bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transurethral resection (TUR) in saline plasma vaporization of the prostate vs standard TUR of the prostate: ‘the better choice’ in benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Authors: Geavlete Bogdan , Multescu Razvan , Dragutescu Mihai , Jecu Marian , Georgescu Dragos , Geavlete Petrisor 
Published: May 2010

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1bOBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency, safety and short‐term outcome of transurethral resection in saline plasma vaporization of the prostate (TURis‐PVP), and to compare it to the standard TUR of the prostate (TURP).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 155 patients with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of <10 mL/s, an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of >19 and prostate volume of 30–80 mL were enrolled in this prospective, randomized trial. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery by IPSS, health‐related quality of life (HRQL) score, Qmax and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR).RESULTSPatients from both series had similar preoperative characteristics. TURis‐PVP and TURP were successfully performed in all cases (75 and 80, respectively). The operative duration, catheterization period and hospital stay were significantly shorter for TURis‐PVP patients at 35.1 vs 50.4 min, 23.8 vs 71.2 and 47.6 vs 93.1 h, respectively (all P < 0.05). At the 1, 3 and 6 months follow‐ups, improvements in the variables measured were better in the TURis‐PVP group: the IPSS was 4.4 vs 8.3 and the Qmax was 22.7 vs 20.5 mL/s at 1 month; the IPSS was 4.8 vs 8.6 and the Qmax was 22.3 vs 20.0 mL/s at 3 months; and the IPSS was 5 vs 9.1 and the Qmax was 21.8 vs 19.3 mL/s at 6 months (All P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSTURis‐PVP represents a valuable endoscopic treatment alternative for patients with BPE, with superior efficacy, short‐term results and complication rates compared with monopolar TURP.
Multimarket Competition, Mobility Barriers, and Firm Performance
Authors: Guedri Zied , McGuire Jean 
Published: May 2010

abstractThis study develops and tests a theoretical framework which suggests interactive dynamics, with strong performance implications, between the height of mobility barriers surrounding strategic groups and the extent of within‐group multimarket competition. Empirical analysis drawn from a longitudinal sample of pharmaceutical firms indicates that within‐group multimarket competition has strong positive effect on firm performance for strategic groups surrounded by high mobility barriers. As we move lower on the mobility barriers hierarchy, this effect decreases, becoming non‐significant for groups surrounded by moderate mobility barriers and negative for groups surrounded by low mobility barriers. These findings highlight the conditions under which mobility barriers and multimarket competition have significant performance implications. In addition, our results suggest that mobility barriers and multimarket competition are not substitutive but complementary devices promoting mutual coordination within strategic groups. Finally, our findings point to the need to consider multimarket contacts as an aggregate property of strategic groups.
Ongoing coevolution in mycorrhizal interactions
Authors: Hoeksema Jason D. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryCoevolution can be a potent force in maintaining and generating biological diversity. Although coevolution is likely to have played a key role in the early development of mycorrhizal interactions, it is unclear how important coevolutionary processes are for ongoing trait evolution in those interactions. Empirical studies have shown that candidate coevolving traits, such as mycorrhizal colonization intensity, exhibit substantial heritable genetic variation within plant and fungal species and are influenced by plant genotype × fungal genotype interactions, suggesting the potential for ongoing coevolutionary selection. Selective source analysis (SSA) could be employed to build on these results, testing explicitly for ongoing coevolutionary selection and analyzing the influence of community context on local coevolutionary selection. Recent empirical studies suggest the potential for coevolution to drive adaptive differentiation among populations of plants and fungi, but further studies, especially using SSA in the context of field reciprocal transplant experiments, are needed to determine the importance of coevolutionary selection compared with nonreciprocal selection on species traits.

