bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and control of allergic rhinitis in patients from regions beyond western Europe and the United States
Authors: Maspero J. , Lee B. W. , Katelaris C. H. , Potter P. C. , Cingi C. , Lopatin A. , Saffer M. , Nadeau G. , Walters R. D. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThere is comparatively little information on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/C) in countries beyond western Europe and North America. The primary aim of this investigation was therefore to review and assess the information in the public domain on HRQoL in AR/C patients from diverse regions of the world, represented by different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey. Second, in view of the absence of a standardized definition for ‘AR control’, the review aimed to determine whether a working definition of AR/C can be inferred from validated tests or other instruments documented to date. Despite the comparatively low number of studies, this review demonstrated that overall the symptoms of AR/C impair the HRQoL of patients in these regions by adversely impacting sleep, daily activities, physical and mental status and social functioning, similar to that demonstrated in much larger numbers of studies of AR/C patients in Europe and the United States. Furthermore, the findings of the review suggest that ‘overall’ control of the disease should encompass reduction of nasal and ocular symptoms, as well as improvements in HRQoL, comorbid conditions and cognition. Although some instruments are currently available for measuring control of AR, none are capable of assessing all these aspects, emphasizing the need to develop appropriate new instruments.
Specific histological abnormalities are more likely in biopsies of endoscopically normal large bowel after the age of 60 years
Authors: O’Mahony Orla H , Burgoyne Margaret , Going James J 
Published: April 2012

O’Mahony O H, Burgoyne M & Going J J  (2012) Histopathology
Specific histological abnormalities are more likely in biopsies of endoscopically normal large bowel after the age of 60 years
Aims:  Colonic and rectal biopsies, often taken from an endoscopically normal large bowel, form a significant proportion of the histopathology workload. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic yield from mucosal biopsies in patients with normal colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and whether or not diarrhoea is predictive of abnormal histology.Methods and results:  A retrospective analysis of pathology requests, endoscopy and pathology reports taken during 1 year was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital for all biopsies from endoscopically normal ileal, colonic and rectal mucosa. Of 626 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria, 602 had at least one colonic or rectal biopsy. Colorectal histology was abnormal in 65 (14.5%) of 447 patients with diarrhoea, while of 155 patients without diarrhoea, histology was abnormal in 17 (11%; P = 0.41). Patients older than 60 years had a markedly increased likelihood of a specific histological abnormality [odds ratio 2.76 (1.30–5.79); P = 0.0045]. Diagnoses included microscopic colitis, distorted mucosal architecture consistent with inflammatory bowel disease, ischaemia, polyps, mucosal prolapse and schistosomiasis.Conclusions:  Biopsy of an endoscopically normal large bowel, and of the normal terminal ileum in isolation, yields little abnormal histology. Diarrhoea per se does not identify patients at higher risk of abnormal histology. Increased age, however, does, and mucosal biopsy in the endoscopically normal colon and rectum may be more cost‐effective in patients aged more than 60 years.
Differences in loosely bound fluoride formation and anticaries effect of resin‐based fluoride varnishes
Authors: MAAS JORGE R. S. , JUNIOR ITALO M. FARACO , LODI CAROLINA S. , DELBEM ALBERTO C. B. 
Published: April 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 166–172
Objective.  Our in vitro study evaluated calcium fluoride formation in enamel and the anticaries effect of seven resin‐based varnishes under cariogenic challenge.Methods.  Enamel blocks were subjected to pH cycling. The experimental groups received fluoride varnish application, the positive control received topical fluoride gel treatment, and the negative control did not receive any treatment. The pH cycling surface hardness (SH1) and integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN) were then determined. We measured the amount of fluoride released into the demineralizing and remineralizing (DE–RE) solutions used in pH cycling. The fluoride concentration in the enamel was determined 24 h after application of the products as loosely bound fluoride and firmly bound fluoride.Results.  Higher deposits of loosely bound fluoride were observed for Duofluorid, followed by Biophat. For Duraphat, Bifluorid, Duraflur, and Duofluorid, no difference was observed in the SH1 and ΔKHN values, with the lowest mineral loss compared to the other groups. The Bifluorid and Duofluorid groups released high fluoride amounts into the DE–RE, and statistically significant difference was noted between them.Conclusions.  The anticaries effect showed no correlation with higher deposited fluoride amounts, resin type, or fluoride source.
