bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection of methods for assessing sediment toxicity in California bays and estuaries
Authors: Greenstein Darrin J , Bay Steven M 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Toxicity tests are often used in sediment assessment programs. However, the choice of methods has been largely limited to acute tests. Where sublethal methods have been used, there has been little consistency among programs in the types of the sublethal tests used. The goal of this study was to develop a method for choosing a suite of acute and sublethal tests for use in a California statewide assessment program, and to develop a set of method-specific thresholds for classifying the degree of toxicity within a multiple line of evidence framework consisting of sediment chemistry, benthic community structure, and sediment toxicity. A group of candidate methods was evaluated using feasibility and performance criteria. Toxicity thresholds were calculated based on test variability and sensitivity. As a result of the evaluation, 3 acute toxicity methods using amphipods (Eohaustorius estuarius, Rhepoxynius abronius, and Leptocheirus plumulosus), and 2 sublethal methods using a polychaete and mussel embryos (Neanthes arenaceodentata growth and Mytilus galloprovincialis embryo development at the sediment-water interface) were selected for recommendation. Thresholds for toxicity categories corresponding to Nontoxic, Low Toxicity, Moderate Toxicity, and High Toxicity were developed for each test method. Although these toxicity categories and thresholds provide a consistent framework for the interpretation of test results among different methods, additional research is needed to determine their effectiveness for predicting impacts to benthic communities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 625–637. © 2011 SETAC
Candidate microRNA biomarkers in human colorectal cancer: Systematic review profiling studies and experimental validation
Authors: Ma Yanlei , Zhang Peng , Yang Jianjun , Liu Zhihua , Yang Zhe , Qin Huanlong 
Published: June 2011

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide. There is an urgent need to search for specific and sensitive biomarkers for early diagnosis of CRC. We carried out a comprehensive systematic review of published studies that compared the miRNA expression profiles between CRC tissue and paired neighboring noncancerous colorectal tissue to determine candidate miRNA biomarkers for CRC. A miRNA ranking system that takes the number of comparisons in agreement, total study sizes and direction of differential expression into the consideration was devised and used. One of the most up‐regulated miRNAs, miRNA‐106a, was consistently reported to be differentially expressed in six studies and the five most down‐regulated miRNAs, miR‐30a‐3p, miR‐139, miR‐145, miR‐125a and miR‐133a, were consistently reported to be differentially expressed in four studies. Moreover, we further validated five miRNAs in a clinical setting using qRT‐PCR, which demonstrated that miR‐106a expression was increased, whereas the expression of miR‐30a‐3p, miR‐145, miR‐125a and miR‐133a was decreased in the CRC tissues. Therefore, these miRNAs may be the candidates to develop a panel of biomarkers with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CRC in a clinical setting.
Menopausal hormone therapy and risk of gastrointestinal cancer: Nested case–control study within a prospective cohort, and meta‐analysis
Authors: Green Jane , Czanner Gabriela , Reeves Gillian , Watson Joanna , Wise Lesley , Roddam Andrew , Beral Valerie 
Published: June 2011

AbstractUse of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer; evidence for its effect on other gastrointestinal cancers is limited. We conducted a nested case–control study within a UK cohort, and meta‐analyses combining our results with those from published studies. Our study included women aged 50+ in the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD): 1,054 with oesophageal, 750 with gastric and 4,708 with colorectal cancer, and 5 age‐ and practice‐matched controls per case. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer in relation to prospectively‐recorded HT prescriptions were estimated by conditional logistic regression. Women prescribed HT had a reduced risk of oesophageal cancer (adjusted RR for 1+ vs. no HT prescriptions, 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.88; p = 0.004), gastric cancer (0.75, 0.54–1.05; p = 0.1) and colorectal cancer (0.81, 0.73–0.90; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in cancer risk by HT type, estimated duration of HT use or between past and current users. In meta‐analyses, risks for ever vs. never use of HT were significantly reduced for all three cancers (summary RR for oesophageal cancer, 0.68, 0.55–0.84, p < 0.001; for gastric cancer, 0.78, 0.65–0.94, p = 0.008; for colorectal cancer, 0.84, 0.81–0.88, p < 0.001). In high‐income countries, estimated incidence over 5 years of these three cancers combined in women aged 50–64 was 2.9/1,000 in HT users and 3.6/1,000 in never users. The absolute reduction in risk of these cancers in HT users is small compared to the HT‐associated increased risk of breast cancer.