Contents

Summary
286

I.
Introduction
287

II.
Background: local coevolutionary selection and the hierarchy of candidate coevolving traits inmycorrhizal interactions
287

III.
Question 1: is coevolutionary selection ongoing between plants and mycorrhizal fungi, and, if so, what form(s) does it take?
290

IV.
Question 2: how does community context affect local coevolutionary selection in the mycorrhizal interaction?
291

V.
Question 3: what are the relative roles of the three elements of the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution (selection mosaics, hotspots and coldspots, and trait remixing) and nonreciprocal selection from biotic and abiotic factors in driving trait diversification of plants and mycorrhizal fungi?
294

VI.
Conclusions
297

Acknowledgements
297

References
298
Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and risk to child behavioural development: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Robinson M , Oddy WH , McLean NJ , Jacoby P , Pennell CE , de Klerk NH , Zubrick SR , Stanley FJ , Newnham JP 
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Robinson M, Oddy W, McLean N, Jacoby P, Pennell CE, de Klerk N, Zubrick S, Stanley F, Newnham J. Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and risk to child behavioural development: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2010;117:1139–1152.Objective  To examine the association of fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy with child and adolescent behavioural development.Design  The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study recruited 2900 pregnancies (1989–91) and the 14‐year follow up was conducted between 2003 and 2006.Setting  Tertiary obstetric hospital in Perth, Western Australia.Population  The women in the study provided data at 18 and 34 weeks of gestation on weekly alcohol intake: no drinking, occasional drinking (up to one standard drink per week), light drinking (2–6 standard drinks per week), moderate drinking (7–10 standard drinks per week), and heavy drinking (11 or more standard drinks per week).Methods  Longitudinal regression models were used to analyse the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) scores over 14 years, assessed by continuous z‐scores and clinical cutoff points, after adjusting for confounders.Main outcome measure  Their children were followed up at ages 2, 5, 8, 10 and 14 years. The CBCL was used to measure child behaviour.Results  Light drinking and moderate drinking in the first 3 months of pregnancy were associated with child CBCL z‐scores indicative of positive behaviour over 14 years after adjusting for maternal and sociodemographic characteristics. These changes in z‐score indicated a clinically meaningful reduction in total, internalising and externalising behavioural problems across the 14 years of follow up.Conclusions  Our findings do not implicate light–moderate consumption of alcohol in pregnancy as a risk factor in the epidemiology of child behavioural problems.
Use of Outpatient Care in Veterans Health Administration and Medicare among Veterans Receiving Primary Care in Community‐Based and Hospital Outpatient Clinics
Authors: Liu Chuan‐Fen , Chapko Michael , Bryson Chris L. , Burgess James F. , Fortney John C. , Perkins Mark , Sharp Nancy D. , Maciejewski Matthew L. 
Published: May 2010