Wild pollination services to California almond rely on semi‐natural habitat
Authors: Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Brittain Claire , Hendrix Stephen D. , Thorp Robbin , Williams Neal , Kremen Claire 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. Global declines in honeybees have led to concerns about negative impacts on food production because of low levels of pollination. This is exemplified in California where the demand for honeybees Apis mellifera to pollinate almond Prunus dulcis is increasing, but problems with honeybee health suggest it may not be sustainable to rely solely on the pollination service of a single species.2. We investigated the effect of the quantity of surrounding natural habitat, organic management and strips of semi‐natural vegetation on flower visitation frequency of wild and managed pollinators and fruit set in 23 California almond orchards (15 conventional, 8 organic). Five conventional and four organic orchards were surrounded by a low percentage (<5%) of natural or semi‐natural habitat in a 1‐km radius and another five conventional and four organic orchards were surrounded by a high percentage of these habitats (>30%). A further five conventional orchards with a low percentage of surrounding natural habitat had an adjacent strip of semi‐natural vegetation and were included in the study to represent a realistic option for orchard management in intensive agricultural landscapes.3. Wild bee species visited almond flowers but only in orchards with adjacent semi‐natural habitat or vegetation strips. Organic management increased the flower visitation frequencies of hover flies and wild bees. The presence of a strip of semi‐natural vegetation in orchards with a low percentage of surrounding natural habitat increased the number of species and the flower visitation frequency by wild pollinators but only at orchard edges and not to the degree seen when natural habitat was abundant.4. Wild bee species richness and flower visitation frequency, but not honeybee frequency, were related to fruit set. Fruit set increased with increasing percentage of natural habitat surrounding the orchards. Organic farming or the presence of a vegetation strip did not increase fruit set.5. Synthesis and applications. The restoration of high quality habitat strips along the edges of crop fields in highly intensified agricultural landscapes should be encouraged and monitored to conserve pollinators and to determine whether benefits for agriculture can be realized. Although honeybees are the main and most important pollinating insects for many plants, wild pollinators may be necessary to ensure high fruit set. Organic farming alone will not sustain wild pollination services for almond in California.
The role of frugivory in the diversification of bats in the Neotropics
Authors: Rojas Danny , Vale Ángel , Ferrero Victoria , Navarro Luis 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim Ecological interactions are among the most important biotic factors influencing the processes of speciation and extinction. Our aim was to test whether diversification rates of New World Noctilionoidea bats are associated with specialization for frugivory, and how this pattern differs between the mainland and the West Indies.Location The New World.Methods We reconstructed a time‐calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the New World genera of the superfamily Noctilionoidea. We compiled data on diet, morphology, geographical distribution and number of ecoregions in which each genus occurs. Then, using the phylogenetic tree constructed, we tested whether diversification was driven by diet (animalivorous and sanguinivorous versus nectarivorous and frugivorous) and specialization for frugivory. Afterwards, we conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses to identify correlates of species richness and net diversification rates.Results The diversification rate was higher in mutualistic than in antagonistic clades in mainland and Antillean biogeographical scenarios, but only strictly frugivorous clades showed a markedly higher diversification rate than the rest of the genera. Geographical range and number of ecoregions were positively associated with species richness and diversification rate in continental and insular lineages. Lower body mass, lower forearm length and specialization for frugivory were significantly positively correlated with higher diversification rates in continental lineages, whereas these parameters were negatively correlated in Antillean lineages.Main conclusions The direction of the relationship of intrinsic factors (specialization for frugivory and body size) with diversification of noctilionoid bats depends on the biogeographical context, whereas the direction of the relationship of extrinsic factors (geographical range and number of ecoregions) with diversification is consistent in both mainland and the West Indian lineages.
Histological assessment of impact of ovarian endometrioma and laparoscopic cystectomy on ovarian reserve
Authors: Kuroda Masako , Kuroda Keiji , Arakawa Atsushi , Fukumura Yuki , Kitade Mari , Kikuchi Iwaho , Kumakiri Jun , Matsuoka Shozo , Brosens Ivo A. , Brosens Jan J. , Takeda Satoru , Yao Takashi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim:  The rate of oocyte decline follows a biphasic pattern, characterized by acceleration between 32 and 38 years old. Ovarian reserve is also affected by external factors, including ovarian disease and iatrogenic damage. The aim of this study was to histologically evaluate the impact of ovarian endometriomas, laparoscopic cystectomy, and age on follicle reserve in healthy ovarian tissues and in surgically resected cyst walls.Material and Methods:  Sixty‐one patients were found to have ovarian endometriomas and 42 patients non‐endometriotic cysts. A small amount of normal ovarian tissue was obtained during ovarian cystectomy. The follicles in normal ovarian tissue and resected cyst walls were histologically evaluated.Results:  The density of follicles in ovarian tissues correlated with the age of the patients in both groups. In women aged <35 years, the relative density of follicles in healthy ovarian tissues was consistently lower in the endometriotic cyst group compared to the non‐endometriotic cyst group, with the relative ratio at age 20, 30 and 35 years calculated to be 35.4%, 46.8% and 62.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in patients over the age of 35. The resection rate of normal ovarian tissue in cystectomy specimen of the endometriosis group was significantly higher than in the non‐endometriotic cyst group (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Our data suggest that ovarian endometriomas have a detrimental impact on follicle reserve in younger patients. Further, laparoscopic cystectomy for endometriomas may accelerate the rate of oocyte loss associated with aging.
