Statistics Research This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

Find the best Christmas presents and January Sales in the UK with this simple shopping directory.

• Default
• News
• Research
• Blogs
• Podcasts
• Video
• Events
• Funding
• Alerts
• Clinical Trials
• Forums
• Top 20

Effects of Antiviral Therapy on Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation and Liver Function after Resection or Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
ConclusionsHBV reactivation can occur after hepatectomy or TACE. Anti‐HBV therapy can reduce the risk of reactivation, thus reducing the risk of liver failure especially in patients undergoing TACE.© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Source: Liver International - January 12, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Xiang‐Ming Lao, Guangyu Luo, Liang‐Tao Ye, Cheng Luo, Ming Shi, Dian Wang, Rongping Guo, Minshan Chen, Shengping Li, Xiaojun Lin, Yunfei Yuan Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Semiparametric odds ratio model for case–control and matched case–control designs
We propose a semiparametric odds ratio model that extends Umbach and Weinberg's approach to exploiting gene–environment association model for efficiency gains in case–control designs to both discrete and continuous data. We directly model the gene–environment association in the control population to avoid estimating the intercept in the disease risk model, which is inherently difficult because of the scarcity of information on the parameter with the sampling designs. We propose a novel permutation‐based approach to eliminate the high‐dimensional nuisance parameters in the matched case–control design. The propos...
Source: Statistics in Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Statistics Authors: Hua Yun Chen, Muredach P. Reilly, Mingyao Li Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Interventions for women exposed to acute intimate partner violence: emergency professionals’ perspective
Conclusions.  There is a need for more effective change of information and cooperation with different help providers concerning how to act with women and their family members in intimate partner violence situations. Emergency department professionals do not know enough about the legislation concerning intimate partner violence and their professional duty, e.g. if a child’s health and well‐being are in danger. Relevance to clinical practice.  This information can be utilised in research, professional education, further training and practical work and when planning the prevention of intimate partner violence.
Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing - January 11, 2013 Category: Nursing Authors: Tuija Leppäkoski, Eija Paavilainen Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Very long-term mortality after ischemic stroke: : predictors of cardiovascular death.
This study shows that age, male gender, stroke severity, hemorrhagic stroke, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and right hemispheric stroke are predictors associated with increased risk of long-term cardiovascular mortality. Neither atrial fibrillation, antihypertensive treatment on admission, smoking, or living alone was risk factors for late cardiovascular deaths. PMID: 23190295 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum - January 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Rønning OM Tags: Acta Neurol Scand Suppl Source Type: research

A new approach to improve the specificity of flow-mediated dilation for indicating endothelial function in cardiovascular research
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a noninvasive indicator of endothelial function and is routinely expressed as the percentage change in arterial diameter (FMD%) from a resting baseline (Dbase) to a postischemic peak (Dpeak). This expression is equivalent to the ratio of Dpeak/Dbase and is, therefore, dependent on important statistical assumptions, which have never been analysed in the context of FMD%. We aimed to investigate these assumptions, via a comparison of FMD between samples of children and adults, as well as to explore other approaches to scaling diameter change for Dbase. We found that FMD% did not scale accuratel...
Source: Journal of Hypertension - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Endothelium Source Type: research

Cardiovascular events increased at normal and high-normal blood pressure in young and middle-aged Japanese male smokers but not in nonsmokers
Conclusion: Young and middle-aged healthy Japanese individuals with normal and high-normal BP (120–139/75–89 mmHg) were at risk for CVD among smokers, even after adjusting for an annual change in BP.
Source: Journal of Hypertension - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Epidemiology Source Type: research

[Editorial] Reporting deaths in Syria: room for review
On Jan 2, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a press release with the shocking figure of 59 648 individuals killed during the Syrian conflict between March, 2011, and November, 2012. The UN commissioned report, Preliminary Statistical Analysis of Documentation of Killings in Syria, looked at 147 349 fully identifiable death records—rather than mortality estimates—and integrated data from seven human rights and Syrian Government datasets to arrive at the final number. With more than 2 million people internally displaced, and 481 592 documented refugees in neighbouring countries requirin...
Source: LANCET - January 11, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: The Lancet Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

