six other patients were free of recurrence with no need for dialysis at a mean follow‐up of 30 months.CONCLUSIONSIn selected patients with pathological stage T3b RCC and tumour thrombus confined to the renal vein, NSS is a feasible treatment option with acceptable oncological and renal functional outcomes.
Perspectives on Regional Change: A Review Essay on Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories
Authors: HANINK DEAN M. 
Published: March 2010

Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories, edited by Roberta Capello and Peter Nijkamp, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 2009 (xi and 529 pp., £135, $250).ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the contributions in The Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories, edited by Roberta Capello and Peter Nijkamp. The book's coverage is comprehensive in a conventional way. It emphasizes the significance of recent developments in theoretical and empirical regional analysis that have occurred in both neoclassical (convergence) and new economic geography (concentration) contexts. The role of knowledge spillovers in regional growth receives special attention. Given the recent advances in the field, and renewed interest in regional issues, it is time to expand the focus of analysis from relatively narrow production and distribution concerns, to broader ones that incorporate the effects of structural/sectoral, demographic, and environmental change on the future prospects of regional economies. Such an expansion would not only contribute to the theoretical richness of regional growth and development analysis, it would also do much to expand its utility in guiding public policy.
The Mediating Effect of Cognitive Social Capital on Knowledge Acquisition in Clustered Firms
Authors: PARRA‐REQUENA GLORIA , MOLINA‐MORALES FRANCESC XAVIER , GARCÍA‐VILLAVERDE PEDRO MANUEL 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the role played by the cognitive dimension of social capital on knowledge acquisition in clustered firms. We have applied a structural model to an empirical survey of the Spanish footwear industry. Findings detect a significant indirect effect of the district membership on knowledge acquisition through cognitive social capital development. In contrast with the assumption of direct and free access to common knowledge in territorial agglomerations, findings suggested that knowledge access depends on the capacity of the firms to share visions, goals, values, and culture with other actors in the local neighborhood. The social capital perspective provides a solid base to explain heterogeneity among firm members in the industrial district in order to access common knowledge and capacities. Findings suggested that institutions involved in a district must favour efforts to boost the collective representation as well as common goals and vision.
Accessibility, Diversity, Environmental Quality and the Dynamics of Intra‐Urban Population and Employment Location
Authors: ZHANG SUMEI , GULDMANN JEAN‐MICHEL 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates intra‐urban population and employment shifts over 1980–2000, using the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area as a case study. Population and employment are disaggregated by ethnicity (White, Black, Others) and industry (10 sectors) to better capture different location behaviors. Inter‐industry relationships are considered when constructing accessibility variables. Additional diversity, locational and socio‐economic variables are included. A location‐specific index of air quality is also considered, as a proxy for environmental quality. A structural equation model is specified to account for the dynamic interactions between populations, activities, and air quality. The results reveal strong interactions between ethnic groups, confirm the existence of agglomeration effects, and suggest that diversity has positive effects on both firms and households in both periods (1980–1990 and 1990–2000). For firms, better access to their potential customers and employees is more important than better access to their input–output sectors. Better air quality attracts population, which in turn worsens it. The results reveal changing dynamics, from 1980–1990 to 1990–2000, for different population and activity groups, and suggest that overall, firm location behaviors are more stable than household behaviors.
The Influence of Booms and Busts in the U.S. Economy on the Interstate Migration System
Authors: VIAS ALEXANDER C. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTMigration flows around the U.S. have shown a great deal of temporal and geographical differentiation over the past few decades. However, the recent downturn in the U.S. economy provides a renewed motivation to explore the relationship between the macro‐economy and interstate migration. To address this issue, in this paper patterns of interstate migration are analyzed using IRS data and several migration efficiency measures for 18 2‐year time periods, 1988–2006. Included in the analysis is an examination of the relationship between system migration and economic change, structural changes in the migration system over time (national and state level), and changes in the geography of state‐level migration efficiency rates. As might be expected, the two full business cycles that occurred over this time period saw significant short‐term changes in migration flows, although the economic downturn of 2001‐02 may indicate more fundamental changes in the migration system.