The cancer burden in the United Kingdom in 2007 due to radiotherapy
Authors: Maddams Jacob , Parkin D. Maxwell , Darby Sarah C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe number of long‐term cancer survivors in the general population of the UK is substantial and increasing rapidly. Many cancer survivors have been treated with radiotherapy but the likely number of radiotherapy‐related second cancers has not previously been estimated. We used estimates of the numbers of cancer survivors in the UK at the beginning of 2007, in conjunction with estimates of the relative risk of a second primary cancer associated with previous radiotherapy from the United States Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) programme, to estimate the numbers of incident cancers in the UK in 2007 that were associated with radiotherapy for a previous cancer and that may have been caused by it. We estimated that 1,346 cases of cancer, or about 0.45% of the 298,000 new cancers registered in the UK in 2007, were associated with radiotherapy for a previous cancer. The largest numbers of radiotherapy‐related second cancers were lung cancer (23.7% of the total), oesophageal cancer (13.3%), and female breast cancer (10.6%); 54% of radiotherapy‐related second cancers were in individuals aged 75 or over. The highest percentages of second cancers related to radiotherapy were among survivors of Hodgkin's disease and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx and cervix uteri; over 15% of second cancers among these survivors were associated with radiotherapy for the first cancer. These calculations, which involve a number of assumptions and approximations, provide a reasonable, if conservative, estimate of the fraction of incident cancers in the UK that are attributable to past radiation therapy.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli using UV/AgTiO2/O3‐mediated advanced oxidation: application to ballast water disinfection
Authors: Wu Donghai , You Hong , Zhang Ran , Chen Chuan , Du Jiaxuan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Ballast water discharge from ships is regarded as one of the four major risk factors that threaten global marine environmental safety, and ballast water treatment is vital to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species. The UV/AgTiO2/O3 process has been investigated for its potential use for ballast water treatment using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as an indicator bacterium. Inactivation curves were obtained, and the occurrence of oxidants was studied.RESULTS: Compared with individual unit processes with ozone or UV/AgTiO2, the inactivation of E. coli by the combined UV/AgTiO2/O3 process was enhanced, and the inactivation efficiency was improved with increasing ultraviolet intensity and ozone dose. The initial total residual oxidant (TRO) concentration was positively correlated with ozone dose, and resulted in faster decay rate for lower initial concentration. Persistence of TRO resulted in a cumulative bacteria mortality in the effluent.CONCLUSION: The UV/AgTiO2/O3 process was found to be efficient for E. coli inactivation in simulated ballast water. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
High efficiency bioethanol production from OPEFB using pilot pretreatment reactor
Authors: Han Minhee , Kim Yule , Kim Seung Wook , Choi Gi‐Wook 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Current ethanol production processes using crops such as corn and sugar cane are well established. However, the utilization of cheaper biomasses such as lignocellulose could make bioethanol more competitive with fossil fuels while avoiding the ethical concerns associated with using potential food resources.RESULTS: Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), a lignocellulosic biomass, was pretreated using NaOH to produce bioethanol. The pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions were found to be 127.64 °C, 22.08 min, and 2.89 mol L−1 for temperature, reaction time, and NaOH concentration, respectively. Regarding enzymatic digestibility, 50 FPU g−1 cellulose of cellulase was selected as the test concentration, resulting in a total glucose conversion rate (TGCR) of 86.37% using the Changhae Ethanol Multi Explosion (CHEMEX) facility. Fermentation of pretreated OPEFB using Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in an ethanol concentration of 48.54 g L−1 at 20% (w/v) pretreated biomass loading, along with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes. Overall, 410.48 g of ethanol were produced from 3 kg of raw OPEFB in a single run, using the CHEMEX_50 L reactor.CONCLUSION: The results presented here constitute a significant contribution to the production of bioethanol from OPEFB. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Real‐time ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis
