bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive modeling for the presence of prostate carcinoma using clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound parameters in patients with prostate specific antigen levels ≤ 10 ng/mL
Authors: Garzotto Mark , Hudson R. Guy , Peters Laura , Hsieh Yi‐Ching , Barrera Eduardo , Mori Motomi , Beer Tomasz M. , Klein Thomas 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of the current study was to develop a model for predicting the presence of prostate carcinoma using clinical, laboratory, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) data.METHODSData were collected on 1237 referred men with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels ≤ 10 ng/mL who underwent an initial prostate biopsy. Variables analyzed included age, race, family history, referral indication(s), prior vasectomy, digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA level, PSA density (PSAD), and TRUS findings. Twenty percent of the data were reserved randomly for study validation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the relative risk, 95% confidence interval, and P values.RESULTSIndependent predictors of a positive biopsy result included elevated PSAD, abnormal DRE, hypoechoic TRUS finding, and age 75 years or older. Based on these variables, a predictive nomogram was developed. The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 92% and 24%, respectively, in the validation study for which the predictive probability ≥ 10% was used to indicate the presence of prostate carcinoma. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the model was 73%, which was significantly higher compared with the prediction based on PSA alone (AUC, 62%). If it was validated externally, then application of this model to the biopsy decision could result in a 24% reduction in unnecessary biopsy procedures, with an overall reduction of 20%.CONCLUSIONSIncorporation of clinical, laboratory, and TRUS data into a prebiopsy nomogram significantly improved the prediction of prostate carcinoma over the use of individual factors alone. Predictive nomograms may serve as an aid to patient counseling regarding prostate biopsy outcome and to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsy procedures. Cancer 2003;98:1417–22. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11668
Cigarette demand: a meta‐analysis of elasticities
Authors: Gallet Craig A. , List John A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractEstimating elasticities of cigarette demand has become commonplace amongst economists and policymakers. Synthesizing the various elasticities into a coherent message is quite challenging, however, as the point estimates are obtained using quite disparate modeling techniques and data. In this study, we perform a meta‐analysis to explore factors that influence variations within and across studies. Empirical results suggest that demand specification, data issues, and estimation methodology have varying degrees of influence on reported estimates of price, income, and advertising elasticities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing rank‐dependent utility theory for health outcomes
Authors: Oliver Adam 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSystematic violations of expected utility theory (EU) have been reported in the context of both money and health outcomes. Rank‐dependent utility theory (RDU) is currently the most popular and influential alternative theory of choice under circumstances of risk. This paper reports a test of the descriptive performance of RDU compared to EU in the context of health. When one of the options is certain, violations of EU that can be explained by RDU are found. When both options are risky, no evidence that RDU is a descriptive improvement over EU is found, though this finding may be due to the low power of the tests. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EMU and accession countries: Fuzzy cluster analysis of membership
Authors: Boreiko Dmitri 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis paper estimates the readiness of the accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe for EMU or unilateral euroization using a fuzzy clustering algorithm. The variables to which the algorithm is applied are suggested alternately by the criteria in the Maastricht Treaty (nominal convergence) and by Optimum Currency Area theory (real convergence). The algorithm reveals that Estonia and Slovenia are the leaders in both nominal and real convergence, whereas the other countries from the 1998 accession wave have achieved substantial results only in real convergence. Moreover, Poland is excluded from the leading group in the most recent years due to its worsened economic performance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two alleles of the Sox9a2 in the rice field eel
Authors: Lu Heng , Cheng Hanhua , Guo Yiqing , Zhou Rongjia 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA variety of strategies for sex determination mechanisms have been utilized in vertebrates. The Sox9 gene encodes a transcription factor that is critical for testis determination and chondrogenesis in vertebrates. We present here the polymorphisms of the Sox9a gene in population in the rice field eel, a fresh‐water fish with naturally sex reversal characteristic from female via intersex into male during its life. Two alleles of the Sox9a2 were found in the population, which may potentially be associated with the dimorphic distribution of the male population of the rice field eel. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 299B:36–40, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogenetic analyses alone are insufficient to determine whether genome duplication(s) occurred during early vertebrate evolution