The use of high frequency ultrasound imaging in skin moisturization measurement
ConclusionThe HFU is a useful method for the monitoring of skin moisturization treatments.
Source: Skin Research and Technology - January 11, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Robert K. Mlosek, Sylwia Malinowska, Magdalena Sikora, Renata Dębowska, Anna Stępień, Karolina Czekaj, Anna Dąbrowska Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Metals in female scalp hair globally and its impact on perceived hair health
Globally, billions of individuals wash their hair in water, which acts as an exogenous metal source. Many studies which measure the metal levels found on human hair specifically aim to remove exogenous materials prior to analysis. While this is needed when using hair analysis to probe the impact of the local environment on endogenous metal levels, it's not relevant for understanding exactly what is on hair as a result of contact with its daily environment. Understanding these levels are important, as the presence of redox active metals, such as copper and iron, can impact fibre health, either due to UV irradiation, or duri...
Source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science - January 11, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Simon Godfrey, William Staite, Phillip Bowtell, Jennifer Marsh Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Fellow eye vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in an inner city population.
CONCLUSIONS: Approximately a third of fellow eyes required diabetic vitrectomy within 3 years of primary eye vitrectomy. Primary eye surgical indication and younger age were significant predictors of need for fellow eye surgery. PMID: 23314578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology - January 11, 2013 Category: Opthalmology Authors: Hwang JC, Sharma AG, Eliott D Tags: Br J Ophthalmol Source Type: research

[Continuous medical evaluation of the prevention of fetomaternal rhesus-D allo-immunization.]
CONCLUSION: This CME has resulted in a statistically significant improvement of the prevention of allo-immunization. PMID: 23317629 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Journal de Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction - January 11, 2013 Category: OBGYN Authors: Viaris de Lesegno B, Beucher G, Lamendour N, D'Alché-Gautier MJ, Dreyfus M, Benoist G Tags: J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) Source Type: research

Postprandial Total Ghrelin Suppression Is Modulated by Melanocortin Signaling in Humans.
Conclusions:These findings are consistent with a role for central melanocortinergic signaling in modulating meal-related total ghrelin suppression. PMID: 23316086 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - January 11, 2013 Category: Endocrinology Authors: van der Klaauw AA, Keogh JM, Henning E, Blackwood A, Haqq AM, Purnell JQ, Farooqi IS Tags: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Modeling Age at Menopause Using Serum Concentration of Anti-Mullerian Hormone.
Conclusions:Using a model built on age and AMH, we can predict age at menopause many years earlier. This could provide opportunities for interventions in those who are at risk of early or late menopause. PMID: 23316087 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - January 11, 2013 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tehrani FR, Solaymani-Dodaran M, Tohidi M, Gohari MR, Azizi F Tags: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Env Gene Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K and Human Endogenous Retrovirus-W in Childhood Acute Leukemia Cells.
Conclusion: High normalized expression of the env gene of HERV-K in AML strongly suggests a possible contribution of this gene in the pathogenesis of AML. PMID: 23328642 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Acta Haematologica - January 11, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska D, Nowicka K, Rembowska J, Fichna M, Zurawek M, Derwich K, Nowak J Tags: Acta Haematol Source Type: research

Do mouthwashes with and without bleaching agents degrade the force of elastomeric chains?
Conclusion: The presence of bleaching agent has no influence on the force degradation of elastomeric chains. PMID: 23311601 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Angle Orthodontist - January 11, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: Pithon MM, Rodrigues AC, Sousa EL, de Souza Santos LP, Dos Santos Soares N Tags: Angle Orthod Source Type: research

In vivo effects of two acidic soft drinks on shear bond strength of metal orthodontic brackets with and without resin infiltration treatment.
Conclusion: Pretreatment with the infiltrating resin has proved to result in a significant improvement in shear bond strength, regardless of the type of soft drink consumed. PMID: 23311604 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Angle Orthodontist - January 11, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: Hammad SM, Enan ET Tags: Angle Orthod Source Type: research