Mechanical behaviour and microstructural characterization of 3D four‐directional braided SiO2f/SiO2 composites
Authors: LIU Y. , ZHU J. , CHEN Z. , LI C. , BOAFO F. E. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper, SiO2f/SiO2 composites reinforced by 3D four‐directional braided quartz preform were prepared by the silica sol‐infiltration‐sintering method in a relatively low sintering temperature (450 °C). To characterize the mechanical properties of the composites, mechanical testing was carried out under various loading conditions, including tensile, flexural and shear loading. The microstructure and the fracture behaviour of the 3D four‐directional braided SiO2f/SiO2 composites were studied. The tensile strength, flexural strength and the in‐plane shear strength were 30.8 MPa, 64.0 MPa and 22.0 MPa, respectively. The as‐fabricated composite exhibited highly nonlinear stress–strain behaviour under all the three types of loading. The tensile and flexural fracture mechanisms were fully discussed. The fracture mode of the 3D four‐directional braided SiO2f/SiO2 composite in the Iosipescu shear testing was based on a mixed mechanism because of the multi‐directivity of the composite. Owing to low sintered temperature, the fibre/matrix interfacial strength was weak. The SiO2f/SiO2 composites showed non‐catastrophic behaviour resulting from extensive fibre pull‐out during the failure process.
Investigation of rolling contact crack initiation in bainitic and pearlitic rail steels
Authors: ONAL O. , CANADINC D. , SEHITOGLU H. , VERZAL K. , JIANG Y. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe stress–strain history and the crack initiation lives of bainitic and head‐hardened pearlitic rail steels were determined under rolling contact loading by implementing the semi‐analytical Jiang–Sehitoglu rolling contact model that incorporates both ratchetting and multiaxial fatigue damage. The calculations revealed that the bainitic steel withstands higher loads than the pearlitic steel at low shear tractions, however; both materials behave in an increasingly similar manner as the shear tractions increase. Furthermore, maximum damage occurs in both steels when ratchetting and fatigue damage coincide on the surface. In addition to shedding light on the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) performance of bainitic and pearlitic rail steels, the current work also establishes a methodology for the realistic prediction of crack initiation under RCF.
Examining the ‘gold standard’: a comparative critical analysis of three consecutive decades of monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) outcomes
Authors: Mayer Erik K. , Kroeze Stephanie G.C. , Chopra Samarth , Bottle Alex , Patel Anup 
Published: April 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the dominant and definitive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS‐BPH), but the widespread use of medical therapies (particularly monotherapies) for rapid symptom improvement has meant that the most common indication for TURP has shifted to moderate–severe medical therapy refractory LUTS to, coupled with abnormal objective parameters, or when complications arise.Patients undergoing TURP as part of contemporary randomised controlled trials are not older but have a larger preoperative prostate volume and reduced major morbidity compared with large cohort studies from successive past eras. Delayed surgery because of prolonged medical monotherapy may explain a higher reported failure to void rate, possibly because of negative impact on detrusor function from unrelieved obstruction.This study examined contemporary TURP for significant changes, specifically regarding prostate size, operative parameters, and outcomes, compared with two preceding decades. Electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE & Cochrane collaboration were searched for English literature on prospective randomized controlled trials, published between 1997 and 2007 using keywords “transurethral resection” and “prostate”. Monopolar TURP (M‐TURP) cohort data of each study were selectively pooled for analysis, weighting studies according to patient numbers. Where possible, pooled post‐operative outcomes data were compared with two large cohort landmark studies of successive preceding decades. A total of 3470 patients from 67 studies were included. Mean patient age (67 years) was unchanged, while mean pre‐operative prostate volume of 47.6 g was greater than previously reported. Mean resected prostate tissue (25.8 g) with a resection time of 38.5 minutes suggested improved resection efficiency. A statistically significantly reduced transfusion rate and increased urinary tract infection (UTI) rate were reported. Hospital stay (3.6 days) and initial catheterisation duration (2.5 days) were similar, but post‐operative urinary retention rate was slightly higher (6.8%). Contemporary RCTs of M‐TURP showed larger prostate volume, and reduced major morbidity, compared with large cohort studies from successive past eras. The higher reported failure to void rate, may possibly reflect worse detrusor function at time of TURP. Delaying surgery by prolonged medical monotherapy may compound this. Trials methodology in this area requires quality improvement and standardisation in future.
Patient factors and glycaemic control – associations and explanatory power
Authors: Rogvi S. , Tapager I. , Almdal T. P. , Schiøtz M. L. , Willaing I. 
