bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary incontinence and quality of life in long‐term gynecological cancer survivors: A population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: SKJELDESTAD FINN EGIL , RANNESTAD TORIL 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective. To investigate quality of life (QoL) among women reporting urinary incontinence (UI). Design. Population‐based cross‐sectional study. Setting. Survival status for all women who had primary treatment between 1987 and 1996 at the University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, was assessed in 2003. Eligible for study participation were recurrence‐free survivors of gynecological cancer and age‐matched women selected from the general population. Methods. Women who had no history of gynecological cancer were selected as age‐matched controls in a 4:1 ratio to survivors in the population census. In 2004, all eligible participants were sent an extensive questionnaire. After one reminder the response rate was 55% (176/319) and 41% (521/1276) for survivors and controls, respectively. UI (total, stress, urge and mixed) was in agreement with definitions of the International Continence Society. QoL was measured by Ferrans and Powers’ Quality of Life Index (QLI). The chi‐squared test for categorical variables, unpaired T‐test for continuous variables and logistic regression were applied. Results. A history of recurrence‐free gynecologic cancer was not associated with reduced QLI. The prevalence of UI was 34.5%. Women with UI had lower scores on total QLI and all domains (health/functioning, psychological/spiritual, socio‐economic, and family domain) compared with continent women. A decreasing score of QLI and its domains were found for increasing severity of UI. After adjustment for other co‐morbidities UI remained an independent significant predictor of QLI below the 25. percentile, but not for QLI below the 10. percentile. Conclusion. UI has a negative impact on QoL. The more severe UI, the more reduced were total and all QLI domains.
Treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia according to the FIGO 2000 staging and scoring system: a 20 years’ experience
Authors: WANG KUNG‐LIAHNG , YANG YUH‐CHENG , WANG TAO‐YEUAN , LAI JERRY CHENG‐YEN , CHEN TZE‐CHIEN , CHANG CHI‐LONG 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective. To reassess the efficacy of the Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2000 staging and risk factor scoring system in comparison to the original World Health Organization (WHO) prognostic scoring system (1983) in a single‐institute setting. Design. Retrospective review of the medical records of 89 patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Setting. Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, a regional referral center for northern Taiwan, over a 20‐year period. Methods. All selected patients were classified retrospectively by the original WHO prognostic scoring system (1983) and the FIGO 2000 system. Main outcome measure. Efficacy as the correlation of risk categorization by percentage of patients between the original WHO scoring system (1983) and the FIGO 2000 system. Results. The correlation was 97%. Only two patients were classified as middle risk group in the original WHO system (1983), but as high‐risk group by the FIGO 2000 system. Conclusion. There was good correlation between the original WHO (1983) and FIGO 2000 systems. Treatment outcomes by FIGO 2000 system were somewhat better than by the original WHO classification.
Impact of allelic dropout on evidential value of forensic DNA profiles using RMNE
Authors: Van Nieuwerburgh F. , Goetghebeur E. , Vandewoestyne M. , Deforce D. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Two methods are commonly used to report on evidence carried by forensic DNA profiles: the ‘Random Man Not Excluded’ (RMNE) approach and the likelihood ratio (LR) approach. It is often claimed a major advantage of the LR method that dropout can be assessed probabilistically.
Results: In this article, a new RMNE measure is proposed that like-wise accounts for allelic dropout in an observed forensic DNA profile. We discuss the necessary calculations, underline their simplicity and provide a tool for performing the calculations.
Availability: An Excel file with preprogrammed calculations of RMNE probabilities for DNA profiles up to 16 loci and with a maximum of two dropouts is available at: http://www.labfbt.UGent.be/RMNE.php
Contact: dieter.deforce@ugent.be
Hemodynamic Assessment Using Apical Suction versus Pericardial Retraction in Beating Heart Surgery
Authors: Gummert Jan F. , Raumanns Joerg , Opfermann Ulrich T. , Bossert Torsten , Ender Joerg , Rastan Ardawan , Falk Volkmar , Walther Thomas , Mohr Friedrich W. 
