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Significant Determinants (significant + determinant)
Selected AbstractsSURVIVE THEN THRIVE: DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESS IN THE ECONOMICS PH.D. PROGRAMECONOMIC INQUIRY, Issue 4 2007WAYNE A. GROVE This study investigates the completion of the Ph.D. in economics. We use ex ante information, based upon reviewing individual applications from former doctoral students. Students need different skills to succeed at each distinct stage of the doctoral program. Significant determinants for passing the comprehensive exams include Graduate Record Exam (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores, a Masters degree, and prior focus on economics. By contrast, research motivation and math preparation play significant roles in completing the dissertation. GRE scores become insignificant for completion in the generalized ordered logit estimates, which emphasize the sequential nature of the Economics Ph.D. program. (JEL I210) [source] The effect of diabetes on heart rate and other determinants of myocardial oxygen demand in acute coronary syndromesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2004K. Foo Abstract Aims To compare major determinants of myocardial oxygen demand (heart rate, blood pressure and rate pressure product) in patients with and without diabetes admitted with acute coronary syndromes. Methods A cross-sectional study of the relation between diabetes and haemodynamic indices of myocardial oxygen demand in 2542 patients with acute coronary syndromes, of whom 1041 (41.0%) had acute myocardial infarction and 1501 (59.0%) unstable angina. Results Of the 2542 patients, 701 (27.6%) had diabetes. Major haemodynamic determinants of myocardial oxygen demand were higher in patients with than without diabetes: heart rate 80.0 ± 20.4 vs. 75.2 ± 19.2 beats/minute (P < 0.0001); systolic blood pressure 147.3 ± 30.3 vs. 143.2 ± 28.5 mmHg (P = 0.002); rate-pressure product 11533 ± 4198 vs. 10541 ± 3689 beats/minute × mmHg (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis confirmed diabetes as a significant determinant of presenting heart rate [multiplicative coefficient (MC) 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03,1.07; P < 0.0001], rate pressure product (MC 1.09; CI 1.05,1.12; P < 0.0001) and systolic blood pressure, which was estimated to be 3.9 mmHg higher than in patients without diabetes (P = 0.003). These effects of diabetes were independent of a range of baseline variables including acute left ventricular failure and mode of presentation (unstable angina or myocardial infarction). Conclusions In acute coronary syndromes, heart rarte and other determinants of myocardial oxygen demand are higher in patients with than without diabetes, providing a potential contributory mechanism of exaggerated regional ischaemia in this high-risk group. [source] Self-expandable metallic stents for palliation of malignant esophageal obstruction: special reference to quality of life and survival of patientsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2004K. Yajima SUMMARY., Self-expandable metallic stents (EMS) provide a common option for malignant esophageal stenosis because of the low complication rate and high dysphagia improvement rate. However, there are few studies on the functional duration of EMS and the extent of improvement of the quality of life. We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients who received EMSs in our division from 1996 to 2002. The median duration of possible food intake and the median survival period were 94.5 and 108 days. The median duration of domiciliary treatment was 56 days. Six of the 18 patients were not discharged from hospital after EMS insertion. The Karnofsky index was found to be a significant determinant of the feasibility of domiciliary treatment. One-third of the patients are incapable of obtaining the benefits of the palliative therapy. EMS deployment should be prudently selected for patients exhibiting low performance status. [source] How Effective is Farmer Early Retirement Policy?EUROCHOICES, Issue 3 2008Quelle est l'efficacité de la politique de préretraite pour les agriculteurs? Summary How Effective is Farmer Early Retirement Policy? Financial support for EU farmers seeking early retirement is a discretionary element of CAP rural development policy and some EU member states, most notably France, Ireland and Greece have chosen to implement the measure. We explore whether the introduction of such schemes is likely to represent good value for money. We use data from Northern Ireland, a region with a relatively small-scale family-farm structure, where there have been periodic calls from farmer groups to introduce support for early retirement. We estimate the benefits that might arise from the introduction of such a scheme using FADN data and a separate survey of 350 farmers aged 50 to 65. We find that farm scale is a significant determinant of profit per hectare but that operator age is not. Benefits from releasing land through an early retirement scheme are conditional on such transfers bringing about significant farm expansion and changes in land use. Even when these conditions are satisfied, however, pensions payments of only about one-third the statutory maximum could be justified in a best-case scenario. Almost a quarter of all payments would incur deadweight losses, i.e., go to farmers who would be retiring anyway. Overall, the economic case for such a scheme is considered to be weak. Le soutien financier aux agriculteurs de l'Union européenne qui veulent prendre une retraite anticipée est un élément discrétionnaire de la politique de développement rural de la PAC et certains pays membres, en tout premier lieu la France, l'Irlande et la Grèce, ont choisi de mettre en place cette mesure. Nous recherchons si l'introduction de telles mesures serait intéressante par rapport au coût financier. L'analyse porte sur des données nord-irlandaises, région d'exploitations familiales de taille relativement petite dans laquelle les représentants agricoles ont régulièrement appeléà la mise en place de soutien pour la retraite anticipée. Nous estimons les avantages que pourrait procurer l'introduction de cette mesure à l'aide de données du RICA et d'une enquête indépendante portant sur 350 agriculteurs âgés de 50 à 65 ans. Nous trouvons que la taille de l'exploitation est un déterminant significatif du profit par hectare mais que l'âge de l'exploitant n'en est pas un. Les avantages de la mise à disposition de terres grâce à un programme de préretraite dépendent de la