bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and attitudes of trainee physicians regarding evidence‐based medicine: a questionnaire survey in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Ahmadi‐Abhari Sara , Soltani Akbar , Hosseinpanah Farhad 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives  Knowledge in evidence‐based medicine (EBM) is increasingly becoming a core competence in medical education. We evaluated the trainee doctors’ attitudes and knowledge of EBM to obtain the basis required for developing appropriate teaching and learning opportunities.
Methods  Trainee physicians at a Tehran University hospital were surveyed. The questionnaire included six questions evaluating knowledge of EBM, the number of correct answers yielding the knowledge score, and eight questions evaluating attitudes towards EBM. Participants were also asked to mark on a 10‐cm Visual Analogue Scale their use of various information sources and tendency to participate in EBM training courses.
Results  The response rate was 80% (104/130). The mean knowledge score was 3 ± 1.3 (SD) on a range of 0–6 for all respondents and was not significantly different between interns (2.9 ± 1.4) and postgraduates (3.3 ± 1.0). Forty one per cent of interns and 66% of postgraduates had a positive attitude towards EBM; the remaining respondents were neutral. Textbooks and consulting experts were the most, and Cochrane Library was the least, used sources of information among both interns and postgraduates. The knowledge score was not associated with attitude, but was higher in those with previous research experience, prior EBM training, or the postgraduates that read more articles. The postgraduates and those with prior EBM training showed a significantly more positive attitude towards EBM.
Conclusion  The present study demonstrates that the majority of trainee physicians at a Tehran University hospital lack adequate knowledge about basic concepts of EBM. Furthermore, most of them continue to use traditional sources of knowledge rather than evidence‐based sources. On the positive side, there was an overall positive attitude towards EBM and the majority had a positive tendency to take part in EBM training courses.
The epidemic of chronic kidney disease: looking at ageing and cardiovascular disease through kidney‐shaped lenses
Authors: Mangione F. , Canton A. Dal 
Published: September 2010

Abstract.  Mangione F, Dal Canton A (Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia; and Unit of Nephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy) The epidemic of chronic kidney disease: looking at ageing and cardiovascular disease through kidney‐shaped lenses (Foresight) J Intern Med 2010; 268: 449–455.In recent years, a ‘silent’ chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemic has been proposed by many authors. The ‘outbreak’ is because of the inclusion of a large proportion of the elderly population within stage 3 CKD according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative staging system. Unfortunately, this does not take into account the fact that renal function normally declines with age; in addition, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula used to calculate glomerular filtration rate underestimates renal function in the elderly. Because population preventive strategies need a precise definition of the target for screening, a more accurate tool to detect CKD in the general population is required. Considerable interest in CKD has been generated by the evidence that predialysis CKD is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Such an association per se does not imply that CKD is a causal determinant of CVD. As CKD has been detected particularly in elderly individuals, it is tempting to speculate that an association may exist between age and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. Furthermore, the definition of CKD is a nosographic simplification that includes diseases with different causes and pathogenetic mechanisms. The aetiologies of renal diseases can affect cardiovascular outcomes, and the two major causes of end‐stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, indeed do so. These findings point to a need for a better definition of CKD to optimize the allocation of healthcare resources and to clarify the nature of the association between CKD and CVD.
Positive relationships between genetic diversity and abundance in fishes
Authors: MCCUSKER MEGAN R. , BENTZEN PAUL 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMolecular markers, such as mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci, are widely studied to assess population genetics and phylogeography; however, the selective neutrality of these markers is increasingly being questioned. Given the importance of molecular markers in fisheries science and conservation, we evaluated the neutrality of both mtDNA and microsatellite loci through their associations with population size. We surveyed mtDNA and microsatellite data from the primary literature and determined whether genetic diversity increased with abundance across a total of 105 marine and freshwater fishes, with both global fisheries catch data and body size as proxies for abundance (with an additional 57 species for which only body size data were assessed). We found that microsatellite data generally yielded higher associations with abundance than mtDNA data, and within mtDNA analyses, number of haplotypes and haplotype diversity were more strongly associated with abundance than nucleotide diversity, particularly for freshwater fishes. We compared genetic diversity between freshwater and marine fishes and found that marine fishes had higher values of all measures of genetic diversity than freshwater fishes. Results for both mtDNA and microsatellites generally conformed to neutral expectations, although weaker relationships were often found between mtDNA nucleotide diversity and ‘abundance’ compared to any other genetic statistic. We speculate that this is because of historical events unrelated to natural selection, although a role for selection cannot be ruled out.
