bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient‐centredness, self‐rated health, and patient empowerment: should providers spend more time communicating with their patients?
Authors: Rohrer James E. , Wilshusen Laurie , Adamson Steven C. , Merry Stephen 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective  Patient‐centred communication is often employed as a strategy for empowering patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between a direct measure of patient empowerment, feeling that one is in control of one's own health and patient satisfaction with communication.Design  A cross‐sectional survey of family medicine patients was used to test the theory that, in primary care patients, empowerment is related to satisfaction with several aspects of communication after adjusting for health status, age and gender. Interviews were completed with 680 adult patients for whom complete data were available.Results  Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that being highly satisfied with overall communication [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.08], explanations (AOR = 2.04), listening (AOR = 2.63), use of understandable words (AOR = 2.41) and involvement in decisions (2.34) were positively associated with empowerment. Self‐rated health was more strongly related to empowerment than satisfaction with communication in every model tested (AORs ranged from 2.8 to 3.0).Conclusions  Reliance solely on patient‐centred communication to promote empowerment may be insufficient as well as costly. Instead, improved one‐to‐one communication between patients and providers should be reserved for clinically complex and urgent situations. For other health matters, referral of patients to community health promotion and education programmes should be considered because this may offer a lower‐cost approach to empowerment.
The experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers in general hospitals: a focus group study
Authors: Gibbs S. M. , Brown M. J. , Muir W. J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have higher levels of health needs compared with the general population, many of which are unrecognised and unmet. While there has been interest and research into the primary health provision for this group, there has been a more limited focus on addressing their care received in general hospitals. Access to health care has predominated in the literature, with less attention being paid to the experiences of people with ID as users of general hospital care.Method  A qualitative focus group methodology was used. Eleven adults with ID, nine parents and five paid carers of adults with ID participated. The focus groups were audiotaped and transcriptions were analysed using principles of grounded theory.Results  The analysed data highlighted key themes identified from the experiences of participants. These were the interrelated issues of feelings, particularly anxiety and fear, communication and behaviour problems; the practicalities of being in or attending hospitals, including the role played by carers; and issues around perceived discrimination and negative comments.Conclusions  The experiences of participants in this study concur with and add to concern expressed in recent reports and published research. Wide ranging implications are discussed for further research, wider policy development, clinical practice, local health service provision and education of health professionals.
A gene expression signature of confinement in peripheral blood of red wolves (Canis rufus)
Authors: KENNERLY ERIN , BALLMANN ANNE , MARTIN STANTON , WOLFINGER RUSS , GREGORY SIMON , STOSKOPF MICHAEL , GIBSON GREG 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe stresses that animals experience as a result of modification of their ecological circumstances induce physiological changes that leave a signature in profiles of gene expression. We illustrate this concept in a comparison of free range and confined North American red wolves (Canis rufus). Transcription profiling of peripheral blood samples from 13 red wolf individuals in the Alligator River region of North Carolina revealed a strong signal of differentiation. Four hundred eighty‐two out of 2980 transcripts detected on Illumina HumanRef8 oligonucleotide bead arrays were found to differentiate free range and confined wolves at a false discovery rate of 12.8% and P < 0.05. Over‐representation of genes in focal adhesion, insulin signalling, proteasomal, and tryptophan metabolism pathways suggests the activation of pro‐inflammatory and stress responses in confined animals. Consequently, characterization of differential transcript abundance in an accessible tissue such as peripheral blood identifies biomarkers that could be useful in animal management practices and for evaluating the impact of habitat changes on population health, particularly as attention turns to the impact of climate change on physiology and in turn species distributions.
A transcriptomic analysis of the stress induced by capture–release health assessment studies in wild dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: MANCIA A. , WARR G. W. , CHAPMAN R. W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe health of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) is typically evaluated by the study of animals that are captured and released back into the wild after examination. The impact of such studies on gene expression in peripheral blood cells was investigated using microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods. Significantly increased expression was observed in two major classes of genes: (i) energy metabolism, and (ii) responsiveness to stress and trauma, the latter effect suggesting the initiation of an acute‐phase response. The value of data obtained in capture/release studies may need to be weighed against the potential physiological impacts of such studies.
