bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bronchoscopic diagnosis of endoscopically visible lung malignancies: should cytological examinations be carried out routinely?
Authors: Dobler C. C. , Crawford A. B. H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in endoscopically visible malignancies and to evaluate whether cytological examination, including bronchial washings and brushings, increase the diagnostic yield compared with bronchial biopsy alone.Methods:  We reviewed a series of bronchoscopies over a period of 7.5 years in which an endoscopically visible tumour was identified and which had a definite cytological or histological diagnosis of pulmonary malignancy obtained by bronchoscopy or any other examination.Results:  The criteria were met by 174 bronchoscopies. In 155 bronchoscopies all specimens including bronchial washings, brushings and biopsies were obtained; the overall diagnostic yield was 88%. This compared with a diagnostic yield of 77% for biopsies only (P < 0.001). The individual diagnostic yields for biopsies, brushings and washings were 77, 50 and 38%, respectively. The overall diagnostic yield of cytology was 61%, providing a diagnosis in 95 patients. Of 11 repeat bronchoscopies after an initial non‐diagnostic bronchoscopy, 9 were diagnostic.Conclusion:  The tumour detection rate with flexible bronchoscopy in endoscopically visible lung malignancies is high. Cytology‐based sampling techniques by means of bronchial washings and brushings significantly increase the overall diagnostic yield compared with forceps biopsy only. Repeat bronchoscopies after an initial non‐diagnostic bronchoscopy have a relatively high diagnostic yield and should therefore be considered in all patients with endoscopically visible tumour.
Prognostic efficacy of cardiac biomarkers for mortality in dialysis patients
Authors: Hickman P. E. , McGill D. A. , Talaulikar G. , Hiremagalur B. , Bromley J. , Rahman A. , Koerbin G. , Southcott E. , Potter J. M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground: The high prevalence of cardiovascular mortality in the end‐stage renal disease population is well established. The aim of this current study was to document the relative prognostic significance of established cardiac biomarkers troponin T (TnT), troponin I (TnI), B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‐terminal pro‐BNP (NT‐pro‐BNP) in this population.Methods: A prospective cohort study of dialysis patients undertaken in a single tertiary centre in Australia. Relevant clinical and biochemical information was collected at entry and all patients followed up prospectively without any loss to follow up. End‐point of interest was all‐cause mortality. Statistical analysis using Cox proportional hazards was used to study relationship between competing covariates and outcome. A total of 143 patients with a mean age of 59.67 ± 15.49 years was followed up for a median duration of 30 months. Of these patients, 89.3% were white Australians of European ancestry. Twenty‐seven per cent had an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The mean concentrations (±SD) of TnT, TnI, BNP and N‐terminal peptide pro‐BNP (NT‐pro‐BNP) were 0.08 ± 0.04 µg/L, 0.09 ± 0.2 µg/L, 270 ± 117 ng/L and 1434 ± 591 ng/L respectively.Results: Twenty‐eight subjects died during the period of follow up. By univariate analysis, all cardiac markers (TnT, TnI, BNP, NT‐pro‐BNP and C‐reactive protein) were significantly associated with an increase in mortality. On Cox proportionate hazards analysis, only albumin and NT‐pro‐BNP showed a significant association with mortality, with hazard ratios of 0.834, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.779–0.893, P < 0.001, and 1.585, 95%CI 1.160–20165, P = 0.004 respectively.Conclusion: In patients with end‐stage renal failure on dialysis NT‐pro‐BNP provides greater prognostic information compared with TnT and TnI.