The Chandra Small Magellanic Cloud Wing Survey – the search for X-ray binaries
Authors: McGowan K. E. , Coe M. J. , Schurch M. P. E. , McBride V. A. , Galache J. L. , Edge W. R. T. , Corbet R. H. D. , Laycock S. , Buckley D. A. H. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
We have detected 523 sources in a survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Wing with Chandra. By cross-correlating the X-ray data with optical and near-infrared catalogues, we have found 300 matches. Using a technique that combines X-ray colours and X-ray to optical flux ratios, we have been able to assign preliminary classifications to 265 of the objects. Our identifications include four pulsars, one high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) candidate, 34 stars and 185 active galactic nuclei (AGN). In addition, we have classified 32 sources as ‘hard’ AGN which are likely absorbed by local gas and dust, and nine ‘soft’ AGN whose nature is still unclear. Considering the abundance of HMXBs discovered so far in the Bar of the SMC the number that we have detected in the Wing is low.
A 610-MHz survey of the ELAIS-N1 field with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope – observations, data analysis and source catalogue
Authors: Garn Timothy , Green David A. , Riley Julia M. , Alexander Paul 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Observations of the European Large-Area ISO Survey-North 1 (ELAIS-N1) field taken at 610 MHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope are presented. 19 pointings were observed, covering a total area of ∼ 9 deg2 with a resolution of 6 × 5 arcsec2, position angle (PA) +45°. Four of the pointings were deep observations with an rms of ∼40 μJy before primary beam correction, with the remaining 15 pointings having an rms of ∼70 μJy. The techniques used for data reduction and production of a mosaicked image of the region are described, and the final mosaic is presented, along with a catalogue of 2500 sources detected above 6σ. This work complements the large amount of optical and infrared data already available on the region. We calculate 610-MHz source counts down to 270 μJy, and find further evidence for the turnover in differential number counts below 1 mJy, previously seen at both 610 MHz and 1.4 GHz.
Period analysis of three close binary systems: TW And, TT Her and W UMi
Authors: Kreiner J. M. , Pribulla T. , Tremko J. , Stachowski G. S. , Zakrzewski B. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Orbital period changes of three close binaries, TW And, TT Her and W UMi, were studied using the Kraków data base of minima of eclipsing binaries, and new photoelectric observations obtained by the authors. The interval of the observations spans roughly a century. The major orbital period change in TW And is explained by the presence of a third body with P3= 49.6 yr and a continuous secular period increase. A third body, with P3= 41.0 yr, was also found in the system TT Her. The (O–C) diagram of W UMi can be interpreted as either an abrupt orbital period decrease which occurred around the end of 1973 or as a secular orbital period decrease combined with cyclic change. In this case, the orbital period of the third body is 62.2 yr and the sum of squares of residuals is lower than for a broken-line fit, therefore cyclic variations should be preferred. In all three systems, the third body is a low-mass companion.
The Monitor project: rotation of low-mass stars in the open cluster NGC 2547
Authors: Irwin Jonathan , Hodgkin Simon , Aigrain Suzanne , Bouvier Jerome , Hebb Leslie , Moraux Estelle 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
We report on the results of an I-band time-series photometric survey of NGC 2547 using the MPG/ESO 2.2-m telescope with Wide Field Imager, achieving better than 1 per cent photometric precision per data point over 14 ≲I≲ 18. Candidate cluster members were selected from a V versus V−I colour–magnitude diagram over 12.5 &lt; V &lt; 24 (covering masses from 0.9 M⊙ down to below the brown dwarf limit), finding 800 candidates, of which we expect ∼330 to be real cluster members, taking into account contamination from the field (which is most severe at the extremes of our mass range). Searching for periodic variations in these gave 176 detections over the mass range 0.1 ≲M/M⊙≲ 0.9. The rotation period distributions were found to show a clear mass-dependent morphology, qualitatively intermediate between the distributions obtained from similar surveys in NGC 2362 and 2516, as would be expected from the age of this cluster. Models of the rotational evolution were investigated, finding that the evolution from NGC 2362 to 2547 was qualitatively reproduced (given the uncertainty in the age of NGC 2547) by solid body and core-envelope decoupled models from our earlier NGC 2516 study without need for significant modification.