Comparison of Dietary and Lifestyle Habits Among Stage III and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients: Findings from CALGB 89803 and CALGB 80405.
CONCLUSIONS: We observed notable similarities in dietary and lifestyle behaviors between stage III colon and metastatic colorectal cancer patients actively receiving chemotherapy. Future research should aim to elucidate the effect of these behaviors on patient outcomes. PMID: 23317558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Colorectal Cancer - January 11, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Van Loon K, Wigler D, Niedzwiecki D, Venook AP, Fuchs C, Blanke C, Saltz L, Goldberg RM, Meyerhardt JA Tags: Clin Colorectal Cancer Source Type: research

Ulinastatin inhibits unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats via transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signalling pathways.
This study aims to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of ulinastatin (UTI), which is a urinary trypsin inhibitor, of the renal interstitial fibrosis of rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). A total of 36 male Wistar rats were divided in random into three groups, namely, the sham operation (SOR) group (n=12), the UUO group (n=12), and the UTI treatment group (n=12). Six rats from each group were euthanised after unilateral ureteral obstruction operation on the seventh and fourteenth days, respectively. Blood samples were harvested for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) measure...
Source: International Immunopharmacology - January 11, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Ning XH, Ge XF, Cui Y, An HX Tags: Int Immunopharmacol Source Type: research

Genetic evidence for the involvement of NOTCH4 in rheumatoid arthritis and alopecia areata.
Abstract To explore the genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region of the NOTCH4, exon 3 C+1297T and exon 5 A+3063G, in a case-control analysis of 58 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 98 alopecia areata (AA) and 100 ethnically matched healthy subjects. NOTCH4 polymorphisms were genotyped by standard PCR followed by restriction digestion. Analysis of C+1297T SNP revealed a significant association of allele C+1297 (p=0.03, OR=1.66, 95%CI 1.04-2.64) and genotype CT (p=0.002, OR=2.82, 95%CI 1.42-5.59) with susceptibility to RA. Analysis of A+3063G SNP revealed a significant associati...
Source: Immunology Letters - January 11, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Alfadhli S, Nanda A Tags: Immunol Lett Source Type: research

Prognosis by tumor location in adults with spinal ependymomas.
Conclusions Spinal ependymomas along different regions of spinal axis have different characteristics and clinical behaviors. Tumor grade, extent of resection, and PFS varied by tumor location (upper vs lower spinal regions), while OS did not. Recurrence rates were higher for the lower spinal cord tumors, despite a greater prevalence of lower WHO grade lesions, compared with upper spinal cord tumors, suggesting that tumor location along the spinal axis is an important prognostic factor. PMID: 23311515 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Journal of Neurosurgery.Spine - January 11, 2013 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Oh MC, Kim JM, Kaur G, Safaee M, Sun MZ, Singh A, Aranda D, Molinaro AM, Parsa AT Tags: J Neurosurg Spine Source Type: research

Effects of Silicon on Osteoblast Activity and Bone Mineralization of MC3T3-E1 Cells.
Abstract Previous studies have reported that dietary silicon (Si) intake is positively associated with bone health including bone mineral density. Although the amount of Si intake is high among trace elements in humans, how dietary Si affects bone formation at the cellular level is not well addressed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Si in osteoblast activity and bone mineralization. MC3T3-E1 was cultured as mature osteoblasts and treated with sodium metasilicate (0, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM) as a source of Si. After 7 days of treatment, 5 and 10 μM of sodium metasilicate significan...
Source: Biological Trace Element Research - January 11, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Kim EJ, Bu SY, Sung MK, Choi MK Tags: Biol Trace Elem Res Source Type: research

A systematic identification of multiple toxin-target interactions based on chemical, genomic and toxicological data.
Abstract Although the assessment of toxicity of various agents, -omics (genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, etc.) data has been accumulated largely, the acquirement of toxicity information of variety of molecules through experimental methods still remains a difficult task. Presently, a systems toxicology approach that integrates massive diverse chemical, genomic and toxicological information was developed for prediction of the toxin targets and their related networks. The procedures are: (1) by use of two powerful statistical methods, i.e., support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF), a systemic model for pred...
Source: Toxicology - January 11, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Zhou W, Huang C, Li Y, Duan J, Wang Y, Yang L Tags: Toxicology Source Type: research

