bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cigarette Smoking and Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk among Black and White Americans: Effect Modification by Hypertension and Obesity
Authors: Cote Michele L. , Colt Joanne S. , Schwartz Kendra L. , Wacholder Sholom , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Davis Faith , Purdue Mark , Graubard Barry I. , Chow Wong-Ho 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Background: Incidence of kidney cancer has been increasing over the past three decades, with more rapid increases and higher incidence rates among blacks than whites in the United States. An association between cigarette smoking and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, has been reported for whites, but the association in blacks is less clear.
Methods: The association between smoking and RCC was examined in 1,217 incident cases and 1,235 population controls frequency-matched on age, race, gender, and study site in the Kidney Cancer Study in Detroit, MI, and Chicago, IL.
Results: In white individuals, increasing duration and number of pack-years of both were associated with increased risk of RCCs after adjusting for age, gender, education, study site, body mass index (BMI) and history of hypertension (Ptrend = 0.0002 and Ptrend = 0.002, respectively). Among black individuals, RCC risk increased with duration of smoking (Ptrend = 0.02) but not other measures. Compared with current smokers, RCC risk decreased with increasing years of smoking cessation among both whites and blacks (Ptrend = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). When examining risk according to hypertension history, associations between smoking and RCC risk were observed only among individuals who reported never having been diagnosed with hypertension. Similarly, cigarette smoking was associated with increased risk of RCCs among nonobese individuals but not among those with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
Conclusion: Our observation that smoking is associated with RCC only in nonobese individuals and those with no history of hypertension are novel findings.
Impact: The complex relationships between RCCs, smoking, hypertension, and obesity require additional confirmation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(5); 770–9. ©2012 AACR.
Socioeconomic Position and Stage of Cervical Cancer in Danish Women Diagnosed 2005 to 2009
Authors: Ibfelt Else , Kjær Susanne K. , Johansen Christoffer , Høgdall Claus , Steding-Jessen Marianne , Frederiksen Kirsten , Frederiksen Birgitte Lidegaard , Osler Merete , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Background: To reduce social disparities in cervical cancer survival, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which social position influence cancer prognosis. We investigated the relations between socioeconomic factors, comorbidity, time since last Papanicolau smear, and stage at diagnosis in Danish women with cervical cancer.
Methods: We identified 1,651 cervical cancer cases diagnosed 2005 to 2009 from the Danish Gynaecological Cancer Database. Date of diagnosis, clinical cancer stage, tumor histology, and treating hospital were retrieved; Pap smear registrations were obtained from the Danish Pathology Register; data on comorbid conditions from the Danish National Patients Register; and data on education, income, and cohabitation from Statistics Denmark. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relations between socioeconomic factors and cancer stage in a four-step model, with stepwise inclusion of mediators.
Results: The risk for advanced (stage II–IV) compared with early-stage cancer (stage I) was increased for women with short and medium education (OR = 2.40; 1.67–3.45 and 1.76; 1.44–2.16), women living without a partner (OR = 1.31; 1.10–1.55), and older women (OR = 1.07; 1.06–1.08 increase per year). The relations between socioeconomic factors and cancer stage were partly mediated by time since last Pap smear test and to a lesser extent by comorbidity.
Conclusions: Shorter education, living alone, and older age were related to advanced stage cervical cancer, due partly to Pap smear testing and less to comorbidity.
Impact: It is relevant to further investigate how to decrease delay in cervical cancer diagnosis among disadvantaged groups. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(5); 835–42. ©2012 AACR.
Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Lina , Li Haixin , Wang Bangmao , Chen Kexin 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Background: Many studies have reported that prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) polymorphisms (rs2294008 and/or 2976392) are significantly associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk, although the published results are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for relevant literatures to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between PSCA polymorphisms and GC susceptibility.
Methods: Extensive searches were conducted in three databases up to November 1, 2011. ORs and 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the associations. The data were further stratified by ethnicity, histopathology, subsite, and study design. All of the associations were evaluated with dominant model and recessive model, respectively. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed by Q test, I2, and funnel plot accordingly.
Results: Nine articles including 11 case–control data sets were included, with 10,746 GC cases and 9,158 controls for rs2294008 and 6,060 cases and 4,824 controls for rs2976392. The results showed that risk allele carriers were significantly associated with GC risk compared with nonrisk allele homozygotes. In stratification analyses, these associations remained significant for majority of subgroups except for Caucasians and noncardia tumor in dominant model, and cardia tumor in both dominant and recessive model. Random model was used when heterogeneity among studies was detected. No publication bias was observed.
Conclusions: The two loci of PSCA (rs2294008 and rs2976392) were both significantly associated with GC susceptibility and in linkage disequilibrium.
Impact: More prospective studies on PSCA polymorphisms at multicenters with sufficient sample size and less heterogeneity will be needed for further validations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(5); 843–50. ©2012 AACR.
Contribution of Screening and Survival Differences to Racial Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Rates
Authors: Lansdorp-Vogelaar Iris , Kuntz Karen M. , Knudsen Amy B. , van Ballegooijen Marjolein , Zauber Ann G. , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Background: Considerable disparities exist in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates between blacks and whites in the United States. We estimated how much of these disparities could be explained by differences in CRC screening and stage-specific relative CRC survival.
Methods: We used the MISCAN-Colon microsimulation model to estimate CRC incidence and mortality rates in blacks, aged 50 years and older, from 1975 to 2007 assuming they had: (i) the same trends in screening rates as whites instead of observed screening rates (incidence and mortality); (ii) the same trends in stage-specific relative CRC survival rates as whites instead of observed (mortality only); and (iii) a combination of both. The racial disparities in CRC incidence and mortality rates attributable to differences in screening and/or stage-specific relative CRC survival were then calculated by comparing rates from these scenarios to the observed black rates.
Results: Differences in screening accounted for 42% of disparity in CRC incidence and 19% of disparity in CRC mortality between blacks and whites. Thirty-six percent of the disparity in CRC mortality could be attributed to differences in stage-specific relative CRC survival. Together screening and survival explained a little more than 50% of the disparity in CRC mortality between blacks and whites.
Conclusion: Differences in screening and relative CRC survival are responsible for a considerable proportion of the observed disparities in CRC incidence and mortality rates between blacks and whites.
Impact: Enabling blacks to achieve equal access to care as whites could substantially reduce the racial disparities in CRC burden. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(5); 728–36. ©2012 AACR.
Early Stem Cell Engraftment Predicts Late Cardiac Functional Recovery
Authors: Liu Junwei , Narsinh Kazim H. , Lan Feng , Wang Li , Nguyen Patricia K. , Hu Shijun , Lee Andrew , Han Leng , Gong Yongquan , Huang Mei , Nag Divya , Rosenberg Jarrett , Chouldechova Alexandra , Robbins Robert C. , Wu Joseph C. 
Published: May 2012