Published: November 2008

Objective Aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative hemodynamic function using an apical suction device (Xpose = XS) versus standard pericardial retraction sutures (PS) during off-pump myocardial revascularization. Methods Twenty-seven consecutive patients (four female) with three-vessel disease receiving off-pump myocardial revascularization were prospectively evaluated. Mean age was 70 ± 8 years and mean ejection fraction was 55 ± 18%. Pulscontour continuous cardiac output, Swan Ganz catheter, and transesophageal echo measurements were performed. All patients received left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-left anterior descending grafting first. The XS or PS technique for marginal or right coronary artery branch exposure was used and after hemodynamic recovery the same measurements were performed using the other technique, thus each patient served as an intraindividual control. Finally, the anastomosis was performed in the respective territory. Results All procedures were completed as off-pump coronary artery bypass without perioperative complications. The mean confidence interval (L/min/m2)/mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 2.8 ± 0.5/87 ± 11 after opening the pericardium and 2.4 ± 0.4/75 ± 12 during left anterior descending exposure. During lateral wall exposure, it was 1.8 ± 0.6/67 ± 12 using XS and 1.9 ± 0.6/68 ± 12 using PS (P = ns). During inferior wall exposure, it was 2.1 ± 0.4/69 ± 12 using XS and 1.9 ± 0.4/68 ± 13 using PS (P = ns). No significant differences were seen comparing other parameters (cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), intrathoracic blood volume index) as well. Conclusions The lateral and inferior coronary arteries can be safely exposed on the beating heart with PS or XS technique. In individual patients, either XS or PS exposure yielded a better preservation of cardiac index and blood pressure compared with baseline.
Comparison of the effects of the kinase inhibitors imatinib, sorafenib, and transforming growth factor‐β receptor inhibitor on extravasation of nanoparticles from neovasculature
Authors: Kano Mitsunobu R. , Komuta Yukari , Iwata Caname , Oka Masako , Shirai Yo‐taro , Morishita Yasuyuki , Ouchi Yasuyoshi , Kataoka Kazunori , Miyazono Kohei 
Published: November 2008

There are a number of kinase inhibitors that regulate components of the neovasculature. We previously reported the use of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β inhibitor on neovasculature in stroma‐rich tumor models to increase the intratumoral distribution of nanoparticles. Here, we compared the effects of two other kinase inhibitors, imatinib and sorafenib, with TGF‐β inhibitor (LY364947) on extravasation of a modeled nanoparticle, 2 MDa dextran. We first used a mouse model of neoangiogenesis, the Matrigel plug assay, to compare neovasculature formed inside of and around Matrigel plugs (intraplug and periplug regions, respectively). Intraplug vasculature was more strongly pericyte covered, whereas periplug vasculature was less covered. In this model, TGF‐β inhibitor exhibited the most potent effect on intraplug vasculature in increasing the extravasation of dextran, whereas sorafenib had the strongest effect on periplug vasculature. Although imatinib and TGF‐β inhibitor each reduced pericyte coverage, imatinib also reduced the density of endothelium, resulting in a decrease in overall delivery of nanoparticles. These findings were confirmed in two tumor models, the CT26 colon cancer model and the BxPC3 pancreatic cancer model. The vasculature phenotype in the CT26 model resembled that in the periplug region, whereas the latter resembled that in the intraplug region. Consistent with this, sorafenib most potently enhanced the accumulation of nanoparticles in the CT26 model, whereas TGF‐β inhibitor did in the BxPC3 model. In conclusion, the appropriate strategy for optimization of tumor vasculature for nanoparticles may differ depending on tumor type, and in particular on the degree of pericyte coverage around the vasculature. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 173–180)
Histological and immunophenotypic changes in 59 cases of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma after rituximab therapy
Authors: Maeshima Akiko Miyagi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Nomoto Junko , Maruyama Dai , Kim Sung‐Won , Watanabe Takashi , Kobayashi Yukio , Tobinai Kensei , Matsuno Yoshihiro 
Published: November 2008