CoMFA and CoMSIA studies on C-aryl glucoside SGLT2 inhibitors as potential anti-diabetic agents.
Abstract SGLT2 has become a target of therapeutic interest in diabetes research. CoMFA and CoMSIA studies were performed on C-aryl glucoside SGLT2 inhibitors (180 analogues) as potential anti-diabetic agents. Three different alignment strategies were used for the compounds. The best CoMFA and CoMSIA models were obtained by means of Distill rigid body alignment of training and test sets, and found statistically significant with cross-validated coefficients (q (2)) of 0.602 and 0.618, respectively, and conventional coefficients (r (2)) of 0.905 and 0.902, respectively. Both models were validated by a test set of 36 c...
Source: SAR and QSAR in Environmental Research - January 11, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Vyas VK, Bhatt HG, Patel PK, Jalu J, Chintha C, Gupta N, Ghate M Tags: SAR QSAR Environ Res Source Type: research

Running in a minimalist and lightweight shoe is not the same as running barefoot: a biomechanical study.
CONCLUSIONS: Barefoot running was different to all shod conditions. Barefoot running changes the amount of work done at the knee and ankle joints and this may have therapeutic and performance implications for runners. PMID: 23314887 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Bonacci J, Saunders PU, Hicks A, Rantalainen T, Vicenzino BG, Spratford W Tags: Br J Sports Med Source Type: research

The road from systems biology to systems medicine.
Abstract As research institutions prepare roadmaps for "systems medicine", we ask how this differs from applications of systems biology approaches in medicine and what we (should) have learned from about one decade of funding in systems biology. After surveying the area, we conclude that systems medicine is the logical next step and necessary extension of systems biology with a focus on clinically relevant applications. We specifically discuss three related notions. First, more interdisciplinary collaborations are needed to face the challenges of integrating basic research and clinical practice: integration, analys...
Source: Pediatric Research - January 11, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Wolkenhauer O, Auffray C, Jaster R, Steinhoff G, Dammann O Tags: Pediatr Res Source Type: research

Can lower aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in saliva be a risk factor of oral cavity cancer?
ConclusionLow salivary ALDH activity may be a risk factor of oral cancer development.© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Source: Oral Diseases - January 11, 2013 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Joanna Giebułtowicz, Piotr Wroczyński, Danuta Samolczyk‐Wanyura Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of rapid-acting intramuscular olanzapine in Japanese patients for schizophrenia with acute agitation
The objective of this study was to confirm the efficacy of rapid-acting IM olanzapine 10 mg was greater than IM placebo in patients with exacerbation of schizophrenia with acute psychotic agitation by comparing changes from baseline to 2 hours after the first IM injection, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Excited Component (PANSS-EC) total score. Methods: We conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study in Japanese patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-IV-TR. Patients were randomized to 2 treatment groups: IM o...
Source: BMC Psychiatry - Latest articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hideaki KatagiriShinji FujikoshiTakuya SuzukiKiyoshi FujitaNaoya SugiyamaMichihiro TakahashiJuan-Carlos Gomez Source Type: research

MicroRNAs at the human 14q32 locus have prognostic significance in osteosarcoma
Conclusions: We conclude that downregulation of 14q32 miRNA expression is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that contributes to the biological behavior of osteosarcoma, and that quantification of representative transcripts from this family, such as miR-382, miR-134, and miR-544, provide prognostic and predictive markers that can assist in the management of patients with this disease.
Source: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases - January 11, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Aaron SarverVenugopal ThayanithyMilcah ScottAnne-Marie Cleton-JansenPancras HogendoornJaime ModianoSubbaya Subramanian Source Type: research

IN-1233-eluting Covered Metallic Stent to Prevent Hyperplasia: Experimental Study in a Rabbit Esophageal Model [Experimental Studies]
Our study results showed that local treatment with IN-1233 and covered stents was effective in decreasing tissue hyperplasia secondary to stent placement in a rabbit esophageal model.
Source: Continuous Publishing articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Kim, E.-Y., Song, H.-Y., Kim, J. H., Fan, Y., Park, S., Kim, D.-K., Lee, E. W., Na, H. K. Tags: Research and Statistical Methods Experimental Studies Source Type: research

p53 and beta-catenin expression in gallbladder tissues and correlation with tumor progression in gallbladder cancer
Conclusion: p53 and beta-catenin nuclear expression is significantly higher in GBC. p53 expression correlates with increasing tumor grade while beta-catenin nuclear expression correlates with tumor grade and depth of invasion, thus suggesting a role for these genes in tumor progression of GBC.
Source: The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology - January 11, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Mila GhoshPuja SakhujaShivendra SinghAnil K Agarwal Source Type: research