Authors: Xie Ping , Xiao Ying , Liu Fang 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPurpose:To assess the value of real‐time sonographic (US) elastography in the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis (SAT).Methods:This study included 29 lesions from 20 patients with SAT, 33 nodules from 24 patients with multinodular goiter, and 27 nodules from 23 patients with thyroid cancer. Eighty‐nine lesions in these patients were examined by grayscale US and real‐time US elastography. An elasticity score (ES), based on four classes of tissue stiffness (class 1 for soft lesions; class 2 and 3 for lesions intermediate in stiffness; class 4 for inelastic lesions), was introduced. The distribution of ESs for SAT and multinodular goiter or thyroid cancer was compared. Also, the correlation between serum‐free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations and ESs for lesions in patients with SAT was analyzed.Results:Nineteen of 29 SAT lesions had an ES of 3; the rest had an ES of 4. Of 33 multinodular goiter nodules, 5 had an ES of 1, 23 had an ES of 2, and 5 had an ES of 3. Eleven of 27 malignant thyroid nodules had an ES of 3; 15 had an ES of 4, and 1 had an ES of 2. In the distribution of ESs, there was a statistically significant difference between SAT lesions and multinodular goiter nodules (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between SAT lesions and malignant nodules (p > 0.05). No correlation existed between serum FT4 concentrations and ESs for the lesions in patients with SAT (p > 0.05).Conclusions:Real‐time US elastography does not provide conclusive information in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SAT due to its inability to distinguish between SAT and thyroid cancer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Tetravalent half‐edge‐transitive graphs and non‐normal Cayley graphs
Authors: Wang Xiuyun , Feng Yan‐Quan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLet X be a vertex‐transitive graph, that is, the automorphism group Aut(X) of X is transitive on the vertex set of X. The graph X is said to be symmetric if Aut(X) is transitive on the arc set of X. suppose that Aut(X) has two orbits of the same length on the arc set of X. Then X is said to be half‐arc‐transitive or half‐edge‐transitive if Aut(X) has one or two orbits on the edge set of X, respectively. Stabilizers of symmetric and half‐arc‐transitive graphs have been investigated by many authors. For example, see Tutte [Canad J Math 11 (1959), 621–624] and Conder and Marušič [J Combin Theory Ser B 88 (2003), 67–76]. It is trivial to construct connected tetravalent symmetric graphs with arbitrarily large stabilizers, and by Marušič [Discrete Math 299 (2005), 180–193], connected tetravalent half‐arc‐transitive graphs can have arbitrarily large stabilizers. In this article, we show that connected tetravalent half‐edge‐transitive graphs can also have arbitrarily large stabilizers. A Cayley graph Cay(G, S) on a group G is said to be normal if the right regular representation R(G) of G is normal in Aut(Cay(G, S)). There are only a few known examples of connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs on non‐abelian simple groups. In this article, we give a sufficient condition for non‐normal Cayley graphs and by using the condition, infinitely many connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs are constructed. As an application, all connected tetravalent non‐normal Cayley graphs on the alternating group A6 are determined. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
Prediction of onset and course of high hospital utilization in sickle cell disease
Authors: Carroll C. Patrick , Haywood Carlton , Lanzkron Sophie 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Although sickle cell disease (SCD) patients typically manage their pain at home, a small subgroup is frequently hospitalized and accounts for the majority of costs.OBJECTIVES:1) To identify prospective diagnostic and demographic markers of new periods of high utilization; 2) To identify demographic and diagnostic markers of a persistent rather than moderating course of high utilization; 3) To replicate the finding that high utilization tends to moderate.DESIGN:The State Inpatient Databases for California, 2004–2007, were used. Patients with new onset periods of high utilization were compared with non‐high utilizers, and new high utilizers who moderated were compared with those who had a persistent course.SETTING:All hospitals in the state of California.PATIENTS:Patients age 13 years or older in 2004 with a recorded diagnosis of sickle cell disease and at least one hospitalization for crisis during the study period.MEASURES: METHODS:Groups from hospitals throughout California were compared on demographics and discharge diagnoses of SCD complications and comorbidities. Patients age 