bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On spatial prediction of soil properties in the presence of a spatial trend: the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (E‐BLUP) with REML
Authors: Lark R. M. , Cullis B. R. , Welham S. J. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryGeostatistical estimates of a soil property by kriging are equivalent to the best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs). Universal kriging is BLUP with a fixed‐effect model that is some linear function of spatial co‐ordinates, or more generally a linear function of some other secondary predictor variable when it is called kriging with external drift. A problem in universal kriging is to find a spatial variance model for the random variation, since empirical variograms estimated from the data by method‐of‐moments will be affected by both the random variation and that variation represented by the fixed effects.The geostatistical model of spatial variation is a special case of the linear mixed model where our data are modelled as the additive combination of fixed effects (e.g. the unknown mean, coefficients of a trend model), random effects (the spatially dependent random variation in the geostatistical context) and independent random error (nugget variation in geostatistics). Statisticians use residual maximum likelihood (REML) to estimate variance parameters, i.e. to obtain the variogram in a geostatistical context. REML estimates are consistent (they converge in probability to the parameters that are estimated) with less bias than both maximum likelihood estimates and method‐of‐moment estimates obtained from residuals of a fitted trend. If the estimate of the random effects variance model is inserted into the BLUP we have the empirical BLUP or E‐BLUP. Despite representing the state of the art for prediction from a linear mixed model in statistics, the REML–E‐BLUP has not been widely used in soil science, and in most studies reported in the soils literature the variogram is estimated with methods that are seriously biased if the fixed‐effect structure is more complex than just an unknown constant mean (ordinary kriging). In this paper we describe the REML–E‐BLUP and illustrate the method with some data on soil water content that exhibit a pronounced spatial trend.
ADP‐ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase in Azospirillum brasilense is regulated by AmtB‐dependent membrane sequestration of DraG
Authors: Huergo Luciano F. , Souza Emanuel M. , Araujo Mariana S. , Pedrosa Fábio O. , Chubatsu Leda S. , Steffens Maria B. R. , Merrick Mike 
Published: October 2005

SummaryNitrogen fixation in some diazotrophic bacteria is regulated by mono‐ADP‐ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase (NifH) that occurs in response to addition of ammonium to the extracellular medium. This process is mediated by dinitrogenase reductase ADP‐ribosyltransferase (DraT) and reversed by dinitrogenase reductase glycohydrolase (DraG), but the means by which the activities of these enzymes are regulated are unknown. We have investigated the role of the PII proteins (GlnB and GlnZ), the ammonia channel protein AmtB and the cellular localization of DraG in the regulation of the NifH‐modification process in Azospirillum brasilense. GlnB, GlnZ and DraG were all membrane‐associated after an ammonium shock, and both this membrane sequestration and ADP‐ribosylation of NifH were defective in an amtB mutant. We now propose a model in which membrane association of DraG after an ammonium shock creates a physical separation from its cytoplasmic substrate NifH thereby inhibiting ADP‐ribosyl‐removal. Our observations identify a novel role for an ammonia channel (Amt) protein in the regulation of bacterial nitrogen metabolism by mediating membrane sequestration of a protein other than a PII family member. They also suggest a model for control of ADP‐ribosylation that is likely to be applicable to all diazotrophs that exhibit such post‐translational regulation of nitrogenase.
Exploring the role of self‐management programmes in caring for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Walker Christine , Weeks Amanda , McAvoy Brian , Demetriou Elsa 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground  Chronic disease self‐management programmes are now an important adjunct to the treatment and care of Australians with chronic illnesses. Most programmes are delivered in English and cater for ‘Anglo’ views of health and illness. The Peer‐Led Self‐Management of Chronic Illness Project was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to test the hypothesis that the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self‐Management Program would improve health outcomes for people from the Vietnamese, Greek, Chinese and Italian communities in Melbourne's north‐eastern suburbs.Objective  To examine the extent to which the programme required modification so that the concepts associated with self‐management programmes have relevance to the health behaviours of people with chronic illness from the above communities.Methods  Four focus groups facilitated in English, using interpreters.Results  There was wide understanding of the concepts employed in self‐management programmes. Literacy problems emerged as the major obstacle to participating in unmodified programmes.Conclusion  The conceptual aspects of the programme require less modification than originally predicted, but the programme requires sensitive modification so that it is accessible to people with low literacy levels.