Towards a differential definition of atopy: Anisakis simplex and the relationship between parasites and arthropods in respiratory allergy
Authors: DASCHNER A. , CUÉLLAR C. , VALLS A. 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARY Protective as well as enhancing effects of parasite infections on allergic disease have been postulated. Previous studies on this relationship focused frequently on skin test reactivity against aeroallergens, being house dust mites (HDM) the main agents responsible for a positive atopy outcome. We aimed to analyse the possible relationship between human parasite infection induced Anisakis simplex urticaria and respiratory allergy. A total of 86 patients with gastro‐allergic Anisakiasis and 203 patients with chronic urticaria sensitized against A. simplex were studied for sensitization against aeroallergens and evaluated for rhinoconjunctivitis or bronchial asthma (RCBA). We compared the results with a control group of 250 consecutive patients referred for evaluation of allergic RCBA and atopy prevalence data of our region. Whereas no effect of A. simplex related disease on the overall allergic respiratory disease could be detected, a highly significant higher prevalence of RCBA associated HDM sensitization, but diminished allergy against other common aeroallergens (pollen, mould or dander) was observed in these groups. The relationship between A. simplex parasitism‐associated acute or chronic urticaria on one side and allergic respiratory disease on the other side depends on the definition of atopy. We propose a differential definition of atopy, with a special emphasis on arthropod related sensitization.
Transfer of Bovine Blastocysts Derived from Short‐term In Vitro Culture of Low Quality Morulae Produced In Vivo
Authors: Alvarez RH , Meneghel M , Martinez AC , Pires RML , Schammass EA 
Published: May 2008

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate if blastocysts arising from in vitro culture of Grade 3 bovine morulae produced in vivo can promote acceptable pregnancy rates when transferred into recipients. Embryos of different stages and qualities were recovered from superovulated Bos taurus and B. indicus donors. Grade 3 morulae were cultured in either Holding Plus® or TCM‐199 (supplemented with 10% bovine fetal serum) media for 24 h at 38.5°C. After this culture period, the resulting blastocysts were morphologically classified (Grades 1, 2 and 3) and transferred into recipients previously synchronized with the donors. Non‐cultured Grades 1 and 3 morulae were used as control. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 60 days after embryo transfer and the data were analysed by logistic regression, considering variables, such as embryo quality (Grade), donor breed, culture medium, donor‐recipient synchrony and seasonality. Embryo quality was the only variable, showing significant effect on the pregnancy rate. Pregnancy rates for non‐cultured Grade 1 and 3 morulae, and blastocysts arising from cultured Grade 3 morulae were 58.1% (n = 31), 17.1% (n = 35) and 51.1% (n = 47), respectively (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences between non‐cultured Grade 1 morulae and cultured blastocysts. Pregnancy rates for Grades 1 (65.0%) and 2 (60.0%) were higher than Grade 3 (29.4%) cultured blastocysts (p < 0.05). It was concluded that short‐term in vitro culture is a very convenient method of identifying morphologically low quality morulae with higher chances of continuing development after the transfer into recipients.
Inhibitory Effect of Selenium Supplementation on the Reproductive Performance in Synchronized Merino Sheep at Range Conditions in a Selenium‐deficient Area
Authors: Sánchez J , Jiménez A , Regodón S , Andrés S 
Published: May 2008

ContentsThe effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes mated out of the normal breeding season was studied in a 2 (no Se supplementation vs Se supplementation) × 2 (ewes mated at natural oestrus vs synchronized oestrus) factorial design with 50 ewes per treatment combination. Synchronization of oestrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 40 mg cronolone sponges for 14 days and administration of 440 IU PMSG at sponge withdrawal. Se supplementation was by the addition to the concentrate with 0.5 mg/kg of Se in the form of selenomethionin, for the 3 months prior to the mating and during gestation. Ewes were kept under range conditions in south‐west Spain, and exposed to Merino rams at a female: male ratio of 4 : 1 from 2 days following sponge withdrawal, or the equivalent time, for 21 days. Se supplementation alone did not improve significantly ewe fertility or lamb birth weight, but there was a positive effect of synchronizing ewes mated out of the breeding season as more of these ewes lambed and produced more lambs than those not synchronized. However, a strong interaction was found between synchronization and Se supplementation, causing a deleterious effect on the reproductive performance of ewes. This negative effect, presumably related to high embrionary mortality caused by Se toxicity, should be taken into account for oestrus synchronizing in Se‐deficient areas. The supplementation with Se, for the prevention of nutritional myodystrophy degeneration in lambs, should be conducted in a fashion which does not generate high levels of Se in the ewes around the mating period.
Development of a new nomogram for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy in Japanese patients with serum PSA levels less than 10 ng/mL
Authors: Kawamura Koji , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Kamiya Naoto , Imamoto Takashi , Yano Masashi , Miura Junichiro , Shimbo Masaki , Suzuki Noriyuki , Nakatsu Hiroomi , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: May 2008

Objectives:  Although several nomograms for prostate cancer detection have been developed for Western populations, the models constructed on Japanese data would be more useful for the Japanese population because of various differences between Western and Asian populations. We previously developed a model for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy using clinical and laboratory data from Japanese males. In the present study, a predictive model for Japanese males with a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/mL was developed to guide decision‐making for prostate biopsies.Methods:  The age, total PSA level, free to total PSA ratio, prostate volume, and the digital rectal examination findings of 1037 Japanese males with a PSA < 10 ng/mL undergoing initial prostate biopsy as part of individual screening were analyzed. For study validation, 20% of these data was randomly reserved. Logistic regression analysis estimated relative risk, 95% confidence intervals, and P‐values.Results:  Age and the independent predictors of a positive biopsy result (elevated PSA, decreased free to total PSA ratio, small prostate volume, and abnormal digital rectal examination findings) were used to develop a predictive nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly higher for the model (73.0%) than for PSA alone (55.0%). If externally validated, the use of this nomogram could reduce unnecessary biopsies by 26% and overall prostate biopsies by 7.8%.Conclusions:  This predictive nomogram could provide more precise risk‐analysis information for individual Japanese patients with PSA levels less than 10 ng/mL and may help to identify patients who need a prostate biopsy.