capacité de ces transferts à entraîner un accroissement notable de la taille des exploitations et des modifications de l'utilisation des terres. Cependant, même lorsque ces conditions sont remplies, seuls des paiements représentant un tiers du niveau maximum prévu dans le programme de préretraite pourraient se justifier dans un scénario optimal. Pratiquement un quart du total des paiements serait liéà des pertes de bien-être, c'est-à-dire que les bénéficiaires seraient des agriculteurs qui aurait pris leur retraite de toute façon. Globalement, l'intérêt économique d'un tel programme est considéré comme faible. Die finanzielle Unterstützung von Landwirten in der EU, die in den Vorruhestand gehen möchten, stellt in der Politik der GAP zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums ein diskretionäres Element dar; in einigen Mitgliedsstaaten wie z.B. Frankreich, Irland und Griechenland wird diese Maßnahme angeboten. Wir untersuchen, ob es möglicherweise finanziell sinnvoll wäre, solche Programme einzuführen. Dazu ziehen wir Daten aus Nordirland heran, einer Region mit relativ kleinen landwirtschaftlichen Familienbetrieben, in der sich Landwirte regelmäßig dafür aussprechen, Vorruhestandprogramme einzuführen. Wir schätzen den Nutzen, der sich aus der Einführung eines solchen Programms ergeben könnte, anhand von INLB-Daten und einer gesonderten Befragung von 350 Landwirten im Alter von 50 bis 65 Jahren. Wir stellen fest, dass es sich bei der Betriebsgröße , im Gegensatz zum Alter des Betreibers , um einen entscheidenden Faktor für die Höhe des Gewinns pro Hektar handelt. Ein Nutzen aus der Landübertragung aufgrund eines Vorruhestandprogramms beruht auf solchen Transfers, die eine bedeutsame Betriebserweiterung und veränderte Flächennutzung zur Folge haben. Selbst wenn diese Bedingungen erfüllt werden, könnten günstigstenfalls nur Rentenzahlungen in Höhe von etwa einem Drittel der gesetzlich verankerten Höchstsumme gerechtfertigt werden. Beinahe ein Viertel aller Zahlungen wäre mit Mitnahmeeffekten verbunden, d.h. Landwirten zukommen, die ohnehin den Ruhestand antreten würden. Aus ökonomischer Sicht muss ein solches Programm als schwach eingestuft werden. [source] Genetic analysis of three important genes in pigmentation and melanoma susceptibility: CDKN2A, MC1R and HERC2/OCA2EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2010Maider Ibarrola-Villava Please cite this paper as: Genetic analysis of three important genes in pigmentation and melanoma susceptibility: CDKN2A, MC1R and HERC2/OCA2. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 836,844. Abstract:, The CDKN2A gene is regarded as the major familial malignant melanoma (MM) susceptibility gene. Human pigmentation is one of the main modulators of individual risk of developing MM. Therefore, the genes involved in the determination of skin colour and tanning response are potentially implicated in MM predisposition and may be useful predictors of MM risk in the general population. The human melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R) plays a crucial role in pigmentation and also appears to be important in MM. The OCA2 gene has emerged as a new and significant determinant of human iris colour variation. We present a case,control study in Spanish population including 390 consecutive patients with melanoma and 254 control subjects. Sequence analysis of the entire coding region and genotyping of 5 tag-SNPs in the genomic region of MC1R was performed. We identified 27 variants, two reaching statistical significance [R160W (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.24,14.04, P = 0.02) and D294H (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.37,7.01, P = 0.01)] and we detected two novel non-synonymous changes: V92L and T308M. Odds ratio for carrying two functional variants was 4.25 (95% CI: 2.30,7.84, P = 3.63 × 10,6). Haplotypes of the entire MC1R region have been established, and we observed an enrichment of a rare European haplotype similar to African values carrying variants V92M and I155T. In addition, three potentially functional SNPs were selected in p16/CDKN2A and in the promoter region of OCA2/HERC2. Our data for CDKN2A gene did not reach statistically significant results for any of the two studied alleles. We found that the variant allele A > G of OCA2/HERC2 (rs12913832) was associated with pigmentation features: eye, hair and skin colour; P -values = 1.8 × 10,29, 9.2 × 10,16, 1.1 × 10,3, respectively, validating previous results. [source] Evaluation of risk of falls in patients at a memory impairment outpatient clinicGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009Reiko Kikuchi Aim: We investigated the usefulness of the fall-predicting score, a simple screening test to identify patients at high risk of falls in outpatients with cognitive impairment. Methods: This was a 1-year prospective study. Seventy-nine patients (28 men and 51 women, 78.1 ± 5.9 years old) in the Memory Impairment Outpatient Clinic of Kyorin University Hospital. History of falls in the past year, record of falls in the follow-up period (1 year), fall-predicting score, time of standing on one foot, timed Up & Go test, tandem gait, functional reach, grip strength, maximum circumference of the legs and blood laboratory tests were measured. Results: Of the 79 subjects, 38 (48.1%) had experienced falls in the past year, and 29 (36.7%) experienced falls during the follow-up period. Comparing the two groups with and without a history of falls during the follow-up period, a significant difference was observed in fall-predicting score, timed Up & Go test, tandem gait and functional reach. Logistic regression analysis revealed that fall-predicting score was the only significant determinant for predicting future falls. Furthermore, fall-predicting score correlated with timed Up & Go, duration of standing on one foot, functional reach, grip strength and tandem gait. When the ,2 -test was performed to investigate the correlation between individual items of the fall-predicting questions and falls during the follow-up period, "Do you use a stick when you walk?" and "Are there any obstacles in your house?" showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Fall-predicting score is useful as a screening test to predict future falls in patients with cognitive decline. [source] Physician Referral Patterns and Race Differences in Receipt of Coronary AngiographyHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Thomas A. LaVeist Objective. This study addresses the following research questions: (1) Is race a predictor of obtaining a referral for coronary