bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling intercrop management impact on runoff and erosion in a continuous maize cropping system: Part I. Model description, global sensitivity analysis and Bayesian estimation of parameter identifiability
Authors: LALOY E. , BIELDERS C. L. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn order to evaluate the long‐term impact of intercrop management on runoff and erosion in a continuous maize cropping system a new model was developed, based on the continuous plot‐scale runoff model of Laloy & Bielders (2008). This model is called the Continuous Runoff and Erosion Hillslope model with DYnamic soil Surface properties (CREHDYS). This paper details the erosion and crop growth and decay model components and presents a thorough global variance‐based sensitivity analysis (GSA) with regard to the erosion prediction, followed by a Bayesian parameter identifiability assessment. As compared with the classical local univariate sensitivity analysis, a GSA is able to deal with the typical non‐linearity of process‐based hydrological and erosion models. The most influential parameters were the Manning's roughness coefficient followed by the saturated hydraulic conductivity of wheel track cells and the median particle size of the material. The soil aggregate stability and soil‐cohesion parameters were found to be almost non‐influential. Most of the results of the parameter identifiability procedure were in close agreement with the GSA. Indeed, the parameter uncertainty seemed to be proportional to the degree of influence, with Manning's coefficient being the most precisely identified, whereas soil and wheel track cohesion parameters showed the largest uncertainty. Exceptions were the soil aggregate stability and the Green‐Ampt soil matric potential. The uncertainty associated with the former was surprisingly low given its low level of influence whereas the uncertainty associated with the latter is partially explained by its negative correlation with the soil saturated hydraulic conductivities of overland flow and wheel track cells.
Barriers to Research Utilization Scale: psychometric properties of the Turkish version
Authors: Temel Ayla Bayik , Uysal Aynur , Ardahan Melek , Ozkahraman Sukran 
Published: September 2009

Bayik T.A., uysal a., ardahan m. & ozkahraman s. (2010) Barriers to Research Utilization Scale: psychometric properties of the turkish version. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 456–464.AbstractTitle.  Barriers to Research Utilization Scale: psychometric properties of the Turkish version. Aim.  This paper is report of a study designed to assess the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale.Background.  The original Barriers to Research Utilization Scale was developed by Funk et al. in the United States of America. Many researchers in various countries have used this scale to identify barriers to research utilization.Methods.  A methodological study was carried out at four hospitals. The sample consisted of 300 nurses. Data were collected in 2005 using a socio‐demographic form (12 questions) and the Turkish version of the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale. A Likert‐type scale composed of four sub‐factors and 29 items was used. Means and standard deviations were calculated for interval level data. A P value of <0·05 was considered statistically significant.Findings.  Language equivalence and content validity were assessed by eight experts. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the Turkish version was made up of four subscales. Internal consistency reliability coefficient was 0·92 for the total scale and ranged from 0·73 to 0·80 for the subscales. Total‐item correlation coefficients ranged from 0·37 to 0·60.Conclusion.  The Turkish version of the scale is similar in structure to the original English language scale.
Review: To What Extent are T Cells Tolerant to Immunoglobulin Variable Regions?
