bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized Trial of Two or Five Computed Tomography Scans in the Surveillance of Patients With Stage I Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis: Medical Research Council Trial TE08, ISRCTN56475197—The National Cancer Research Institute Testis Cancer Clinical Studies Group
Authors: Rustin Gordon J. , Mead Graham M. , Stenning Sally P. , Vasey Paul A. , Aass Nina , Huddart Robert A. , Sokal Michael P. , Joffe Jonathan K. , Harland Stephen J. , Kirk Sarah J. 
Published: April 2007

Purpose Surveillance is a standard management approach for stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). A randomized trial of two versus five computed tomography (CT) scans was performed to determine whether the number of scans influenced the proportion of patients relapsing with intermediate- or poor-prognosis disease at relapse. Methods Patients with clinical stage I NSGCT opting for surveillance were randomly assigned to chest and abdominal CT scans at either 3 and 12 or 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months, with all other investigations identical in the two arms. Three of five patients were allocated to the two-scan schedule. Four hundred patients were required. Results Two hundred forty-seven patients were allocated to a two-scan and 167 to five-scan policy. With a median follow-up of 40 months, 37 relapses (15%) have occurred in the two-scan arm and 33 (20%) in the five-scan arm. No patients had poor prognosis at relapse, but two (0.8%) of those relapsing in the two-scan arm had intermediate prognosis compared with 1 (0.6%) in the five-scan arm, a difference of 0.2% (90% CI, −1.2% to 1.6%). No deaths have been reported. Conclusion This study can rule out with 95% probability an increase in the proportion of patients relapsing with intermediate- or poor-prognosis disease of more than 1.6% if they have two rather than five CT scans as part of their surveillance protocol. CT scans at 3 and 12 months after orchidectomy should be considered a reasonable option in low-risk patients.
Meta-Analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Penetrance
Authors: Chen Sining , Parmigiani Giovanni 
Published: April 2007

Purpose Genetic counseling is now routinely offered to individuals at high risk of carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Risk prediction provided by the counselor requires reliable estimates of the mutation penetrance. Such penetrance has been investigated by studies worldwide. The reported estimates vary. To facilitate clinical management and counseling of the at-risk population, we address this issue through a meta-analysis. Methods We conducted a literature search on PubMed and selected studies that had nonoverlapping patient data, contained genotyping information, used statistical methods that account for the ascertainment, and reported risks in a useable format. We subsequently combined the published estimates using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects modeling approach. Results Ten studies were eligible under the selection criteria. Between-study heterogeneity was observed. Study population, mutation type, design, and estimation methods did not seem to be systematic sources of heterogeneity. Meta-analytic mean cumulative cancer risks for mutation carriers at age 70 years were as follows: breast cancer risk of 57% (95% CI, 47% to 66%) for BRCA1 and 49% (95% CI, 40% to 57%) for BRCA2 mutation carriers; and ovarian cancer risk of 40% (95% CI, 35% to 46%) for BRCA1 and 18% (95% CI, 13% to 23%) for BRCA2 mutation carriers. We also report the prospective risks of developing cancer for currently asymptomatic carriers. Conclusion This article provides a set of risk estimates for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers that can be used by counselors and clinicians who are interested in advising patients based on a comprehensive set of studies rather than one specific study.
PancPRO: Risk Assessment for Individuals With a Family History of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Chen Sining , Brune Kieran A. , Hruban Ralph H. , Parmigiani Giovanni , Klein Alison P. 
Published: April 2007

Purpose The rapid fatality of pancreatic cancer is, in large part, the result of an advanced stage of diagnosis for the majority of patients. Identification of individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer is a first step towards the early detection of this disease. Individuals who may harbor a major pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene are one such high-risk group. The goal of this study was to develop and validate PancPRO, a Mendelian model for pancreatic cancer risk prediction in individuals with familial pancreatic cancer, to identify high-risk individuals. Methods PancPRO was built by extending the Bayesian modeling framework developed for BRCAPRO, trained using published data, and validated using independent prospective data on 961 families enrolled onto the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry, including 26 individuals who developed incident pancreatic cancer during follow-up. Results We developed a risk prediction model, PancPRO, and free software for the estimation of pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene carrier probabilities and absolute pancreatic cancer risk. Model validation demonstrated an observed to predicted pancreatic cancer ratio of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.20) and high discriminatory ability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.81) for PancPRO. Conclusion PancPRO is the first risk prediction model for pancreatic cancer. When we validated our model using the largest registry of familial pancreatic cancer, our model provided accurate risk assessment. Our findings highlight the importance of detailed family history for clinical cancer risk assessment and demonstrate that accurate genetic risk assessment is possible even when the causative genes are not known.