13 years or older in 2004 with a recorded diagnosis of sickle cell disease and at least 1 hospitalization for crisis during the study period were included.RESULTS:New periods of high utilization were associated with more prior hospitalizations and previous diagnoses of aseptic necrosis and renal disease. High utilization typically moderated. A persistent course was associated with slightly more hospitalizations during the initial year of high utilization, and, subsequently, by more mentions of septicemia and mood disorders.CONCLUSIONS:Overall, high utilization was difficult to predict, as was its course. The diagnoses most associated with high utilization indicated more severe sickle cell disease. Septicemia deserves further investigation as a preventable cause for high utilization, as do mood disorders. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Electrocardiogram score predicts severity of pulmonary embolism in hemodynamically stable patients
Authors: Golpe Rafael , Castro‐Añón Olalla , Pérez‐de‐Llano Luis A. , González‐Juanatey Carlos , Vázquez‐Caruncho Manuel , Méndez‐Marote Lidia , Carmen Fariñas María 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Risk stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is essential to guide therapy. The presence of right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) and the anatomic extent of PE have been suggested to predict clinical course. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of an electrocardiogram (ECG) scoring system to predict RVD or the clot load score in normotensive patients with PE.METHODS:Consecutive patients presenting to the emergency room with PE and hemodynamic stability were prospectively included. ECG, echocardiography and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were performed on all patients.RESULTS:A total of 103 patients were studied. ECG score correlated significantly with the clot load score (r = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22‐0.57, P < 0.001), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09‐0.49, P = 0.006), pulmonary artery diameter (r = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.07‐0.47, P = 0.011) and right ventricle to left ventricle ratio, both measured with echocardiography (r = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22‐0.57, P < 0.001) and with CTPA (r= 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13‐0.56, P = 0.004). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting RVD was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72‐0.89). Interobserver agreement regarding ECG score was substantial (κ = 0.80).CONCLUSIONS:ECG score correlates with the severity of PE in hemodynamically stable patients. It is potentially useful for risk‐stratification strategies in this setting. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Incidence and predictors of microbiology results returning postdischarge and requiring follow‐up
Authors: El‐Kareh Robert , Roy Christopher , Brodsky Gregor , Perencevich Molly , Poon Eric G. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Failure to follow up microbiology results pending at discharge can delay appropriate treatment, increasing the risk of patient harm and litigation. Limited data describe the frequency of postdischarge microbiology results requiring a treatment change.OBJECTIVE:To determine the incidence and predictors of postdischarge microbiology results requiring follow‐up.DESIGN:Cross‐sectional.SETTING:Large academic hospital during 2007.MEASUREMENTS:We evaluated blood, urine, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures ordered for hospitalized patients. We identified cultures that returned postdischarge and determined which were clinically important and not treated by an antibiotic to which they were susceptible. We reviewed a random subset to assess the potential need for antibiotic change. Using logistic regression, we identified significant predictors of results requiring follow‐up.RESULTS:Of 77,349 inpatient culture results, 8668 (11%) returned postdischarge. Of these, 385 (4%) were clinically important and untreated at discharge. Among 94 manually reviewed cases, 53% potentially required a change in therapy. Urine cultures were more likely to potentially require therapy change than non‐urine cultures (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1‐7.2; P = 0.03). Also, 76% of 25 results from surgical services potentially required a therapy change, compared with 59% of 29 results from general medicine, 38% of 16 results from oncology, and 33% of 24 results from medical subspecialties. Overall, 2.4% of postdischarge cultures potentially necessitated an antibiotic change.CONCLUSIONS:Many microbiology results return postdischarge and some necessitate a change in treatment. These results arise from many specialties, suggesting the need for a hospital‐wide system to ensure effective communication of these results. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