Authors: Bogen B. , Ruffini P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractDuring the last 25 years it has become increasingly clear that short peptides derived from Ig V‐regions are displayed on MHC class II molecules. Recognition of such idiotypic(Id)‐peptide/MHC class II complexes by Id‐specific CD4+ T cells plays a role in (1) Id‐driven T‐B collaboration, (2) immunosurveillance of B cell cancers and (3) Id‐vaccination. A crucial question is then: to what extent are T cells tolerized to Ig V‐region sequences? Or rephrased: how large is the T‐cell repertoire for Ig V‐region sequences presented by MHC class II molecules? We argue that T cells are to a large extent tolerant to germline‐encoded V‐region sequences but that there is a T‐cell repertoire for rare Id‐sequences that arise as a consequence of somatic hyper mutation or N‐region diversity. Moreover, when otherwise rare Id‐sequences increase in concentration, T‐cell tolerance is induced (Fig. 1). For these reasons, T cells that recognize rare Id‐peptides, arising as a consequence of somatic genetic events unique to each B cell, may play a special importance in Id‐driven T–B collaboration, immunosurveillance of B‐cell malignancies, and Id‐vaccination. Ig V‐region Id‐peptides and T‐cell tolerance. Germline‐encoded Id‐peptides are expressed by relatively many B cells and Ig molecules in the body and are therefore considered “frequent”. Experimental evidence reviewed in the text suggests that T cells are tolerant such frequent Id‐peptides. By contrast, V‐region Id‐peptides that express either somatic mutations or N‐region diversity are restricted to only few B cells and Ig molecules and are therefore considered ‘rare’. T cells apparently are not tolerant and can respond to such rare Id‐peptides. Note that an otherwise rare Id‐peptide may upon clonal expansion, like e.g. in multiple myeloma, become frequent and induce T‐cell tolerance.image
Eosinophil activity in infants hospitalized for wheezing and risk of persistent childhood asthma
Authors: Hyvärinen Mari K. , Kotaniemi‐Syrjänen Anne , Reijonen Tiina M. , Piippo‐Savolainen Eija , Korppi Matti 
Published: September 2009

Hyvärinen MK, Kotaniemi‐Syrjänen A, Reijonen TM, Piippo‐Savolainen E, Korppi M. Eosinophil activity in infants hospitalized for wheezing and risk of persistent childhood asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 96–103. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SEosinophilic inflammation has a central role in the pathogenesis of asthma. We aimed to elucidate whether elevated blood eosinophil count (B‐EOS), eosinophil cationic protein in serum (S‐ECP) or in nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA‐ECP) predict later asthma after hospitalization for wheezing in infancy. In 1992–1993, 100 infants aged <24 months were hospitalized for wheezing associated with respiratory infection. B‐EOS, S‐ECP and NPA‐ECP were measured on admission. Asthma status was evaluated at the follow‐up visits at the median ages of 4.0, 7.2 and 12.3 yr. Twenty (25%) of 81 children had asthma at all three visits and were considered to have persistent childhood asthma (PCA). Children with B‐EOS ≥ 0.450 × 109 cells/l had a 2.9‐fold PCA risk compared with other children. The risk was 6.1‐fold when S‐ECP was ≥20.0 μg/l and 6.7‐fold when NPA‐ECP was ≥815.0 ng/g. By these cut‐off limits, all these markers were specific (75–93%), but not very sensitive (30–58%) in predicting PCA. At least one marker was elevated in 75% of the children with PCA. The respective figure for NPA‐ECP alone was 58%. In adjusted analyses, only elevated NPA‐ECP was an independent risk factor for PCA (OR 4.09). In conclusion, eosinophil activity in early life predicts the development of childhood asthma after hospitalization for wheezing in infancy. The results highlight NPA‐ECP as an independent predictor of the persistence of asthma at school age.
Analysis of 3′‐end variable region of the cagA gene in Helicobacter pylori isolated from Iranian population
Authors: Shokrzadeh Leila , Baghaei Kaveh , Yamaoka Yoshio , Dabiri Hossein , Jafari Fereshteh , Sahebekhtiari Navid , Tahami Ali , Sugimoto Mitsushige , Zojaji Homayon , Zali Mohammad Reza 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The 3′ region of the cagA gene, the most well‐known virulence factor of Helicobacter pylori, contains Glu‐Pro‐Ile‐Tyr‐Ala (EPIYA) motifs. Four segments flanking the EPIYA motifs, EPIYA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, or ‐D, were reported to play important roles in H. pylori‐related gastroduodenal pathogenesis. The aim was to determine the roles of EPIYA segments in gastroduodenal pathogenesis in an Iranian population.Methods:  A total of 92 cagA‐positive Iranian strains isolated from dyspepsia patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia (n = 77), peptic ulcer (n = 11) and gastric cancer (n = 4) were studied. The EPIYA motif genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.Results:  A total of 86 (93.5%) strains had three copies of EPIYA (ABC type), three (3.3%) had four copies (ABCC type) and three (3.3%) had two copies (AB type). The alignment of the deduced protein sequences confirmed that there were no East Asian type EPIYA‐D sequences (EPIYATIDFDEANQAG) in Iranian strains. When the prevalence of strains with multiple EPIYA‐C segments in Iran was compared with previously published data, it was much lower than that in Colombia and Italy, but was higher than that of Iraq, and the patterns were parallel to the incidence of gastric cancer in these countries.Conclusion:  The structure of the 3′ region of the cagA gene in Iranian strains was Western type. Although we could not find differences between EPIYA types and clinical outcomes, low prevalence of strains with multiple EPIYA‐C segments might be reasons for low incidence of gastric cancer in Iran.
