bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost efficiency and value driver analysis of insurers in an emerging economy
Authors: Marie Attiea , Rao Ananth , Kashani Hossein 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study investigated cost inefficiencies and its relationship with value drivers of insurers in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study revealed that there were 21–33% cost inefficiencies in these insurers under different model specifications of stochastic frontier and DEA; value drivers such as lower leverage risk, lower capital risk significantly improved cost efficiencies consistent with Basel II norms; ROE positively influenced cost efficiencies with further trade off between increased profit margin, decreased asset utilization and/or reduced equity multiplier by the insurer managements to achieve a target‐ROE; and the trend of cost efficiency was improving during 2000–2004. The study suggests that stock insurers could overcome their cost inefficiencies through adoption of efficient measures such as risk mapping of clients, risk prioritization besides ALM techniques. The study has direct implications for individual and institutional investors in making their portfolio investment decisions in insurance sector, policymakers, and regulators to closely monitor inefficient insurers consistent with Basel II norms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ototoxicity in children treated for osteosarcoma
Authors: Lewis Matthew J. , DuBois Steven G. , Fligor Brian , Li Xiaochun , Goorin Allen , Grier Holcombe E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundCisplatin is an effective agent against osteosarcoma. Ototoxicity from osteosarcoma treatment protocols has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for hearing loss in children treated for osteosarcoma.ProcedureEligible patients had osteosarcoma diagnosed and treated at the Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute/Children's Hospital Boston from January 1, 1995 to December 12, 2004, were 3–18 years of age at diagnosis, and had a normal audiogram prior to the start of chemotherapy. Patients received cisplatin according to the standard practice or current open protocol. Patients who developed hearing loss during treatment had cisplatin held on an individualized basis. Hearing function was evaluated prior to the start of therapy, before each cycle, and off‐therapy. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression models were used to identify univariate and independent predictors of hearing loss, respectively.ResultsSeven out of nine patients (78%) who received cisplatin 120 mg/m2/day on 1 day developed hearing loss compared to 8/27 (30%) who received 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days (P = 0.019). Logistic regression showed that age, cumulative cisplatin dose, and administration of cisplatin 120 mg/m2/day were independent predictors of hearing loss. Cisplatin administered as 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days resulted in a low incidence (30%) of any hearing loss and a very low incidence (4%) of educationally significant hearing loss.ConclusionsCisplatin administered as 60 mg/m2/day for 2 days resulted in a low incidence of significant hearing loss. These results suggest that cisplatin as 120 mg/m2/day be avoided due to an unacceptable incidence of hearing loss. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:387–391. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor stabilization under treatment with imatinib in progressive hypothalamic‐chiasmatic glioma
Authors: Peyrl Andreas , Azizi Amedeo , Czech Thomas , Gruber‐Olipitz Mariella , Jones Neil , Haberler Christine , Prayer Daniela , Autzinger Eva , Slavc Irene 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundHypothalamic‐chiasmatic gliomas (HCG) account for up to 20% of tumors in patients under the age of 3 years. While most children respond to chemotherapy, alternative treatment approaches are needed for those with progressive disease refractory to chemotherapy.ProcedureSix patients (median age: 5.5 years) with progressive HCG were treated with imatinib for 3–29 months at a median daily oral dose of 270 mg/m2. All patients initially presented with extensive tumors during infancy and had undergone two to three surgical resections and two to three prior chemotherapies with multiple agents.ResultsThe best response achieved was stable disease in all six patients. Disease control lasted from 5 to 46 months and was sustained longer in comparison to their last prior chemotherapy. Toxicities possibly related to imatinib included edema, elevated liver enzymes and bowel problems. Immunohistochemistry in our patients' tumor cells revealed focal expression of arg and PDGFR‐α in one patient, in the remaining five patients no expression of any of the five known targets of imatinib could be detected. Expression of PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β was detected in endothelial cells of tumor capillaries of all six patients.ConclusionsWe conclude that imatinib has possible activity in progressive HCG and may present an additional therapeutic option for patients who are too young or whose tumor is too extensive to receive radiotherapy. However, the optimal use of imatinib in this disease, its mechanism of action, and possible long‐term effects remain unclear and will require additional study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:476–480. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sexual dysfunction and spousal communication in couples coping with prostate cancer