Echocardiography for the clinician: a practical update
Authors: Hudaverdi M. , Hamilton‐Craig C. , Platts D. , Chan J. , Burstow D. J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractEchocardiography is the mainstay of cardiovascular diagnostics, and is the most performed test for the evaluation of cardiac function. Critical and costly management decisions are based on quantification of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction. Recent advances in echocardiography, such as microsphere contrast echocardiography for left ventricular opacification and perfusion imaging, three‐dimensional transthoracic and trans‐oesophageal imaging, strain and tissue Doppler imaging, all contribute to improving accuracy and reproducibility of these important measurements. Such techniques are now routinely available on standard echocardiography equipment in Australian centres for daily use. Hand‐carried ultrasound devices have been developed, which are portable, are affordable and offer increased availability of echocardiography to the wider community. Clinicians should be actively encouraged to adopt these technologies to improve the diagnostic quality and reproducability of echocardiography for our patients. This article provides an overview of important recent advances in echocardiographic imaging with an emphasis on their role in clinical practice today.
POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M‐protein and skin changes) syndrome in China
Authors: Cui R. T. , Huang X. S. , Shi Q. , Tian C. L. , Liu J. X. , Pu C. Q. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground/Aim:  The clinical characteristics of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M‐protein and skin changes) syndrome in China are largely unknown. This work thus studied the clinical manifestations of POEMS syndrome in China.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 82 patients with POEMS syndrome in our hospital and made a comparison with those reported outside China.Results:  There were 82 patients. Forty (49%) were 45 years old or younger. Sensorimotor deficits were the common initial symptoms. The clinical manifestations are as follows: (i) peripheral neuropathy and abnormal electromyogram were seen in all patients (100%); (ii) organomegaly was present in 72 patients (88%); 61 of them (74%) had splenomegaly; (iii) endocrinopathy was present in 74 cases (90%); hypothyroidism was seen in 51 of 70 patients (73%); (iv) 60 patients (73%) had monoclonal plasmaproliferative disorder; only 22 of 40 (55%) had M‐protein; (v) skin changes were seen in 71 patients (87%); (vi) 68 patients (83%) had oedema and effusions; of these, hydropericardium was seen in 23 patients (28%); (vii) 35 of 55 patients (64%) had abnormal electrocardiogram and only 21 of 46 (46%) had bone lesions in X‐ray.Conclusions:  POEMS syndrome in China has its own distinctive features, parts of which are commoner in the young people, the higher frequency of splenomegaly, hypothyroidism, hydropericardium and abnormal electrocardiogram, as well as the lower M‐protein and bone lesions in X‐ray.
Long‐lasting memory for an odor acquired at the mother's breast
Authors: Delaunay‐El Allam Maryse , Soussignan Robert , Patris Bruno , Marlier Luc , Schaal Benoist 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWhether neonatal odor memory can persist into toddlerhood and influence behaviors that tap processes related to cognition (attention and exploration), motivation (choice and consumption), and emotion (hedonic processing) remains under‐researched. Using a quasi‐experimental longitudinal design, we examined whether an odor experienced at the mother’s breast can be retained at 7 and 21 months. The prescribed prophylactic use of a camomile‐scented balm defined two groups: infants exposed (CaE) or never exposed (CaNE) to camomile odor. At 7 months, exploratory responses to three similar objects differing in odor (including camomile) were analyzed. At 21 months, three tasks were used to assess toddlers’ (i) facial responses; (ii) exploratory responses to three similar, but differently odorized objects; and (iii) choices between two bottles carrying different odors. CaE infants displayed preferential responses for camomile odor at both ages in every task. In contrast, CaNE infants behaved either randomly or more negatively to camomile odor. This study indicates that early odor memories acquired during breastfeeding can be reactivated and influence behavioral processes until at least toddlerhood.
The development of joint visual attention: a longitudinal study of gaze following during interactions with mothers and strangers
Authors: Gredebäck Gustaf , Fikke Linn , Melinder Annika 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTwo‐ to 8‐month‐old infants interacted with their mother or a stranger in a prospective longitudinal gaze following study. Gaze following, as assessed by eye tracking, emerged between 2 and 4 months and stabilized between 6 and 8 months of age. Overall, infants followed the gaze of a stranger more than they followed the gaze of their mothers, demonstrating a stranger preference that emerged between 4 and 6 months of age. These findings do not support the notion that infants acquire gaze following through reinforcement learning. Instead, the findings are discussed with respect to the social cognitive framework, suggesting that young infants are driven by social cognitive motives in their interactions with others.
