bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Vanishing’ prostate cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens: incidence and long‐term follow‐up in 38 cases
Authors: Bostwick David G. , Bostwick Kathleen C. 
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine the incidence and long‐term follow‐up of the ‘vanishing cancer’ phenomenon, as complete sampling of some radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens reveals no residual cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe Mayo Clinic prostate cancer RP database for 1966–1995 was searched for all cases in which there was no residual adenocarcinoma (pathological stage pT0). Each case was confirmed by a review of all tissue specimen slides. Various clinical and pathological features were evaluated, and the follow‐up obtained for all patients.RESULTSAmong 6843 RPs there were 38 in which no residual cancer was identified despite careful sampling. There was a 10‐fold decline in the incidence of this finding, from 2.1% before 1980 to 0.2% in 1993–95; this decline appeared to be caused by a decrease in the frequency of diagnosis of cancer by transurethral resection from > 10% before 1990 to < 2% in 1993–95. The mean (range) age of the patients was 63 (38–75) years. All cancers on biopsy or transurethral resection were well or moderately differentiated; clinical stages included T1a (42% of cases), T1b (45%) and T2 (13%). Six patients had a nerve‐sparing RP, all after 1990. The mean follow‐up was 9.6 (1.0–28.5) years, and there were no recurrences of cancer; the serum prostate specific antigen concentration remained at < 0.2 ng/mL in surviving patients. Six patients (16%) died from intercurrent disease.CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of ‘vanishing cancer’ declined between 1966 and 1995, probably as a result of the decline in the use of transurethral resection, occurring in 0.2% of RPs. The prognosis in such patients is excellent, indicating that there is no apparent clinical significance to microscopic foci of cancer that remain undetected after reasonably complete pathological sampling. The inability to identify cancer in a prostate removed for biopsy‐confirmed carcinoma does not indicate technical failure.
Publication rate of abstracts presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association
Authors: Ng Longena , Hersey Karen , Fleshner Neil 
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine the rate and time‐course of peer‐reviewed publication of abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the American Urological Association (AUA).METHODSAll abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the AUA from 1998 to 2000 were searched in the PubMed database. To assess any significant predictors of ultimate peer‐reviewed publication, abstract number, meeting year, presentation type (podium vs poster), type of research (basic vs clinical), date of publication and session name (i.e. prostate cancer: advanced) were entered into a database.RESULTSThe overall rate of publication was 37.8%. Survival analysis indicated that most abstracts were published within 2 years of their respective meetings. Univariate and multivariate techniques showed that none of the tested covariates were significant predictors of publication.CONCLUSIONSInformation presented at the AUA annual meetings should be carefully considered by physicians before implementation into their clinical practice. Researchers are encouraged to publish their data.
Trade unionism and partnership in practice: evidence from the Barclays–Unifi agreement
Authors: Wills Jane 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTThis article draws on empirical evidence from Barclays Bank PLC to explore the impact of partnership on trade union organisation. It outlines the rationale, development, benefits and pitfalls of the partnership agreement between Barclays and Unifi. Particular attention is paid to the positive impact the agreement has had on systems of workplace representation and on the ways in which the partnership needs to develop to better serve the trade union side. It is argued that unions need to manage the risks of partnership, ensuring their continued legitimacy in the eyes of union members.
Fragmented in Space: The Oral History Narrative of an Arab Christian from Antioch, Turkey
Authors: Neyzi Leyla 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis study uses the case of Can Kilçiksiz, an Arab Christian refugee youth from Antioch, Turkey, to argue that globalization may result in fragmented families and subjectivities and can also accelerate processes initiated by modernity and the construction of national identities. Can Kilçiksiz and his siblings now live in Turkey, Germany, France and Finland. His life history suggests that males of Arab Christian origin from Antioch who had access to schooling are more likely to be involved in politics whereas females tend to be drawn to evangelical Christian organizations. The case also suggests that sibling ties might prove more durable in the course of transnational migration than conjugal ties. The case of Can Kilçiksiz shows that the time/space linked to childhood through memory can play an important role in identity construction of subjects circulating in transnational space.