Late onset Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients receiving rituximab for humoral renal transplant rejection
Authors: SHELTON EDWARD , YONG MICHELLE , COHNEY SOLOMON 
Published: September 2009

SUMMARY:Rituximab has been used increasingly in the treatment of antibody‐mediated rejection (AbMR) in solid organ transplantation despite the absence of clinical trials demonstrating efficacy. A contributor to the growing use of rituximab is an apparent lack of morbidity; and there are no reports of specific opportunistic infections associated with its use in renal transplant recipients. Two cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) occurring nearly 3 years after administration of rituximab for refractory AbMR are reported herein. These cases emphasize the need for ongoing vigilant observation in patients who have received rituximab, and highlight the importance of clinical trials to establish the role of rituximab in prevention and treatment of AbMR.
Survey of psychological support for bereaved families in Japan
Authors: Nishimaki Shigeru , Higuchi Rumiko , Nakajima Shoko , Miyamae Takako , Goto Hiroaki , Mori Masaaki , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the current conditions of psychological support for the families of children who died suddenly of disease or accident.Methods:  A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2415 medical facilities across the country that have at least 100 beds and are staffed by pediatricians. Of these, 981 facilities (40.6%) responded to the questionnaire.Results:  There were 653 infant deaths soon after admission in 254 facilities (25.9%). For pronouncement of death, approximately 43% of the pediatricians made no attempt to provide psychological support for the family members affected. In contrast, some 53% of the pediatricians did offer psychological support. In self‐assessments, approximately 53% of the pediatricians stated that the support was ‘not very satisfactory' or ‘unsatisfactory', while only 28% considered that they were ‘fully satisfied with the help being given'. Reasons for this response were appropriate specialized knowledge, and enough time for such tasks. The proportion of institutions that employed staff specializing in psychological support for families was only 7%. Approximately 83% of institutions without such specialist staff, however, acknowledged the need for them. The number of medical facilities that gave information regarding family support associations to bereaved families was very low (11%).Conclusion:  Psychological support for families of children who died shortly after entering hospital cannot be characterized as satisfactory. The provision of grief care by family associations is desirable, and the cooperation of the institutions and family associations is important.
Low‐dose vasopressin infusion therapy for refractory hypotension in ELBW infants
Authors: Ikegami Hitoshi , Funato Masahisa , Tamai Hiroshi , Wada Hiroshi , Nabetani Makoto , Nishihara Masato 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:  Severe hypotension in infants, especially in preterm infants, is associated with poor neurological outcome and high mortality. In adults, low‐dose vasopressin (arginine vasopressin: AVP) infusion therapy has been effective for treating hypotension that is refractory to vasopressors and inotropes.Methods:  The effects of AVP infusion therapy for refractory hypotension were retrospectively evaluated in extremely low‐birthweight infants. Between January 2002 and November 2005, 22 infants with refractory hypotension treated with low‐dose AVP infusion were reviewed. The average birthweight was 658 g (±142 g), and the average gestational age was 24.9 weeks (±1.4). The changes in blood pressure, urinary output, and other parameters in response to AVP therapy were analyzed in all the infants.Results:  After AVP infusion, systolic blood pressure increased from 30 mmHg to 43 mmHg (P < 0.0001), and the diastolic pressure increased from 15 mmHg to 24 mmHg (P < 0.0001). The urine output dramatically increased from 1.5 mL/kg per h to 4.0 mL/kg per h (P < 0.0001). AVP infusion, however, was not effective in four of the 22 patients (18%). The sodium concentration in the serum decreased mildly after administration. In six patients the serum sodium concentration decreased below 130 mEq/L. Severe mitral regurgitation was observed in two patients. Three infants showed a transient decrease in the platelet count during AVP infusion.Conclusions:  Low‐dose AVP therapy should be considered as rescue therapy when high‐dose catecholamine therapy and/or steroid administration do not produce sufficient increase in the blood pressure. Further investigations are required to prove the efficacy and safety of AVP infusion therapy in preterm infants.