Association of pregnancy history and birth characteristics with neuroblastoma: a report from the Children's Cancer Group and the Pediatric Oncology Group
Authors: Hamrick Shannon E. G. , Olshan Andrew F. , Neglia Joseph P. , Pollock Brad H. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryPrevious studies have suggested a relationship between reproductive history, pregnancy and birth factors, and the risk of neuroblastoma. We conducted a case–control telephone interview study that included a total of 504 children under the age of 19 years with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma identified by two national collaborative clinical trials groups, the Children's Cancer Group and the Pediatric Oncology Group. A total of 504 controls, matched to cases on age, were identified by random digit dialling. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the matched odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with adjustment for household income, and maternal race and education. In addition, case subgroups defined by age at diagnosis, tumour MYCN oncogene amplification status, and stage were evaluated. A suggestive pattern of increased risk was seen for a greater number of prior pregnancies, history of previous miscarriages and induced abortions, with nearly a twofold increase in risk for two or more prior induced abortions (OR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.0,3.7]). No association was found for the following diseases or conditions during pregnancy: hepatitis, rubella, measles, mumps, chickenpox, mononucleosis, vaccinations, morning sickness, pre‐eclampsia, bleeding, proteinuria, anaemia, urinary tract infections, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes. A weak association was found for hypertension during pregnancy. Several labour and delivery factors were related to an increased risk, including threatened miscarriage, anaesthetic during labour (specifically epidural) and caesarean delivery. We found associations between premature delivery (<33 weeks: OR = 1.9, 95% CI [0.7,4.8]), very low birthweight (<1500 g: OR = 2.6, 95% CI [0.7,10.3]) and risk of neuroblastoma. There was no consistent pattern of increased risk found for most factors within subgroups defined by age at diagnosis, stage or MYCN status.
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality due to congenital anomalies: temporal trends and variation by small area deprivation scores in England and Wales, 1986–96
Authors: Neasham David , Dolk Helen , Vrijheid Martine , Jensen Tina , Best Nicky 
Published: September 2010

SummaryWe investigated the variation of stillbirth and neonatal mortality due to congenital anomalies in relation to small‐area measures of deprivation in a population‐based study in England and Wales, 1986–96. We found 10 954 stillbirths and neonatal deaths from all non‐chromosomal and chromosomal anomalies during the study period out of a total of 7 487 007 live and stillbirths. The extended perinatal mortality rate (EPM rate) (defined as babies who were stillborn or died within 28 completed days after birth per 10 000 total live and stillbirths) for all chromosomal and all non‐chromosomal anomalies was 1.5/10 000 and 13.2/10 000, respectively, over the whole period. The rate for non‐chromosomal anomalies halved over the decade while the rate for chromosomal anomalies remained unchanged. The relative risks of EPM for chromosomal and non‐chromosomal anomalies were 0.71 [0.80, 0.95] and 1.17 [95%CI 1.06, 1.30], respectively, in the group of wards with highest deprivation compared with the least deprived group. Increasing gradients of EPM with increasing deprivation were observed for (1) grouped non‐chromosomal anomalies including neural tube defects, all renal and urinary anomalies, all musculoskeletal anomalies, and multiple anomalies, and (2) several specific non‐chromosomal anomalies including anencephaly, limb reduction defects, diaphragm and abdominal wall defects. This study provides strong evidence that increased deprivation is associated with increased EPM due to most non‐chromosomal anomalies; the finding of decreased relative risk for chromosomal anomalies is probably related to differences in maternal age distribution between deprivation groups.
Folic acid supplements in pregnancy and birth outcome: re‐analysis of a large randomised controlled trial and update of Cochrane review
Authors: Charles Deborah H. M. , Ness Andy R. , Campbell Doris , Smith George Davey , Whitley Elise , Hall Marion H. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryPericonceptual folic acid prevents neural tube defects. The effect of folic acid taken throughout pregnancy is unclear, however. We re‐analysed data from a large randomised controlled trial performed between 1966 and 1967 and combined the results with those from trials included in a Cochrane review. A total of 2928 women were randomised: 1977 were allocated to placebo, 466 to folic acid 200 µg/day and 485 to folic acid 5 mg/day.Folic acid supplementation was not associated with any difference in mean birthweight, placental weight or gestational age. When combined with trials in the Cochrane review folic acid at high doses was associated with reduced risk of low birthweight (pooled relative risk 0.73 [95% CI 0.53, 0.99]). We found no conclusive evidence of benefit for folic acid supplementation in pregnant women given from time of booking onwards.
Allergy and infectious disease histories and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Rosenbaum Paula F. , Buck Germaine M. , Brecher Martin L. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryInfectious disease histories were evaluated in a population‐based case‐control study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) as it has been hypothesised that delays in early infections are associated with an increased risk of disease. Allergy histories were also assessed as part of a broader evaluation of the role of immune factors in ALL. Cases (n = 255) were diagnosed between 1980 and 1991 at one of four referral centres in a 31‐county area of New York State; controls (n = 760) were a random sample of live births from the same region, frequency matched to cases by sex, race and birth year. Data were collected by mailed questionnaire, completed by case and control parents in 1995. Allergy and infectious histories before the age at leukaemia diagnosis for cases and an equivalent age for controls were evaluated. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval [CI] associated with a positive history of any allergy was 0.58 [95% CI 0.38, 0.88] compared with a negative allergy history. The occurrence of several common childhood illnesses before 25 months of age and ALL were assessed, with both weak positive and weak inverse associations observed.Overall, these analyses provide little support for the hypothesis that infection delay in early life is associated with an increased risk of ALL. Children with positive allergy histories reported significantly more infections than those with negative histories; however, effect modification of the infection‐ALL associations by child allergy history was not observed. Nonetheless, these observations suggest the importance of assessing both allergy and infectious histories and their possible interactions when evaluating the association between these immune factors and childhood ALL.
