bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between the cervical length and the amount of bleeding during cesarean section in placenta previa
Authors: Mimura Takashi , Hasegawa Junichi , Nakamura Masamitsu , Matsuoka Ryu , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Sekizawa Akihiko , Okai Takashi 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate the association between the amount of bleeding during a cesarean section and the effacement of the uterine cervix in patients with placenta previa.Methods:  This study reviewed 115 singleton pregnancies with placenta previa. In cases of placenta previa, the thickness of the uterine muscle and cervical length were retrospectively measured and compared with the amount of bleeding during the cesarean section.Results:  No correlation was found between the amount of bleeding during the cesarean operation and the thickness of the uterine isthmus. There was a significantly negative correlation between the amount of bleeding and cervical length (r = −0.344, P < 0.001). The threshold cervical length associated with massive bleeding (>2500 mL) was 25 mm, based on an ROC curve. The relative risk for massive bleeding in cases with a short cervical length (<25 mm) was 7.2 (95% CI, 2.3–22.3) in comparison to cases with a long cervical length.Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that a short cervical length in cases with placenta previa was associated with massive bleeding during the operation. Short cervical length seems to be one of the warning signs for massive bleeding during the operation for placenta previa.
Perception of oral contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Japan: A comparison with the USA and France
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuyo , Yamabe Shingo , Sugishima Toru , Geronazzo Dan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  In order to reveal the differences between oral contraceptives (OC) perceptions and actual needs, we performed a web‐based study in the USA, France, and Japan.Materials and Methods:  The study was carried out using a web‐based questionnaire in May 2009. Two hundred women each from the three countries who were in their 20s, 30s, or 40s were randomly selected and asked about contraception.Results:  The most frequently used contraceptive method was OC in the USA and France and condoms in Japan. The most commonly used OC information source was doctors in the USA and France, but the media in Japan. The main reason for taking OC was ‘contraception’ in the USA and France, but it was relief from menstruation‐related problems in Japan. Partner agreement was highest in France, and partner disagreement was highest in the USA. The most common reason for discontinuing OC use was ‘contraception became unnecessary’ in all three countries. The second most common reason was ‘troublesome to take everyday’ in the USA and France but ‘troublesome to get a doctor's prescription’ in Japan. The most common reason for never taking OC was also ‘troublesome to get a doctor's prescription’ in Japan. As a non‐contraceptive benefit, ‘relief of dysmenorrhea’ was well known in all three countries; however, other non‐contraceptive benefits were little known among Japanese.Conclusions:  There are several differences in the patterns of OC use in the three countries studied. Providers should know more about current OC usage patterns in order to improve the quality of care.
A finely tuned regulatory circuit of the nicotinic acid degradation pathway in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Jiménez José Ignacio , Juárez Javier F. , García José Luis , Díaz Eduardo 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe biochemistry of nicotinic acid (NA) degradation is known but the transcriptional control of the genes involved is still poorly studied. We report here the transcriptional regulatory circuit of the nic genes responsible for the aerobic degradation of NA in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. The three NA‐inducible catabolic operons, i.e. nicAB, encoding the upper pathway that converts NA into 6‐hydroxynicotinic acid (6HNA), and the nicCDEFTP and nicXR operons, responsible for channelling 6HNA to the central metabolism, are driven by the Pa, Pc and Px promoters respectively. The nicR regulatory gene encodes a MarR‐like protein that represses the activity of the divergent Pc and Px promoters being 6HNA the inducer molecule. A new gene, nicS, that is associated to the nicAB genes in the genomes of different γ‐ and β‐Proteobacteria, encodes a TetR‐like regulator that represses the activity of Pa in the absence of the NA/6HNA inducers. The NA regulatory circuit in P. putida has evolved an additional repression loop based on the NicR‐dependent cross regulation of the nicS gene, thus assuring a tight transcriptional control of the catabolic genes that may prevent depletion of this vitamin B3 when needed for the synthesis of essential cofactors.
Cost‐effectiveness and efficiency of shockwave lithotripsy vs flexible ureteroscopic holmium:yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet laser lithotripsy in the treatment of lower pole renal calculi
Authors: Koo Vincent , Young Michael , Thompson Trevor , Duggan Brian 
Published: March 2011

Study Type – Therapy (cost effectiveness)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Stone management economics is a complex issue. FURS and SWL are recognised treatment option for lower pole kidney stones. There are paucity of data comparing cost implication and effectiveness of both treatment options.Both treatment modalities are equally efficacious. FURS incurred greater cost burden compared to SWL in the UK setting. In the present economic circumstance, clinicians should also consider cost‐impact, patient’s preference and specific clinical indication when counselling patients for treatment.OBJECTIVE
To compare the cost‐effectiveness and outcome efficiency of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) vs intracorporeal flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (FURS) for lower pole renal calculi ≤20 mm.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients who had treatment for their radio‐opaque lower pole renal calculi were categorized into SWL and FURS group.