PUBLIC EDUCATION, FERTILITY INCENTIVES, NEOCLASSICAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WELFARE
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Gori Luca 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTUsing a simple overlapping generations model of neoclassical growth, we analyse the effects of both child allowances and the system of public education on the rate of fertility, the per capita income and the individual lifetime welfare. The essential message of the present paper is that developed countries plagued by below‐replacement fertility and income stagnation may raise per capita income and the rate of fertility at the same time by increasing the public education expenditure rather than by resorting to child allowances. The latter, in fact, are found to be harmful for long‐run neoclassical economic growth and, in contrast with the common belief, for the rate of population growth as well. Moreover, welfare analysis has shown the existence of a Pareto‐efficient welfare‐maximizing educational contribution rate.
SCEPTICISM ABOUT PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Brennan Jason 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSuppose a person who is agnostic about most philosophical issues wishes to have true philosophical beliefs but equally wishes to avoid false philosophical beliefs. I argue that this truth‐seeking, error‐avoiding agnostic would not have good grounds for pursuing philosophy. Widespread disagreement shows that pursuing philosophy is not a reliable method of discovering true answers to philosophical questions. More likely than not, pursuing philosophy leads to false belief. Many attempts to rebut this sceptical argument fail.
TWINNING, INORGANIC REPLACEMENT, AND THE ORGANISM VIEW
Authors: Liao S. Matthew 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn explicating his version of the Organism View, Eric Olson argues that you begin to exist only after twinning is no longer possible and that you cannot survive a process of inorganic replacement. Assuming the correctness of the Organism View, but pace Olson, I argue in this paper that the Organism View does not require that you believe either proposition. The claim I shall make about twinning helps to advance a debate that currently divides defenders of the Organism View, while the claim I shall make about inorganic replacement will help to put the Organism View on a par with its rival views by allowing it to accommodate a plausible intuition that its rivals can accommodate, namely, the intuition that you can survive a process of inorganic replacement. Both claims, I shall also argue, are important for those who are interested in the identity condition of a human organism, even if they do not hold the view that you are essentially an organism.
THE FRESHMAN OBJECTION TO EXPRESSIVISM AND WHAT TO MAKE OF IT
Authors: Olson Jonas 
Published: January 2010

Abstract Cognitivism is the view that the primary function of moral judgements is to express beliefs that purport to say how things are; expressivism is the contrasting view that their primary function is to express some desire‐like state of mind. I shall consider what I call the freshman objection to expressivism. It is pretty uncontroversial that this objection rests on simple misunderstandings. There are nevertheless interesting metaethical lessons to learn from the fact that the freshman objection is prevalent among undergraduates and non‐philosophers. It leaves for expressivists two awkward explanatory tasks. Number one is that of explaining why natural selection – which, by expressivism's own lights, favoured moral thought and talk because of their socially useful regulative and coordinating functions – did not favour a stance that would make moral thought and talk more effective in fulfilling these functions. Number two is that of explaining how moral thought and talk survive in cultural evolution, despite the prevalence of the freshman objection and related worries. I conclude that expressivism as a theory of actual moral discourse rather than a revisionist theory is either false or committed to an implausible error theory, according to which ordinary speakers are systematically mistaken about what they are up to when they make moral judgements.
Estimation of Viral Infection and Replication in Cells by Using Convolution Models
Authors: Follmann Dean , Qin Jing , Hoshino Yo 
Published: January 2010

SummaryIn some assays, a diluted suspension of infected cells is plated onto multiple wells. In each well the number of genome copies of virus, Y, is recorded, but interest focuses on the number of infected cells, X, and the number of genome copies in the infected cells, W1,…,WX. The statistical problem is to recover the distribution or at least moments of X and W on the basis of the convolution Y. We evaluate various parametric statistical models for this ‘mixture’- type problem and settle on a flexible robust approach where X follows a two-component Poisson mixture model and W is a shifted negative binomial distribution. Data analysis and simulations reveal that the means and occasionally variances of X and W can be reliably captured by the model proposed. We also identify the importance of selecting an appropriate dilution for a reliable assay.