Objective. To examine differences in use of Veterans Health Administration (VA) and Medicare outpatient services by VA primary care patients.Data Sources/Study Setting. VA administrative and Medicare claims data from 2001 to 2004.Study Design. Retrospective cohort study of outpatient service use by 8,964 community‐based and 6,556 hospital‐based VA primary care patients.Principal Findings. A significant proportion of VA patients used Medicare‐reimbursed primary care (>30 percent) and specialty care (>60 percent), but not mental health care (3–4 percent). Community‐based patients had 17 percent fewer VA primary care visits (p<.001), 9 percent more Medicare‐reimbursed visits (p<.001), and 6 percent fewer total visits (p<.05) than hospital‐based patients. Community‐based patients had 22 percent fewer VA specialty care visits (p<.0001) and 21 percent more Medicare‐reimbursed specialty care visits (p<.0001) than hospital‐based patients, but no difference in total visits (p=.80).Conclusions. Medicare‐eligible VA primary care patients followed over 4 consecutive years used significant primary care and specialty care outside of VA. Community‐based patients offset decreased VA use with increased service use paid by Medicare, suggesting that increasing access to VA primary care via community clinics may fragment veteran care in unintended ways. Coordination of care between VA and non‐VA providers and health care systems is essential to improve the quality and continuity of care.
Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of circulating blood dendritic cell precursors and T cells predicts response to extracorporeal photopheresis in patients with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Akhtari Mojtaba , Giver Cynthia R. , Ali Zahir , Flowers Christopher R. , Gleason Charise L. , Hillyer Christopher D. , Kaufman Jonathan , Khoury H. Jean , Langston Amelia A. , Lechowicz Mary Jo , Lonial Sagar , Renfroe Heather M. , Roback John D. , Tighiouart Mourad , Vaughn Louette , Waller Edmund K. 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: One proposed mechanism of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in reducing chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) is alteration in numbers of circulating dendritic cells (DCs). This hypothesis was tested by correlating numbers of DC precursors and T cells in the blood before and during ECP therapy with response of cGVHD.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐five patients with cGVHD were treated with ECP. Data were collected with emphasis on blood cellular markers, clinical response to ECP, and overall survival.RESULTS: Fourteen patients (56%) responded and had better 2‐year survival than nonresponders (88% vs. 18%, p = 0.003). Responders had higher baseline circulating myeloid DC (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC precursors and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with nonresponders. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the best baseline cutoff values to predict response to ECP were mDC counts of 3.7 cells/µL (79% sensitivity, 82% specificity) and CD4+ T‐cell counts of 104 cells/µL (71% sensitivity, 82% specificity). CD4+ T cells declined in responders over time, but not in nonresponders, and no significant changes were seen in CD8 T‐cell or DC numbers over a 12‐month period in responder or nonresponder groups.CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline numbers of circulating DCs and T cells may predict clinical response to ECP in patients with cGVHD.
Explicit computations of Serre’s obstruction for genus-3 curves and application to optimal curves
Authors: Ritzenthaler Christophe 
Published: May 2010

AbstractLet k be a field of characteristic other than 2. There can be an obstruction to a principally polarized abelian threefold (A,a) over k, which is a Jacobian over $\bar {k}$, being a Jacobian over k; this can be computed in terms of the rationality of the square root of the value of a certain Siegel modular form. We show how to do this explicitly for principally polarized abelian threefolds which are the third power of an elliptic curve with complex multiplication. We use our numerical results to prove or refute the existence of some optimal curves of genus 3.
Chinese ‘low-tar’ cigarettes do not deliver lower levels of nicotine and carcinogens
Authors: Gan Quan , Lu Wei , Xu Jiying , Li Xinjian , Goniewicz Maciej , Benowitz Neal L , Glantz Stanton A 
Published: May 2010

BackgroundLow-tar cigarette smoking is gaining popularity in China. The China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) promotes low-tar cigarettes as safer than regular cigarettes.MethodsA total of 543 male smokers smoking cigarettes with different tar yields (15 mg, regular cigarettes, 10–13 mg low-tar cigarettes and <10 mg low-tar cigarettes) were recruited in Shanghai, China, who then completed a questionnaire on smoking behaviour and provided a urine sample for analysis of the nicotine metabolites cotinine and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine. A total of 177 urine samples were selected at random for the analysis of the carcinogens polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (PAHs) (1-hydroxypyrene, naphthols, hydroxyfluorenes and hydroxyphenanthrenes) and the tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-butanone (NNK) metabolites, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-butanol (NNAL) and NNAL-glucuronide. Values were normalised by creatinine to correct for possible distortions introduced by dilution or concentration of the urine.ResultsSmokers of low-tar cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes per day (p=0.001) compared to smokers of regular cigarettes. Despite this lower reported consumption, levels of cotinine, trans-3′-hydroxycotinine and PAHs in urine of people smoking low-tar cigarettes were not correlated with nominal tar delivery of the cigarettes they smoked. Urine concentrations of NNAL were higher in smokers of lower tar than higher tar cigarettes.ConclusionsChinese low-tar cigarettes do not deliver lower doses of nicotine and carcinogens than regular cigarettes, therefore it is unlikely that there would be any reduction in harm. CNTC's promotion of low-tar cigarettes as ‘less harmful’ is a violation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which China ratified in 2005.
Hair nicotine levels in non-smoking pregnant women whose spouses smoke outside of the home
Authors: Yoo Sang-Ho , Paek Yu-Jin , Kim Seong-Soo , Lee Do-Hoon , Seo Dong-Ki , Seong Moon-Woo , Chang Hye-Mi , Choi Seok-Tae , Im Hyoung-June 
Published: May 2010