angiography (CA) among patients who are appropriate candidates for the procedure? (2) Is there a race disparity in obtaining CA among patients who obtain a referral for the procedure? Study Setting. Three community hospitals in Baltimore, Maryland. Study Design. We abstracted hospital records of 7,927 patients from three hospitals to identify 2,653 patients who were candidates for CA. Patients were contacted by telephone to determine if they received a referral for CA. Logistic regression was used to assess whether racial differences in obtaining a referral were affected by adjustment for several potential confounders. A second set of analyses examined race differences in use of the procedure among a subsample of patients that obtained a referral. Principal Findings. After controlling for having been hospitalized at a hospital with in-house catheterization facilities, ACC/AHA (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association) classification, sex, age, and health insurance status, race remained a significant determinant of referral (OR=3.0, p<.05). Additionally, we found no significant race differences in receipt of the procedure among patients who obtained a referral. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that race differences in utilization of CA tend to occur during the process of determining the course of treatment. Once a referral is obtained, African American patients are not less likely than white patients to follow through with the procedure. Thus, future research should seek to better understand the process by which the decision is made to refer or not refer patients. [source] Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in chronic renal failure patientsHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008Saeed Abdelwhab SAEED Abstract Paraoxonase is a high-density lipoprotein-associated enzyme and has been shown to reduce the susceptibility to low-density lipoprotein peroxidation. This study aimed to investigate the activity of serum paraoxonase in uremic patients on hemodialysis (HD) and in the predialysis period, and to evaluate the correlations of vascular disease with paraoxonase activity. Thirty patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing HD (group 1), 30 patients with CRF under conservative treatment (group 2), and 30 healthy controls (group 3) were included. Basal, salt-stimulated, and arylesterase activity were tested by UV spectrophotometry. Serum lipid parameters were determined. B-Mode Doppler ultrasound was used to assess common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Basal paraoxonase, salt-stimulated, and arylesterase activity showed no significant difference between group 1 and group 2. However, it was significantly lower in group 1 and in group 2 than controls. Carotid IMT was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 and both were significantly higher than controls. Basal paraoxonase-1 (PON1), salt-stimulated PON1, and arylesterase activity correlate with BUN, but only basal PON1 and salt-stimulated PON1 correlate with serum albumin. Linear regression showed that the most significant determinant of carotid IMT was PON1 arylesterase activity in group 1 and arylesterase activity and basal PON1 activity in group 2. Patients with CRF, whether under HD or conservative treatment, have reduced basal and stimulated paraoxonase activities, and this could be an important factor causing increased vascular disease in those patients. Modifying this factor can be of great value to protect against this common complication. [source] Australian and US interest rate swap markets: comparison and linkagesACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 1 2004Francis In Abstract We investigate and compare the determinants of US and Australian interest rate swap spreads and the linkages between these markets. The slope of the risk-free term structure is the most significant determinant and its importance is greater for longer terms to maturity. Interest rate levels and, in Australia, the default premium also have some impact. The influences of interest rate volatility, the liquidity premium and (in the USA) the default premium are small or negligible. We hypothesise, and our evidence confirms, that the US swap market significantly affects the Australian swap market but not vice-versa. [source] Investor Protection and International Investment Positions: An Empirical Analysis,INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, Issue 2 2006Teresa L. Cyrus Given the recent revival of interest in the institutional determinants of global capital flows, we investigate the relationship between investor protection and international investment positions, using data on 40 countries for the period 1970,98. We find that strong shareholder protection is an important predictor of gross foreign direct investment liabilities, while countries with strong creditor protection tend to have positive stocks of net foreign assets. We conclude that the global pattern of investor protection is a significant determinant of international investment positions. [source] Economic determinants of biodiversity change over a 400-year period in the Scottish uplandsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Nick Hanley Summary 1Economic forces are recognized as an important driving factor behind current biodiversity losses. This study investigates whether such factors have been important in determining one measure of biodiversity change over the ,long run', in our case, 400 years , for upland sites in Scotland. 2A combination of palaeoecological, historical and economic methods is used to construct and then analyse a database of factors contributing to changes in plant diversity over time for 11 upland sites. 3Using an instrumental variables panel model, we find livestock prices, our proxy for grazing pressure, to be a statistically significant determinant of diversity change, with higher grazing pressures resulting in lower diversity values on average, although site abandonment is also found to result in a fall in plant diversity. Technological change, such as the introduction of new animal breeds, was not found to be a statistically significant determinant. 4Using later period data (post 1860) on livestock numbers at the parish (local) level, we were able to confirm the main result noted above (3) in terms of the effects of higher grazing pressures on plant diversity. 