Comparison of caries detection methods using varying numbers of intra-oral digital photographs with visual examination for epidemiology in children
Conclusions: The photographic assessment method, particularly assessment of 8 intra-oral digital photographs is comparable to the visual examination method in the primary dentition. With the additional benefits of archiving, remote scoring, allowing multiple scorers to score images and enabling longitudinal analysis, the photographic assessment method may be used as an alternative caries detection method in the primary dentition in situations where the visual examination method may not be applicable such as when examiner blinding is required and in practice based randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Source: BMC Oral Health - Latest articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: Uriana BoyeIan PrettyMartin TickleTanya Walsh Source Type: research

Implant and Prosthodontic Survival Rates with Implant Fixed Complete Dental Prostheses in the Edentulous Mandible after at Least 5 Years: A Systematic Review
ConclusionTreatment with mandibular IFCDPs yields high implant and prosthodontic survival rates (more than 96% after 10 years). Rough surface implants exhibited cumulative survival rates similar to the smooth surface ones (p > .05) in the edentulous mandible. The number of supporting implants and the antero‐posterior implant distribution had no influence (p > .05) on the implant survival rate. The prosthetic design and veneering material, the retention type, and the loading protocol (delayed, early, and immediate) had no influence (p > .05) on the prosthodontic survival rates.
Source: Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research - January 11, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: Panos Papaspyridakos, Muizzaddin Mokti, Chun‐Jung Chen, Goran I. Benic, German O. Gallucci, Vasilios Chronopoulos Tags: Review Source Type: research

Developing functional workspace for the movement of trunk circumduction in healthy young subjects: a reliability study
Conclusions: This study demonstrates high statistical reliability for the FWTC, which is important for the potential development as the functional assessment technique. The FWTC provides a single integrated value to represent angular and linear measurements of different joints and planes. Future study is expected to carry out the FWTC to evaluate the amount of workspace for the functional status of patients with low back injuries or patients with spinal surgery.
Source: BioMedical Engineering OnLine - January 11, 2013 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Su-Chun ChengChieh-Hsiang HsuYi-Ting TingLi-Chieh KuoRuey-Mo LinFong-Chin Su Source Type: research

Relating Creamy Perception of Whey Protein Enriched Yogurt Systems to Instrumental Data by Means of Multivariate Data Analysis
The objective of the current research was to evaluate the predictive value of rheological and particle size measurements concerning sensory appearance and texture attributes in 13 differently composed stirred yogurt systems, with a focus on graininess, viscosity, and creaminess. Structural and sensory analyses showed large differences in texture properties between the tested yogurt systems. Both data sets were correlated by means of multivariate statistical methods. Sensory graininess was highly correlated with particle size‐related parameters, sensory viscosity was highly correlated with destructive rheological paramete...
Source: Journal of Food Science - January 11, 2013 Category: Food Science Authors: Alina Krzeminski, Maja Tomaschunas, Ehrhard Köhn, Mechthild Busch‐Stockfisch, Jochen Weiss, Jörg Hinrichs Tags: S: Sensory and Food Quality Source Type: research

Prevalence of pain in a university veterinary intensive care unit
ConclusionsIn this study population, dogs undergoing surgery needed a more intense analgesic approach to ensure that they were nonpainful. The SDS identified the highest number of painful observations of the scoring systems, at the given levels for defining pain.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care - January 11, 2013 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Clara E. Moran, Erik H. Hofmeister Tags: Original Study Source Type: research