Burden of male stress urinary incontinence: A survey among urologists in Japan
Authors: Arai Yoichi , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Takei Mineo , Nonomura Katsuya , Baba Shiro , Habuchi Tomonori , Matsuda Tadashi , Takahashi Satoru , Igawa Mikio , Nakagawa Haruo 
Published: September 2009

Objective:  To determine the burden of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in Japan and to identify candidates for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation.Methods:  In 2008, a survey form was sent to all 1202 training hospitals certified by the Japanese Urological Association. The survey included questions about the number of patients with moderate to severe SUI who could be candidates for AUS implantation, the etiology, and incidence of SUI in 2007.Results:  Overall, 682 (56.7%) responded to the survey. The total number of patients was 1276. The most common reported etiology for SUI was post‐radical prostatectomy (59.1%), followed by neurogenic bladder (23.0%), surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (10.3%), neobladder reconstruction (2.8%), urethral injury (2.4%), and others (2.4%). There were 203 new cases in 2007. Adjusted by the response rate, the prevalence and annual incidence were estimated to be 2235 and 358 cases, respectively.Conclusions:  This survey confirms that a significant number of men suffer from moderate to severe SUI, with the majority of cases being post‐prostatectomy incontinence. The Japanese urological community needs to provide appropriate treatment for these patients.
Safety of transperineal 14‐core systematic prostate biopsy in diabetic men
Authors: Suzuki Masahito , Kawakami Satoru , Asano Touko , Masuda Hitoshi , Saito Kazutaka , Koga Fumitaka , Fujii Yasuhisa , Kihara Kazunori 
Published: September 2009

Objectives:  To examine whether the transrectal ultrasound‐guided transperineal 14‐core prostate biopsy can be carried out safely in diabetic men and to determine adequate antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol in this setting.Methods:  The present study included 539 men, 135 with concurrent diabetes mellitus (DM) and 404 without DM, who underwent transperineal extended 14‐core biopsy due to elevated prostate‐specific antigen ≥2.5 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal examination. Any complication requiring prolonged hospitalization or rehospitalization during the 4‐week post‐biopsy period was considered major. All other complications were considered minor. Intensity of antimicrobial prophylaxis was prospectively reduced in a stepwise manner down to single dose of oral levofloxacin.Results:  Except for DM, there was no significant difference in clinical background between the diabetic and non‐diabetic men. The procedure was completed in all revealing prostate cancer in 42% of the diabetic men and 36% of the non‐diabetic men (P = 0.23). Incidence of minor or major complications was not significantly different between the two groups. Minor complications were observed in 15.6% and 16.6% of each group, respectively, with voiding disturbance being the most common. No infectious major complication was observed regardless of the presence of DM. In the diabetic men, there was no statistical difference in incidence of biopsy‐related complications according to modality of DM treatment, HbA1c level or antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol.Conclusions:  Transperineal 14‐core biopsy can be carried out without major infectious complications in diabetic men. Oral levofloxacin 300 mg once before the procedure seems to represent an effective antimicrobial prophylaxis in diabetic men without other risk of infection.