Meeting the educational needs of people at risk of diabetes‐related amputation: a vignette study with patients and professionals
Authors: Johnson Maxine , Newton Peggy , Jiwa Moyez , Goyder Elizabeth 
Published: October 2005

AbstractObjective  To investigate how patients and professionals view the role of advice in diabetes foot care, in order to inform educational practice.Design  A qualitative study based upon one‐to‐one interviews using a vignette technique with patients and professionals.Setting and participants  Interviews with 15 patients with diabetes‐related foot complications attending diabetes foot clinics, and 15 health professionals across two hospital sites and two primary care trusts.Results  There were similarities between issues raised by patients and professionals, with differences in emphasis. An important factor was patient understanding and acceptance of the implications of diabetes from diagnosis. Many patients reported a lack of early understanding that may reflect inadequate provision or acceptance of advice. Development of positive relationships with health professionals was important for patients and encouraged shared understanding. Use of the vignette technique highlighted the gap between patient knowledge and action, with patients and professionals emphasizing their own responsibilities in relation to reduction of risk through education and action. Responses suggest that early positive interactions with appropriately trained professionals are needed to help patients assimilate advice into everyday routines.Conclusions  For effective preventive care, patients need to understand how diabetes impacts on their health. Foot care education should begin early, be patient‐centred and delivered with empathy by professionals whom the patients trust. The findings reflect patient and professional expectations in educational practice, and therefore have relevance for other chronic conditions for which much education and advice is related to self‐care.
Patient priorities in colorectal cancer screening decisions1
Authors: Dolan James G. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground  Colorectal cancer screening guidelines in the United States recommend that decisions about screening should incorporate patient preferences, but little is known about how patients make the trade‐offs inherent in choosing one of the five currently recommended screening programmes.Study population  Forty‐eight primary care patients at average risk for colorectal cancer who completed an experimental shared decision‐making intervention based on a multicriteria decision analysis.Methods  Descriptive analysis of priorities assigned to decision criteria describing the advantages and disadvantages of the five currently recommended colorectal screening programmes in the United States. Criteria were divided into four major criteria – avoid cancer, avoid screening side‐effects, avoid false positive test results and the combined importance of other considerations – and three subcriteria: the number of screening tests, test preparation and the test itself. Cluster analysis was used to identify common combinations of priorities within each set of criteria.Results  Patients assigned widely variable priorities to both the criteria and subcriteria: the average range of priorities was 46 on a 100 point priority scale. Cluster analysis identified six different combinations of priorities for the major criteria and four for the subcriteria. The differences in priorities assigned to both the criteria and subcriteria in the clusters were statistically significant with P < 0.0001.Conclusions  Even within a small group of patients, preferences vary widely regarding trade‐offs involved in choosing among the currently recommended colorectal cancer screening programmes in the United States. These results provide empiric support for recommendations to utilize a shared decision‐making process when making colorectal cancer screening decisions and highlight the need for additional research into how average risk patients view the trade‐offs inherent in choosing a colorectal cancer screening programme.
Patient, consumer, client, or customer: what do people want to be called?