Examining resistance, accommodation and the pursuit of aspiration in the Indian IT‐BPO space: reflections on two case studies
Authors: Ravishankar M. N. , Cohen Laurie , El‐Sawad Amal 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThis article is based on case studies of two organisations: an India‐based information technology (IT) services company and a financial services company located in the UK and India. Although they operate in different sectors and have some notable contrasts, both can be seen as typifying aspects of India's new economy. Our article explores the lived experience of working in this economy—a perspective that has been relatively neglected in the extant literature. Drawing on Homi Bhabha's notions of ambivalence and mimicry, and V. S. Naipaul's powerful illustrations of these concepts in his fiction and non‐fiction works, we report on how respondents talked about their aspirations within India's emerging economy, and examine their mobilisation of particular discursive resources as forms of accommodation and resistance to the demands they face at work.
Trade unions in a constrained environment: workers' voices from a New Industrial Zone in India
Authors: Hammer Anita 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTChallenges to unions worldwide are often framed in a strategic tension between enterprise unionism on one hand, and mobilisation for unions' continued relevance under neoliberal global capitalism on the other. However, research in a New Industrial Zone (NIZ) in India reveals a complex picture: a variety of unions across firms that are not always explained by existing definitions and models. Alongside political and enterprise unions, a third dimension emerges out of new forms of grassroots community links rooted in the living areas of workers. This paper argues for a socio‐historical institutional analysis of union–worker–firm–state relations under the new political economy of a NIZ, with a focus on workers' experiences and living areas, in order to explain the varied structures and strategies of unions.
What are the best outcome measures for assessing plaque psoriasis severity? A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Puzenat E , Bronsard V , Prey S , Gourraud P‐A , Aractingi S , Bagot M , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maitre M , Paul C , Richard‐Lallemand M‐A , Ortonne J‐P , Aubin F 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  A wide variety of scoring systems have been proposed to assess severity of psoriasis. Given its importance as a health issue both for patients and health care systems, it is critically important to evaluate the validity and reliability of existing outcome measures.Objective  The objective of this systematic review was to assess the extent of validation including the validity, reliability, sensitivity to change and ease of use of available outcome measures for psoriasis.Materials and Methods  We conducted a systematic review of all clinical studies (prospective and retrospective) investigating the severity of psoriasis patients and published between January 1980 and June 2009. The following methodological validation and quality criteria were recorded systematically: construct validity, content validity and internal consistency, intra‐observer variation and inter‐observer variation, sensitivity to change and acceptability/ease of use assessed as time required to perform measurement.Results  Based on methodological validation and quality criteria, six clinical severity scores were selected and analysed (PASI, BSA, PGA, LS‐PGA, SPI and SAPASI scores). We did not find substantial evidence of construct validity for any of the psoriasis clinical severity scores. Content validity was studied by considering the PASI score as gold standard. The relative content validity was good for the LS‐PGA, PGA, and SPI scores, which correlated strongly with the PASI score. The SAPASI and PASI scores showed moderate correlation. Internal consistency was good for the PASI and LS‐PGA scores. The PASI, BSA, PGA and LS‐PGA scores displayed limited intra‐observer variation. The inter‐observer variation was low for LS‐PGA (ICC < 0.5) and SAPASI, moderate for PASI, SPI and PGA and high for BSA (ICC > 0.8). The PASI score and the SAPASI displayed moderate sensitivity to change.Discussion  Based on this systematic review, it appears that none of the severity scores used for psoriasis meets all of the validation criteria required for an ideal score. However, we can conclude that the PASI score is the most extensively studied psoriasis clinical severity score and the most thoroughly validated according to methodological validation criteria. Despite certain limitations, use of the PASI score can be recommended for scientific evaluation of the clinical severity of psoriasis.