Early Treatment of Migraine With Rizatriptan: A Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Mathew Ninan T. , Kailasam Jayasree , Meadors Lori 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To evaluate the efficacy of rizatriptan when administered early during a migraine attack.Background.—Several studies indicate that triptans are more efficacious when administered early during a migraine attack, when the pain is still mild.Methods.—One hundred and twelve rizatriptan‐naïve patients aged 20 to 64 years with a history of migraine with or without aura that progressively worsened when left untreated were instructed to treat a total of three migraine attacks with either rizatriptan 10 mg or placebo as early as possible during each attack. Seventy‐four patients (68 women and 6 men) were assigned to use the active drug and 38 (35 women and 3 men) to placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was pain‐free response at 2 hours after administration of the study drug. Secondary efficacy measures were pain‐free response at 1 hour and sustained pain‐free response lasting between 2 and 24 hours.Results.—A total of 216 attacks were treated in the rizatriptan group and 109 in the placebo group. Pain‐free response at 2 hours after early treatment was noted in 151 (70%) of attacks in the rizatriptan group and in 24 (22%) in the placebo group (P < .01). Pain‐free response at 1 hour occurred in 97 (45%) and 9 (8%) attacks, respectively (P < .01). When the attacks were categorized by headache severity at the time of treatment, the pain‐free response at 2 hours was higher for mild attacks than for moderate or severe attacks (P < .01). Sustained pain‐free response after treatment was significantly higher for attacks treated with rizatriptan (60%) than for those treated with placebo (17%) (P < .001). Adverse events were observed in 62 patients in the rizatriptan group and 15 in the placebo group. Only 1 patient taking rizatriptan discontinued the study because of adverse events, and no serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions.—Rizatriptan is significantly more likely than placebo to produce a pain‐free response within 2 hours when the drug is administered early in the migraine attack, when pain is mild rather than moderate or severe.
Disability in Chronic Migraine Patients With Medication Overuse: Treatment Effects at 1‐Year Follow‐up
Authors: Grazzi Licia , Andrasik Frank , D'Amico Domenico , Usai Susanna , Kass Steven , Bussone Gennaro 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To determine (1) the clinical course of a sample of chronic migraine patients with drug overuse 6 and 12 months following in‐patient treatment and (2) whether functional impairment, assessed by the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, improved upon treatment.Background.—Patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse are particularly difficult to treat (prophylactic medications that otherwise are effective become ineffective; discontinuation of the offending medication can lead to withdrawal headache; physical and emotional dependence can be present, as well as increased psychological involvement; initial treatment gains can be difficult to maintain).Methods.—Of the 106 patients meeting criteria for chronic migraine with medication overuse, 84 went on to complete a structured in‐patient treatment, consisting of medication withdrawal and then prophylactic treatment.Results.—As a group, the patients were improved at both 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, with respect to two headache parameters (frequency and medication use) and three measures of functional impact extracted from the MIDAS questionnaire (Total Score, Headache Frequency, and Headache Intensity).Conclusion.—Chronic migraine accompanied with medication overuse led to the considerable disability prior to treatment. However, notable improvement occurred coincident with the treatment. This suggests that successful treatment has more wide‐ranging positive benefits beyond mere symptom reduction. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation where the MIDAS questionnaire has been used prospectively as an outcome measure in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse to assess disability subsequent to a semi‐standardized treatment program.