The primary outcomes compared were: clinical success, stone‐free, retreatment and additional procedure rate, and perceived and actual costs.
Clinical success was defined as stone‐free status or asymptomatic insignificant residual fragments <3 mm.
Perceived cost was defined as the cost of procedure alone, and the actual cost included the cost of additional procedures as well as the overhead costs to result in clinical success.
RESULTS
The FURS (n= 37) and SWL (n= 51) group were comparable with respect to sex, age, stone size and the presence of ureteric stent.
The final treatment success rate (100% vs 100%), stone‐free rate (64.9% vs 58.8%), retreatment rate (16.2% vs 21.6%) and auxillary procedure rate (21.6% vs 7.8%) did not differ significantly.
The mean perceived cost of each FURS and SWL procedure was similar (£249 vs £292, respectively); however, when all other costs were considered, the FURS group was significantly more costly (£2602 vs £426, P= 0.000; Mann–Whitney U‐test).
CONCLUSION
SWL was efficacious and cost‐effective for the treatment of lower pole renal calculi ≤20 mm.
Seasonal variation in prostate‐specific antigen levels: a large cross‐sectional study of men in the UK
Authors: Down Liz , Metcalfe Chris , Martin Richard M. , Neal David E. , Hamdy Freddie C. , Donovan Jenny L. , Lane J. Athene 
Published: March 2011

Study Type – Aetiology (cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Evidence for seasonal or climatic effects on PSA levels is mixed and inconclusive.In this large, long‐term study, no seasonal or climatic patterns in PSA levels were identified.OBJECTIVE• To assess whether a seasonal change in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels can be detected in men recruited to a large clinical trial.PATIENTS AND METHODS• A total of 66 969 men aged 50–69 years were drawn from a large study conducted at general practices across the UK between 2002 and 2007.• Trigonometric algorithms and regression methods were used to assess the relationship between the time of year and serum PSA and blood pressure measurements.• We obtained local daily mean temperatures and hours of sunlight per day to assess whether these factors were potential mechanisms for seasonal variation in PSA levels or blood pressure.• The proportion of participants who would be considered clinically at risk according to their PSA or blood pressure measurement, by month, was also assessed.• The strength of associations between time of year and blood pressure were used to reinforce conclusions from the PSA models.RESULTS• There was no relationship between time of year and PSA levels (P= 0.11) or between climate and PSA levels (P= 0.42).• No difference was found in the prevalence of clinically raised PSA content by month (P= 0.50).• This lack of an association with PSA content was despite our data being sufficient to provide clear evidence of an association between blood pressure and time of year (systolic P < 0.001; diastolic P < 0.001), and to show that this association was largely explained by climatic factors (temperature and sunlight).CONCLUSION• There was no pattern in PSA levels by time of year, air temperature or levels of sunlight in this cohort, so there is no need to take these factors into account when reviewing PSA results.
Relationship of relapse with impulsivity, novelty seeking and craving in male alcohol‐dependent inpatients
Authors: EVREN CUNEYT , DURKAYA MINE , EVREN BILGE , DALBUDAK ERCAN , CETIN RABIA 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of relapse with impulsivity, novelty seeking (NS) and craving during 12 month follow up after inpatient treatment in male alcohol dependents.Design and Methods. Among 156 consecutively admitted male alcohol dependents, 102 were examined by face to face interview 12 months after discharge from hospital. Patients were investigated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS‐11), the NS dimension of the Temperament and Character Inventory, the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test at the end of 12 months.Results. Among 102 alcohol‐dependent inpatients 61.8% (n = 63) were considered as relapsed to alcohol use during 12 month follow up. Sociodemographic variables did not differ between relapsed and non‐relapsed groups. Mean scores of BIS‐11 and NS and subscales of these scales were higher in relapsed group than non‐relapsed group. BIS‐11 and NS and their subscales were positively correlated with each other. PACS was also positively correlated with these scales and their subscales. Only exception was ‘exploratory excitability’ (NS1) subscale of NS, which did not differ between groups and did not correlate with PACS or BIS‐11. Extravagance (NS3) and BIS‐11 non‐planning impulsiveness (NPI) scores were associated with craving in Stepwise Linear Regression model. Only NS3 showed an association with relapse in the first Forward Wald logistic regression model. When severity of craving was included in the second model, as an independent variable, it was also associated with relapse additional to NS3.Discussion and Conclusions. Both impulsivity and NS seem to be related with craving and relapse. Particularly, NS3 may be related with relapse both directly and indirectly via craving, whereas NPI may be related with relapse only indirectly via craving. Thus severity of craving may be a final pathway to relapse in these relationships of NS3 and NPI with relapse. These findings suggest that impulsivity, NS and craving are important variables to predict outcome and also for the treatment plan.[Evren C, Durkaya M, Evren B, Dalbudak E, Cetin R. Relationship of relapse with impulsivity, novelty seeking and craving in male alcohol‐dependent inpatients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:81–90]