Background—
Human cardiac progenitor cells have demonstrated great potential for myocardial repair in small and large animals, but robust methods for longitudinal assessment of their engraftment in humans is not yet readily available. In this study, we sought to optimize and evaluate the use of positron emission tomography (PET) reporter gene imaging for monitoring human cardiac progenitor cell (hCPC) transplantation in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

hCPCs were isolated and expanded from human myocardial samples and stably transduced with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) PET reporter gene. Thymidine kinase-expressing hCPCs were characterized in vitro and transplanted into murine myocardial infarction models (n=57). Cardiac echocardiographic, magnetic resonance imaging and pressure-volume loop analyses revealed improvement in left ventricular contractile function 2 weeks after transplant (hCPC versus phosphate-buffered saline,
P
<0.03). Noninvasive PET imaging was used to track hCPC fate over a 4-week time period, demonstrating a substantial decline in surviving cells. Importantly, early cell engraftment as assessed by PET was found to predict subsequent functional improvement, implying a “dose–effect” relationship. We isolated the transplanted cells from recipient myocardium by laser capture microdissection for in vivo transcriptome analysis. Our results provide direct evidence that hCPCs augment cardiac function after their transplantation into ischemic myocardium through paracrine secretion of growth factors.

Conclusions—
PET reporter gene imaging can provide important diagnostic and prognostic information regarding the ultimate success of hCPC treatment for myocardial infarction.
Pacemaker Therapy in Patients With Neurally Mediated Syncope and Documented Asystole
Authors: Brignole Michele , Menozzi Carlo , Moya Angel , Andresen Dietrich , Blanc Jean Jacques , Krahn Andrew D. , Wieling Wouter , Beiras Xulio , Deharo Jean Claude , Russo Vitantonio , Tomaino Marco , Sutton Richard 
Published: May 2012

Background—
The efficacy of cardiac pacing for prevention of syncopal recurrences in patients with neurally mediated syncope is controversial. We wanted to determine whether pacing therapy reduces syncopal recurrences in patients with severe asystolic neurally mediated syncope.

