bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gleason score 7 screen‐detected prostate cancers initially managed expectantly: outcomes in 50 men
Authors: Van Den Bergh Roderick C.N. , Roemeling Stijn , Roobol Monique J. , Aus Gunnar , Hugosson Jonas , Rannikko Antti S. , Tammela Teuvo L. , Bangma Chris H. , Schröder Fritz H. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo assess whether men newly diagnosed with Gleason 7 prostate cancer are eligible for active surveillance (AS) instead of radical treatment. AS is an appropriate initial strategy in selected men who are presently diagnosed with prostate cancer, as many tumours will not progress during a patient’s lifetime.PATIENTS AND METHODSCancer‐specific‐, overall and treatment‐free survival were analysed retrospectively in men with Gleason score 7 cancer who were initially managed expectantly. All were screen‐detected in four centres of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer.RESULTSIn 50 men active therapy was initially withheld if they had Gleason 7 disease; 29 of 50 (58%) would otherwise have been suitable for AS, as they had a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of ≤10.0 ng/mL, a PSA density of <0.2 ng/mL/mL, stage T1c/T2, and two or fewer positive biopsy‐cores; 44 of 50 (88%) had a Gleason score 3 + 4 = 7. The mean (range) age of the men was 69.5 (59.6–76.2) years and the median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 2.6 (0.8–5.0) years; the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 1.8. The 6‐year cancer‐specific survival (nine patients at risk) was 100%, which sharply contrasted with the 68% overall survival. Men alive at the time of analysis had a favourable PSA level and PSA‐doubling time. The 6‐year treatment‐free survival was only 59%, with most patients switching to active therapy, justified on the basis of their PSA level. However, men with otherwise favourable tumour characteristics and a Gleason score of 3 + 4 = 7 remained treatment‐free significantly longer than their counterparts with unfavourable other tumour features and a Gleason score of 4 + 3 = 7.CONCLUSIONIn selected patients with screen‐detected Gleason 3 + 4 = 7 prostate cancer, AS might be an option, especially in those with comorbidity and/or a short life‐expectancy.
Lower urinary tract symptoms increase the risk of falls in older men
Authors: Parsons J. Kellogg , Mougey Jolee , Lambert Lori , Wilt Timothy J. , Fink Howard A. , Garzotto Mark , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth , Marshall Lynn M. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with the risk of falls in elderly community‐dwelling men.SUBJECTS AND METHODSWe evaluated 5872 participants in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for falls and osteoporotic fractures among community‐dwelling men aged ≥65 years. The primary outcome was the 1‐year cumulative incidence of falls in men with moderate or severe, vs mild LUTS at baseline, as measured by the American Urological Association Symptom Index. We used Poisson regression models and considered multiple variables as potential confounders.RESULTSAt baseline, 3188 (54%) reported mild, 2301 (39%) moderate, and 383 (7%) severe LUTS. Compared with men who had mild symptoms, the adjusted 1‐year cumulative incidence of falls was significantly higher among men with moderate or severe LUTS. The risk of at least one fall was increased by 11% among those with moderate (relative risk 1.11, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.01–1.22; P = 0.02) and by 33% among those with severe LUTS (1.33, 1.15–1.53; P < 0.001). Further, those with moderate LUTS had a 21% (1.21, 1.05–1.40; P = 0.01) and those with severe LUTS a 63% (1.63, 1.31–2.02; P < 0.001) greater risk of at least two falls. LUTS most strongly associated with falls were urinary urgency, difficulty initiating urination, and nocturia.CONCLUSIONSModerate and severe LUTS independently increase the 1‐year risk of falls, particularly recurrent falls, in community‐dwelling older men. Because of the serious consequences of falls, these results might justify the routine assessment of LUTS with a validated questionnaire in the primary care of this population.
