bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk behaviours and benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kang D. , Andriole G.L. , Van De Vooren R.C. , Crawford D. , Chia D. , Urban D.A. , Reding D. , Huang W.‐Y. , Hayes R.B. 
Published: May 2004

In many men from the PLCO screening trial authors from the USA identified risk factors for BPH. Their findings are interesting; Asian Americans were at the lowest risk of clinical BPH, with alcohol and possibly cigarettes related to a lower risk for the condition.Three further papers investigate various epidemiological aspects of LUTS. I think that it is important for we urologists to have a sound epidemiological knowledge of this subject, to answer the increasingly educated questions of our patients.A further paper from Barcelona describes the results of a urodynamic study in patients with bladder calculi. The authors found that bladder stones are not necessarily associated with BOO, and that the results of urodynamic testing are not influenced by their presence.OBJECTIVETo identify risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).SUBJECTS AND METHODSMedical history data, including reported urological conditions and treatments, and risk factor data were collected from 34 694 participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate methods for the early detection of cancer.RESULTSAsian men had the lowest risks (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) for nocturia (0.7, 0.5–0.9), physician‐diagnosed BPH (0.3, 0.2–0.5) and transurethral prostatectomy (TURP, 0.2, 0.1–0.6), while risks for Whites and Blacks were similar for most measures of BPH. Greater alcohol intake was associated with decreased nocturia (P trend = 0.002), BPH (P trend < 0.001) and TURP (P trend < 0.001). Current tobacco use was associated with decreased nocturia (0.8, 0.7–0.9), BPH (0.7, 0.6–0.8) and TURP (0.6, 0.4–0.8) but dose–response patterns were weak.CONCLUSIONAsian‐Americans have the lowest risk of clinical BPH. Alcohol and possibly cigarettes are related to a lower risk for BPH.
The use of Raman spectroscopy to identify and characterize transitional cell carcinoma in vitro
Authors: Crow P. , Uff J.S. , Farmer J.A. , Wright M.P. , Stone N. 
Published: May 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine whether Raman spectroscopy can be used to differentiate between normal, inflammatory and malignant bladder pathologies in vitro, and secondly if it can used to grade and stage transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 1525 Raman spectra were measured from 75 bladder samples comprising normal bladder, cystitis, carcinoma in situ (CIS), TCC and adenocarcinoma. Multivariate analysis was applied to the spectral dataset to construct diagnostic algorithms; these were then tested for their ability to determine the histological diagnosis of each sample from its Raman spectrum.RESULTSThe diagnostic algorithms could be used to accurately differentiate among the pathological groups, in particular, a three‐group algorithm differentiated among normal bladder, cystitis and TCC/CIS with sensitivities and specificities of > 90%. Algorithms could also accurately characterize TCC in terms of splitting them into low (G1/G2) or high (G3) grade and superficial (pTa) or invasive (pT1/pT2) stage.CONCLUSIONRaman spectroscopy can be used to accurately identify and grade/stage TCC in vitro. The technique therefore shows promise for use as an objective method to assist the pathologist in assessing bladder pathologies. Raman spectroscopy also has potential to provide immediate pathological diagnoses during surgical procedures. Following the promising results of this in vitro study, in vivo cystoscopic studies are planned.
Coping with bladder exstrophy: diverse results from early attempts at functional urinary tract surgery
Authors: Baird A.D. , Sanders C. , Woolfenden A. , Gearhart J.P. 
Published: May 2004