From classical to contemporary leadership challenges
Authors: Ahn Mark J. , Ettner Larry W. , Loupin Amanda 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis article explored the Aeneid, Virgil's foundation epic of the Latin canon, from a values‐based leadership perspective, which is defined as the moral foundation underlying stewardship decisions and actions of leaders. Specifically, we juxtaposed the resonant leadership elements of vision, culture, and values—and their corresponding equivalent Roman themes of fatum, pietas, and virtus. Using a thematic analysis approach, we coded the following eight values: integrity, good judgment, leadership by example, decision making, trust, justice/fairness, humility, and sense of urgency. We found that while the Aeneid extols prototypical values, the epic instructs that truly effective leadership is not about being a monochromatic prototype. Rather, the epic reveals that the essence and privilege of effective leadership demands reflection on the dynamic relationship between the leader and the led toward a better, envisioned future.
Coaching models for leadership development: An integrative review
Authors: Carey Wendy , Philippon Donald J. , Cummings Greta G. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this article was to describe and compare coaching models and to address their relevance to the advancement of leadership. Coaching has become a popular strategy for leadership development and change in complex environments. Despite increasing popularity, little evidence describes the necessity and impact of coaching. An integrative literature review from 1996 to 2010, retrieved through seven databases, reference tracking, and consultation with academic networks, led to inclusion of peer‐reviewed articles on coaching models. Themes and critical elements in the selected coaching models were analyzed. The search yielded 1,414 titles. Four hundred twenty‐seven abstracts were screened using inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 56 papers were retrieved for full‐text screening. Ten papers were included: two coaching models from health care settings, seven from business settings, and one from a medical education institution. Critical components of coaching models are: coach–coachee relationship, problem identification and goal setting, problem solving, transformational process, and mechanisms by which the model achieves outcomes. Factors that impact positive coaching outcomes are: coach's role and attributes, selection of coaching candidates and coach attributes, obstacles and facilitators to the coaching process, benefits and drawbacks of external versus internal coaches, and organizational support. The elements of coaching models identified in this review may be used to guide future research on the effectiveness of coaching as a leadership strategy.
Guest editorial
Authors: Browde Beth 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn the corporate world, leadership development programs are standard fare. Such programs often include well‐defined competencies and performance metrics, as well as regularly scheduled feedback and mentoring sessions, especially for those employees designated “high potential” performers.Not so in the public sphere. There are no defined career paths or standardized training curricula for heads of
state. There are, however, requisite competencies for effective public sector leadership. As Gardner (1990) observed, “Leadership is not a mysterious activity. It is possible to describe the tasks that leaders perform....[But] we have barely scratched the surface in our efforts toward leadership development” (p. xix).The learning curve is steep for a newly elected leader, and fraught with potential landmines. Speaking with
the candor of someone no longer seeking public office, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said recently, “When I came to office, prime minister was the only job I'd ever held; I'd never been a government minister before....The business of running a government is like anything else: You get better the longer you do it. And there are lessons out there that, had they come to me in an identifiable form, would have been useful to know” (talk given on December 16, 2010b).Both Gardner and Blair are emphatic that leadership is not something one is born with but something learned
over time. And as Blair (2010a) put it, “Government is a race between expectations and capability.”In the essays that follow, several leadership coaches discuss the unique challenges and effective approaches
they are using to help government leaders build the competencies that will enable them to govern effectively—and win that race between their constituents's expectations and their own capabilities.