Development and Multicenter Evaluation of the N Latex CDT Direct Immunonephelometric Assay for Serum Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin
Authors: Delanghe Joris R , Helander Anders , Wielders Jos PM , Pekelharing J Maurits , Roth Heinz J , Schellenberg François , Born Catherine , Yagmur Eray , Gentzer Wolfgang , Althaus Harald 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is a promising biomarker of alcohol abuse. We describe the development and multicenter evaluation of N Latex CDT (Dade Behring), an automated, particle-enhanced, homogeneous immunonephelometric assay for directly determining CDT.Methods: N Latex CDT uses a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the structure of transferrin glycoforms lacking 1 or 2 complete N-glycans [i.e., disialo-, monosialo-, and asialotransferrins (CDT glycoforms)] in combination with a simultaneous assay for total transferrin. The Dade Behring BN II™ and BN ProSpec® systems automatically calculate the CDT value as a percentage of total transferrin (%CDT). No preanalytical sample treatment is used.Results: Total imprecision values for serum pools containing 1.8%–8.7% CDT were 3.4%–10.4% (mean, 6.8%). The mean (SD) %CDT for 561 serum samples from healthy control individuals was 1.76% (0.27%; range, 1.01%–2.85%). No marked sex or age differences were noted. The 97.5th percentile was at 2.35%. Transferrin genetic variants did not interfere with measurements. High transferrin concentrations did not falsely increase %CDT values, but increased %CDT values were noted for some samples with transferrin concentrations &lt;1.1 g/L. N Latex CDT results correlated with those of a commercial CDT immunoassay involving column separation (r2 = 0.862) and an HPLC candidate reference method (r2 = 0.978).Conclusion: N Latex CDT is the first direct immunoassay for quantifying %CDT in serum. The specificity of N Latex CDT for identifying alcohol abuse may be higher than for immunoassays that use column separation, because transferrin genetic variants do not interfere with measurements.
Preparedness for Infectious Threats
Authors: Nelson Christopher B. , Birmingham Maureen , Costa Alejandro , Daviaud Joelle , Perea William , Kieny Marie-Paule , Tarantola Daniel 
Published: April 2007

With the emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis W135 meningitis in Burkina Faso during early 2002, the public health community was faced with the challenge of providing access to an appropriate and affordable vaccine in time for the upcoming 2003 epidemic season. Recognizing the implications of the emergent threat, the World Health Organization developed a strategy, established a public–private partnership to provide the needed vaccine, and then ensured that a stockpile was available for future use. The trivalent N meningitidis ACW135 polysaccharide vaccine that resulted is now one of the primary tools for epidemic response in African meningitis belt countries. It will remain so for the foreseeable future and until appropriate and affordable conjugate vaccines become part of national immunization programs in the region.
Vision for a Global Registry of Anticipated Public Health Studies
Authors: Choi Bernard C.K. , Frank John , Mindell Jennifer S. , Orlova Anna , Lin Vivian , Vaillancourt Alain D.M.G. , Puska Pekka , Pang Tikki , Skinner Harvey A. , Marsh Marsha , Mokdad Ali H. , Yu Shun-Zhang , Lindner M. Cristina , Sherman Gregory , Barreto Sandhi M. , Green Lawrence W. , Svenson Lawrence W. , Sainsbury Peter , Yan Yongping , Zhang Zuo-Feng , Zevallos Juan C. , Ho Suzanne C. , de Salazar Ligia M. 