Authors: Badr Hoda , Carmack Taylor Cindy L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: To characterize the sexual function of both prostate cancer patients and their partners, and to examine whether associations between sexual dysfunction and psychosocial adjustment vary depending on spousal communication patterns.Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 116 prostate cancer patients and their partners completed psychosocial questionnaires.Results: Patients and partners reported high rates of sexual dysfunction. Within couples, patients' and their partners' sexual function was moderately to highly correlated (r=0.30–0.74). When patients had poor erectile function, their partners were more likely to report that the couple avoided open spousal discussions; this in turn was associated with partners' marital distress (Sobel'sZ=12.47,p=0.001). Patients and partners who reported high levels (+1SD) of mutual constructive communication also reported greater marital adjustment, regardless of their own sexual satisfaction. In contrast, greater sexual dissatisfaction was associated with poorer marital adjustment in patients and partners who reported low levels (−1SD) of mutual constructive communication (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for psychosocial interventions that facilitate healthy spousal communication and address the sexual rehabilitation needs of patients and their partners after prostate cancer treatment. Although some couples may be reluctant to engage in constructive cancer‐related discussions about sexual problems, such discussions may help alleviate the negative impact that sexual problems have on prostate cancer patients' and their partners' marital adjustment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parental optimism in poor prognosis pediatric cancers
Authors: Sung Lillian , Klaassen Robert J. , Dix David , Pritchard Sheila , Yanofsky Rochelle , Ethier Marie‐Chantel , Klassen Anne 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: The objectives were to describe parent‐rated and physician‐rated prognosis in a wide range of pediatric cancers and to describe the prevalence and predictors of parental prognostic optimism in poor prognosis pediatric cancer patients.Methods: This Canadian multi‐institutional cross‐sectional study included children with cancer receiving any type of active treatment. The primary caregiver rated child prognosis on a 5‐point categorical rating scale. For each child, five pediatric oncologists rated prognosis according to child‐ and disease‐related characteristics.Results: Of the 395 included families, 42 (10.6%) of parents rated prognosis as excellent or very good for children in whom physicians rated prognosis as poor.In multiple regression analysis, in comparison to parents of children with leukemia and lymphoma, parents of children with solid tumors (odds ratio (OR) 11.3, 95% CI 4.6, 27.8; P=0.0009) and brain tumors (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.7, 21.1; P=0.09), parents of children with relapsed disease (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.6, 31.3; P<0.0001) and parents with greater dispositional optimism (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0, 1.2; P=0.008) were more likely to have optimistic prognostic estimates in the setting of physician‐rated poor prognosis.Conclusion: Approximately 10% of parents have optimistic prognostic estimates in the setting of physician‐rated poor prognosis. Families of children with solid tumors and relapsed cancer and parents who were more optimistic were more likely to be optimistic in the poor prognosis setting. More research is needed to understand the impact of such discrepancies in prognosis on processes and outcomes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How relevant is marital status and gender variables in coping with colorectal cancer? A sample of middle‐aged and older cancer survivors
Authors: Goldzweig Gil , Andritsch Elisabeth , Hubert Ayala , Walach Natalio , Perry Shlomit , Brenner Baruch , Baider Lea 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: While the population in the western world is aging and cancer survival rates are increasing, there is a lack of knowledge concerning factors affecting social support and its relation to coping and distress among older patients. The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of marital status and gender upon levels of psychological distress, coping, and social support among middle‐aged and older unmarried (divorced/widowed) and married colorectal cancer patients.Methods: Samples of 339 male and female colorectal patients were recruited from three major cancer centers in Israel. Participants' psychological distress, coping styles and social support were assessed using four self‐report standardized instruments.Results: Two‐way MANOVAs and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationships between the study variables. High levels of distress were found among unmarried and male patients. Married men reported on significantly higher levels of spouse support than married women. Family support was correlated with psychological distress only among married patients. Surprisingly, spiritual‐religious support was found to be correlated among some of the study groups with Helplessness and Fatalism.Conclusions: The results support the assumption that married patients cope better with cancer than unmarried patients and that women cope better than men. These differences may be related to the cultural mores of Israeli society in which men are expected to play the ‘hero’ role or to a generally lower ability of men to use social support and of unmarried patients to get family support. Practical conclusions in terms of intervention are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pulmonary cysts in early childhood and the risk of malignancy