Infant mortality in Israel during 1950–2000: rates, causes, demographic characteristics and trends
Authors: Amitai Yona , Haklai Ziona , Tarabeia Jalal , Green Manfred S. , Rotem Naama , Fleisher Eve , Leventhal Alex 
Published: September 2010

SummaryWe evaluated the trends and risk factors in infant mortality in Israel over five decades (1950–2000), based on data obtained from the official notifications of live births, and death certificates. Until the 1960s the main cause of infant mortality was infectious disease; this was replaced by congenital anomalies in Moslems and Druzes, and preterm birth in Jews and Christians. In 2000, there were 746 infant deaths, and the national infant mortality rate (IMR) was 5.4 per 1000 live births (Jews 3.9; [95% CI 3.5, 4.3]; Moslems 9.2 [8.3, 10.3]; Christians 3.6 [1.4, 5.8]; Druzes 6.3 [3.6, 9.0]). Between 1955 and 2000 the overall IMR declined sevenfold (absolute declines of 56.8, 56.3, 45.0 and 28.3 per 1000 live births, in Moslems, Druzes, Christians and Jews, respectively). The reduction in IMRs between 1990 and 2000 in all religious groups (>45%) exceeded the goal set by the World Summit for Children in 1990 of 33%. In 2000, the main risk factors were birthweight < 1500 g [relative risk (RR) = 69], major congenital malformations (RR = 22.0 [18.8, 25.7], and multiple births (RR of 9.3 and 4.2 in triplets and twins respectively). We conclude that the marked decline in IMRs in Israel over five decades reflects a major improvement in population health. Today, infant mortality in Israel represents a unique combination of high rate of congenital malformations among Moslems, where consanguineous marriages are common, and medical termination of pregnancy of malformed fetuses are infrequent; and relatively high IMRs from preterm birth in Jews, associated with high rates of assisted reproduction.
Should spontaneous and medically indicated preterm births be separated for studying aetiology?
Authors: Savitz David A. , Dole Nancy , Herring Amy H. , Kaczor Diane , Murphy June , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria , Thorp John M. , MacDonald Thaddeus L. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryAn increasing proportion of preterm births result from medical interventions, and the practice of aggregating all preterm births vs. splitting into spontaneous and medically indicated preterm births is inconsistent. While mechanistic and clinical arguments can be offered for either approach, we empirically evaluated the predictiveness of a range of risk factors for preterm birth in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study. Most influences were shared across the two subsets – African‐American ethnicity, advancing age, delivery at a university medical centre, prior preterm birth and smoking. Medically indicated preterm births appeared to be associated with intensity of medical care, higher in the university medical centre and lower for the poorest women. Body mass index was positively associated with medically indicated preterm birth and inversely with spontaneous preterm birth. Given the complexity of the aetiological pathways, both aggregation and disaggregation are well justified and should be included in studies of the causes of preterm birth.
Multilevel modelling of hospitalisations for recurrent diarrhoeal disease in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants and young children in Western Australia
Authors: Yau Kelvin K. W. , Lee Andy H. , Gracey Michael 
Published: September 2010

SummaryA multilevel proportional hazards model was used to determine the prognostic factors affecting hospitalisations for recurrent diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children. All infants born in 1996 who had index gastroenteritis admission to Western Australian (WA) hospitals during their first year of life were included in our study cohort (n = 486). There were 618 hospital admissions for infectious diarrhoea over the 6‐year follow‐up period. Aboriginal children stayed significantly longer in hospital than their non‐Aboriginal peers, and comorbidities such as dehydration, gastrointestinal sugar intolerance, failure to thrive, iron deficiency anaemia and certain infections (genitourinary, scabies and/or otitis media) were all significantly associated with the delayed discharge of patients. Substantial variations among patients (variance = 0.660) and between health service regions of WA (variance = 0.296) were found. Over 30% of the total variation could be attributed to the heterogeneity between health districts. For any two patients in the same health district, the within‐region (intraclass) correlation was estimated to be 0.309.In the absence of detailed socio‐demographic data, application of the standard survival procedure may lead to incorrect inferences due to regional clustering and repeated observations on individuals. By accounting for latent patient and regional effects, the multilevel analysis clearly confirmed the high burden of infectious diarrhoea among Aboriginal infants and children, and their much longer hospital stays. Coexisting morbidities contributed to the prolonged and recurrent hospitalisations. Findings of this epidemiological study indicated the need of multifaceted clinical disease prevention and hygiene promotion strategies to control the disease.