Bayesian Geoadditive Sample Selection Models
Authors: Wiesenfarth Manuel , Kneib Thomas 
Published: January 2010

SummarySample selection models attempt to correct for non-randomly selected data in a two-model hierarchy where, on the first level, a binary selection equation determines whether a particular observation will be available for the second level, i.e. in the outcome equation. Ignoring the non-random selection mechanism that is induced by the selection equation may result in biased estimation of the coefficients in the outcome equation. In the application that motivated this research, we analyse relief supply in earthquake-affected communities in Pakistan, where the decision to deliver goods represents the dependent variable in the selection equation whereas factors that determine the amount of goods supplied are analysed in the outcome equation. In this application, the inclusion of spatial effects is necessary since the available covariate information on the community level is rather scarce. Moreover, the high temporal dynamics underlying the immediate delivery of relief supply after a natural disaster calls for non-linear, time varying effects. We propose a geoadditive sample selection model that allows us to address these issues in a general Bayesian framework with inference being based on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The model proposed is studied in simulations and applied to the relief supply data from Pakistan.
Cross‐cultural Self‐assertion and Cultural Politics: African Migrants' Writing in German Since the Late 1990S
Authors: Göttsche Dirk 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTSince the 1980s African migrants’ writing in German has seen significant development, establishing itself as one of the few examples of a German postcolonial literature in the literal sense, undercutting traditional notions of national literatures, and contributing to the cross‐cultural diversification of contemporary German literature. This essay combines an overview of this strand of African diasporic writing in German since the late 1990s with concise textual analysis of selected works in order to explore the authors’ engagement with experiences of postcolonial migration, their critique of colonial legacies in both Africa and Germany, and their intervention in German and transnational cultural debates. The discussion highlights discursive shifts in the history of this mostly autobiographical tradition as well as the emerging diversity of African voices, which challenges potential stereotypes about migrants’ writing.Seit ihren Anfängen in den 1980er Jahren hat die afrikanische Migrantenliteratur in deutscher Sprache erheblich an Profil gewonnen. Als eines der wenigen Beispiele einer im Wortsinne post‐kolonialen deutschsprachigen Literatur unterläuft sie die traditionelle Vorstellung separater Nationalliteraturen und trägt entscheidend zur interkulturellen Diversifizierung der deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur bei. Der vorliegende Aufsatz verbindet einen Überblick über die Entwicklung dieser Form afrikanischer Diaspora‐Literatur seit den späteren 1990er Jahren mit der knappen Analyse ausgewählter Texte, die sich mit postkolonialen Migrationserfahrungen auseinandersetzen, fortdauernde Auswirkungen der Kolonialzeit sowohl in Afrika wie in Deutschland thematisieren und im Zuge transkultureller Selbstbehauptung an verschiedenen, teils deutschen, teils transnationalen kulturellen Diskursen und Initiativen partizipieren. Der Aufsatz beleuchtet sowohl diskursive Verschiebungen in der Geschichte dieser oft autobiographischen Traditionslinie als auch jene zunehmende Vielfalt dieser afrikanischen Stimmen, die geläufige Stereotypen zur Migrantenliteratur in Frage stellt.
The ‘hidden work’ of a hospital neurologist: 1000 consults later
Authors: Ali E. , Chaila E. , Hutchinson M. , Tubridy N. 