Achieving a natural glanular meatus for distal hypospadias with a narrow and shallow plate: Tubularized incised plate versus modified Barcat repair
Authors: Hayashi Yutaro , Kojima Yoshiyuki , Mizuno Kentaro , Kurokawa Satoshi , Nakane Akihiro , Kohri Kenjiro 
Published: May 2008

Objectives:  Although the tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair has become the most popular surgical procedure for distal hypospadias, some authors suggest that this is not suitable for hypospadias with a narrow plate or shallow groove.Methods:  The configuration and position of the reconstructed meatus were postoperatively analyzed in patients with distal hypospadias whose preoperative urethral plates were shallow or narrow. The findings were compared between six patients undergoing TIP repair and seven patients undergoing modified Barcat (BAVIS) repair.Results:  Among those undergoing the TIP procedure, a slit‐like meatus at the tip of the glans was achieved in one patient, a slit‐like meatus at the mid portion of the glans in four patients and a round meatus at the mid portion of the glans in one patient. In those repaired by the BAVIS procedure, a slit‐like meatus at the tip of glans was achieved in three patients, a round or irregularly shaped meatus at the tip of the glans in two patients, an irregularly shaped meatus at the mid portion of the glans in one patient and neourethral dehiscence in one patient.Conclusions:  The present study confirms that a higher rate of achieving slit‐like meatus but a lower rate of locating in the glans tip can be attained after TIP repair. On the other hand, there is a higher rate of locating the meatus in the glans tip but a lower rate of achieving a slit‐like meatus after BAVIS repair.
The misuse of the faecal occult blood test under the lower gastrointestinal two week wait rule
Authors: Shaw A. G. , Lund J. N. , Longman C. , Tierney G. M. , Goddard A. F. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim  To find the proportion of patients with a faecal occult blood (FOB) performed as part of the referral for the lower gastrointestinal two week wait (2WW) referral system, and whether this correlates with the cancer status.Method  All patients referred to the colorectal cancer service using the 2WW referral criteria, between August 2005 and August 2007, were identified using the hospital’s cancer audit database. Faecal occult bloods and cancer status were recorded for each patient.Results  Two thousand one hundred and fifty‐nine patients (1177 female: 903 male; median age 58; age range 18–98) were referred by general practitioners. The FOBT was only performed on three samples in all cases. In total, 172 of 2159 patients (7.9%) had an FOB performed prior to their referral, with 55 of 172 patients (31.9%) as part of the referral for 2WW. Sixteen of 172 patients (9.3%) had an FOB performed in the presence of overt rectal bleeding. In only 2 of 172 patients (1.1%) the FOB correlated with a colorectal cancer. Unnecessary testing for FOB costs has cost £4072.96 in total.Discussion  A significant number of faecal occult bloods are being performed and the detection rate, even in this symptomatic group of patients, is very low. It is evident that the test is being performed in the community on three samples and not six. This, combined with the high false positive rate, leads to patients not only undergoing unnecessary psycho‐social consequences but could potentially lead to significant risks from unnecessary invasive investigation as well as the added financial burden of test itself.
Current considerations in the management of rectovaginal fistula from Crohn’s disease
Authors: Hannaway C. D. , Hull T. L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRectovaginal fistulas are dreaded complications of Crohn's disease. Accurate assessment is essential for planning management. Treatment options range from observation to medical therapeutics to the need for surgical intervention. Ultimately, establishing reasonable expectations is mandatory when treatment algorithms are considered. In this article, we review the evaluation of these fistulas and the current options to consider in the treatment of Crohn's related rectovaginal fistula.