Authors: Horton Amy C. , Mahadevan Navin R. , Ruvinsky Ilya , Gibson‐Brown Jeremy J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe widely accepted notion that two whole‐genome duplications occurred during early vertebrate evolution (the 2R hypothesis) stems from the fact that vertebrates often possess several genes corresponding to a single invertebrate homolog. However the number of genes predicted by the Human Genome Project is less than twice as many as in the Drosophila melanogaster or Caenorhabditis elegans genomes. This ratio could be explained by two rounds of genome duplication followed by extensive gene loss, by a single genome duplication, by sequential local duplications, or by a combination of any of the above. The traditional method used to distinguish between these possibilities is to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of vertebrate genes to their invertebrate orthologs; ratios of invertebrate‐to‐vertebrate counterparts are then used to infer the number of gene duplication events. The lancelet, amphioxus, is the closest living invertebrate relative of the vertebrates, and unlike protostomes such as flies or nematodes, is therefore the most appropriate outgroup for understanding the genomic composition of the last common ancestor of all vertebrates. We analyzed the relationships of all available amphioxus genes to their vertebrate homologs. In most cases, one to three vertebrate genes are orthologous to each amphioxus gene (median number=2). Clearly this result, and those of previous studies using this approach, cannot distinguish between alternative scenarios of chordate genome expansion. We conclude that phylogenetic analyses alone will never be sufficient to determine whether genome duplication(s) occurred during early chordate evolution, and argue that a “phylogenomic” approach, which compares paralogous clusters of linked genes from complete amphioxus and human genome sequences, will be required if the pattern and process of early chordate genome evolution is ever to be reconstructed. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 299B:41–53, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Replicability of diffusion tensor imaging measurements of fractional anisotropy and trace in brain
Authors: Pfefferbaum Adolf , Adalsteinsson Elfar , Sullivan Edith V. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate within‐scanner and between‐scanner reliability of fractional anisotropy (FA) and trace (sum of the diagonal elements of the diffusion tensor) as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Materials and MethodsTen young healthy adults were scanned on three separate days, on two different systems made by the same manufacturer. One scan was acquired at one site, and two scans were acquired on two different occasions on another scanner at another site. Three levels of analysis were used to compare the DTI metrics: 1) a voxel‐by‐voxel analysis of all supratentorial brain (gray matter + white matter + cerebrospinal fluid) and of supratentorial white matter; 2) a slice‐by‐slice analysis of supratentorial white matter; and 3) a single‐region analysis of the corpus callosum.ResultsThe voxel‐by‐voxel analysis of all supratentorial brain found that FA and trace measures and correlations were equivalently and significantly higher within than across scanners. For supratentorial white matter, FA was similar within and across scanners, whereas trace demonstrated across‐scanner bias. A similar pattern was observed for the slice‐by‐slice comparison. For the single‐region analysis of the corpus callosum, within‐scanner FA and trace measures were highly reproducible for FA (CV = 1.9%) and trace (CV = 2.6%), but both DTI measures showed a systematic mean bias across scanners (CV = 4.5% for FA and CV = 7.5% for trace).ConclusionThese estimates of measurement variation and scanner bias can be used to predict effect sizes for longitudinal and multisite studies using diffusion tensor imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;18:427–433. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radio‐frequency‐induced thermal lesions: Subacute magnetic resonance appearance and histological correlation
Authors: Lazebnik Roee S. , Breen Michael S. , Fitzmaurice Maryann , Nour Sherif G. , Lewin Jonathan S. , Wilson David L. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the relationship between subacute magnetic resonance (MR) images of radio‐frequency (RF) ablation lesions and tissue viability as determined from histological tissue samples.Materials and MethodsWe generated lesions (N = 5) in a rabbit thigh model. Four days later, we obtained in vivo T2‐ and contrast‐enhanced (CE) T1‐weighted images and ex vivo histological samples approximately perpendicular to the electrode path. Using three‐dimensional registration and warping, we spatially compared manually segmented boundaries apparent on MR images to boundaries separating distinct histological zones determined from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome (MT) stains, as well as birefringence studies.ResultsLesions have a characteristic MR appearance: an outer hyperintense margin (M2) separating background tissue (M3) from an inner core (M1), in both T2 and CE T1 images. Histologically, there are two zones of damage: an outer zone of likely nonviable cells (H2) separating background tissue (H3) from an inner core of coagulated nonviable cells (H1). We measured distances between automatically computed correspondence points along histological and MR boundaries. For T2 and CE T1 images, respectively, M1 vs. H1 distances were 0.72 ± 0.99 mm (mean ± SD) and 0.10 ± 0.95 mm, while outer M2 vs. H2 boundary distances were 0.26 ± 1.16 mm and 0.05 ± 1.08 mm. The discrepancy between histological and MR boundaries was larger than the variability in segmenting MR images, but probably within registration error. There were no significant differences between T2 and CE T1 boundaries.ConclusionLesion boundaries apparent in both T2‐ and CE T1‐weighted MR scans, performed several days postablation, similarly predict the histological response. That is, the lesion core (M1) corresponds to nonviable coagulated cells (H1), while the hyperintense margin (M2) corresponds to likely nonviable cells undergoing necrotic changes (H2). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;18:487–495. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative assessment of myocardial scar in delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Setser Randolph M. , Bexell Daniel G. , O'Donnell Thomas P. , Stillman Arthur E. , Lieber Michael L. , Schoenhagen Paul , White Richard D. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPurposeTo characterize the extent and distribution of left ventricular myocardial scar in delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsDelayed enhancement images from 18 patients were categorized into three groups based on myocardial scar appearance: discrete myocardial infarction (N = 10), diffuse fibrosis (N = 4), and circumferential endocardial scarring (N = 4). Images were segmented manually by two observers (twice by one observer) to identify nonviable myocardium. Scar was characterized by the following morphologic parameters: the relative area of nonviable myocardium (Percent Scar); a measure of scar cohesion (Patchiness); and the extent to which scar traversed the ventricle wall (Trans>50).ResultsThe three scar parameters successfully discriminated between patient groups, although no one parameter was able to differentiate between all groups. The average bias between readers was approximately 3% for each parameter, and the average bias between repeated measurements was 1%. In addition, five patients exhibited regions of nonhyperenhanced nonviable myocardium that were expected to show hyperenhancement based upon their location within the infarct zone and appearance on cine images.ConclusionQuantitative characterization of myocardial scar showed good interobserver and intraobserver agreement. However, the appearance of nonhyperenhanced scar in chronic ischemia is problematic for segmentation of delayed enhancement images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;18:434–441. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Water, land and health in urban and peri‐urban food production: the case of Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Binns J. A. , Maconachie R. A. , Tanko A. I. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn sub‐Saharan Africa, urban and peri‐urban food production has been identified as an important resource for meeting the challenges of rapidly growing cities, and the positive aspects of such production have been well documented in the literature. This paper examines some of the health and environmental concerns associated with urban and peri‐urban agriculture (UPA). Empirical evidence from the city of Kano in northern Nigeria suggests that there is currently much reason for concern as industrial and domestic toxins are reaching dangerously high levels. As soils and water channels become increasingly polluted, the sustainability of urban and peri‐urban food production is questioned. Since the health implications of long‐term exposure to toxins are unclear, it is suggested that coordinated longitudinal research involving urban planners, agricultural scientists and health specialists is urgently needed. In addition, it remains crucial that government and institutional actors effectively monitor and enforce both environmental and zoning by‐laws, if the health and environmental constraints of UPA are to be overcome, and the future sustainability of production is to be assured. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic factors in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Solan Merrill J. , Werner‐Wasik Maria 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIdentification of prognostic factors is critical in optimizing treatment for patients with cancer. The purpose of this work is to review the modern literature with regard to prognostic factors for patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking into account ongoing advances in clinical evaluation, staging, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and molecular biology in this widely heterogeneous patient population. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:64–73, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemotherapy in metastatic and locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Spigel David R. , Greco F. Anthony 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe majority of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer have locally advanced and metastatic disease at diagnosis. Combination platinum‐based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with advanced disease who have a performance status of 0–1. Chemotherapy is superior to supportive care alone in terms of survival, palliation of symptoms, and in many studies, improving quality of life. Newer third generation therapies such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine have been proven effective as single agents with minimal toxicity, compared with supportive care alone. In combination with platinum, these agents produce higher response rates than older platinum‐based regimens, are associated with additional survival benefits, and are generally more convenient and less toxic for patients. Newer nonplatinum doublets appear equivalent to newer platinum‐regimens and have expanded the options available for patients. Targeted agents are promising and may soon offer patients more effective and less toxic therapies. Progress in treatment in the advanced setting has led to advances in the care of locally advanced disease. Combination chemoradiotherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced disease, and studies with newer agents are in progress. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:98–110, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are changes in fear‐avoidance beliefs, catastrophizing, and appraisals of control, predictive of changes in chronic low back pain and disability?