Sexual activity of middle‐aged women coupled with a male partner in Japan
Authors: Mita Koji , Kakehashi Masayuki , Matsubara Akio 
Published: September 2009

Objective:  To assess the sexual activity of women with male partners in Japan.Methods:  An original web‐based questionnaire was conducted. A total of 2593 women in five age groups (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s or older) were randomly invited to participate. Of the 1077 (41.5%) respondents, data for 883 women with partners were evaluated. Age and 15 items related to sexual activity and social background were analyzed. Women who stated that they neither had sexual activity with a partner nor had frustration with a partner's erectile dysfunction (ED) were defined as low sexuality (LS) subjects. Some subjects in the LS group were psychologically serious cases who did not feel the importance of a sexual relationship with their partner. These subjects were selected and defined as high‐risk LS (HLS) subjects.Results:  Of the participants, 36.6% (n = 323) stated that they did not have sexual activity with their partner, and 30.7% (n = 271) and 21.7% (n = 192) were categorized as LS and HLS subjects, respectively. The percentage of HLS subjects increased significantly with age: 2.0%, 5.6%, 18.6%, 36.1% and 41.8% in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s or older age groups, respectively. Age and unemployment status were independent predictors of HLS behavior.Conclusion:  A high proportion of Japanese middle‐aged women with a male partner have low sexual activity.
Incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the elderly German population and the effect of clinical and lifestyle risk factors: KORA S4/F4 cohort study
Authors: Rathmann W. , Strassburger K. , Heier M. , Holle R. , Thorand B. , Giani G. , Meisinger C. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAims  To determine the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly population in Germany and its association with clinical and lifestyle factors.Methods  Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT, World Health Organization criteria) were carried out in a random sample of 1353 subjects (age group 55–74 years; 62% response) in Augsburg (Southern Germany) (1999–2001). The cohort was re‐investigated in 2006–2008. Of those individuals without diabetes (baseline), 887 (74%) participated in the follow‐up.Results  Ninety‐three (10.5%) developed diabetes during the 7‐year follow‐up period {standardized incidence rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] per 1000 person‐years: total 15.5; 12.6, 19.1; men 20.2; 15.6, 26.1; women 11.3; 7.9, 16.1}. In both sexes, those who developed diabetes were slightly older, were more obese, had a more adverse metabolic profile (higher glucose values, HbA1c, fasting insulin, uric acid, and triglycerides) and were more likely to have hypertension at baseline than were participants remaining free of diabetes (P < 0.05). On stepwise logistic regression, age, parental diabetes, body mass index, uric acid, current smoking, HbA1c and fasting and 2‐h glucose (OGTT) were strong predictors of diabetes incidence. The risk of diabetes was higher in subjects with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (odds ratio 8.8; 95% CI 5.0, 15.6) than in isolated impaired fasting glucose (4.7; 2.2, 10.0), although the difference did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions  For the first time, we have estimated the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly German cohort and demonstrated that it is among the highest in Europe. The OGTT appears to be useful in identifying individuals with high Type 2 diabetes risk. Our results support a role of smoking in the progression to diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome and alanine aminotransferase: a global perspective from the NAVIGATOR screening population
Authors: Bethel M. A. , Deedwania P. , Levitt N. S. , Schmitz O. , Huntsman‐Labed A. , Califf R. M. , Haffner S. M. , Diem P. ,   for the NAVIGATOR Study Group
Published: September 2009

AbstractAims  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and may be an expression of the syndrome within the liver. Using screening data from the Nateglinide And Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) study (n = 42 149), we examined whether alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a biomarker for NAFLD, clustered with features of MetS and whether the clusters differed across global geographic regions.Methods  Exploratory factor analysis using principle components analysis was applied to data drawn from the NAVIGATOR screening population (n = 41 111). Demographic data, anthropomorphic measurements and blood pressure (BP) collected during the screening visit, as well as blood samples analysed for ALT, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, and fasting and 2‐h glucose measures after an oral glucose tolerance test were used for our analysis.Results  Two factors, interpreted as lipid (Factor 1), and BP/obesity (Factor 2) were identified, explaining approximately 50% of the variance in the overall population. Similar patterns of aggregation were reproducible across all geographic regions except Asia, where fasting glucose loaded more consistently on Factor 1. ALT loaded with mean arterial pressure, fasting glucose and waist circumference except in Asia, where it loaded only with mean arterial pressure and waist circumference.Conclusions  ALT aggregated with components of MetS, and the pattern of aggregation of ALT with other features of MetS was similar across regions except Asia, possibly indicating a different pathophysiology for NAFLD in Asia. Predictive models of NAFLD may need to be adjusted for regional and ethnic differences.