Subcutaneous Sumatriptan Induces Changes in Frequency Pattern in Cluster Headache Patients
Authors: Rossi Paolo , Lorenzo Giorgio Di , Formisano Rita , Buzzi M. Gabriella 
Published: June 2004

Objectives.—To document the relationship between the use of subcutaneous (SQ) sumatriptan (sum) and a change in frequency pattern of cluster headache (CH) in six patients. To discuss the clinical and pathophysiological implications of this observation in the context of available literature.Background.—Treatment with SQ sum may cause an increase in attack frequency of CH but data from literature are scant and controversial.Methods.—Six CH sum‐naïve patients (three episodic and three chronic according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria) are described.Results.—All six patients had very fast relief from pain and accompanying symptoms from the drug but they developed an increase in attack frequency soon after using SQ sum. In all patients, the CH returned to its usual frequency within a few days after SQ sum was withdrawn or replaced with other drugs. Five patients were not taking any prophylactic treatment and SQ sum was the only drug prescribed to treat their headache.Conclusions.—Physicians should recognize the possibility that treatment of CH with SQ sum may be associated with an increased frequency of headache attacks.
The Conduct of Policy Analysis: Philosophical Points of Reference
Authors: Dixon John , Dogan Rhys 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis paper explicates and reviews the competing approaches to policy analysis. It does so by constructing a methodological taxonomy that enables the identification of competing philosophical methodologies that underpin contending approaches to policy analysis. This is done by reference to contesting understandings of what constitutes knowledge (an epistemological issue) and what exists that is capable of giving rise to consequences (an ontological issue). This philosophical framework is then, illustratively, applied to an examination of the concept of the underclass. Then the epistemological and ontological challenges facing policy analysts seeking to analyze and address policy problems and issues are identified. Meeting these challenges requires the adoption of a methodology that draws insights from the epistemological and ontological syntheses that have emerged within contemporary social theory.
Involving the Public: When Are Surveys and Stakeholder Interviews Effective?1
Authors: Darnall Nicole , Jolley G. Jason 
Published: June 2004

AbstractScholars and practitioners alike advocate involving stakeholders in environmental decision making, although there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of public involvement tools and the degree of public involvement in the decision making process. Some researchers have gone a step further to promote the use of public surveys and stakeholder interviews as preferred means to include public concerns in environmental decision making. However, there is little evidence as to whether public involvement tools are effective at representing public preferences, especially when there is a shortage of technical information to inform public opinion. This study examines the effectiveness of surveys and stakeholder interviews for assessing the District of Columbia's environmental problems in a comparative risk assessment. The findings suggest that these public involvement tools are less effective when there is a shortage of technical data. Instead, more deliberative forms of public involvement may generate greater convergence of opinion regarding environmental problems.
Same Governance, Different Day: Does Metropolitan Reorganization Make a Difference?
Authors: Reese Laura A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis commentary focuses on three points related to the debate about urban governmental restructuring: existing conflicts in the literature regarding the outcomes of local government consolidation; insights about consolidation based on an assessment of the amalgamation of twelve municipal units creating the new city of Ottawa; and, a discussion of a variety of methodological and political factors that may well account for the continuing inconsistency in academic assessments of structural change in local government. One possible explanation for the latter conflict is that governmental reorganization does not really make things substantially different in terms of taxes and services, that is, those outcomes most directly experienced by the average citizen. Over the long term other forces, such as intergovernmental relations and the economy, will tend to negate most of the initial effects of change. While there are likely to be winners and losers related to power in government or regime, it will be argued that in large part, for most citizens, governmental reorganization produces the same governance on a different day.
Gram‐positive anaerobic bacilli in human periodontal disease
Authors: Booth V. , Downes J. , Van den Berg J. , Wade W. G. 