Published: April 2007

In public health, the generation, management, and transfer of knowledge all need major improvement. Problems in generating knowledge include an imbalance in research funding, publication bias, unnecessary studies, adherence to fashion, and undue interest in novel and immediate issues. Impaired generation of knowledge, combined with a dated and inadequate process for managing knowledge and an inefficient system for transferring knowledge, mean a distorted body of evidence available for decisionmaking in public health. This article hopes to stimulate discussion by proposing a Global Registry of Anticipated Public Health Studies. This prospective, comprehensive system for tracking research in public health could help enhance collaboration and improve efficiency. Practical problems must be discussed before such a vision can be further developed.
Psychological Sequelae Resulting From the 2004 Florida Hurricanes: Implications for Postdisaster Intervention
Authors: Acierno Ron , Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Galea Sandro , Resnick Heidi S. , Koenen Karestan , Roitzsch John , de Arellano Michael , Boyle John , Kilpatrick Dean G. 
Published: April 2007

Objectives. Data are limited regarding mental health effects of disasters such as hurricanes. We sought to determine the prevalence of and major risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive episode 6 to 9 months after the 2004 Florida hurricanes. Methods. Random-digit dialing was used to recruit a representative population sample of 1452 hurricane-affected adults. Results. Posthurricane prevalence for PTSD was 3.6%, for generalized anxiety disorder was 5.5%, and for major depressive episode was 6.1%. Risk factors varied somewhat across disorders, with the exception of previous exposure to traumatic events, which increased risk of all negative outcomes. Conclusions. Storm exposure variables and displacement were associated primarily with PTSD. Notably, high social support in the 6 months preceding the hurricanes protected against all types of disorders.
Adequacy of State Capacity to Address Noncommunicable Disease Clusters in the Era of Environmental Public Health Tracking
Authors: Juzych Nadia Shalauta , Resnick Beth , Streeter Robin , Herbstman Julie , Zablotsky Joanna , Fox Mary , Burke Thomas A. 
Published: April 2007

Objectives. We sought to assess the capacity of state public health agencies to address noncommunicable disease clusters (NCCs) and to develop recommendations to enhance agencies’ NCC response capacity. Methods. We conducted an inventory of state public health agency Web sites and administered a Web-based survey of state health agency personnel to examine NCC capacity with respect to responsibility and authority, scope, protocols, trends in NCC investigations, and desired assistance. Results. Twenty-six of the state agency Web sites listed an NCC contact, and 12 mentioned a cluster response team. Thirty-seven states completed the Web-based survey, all addressed cancer clusters, and 30 also responded to other NCCs, such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and autism. Conclusions. NCCs are of key concern to communities, and all of the survey respondents indicated that citizen reports were an impetus for investigations; yet, state-level capacity to address NCCs was inconsistent and disjointed. State agency personnel were committed to responding to NCC inquiries but were hampered by lack of personnel, resources, and prescribed protocols, as well as inadequate interagency communication. We offer recommendations to address these challenges.
Hyperspectral Reflectance Response of Freshwater Macrophytes to Salinity in a Brackish Subtropical Marsh
Authors: Tilley David R. , Ahmed Muneer , Son Ji Ho , Badrinarayanan Harish 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCoastal freshwater wetlands are threatened by increased salinity due to relative sea level rise and reduced freshwater inputs. Remote radiometric measurement of freshwater marsh canopies to detect small shifts in water column salinity would be useful for assessing salinity encroachment. We measured leaf hyperspectral (300–1100 nm) reflectance of freshwater macrophytes (cattail, Typha latifolia and sea oxeye, Borrichia frutescens) in a field study in a subtropical brackish (2.5–4.5 parts per thousand salinity, ‰) marsh to determine salinity effects on visible and near‐infrared spectral band reflectance and to identify reflectance indices sensitive to small (1‰) changes in wetland salinity. For sea oxeye, floating‐position water band index [fWBI = R900/minimum(R930 − R980), where Rλ = reflectance at band λ], normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI = (R774 − R681)/(R774 + R681)], and a proposed wetland salinity reflectance ratio (WSRR = R990/R933) were sensitive to salinity with R2 of 40, 35, and 65%, respectively (p < 0.01). For cattail, NDVI and photochemical reflectance index [PRI = (R531 − R570)/(R570 + R531)] were sensitive to salinity with R2 of 29 and 33%, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). Higher salinity significantly reduced mean reflectance of sea oxeye in 328‐ to 527‐nm and 600‐ to 700‐nm wavebands (p < 0.05), which corresponded to chlorophyll bands. Reflectance of cattail was not significantly affected by the highest salinity, although the spectral band most affected was 670 nm (p < 0.10), which is a chlorophyll a band. Our findings indicate that hyperspectral radiometry can detect the response of emergent freshwater plants to changes in wetland salinity, which would help with monitoring salinity effects on coastal wetlands.