Authors: Priest John R. , Williams Gretchen M. , Hill D. Ashley , Dehner Louis P. , Jaffé Adam 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSurgery for congenital and early childhood lung cysts is often dictated by symptoms such as respiratory distress, infection or pneumothorax. Asymptomatic cysts present a therapeutic dilemma: surgical intervention and “conservative” observation have advocates. The risk of malignancy in such cysts is considered by some an indication for surgical intervention and is reviewed in this paper. Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most frequent malignancy associated with childhood lung cysts. Although rare, PPB occurs predictably in certain clinical and familial situations. This unique biology of PPB can inform the cyst management decision. The earliest manifestation of PPB is a malignant lung cyst in young children, clinically and radiographically indistinguishable from benign congenital lung cysts. Histopathologic examination differentiates cystic PPB from the benign cystic variants. Surgical excision of cystic PPB (with or without chemotherapy) cures approximately 85–90% of children. If not excised, cystic PPB evolves to cystic/solid or solid high‐grade sarcoma (cure rate 45–60%) by age 2–6 years. Numerous reports of “malignancy in a congenital lung cyst” are now understood as the characteristic progression of cystic PPB. PPB is genetically determined in many cases. Detailed family history may reveal the hallmarks of PPB in the patient or young relatives: a unique constellation of diseases including lung cysts, cystic nephroma, childhood cancers, stromal sex‐chord ovarian tumors, seminomas or dysgerminomas, intestinal polyps, thyroid hyperplasias, and hamartomas. Pneumothorax and multifocal/bilateral lung cysts also characterize PPB. These diagnoses predict that a lung cyst is more likely PPB than a benign congenital cyst. Patients fitting this pattern deserve histologic diagnosis. The genetic basis for this heritable syndrome is unknown but is being actively investigated. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:14–30. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess asthma control in pediatrics
Authors: Pérez‐Yarza E.G. , Badía X. , Badiola C. , Cobos N. , Garde J. , Ibero M. , Villa J.R. ,   on behalf of the CAN Investigator Group
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo develop and validate a questionnaire to assess asthma control in children (CAN).DesignTwo versions of the CAN (for carers and children) were developed. Both versions were validated in an observational, prospective, multicenter study performed in 38 hospital outpatient clinics throughout Spain. Four hundred fifteen patients and their carers agreed to participate. Of these, 414 patients under 14 years old with frequent episodic or persistent (moderate to severe) asthma completed the questionnaire on 3 occasions (baseline, week 2, and week 12). For patients aged 2–8 the questionnaire was only completed by the carers, but for patients aged 9–14 the questionnaire was completed by the carers and the children. Clinician ratings of asthma control were used as a gold standard to assess the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the new measure.ResultsEvaluable responses were obtained from 215 carers for children aged 2–8 years and 199 children aged 9–14 years, and their parents. Using a questionnaire total score cut‐off of 8 the patient version had a sensitivity of 76.3% and a specificity of 62.9%. For carer version these values were 73% and 69.7%, respectively. A cut point of 8 was selected to maximize the screening accuracy of the CAN questionnaire. Effect sizes in patients with clinician‐rated improvements in asthma control were 0.33 and 0.57 for the carer and child versions, respectively.ConclusionsThe screening accuracy and validity of the CAN questionnaire make it suitable for use in research and clinical practice. The sensitivity and specificity were close to 70%, which is acceptable for the study objective: obtain a tool to measure the level of asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:54–63. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Swimming pool, respiratory health, and childhood asthma: Should we change our beliefs?
Authors: Uyan Z.S. , Carraro S. , Piacentini G. , Baraldi E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSwimming is often recommended as a sport because of its several benefits to health. It is also recommended in asthmatic children as a sport with a lower potential for prompting exercise‐induced asthma. However, there is growing interest in the potentially harmful effects of repeated respiratory tract exposure to chlorinated products and the problem of possible swimming‐related health hazards is gaining importance at international level. It is already known that acute exposure to chlorine gas as in swimming pool accidents causes lung damage and also that elite swimmers may have increased airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity, probably as a result of repeated exposure to chlorine derivatives. Recently some studies have been conducted to investigate whether repeated exposure to chlorine by‐products in recreational swimmers might also lead to lung damage. In addition, some studies have been lately published on the even more debated issue of the possible harmful effects of baby swimming on respiratory health. This article reviews and discusses data from the literature on the effects of chlorine derivatives in different categories of people routinely attending swimming pools. The need for longitudinal studies is emphasized to definitely clarify any role of chlorinated swimming pool attendance in the development of asthma in recreational swimmers. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:31–37. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study on sublimation of solid electrolyte (AgI)0.5‐(AgPO3)0.5with Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry
Authors: Bardi Ugo , Caporali Stefano , Tolstogouzov Alexander 
Published: December 2008

AbstractKnudsen high‐temperature mass spectrometry was used to study the process of sublimation of a solid electrolyte (AgI)0.5‐(AgPO3)0.5. Monoatomic iodine ions were found to be the dominant species in the electron ionization mass spectra below 600°C. With an increase in temperature, the relative content of phosphorus oxide ions, mainly [PO]+and [P4O10]+, increased. Under further heating, we observed silver iodide and iodine dimer ions together with phosphorus dimer and tetramer ions and clusters [IPO2]+, [IP2]+, [I3P]+. Using the experimental logarithmic dependencies of ion signal intensities versus the reciprocal absolute temperature of the effusion cell, the apparent sublimation enthalpies ΔsHof the ions giving the most intense signals were estimated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemometric and statistical analyses of ToF‐SIMS spectra of increasingly complex biological samples