Published: April 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e382–e389 (2012)AbstractAims  To investigate the association between glycaemic control and patient socio‐demographics, activation level, diabetes‐related distress, assessment of care, knowledge of target HbA1c, and self‐management behaviours, and to determine to what extent these factors explain the variance in HbA1c in a large Danish population of patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Cross‐sectional survey and record review of 2045 patients from a specialist diabetes clinic. Validated scales measured patient activation, self‐management behaviours, diabetes‐related emotional distress, and perceived care. The electronic patient record provided information about HbA1c, medication, body mass index, and duration of diabetes. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression models with stepwise addition of covariates.Results  The response rate was 54% (n = 1081). Good glycaemic control was significantly associated with older age, higher education, higher patient activation, lower diabetes‐related emotional distress, better diet and exercise behaviours, lower body mass index, shorter duration of disease and knowledge of HbA1c targets (P < 0.05 for all). Patient socio‐demographics, behaviour; perceptions of care and diabetes distress accounted for 14% of the total variance in HbA1c levels (P = 0.0134), but the variance explained was higher for respondents treated with medications other than insulin.Conclusions  Our study emphasizes the complex relationships between patient activation, distress and behaviour, specific treatment modalities and glycaemic control. Knowledge of treatment goals, achieving patient activation in coping with diabetes, and lowering disease‐related emotional stress are important patient education goals. However, the large unexplained component of HbA1c variance highlights the need for more research to understand the mechanisms of glycaemic control.
COMBINING INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT DATA AND SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM BOTH CONTINUOUSLY VALUED AND BINARY VARIABLES TO ESTIMATE REGRESSION PARAMETERS
Authors: Gurrin Lyle C. , Turkovic Lidija 
Published: April 2012

SummaryRecent research has extended standard methods for meta‐analysis to more general forms of evidence synthesis, where the aim is to combine different data types or data summaries that contain information about functions of multiple parameters to make inferences about the parameters of interest. We consider one such scenario in which the goal is to make inferences about the association between a primary binary exposure and continuously valued outcome in the context of several confounding exposures, and where the data are available in various different forms: individual participant data (IPD) with repeated measures, sample means that have been aggregated over strata, and binary data generated by thresholding the underlying continuously valued outcome measure. We show that an estimator of the population mean of a continuously valued outcome can be constructed using binary threshold data provided that a separate estimate of the outcome standard deviation is available. The results of a simulation study show that this estimator has negligible bias but is less efficient than the sample mean – the minimum variance ratio is based on a Taylor series expansion. Combining this estimator with sample means and IPD from different sources (such as a series of published studies) using both linear and probit regression does, however, improve the precision of estimation considerably by incorporating data that would otherwise have been excluded for being in the wrong format. We apply these methods to investigate the association between the G277S mutation in the transferrin gene and serum ferritin (iron) levels separately in pre‐ and post‐menopausal women based on data from three published studies.
The use of digital technologies across the adult life span in distance education
Authors: Jelfs Anne , Richardson John T. E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn June 2010, a survey was carried out to explore access to digital technology, attitudes to digital technology and approaches to studying across the adult life span in students taking courses with the UK Open University. In total, 7000 people were surveyed, of whom more than 4000 responded. Nearly all these students had access to a computer and the Internet, but younger students were more likely than older students to have access to other technologies, to spend longer time using those technologies and to have more positive attitudes to digital technology. However, there was no evidence for any discontinuity around the age of 30, as would be predicted by the “Net Generation” and “Digital Natives” hypotheses. Older students were more likely than younger students to adopt deep and strategic approaches to studying and less likely to adopt a surface approach to studying. In addition, regardless of their ages, students who had more positive attitudes to technology were more likely to adopt deep and strategic approaches to studying and were less likely to adopt a surface approach to studying.Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic
Younger students have more access to digital technology and more positive attitudes to such technology than older students.
Students who have more positive attitudes to technology are more likely to adopt deep and strategic approaches to studying and are less likely to adopt a surface approach.
Nevertheless, older students are more likely to adopt deep and strategic approaches to studying and are less likely to adopt a surface approach than are younger students.
What this paper adds
Students' use of, and attitudes to, digital technology vary monotonically across the adult lifespan, and there is no evidence for any discontinuity around the age of 30.
Students' age and their attitudes to digital technology are distinct predictors of their approaches to studying.
When they have similar access to relevant forms of technology, older students may be more likely than younger students to respond to online surveys.
Implications for practice and/or policy
Policy‐makers and practitioners should reject stereotypes regarding younger and older learners, such as those reflected in the Net Generation and Digital Natives hypotheses.
Both younger and older students hold broadly positive attitudes to digital technology.
Whatever their age, today's students regard the use of digital technology as an integral part of their experience of higher education.