Published: June 2004

Objective:  The uncertain taxonomy of oral anaerobic gram‐positive bacilli and their generally slow growing nature has limited the understanding of their role in periodontal disease. The current objective was to design and use species‐specific oligonucleotide probes to investigate the relationship of selected gram‐positive anaerobic bacilli to periodontal disease.Methods:  Plaque and clinical measurements were collected from 40 patients with periodontitis and from 40 matched controls. Oligonucleotide probes were designed for Bulleidia extructa, Eubacterium nodatum, Mogibacterium timidum and Slackia exigua and used to probe nucleic acids extracted from the samples with a chemiluminescent detection method. Species were quantified as absent or present at low (approximately 103−104 cells), medium (approximately 104−105 cells) or high levels (approximately 105−106 cells).Results:  M. timidum and B. extructa were detected in only three and four samples, respectively. The level of both E. nodatum and S. exigua was significantly higher in deep than shallow pockets (Wilcoxon, p < 0.001). The level of E. nodatum, but not S. exigua, was higher in patients than matched controls (Mann–Whitney U, p < 0.03). Using an ordered logistic regression model, the probing depth of the sampled sites had the greatest influence on the level of both species and significant variations occurred between individuals. Bleeding also influenced the levels of both species, with supragingival plaque influencing S. exigua.Conclusion:  Both E. nodatum and S. exigua were associated with clinical indicators of periodontal disease.
Expression of human β‐defensins‐1 and ‐2 peptides in unresolved chronic periodontitis
Authors: Lu Qian , Jin Lijian , Darveau Richard P. , Samaranayake Lakshman P. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Human β‐defensins (hBDs) are antimicrobial peptides which contribute to host innate immunity by disrupting the membrane integrity of a broad spectrum of microorganisms.Objectives:  This study aimed to determine the expression profiles of hBD‐1 and ‐2 peptides in gingiva and to assess the possible relations of these antimicrobial peptides with periodontal health and disease.Methods:  Seven periodontally healthy subjects and 22 patients with unresolved chronic periodontitis were recruited and the gingival biopsies collected consisted of healthy tissues from the healthy subjects (HT‐C); periodontal pocket tissues (PoT) and inflamed connective tissues (ICT) from the base of pocket, i.e. granulation tissues, as well as clinically healthy tissues (HT‐P) from the adjacent clinically healthy sites from the patients. The expression of hBD‐1 and ‐2 peptides was detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitatively analyzed with a computerized image processing system.Results:  Both hBD‐1 and ‐2 peptides were detected in all periodontally healthy subjects, while hBD‐1 was detected in all patients and hBD‐2 was found in most of the patients. Their expression was mainly confined to the granular and spinous layers of gingival epithelium, in which hBD‐1 was detected in both intercellular spaces and cytoplasm, whereas hBD‐2 was mainly observed in the cytoplasm. HT‐C expressed significantly higher levels of hBD‐2 than HT‐P (p < 0.05). Within the patients, both defensins were up‐regulated significantly in PoT as compared with the adjacent HT‐P (p < 0.05).Conclusions:  The present study showed that hBD‐1 and ‐2 were frequently expressed in the granular and spinous layers of gingival epithelia and their expression may be associated with periodontal health and disease.
Herpesviral–bacterial interrelationships in aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Saygun Işıl , Kubar Ayhan , Özdemir Atilla , Yapar Mehmet , Slots Jørgen 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Recent findings have begun to provide a basis for a causal link between herpesviruses and aggressive periodontitis. One theory is that herpesviruses cooperate with specific bacteria in the etiopathogenesis of the disease. This study examined whether the presence of herpesviruses [human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) type 1, herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2] is associated with the presence of putative pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) in aggressive periodontitis lesions.Methods:  The study included 18 young adults with advanced periodontitis and 16 periodontally healthy subjects from Ankara, Turkey. Subgingival specimens pooled from two sites in each subject were collected by a periodontal curette. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction methodology was used to identify herpesviruses and bacteria. Chi‐square tests were employed to determine statistical associations among herpesviruses, bacteria and periodontal disease.Results:  HCMV, EBV‐1 and HSV‐1 were each detected in 72–78% of the aggressive periodontitis patients. HSV‐2 occurred in 17% of the periodontitis patients. EBV‐1 was detected in one periodontally healthy subject. The study bacteria occurred in 78–83% (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, C. rectus) and in 44% (P. intermedia, A. actinomycetemcomitans) of the periodontitis samples, and in 0–19% of the samples from healthy periodontal sites. HCMV, EBV‐1 and HSV‐1 were positively associated with P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia and C. rectus, but not with A. actinomycetemcomitans. HSV‐2 was not associated with any test bacteria.Conclusions:  These results support the notion that the clinical outcome of some types of severe periodontal infection depends on the presence of specific herpesviruses and bacterial pathogens. Our findings open the door to testing a variety of hypotheses regarding the deleterious aspects of combined herpesviral‐bacterial infections in periodontal sites.