Authors from Liverpool address the issue of quality of life in exstrophy patients, and assess the long‐term results of surgery for this condition. Their study not only yields interesting results, but the reader is also made aware of the problems there can be in conducting such a study.Risk factors for developing chronic renal failure in patients with high‐grade VUR are described by authors from Rome. All patients were diagnosed in the first year of life, and the mean (range) follow‐up was 6.3 (1–16) years. The findings were of interest, although the reader may not be very surprised to hear that they found bilateral high‐grade reflux and existing renal damage to be the main predictors of subsequent chronic renal failure.OBJECTIVESTo report the long‐term surgical outcome in a group of patients with bladder exstrophy treated from 1960 to 1982, and to assess physical health, social integration and sexual function, as attempts at functional closure during the development of this surgery resulted in patients with differing surgical status of the genitourinary organs.PATIENTS AND METHODSA review of medical record archives revealed 36 patients; of these, seven had died, six were untraceable and six declined to participate, leaving 15 evaluable subjects (seven men and eight women, mean age at follow‐up, 35 years). Data were collected from medical records and direct interviews were conducted using a semi‐structured questionnaire, after obtaining informed consent. The Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) v2 Health Survey instrument was used to assess health and well‐being.RESULTSThree patients have retained the use of their bladder, and 11 had initial bladder closure but required (at a mean age of 3.1 years) various urinary diversions. Eight patients had a pelvic osteotomy. Of 27 functioning renal units, 25 are in reasonable to good condition. Six men and six women had genital reconstruction. Four men are capable of penetrative intercourse and ejaculate; six women manage penetrative intercourse and five have orgasms. All patients attended mainstream school and 13 achieved examination success. Nine patients took vocational training and 11 work full‐time. Five patients are married and five are in long‐term relationships. Two men have achieved three pregnancies and one women has had a child. The mean total SF‐36 score (maximum 3600) was 2763 in men and 2235 in women.CONCLUSIONSSurgery for bladder exstrophy has been developing for more than 40 years and the legacy of early attempts at functional closure is a population of adults who have a diversity of lower urinary tracts, good preservation of renal function overall and acceptable sexual function. They are usually robust, healthy and well‐adjusted individuals functioning well in society, often in full‐time employment and long‐term relationships. Adolescent follow‐up must be clearly focused, incorporating a multidisciplinary team approach to facilitate a seamless transition into adulthood.
Leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles in childhood mature B cell neoplasms
Authors: Savaşan S , Büyükavcı M , Buck S , Ravindranath Y 
Published: May 2004

Aims:Because of the observation of an abundance of leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles in the bone marrow aspiration sample of a patient with Burkitt’s leukaemia at diagnosis, the occurrence of this phenomenon in leukaemia/lymphoma samples with available immune phenotyping data was investigated retrospectively.Methods:Flow cytometric immune phenotyping and spontaneous apoptosis analysis of the bone marrow mononuclear cell preparation of the index case were performed. Microparticles isolated form the bone marrow sample were also studied for the presence of leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles. List mode analysis of 225 cases of acute leukaemia or lymphoma with previously performed immune phenotyping was also carried out.Results:The presence of leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles could be detected by flow cytometry and they were found to be different from apoptotic bodies. Leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles were released in all cases of mature B cell neoplasms studied, although this phenomenon was rare in precursor B cell disorders and acute myeloid leukaemia.Conclusions:The generation of leukaemia/lymphoma cell microparticles in mature B cell neoplasms appears to be a common phenomenon. The pathogenesis and clinical implications must be investigated.
Chlamydia trachomatisserovar E isolates from patients with different clinical manifestations have similar courses of infection in a murine model: host factors as major determinants ofC trachomatismediated pathogenesis
Authors: Lyons J M , Ito J I , Morré S A 
Published: May 2004

Background:Some investigators have proposed an association between certainChlamydia trachomatisserovars and the clinical course of infection in humans. A recent study of over 1100 patients with culture confirmed and serotypedC trachomatisurogenital infection detected no such association.Aims:To corroborate these results using a murine model of female genital tract infection.Methods:Various parameters of infection were assessed in mice intravaginally infected with human genital isolates ofC trachomatisserovar E from four cases with either a clear symptomatic or asymptomatic clinical course in both the patient and their partner.Results:No differences were seen among the strains in the incidence or duration of infection, polymorphonuclear granulocyte responses, or upper genital tract progression.Conclusions:An investigation to determine the correlation between the clinical manifestations of different isolates ofC trachomatisserovar E in humans and certain parameters of microbial pathogenesis in a mouse model failed to reveal an association between the measured parameters and the tendency of serovar E to produce symptomatic versus asymptomatic infections in humans. These findings suggest that differences in the clinical course of infection in humans seen with these strains may be more related to host factors than to genetic variation among strains.
Identification of three novel RB1 mutations in Brazilian patients with retinoblastoma by “exon by exon” PCR mediated SSCP analysis
Authors: Braggio E , Bonvicino C R , Vargas F R , Ferman S , Eisenberg A L A , Seuánez H N 
Published: May 2004