Authors: Deber Raisa B. , Kraetschmer Nancy , Urowitz Sara , Sharpe Natasha 
Published: October 2005

AbstractObjective  To clarify preferred labels for people receiving health care.Background  The proper label to describe people receiving care has evoked considerable debate among providers and bio‐ethicists, but there is little evidence as to the preferences of the people involved.Design  We analysed dictionary definitions as to the derivation and connotations of such potential labels as: patient, client, customer, consumer, partner and survivor. We then surveyed outpatients from four clinical populations in Ontario, Canada about their feelings about these labels.Setting and participants  People from breast cancer (n = 202), prostate disease (n = 202) and fracture (n = 202) clinics in an urban Canadian teaching hospital (Sharpe study), and people with HIV/AIDS at 10 specialty care clinics and three primary care practices affiliated with the HIV Ontario Observational Database (n = 431).Variables and outcome measures  The survey instruments included questions about opinion of label, role in treatment decision‐making (the Problem Solving Decision Making scale), trust, use of information and health status.Results  Our respondents moderately liked the label ‘patient’. The other alternatives evoked moderate to strong dislike.Conclusions  Many alternatives to ‘patient’ incorporate assumptions (e.g. a market relationship) which care recipients may also find objectionable. People who are receiving care find the label ‘patient’ much less objectionable than the alternatives that have been suggested.
A consultation leaflet to improve an older patient's involvement in general practice care: a randomized trial
Authors: Wetzels Raymond , Wensing Michel , van Weel Chris , Grol Richard 
Published: October 2005

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the effects of a programme to enhance the involvement of older patients in their consultations in general practice.Design  Cluster randomized trial, in which data was collected from different cohorts.Setting and participants  Twenty‐five general practices in the south‐east part of the Netherlands and their patients aged 70 years and over.Intervention  Patients in the intervention group received a leaflet to help them prepare for the consultation. General practitioners (GPs) received an outreach visit to optimize older patients’ involvement when visiting their GP. Patients in the control group received usual care.Main outcome measures  Questionnaires measuring involvement (COMRADE), enablement (Patient Enablement Index) and satisfaction with their care (EUROPEP).Results  Pre‐intervention 315 patients and post‐intervention 263 patients were included. Subjects were satisfied with their involvement and the GP's behaviour during the consultation. No differences in effect as a result of the leaflet on involvement, enablement or satisfaction were found between the intervention and the control group. Of 318 patients who received the leaflet and visited their GP in the intervention period, 47 patients used the leaflet. These users were more accustomed to prepare themselves for consultations. Users reported more psychological problems than non‐users.Conclusions  No relevant effects of the implementation programme on involvement, enablement or satisfaction were found. Other strategies are needed to enhance involvement of older patients in their care. Alternatively, older patients may perceive themselves sufficiently involved.
Double‐blind, randomized, multicentre study of the efficacy and safety of gliclazide‐modified release in the treatment of Chinese type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Lu C.‐H. , Chang C.‐C. , Chuang L.‐M. , Wang C. Y. , Jiang Y. D. , Wu H. P. 
Published: October 2005

Background and Aim:  Gliclazide‐modified release (gliclazide MR) is a new formulation of the sulfonylurea gliclazide designed for once‐daily administration. The hydrophilic matrix of hypromellose‐based polymer in the new formulation induces a progressive drug release, which parallels the 24‐h glycaemic profile in type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of gliclazide MR (once‐daily administration) versus gliclazide (twice‐daily administration) in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and Methods:  Sixty‐three type 2 diabetic Chinese patients who had been on diet control alone or on treatment with metformin or on low dose of sulfonylurea were randomized to either gliclazide MR taken once daily or gliclazide taken twice daily. Dosage of metformin was maintained throughout the study, and the sulfonylurea was stopped. The dose of gliclazide MR was increased at 1‐month intervals from 30 mg to 120 mg, while that of gliclazide from 80 mg to 320 mg until metabolic control was achieved [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤7.7 mmol/l] or the maximum dose reached. Efficacy was mainly evaluated by levels of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and FPG.Results:  The mean baseline characteristics of the full analysis set 1 (FAS1) (HbA1c, n = 58) and the FAS2 (FPG, n = 61) were comparable in both groups. The levels of HbA1c decreased similarly in both groups over the treatment period: −1.6 ± 1.6% (p < 0.001) on gliclazide MR (n = 31) and −1.6 ± 1.4% (p < 0.001) on gliclazide (n = 27). Decrease in HbA1c was observed irrespective of pre‐existing therapy for diabetes: −2.3 ± 1.5% for patients on diet alone; −0.6 ± 1.3% for patients switched from sulfonylurea to study drug and −1.4 ± 0.8% for patients on metformin in combination with study drug. FPG decreased significantly from 177.5 ± 63.5 to 136.7 ± 42.2 (p < 0.001, n = 32) on gliclazide MR and not significant from 188.2 ± 62.6 to 163.7 ± 67.9 (p = 0.059, n = 29) on gliclazide. Both treatments were very well tolerated with no major hypoglycaemic episodes requiring external assistance; only three patients experienced mild hypoglycaemic episodes.Conclusions:  Once‐daily gliclazide MR showed a better trend in improving blood glucose control in comparison with gliclazide in type 2 diabetic Chinese patients irrespective of the pre‐existing anti‐diabetic treatment. The safety profiles of gliclazide MR and gliclazide were similar with a small number of patients having reported hypoglycaemic episodes. Once‐daily dosing with gliclazide MR should improve patient compliance, an important factor in long‐term glycaemic control.
Training for renal ablative technique using an agarose‐based renal tumour‐mimic model
Authors: TAYLOR GRANT D. , CADEDDU JEFFREY A. 
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVETo assess whether a recently developed porcine tumour‐mimic model can serve as a training model for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal masses, as the increased diagnosis of small occult renal masses has led to the development of nephron‐sparing treatments, including RFA, and the techniques required for effective tumour ablation can be difficult to master.MATERIALS AND METHODSTumour mimics were created by injecting 0.7 mL of an agarose mixture into the parenchyma of a porcine kidney, producing 1‐cm spherical lesions which were hyperechoic on ultrasonography (US). The ex vivo experiment included creating 40 tumour mimics followed by RFA using US‐guided needle placement. The ablation diameter was set to 15 mm to produce a margin of grossly ablated tissue around the mimic lesions. The in vivo portion involved creating 20 tumour mimics and ablating them under direct laparoscopic vision with US‐guided probe placement. In each case, the mimic lesion size by US and gross examination, ablation diameter, and completion (accuracy) of ablations were recorded.RESULTSAccurate placing of the RFA needle by US guidance was difficult to learn, as all tumour‐mimic lesions were either endophytic or completely intraparenchymal. The ex vivo model required ≈ 15 ablations before the needle was placed consistently into the lesions. The in vivo model was equally difficult to learn, with five positive margins by gross examination in the first 10 ablations, while the subsequent 10 had no positive margins.CONCLUSIONThe agarose‐based tumour mimic is a useful target model for learning and improving US‐guided ablative techniques in both the ex vivo and in vivo settings. The tumour‐mimic allows the surgeon to assess targeting accuracy in an animal model. Further studies are needed to determine this model's utility as a clinical training aid.
Twelve‐month self‐reported quality of life after retropubic radical prostatectomy: a prospective study with Rand 36‐Item Health Survey (Short Form‐36)
Authors: FICARRA VINCENZO , NOVARA GIACOMO , GALFANO ANTONIO , STRINGARI CARLO , BALDASSARRE ROBERTO , CAVALLERI STEFANO , ARTIBANI WALTER 
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom February 2002 to September 2003 all patients undergoing RRP in our department were invited to participate in the study; the data from 75 of them comprised the present analysis. For evaluating HRQoL the RAND 36‐Item Health Survey (SF‐36) was used.RESULTSComparing the baseline scores of the SF‐36 domains to those at 3, 6 and 12 months, there was a statistically significant difference in ‘physical function’, ‘role limitations due to physical health problems’, ‘role limitations due to emotional problems’, and ‘energy/fatigue’. There were no statistically significant changes in the follow‐up values for the other scales of the questionnaire. However, the baseline scores overlapped the 12‐month follow‐up values for all the SF‐36 scales. The mean SF‐36 scores reported by incontinent patients were lower than those of the continent patients, although this trend was not statistically significant. At the 12‐month follow‐up some variables were independent predictors of lower mean scores of some SF‐36 scales, i.e. age >65 years, education level less than secondary school, pathological extracapsular extension of cancer and erectile dysfunction.CONCLUSIONAt 1 year after RRP, HRQoL levels in each of the SF‐36 domains overlapped those of the baseline in >80% of patients. The age, educational level of patients, local extension of the tumour, and erectile dysfunction could significantly affect the HRQoL scores.