Elite athletes' estimates of the prevalence of illicit drug use: Evidence for the false consensus effect
Authors: DUNN MATTHEW , THOMAS JOHANNA O. , SWIFT WENDY , BURNS LUCINDA 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. The false consensus effect (FCE) is the tendency for people to assume that others share their attitudes and behaviours to a greater extent than they actually do. The FCE has been demonstrated for a range of health behaviours, including substance use. The study aimed to explore the relationship between elite athlete's engagement in recreational drug use and their consensus estimates (the FCE) and to determine whether those who engage in the behaviour overestimate the use of others around them.Design and Method. The FCE was investigated among 974 elite Australian athletes who were classified according to their drug use history.Results. Participants tended to report that there was a higher prevalence of drug use among athletes in general compared with athletes in their sport, and these estimates appeared to be influenced by participants' drug use history. While overestimation of drug use by participants was not common, this overestimation also appeared to be influenced by athletes' drug use history.Discussion and Conclusions. The results suggest that athletes who have a history of illicit drug use overestimate the prevalence of drug use among athletes. These findings may be helpful in the formulation of normative education initiatives.[Dunn M, Thomas JO, Swift W, Burns L. Elite athletes' estimates of the prevalence of illicit drug use: Evidence for the false consensus effect. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:27–32]
The Performance Implications of Financial and Non‐Financial Rewards: An Asian Nordic Comparison
Authors: Chiang Flora F. T. , Birtch Thomas A. 
Published: March 2011

abstractThis study empirically investigated culture's consequences on employee perceptions of the performance implications of financial and non‐financial rewards. Using a sample (n = 568) drawn from the banking industry in Finland and Hong Kong, we found that although the effects and predictive capability of culture (i.e.masculinity–femininity,individualism–collectivism,uncertainty avoidance, andpower distance) offered some important insights, a range of other contextual factors (i.e. organizational, institutional, economic) wielded influence over and shaped reward–performance values, preferences, and behaviours. The emergence of these new paradigms necessitates that the US centric economic and behavioural theories (e.g. exchange) that underpin reward–performance be revisited and extended if they are to be applicable in the international context. Understanding the influence of a range of contextual forces is therefore critical to multinational organizations attempting to implement effective reward strategies aimed at achieving a diverse set of performance priorities. In addition to these novel theoretical and practical contributions, this study also paves the way for future research in this promising area of management studies.
Tobacco chloroplast transformants expressing genes encoding dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase, exhibit altered anti‐oxidant metabolism and improved abiotic stress tolerance
Authors: Le Martret Bénédicte , Poage Miranda , Shiel Karen , Nugent Gregory D. , Dix Philip J. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryOne approach to understanding the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)‐scavenging systems in plant stress tolerance is to manipulate the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. In this study, we expressed in the chloroplast three such enzymes: dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). Homoplasmic chloroplast transformants containing either DHAR or GST, or a combination of DHAR:GR and GST:GR were generated and confirmed by molecular analysis. They exhibited the predicted changes in enzyme activities, and levels or redox state of ascorbate and glutathione. Progeny of these plants were then subjected to environmental stresses including methyl viologen (MV)‐induced oxidative stress, salt, cold and heavy metal stresses. Overexpression of these different enzymes enhanced salt and cold tolerance. The simultaneous expression of DHAR:GR and GST:GR conferred MV tolerance while expression of either transgene on its own didn’t. This study provides evidence that increasing part of the antioxidant pathway within the chloroplast enhances the plant’s ability to tolerate abiotic stress.