Serum antibodies against the hemoglobin‐binding domain (HA2) of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: DeCarlo Arthur A. , Nadkarni Mangala , Paramaesvaran Mayuri , Yun Peter W. , Collyer Charles A. , Hunter Neil 
Published: June 2004

Background:
The hemoglobin‐binding domain (HA2) of the Porphyromonasgingivalis gingipains and hemagglutinins strongly binds hemoglobin and hemin and is thought to play a key role in acquisition of this essential metabolite by the microorganism.Methods:  In this report, we partially characterized human anti‐HA2 humoral antibodies and their relationship to periodontal disease in an analysis of titer and function.Results:  Overall, serum anti‐HA2 antibodies were relatively low and dominated by the immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype. Pre‐therapy titers had a direct association with periodontal health. Levels of P. gingivalis in the plaque were directly related to pre‐therapy anti‐HA2 IgG levels, and were an important covariant in a significant direct relationship between pre‐ and post‐therapy anti‐HA2 titers. Post‐therapy anti‐HA2 IgG antibody titers were directly related to the capacity of serum IgG fractions to neutralize hemoglobin binding by Lys‐gingipain (Kgp). Further, lower levels of neutralizing activity post‐therapy were directly related to severe periodontitis within the patient cohort.Conclusions:  These data suggest that anti‐HA2 IgG antibodies correspond directly with periodontal health, possibly through their ability to neutralize P. gingivalis hemoglobin capture. The data also suggest that inadvertent or therapeutic inoculation of P. gingivalis in the plaque may contribute to generation of neutralizing anti‐HA2 IgG and improvement of periodontal prognosis.
Periodontal disease and C‐reactive protein‐associated cardiovascular risk
Authors: D'Aiuto Francesco , Ready Derren , Tonetti Maurizio S. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Periodontitis has been associated with a moderate systemic inflammatory response. Successful periodontal therapy could decrease serum inflammatory parameters. The aim of this report was to explore the outcomes of periodontal therapy in terms of changes in C‐reactive protein (CRP)‐associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk as defined in a recent American Heart Association (AHA) consensus conference.Methods:  Ninety‐four systemically healthy subjects suffering from severe generalized periodontitis received standard non‐surgical periodontal therapy. Periodontal parameters and serum inflammatory responses [interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and CRP] were monitored 2 and 6 months after therapy.Results:  At baseline, subjects with more severe and widespread periodontitis had a higher chance of having high CRP‐associated CVD risk (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.2–27.4). Age and body mass index were also significant in the analysis. After therapy, a significant decrease in number of subjects associated with a medium and high CRP‐associated risk was observed (p < 0.001 χ2), with 40 of 94 subjects displaying a decrease in their class of risk. Patients who had a better oral response to periodontal therapy were also more likely to have decreased their inflammatory risk category (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.4–15.8) after correcting for age, gender, ethnicity and cigarette smoking.Conclusions:  This study indicated that periodontitis may add to the inflammatory burden of the individual and may result in increased levels of cardiovascular risk based on serum CRP concentrations. These observations will need to be confirmed in a definitive trial. Given the high prevalence of periodontitis in the population, these data would caution physicians to be aware of the possible oral source of an increased inflammatory burden.