Amplification of the urokinase gene and the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to urokinase inhibitors
Authors: HELENIUS MERJA A. , SAVINAINEN KIMMO J. , BOVA G. STEVEN , VISAKORPI TAPIO 
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the frequency of the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene amplification and the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to uPA inhibition, as we previously found one hormone‐refractory prostate tumour with high‐level amplification of the uPA (alias PLAU) gene, and also showed that a uPA inhibitor, amiloride, can effectively reduce the invasion potential of the PC‐3 prostate cancer cell line.MATERIALS AND METHODSSixty‐three locally recurrent hormone‐refractory tumours and 78 hormone‐refractory metastases from 29 patients who died from prostate cancer were analysed for uPA gene‐copy number using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The Matrigel invasion assay was used to study the influence of uPA inhibitors on the invasive potential of prostate cancer cell lines.RESULTSOf the locally recurrent hormone‐refractory tumours, 21% had an increased copy number of uPA, but no high‐level amplifications were found; 31% of the metastases had increased copy number and one high‐level amplification of the uPA. Matrigel invasion assays with two specific uPA inhibitors, B428 and p‐aminobenzamidine, showed that invasion of a prostate cancer cell line containing uPA gene amplification was inhibited by these small‐molecule uPA inhibitors, while invasion of prostate cell lines without uPA gene amplification were not.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that selective inhibition of the uPA pathway in individuals whose tumours contain uPA gene amplification may provide therapeutic benefit.
Triple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor‐ vs. nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor‐containing regimens as first‐line therapy: efficacy and durability in a prospective cohort of French HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Cuzin L , Pugliese P , Bugnon F , Delpierre C , Cua E , Billaud E , Massip P , Raffi F , Dellamonica P 
Published: October 2005

ObjectiveBased on the short‐term results of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5095 trial, zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)/abacavir (ABC) is no longer recommended as a first‐line antiretroviral regimen. Data on the efficacy of this triple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) combination compared with the gold‐standard nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) regimen could provide important information.MethodsPatients were selected from three prospective cohorts of patients who received first‐line therapy with ZDV/3TC plus an NNRTI or ABC, started after January 1998. Immunovirological changes and the proportion of treatment discontinuations were compared between groups.ResultsOf the 380 patients, 190 started on ABC [the triple‐NRTI group (3N)] and 190 on NNRTI. At baseline, there was no statistical difference between the NNRTI and 3N groups for age (mean=38 years), sex (66% male) or CD4 cell count (mean=305 cells/μL). Mean baseline plasma HIV‐1 viral load (pVL) was higher in the 3N group (4.6 vs. 4.3 log10 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL: P<0.01). Lower and higher estimates of median pVL decrease at month 24 were 2.05 and 4.76 log10 copies/mL in the 3N group, and 1.73 and 4.31 log10 copies/mL in the NNRTI group (not significant). CD4 cell count evolution did not differ between groups. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 45% vs. 44% of patients in the NNRTI and 3N groups, respectively, after median durations of 9 and 4 months, respectively (P=0.02).ConclusionsIn this prospective cohort, 3N and NNRTI regimens as first‐line therapy produced similar immunovirological responses.