Soil Microbial Community Response to Hexavalent Chromium in Planted and Unplanted Soil
Authors: Ipsilantis Ioannis , Coyne Mark S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTheories suggest that rapid microbial growth rates lead to quicker development of metal resistance. We tested these theories by adding hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] to soil, sowing Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), and comparing rhizosphere and bulk soil microbial community responses. Four weeks after the initial Cr(VI) application we measured Cr concentration, microbial biomass by fumigation extraction and soil extract ATP, tolerance to Cr and growth rates with tritiated thymidine incorporation, and performed community substrate use analysis with BIOLOG GN plates. Exchangeable Cr(VI) levels were very low, and therefore we assumed the Cr(VI) impact was transient. Microbial biomass was reduced by Cr(VI) addition. Microbial tolerance to Cr(VI) tended to be higher in the Cr‐treated rhizosphere soil relative to the non‐treated systems, while microorganisms in the Cr‐treated bulk soil were less sensitive to Cr(VI) than microorganisms in the non‐treated bulk soil. Microbial diversity as measured by population evenness increased with Cr(VI) addition based on a Gini coefficient derived from BIOLOG substrate use patterns. Principal component analysis revealed separation between Cr(VI) treatments, and between rhizosphere and bulk soil treatments. We hypothesize that because of Cr(VI) addition there was indirect selection for fast‐growing organisms, alleviation of competition among microbial communities, and increase in Cr tolerance in the rhizosphere due to the faster turnover rates in that environment.
Phosphorus Transport through Subsurface Drainage and Surface Runoff from a Flat Watershed in East Central Illinois, USA
Authors: Algoazany A. S. , Kalita P. K. , Czapar G. F. , Mitchell J. K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA long‐term water quality monitoring program was established to evaluate the effects of agricultural management practices on water quality in the Little Vermilion River (LVR) watershed, IL. This watershed has intensive random and irregular subsurface drainage systems. The objective of this study was to assess the fate and transport of soluble phosphorus (soluble P) through subsurface drainage and surface runoff. Four sites (sites A, B, C, and E) that had subsurface and surface monitoring programs were selected for this study. Three of the four study sites had corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L.) planted in rotations and the other site had seed corn and soybeans. Subsurface drainage and surface runoff across all sites removed an average of 16.1 and 2.6% of rainfall, respectively. Annual flow‐weighted soluble P concentrations fluctuated with the precipitation, while concentrations tended to increase with high precipitation coupled with high application rates. The long‐term average flow‐weighted soluble P concentrations in subsurface flow were 102, 99, 194, and 86 μg L−1 for sites A, B, C, and E, respectively. In contrast, the long‐term average flow‐weighted soluble P concentrations in surface runoff were 270, 253, 534, and 572 μg L−1 for sites As, Bs, Cs, and Es, respectively. These values were substantially greater than the critical values that promote eutrophication. Statistical analysis indicated that the effects of crop, discharge, and the interactions between site and discharge and crop and discharge on soluble P concentrations in subsurface flow were significant (α = 0.05). Soluble P mass loads in surface runoff responded to discharge more consistently than in the subsurface flow. Subsurface flow had substantially greater annual average soluble P mass loads than surface runoff due to greater flow volume.