Published: December 2009

Background:  A new Web‐based, internal neurology referral service was introduced in our department to expedite inpatient review for other departments and to allow assessment of the impact of neurology consults on patient care throughout the hospital, especially in the emergency department (ED). The results of the analysis of the first 1000 referrals using the new system are presented.Methods:  An intranet referral system was designed by the consultant neurologists. The previous method of referral was by handwritten letter. The electronic template included ‘drop‐down’ menus and mandatory fields to help guide referring teams. An outcome section is completed by the neurology team.Results:  An average of 17 referrals was seen weekly. Seventy‐seven per cent were seen within 24 h of referral. A consultant neurologist saw 87% of the referrals directly; 13% were first seen by a registrar and later discussed with a consultant. Forty per cent were seen in the ED of which a one‐third of the patients were discharged following assessment. The most common reason for referral was seizure(s) or an episode of collapse (28%). Patients presenting with stroke/transient ischaemic attack represented 13.5%, and 12.5% presented with headaches. The management of 79% of referred cases was deemed to have been significantly changed after neurology review.Discussion:  The introduction of a neurology consultant‐designed and consultant‐led intranet referral service has greatly enhanced the delivery of the consult service to patients in our hospital. This referral system contributes significantly to hospital efficiency and to access for patients to specialist assessment.
The FTLD‐modified Clinical Dementia Rating scale is a reliable tool for defining disease severity in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: evidence from a brain SPECT study
Authors: Borroni B. , Agosti C. , Premi E. , Cerini C. , Cosseddu M. , Paghera B. , Bellelli G. , Padovani A. 
Published: December 2009

Background:  Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by impairment in executive functions, behavioural disturbance and language deficit. Reliable scales of global impairment are under evaluation. A consortium of Mayo Clinic and University of California FTLD Centers has recently developed the FTLD‐modified Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale to assess FTLD severity.Objective:  To evaluate whether FTLD‐modified CDR scores correlate with the pattern and degree of brain SPECT hypoperfusion in patients with FTLD.Methods:  Ninety‐nine patients with FTLD entered the study. Patients underwent a clinical evaluation and a wide standardized neuropsychological assessment, including mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) and FTLD‐modified CDR. A brain SPECT perfusion imaging study was carried out in each patient. A linear correlation analysis between frontotemporal dementia‐modified CDR or neuropsychological tests scores and perfusion data was performed.Results:  There was a significant relationship between higher FTLD‐modified CDR score and lower global regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal and temporal lobes, bilaterally. No significant correlation between MMSE and brain frontotemporal hypoperfusion was found. The correlation between brain hypoperfusion pattern and neuropsychological test scores tapping different cognitive domains fitted with previously published data.Conclusions:  The recently introduced FTLD‐modified CDR scale correlates with the degree of frontotemporal hypoperfusion in patients with FTLD. This study confirms and further supports the usefulness of FTLD‐modified CDR in future clinical trials to monitor disease progression.
Location and severity of spasticity in the first 1–2 weeks and at 3 and 18 months after stroke
Authors: Welmer A.‐K. , Widén Holmqvist L. , Sommerfeld D. K. 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  There is no consensus concerning the location or severity of spasticity, or how this changes with time after stroke. The purpose was to describe: the location and severity of spasticity, in different muscle groups, during the first 1–2 weeks and at 3 and 18 months after stroke; the association between the severity of spasticity and control of voluntary movements; and the occurrence of spasticity in younger versus older patients.Methods:  In a cohort of consecutive patients, the following parameters were assessed during the first 1–2 weeks (n = 109) and at 3 (n = 95) and 18 (n = 66) months after first‐ever stroke: spasticity, by the Modified Ashworth Scale in different muscle groups; plantar‐flexor clonus, by physical examination; and movement function, by the Lindmark Motor Assessment Scale.Results:  During the first 1–2 weeks and at 3 months after stroke, spasticity was most common in the anti‐gravity muscles. The severity of upper extremity spasticity increased over time (P < 0.05). Upper extremity spasticity and movement scores were moderately associated (r = −0.61, P < 0.05). At 3 months, spasticity was more common amongst the younger patients (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  The results confirm that spasticity is most common in the anti‐gravity muscles and is associated with the control of voluntary movements. As the severity of spasticity also increased after 3 months, when neurally mediated spasticity is expected to have passed its peak, intrinsic muscle changes may play a larger role than neural components with the passage of time after stroke.