Final analysis of a phase II trial using sorafenib for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Aragon‐Ching Jeanny B. , Jain Lokesh , Gulley James L. , Arlen Philip M. , Wright John J. , Steinberg Seth M. , Draper David , Venitz Jürgen , Jones Elizabeth , Chen Clara C. , Figg William D. , Dahut William L. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine if sorafenib is associated with an improved 4‐month probability of progression‐free survival, using radiographic and clinical criteria alone, in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Secondary endpoints included pharmacokinetics, toxicity analysis and overall survival.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study was an open‐label, phase II, two‐stage design, focusing on the results from the second stage, as criteria for progression were modified after completing the first stage. Sorafenib was given at a dose of 400 mg orally twice daily in 28‐day cycles. Clinical and laboratory assessments were done every 4 weeks, and radiographic scans were obtained every 8 weeks.RESULTSTwenty‐four patients were accrued in the second stage; the median (range) age was 66 (49–85) years, the on‐study prostate‐specific antigen level was 68.45 (5.8–995) ng/mL, the Gleason score 8 (6–9) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 1 (in 17 patients). Of the 24 patients, 21 had previous chemotherapy with docetaxel. All patients had bony metastases, either alone (in 11) or with soft‐tissue disease (in 13). One patient had a partial response; 10 patients had stable disease (median duration 18 weeks, range 15–48). At a median potential follow‐up of 27.2 months, the median progression‐free survival was 3.7 months and the median overall survival was 18.0 months. For the whole trial of 46 patients the median survival was 18.3 months. Most frequent toxicities included hand‐foot skin reaction (grade 2 in nine patients, grade 3 in three), rash, abnormalities in liver function tests, and fatigue.CONCLUSIONSSorafenib has moderate activity as a second‐line treatment for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer.
Reliability and validity of the King’s Health Questionnaire for lower urinary tract symptoms in both genders
Authors: Okamura Kikuo , Nojiri Yoshikatsu , Osuga Yoko 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the reliability and validity of the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ) in both genders, which was originally developed as a health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire for female urinary incontinence for general lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).SUBJECTS AND METHODSData from the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and KHQ obtained from 179 men and 75 women consulting urologists (Sample A) were analysed. Cronbach’s α coefficient and inter‐domain correlation were calculated for reliability and validity assessment, respectively. Factor analysis was used to explore the underlying factor structure of the KHQ. KHQ scores of sample A were compared with those of 330 men and 418 women consulting general practitioners (Sample B).RESULTSInternal consistency of KHQ was acceptable with a Crohnbach’s α of 0.721–0.915 in the total population of sample A. Correlation analysis showed convergent validity among ‘Physical Limitations’, ‘Role Limitation’ and ‘Social Limitations’ and discriminant validity among ‘Personal Relationship’, ‘Emotion’s and ‘Sleep/Energy’. Factor analysis showed three underlying components to explain convergent and discriminant validity. In both sample A and sample B, HRQoL was impaired in the eight domains according to IPSS severity. KHQ scores of domains other than ‘General Health Perception’ in sample B were lower than those in sample A.CONCLUSIONThe KHQ can be used as a HRQoL questionnaire for LUTS in both genders. In the future, it is expected that the KHQ could be used in clinical studies for benign prostate hyperplasia and other conditions.
Root‐selective expression of AtCAX4 and AtCAX2 results in reduced lamina cadmium in field‐grown Nicotiana tabacum L.
Authors: Korenkov Victor , King Brian , Hirschi Kendal , Wagner George J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryTo assess the impact of enhanced root vacuole cadmium (Cd) sequestration on leaf Cd accumulation under a low Cd dose, as generally occurs in agriculture, leaf Cd accumulation was examined in field‐grown tobacco plants expressing genes encoding the high‐capacity‐Cd, tonoplast‐localized, divalent cation/H antiporters AtCAX4 and AtCAX2 (AtCAX, Arabidopsis cation exchanger). It has been shown previously that root tonoplast vesicles isolated from plants expressing these genes, directed by root‐selective promoters, show enhanced Cd transport activity, and young plants show enhanced root Cd accumulation when grown in solution culture containing 0.02 µm Cd, a moderate Cd dose. In this article, we present results which show that the lower leaves of mature plants expressing AtCAX2 or AtCAX4, under the control of two different root‐selective promoters, accumulate 15%–25% less lamina Cd than control plants when grown in the field (3 years, three different collection methods). Reciprocal grafting experiments of AtCAX2 shoots onto control roots (and vice versa), grown in solution culture with 0.005 µm Cd, indicated that the root controls Cd translocation and accumulation in the shoot in control and AtCAX2 and AtCAX4 tobacco plants exposed to low Cd concentration. The results are consistent with a model in which supplementation of Cd/H antiporter activity in root cell tonoplasts enhances root Cd sequestration, resulting in decreased translocation of Cd to the shoot of field‐grown plants. These results suggest that human Cd intake from food and tobacco use could be reduced via the enhancement of root vacuolar sequestration of this pollutant.