ObjectiveTo determine whether spouses who only smoke cigarettes outside the home can reduce the secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure of non-smoking pregnant women to the levels of those with non-smoking spouses.MethodsIn this cross-sectional survey performed between 1 October 2006 and 31 July 2007, 896 non-smoking pregnant women in their 35th gestational week were included. Hair nicotine levels and the smoking behaviour of their spouses at home were assessed.ResultsThe geometric means of the hair nicotine levels of the participants with non-smoking spouses (group A), the participants with spouses who only smoked outside the home (group B), and the participants with spouses who smoked inside the home (group C) were 0.33 ng/mg (95% CI 0.30 to 0.35), 0.51 ng/mg (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.57) and 0.58 ng/mg (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.65), respectively. The mean log hair nicotine level of group A was significantly different from the other groups (p<0.001, Scheffe's post hoc test). Multiple linear regression analysis of the log-transformed hair nicotine levels of the participants after adjusting for confounding showed that the mean differences (SE of the mean difference) of groups B and C compared to the reference group A were 0.43 (0.07; p<0.001) and 0.44 (0.10; p<0.001), respectively.ConclusionsSpouses who only smoked outside the home did not reduce the level of SHS exposure of pregnant women to the level of pregnant women with non-smoking spouses. A strategy based on the separation of pregnant women and the smoking activity of their spouses might be inadequate to protect pregnant women from SHS at home.
Volume change behaviour of a compacted scaly clay during cyclic suction changes
Authors: Airò Farulla Camillo , Ferrari Alessio , Romero Enrique 
Published: May 2010

The research presented in this paper focuses on the investigation and modelling of the volume change response of compacted tectonised clay samples subjected to several wetting and drying cycles in controlled-suction oedometers. Oedometer tests were carried out under different values of constant vertical net stress, and wetting and drying cycles were performed varying applied matric suction between 10 and 800 kPa. The investigation was complemented with a study of the material microstructure to support the interpretation of the overall mechanical response. At a microscopic level, the material is characterized by different types of particle assemblages, scales, and clay aggregates. One of these assemblages was also subjected to a relative humidity cycle in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) to investigate the reversibility of the mechanical response. Based on the experimental results, the clay volume change behaviour is discussed and interpreted within the context of a double structure elastoplastic model. The procedure used to derive elastic and plastic constitutive parameters is presented. Comparison of test results with model predictions shows a satisfactory agreement between measured and calculated strain evolution.
Dual modulation of nitric oxide production in the heart during ischaemia/reperfusion injury and inflammation
Authors: de Prati Alessandra , Podesser Bruno , Faggian Giuseppe , Scarabelli Tiziano , Mazzucco Alessandro , Darra Elena , Rungatscher Alessio , Hallström Seth , Suzuki Hisanori 
Published: May 2010

SummaryNitric oxide (NO) homeostasis maintained by neuronal/endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (n/eNOS) contributes to regulate cardiac function under physiological conditions. At the early stages of ischaemia, NO homeostasis is disturbed due to Ca2+-dependent e/nNOS activation. In endothelial cells, successive drop in NO concentration may occur due to both uncoupling of eNOS and/or successive inhibition of nNOS catalytic activity mediated by arachidonic acid-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of this enzyme. The reduced NO bioavailability triggers nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation followed by the induction of inducible NOS (iNOS) expression. In cardiomyocytes ischaemia also triggers the induction of iNOS expression during reperfusion. The massive amounts of NO which are subsequently produced following iNOS induction may exert on cardiomyocytes and the other cell types of cells of the heart, such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells, macrophages and neutrophils, opposing effects, either beneficial or toxic. The balance between these two double-faced actions may contribute to the final clinical outcomes, determining the degree of functional adaptation of the heart to ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In the light of this new vision on the critical role played by the cross-talk between n/eNOS and iNOS as well as the non enzymatic NO production by nitrite, we have reason to believe that new pharmacological measurements or experimental interventions, such as ischaemic preconditioning, aimed at counteracting the drop in NO levels beyond the normal range of NO homeostasis during early reperfusion can represent an efficient strategy to reduce the extent of functional impairment and cardiac damage in the heart exposed to ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
Circulating progenitor cells in patients with atrial fibrillation and their relation with serum markers of inflammation and angiogenesis
Authors: Blann Andrew , Watson Timothy , Shantsila Eduard , Lip Gregory 
Published: May 2010