Aims:To carry out a retrospective study, screening for mutations of the entire coding region of RB1 and adjacent intronic regions in patients with retinoblastoma.Methods:Mutation screening in DNA extracts of formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues of 28 patients using combined “exon by exon” polymerase chain reaction mediated single strand conformational polymorphism analysis, followed by DNA sequencing.Results:Eleven mutations were found in 10 patients. Ten mutations consisted of single base substitutions; 10 were localised in exonic regions (eight nonsense, one missense, and one frameshift) and another one in the intron–exon splicing region. Three novel mutations were identified: a 2 bp insertion in exon 2 (g.5506–5507insAG, R73fsX77), a G to A transition affecting the last invariant nucleotide of intron 13 (g.76429G>A), and a T to C transition in exon 20 (g.156795T>C, L688P). In addition, eight C to T transitions, resulting in stop codons, were found in five different CGA codons (g.64348C>T, g.76430C>T, g.78238C>T, g.78250C>T, and g.150037C>T). Although specific mutation hotspots have not been identified in the literature, eight of the 11 mutations occurred in CGA codons and seven fell within the E1A binding domains (codons 393–572 and 646–772), whereas five were of both types—in CGA codons within E1A binding domains.Conclusions:CGA codons and E1A binding domains are apparently more frequent mutational targets and should be initially screened in patients with retinoblastoma. Paraffin wax embedded samples proved to be valuable sources of DNA for retrospective studies, providing useful information for genetic counselling.
Inflammatory cells contribute to the generation of an angiogenic phenotype in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Esposito I , Menicagli M , Funel N , Bergmann F , Boggi U , Mosca F , Bevilacqua G , Campani D 
Published: May 2004

Background:Inflammatory cells contribute to the growth and spread of human malignancies by producing molecules that enhance tumour invasiveness.Aims:To characterise the inflammatory infiltrate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and to analyse its contribution to angiogenesis and its prognostic relevance.Methods:Immunohistochemistry was used to identify inflammatory cells and evaluate the expression of proangiogenic and prolymphangiogenic molecules (vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)) by inflammatory and cancer cells in 137 pancreatic cancers. Intratumorous microvessel density (IMD) was assessed using CD34 as an endothelial cell marker.Results:There were significantly more mast cells and macrophages in pancreatic cancers than in normal pancreas and the number of mast cells directly correlated with the presence of lymph node metastases. However, there was no relation between numbers of infiltrating inflammatory cells and the presence of chronic pancreatitis (CP)-like changes in the parenchyma surrounding the tumour. Double immunostaining revealed that both pancreatic mast cells and macrophages express VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and bFGF. These factors were also expressed in the tumour cells in many cases. The numbers of VEGF-A expressing tumour cells and bFGF expressing tumour and inflammatory cells significantly correlated with IMD. Moreover, tumours with higher IMD had higher numbers of infiltrating mast cells and macrophages.Conclusions:Mononuclear inflammatory cells of the non-specific immune response are recruited to pancreatic cancer tissues independent of the presence of CP-like changes, may influence the metastatic capacity of the cancer cells, and may contribute to the development of tumours with high angiogenic activity.
ANCESTRAL MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD OF EVOLUTIONARY TREES IS HARD
Authors: ADDARIO-BERRY LOUIGI , CHOR BENNY , HALLETT MIKE , LAGERGREN JENS , PANCONESI ALESSANDRO , WAREHAM TODD 
Published: May 2004