Effect of engineered TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on erythrocytes, platelet-rich plasma and giant unilamelar phospholipid vesicles
Conclusions: These results indicate that TiO2 and ZnO EPs cause erythrocyte aggregation and could be potentially prothrombogenic, while ZnO could also cause membrane rupture.
Source: BMC Veterinary Research - Latest articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Metka ¿imundi¿Barbara Dra¿lerVid ¿u¿tarJernej ZupancRoman ¿tukeljDarko MakovecDeniz ErdogmusHenry HägerstrandDamjana DrobneVeronika Kralj-Igli¿ Source Type: research

A framework for developing, implementing, and evaluating clinical prediction models in an individual participant data meta‐analysis
The use of individual participant data (IPD) from multiple studies is an increasingly popular approach when developing a multivariable risk prediction model. Corresponding datasets, however, typically differ in important aspects, such as baseline risk. This has driven the adoption of meta‐analytical approaches for appropriately dealing with heterogeneity between study populations. Although these approaches provide an averaged prediction model across all studies, little guidance exists about how to apply or validate this model to new individuals or study populations outside the derivation data. We consider several approac...
Source: Statistics in Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Statistics Authors: Thomas P.A. Debray, Karel G.M. Moons, Ikhlaaq Ahmed, Hendrik Koffijberg, Richard David Riley Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Kidney Function Endpoints in Kidney Transplant Trials: A Struggle for Power
Kidney function endpoints are commonly used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in kidney transplantation (KTx). We conducted this study to estimate the proportion of ongoing RCTs with kidney function endpoints in KTx where the proposed sample size is large enough to detect meaningful differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with adequate statistical power. RCTs were retrieved using the key word “kidney transplantation” from the National Institute of Health online clinical trial registry. Included trials had at least one measure of kidney function tracked for at least 1 month after transplant. We determined t...
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - January 11, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: A. Ibrahim, A. X. Garg, G. A. Knoll, A. Akbari, C. A. White Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Low‐Output Is Not the Cause of Death of Neonatal Piglets Early After Cardiopulmonary Bypass
In conclusion, the death of neonatal piglets early after cardiopulmonary bypass was not determined by low output.
Source: Artificial Organs - January 11, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Theodor Tirilomis, Marc Bensch, Lars Nolte, Katja Steinke, Friedrich A. Schoendube Tags: Main Text Article Source Type: research

Carotid Doppler Flow After Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Mild Hypothermia in Neonatal Piglets
In conclusion, the carotid Doppler flow immediately after CPB and mild hypothermia in neonatal piglets was lower than before CPB due to reduced vascular resistance. Additionally, the pressure–flow relation revealed that immediately after CPB, a higher pressure is required to obtain adequate flow.
Source: Artificial Organs - January 11, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Theodor Tirilomis, Stella Malliarou, Marc Bensch, K. Oguz Coskun, Aron F. Popov, Friedrich A. Schoendube Tags: Main Text Article Source Type: research

Comparison Between D901 Lilliput 1 and Kids D100 Neonatal Oxygenators: Toward Bypass Circuit Miniaturization
In this study, we describe our clinical experience comparing performance of two neonatal oxygenators. From January 2002 to March 2011, 159 infants with less than 5 kg body weight underwent heart surgery. Ninety‐four patients received a D901 Lilliput 1 oxygenator with standard bypass circuit (group A), while 65 received a D100 Kids with miniaturized bypass circuit (group B). Miniaturization consisted in shortened arterial, venous, cardioplegia, and pump‐master lines. Priming composition consisted in Ringer's acetate solution with addition of albumin and blood, with target hematocrit of 24% or greater. In group B cardi...
Source: Artificial Organs - January 11, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Fabrizio De Rita, Diego Marchi, Gianluca Lucchese, Luca Barozzi, Roberta Dissegna, Tiziano Menon, Giuseppe Faggian, Alessandro Mazzucco, Giovanni Battista Luciani Tags: Main Text Article Source Type: research

The Comparison of the Effects of Bretschneider's Histidine‐Tryptophan‐Ketoglutarate and Conventional Crystalloid Cardioplegia on Pediatric Myocardium at Tissue Level
This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that the use of histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia leads to decreased ischemic damage on myocardium compared with the use of conventional crystalloid cardioplegia. The study population was 32 patients operated on at Başkent University, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery for congenital heart diseases. The first group of 16 patients received conventional crystalloid cardioplegia (KK group) which is a modification of St. Thomas' solution, while the second group of 16 patients received HTK solution (HTK group). The echocardiographic measurements and the la...
Source: Artificial Organs - January 11, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Oktay Korun, Murat Özkan, Ayşen Terzi, Göktan Aşkın, Atilla Sezgin, Sait Aşlamacı Tags: Main Text Article Source Type: research