Authors: Berman Elena S. F. , Wu Ligang , Fortson Susan L. , Kulp Kristen S. , Nelson David O. , Wu Kuang Jen 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCharacterizing and classifying molecular variations within biological samples are critical for determining the fundamental mechanisms of biological processes. Toward these ends, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was used to examine increasingly complex samples of biological relevance. The large, multivariate datasets were analyzed using five common statistical and chemometric techniques: principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA), soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), and decision‐tree analysis by recursive partitioning. PCA was found to provide insight into both the relative groupings of samples and the molecular basis for those groupings. For monosaccharide, pure protein, and complex protein mixture samples, LDA, PLSDA, and SIMCA all produced excellent classification. For mouse embryo tissues, however, SIMCA did not classify samples as accurately. The decision‐tree analysis was the least successful for all tested samples, providing neither as accurate a classification nor chemical insight. Based on these results we conclude that as the complexity of samples increases, so must the sophistication of the multivariate technique used to classify the samples. PCA is a preferred first step for understanding ToF‐SIMS data that can be followed by either LDA or PLSDA for effective classification. This study demonstrates the strength of the combination of ToF‐SIMS and multivariate analysis to classify increasingly complex biological samples. Applying these techniques to information‐rich mass spectral data opens the possibilities for new applications including classification of subtly different biological samples that may provide insights into cellular processes, disease progress, and disease diagnosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding the genetic code of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with methionine analogues
Authors: Wiltschi Birgit , Wenger Waltraud , Nehring Sebastian , Budisa Nediljko 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe replaced the single N‐terminal methionine in heterologously expressed human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase with the non‐canonical methionine analogues homopropargylglycine and norleucine in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our non‐canonical amino acid incorporation protocol involves a two‐step procedure. In the first step, the methionine auxotrophic yeast cells are accumulated in synthetic medium containing methionine while the target protein production is shut off. After a short methionine depletion phase, the cells are transferred to inducing medium that contains the methionine analogue instead of methionine and target protein expression is switched on. The initially low level incorporation of ∼12% could be elevated to 40% by increasing the non‐canonical amino acid concentration in the medium by 10‐fold. With this approach we were able to produce up to 5 mg substituted protein per litre of yeast culture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic States and Light Absorption in a Cylindrical Quantum Dot Having Thin Falciform Cross Section
Authors: Dvoyan Karen G , Hayrapetyan David B , Kazaryan Eduard M , Tshantshapanyan Ani A 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Energy level structure and direct light absorption in a cylindrical quantum dot (CQD), having thin falciform cross section, are studied within the framework of the adiabatic approximation. An analytical expression for the energy spectrum of the particle is obtained. For the one-dimensional “fast” subsystem, an oscillatory dependence of the wave function amplitude on the cross section parameters is revealed. For treatment of the “slow” subsystem, parabolic and modified Pöschl-Teller effective potentials are used. It is shown that the low-energy levels of the spectrum are equidistant. In the strong quantization regime, the absorption coefficient and edge frequencies are calculated. Selection rules for the corresponding quantum transitions are obtained.
Estimated intakes of meat and fish by children and adolescents in Australia and comparison with recommendations
Authors: Clayton Edward H. , Hanstock Tanya L. , Watson Jane F. 
Published: December 2008

Long-chainn-3 PUFA are considered important for cardiovascular health and brain development. Meat other than fish contributes significantly to total intakes of long-chainn-3 PUFA in adults; however, there are limited published data examining the intake of individual meat sources in children and adolescents in the Australian population. A review of literature was conducted using PubMed, Agricola and CAB Abstracts using the terms ‘intake’, ‘beef’, ‘lamb’, ‘pork’, ‘poultry’, ‘fish’, ‘children’ and ‘adolescents’ and using reference lists in published articles. Studies and surveys were identified that contained published values for intakes of meat or fish. Two national dietary surveys of children and adolescents were conducted in Australia in 1985 and 1995 and two regional surveys were conducted in Western Sydney and Western Australia in 1994 and 2003, respectively. Comprehensive data for the intake of individual meat sources were not reported from the 1995 survey, but estimations of intake were calculated from published values. Reported intakes of meat and fish are generally lower in females than males and tend to increase with age. Weighted mean intakes of red meat (beef plus lamb) across the three most recent studies were 67·3 and 52·2 g/d, respectively, for males and females aged between 7 and 12 years and 87·7 and 54·2 g/d, respectively, for males and females aged 12–18 years. These weighted intakes are within Australian guidelines and are likely to contribute significantly to total long-chainn-3 PUFA intake in children and adolescents in the Australian population.