Maximum likelihood (ML) (Neyman, 1971) is an increasingly popular optimality criterion for selecting evolutionary trees. Finding optimal ML trees appears to be a very hard computational task — in particular, algorithms and heuristics for ML take longer to run than algorithms and heuristics for maximum parsimony (MP). However, while MP has been known to be NP-complete for over 20 years, no such hardness result has been obtained so far for ML.In this work we make a first step in this direction by proving that ancestral maximum likelihood (AML) is NP-complete. The input to this problem is a set of aligned sequences of equal length and the goal is to find a tree and an assignment of ancestral sequences for all of that tree's internal vertices such that the likelihood of generating both the ancestral and contemporary sequences is maximized. Our NP-hardness proof follows that for MP given in (Day, Johnson and Sankoff, 1986) in that we use the same reduction from VERTEX COVER; however, the proof of correctness for this reduction relative to AML is different and substantially more involved.
Climate Research and Reinsurance*
Authors: Murnane Richard J. 
Published: May 2004

Extreme weather events produce some of the most deadly and costly natural disasters and are a major concern of the catastrophe reinsurance industry. For example, in 1992 Hurricane Andrew caused over $20 billion (in 2002 U.S. dollars) in insured losses, the largest loss on record due to a natural disaster. In addition, 26 of the top 30 insured losses were produced by extreme weather events, mainly landfalling hurricanes and typhoons and European windstorms. A better understanding of how extreme events vary with climate would benefit the reinsurance industry and society.
The Risk Prediction Initiative hosted a workshop on Weather Extremes and Atmospheric Oscillations that examined how extreme meteorological events of interest to the reinsurance industry are influenced by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), the Arctic Oscillation (AO), and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Workshop participants concluded that the stratosphere is much more relevant to predictions that aid the reinsurance industry than is generally recognized and that there is mutual interest in fostering research on the relationship between the stratospheric circulation and extreme weather events.
A preliminary science–business research agenda, based on presentations and discussions during and after the workshop, highlights four areas of mutual interest to scientists and insurers. The research areas focus mainly on understanding how the QBO, AO, and MJO influence the frequency and intensity of extreme events, with particular emphasis on tropical cyclones and European windstorms. An awareness of how the catastrophe reinsurance industry operates provides insights into why specific research areas were chosen. For example, the reinsurance industry operates on the basis of annual contracts, most of which are renewed on 1 January. Thus, although skillful forecasts at any lead are of interest, skillful forecasts of extreme events are of greatest value when made in the final quarter of a calendar year.
Efficiency, Bias, and Classification Schemes
Authors: Peterson Paul E. , Howell William G. 
Published: May 2004

When estimating voucher impacts on test scores in the New York City randomized field trial (RFT) for African Americans (defined either by mother’s ethnicity, parental caretaker, mother and father’s ethnicity, or mother or father’s ethnicity), results remain significantly positive, even when models include students for whom no baseline test scores are available. These results obtain as long as one estimates impacts precisely by controlling for baseline test scores for those students who have them. Positive impacts fall below conventional levels of significance only when analysts needlessly drop baseline test score information or add numerous covariates that neither singly nor together enhance the precision of the estimates. When results differ for those with and without baseline scores, analysts should give greater weight to those for whom one has stronger evidence that the RFT has not been contaminated. Due to space limitations imposed by the editors, this article replies to the original Krueger and Zhu (KZ) article but not to their rejoinder. Our reply to the rejoinder may be found at www.ksg.harvard.edu/pepg/. There, we discuss the trivial nature of the differences between findings reported below and those in KZ’s replication, our offer to check the replication effort to see how differences could have arisen, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definition of “Black (non-Hispanic),” and other issues raised in their rejoinder.
The Dependent Personality Questionnaire (DPQ): A Screening Instrument for Dependent Personality
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Morgan Janice , Cicchetti Domenic 
Published: May 2004