What are the best outcome measures for assessing quality of life in plaque type psoriasis? A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Bronsard V , Paul C , Prey S , Puzenat E , Gourraud P‐A , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Bagot M , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maitre M , Richard‐Lallemand M‐A , Ortonne J‐P 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  The assessment of health‐related quality of life (QOL) is important in psoriasis. Despite this, among the wide variety of QOL questionnaires used in psoriasis, there is no consensus as to which is the best.Objective  The objective of this systematic review was to identify which of these measurements have acceptable evaluation criteria for both monitoring disease and research purposes. We looked at validity, reliability, sensitivity to change (responsiveness) and acceptability, which are common criteria for any score and specific criteria for QOL questionnaire.Materials and Methods  We performed a systematic review of all clinical studies investigating the QOL of psoriasis patients, published between January 1988 and June 2009.Results  Twenty‐one QOL questionnaires were identified. Eight of these satisfied most of the validation criteria; they were multidimensional and had been used in clinical research: short form 36 (SF 36), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Skindex 29, Skindex 17, Dermatology Quality of life Scale (DQOLS), Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) Impact of Psoriasis Questionnaire (IPSO) and Psoriasis Index of Quality of Life (PSORIQOL). Construct validity, content validity and internal consistency were adequately assessed and good performance was achieved for all questionnaires. Reproducibility (undetermined for Skindex 17) and acceptability were good for all questionnaires. Sensitivity to change was determined good for the SF36, DLQI, Skindex 29 and PDI. Item bias, unidimensional structure and cross‐cultural equivalence were poor for all but the Skindex 17 and SF36 questionnaires.Conclusion  On the basis of this systematic review, we can conclude that the DLQI is easy to use in clinical practice because of its brevity and simplicity. SF36 is widely used in clinical trials. Skindex 29 and Skindex 17, although rarely used, are interesting because of their cross‐cultural validation.
Pre‐operative ultrasound with a 12–15 MHz linear probe reliably differentiates between melanoma thicker and thinner than 1 mm
Authors: Mušič MM , Hertl K , Kadivec M , Pavlović MD , Hočevar M 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Pre‐operative determination of primary melanoma thickness could be a tool to identify those patients who could be treated with radical primary tumour excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy in a single procedure. An excellent correlation between sonographic and histological measurement of maximal tumour thickness has been achieved using 20‐MHz transducers.Objective  To show that widely available high resolution ultrasound with 12–15 MHz linear probe could also reliably assess the thickness of primary melanoma.Methods  Sixty‐nine patients underwent ultrasound evaluation of 70 clinically and dermoscopically suspicious pigmented skin lesions before surgical excision.Results  The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of ultrasound to detect melanoma > 1 mm were 92%, 92%, 95% and 81% respectively. The correlation between ultrasound and histological tumour thickness was very good [Pearson’s correlating index 0.823 (P < 0.001)]. Mean difference between sonographic and histological measurements was 0.045 mm with limits of agreement estimated at −1.4 and +1.49, and a bias between two methods 45 μm.Conclusion  Ultrasound examination with a 12–15 MHz linear transducer can reliably differentiate primary melanoma > 1 mm from those ≤ 1 mm.
Guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis in East European countries
Authors: Domeika M , Zhurauskaya L , Savicheva A , Frigo N , Sokolovskiy E , Hallén A , Unemo M , Ballard RC ,   EE SRH Network
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in many Eastern European countries remains suboptimal. The main objective of the present evidence‐based guidelines is to provide comprehensive information regarding the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in East European countries. In particular, the present guidelines recommend: (i) to encourage examination of the wet mounts of vaginal exudates, instead of stained smears, at all clinical settings; (ii) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or culture could be employed if no trichomonads are detected on microscopic examination of the wet preparation and there is a strong indication of infection and (iii) the use of NAATs is encouraged in screening, using non‐invasive specimens, or high volume testing situations. In the absence of internationally recognized commercial NAAT systems, tests developed in‐house should be validated using obtainable international standards and quality assured strictly. Individual East European countries may be required to make minor national adjustments to these guidelines as a result of lack of accessibility to some reagents or equipment, or laws in a specific country.
Differential effects of a tertiary individual prevention programme for patients with occupational skin disease depending on diagnosis
Authors: Matterne U , Diepgen TL , Weisshaar E 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Occupational skin disease (OSD) is common. Tertiary individual prevention programmes (TIP) aim at helping individuals with refractory OSD to remain active in the workforce. Evidence exists that these interventions improve skin protection behaviour related cognitions. However, it is not clear whether these effects generalize to all types of OSD.Objective  To evaluate whether effects on socio‐cognitive determinants of skin protection behaviour vary between patients with work related atopic dermatitis (AD) and other work related skin diseases.Methods  A total of 14 inpatients with work related AD and 87 inpatients with other work related skin diseases completed measures on socio‐cognitive determinants of skin protection behaviour before and after a 3‐week inpatient TIP. Mixed model analyses, using maximum‐likelihood estimation tested whether there were differential effects of the intervention on socio‐cognitive determinants of skin protection behaviour.Results  Although patients with AD reported more favourable cognitions towards skin protection behaviour than patients with other skin diseases at admission, these cognitions deteriorated or remained on the same level. Patients with other forms of OSD on the other hand developed more favourable cognitions during the intervention.Conclusion  Professionals working in the field of OSD should not cease to assist AD patients in achieving optimal skin protection behaviour. Tertiary individual prevention measures may need to pay more attention to the needs of individuals with an occupationally relevant AD. This may contribute to their being able to remain active in the workforce. The alternative would entail regular sick leave, poorer quality of life and economic hardship for the AD patient.