Methods and Results—

Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in 29 centers in the Third International Study on Syncope of Uncertain Etiology (ISSUE-3) trial. Patients were ≥40 years, had experienced ≥3 syncopal episodes in the previous 2 years. Initially, 511 patients, received an implantable loop recorder; 89 of these had documentation of syncope with ≥3 s asystole or ≥6 s asystole without syncope within 12±10 months and met criteria for pacemaker implantation; 77 of 89 patients were randomly assigned to dual-chamber pacing with rate drop response or to sensing only. The data were analyzed on intention-to-treat principle. There was syncope recurrence during follow-up in 27 patients, 19 of whom had been assigned to pacemaker OFF and 8 to pacemaker ON. The 2-year estimated syncope recurrence rate was 57% (95% CI, 40–74) with pacemaker OFF and 25% (95% CI, 13–45) with pacemaker ON (log rank:
P
=0.039 at the threshold of statistical significance of 0.04). The risk of recurrence was reduced by 57% (95% CI, 4–81). Five patients had procedural complications: lead dislodgment in 4 requiring correction and subclavian vein thrombosis in 1 patient.

Conclusions—
Dual-chamber permanent pacing is effective in reducing recurrence of syncope in patients ≥40 years with severe asystolic neurally mediated syncope. The observed 32% absolute and 57% relative reduction in syncope recurrence support this invasive treatment for the relatively benign neurally mediated syncope.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00359203.
Residential Proximity to Major Roadway and 10-Year All-Cause Mortality After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Rosenbloom Joshua I. , Wilker Elissa H. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Schwartz Joel , Mittleman Murray A. 
Published: May 2012

Background—
The relationship between residential proximity to roadway and long-term survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unknown. We investigated the association between distance from residence and major roadway and 10-year all-cause mortality after AMI in the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study (Onset Study), hypothesizing that living closer to a major roadway at the time of AMI would be associated with increased risk of mortality.

Methods and Results—

The Onset Study enrolled 3886 individuals hospitalized for AMI in 64 centers across the United States from 1989 to 1996. Institutionalized patients, those providing only post office boxes, and those whose addresses could not be geocoded were excluded, leaving 3547 patients eligible for analysis. Addresses were geocoded, and distance to the nearest major roadway was assigned. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios, with adjustment for personal characteristics (age, sex, race, education, marital status, distance to nearest acute care hospital), clinical characteristics (smoking, body mass index, comorbidities, medications), and neighborhood-level characteristics derived from US Census block group data (household income, education, urbanicity). There were 1071 deaths after 10 years of follow-up. In the fully adjusted model, compared with living >1000 m, hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for living ≤100 m were 1.27 (1.01–1.60), for 100 to ≤200 m were 1.19 (0.93–1.60), and for 200 to ≤1000 m were 1.13 (0.99–1.30) (
P
trend
=0.016).

Conclusions—
In this multicenter study, living close to a major roadway at the time of AMI was associated with increased risk of all-cause 10-year mortality; this relationship persisted after adjustment for individual and neighborhood-level covariates.
About the 'Unreliability' of the Vocalization of Western Targum-Manuscripts
Authors: Heijmans Shai 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The main argument for the unreliability of the Tiberian vocalization in Targum manuscripts of western origin is the inconsistency with which the vocalization signs are applied. The author argues that in certain manuscripts this inconsistency is the result of a non-Tiberian vocalization system which uses the Tiberian vocalization signs, the so-called Palestino-Tiberian vocalization system. A passage from an Ashkenazic Targumic manuscript with Palestino-Tiberian vocalization is examined and its 'inconsistencies' are explained in light of similar vocalizations in manuscripts of Rabbinic Hebrew. The author suggests that manuscripts with Palestino-Tiberian vocalization may reflect the pronunciation tradition of Palestinian Aramaic of Late Antiquity.
When God Intervenes in History: The Grammar of in Targum Neofiti and Its Theological Import
Authors: Morrison Craig E. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The passive participle, used as an auxiliary, is often thought to introduce an event in the remote or eschatological future. But in Targum Neofiti, it is not the remoteness of a future event that explains the use of, but the modality of obligation: the sure conviction on the part of the speaker that the event introduced by will occur. In most cases, the person obliged to execute the event is God, the source of the theological nuance that lends to the context.
Sacred Architecture: The Numerical Dimensions of Biblical Poems
Authors: Knohl Israel 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