Background: There are no specific instruments for rating dependent personality, although this may be an important subject in clinical practice, where knowledge of dependent personality features may influence treatment. Aims: To develop a simple self-rating questionnaire for dependent personality features and compare the findings in two groups, one with and one without established dependent personality disorder. Method: An 8-item Dependent Personality Questionnaire (DPQ) was developed and its acceptability and validity tested by administration to 30 psychiatric patients, half of whom had dependent personality disorder using clinical and research data, and the other 15 (pair-matched for age and sex) having other psychiatric diagnoses (including other personality disorders) but no dependent personality features. Results: The mean score on the dependent personality questionnaire (DPQ) was 13.7 in those with dependent personality disorder and 7.5 in those without such a disorder (p< .005). The DPQ was also a good predictor of the diagnosis of dependent personality disorder, with sensitivity, specificity, predicted positive, and predicted negative accuracies of 87%. Conclusions: The results suggest that the DPQ may be a suitable screening instrument for dependent personality characteristics.
Stress, Burnout, Coping and Stress Management in Psychiatrists: Findings from a Systematic Review
Authors: Fothergill Anne , Edwards Deborah , Burnard Philip 
Published: May 2004

Background: Research into stress among psychiatrists has attempted to identify stressors, which can lead to physical illness and psychological distress. Aims: The aim of the study was systematically to review the current evidence for the effectiveness of stress management interventions for those working in the psychiatric profession. Method: A systematic review of the current literature was conducted into stress and stress management within the profession of psychiatry. Results: Twenty-three international studies were included in the psychiatry section of the review. Psychiatrists report a range of stressors in their work, including stress associated with their work and personal stresses. One personal stress, which psychiatrists find very difficult to cope with is patient suicide. Coping strategies include support from colleagues and outside interests. No studies evaluated the use of stress-management interventions for psychiatrists. Conclusions: Psychiatry is a stressful profession. Psychiatrists identified several stressors in their professional and personal lives.
The Value of Treatment-Goal Themes for Treatment Planning and Outcome Evaluation of Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Holtforth Martin Grosse , Reubi Ingrid , Ruckstuhl Lorenz , Berking Matthias , Grawe Klaus 
Published: May 2004

Background: The taxonomy of treatment-goal themes of the Bern Inventory of Treatment Goals (BIT-T) has shown to be a comprehensive coding system for outpatient use. Aim: The current study examines the value of the BIT-T for treatment planning and outcome evaluation of psychiatric inpatients. Method: The 1991 treatment goals of 675 predominantly non-psychotic psychiatric inpatients were coded using the BIT-T. Ratings of goal-related changes by patients and length of stay were used as outcome criteria. Results: The BIT-T showed to be reliable and exhaustive. Distributions of goal themes are partially associated with diagnoses. Goal-related improvements as well as length of hospital stay differed depending on the themes of patients’ treatment goals. Conclusions: Coding of treatment-goal themes with the BIT-T provides researchers as well as practitioners with valuable information that goes beyond psychopathological diagnoses. This information can be used clinically for treatment planning as well as outcome evaluation.
Fiscal Federalism and Local Government Finance in Nigeria: An Examination of Revenue Rights and Fiscal Jurisdiction
Authors: Akindele S. T. , Olaopa O. R. , Obiyan A. Sat. 
Published: May 2004

The most severe problem facing public institutions in Nigeria is the fiscal one, particularly in local government. This problem has been provoked by a number of factors, including ‘over dependence’ on statutory allocations from both the state and federal governments, deliberate tax evasion by the local citizenry, creation of nonviable local government areas, differences in the status of local governments in terms of the rural–urban dimension, and inadequate revenue and restricted fiscal jurisdiction. This article examines these factors and their attendant problems, implications and effects within the context of the fiscal federalism established by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For financially healthy local governments to exist, responsibilities and functions must be allocated in accordance with their taxing power and ability to generate funds internally. The constitutional provision that recognizes local governments’ power in this regard must give them full freedom to operate and this must be well guaranteed and adequately protected. These measures, coupled with a review of the revenue-sharing formula, the granting of fiscal autonomy and fiscal discipline as well as making local government responsive, responsible and accountable to the people will set local governments free from the fiscal stress promoted and strengthened by the 1999 constitution.