Summary
The pathophysiological inter-relationships and underlying ‘drivers’ of a prothrombotic state in atrial fibrillation (AF) are complex but may include endothelial abnormalities. Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) have been recently described as a cell population that may promote repair of endothelial damage. We hypothesised abnormalities in this cell population, alongside abnormal markers of endothelial damage/dysfunction (von Willebrand factor, soluble E-selectin), apoptosis (soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor) and inflammation (interleukin-6) in 135 consecutive AF patients (14 with lone AF), who were compared to 33 ‘disease controls’ and 13 healthy controls. We also explored whether restoration of sinus rhythm would alter these indices. No significant differences in research indices were observed between AF and disease controls, apart from soluble Fas levels (p<0.001). Median CPC levels in lone AF were higher compared to ‘non-lone AF’ (that is, AF patients with co-morbidities) [p<0.001], apparently because of difference in age and presence of co-morbidities. There was an increase in CPC counts (p=0.007), but in not other markers following DC cardioversion. CPCs increased significantly in the 17 patients who were successfully cardioverted into sinus rhythm (p=0.003). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, age (p=0.014), hyperlipidaemia (p=0.001) and use of statins (but not AF) was predictive of CPC counts (p=0.014). In conclusion, AF is unlikely to be independently associated with abnormalities in CPCs. Successful cardioversion is associated with a modest but significant increase in CPCs.
Nonhuman Animal Experiments in the European Community: Human Values and Rational Choice
Authors: Peggs Kay 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn 2008, the European Community (EC) adopted a Proposal to revise the EC Directive on nonhuman animal experiments, with the aim of improving the welfare of the nonhuman animals used in experiments. An Impact Assessment, which gauges the likely economic and scientific effects of future changes, as well as the effects on nonhuman animal welfare, informs the Proposal. By using a discourse analytical approach, this paper examines the Directive, the Impact Assessment and the Proposal to reflect critically upon assumptions about the morality of nonhuman animal experiments. Because nonhuman animal welfare is so prominent in the Proposal, it appears that the EC position advances beyond human self-interest (orthodox rational choice) as the sole motivator for such experiments, to ethical questions about the welfare of nonhuman animals (which can be better explained by a multidimensional approach to rational choice). In examining this contention, this paper concludes that, even given concerns about nonhuman animal welfare, nonhuman animal experimentation in the EC is firmly grounded in a morality that focuses on human benefit goals rather than on the wider moral issues associated with the means of achieving such goals.
The Influence of Animal Advocacy Groups in State Courts of Last Resort
Authors: Tauber Steven 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSince the 1970s, animal advocacy groups have attempted to improve the treatment of non-human animals by influencing public opinion and lobbying for legislation that protects animals. Empirical assessments of these efforts have reported mixed results. Animal advocacy groups also use litigation as a means of improving the treatment of nonhuman animals, but there has been limited empirical testing of the effectiveness of animal advocacy litigation. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examines the 188 animal law cases decided in state supreme courts from 1973 through 2005. It looks specifically at whether the participation of an animal advocacy organization increases the chance of a favorable decision, while controlling for legal and political influences on case outcomes. Logistic regression reveals that the presence of animal advocacy groups does not exert a statistically significant impact on case outcomes. Further analysis demonstrates, however, that animal advocacy groups are significantly more likely than nongroup litigators to pursue cases that are difficult to win.