e‐Assessment and the student learning experience: A survey of student perceptions of e‐assessment
Authors: Dermo John 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis paper describes a piece of research carried out at the University of Bradford into student perceptions of e‐assessment. An online questionnaire was delivered to 130 undergraduates who had taken part in online assessment (either formative or summative) during the academic year 2007–2008. The survey looked at six main dimensions: (1) affective factors, (2) validity, (3) practical issues, (4) reliability, (5) security, and (6) learning and teaching. The aim of the survey was to identify possible risks in planning e‐assessments, as well as to gauge student opinion. The findings of the survey indicated a range of opinions across the student body, with greatest concern about the fairness of item banking. It was also found that the most positive aspect of e‐assessment in the eyes of students concerned the benefits that it can bring to teaching and learning. In addition, the paper concludes that age and gender did not significantly affect student responses in any of the areas studied.
Does regular online testing enhance student learning in the numerical sciences? Robust evidence from a large data set
Authors: Angus Simon D. , Watson Judith 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWhile a number of studies have been conducted on the impact of online assessment and teaching methods on student learning, the field does not seem settled around the promised benefits of such approaches. It is argued that the reason for this state of affairs is that few studies have been able to control for a number of confounding factors in student performance. We report on the introduction of a regular (every 3 weeks) low‐mark online assessment tool in a large, first‐year business mathematics course at the University of New South Wales, a major Australian university. Using a retrospective regression methodology together with a very large and rich data set, we test the proposition that exposure to the online assessment instrument enhances student learning. Significantly, we are able to control for prior student aptitude, in‐course mastery, gender and even effort via a voluntary class attendance proxy. Furthermore, the study incorporates two large, and statistically diverse cohorts as well as manipulations in the model tested to robustly examine the outcomes. Our central result is that higher exposure to the online instrument robustly leads to higher student learning, all else being equal. Various implications for online assessment design, implementation and targeting are also discussed.
Who Participates, How and Why in Urban Regeneration Projects? The Case of the New ‘City’ of East Manchester
Authors: Blakeley Georgina , Evans Brendan 
Published: January 2009

AbstractParticipation is advocated by political leaders as crucial for enhancing social responsibility, building social capital, improving public services, qualifying for full citizenship and for enabling local democratic participation. Despite this increased commitment to encouraging public participation, however, there remains a lack of understanding of what motivates individuals to become community activists. This analysis of urban regeneration confirms that participation is a minority sport reflecting the reluctance and/or inability of the majority of community members to engage. The motives for that minority of local people who do engage are, therefore, important for policy‐makers and academics to understand. This research project in east Manchester reveals that the motives of activists are varied and more nuanced than is proposed by existing social science theories such as rational choice, social network theory or the application of such concepts as citizen‐consumers. A hybridized model which privileges social network theory without, however, entirely excluding ideas of the consumer‐citizen and rational choice is advocated as a more effective way of explaining both community activism and also the varying levels and durability of individual participation. If participation is to increase, however, it is vital that the nuanced motives of participants are better appreciated.
How Much Does Investor Sentiment Really Matter for Equity Issuance Activity?
Authors: Derrien François , Kecskés Ambrus 
Published: January 2009

Abstract We study the extent to which investor sentiment matters for aggregate equity issuance activity. We focus on firms that are susceptible to investor sentiment and for which accurate measures of economic fundamentals are available. While sentiment on its own matters for equity issuance, it matters relatively little once we control for accurately measured fundamentals. Collectively, proxies for sentiment explain roughly 10 percentage points of the time‐series variation of equity issuance beyond the roughly 40% explained by fundamentals. We conclude that investor sentiment does not seem to matter very much for aggregate equity issuance activity.