Authors: Woby Steve R , Watson Paul J , Roach Neil K , Urmston Martin 
Published: September 2003

AbstractInterventions for chronic low back pain (CLBP) often attempt to modify patients' levels of catastrophizing, their fear‐avoidance beliefs, and their appraisals of control. Presumably, these interventions are based on the notion that changes in these cognitive factors are related to changes in measures of adjustment. The aim of the present study was to explore whether changes on these cognitive factors were related to changes in CLBP and disability. Fifty‐four CLBP patients completed a series of self‐report measures prior to beginning a cognitive‐behavioral based intervention and again upon discharge. Change scores (post‐treatment scoreminuspre‐treatment score) were calculated for each of the self‐report measures. The study found that changes in the cognitive factors were not significantly associated with changes in pain intensity. In contrast, reductions in fear‐avoidance beliefs about work and physical activity, as well as increased perceptions of control over pain were uniquely related to reductions in disability, even after controlling for reductions in pain intensity, age and sex. The final model explained 71% of the variance in reductions in disability.
Dynamic loads are determinants of peak bone mass
Authors: Moisio Kirsten C. , Hurwitz Debra E. , Sumner Dale R. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis study investigated the association between non‐invasive measurements of bone mass and markers of dynamic and static hip joint loads in subjects expected to be at peak bone mass. The bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of three proximal femoral sites (neck, greater trochanter, and total) were measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and the peak external joint moments at the hip during walking and jogging were calculated from gait analyses of 31 normal human subjects ranging in age from 30 to 49 years (18 females, 13 males). Various multiple regression analyses were performed to determine how much of the variance in BMD and BMC was explained by height, body mass, and the peak hip joint moments. In total, the models explained up to 40% of the variance in BMD and 58% of the variance in BMC. Inclusion of height or body mass did not increase the explanatory power of the models for BMD and explained no more than 8% of the total variance in BMC once the joint moments from walking were allowed to enter the models. These data support the hypothesis that variance in peak bone mass is associated with variance in dynamic hip loads largely independent of the effect of static factors such as height and body mass. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Morphometric variation among sardine (Sardina pilchardus) populations from the northeastern Atlantic and the western Mediterranean
Authors: Silva Alexandra 
Published: September 2003

AbstractDuring the past decade, regional changes in the dynamics of the Atlanto-Iberian stock of sardine, and its exploitation by Portuguese and Spanish purse-seine fisheries, have increased the uncertainties in estimated trends of spawning biomass, stock abundance, and fishing mortality. Together with recent evidence for lack of discontinuities in the distribution of sardine eggs at the edges of the stock area, this casts doubts on the hypothesis that the stock is a panmictic, closed population. Sardine morphometric data (truss variables and landmark data) from 14 samples spanning the northeastern Atlantic and the western Mediterranean were analysed by multivariate and geometric methods. The analyses explored the homogeneity of sardine shape within the area studied, as well as its relation to that of adjacent and distant populations (Azores and northwestern Mediterranean). Principal components analysis on size-corrected truss variables and cluster analysis of mean fish shape using landmark data indicate that the shape of sardine off southern Iberia and Morocco is distinct from the shape of sardine in the rest of the area. The two groups of sardine are significantly separated by discriminant analysis, and their validity was confirmed by large percentages of correct classifications of test fish (87 and 86% of fish from the test sample were correctly classified into each group, respectively). There was also some evidence that fish from the western Mediterranean and the Azores form a separate morphometric group. These results question both the homogeneity within the Atlanto-Iberian sardine stock and the validity of its current boundaries.
Development of techno-economic integrated models: LFSGR and aerobic composting for municipal waste management
Authors: Yedla Sudhakar 
Published: September 2003

In the present study, integrated models have been developed to find out the most appropriate cost of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal using two potential and widely used methodologies, viz. landfill system with gas recovery (LFSGR) and aerobic composting (AC). Objective functions with important costs and benefits including externalities were developed to find out the net unit cost of disposal. Multivariate functional models have been developed for each activity of the objective functions. These integrated techno-economic models can be used not only to determine the most appropriate cost of waste disposal, but also to explain the interparametric linkages and even to compare the potentiality and suitability of a particular methodology for a set of conditions. This can give valuable information that can enhance environmental management leading to sustainable development.In the simulation studies carried out, LFSGR with its proven energy generating potential from MSW in the form of landfill gas, was found to perform better than aerobic composting (AC) for rates of waste generation greater than 1,000–2,000 t/d (tons per day). LFSGR showed a better performance irrespective of the landfill collection system installation and operation costs. For both methodologies, unit cost of disposal was most sensitive to land rent followed by, in the case of LFSGR, the organic content.