Skin disorders in chronic psychiatric illness
Authors: Mookhoek EJ , Van De Kerkhof PCM , Hovens JEJM , Brouwers JRBJ , Loonen AJM 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Chronic psychiatric patients are prone to develop skin diseases. However, epidemiological data are scarce.Objective  To describe the prevalence of skin complaints and dermatological disorders in residential psychiatric patients.Methods  Ninety‐one randomly chosen patients of the residential wards of a general psychiatric hospital completed a short, structured interview concerning skin disease and underwent a physical examination of the skin.Results  Of the examined patients, 69% reported symptoms of skin disease in the month prior to the interview and 77% had skin disorders at physical examination. In 34 (37%) patients, skin disorders were diagnosed, which were not mentioned in the interview. Patients with diabetes had infectious skin disease more often than their fellow patients [odds ratio (OR) 10.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.40–49.75]. Moreover, overweight patients had infectious skin disease more often (OR 7.4; 95% CI: 1.38–39.3). Women reported more skin complaints (OR 6.4: 95% CI: 1.67–24.2), and also had skin problems other than infection, tumours or dermatitis more frequently (OR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.34–10.14). Clozapine use was associated with benign neoplasms of the skin. The nature of this association remains unclear and merits further investigation.Conclusions  Many chronic psychiatric patients have skin problems. Clinical examination of the skin is important to discover these problems. Patients with diabetes mellitus are particularly at risk for skin infections. Because of their relationship with overweight and diabetes mellitus, atypical antipsychotics may be partly responsible for these serious complications. Only a few other relationships between psychiatric medication and specific skin problems were found.
Patch testing in allergic contact dermatitis: is it useful to perform the cosmetic series in addition to the European standard series?
Authors: Ada S , Seçkin D 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Cosmetics are the causative agents in 8–15% of patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing with standard series identifies 70–80% of the responsible allergens in all contact dermatitis; however, many important cosmetic‐related allergens may be missed by using standard series alone.Objective  The aim of this study was to determine the value of using cosmetic series in addition to the European standard series in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis.Methods  In this prospective study, 93 consecutive patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested with the European standard series, and simultaneously with cosmetic series. Positive allergic reactions were further interpreted as clinically relevant or irrelevant. The clinically relevant reactions were subsequently stratified into three subgroups: (i) reactions only to allergen/allergens in the European standard series; (ii) reactions only to allergen/allergens in cosmetic series; and (iii) reactions both to allergen/allergens in the European standard and cosmetic series.Results  A total of 74 positive reactions were observed in 93 patients. However, only 46 (62.2%) of the total positive reactions were found to be clinically relevant. Of all the clinically relevant positive reactions, 27 (58.7%) were caused by the allergens in the European standard series; 19 (41.3%) were caused by the allergens in cosmetic series. Of the 93 patients tested, 44 (47.3%) had at least one positive allergic reaction, 30 (68.2%) of whom had clinically relevance. Of the 30 patients with clinically relevant positive tests, 16 (53.3%) reacted only to allergens in the European standard series; nine (30%) reacted only to cosmetic series allergens; and five (16.7%) reacted both to the European standard and cosmetic series allergens. Among the 45 cosmetic series allergens tested, 15 (33.3%) gave positive reactions of which 14 (93.3%) of those were found to be clinically relevant. The clinically relevant cosmetic series allergens which were found to be over the critical incidence of 1% included methyldibromo glutaronitrile, Euxyl K400, and isopropyl myristate.Conclusion  Patch testing with cosmetic series in addition to the European standard series increased the capability to detect the relevant allergen/allergens, particularly in patients with a suspicion of cosmetic allergy. However, it is not practical and cost‐effective to test those patients routinely with all 45 allergens in the cosmetic series. As the European baseline series which includes methyldibromo glutaronitrile is now widely used as the guideline minimum set of allergens for routine diagnostic patch test investigations, we additionally recommend Euxyl K400 and isopropyl myristate as the candidates for patch testing.