5Synthesis and applications. This study shows how data from very different disciplines can be combined to address questions relevant to contemporary conservation and understanding. This novel, interdisciplinary approach provides new insights into the role of economic factors as a driver of biodiversity loss in the uplands. Biodiversity levels have varied considerably over 400 years, partly as a function of land management, suggesting that establishing baselines or ,natural' target levels for biodiversity is likely to be problematic. Changes in livestock grazing pressures brought about by changes in prices had statistically significant effects on estimated plant diversity, as did land abandonment. This suggests that long-term management of upland areas for the conservation of diversity should focus on grazing pressures as a key policy attribute. Another policy implication is that drastic cuts in grazing pressures , such as might occur under current reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy , can have adverse biodiversity consequences. [source] Proactive consumer consultation: the effect of information provision on response to transgenic animalsJOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Issue 3-4 2005David Castle A national study is reported which proactively engaged 1365 Canadian consumers and solicited their opinions concerning new transgenic salmon and pork products which have not yet entered the marketplace. Respondents were methodically requested to provide initial free-association responses, and then scaled responses to product concepts about which progressively more information was revealed. This combined qualitative and quantitative method was pursued in order to determine initial knowledge levels and subsequent responses with a minimal amount of cueing via question probes. The results indicate that disclosure concerning benefits and risks of these new technologies did not harm judgements about them or estimates of purchase intent. A significant determinant of opinions was the gender of the respondent. Females were more negatively predisposed overall to the concepts and more sensitive to specific information regarding product benefits and risks. The research offers a methodological template for public consultation and communication pre-testing for new biotechnological products. Implications for regulatory policy and information dissemination for new food biotechnology products are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Kinetics of pronuclear development and the effects of vector type and timing of injection on the efficiency of gene transfer into rhesus macaque embryosMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 10 2008H.M. Kubisch Abstract A series of experiments was performed to determine the dynamics of pronuclear development as well as the efficiency of either adenovirus-associated (AAV) or lentivirus-derived vectors to introduce a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene into rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) embryos. Assessment of pronuclear development at various times after fertilization revealed that the appearance of pronuclei was determined by the presence of the first and the timing of the second polar body. The dynamics of pronuclear formation was a significant determinant of whether an oocyte reached the blastocyst stage, however, when the percentage of blastocysts were based on the number of zygotes, the timing of the appearance of polar bodies did not appear to have any effect on subsequent development. Injection of different AAV-derived vectors showed that the serotype of the vector did not affect development or the proportion of transgenic embryos. Moreover, all putative transgenic embryos proved to be expression mosaics. Injection of embryos with lentiviral vectors showed that timing of injection (before or after fertilization) had no effect on subsequent transgene expression, but that the type of reporter gene determined post-injection development and rate of transgenesis. The transfer of embryos following injection of a lentiviral vector into three recipients resulted in one pregnancy which was lost during the second trimester. Analysis of fetal tissues showed ubiquitous presence of the transgene and GFP expression in all tissues examined. These results show that lentivirus-derived vectors can efficiently transform rhesus embryos and are suitable for the generation of transgenic rhesus monkeys. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1505,1514 © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prognostic factors in rapidly progressive interstitial pneumoniaRESPIROLOGY, Issue 2 2010Yasuhiro KONDOH ABSTRACT Background and objective: The aim of the present study was to examine clinical and other features that might allow prognostic distinctions between histological patterns in presentations with rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPIP), and to assess prognostic factors for survival. Methods: Patients with RPIP among 425 consecutive patients with diffuse lung disease, who underwent surgical lung biopsy, were studied retrospectively. The discriminatory value of clinical and investigative features for identifying disease with a better outcome was evaluated. An a priori comparison was made between diffuse alveolar damage (DAD)/usual interstitial pneumonia with DAD pattern (Group A), and organizing pneumonia/non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern (Group B). Results: Twenty-eight patients (6.6%) fulfilled the criteria for RPIP. The diagnosis was Group A disease in 15 (DAD in 10, usual interstitial pneumonia with DAD in 5), and Group B disease in 13 (organizing pneumonia in 8, non-specific interstitial pneumonia in 5). There were no significant differences in initial findings between the groups. Prognosis was significantly better for Group B patients than for Group A patients (P = 0.021). Neither BAL nor parenchymal high-resolution CT score was indicative of therapeutic responsiveness or outcome. Distinction between Group A and Group B on the basis of disease pattern was the only significant determinant of prognosis. Conclusions: RPIP included varied histological patterns with different outcomes, and in many cases these could not be predicted using baseline clinical data. Histology was the only significant predictor of ultimate prognosis. [source] Prognostic factors of tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma,15 years experienceRESPIROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Chien-Hung CHIN Background and objectives: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree is a rare tumour which displays a variable degree of clinical aggressiveness and malignancy. The relationship between the patient's prognosis and