Proof Firm d and diagnosis-specific disability pensioning in Norway
Conclusion: Moderate downsizing is followed by a significant increase in disability pension rates in the following four years, often with complex musculoskeletal and psychiatric diagnoses.
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Bjørgulf ClaussenØyvind NæssLeif ReimeAlastair Leyland Source Type: research

Immediate Pain Response to Interlaminar Lumbar Epidural Steroid Administration: Response Characteristics and Effects of Anesthetic Concentration [SPINE]
CONCLUSIONS: An immediate pain-extinction response is identified after LESI, which appears independent of anesthetic strength. This observation may relate to pain origin and/or pain nociceptor afferent pathway in an individual patient and potentially relate to treatment response.
Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology - January 11, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Bartynski, W. S., Jennings, R. B., Rothfus, W. E., Agarwal, V. Tags: SPINE Source Type: research

The Use of Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction in Pediatric Head CT: A Feasibility Study [PEDIATRICS]
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that 20% ASIR can provide approximately 22% dose reduction in pediatric head CT without affecting image quality.
Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology - January 11, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Vorona, G. A., Zuccoli, G., Sutcavage, T., Clayton, B. L., Ceschin, R. C., Panigrahy, A. Tags: PEDIATRICS Source Type: research

The Effect of Paramagnetic Contrast in Choline Peak in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme Might Not Be Significant [BRAIN]
CONCLUSIONS: The injection of Gd before performing 1H-MR spectroscopy might not significantly affect the Cho peak area in patients with GBM. The paramagnetic contrast seems to cause a different effect, depending on Gd enhancement.
Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology - January 11, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Lima, E. C., Otaduy, M. C. G., Tsunemi, M., Pincerato, R., Cardoso, E. F., Rosemberg, S., Aguiar, P. H., Cerri, G. G., Leite, C. C. Tags: BRAIN Source Type: research

Automatic Lesion Incidence Estimation and Detection in Multiple Sclerosis Using Multisequence Longitudinal MRI [BRAIN]
CONCLUSIONS: This fully automated and computationally fast method allows sensitive and specific detection of lesion incidence that can be applied to large collections of images. Using the explicit form of the statistical model, SuBLIME can easily be adapted to cases when more or fewer imaging sequences are available.
Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology - January 11, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Sweeney, E. M., Shinohara, R. T., Shea, C. D., Reich, D. S., Crainiceanu, C. M. Tags: BRAIN Source Type: research

Angioarchitectural features of brain arteriovenous malformations associated with seizures: a single Center retrospective series
ConclusionsAVM morphology, especially nidus dimension, appeared to more significantly influence seizures occurrence than their topography.
Source: European Journal of Neurology - January 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: C. L. Sturiale, L. Rigante, A. Puca, G. Di Lella, A. Albanese, E. Marchese, C. Di Rocco, G. Maira, G. Colicchio Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly Individuals in Screening Mild Cognitive Impairment With or Without Functional Impairment
In this study, we investigate the utility of the IQCODE for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the discriminative power of the IQCODE in patients having MCI with and without functional impairment. The samples included mild Alzheimer disease (AD, N = 280), MCI ([N = 657], further divided into 2 subgroups: patients with MCI having functional impairment [MCI-fi, N = 357] and patients having MCI without functional impairment [MCI-fn, N = 300]), and normal cognition (NC, N = 274). The IQCODE, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and other neuropsychological tests were administered to all participants. Logistic r...
Source: Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology - January 11, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Li, F., Jia, X.-F., Jia, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

The Frontal Assessment Battery in the Differential Diagnosis of Dementia
Conclusion: Some FAB subtests might enhance diagnostic accuracy taking into account clinical history and other tests of executive function.
Source: Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology - January 11, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Boban, M., Malojcic, B., Mimica, N., Vukovic, S., Zrilic, I. Tags: Articles Source Type: research