Multiple sclerosis patients with anti‐lipid oligoclonal IgM show early favourable response to immunomodulatory treatment
Authors: García‐Barragán N. , Villar L. M. , Espiño M. , Sádaba M. C. , González‐Porqué P. , Álvarez‐Cermeño J. C. 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose:  Interferon beta and Glatiramer acetate are safe immunomodulatory treatments (IT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), but not always effective. New drugs are available, although they show more side‐effects and unknown long‐term safety profile. Anti‐lipid oligoclonal IgM bands (OCMB) distinguish MS patients with early aggressive course. We prospectively studied if IT are effective in these patients or if they are candidates for more aggressive drugs as first therapeutic option.Methods:  Seventy‐five clinically isolated syndrome patients were studied. OCMB and conversion to MS were assessed. Patients suffering at least two demyelinating events within 3 years were considered eligible to start IT.Results:  Eighteen patients showed OCMB (M+) and 57 lacked them (M−). All M+ patients and only 25 M− patients were treated. The other 32 M− patients suffered less MS attacks than those required to initiate treatment. IT similarly reduced relapse rate in both treated groups (P < 0.0001) and reduced Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression in M+ patients, whose EDSS score had significantly increased before treatment. EDSS did not change in M− patients during follow‐up, regardless if they were treated or not.Conclusions:  Oligoclonal IgM bands identify MS patients who are candidates for early immunomodulatory treatment as IT improves their initial aggressive disease course.
Cerebral autoregulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome during wakefulness
Authors: Nasr N. , Traon A. Pavy‐Le , Czosnyka M. , Tiberge M. , Schmidt E. , Larrue V. 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose:  Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for stroke. Impairment of cerebral autoregulation may play a potential role in the pre‐disposition to stroke of OSAS patients. In this study, we aimed to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation (DCA) during wakefulness in OSAS patients and a group of matched controls.Methods:  Patients and controls were examined in the morning after an overnight complete polysomnography. Mean cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the middle cerebral artery and mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) were continuously recorded using transcranial Doppler and Finapres. DCA was assessed using the Mx autoregulatory index. Mx is a moving correlation coefficient between mean CBFV and mean ABP. More positive value of Mx indicates worse autoregulation.Results:  Eleven OSAS patients (mean age ± SD; 52.6 ± 7.9) and 9 controls (mean age ± SD; 49.1 ± 5.3) were enrolled. The mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in the OSAS group was of 22.7 ± 11.6. No significant difference was found between the two groups as for age, body mass index, mean ABP and endtidal CO2 pressure. Cerebral autoregulation was impaired in OSAS patients compared with controls (Mx index: 0.414 ± 0.138 vs. 0.233 ± 0.100; P = 0.009). The severity of autoregulation impairment correlated to the severity of the sleep respiratory disturbance measured by the AHI (P = 0.003).Conclusion:  Cerebral autoregulation is impaired in patients with OSAS during wakefulness. Impairment of cerebral autoregulation is correlated with the severity of OSAS.
The Mercian Connection, Harold Godwineson's Ambitions, Diplomacy and Channel‐crossing, 1056–1066
Authors: VAN KEMPEN AD F. J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIt is supposed that the Vita Ædwardi contains some information about Harold's dealings with William of Normandy in 1064. This article links these covert references with William of Poitiers’ statements about Harold's diplomatic activities in France. The combination turns out to be fruitful. Harold's Channel‐crossing was meant as a tour of diplomacy to win support for his candidacy for the throne of the English. This statement has implications for the sequence of events. Harold's expedition was a mere continuation of his diplomacy in the Midlands earlier in 1064, when he concluded a cunning deal with the rulers of Mercia. Part of the secret arrangement was the acquisition of Northumbria, so far ruled by his self‐willed brother Tostig. Harold's unintended landfall in Ponthieu and captivity in Normandy set many things in motion. His explaining‐away of his presence on the continent and his fabrications about a state mission revived William's latent interest in the English succession. After his return to England, Harold's extenuation of his inglorious, illegitimate promises to William did raise suspicion about the true nature of his Channel‐crossing. Eventually, the full facts of his Mercian connection were revealed, resulting in Queen Edith's and Tostig's desperate moves to prevent the take‐over in Northumbria.