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that recognizes the CD20 antigen. It has been used to treat B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL), but recently rituximab resistance has been a cause for concern. We examined histological and immunohistochemical changes in 59 patients with B‐NHL after rituximab therapy. The patients comprised 32 men and 27 women with a median age of 59 years. Pre‐rituximab specimens comprised 34 follicular lymphomas (FL), 11 diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL), 10 mantle cell lymphomas, two marginal zone B‐cell lymphomas (MZBCL), and two chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLL). CD20 expression in lymphoma cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry. Post‐rituximab materials were taken a median of 6 months (4 days to 59 months) after rituximab therapy. Sixteen cases (27%) showed loss of CD20 expression with four histological patterns: pattern 1, no remarkable histological change (FL, 5; DLBCL, 3; and CLL, 2); pattern 2, proliferation of plasmacytoid cells (FL, 2; DLBCL, 1; and MZBCL, 1); pattern 3, transformation to classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (FL, 1); and pattern 4, transformation to anaplastic large cell lymphoma‐like undifferentiated lymphoma (FL, 1). Loss of CD20 was unrelated to the interval of biopsies, treatment regimen, clinical response, and frequency of rituximab administration. Loss of CD20 within 1 month of rituximab therapy (3/14, 21%) and regain of CD20 (2/7, 29%) were not frequent. CD20‐positive relapse with transformation occurred most frequently in cases of early relapse. In conclusion, B‐NHL showed various histological and immunophenotypic changes after rituximab therapy, including not only CD20 loss but also proliferation of plasmacytoid cells or transformation to special subtypes of lymphoma. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 54–61)
Systematic review: the epidemiology of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in primary care, using the UK General Practice Research Database
Authors: EL‐SERAG H. , HILL C. , JONES R. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common diagnosis in primary care; however, there has been no comprehensive review of the epidemiology of GERD in this setting.Aim  To review systematically articles that used the General Practice Research Database to study the epidemiology of GERD.Methods  Systematic literature searches.Results  Seventeen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of GERD in primary care was 4.5 new diagnoses per 1000 person‐years in 1996 (95% CI: 4.4–4.7). A new diagnosis of GERD was associated with being overweight, obese or an ex‐smoker. Prior diagnoses of ischaemic heart disease, peptic ulcer disease, nonspecific chest pain, nonspecific abdominal pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma were associated with a subsequent new GERD diagnosis. A first diagnosis of GERD was associated with an increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, oesophageal stricture, chronic cough, sinusitis, chest pain, angina, gallbladder disease, irritable bowel syndrome or sleep problems. Mortality may be higher in patients with a GERD diagnosis than in those without in the first year after diagnosis, but not long term.Conclusion  The General Practice Research Database is an effective way of studying the epidemiology of GERD in a large population‐based primary care setting.
Phylogeography of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Europe: a legacy of south‐eastern Mediterranean refugia?
Authors: Stamatis Costas , Suchentrunk Franz , Moutou Katerina A. , Giacometti Marco , Haerer Gunther , Djan Mihajla , Vapa Ljiljana , Vukovic Marijana , Tvrtković Nikola , Sert Hakan , Alves Paulo C. , Mamuris Zissis 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim  We analysed the population genetics of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in order to test the hypothesis that this species migrated into central Europe from a number of late glacial refugia, including some in Asia Minor.Location  Thirty‐three localities in Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Israel.Methods  In total, 926 brown hares were analysed for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) performed on polymerase chain reaction‐amplified products spanning cytochrome b (cyt b)/control region (CR), cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 12S–16S rRNA. In addition, sequence analysis of the mtDNA CR‐I region was performed on 69 individuals, and the data were compared with 137 mtDNA CR‐I sequences retrieved from GenBank.Results  The 112 haplotypes detected were partitioned into five phylogeographically well‐defined major haplogroups, namely the ‘south‐eastern European type haplogroup’ (SEEh), ‘Anatolian/Middle Eastern type haplogroup’ (AMh), ‘European type haplogroup, subgroup A’ (EUh‐A), ‘European type haplogroup, subgroup B’ (EUh‐B) and ‘Intermediate haplogroup’ (INTERh). Sequence data retrieved from GenBank were consistent with the haplogroups determined in this study. In Bulgaria and north‐eastern Greece numerous haplotypes of all five haplogroups were present, forming a large overlap zone.Main conclusions  The mtDNA results allow us to infer post‐glacial colonization of large parts of Europe from a late glacial/early Holocene source population in the central or south‐central Balkans. The presence of Anatolian/Middle Eastern haplotypes in the large overlap zone in Bulgaria and north‐eastern Greece reveals gene flow from Anatolia to Europe across the late Pleistocene Bosporus land‐bridge. Although various restocking operations could be partly responsible for the presence of unexpected haplotypes in certain areas, we nevertheless trace a strong phylogeographic signal throughout all regions under study. Throughout Europe, mtDNA results indicate that brown hares are not separated into discernable phyletic groups.