I have recently studied the numerical architecture of several biblical poems and found sophisticated use of the numerical structures of words and cola. It is possible that some of these numerical structures are based on numerical values of the letters of the names of God.
If this is indeed the correct explanation of these numerical structures, it should be perceived through wider cultural spectrum: The phenomenon of symbolizing divine names with numerical values is known in the Mesopotamian world. The development of Alphabetic script opened new possibilities for representation of divine name by numbers. Now, God might be represented by the numerical values of the letters of his names. This method has special significance in a society that forbids representing God’s image with a statue. The fact that the representation of the numerical values of letters is not attested in mundane use in Ancient Israel before the Hellenistic period, may point to the possibility that this method was first a sacred secret knowledge.
The numerical structures are best demonstrated in the Masoretic version of the Hebrew Bible. This fact may bear a significant impact upon biblical text criticism.
The Interview: Data Collection in Descriptive Phenomenological Human Scientific Research
Authors: Englander Magnus 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
In this article, interviewing from a descriptive, phenomenological, human scientific perspective is examined. Methodological issues are raised in relation to evaluative criteria as well as reflective matters that concern the phenomenological researcher. The data collection issues covered are 1) the selection of participants, 2) the number of participants in a study, 3) the interviewer and the questions, and 4) data collection procedures. Certain conclusions were drawn indicating that phenomenological research methods cannot be evaluated on the basis of an empiricist theory of science, but must be critiqued from within a phenomenological theory of science. Some reflective matters, experienced by the phenomenological researcher, are also elaborated upon.
Phenomenological Psychological Research as Science
Authors: Applebaum Marc 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPart of teaching the descriptive phenomenological psychological method is to assist students in grasping their previously unrecognized assumptions regarding the meaning of “science.” This paper is intended to address a variety of assumptions that are encountered when introducing students to the descriptive phenomenological psychological method pioneered by Giorgi. These assumptions are: 1) That the meaning of “science” is exhausted by empirical science, and therefore qualitative research, even if termed “human science,” is more akin to literature or art than methodical, scientific inquiry; 2) That as a primarily aesthetic, poetic enterprise human scientific psychology need not attempt to achieve a degree of rigor and epistemological clarity analogous (while not equivalent) to that pursued by natural scientists; 3) That “objectivity” is a concept belonging to natural science, and therefore human science ought not to strive for objectivity because this would require “objectivizing” the human being; 4) That qualitative research must always adopt an “interpretive” approach, description being seen as merely a mode of interpretation. These assumptions are responded to from a perspective drawing primarily upon Husserl and Merleau-Ponty, but also upon Eagleton’s analysis of aestheticism.
Using God-Talk in a Secular Society: Time for a New Conversation on Public Issues?*
Authors: Bradstock Andrew 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The role that religious language should play in the ‘public square’ has long been a matter of debate. As Rawls, Rorty, Audi and others have long argued, albeit with subtle variations, discussion on public issues must be truly ‘public’ and therefore employ vocabulary, principles and reasoning which are intelligible to any reasonable person and based on public canons of validity. But does this argument do justice to religious voices? Can the growing number of such voices clamouring for the right to be heard continue to be ignored? Does excluding conviction-based language from public debate lessen the quality of that debate and the potential to find effective solutions to policy challenges? Drawing upon recent work by Jonathan Chaplin, Rowan Williams, Roger Trigg and Michael Sandel, this article examines the current state of scholarship on the question of language in public discourse, and concludes that the case for ‘confessional candour’ to be accepted in such discourse is overwhelming and could have a positive effect on policy outcomes. A prerequisite to this, however—at least within the context of New Zealand—will be a fresh debate about the meaning and scope of the term ‘secularism’.
‘Marketplace Masculinities’ Within the International Public Arena of Global Media: Towards a Christian Spiritual Approach to Male Embodiment and ‘Genital Ensoulment’
Authors: Louw Daniël J. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Under the pressure of deconstruction, criticism within the gender discourse, and the fading away of the traditional patriarchal male role functions, male identity is in a crisis. Due to the impact of the mass media, masculinities are currently mostly determined by the healthiness, body-image and achievement ethics of a market-driven economy (marketplace masculinities). It becomes closely associated with the instant need-satisfaction of a consumerist society. As a public issue, maleness is moulded by power, six-pack fitness, wealth, success, money and phallus. Plastic instant masculinity is shaped by the ancient old symbol of phallus, the post-modern Zeus: Rambo, and the leisure idol of playboy. This article considers the extent to which the Christian spiritual notion of phronesis within inhabitational theology can reframe masculinities, and argues that from a spiritual perspective males can grow into compassionate men. The article concludes that patriarchal headship should be transformed and replaced by the theological public of servant-hood and the trans-cultural notion of an eschatological identity.
Thinking about Belonging in Early Rabbinic Literature: Proselytes, Apostates, and “Children of Israel,” or: Does It Make Sense to Speak of Early Rabbinic Orthodoxy?
Authors: Schremer Adiel 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
This paper offers a modest contribution to the discussion of the rabbinic construction of Jewish identity in Tannaitic times, by showing that in the few occasions in which early rabbinic texts relate to the question of belonging in the Jewish community they do not consider belief as a relevant category for the discussion. This, I suggest, indicates that for Palestinian rabbis of the first, second, and early third century, Jewish identity was not a matter of belief and doctrine. Rather, it was either a matter of birth and descent, or a matter of loyalty to the covenant.