Virtual colonoscopy vs conventional colonoscopy in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer – a prospective trial of 150 patients
Authors: White T. J. , Avery G. R. , Kennan N. , Syed A. M. , Hartley J. E. , Monson J. R. T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective  Virtual colonoscopy (VC)/CT colonography has advantages over the well‐documented limitations of colonoscopy/barium enema. This prospective blinded investigative comparison trial aimed to evaluate the ability of VC to assess the large bowel, compared to conventional colonoscopy (CC), in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).Method  We studied 150 patients (73 males, mean age 60.9 years) at high risk of CRC. Following bowel preparation, VC was undertaken using colonic insufflation and 2D‐spiral CT acquisition. Two radiologists reported the images and a consensual agreement reached. Direct comparison was made with CC (performed later the same day). Interobserver agreement was calculated using the Kappa method. Postal questionnaires sought patient preference.Results  Virtual colonoscopy visualized the caecum in all cases. Five (3.33%) VCs were classified as inadequate owing to poor distension/faecal residue. CC completion rate was 86%. Ultimately, 44 patients had normal findings, 44 had diverticular disease, 11 had inflammatory bowel disease, 18 had cancers, and 33 patients had 42 polyps. VC identified 19 cancers – a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 99.2% respectively. For detecting polyps > 10 mm, VC had a sensitivity and specificity (per patient) of 91% and 99.2% respectively. VC identified four polyps proximal to stenosing carcinomas and extracolonic malignancies in nine patients (6%). No procedural complications occurred with either investigation. A Kappa score achieved for interobserver agreement was 0.777.Conclusion  Virtual colonoscopy is an effective and safe method for evaluating the bowel and was the investigation of choice amongst patients surveyed. VC provided information additional to CC on both proximal and extracolonic pathology. VC may become the diagnostic procedure of choice for symptomatic patients at high risk of CRC, with CC being reserved for therapeutic intervention, or where a tissue diagnosis is required.
The long‐term impact of ferritin level on treatment and complications of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Jiang L. , Wang A. , Molyneaux L. M. , Constantino M. I. , Yue D. K. 
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To investigate if high‐serum ferritin has long‐term impact on response to treatment and the development of diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.Research design and methods:  We analysed the record of 90 consecutive type 2 diabetic subjects who had serum ferritin level determined soon after diagnosis of diabetes and who also had long‐term follow‐up data.Results:  Patients with higher serum ferritin level had slightly worse triglyceride, blood pressure and liver enzyme levels at the end of follow up. However, ferritin level had no impact on the initial or final requirements for diabetic medication and the development of diabetic complications.Conclusions:  Although elevated serum ferritin is a marker of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, it is not necessarily a bad prognostic indicator that should affect the clinician’s approach to management.
ROBUSTNESS AND THE NEW RIDDLE REVIVED
Authors: Roskies Adina L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe problem of induction is perennially important in epistemology and the philosophy of science. In response to Goodman's ‘New Riddle of Induction’, Frank Jackson made a compelling case for there being no new riddle, by arguing that there are no nonprojectible properties. Although Jackson's denial of nonprojectible properties is correct, I argue here that he is mistaken in thinking that he thereby shows that there is no new riddle of induction, and demonstrate that his solution to the grue paradox fails to rule out the possibility of equally justified contradictory inductions. More importantly, in illuminating where Jackson's argument fails, the paper casts a new light on the problem of induction, locating the problem not in the nature of the next (unexamined) x, but in the counterfactual robustness of properties of already examined x's.
RANDOM COEFFICIENT AUTOREGRESSIVE PROCESSES:A MARKOV CHAIN ANALYSIS OF STATIONARITY AND FINITENESS OF MOMENTS
Authors: Feigin Paul D. , Tweedie Richard L. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract. Simple yet practically efficient conditions for the ergodicity of a Markov chain on a general state space have recently been developed. We illustrate their application to non‐linear time series models and, in particular, to random coefficient autoregressive models.As well as ensuring the existence of a unique stationary distribution, geometric rates of convergence to stationarity are ensured. Moreover, sufficient conditions for the existence and convergence of moments can be determined by a closely related method. The latter conditions, in particular, are new.
ON THE CONSISTENCY OF LEAST SQUARES ESTIMATORS FOR A THRESHOLD AR(1) MODEL
Authors: Petruccelli Joseph D. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract. For the SETAR (2; 1,1) modelwhere {at(i)} are i.i.d. random variables with mean 0 and variance σ2(i), i = 1,2, and {at(l)} is independent of {at(2)}, we consider estimators of φ1, φ2 and r which minimize weighted sums of the sum of squares functions for σ2(1) and σ2(2). These include as a special case the usual least squares estimators. It is shown that the usual least squares estimators of φ1, φ2 and r are consistent. If σ2(1) ≠σ2(2) conditions on the weights are found under which the estimators of r and φ1 or φ2 are not consistent.
ASYMPTOTIC MEAN SQUARE PREDICTION ERROR FOR A MULTIVARIATE AUTOREGRESSIVE MODEL WITH RANDOM COEFFICIENTS
Authors: Ray D. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn this paper, an expression for the asymptotic mean square error in predicting more than one step ahead from a p‐variate autoregressive model with random coefficients is derived. Two cases are investigated: (i) when the parameters are known, and (ii) when the parameters are estimated.