Distinct pharmacological and functional properties of NMDA receptors in mouse cortical astrocytes
Authors: Palygin Oleg , Lalo Ulyana , Pankratov Yuriy 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Astrocytes of the mouse neocortex express functional NMDA receptors, which are not blocked by Mg2+ ions. However, the pharmacological profile of glial NMDA receptors and their subunit composition is far from complete.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We tested the sensitivity of NMDA receptor‐mediated currents to the novel GluN2C/D subunit‐selective antagonist UBP141 in mouse cortical astrocytes and neurons. We also examined the effect of memantine, an antagonist that has substantially different affinities for GluN2A/B and GluN2C/d‐containing receptors in physiological concentrations of extracellular Mg2+.KEY RESULTS UBP141 had a strong inhibitory action on NMDA receptor‐mediated transmembrane currents in the cortical layer II/III astrocytes with an IC50 of 2.29 µM and a modest inhibitory action on NMDA‐responses in the pyramidal neurons with IC50 of 19.8 µM. Astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors exhibited different sensitivities to memantine with IC50 values of 2.19 and 10.8 µM, respectively. Consistent with pharmacological differences between astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors, NMDA receptors in astrocytes showed lower Ca2+ permeability than neuronal receptors with PCa/PNa ratio of 3.4.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The biophysical and pharmacological properties of the astrocytic NMDA receptors strongly suggest that they have a tri‐heteromeric structure composed of GluN1, GluN2C/D and GluN3 subunits. The substantial difference between astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors in their sensitivity to UBP141 and memantine may enable selective modulation of astrocytic signalling that could be very helpful for elucidating the mechanisms of neuron‐glia communications. Our results may also provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutic agents specifically targeting glial signalling.
Behavioral manipulation of the orb‐weaver spider Argiope argentata (Araneae: Araneidae) by Acrotaphus chedelae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: GONZAGA Marcelo O. , SOBCZAK Jober F. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe observed the first case of host‐behavioral manipulation of an orb‐weaver spider Argiope argentata induced by a parasitoid wasp of the genus Acrotaphus. The modified web is similar of those constructed by other orb weavers attacked by wasps of the close related genus Hymenoepimecis. The stick spirals and radii are absent and the web is composed of a three‐dimensional structure of non adhesive threads. The discovery of the ability to induce changes in host's web‐building behavior in Acrotaphus is indicative that this trait may be primitively present in the clade that includes the genus Hymenoepimecis.
Variation in number of copulations in Theclini butterfly females (Lycaenidae: Lepidoptera)
Authors: IMAFUKU Michio 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe number of spermatophores inseminated in the bursa copulatrix of females of 21 species of Theclini butterflies varied from 0 to 38, a maximum much larger than reported so far. The variation of spermatophore number observed was analyzed on a phylogenetic tree recently determined, together with variation of wing colors and male mating tactics. Monandrous species tended to be sexually dimorphic in wing color and associated with male territoriality.
Systematic Reviews of Spinal Manipulations for Headaches: An Attempt to Clear Up the Confusion
Authors: Posadzki Paul , Ernst Edzard 
Published: March 2011

Background.— Spinal manipulation (SM) is a therapy which is frequently used for headaches. During the last decade, several systematic reviews (SRs) of this topic have been published. Confusingly, their conclusions are far from uniform. The aim of this article is to identify the reasons for this confusion and to create more clarity about the therapeutic value of SM.Methods.— SRs were identified through searches of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Amed, Cinahl, and PsychInfo. They were considered if they were recent, systematic, and evaluated the effectiveness of SM for headache disorders.Results.— Six SRs were included. Their methodological quality was assessed using the Oxman criteria for SRs. Five SRs were of high quality and one was associated with a high risk of bias. The findings of the SRs differed considerably. This variance seemed to be caused by several factors: differences in conditions included, treatments assessed, or primary studies analyzed.Conclusion.— We conclude that high‐quality SRs with a clear focus are required before the value of SM for headaches can be defined.
Resection Benefits Older Adults with Locoregional Pancreatic Cancer Despite Greater Short‐Term Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Riall Taylor S. , Sheffield Kristin M. , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Townsend Courtney M. , Goodwin James S. 
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate time trends in surgical resection rates and operative mortality in older adults diagnosed with locoregional pancreatic cancer and to determine the effect of age on surgical resection rates and 2‐year survival after surgical resection.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and linked Medicare claims database (1992–2005).SETTING: Secondary data analysis of population‐based tumor registry and linked claims data.PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 and older diagnosed with locoregional pancreatic cancer (N=9,553), followed from date of diagnosis to time of death or censorship.MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of participants undergoing surgical resection, 30‐day operative mortality after resection, and 2‐year survival according to age group.RESULTS: Surgical resection rates increased significantly, from 20% in 1992 to 29% in 2005, whereas 30‐day operative mortality rates decreased from 9% to 5%. After controlling for multiple factors, participants were less likely to be resected with older age. Resection was associated with lower hazard of death, regardless of age, with hazard ratios of 0.46, 0.51, 0.47, 0.43, and 0.35 for resected participants younger than 70, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 to 84, and 85 and older respectively compared with unresected participants younger than 70 (P<.001).CONCLUSION: With older age, fewer people with pancreatic cancer undergo surgical resection, even after controlling for comorbidity and other factors. This study demonstrated increased resection rates over time in all age groups, along with lower surgical mortality rates. Despite previous reports of greater morbidity and mortality after pancreatic resection in older adults, the benefit of resection does not diminish with older age in selected people.