Counselling the Prince: Advice and Counsel in Thirteenth‐Century Welsh Society
Authors: HURLOCK KATHRYN 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn thirteenth‐century Gwynedd, advice and counsel were sought through a variety of means. Whilst some of them, such as consultation of leading magnates and prelates, were common to much of Europe, the princes of Gwynedd still relied on traditional methods of counsel, most notably the advice given by court poets through their works. This article demonstrates how this very public method of advice was employed, the reaction of the princes to it, and its role as part of the machinery of the court. It then considers how the advice of the poets contributed to, and reflected, the move away from confederate consultation with the other princes of Wales to the use of a body of ‘counsellors’ drawn from Gwynedd as the thirteenth century progressed, a style of leadership which brought Gwynedd into line with wider European methods of governance.
Exiles and the Politics of Reintegration in the Dutch Revolt
Authors: JANSSEN GEERT H. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe civil war in the sixteenth‐century Low Countries, generally known as the Dutch revolt, generated dramatic streams of refugees. Whereas scholars in the past have devoted much attention to the exile experience of Protestants in particular, the circumstances surrounding the return of these refugees to the Netherlands have remained largely unexplored. This article focuses on the repatriation and reintegration of Protestant exiles in the province of Holland in the years 1572–80. It seeks to assess what strategies returning exiles developed to regain their possessions and respectability in local communities and shows how they adopted rituals of cleansing to reinforce their social rehabilitation. It can be demonstrated that the exiles consciously used the houses and properties of their Catholic enemies to mark their re‐entry in Holland society. By appropriating possessions of escaped Catholic citizens, the former ‘victims’ of the Habsburg regime sought material compensation and styled themselves as members of a new civic elite. In this way two contrasting streams of refugees became symbolically connected because it was fugitive Catholics who provided returning Protestants with the tools to turn themselves from outlaws into the icons of the nascent Dutch Republic.
Speculations on the molecular structure of eumelanin
Authors: Swift J. A. 
Published: January 2009

SynopsisEumelanin is the polymeric black pigment commonly found in hair and skin. Its chemical intractability, to all but vigorous oxidizing agents, has hindered satisfactory understanding of its molecular structure. It is well‐established that the immediate precursor to polymerization, indole‐5,6‐quinone (IQ), is biosynthesized from the amino acid tyrosine. Current views are that the polymer consists of single bond connections between random indole and degraded indole units. In this paper, an alternative chemical scheme for the polymerization of IQ is proposed based upon the original suggestion by Horner in 1949 that a Diels‐Alder (D–A) reaction might be involved. The proposed basic chemical scheme for eumelanin formation is that D–A addition occurs specifically between the 2‐ and 3‐positions of one IQ molecule and the 7‐ and 4‐ positions respectively of a second IQ molecule, that the ensuing diketo bridge is oxidized to carboxyl groups and that, by decarboxylation and aromatization, a fused indole dimer is produced. It is envisaged that, by further D–A addition of more IQ molecules, oligomers of greater molecular mass are produced. Calculations based on published bond lengths and angles for the indole nucleus show that oligomeric units containing a total of up to 11 fused indoles could be packed into a flat circular disc of 20 Å diameter. The discs of the extensively conjugated polymer are envisaged to be stacked above each other by π–π interaction and with a spacing of 3.4 Å to produce cylindrical units, the mass density of which is calculated to be 1.54 gm cm−3; approximating with actual physical measurements. The size and shape of the predicted cylinders are in concordance with those observed in atomic force microscope investigations of eumelanin proto‐particles. The model is also in agreement with published experimental data that 2/3rds of the carbon dioxide liberated during eumelanin formation derives from positions 5‐ and 6‐ of the IQ molecule.