the tumour's histological features and clinical behaviour is uncertain. The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological features and analyse the outcomes of patients with this type of cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung between 1991 and 2006 was conducted. Results: The study comprised 15 patients. Higher histological grade tumours had a higher proportion of squamoid cells (P = 0.019); the tumours of patients with lymph node metastases also had a higher proportion of squamoid cells than did the tumours of patients without lymph node metastases (P = 0.015). Patients with early stage tumours (stage IA, IB, IIB) had better outcomes (10-year survival rate = 87.5%), than did patients with late-stage tumours (stage IIIB, IV) (1-year survival rate = 28.6%; 2-year survival rate = 0%, P = 0.001). Patients with lower-grade tumours (grade 1 and grade 2) had better outcomes (1-year survival rate = 80%; 5-year survival rate = 57.1%) than did patients with higher-grade tumours (grade 3) (1-year survival rate = 20%, P = 0.035). Tumour staging was a significant independent predictor of survival on Cox proportional hazards analysis. Conclusions: The proportion of squamoid cells on tumour histology may be an indicator of the level of tumour malignancy. Tumour, node, metastasis staging is a significant determinant of prognosis in patients with tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma. [source] Financial Constraints, Debt Capacity, and the Cross-section of Stock ReturnsTHE JOURNAL OF FINANCE, Issue 2 2009JAEHOON HAHN ABSTRACT Building on a model of corporate investment under collateral constraints, we develop and test a hypothesis on the differential effect of debt capacity on stock returns across financially constrained and unconstrained firms. Consistent with the hypothesis, we find that debt capacity is a significant determinant of stock returns only in the cross-section of financially constrained firms, after controlling for beta, size, book-to-market, leverage, and momentum. The findings suggest that cross-sectional differences in corporate investment behavior arising from financial constraints, predicted by theories of imperfect capital markets and supported by empirical evidence, are reflected in the stock returns of manufacturing firms. [source] Cardiac Allograft Remodeling After Heart Transplantation Is Associated with Increased Graft Vasculopathy and MortalityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2009E. Raichlin The aim of this study was to assess the patterns, predictors and outcomes of left ventricular remodeling after heart transplantation (HTX). Routine echocardiographic studies were performed and analyzed at 1 week, 1 year and 3,5 years after HTX in 134 recipients. At each study point the total cohort was divided into three subgroups based on determination of left ventricle mass and relative wall thickness: (1) NG,normal geometry (2) CR,concentric remodeling and (3) CH,concentric hypertrophy. Abnormal left ventricular geometry was found as early as 1 week after HTX in 85% of patients. Explosive mode of donor brain death was the most significant determinant of CH (OR 2.9, p = 0.01) at 1 week. CH at 1 week (OR 2.72, p = 0.01), increased body mass index (OR 1.1, p = 0.01) and cytomegalovirus viremia (OR , 4.06, p = 0.02) were predictors of CH at 1 year. CH of the cardiac allograft at 1 year was associated with increased mortality as compared to NG (RR 1.87, p = 0.03). CR (RR 1.73, p = 0.027) and CH (RR 2.04, p = 0.008) of the cardiac allograft at 1 year is associated with increased subsequent graft arteriosclerosis as compared to NG. [source] Predictors of prognosis in patients with olfactory disturbanceANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Brian London BA Objective Although olfaction is often compromised by such factors as head trauma, viruses, and toxic agents, the olfactory epithelium and sectors of the olfactory bulb have the potential for regeneration. This study assessed the degree to which olfactory function changes over time in patients presenting to a university-based smell and taste center with complaints of olfactory dysfunction and the influences of etiology (eg, head trauma, upper respiratory infection), sex, age, smoking behavior, degree of initial dysfunction, and other factors on such change. Methods Well-validated odor identification tests were administered to 542 patients on 2 occasions separated from one another by 3 months to 24 years. Multivariable regression and ,2 analyses assessed the influences of the variables on the longitudinal changes in olfactory test scores. Results On average, smell test scores improved modestly over time. Patient age, severity of initial olfactory loss, and the duration of dysfunction at first testing were significant predictors of the amount of the change. Etiology, sex, time between the two test administrations, and initial smoking behavior were not significant predictors. The percentage of anosmic and microsmic patients exhibiting statistically significant change in function was 56.72 and 42.86%, respectively. However, only 11.31% of anosmic and 23.31% of microsmic patients regained normal age-related function over time. Interpretation Some recovery can be expected in a significant number of patients who experience smell loss. The amount of recovery depends on the degree of initial loss, age, and the duration of loss. Etiology, per se, is not a significant determinant of prognosis, in contrast with what is commonly believed. Ann Neurol 2007 [source] Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaques in Hemodialysis PatientsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 9 2000Radovan Hojs Abstract: Atherosclerosis is accelerated in hemodialysis patients. Using B-mode ultrasonography, we compared intima-media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of plaques in the common carotid and internal carotid arteries in 28 randomly selected hemodialysis patients with that in 28 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The IMT values of the common carotid and internal carotid arteries were higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls with more hemodialysis patients having plaques. In hemodialysis patients, there was a relationship between age and IMT in the common carotid arteries, in the area of bifurcation, and in the internal carotid arteries. We found no relationship between IMT and atherosclerotic risk factors or duration of hemodialysis treatment. IMT at all sites correlated with the number of plaques. Age was the only significant determinant