Using the Mahalanobis distance statistic with unplanned presence‐only survey data for biogeographical models of species distribution and abundance: a case study of badger setts
Authors: Etherington Thomas R. , Ward Alastair I. , Smith Graham C. , Pietravalle Stéphane , Wilson Gavin J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim  Project‐specific data for biogeographical models are often logistically impractical to collect, forcing the use of existing data from a variety of sources. Use of these data is complicated when neither absence nor an estimate of the area sampled is available, as these are requirements of most analytical techniques. We demonstrate the Mahalanobis distance statistic (D2), which is a presence‐only modelling technique and does not require information on species absence or the sampled area. We use badger (Meles meles) setts as the basis for this investigation, as their landscape associations are well understood, and survey data exist against which to compare estimates of sett distribution and abundance.Location England and Wales (151,403 km2).Methods  We used stratified random samples of sett locations, and landscape variables that are known to be important for choice of badger sett location within a geographic information system at a cell resolution of 100 × 100 m. Landscape conditions at two scales were extracted, at and around sett locations, and the D2 was used to classify all cells in England and Wales into a sett suitability model. Comparison of this sett suitability model with known main sett densities allowed estimates of main sett density to be made across England and Wales, with associated uncertainty.Results  The sett suitability model was shown through iterative sampling and model evaluation using independent data to be stable and accurate. Main sett density estimates were biologically plausible in comparison with previous field‐derived estimates. We estimate 58,000 main setts within England and Wales, with 95% confidence intervals suggesting a value between 31,000 and 93,000.Main conclusions  The D2, which could be applied to other species and locations, proved useful in our context, where absence data were not available and the sampled area could not be reliably established. We were able to predict sett suitability across a large area and at a fine resolution, and to generate plausible estimates of main sett density. The final model provides valuable information on probable badger sett distribution and abundance, and may contribute to future research on the spatial ecology of badgers in England and Wales.
Spread of an introduced vector‐borne banana virus in Hawaii
Authors: ALMEIDA RODRIGO P.P. , BENNETT GORDON M. , ANHALT MANDY D. , TSAI CHI‐WEI , O’GRADY PATRICK 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEmerging diseases are increasing in incidence; therefore, understanding how pathogens are introduced into new regions and cause epidemics is of importance for the development of strategies that may hinder their spread. We used molecular data to study how a vector‐borne banana virus, Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), spread in Hawaii after it was first detected in 1989. Our analyses suggest that BBTV was introduced once into Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. All other islands were infected with isolates originating from Oahu, suggesting that movement of contaminated plant material was the main driving factor responsible for interisland spread of BBTV. The rate of mutation inferred by the phylogenetic analysis (1.4 × 10−4 bp/year) was similar to that obtained in an experimental evolution study under greenhouse conditions (3.9 × 10−4 bp/year). We used these values to estimate the number of infections occurring under field conditions per year. Our results suggest that strict and enforced regulations limiting the movement of banana plant material among Hawaiian islands could have reduced interisland spread of this pathogen.
Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis associated with the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
Authors: Sinha Smeeta , Fernández Geover , Kapila Rajendra , Lambert W. Clark , Schwartz Robert A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLeishmaniasis is an emerging disease in HIV‐infected persons; visceral leishmaniasis is an AIDS‐defining opportunistic infection. The parasite that causes this infection is usually transmitted by the sandfly and occasionally by nonsterile needles among intravenous drug users. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare anergic variant of leishmanial infection with the characteristic presentation of numerous nonulcerating nodules with an abundant parasite load, lack of visceral involvement, negative reaction to the leishmanin skin test, and a chronic course with incomplete response to treatment and frequent relapses. We report a case of DCL that developed in the context of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a man with AIDS following initiation of antiretroviral therapy. We also review DCL to emphasize the importance of recognizing and treating this evolving disease in the growing population of patients on immunorestorative therapy.
Informed decision making before initiating screening mammography: does it occur and does it make a difference?
Authors: Nekhlyudov Larissa , Li Rong , Fletcher Suzanne W. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective  Informed decision making regarding screening mammography is recommended for women under age 50. To what extent it occurs in clinical settings is unclear.Methods  Using a mailed instrument, we surveyed women aged 40–44 prior to their first screening mammogram. All women were members of a large health maintenance organization and received care at a large medical practice in the Greater Boston area. The survey measured informed decision making, decisional conflict, satisfaction, and screening mammography knowledge and intentions to undergo screening.Results  Ninety‐six women responded to the survey (response rate 47%). Overall, women reported limited informed decision making regarding screening mammography, both with respect to information exchange and involvement in the decision process. Less than half (47%) reported discussing the benefits of screening; 23% the uncertainties; and only 7% the harms. About 30% reported discussing the nature of the decision or clinical issue; and 29% reported their provider elicited their preferred role in the decision; 38% their preferences; and 24% their understanding of the information. Women who were uninformed had higher decisional conflict (2.37 vs. 1.83, P = 0.005) about screening mammography and were more likely to be dissatisfied with the information and involvement. Women’s screening mammography knowledge was limited in most areas; however being presented with information did not diminish their intentions to undergo screening.Conclusion  Informed decision making before initiating screening mammography is limited in this setting. There appears to be little indication that information about the benefits and harms decreases women’s intentions to undergo screening. Methods to communicate information to women before initiating screening mammography are needed.
Comparison of the efficacy of levocetirizine 5 mg and desloratadine 5 mg in chronic idiopathic urticaria patients
Authors: Potter P. C. , Kapp A. , Maurer M. , Guillet G. , Jian A. M. , Hauptmann P. , Finlay A. Y. 
Published: November 2008

Background:  Nonsedating H1‐antihistamines are recommended for the treatment of urticaria by the recent EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF guidelines. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, after 4 weeks of treatment, with levocetirizine 5 mg and desloratadine 5 mg, both once daily in the morning, in symptomatic chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) patients.Methods:  This multi‐center, randomized, double‐blind study involved 886 patients (438 on levocetirizine and 448 on desloratadine). The primary objective was to compare their efficacy on the mean pruritus severity score after 1 week of treatment. Mean pruritus severity score over 4 weeks and pruritus duration score, number and size of wheals, mean CIU composite score (sum of the scores for pruritus severity and numbers of wheals), quality of life, and the patient’s and investigator’s global satisfaction with treatment, were secondary efficacy measures.Results:  Levocetirizine led to a significantly greater decrease in pruritus severity than desloratadine over the first treatment week; mean pruritus severity scores of 1.02 and 1.18 for levocetirizine and desloratadine, respectively (P < 0.001). The result was similar for the entire 4‐week treatment period (P = 0.004). In addition, levocetirizine decreased pruritus duration and the mean CIU composite scores to a significantly greater extent than desloratadine during the first week (P = 0.002 and 0.005, respectively) and over the entire study (P = 0.009 and P < 0.05, respectively). Similarly, levocetirizine increased the patients’ global satisfaction after one and 4 weeks (P = 0.012 and 0.021, respectively), compared with desloratadine. Safety and tolerability were similar in both groups.Conclusions:  Levocetirizine 5 mg was significantly more efficacious than desloratadine 5 mg in the treatment of CIU symptoms.