Mitigation of Shallow Groundwater Nitrate in a Poorly Drained Riparian Area and Adjacent Cropland
Authors: Davis Jennifer H. , Griffith Stephen M. , Horwath William R. , Steiner Jeffrey J. , Myrold David D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRiparian ecosystems, through their unique position in the agricultural landscape and ability to influence nutrient cycles, can potentially reduce NO3 loading to surface and ground waters. The purpose of this study was to determine the fate of NO3 in shallow groundwater moving along a lateral flowpath from a grass seed cropping system through an undisturbed mixed‐species herbaceous riparian area. Soil A (30–45 cm) and C horizon (135–150 cm) NO3, dissolved oxygen, and nitrous oxide concentrations were significantly higher in the cropping system than the adjacent riparian area. Nitrate concentrations in both horizons of the riparian soil were consistently at or below 0.05 mg N L−1 while cropping system concentrations ranged from 1 to 12 mg N L−1 Chloride data suggested that NO3 dilution occurred from recharge by precipitation. However, a sharp decrease in NO3/Cl ratios as water moved into the riparian area indicated that additional dilution of NO3 concentrations was unlikely. Riparian area A horizon soil water had higher dissolved organic carbon than the cropping system and when the riparian soil became saturated, available electron acceptors (O2, NO3) were rapidly reduced. Dissolved inorganic carbon was significantly higher in the riparian area than the cropping system for both horizons indicating high biological activity. Carbon limitation in the cropping system may have led to microbial respiration using primarily O2 and to a lesser degree NO3 Within 6 m of the riparian/cropping system transition, NO3 was virtually undetectable.
Occurrence and Fate of the Phytotoxin Juglone in Alley Soils under Black Walnut Trees
Authors: von Kiparski Guntram R. , Lee Linda S. , Gillespie Andrew R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractJuglone (5‐hydroxy‐1,4‐napthoquinone) is a chemical released by walnut trees, which can be toxic at various levels to several plant species. A balance among competing source and sink mechanisms and rates will ultimately determine whether juglone is capable of attaining sufficient levels to be allelopathic to intercrops in a walnut tree agroforestry system. In this study, juglone's release, accumulation, and decline in soil are explored using data from soil beneath a black walnut tree (Juglans nigra L) alley cropping system, greenhouse pot studies, and laboratory sorption/degradation studies. Juglone pore water concentrations estimated from extracts of surficial soil from beneath the alley cropping system exceeded the lowest solution culture toxicity levels reported for some plants of 10−7 M, but did not exceed the inhibition threshold reported for typical intercrops such as maize and soybeans 10−5 M Further assessment of the likely persistence of juglone in soils indicated that juglone is both microbially and abiotically degraded, and that it will be particularly short‐lived in soils supporting microbial activity. However, walnut seedlings planted in sand‐filled pots clearly showed that juglone is released in measurable quantities to the soil's rhizosphere. Therefore, juglone accumulation in low fertility soils is plausible, and may still be worthy of consideration in management of alley agroforestry systems.
Assessment of Contamination from Arsenical Pesticide Use on Orchards in the Great Valley region, Virginia and West Virginia, USA
Authors: Robinson Gilpin R. , Larkins Peter , Boughton Carol J. , Reed Bradley W. , Sibrell Philip L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLead arsenate pesticides were widely used in apple orchards from 1925 to 1955. Soils from historic orchards in four counties in Virginia and West Virginia contained elevated concentrations of As and Pb, consistent with an arsenical pesticide source. Arsenic concentrations in approximately 50% of the orchard site soils and approximately 1% of reference site soils exceed the USEPA Preliminary Remediation Goal (PRG) screening guideline of 22 mg kg−1 for As in residential soil, defined on the basis of combined chronic exposure risk. Approximately 5% of orchard site soils exceed the USEPA PRG for Pb of 400 mg kg−1 in residential soil; no reference site soils sampled exceed this value. A variety of statistical methods were used to characterize the occurrence, distribution, and dispersion of arsenical pesticide residues in soils, stream sediments, and ground waters relative to landscape features and likely background conditions. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cu were most strongly associated with high developed land density and population density, whereas elevated concentrations of As were weakly correlated with high orchard density, consistent with a pesticide residue source. Arsenic concentrations in ground water wells in the region are generally <0.005 mg L−1 There was no spatial association between As concentrations in ground water and proximity to orchards. Arsenic had limited mobility into ground water from surface soils contaminated with arsenical pesticide residues at concentrations typically found in orchards.