for number of plaques. The results indicate that hemodialysis patients showed advanced atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries compared with age- and sex-matched normal subjects. [source] Elevational gradients in species abundance, assemblage structure and energy use of rainforest birds in the Australian Wet Tropics bioregionAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2010STEPHEN E. WILLIAMS Abstract Elevational patterns of species richness, local abundance and assemblage structure of rainforest birds of north-eastern Australia were explored using data from extensive standardized surveys throughout the region. Eighty-two species of birds were recorded with strong turnover in assemblage structure across the elevational gradient and high levels of regional endemism in the uplands. Both species richness and bird abundance exhibited a humped-shaped pattern with elevation with the highest values being between 600 and 800 m elevation. While much of the variability in species richness could be explained by the species,area relationship, analyses of net primary productivity (NPP) and total daily energy consumption of the bird community (energy use) suggest that ecosystem energy flow or constraints may be a significant determinant of species richness. Species richness is positively correlated with local bird abundance which itself is closely related to total energy use of the bird community. We suggest the hypothesis that lower NPP limits bird abundance and energy use in the uplands (>500 m) and that low bird energy use and species richness in the lowlands is limited by a seasonal bottleneck in available primary productivity and/or a species pool previously truncated by an extinction filter imposed by the almost complete disappearance of rainforest in the lowlands during the glacial maxima. We suggest that some of the previously predicted impacts of global warming on biodiversity in the uplands may be partially ameliorated by increases in NPP because of increasing temperatures. However, these relationships are complex and require further data specifically in regard to direct estimates of primary productivity and detailed estimates of energy flow within the assemblage. [source] Outpatient hysteroscopy: Factors influencing post-procedure acceptability in patients attending a tertiary referral centreAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Kate MCILWAINE Background:, Ambulatory hysteroscopy is a safe, reliable and cost-effective alternative to hysteroscopy under a general anaesthetic for the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Aim:, The objective of this study was to assess which factors influenced patients' willingness to attend for future outpatient hysteroscopy. The outpatient hysteroscopy service commenced at the Mercy Hospital for Women in 2000. It provides women with the opportunity to have the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding diagnosed in an outpatient setting. Methods:, A prospective audit was conducted of 283 women attending for outpatient hysteroscopy at the Mercy Hospital for Women over a period of almost five years (May 2003 through February 2008). Results:, Of the women audited, 88.7% stated that they would accept the procedure in future, whilst 11.3% would not. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to their median visual analogue pain scale (VAS) pain scores during the procedure (3.00 versus 6.50 P < 0.0001) with the higher score in the group who would not re-attend for the procedure. There was also a significant difference between the two groups with respect to the change in median VAS score from pain anticipated to pain experienced (0.00 versus 3.50 P = 0.0001). The rate of unsuccessful procedures was significantly higher (40.6% versus 0.8%P < 0.05) in future non-attendees as well as a higher rate of clinical vasovagal episodes (25% versus 5.2%P = 0.01) in women who stated that they would not re-attend for the procedure. Preprocedure analgesia and type of anaesthetic administered during the procedure did not seem to influence whether women would attend for outpatient hysteroscopy in future. Conclusions:, The acceptability rate for women attending for outpatient hysteroscopy during the audit period was 88.7%. Pain was a significant determinant of procedure acceptability; however, the acceptability rate was not influenced by analgesia or type of anaesthetic administered. [source] Poll Driven Government: A Review of Public Administration in 2001AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 1 2002Narelle Miragliotta The approach of the Howard Coalition government to public administration in 2001 was consistent with the conventional wisdom that governments typically ,play it safe' in an election year. The government's preoccupation with winning a third term in office was a significant determinant of the policy responses of the government on a number of key issues. The events of 2001 serve as a vivid reminder that policy considerations are ultimately subject to the dictates of the electoral cycle. This is the sixth administrative essay publsihed in the journal since the editors resumed the administrative chronicles in 1996. Earlier administrative essays include J Stewart 55(1) 196; S Prasser 56(1) 1997; J Homeshaw 57(3) 1998; J Moon 58(2) 1999; C Broughton and J Chalmers 60(1) 2000. [source] Spleen neoangiogenesis in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasiaBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Giovanni Barosi Summary Neoangiogenesis is an integral component of bone marrow myeloproliferation in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). As extramedullary haematopoiesis is a constitutive feature of MMM, we studied spleen neoangiogenesis by a computerized image analysis in MMM patients. Compared with five normal subjects, spleen CD34-staining capillary vascular density (CVD) was 2·1,3·03 times higher than the upper range of normal in six of the 15 (40%) MMM patients. CD8-staining sinusoidal vascular density (SVD) was constantly normal or lesser than normal and was inversely correlated with CVD (R = ,0·53; P = 0·04). In MMM patients who did not receive cytoreductive or radiation therapy in the month before splenectomy (n = 9), the CVD was a significant determinant of spleen size (R = 0·88; P = 0·04). In MMM patients, the number of spleen CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells was increased from 1·2 to 98 times the upper limit of normal, and predicted the expansion of CVD (R = 0·57; P = 0·03). A population of cells expressing the CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2+ angiopoietic phenotype was present in the blood and spleen of five of seven patients. These results document that neoangiogenesis is an integral component of spleen re-localization of haematopoietic stem cells and suggest a cellular mechanism for spleen neoangiogenesis. [source] The Sensitivity of Canadian Corporate Investment to LiquidityCANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES, Issue 3 2000Sean Cleary This study examines the investment behaviour of 201 Canadian firms over the 1987-94 period and confirms that liquidity is a significant determinant of Canadian corporate investment. Contrary to recent US evidence, the investment-liquidity sensitivity of financially constrained firms is not found to be significantly different from that of unconstrained firms. Surprisingly, partially constrained firms exhibit higher investment-liquidity sensitivity than both constrained and unconstrained firms. The difference from the US results is attributed to the industry structure and closely held nature of Canadian firms. Finally, this study highlights the importance of sample size by demonstrating how sensitive the results can be to the behaviour of a small number of firms. This represents an important observation, since the conclusions of several previous studies are based on small sample results. Résumé Cette étude passe en revue la gestion des investissements de 201 sociétés canadiennes durant les années 1987-94 et confirme que, en ce qui concerne le milieu d'affaires canadien, la liquidité est un facteur important dans la mise de fonds. Contrairement aux données récentes provenant des EU, l'importance de la liquidité des placements chez les maisons de commerce sous con-traintes fiscales ne s'avère pas ,tre très différente de celle chez les maisons sans pareilles contraintes. De façon surprenante, les maisons sous contraintes fiscales partielles démontrent une sensibilité plus accrue à la liquidité des placements que les maisons davantage contraintes, ou encore sans aucune contrainte. L'écart entre ces données et celles provenant des EU s'explique en fonction de l'organisation industrielle et de la plus haute concentration des actionnaires dans les maisons de commerce canadiennes. Enfin, cette étude souligne l'importance de l'ampleur de l'échantillonage en démontrant à quel point les données peuvent varier en fonction d'un nombre restraint de maisons de commerce. Etant donné que les conclusions de plusieurs études précédentes étaient tirées d'échantillonages plus restreints, cette observation gagne en portée. [source] Surgical margins and reresection in the management of patients with soft tissue sarcoma using conservative surgery and radiation therapyCANCER, Issue 10 2003Gunar K. Zagars M.D. Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who present to specialist centers after undergoing apparent macroscopic total resection often have a significant incidence of residual tumor and may benefit from reresection of the tumor bed. The potential benefits of such reresection have not been documented adequately. METHODS The clinicopathologic features and disease outcome for 666 consecutive patients with localized STS who presented after undergoing apparent macroscopic total tumor resection were analyzed to elucidate the relative merits of reresection. Actuarial univariate and multivariate methods were used to compare disease outcome of patients who presented with positive or uncertain microscopic resection margins according to whether they underwent reresection. All patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. RESULTS Two hundred and ninety-five patients underwent reresection of their tumor bed, and residual tumor was found in 136 patients (46%), including macroscopic tumor in 73 patients (28%). Final resection margins among patients who underwent reresection were negative in 257 patients (87%), positive in 35 patients (12%), and uncertain in 3 patients (1%). Patients who did not undergo reresection had final margins that were negative in 117 patients (32%), positive in 47 patients (13%), and uncertain in 207 patients (56%). Local control rates at 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years for patients who underwent reresection were 85%, 85%, and 82%, respectively; for patients who did not undergo reresection, the respective local control rates were 78%, 73%, and 73% (P = 0.03). Reresection remained a significant determinant of local control when other prognostic factors were incorporated into a multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis. A similar beneficial effect of reresection was found for metastasis free survival and disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS Patients with localized STS who were referred to a specialist center after undergoing apparent macroscopic total resection of their tumor had a high incidence of residual tumor in their tumor bed and benefited from undergoing reresection, even if radiation was administered routinely. Cancer 2003;10:2544,53. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11367 [source] The effect of drug eluting stents on cardiovascular events in patients with intermediate lesions and borderline fractional flow reserve,CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 4 2007Shahar Lavi MD Abstract Objective: To assess the role of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in guiding therapy in the drug eluting stent (DES) era. Background: FFR is a useful index for evaluation of the physiological significance of angiographically indeterminate coronary artery lesions. However, its role in the DES era is unknown. Methods: Long term outcome of 281 patients with angiographically indeterminate coronary lesions and borderline FFR (0.75 , FFR < 0.9) was obtained. The outcome of patients who had a DES placed (n = 58), was compared with that of consecutive patients with borderline FFR that were treated by PCI with bare metal stents (BMS, n = 58), or were deferred from revascularization (n = 165). Results: FFR was significantly higher in the deferred group (median and IQR); 0.85 (0.82 to 0.88) compared with the BMS (0.78; 0.76 to 0.82) and the DES (0.79; 0.77 to 0.82), P < 0.001. Pretreatment FFR was a significant determinant of long term event rates in the deferred patients (P = 0.002) but had no effect in patients treated by PCI. In the deferred group, there were fewer events (death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization) compared with the BMS group; but no significant difference was observed between the DES and the deferred groups. Conclusions: In borderline FFR, long term outcome after PCI with BMS is inferior to conservative therapy or PCI with DES. While conservative management is preferable in these patients, PCI with DES may be considered in specific circumstances. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Children's understanding of psychological problems displayed by their peers: a review of the literatureCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2008E. Hennessy Abstract Background There is a widespread consensus in the literature that children who have psychological problems are more likely than other children to be excluded or rejected by their peers. The existence of this phenomenon has been established, primarily with the use of research on their sociometric status within groups of peers. Much less research has been performed on the way in which children develop attitudes and behavioural intentions towards peers with problems. Aims The primary aim of this article is to introduce readers to research on children's understanding of the nature of common childhood psychological problems, with a view to exploring the factors that might contribute to the development of negative attitudes and behaviour. Method Relevant publications were identified through searches of electronic databases and articles in print. Results From the early years of primary school, children are able to identify peers whose behaviour deviates from the norm and to suggest causes for the behaviour of peers with psychological problems. Furthermore, their beliefs about peers' personal responsibility for these problems appear to be a significant determinant of attitudes and behavioural intentions. The article identifies the need for more research on the role of factors such as gender and personal contact in determining children's understanding of, and attitudes towards, peers with psychological problems. In addition, the article calls for more research on mental health education programmes and the extension of these programmes to younger children, given the fact that even young primary school children appear to have beliefs about the causes of psychological problems and negative attitudes to peers who display such problems. Conclusions Research on children's understanding of mental health can make an important contribution to our understanding of why children with problems are so much more likely to be excluded from their peer group. [source] A national evaluation of school breakfast clubs: where does economics fit in?CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2004I. Shemilt Abstract Study objective To describe the economics of UK school breakfast clubs, to estimate costs resulting from clubs and to investigate relationships between costs and outcomes. Design A postal survey of schools with a 1-year follow-up, a cluster randomized controlled trial, case studies, semi-structured interviews with parents and a secondary econometric analysis. Setting England, the UK. Main results Key economic differences were identified between clubs based in primary schools and those based in secondary schools in terms of both funding levels and cost structures. However, funding levels were not a significant determinant of the observed outcomes in either type of school. Conclusions For formal economic evaluation to succeed during implementation of a new initiative, a clearer understanding of relevant outcomes and the distinction between short- and long-term outcomes and potential individual, institutional and societal benefits are required from an early stage. [source] The relationship between serum resistin, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin levels and bone mineral density in middle-aged menCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Ki Won Oh Summary Objective Body weight is a significant predictor of bone mass. Hormonal factors such as sex hormones, insulin, leptin and adiponectin are thought to play a role in the mechanisms controlling the association of body weight and fat mass with bone mass. However, contradictory results have been reported for the association between serum adipocytokines and bone mineral density (BMD). We therefore examined whether the serum adipocytokine and ghrelin levels, markers of fat metabolism, are associated with BMD in male adults. Patients and measurements For 80 male adults (average age 54·5 ± 6·4 years; average body mass index (BMI) 24·4 ± 2·5 kg/m2), the correlations between serum resistin, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin levels with BMD were investigated. Results Among the adipocytokines, serum resistin levels were negatively correlated with lumbar spine BMD (r = ,0·237, P = 0·05). After adjustment was made for age and BMI, log-transformed serum leptin showed a significant negative correlation with lumbar spine BMD, which was not seen on bivariate analysis (r = ,0·237, P = 0·039). Femoral neck BMD was marginally associated only with serum adiponectin levels (r = ,0·226, P = 0·062). In multiple regression analyses, among the adipokines, only resistin was a significant determinant of lumbar spine BMD, although the variance was small (R2 = 0·256). Serum ghrelin levels were not correlated with the BMD of either body site. Conclusions Serum resistin level showed a significant negative correlation with lumbar spine BMD, although the variance was small. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of adipocytokines in bone metabolism. [source] Urban earthquake hazard: perceived seismic risk and preparedness in Dhaka City, BangladeshDISASTERS, Issue 2 2010Bimal Kanti Paul Bangladesh is vulnerable to seismic events. Experts suspect that if an earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude occurred in large cities of Bangladesh, there would be a major human tragedy due to the structural failure of many buildings. The primary objectives of this paper are to examine seismic risk perception among residents of Dhaka City and investigate their levels of earthquake preparedness. A questionnaire survey conducted among 444 residents of the city provided the major source of data for the paper. The survey results suggest that an overwhelming majority of the respondents were not prepared for a major earthquake, which is anticipated to occur in Dhaka. Multivariate analysis of survey data reveals that value of residential unit and respondent educational levels appear as the most significant determinants of preparedness status of the respondents. This study recommends increasing earthquake awareness and preparedness among residents of Dhaka City. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||