bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy
Authors: Nik Jaafar Nik Ruzyanei , Mislan Noormazita , Abdul Aziz Salina , Baharudin Azlin , Ibrahim Normala , Midin Marhani , Das Srijit , Sidi Hatta 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
While methadone effectively treats opiate dependence, the side effect of erectile dysfunction (ED) may interfere with treatment adherence and benefits.

Aim
To determine the rate of ED and the associated factors which predict ED in male patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in a Malaysian population.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures were the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Methods
A total of 108 participants diagnosed with heroin dependence were assessed. We used the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders (SCID-I) on subjects who received MMT, and they were assessed using the IIEF-15, the BDI, and measures of other clinical and sociodemographic variables.

Results
The rate of ED among men on MMT was 68.5% (mild ED, 36.1%; mild to moderate ED, 22.2%; severe ED, 3.7%). The mean age of the participants was 43.45 years. Older age (P = 0.002), concurrent illicit heroin use (P = 0.024), and having an older partner (P = 0.039) were significantly associated with ED. Following multivariate analysis, it was found that older age was the only significant predictor of ED, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.07 (95% CI = 1.02–1.16). Methadone dose and duration of methadone treatment were not significantly associated with ED.

Conclusion
ED was highly prevalent among male patients on MMT. This suggests that there is a need for routine assessment of sexual function in patients on methadone. Among the risk factors, age was the only factor that was significantly associated with ED. The current use of MMT in Malaysia in terms of dosage and duration did not pose a significant risk for ED.
Surgical Management of Penile Fracture and Long-Term Outcome on Erectile Function and Voiding
Authors: Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Dorstewitz Annika , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Herkommer Kathleen , Zantl Niko 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Penile fracture is an emergency in urology. Surgical management is recommended, but objective data of postoperative long-term effects, especially regarding voiding and erectile function, vary.

Aim
To assess long-term results of patients undergoing surgical therapy for penile fracture.

Methods
Patients presenting with suspicion of penile fracture were included in this study. Diagnosis of penile fracture was made by clinical assessment and surgery performed thereafter. The defect of the tunica albuginea was closed by absorbable suture. In case of concomitant urethral lesion, the defect was repaired simultaneously. Voiding and erectile function were evaluated at long-term follow-up by mail. Patients' status before penile fracture was assessed retroactively.

Main Outcome Measures
Erectile function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire and voiding function by the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire.

Results
N = 34 patients were included. Penile fracture was suspected in 28/34 (82.4%) patients. Twenty-six of the 28 (92.9%) patients underwent surgery. Only less than half of confirmed fracture patients presented with the classical triad of an audible crack, detumescense, and hematoma. Fourteen of the 26 (53.8%) patients after surgery were available for follow-up. Mean follow-up was 45.6 months (range: 3.6–128.4). In 13/14 (92.9%) patients, penile fracture was confirmed by surgery. At follow-up, 7/13 (53.8%) patients had impaired erectile function, with 3/13 (23.1%) patients needing medical treatment. Four of the 13 (30.8%) patients showed deterioration of voiding including occurrence of urethral fistula.

Conclusions
Penile fracture is an emergency for which surgery should be offered. Clinical suspicion of fracture should be high even with hematoma alone. Concomitant urethral injury is common, particularly with bilateral corporal rupture and/or initial hematuria. Preoperative counseling should include discussion of long-term erectile and voiding dysfunction, penile deformity, and urethral fistula both with and without surgery. Close patient follow-up is required.
Bang‐Bang Model for Regulation of Local Blood Flow
Authors: Golub Aleksander S. , Pittman Roland N. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe classical model of metabolic regulation of blood flow in muscle tissue implies the maintenance of basal tone in arterioles of resting muscle and their dilation in response to exercise and/or tissue hypoxia via the evoked production of vasodilator metabolites by myocytes. A century‐long effort to identify specific metabolites responsible for explaining active and reactive hyperemia has not been successful. Furthermore, the metabolic theory is not compatible with new knowledge on the role of physiological radicals (e.g., nitric oxide, NO, and superoxide anion, O2−) in the regulation of microvascular tone. We propose a model of regulation in which muscle contraction and active hyperemia are considered the physiologically normal state. We employ the “bang‐bang” or “on/off” regulatory model which makes use of a threshold and hysteresis; a float valve to control the water level in a tank is a common example of this type of regulation. Active bang‐bang regulation comes into effect when the supply of oxygen and glucose exceeds the demand, leading to activation of membrane NADPH oxidase, release of O2− into the interstitial space and subsequent neutralization of the interstitial NO. Switching arterioles on/off when local blood flow crosses the threshold is realized by a local cell circuit with the properties of a bang‐bang controller, determined by its threshold, hysteresis, and dead‐band. This model provides a clear and unambiguous interpretation of the mechanism to balance tissue demand with a sufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Elicits Systemic Inflammation Associated with Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction
Authors: Close Taylor E. , Cepinskas Gediminas , Omatsu Tatsushi , Rose Keeley L. , Summers Kelly , Patterson Eric K. , Fraser Douglas D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if the DKA‐induced inflammation in juvenile mice provokes activation and dysfunction of CVECs.MethodsDKA in juvenile mice was induced with administration of STZ and ALX. Blood from DKA mice was assessed for cytokines and soluble cell adhesion proteins, and either DKA plasma or exogenous compounds were applied to immortalized bEND3.ResultsDKA increased circulating levels of IL‐6, IL‐8(KC), MCP‐1, IL‐10, sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1, and sVCAM‐1. Stimulation of bEND3 with DKA plasma caused cellular activation (increased ROS and activation of NF‐κΒ), upregulation of a proadhesive phenotype (E‐selectin, ICAM‐1, and VCAM‐1), and increased leukocyte‐bEND3 interaction (leukocyte rolling/adhesion). TEER, a measure of bEND3 monolayer integrity, was decreased by DKA plasma. Activation and dysfunction of bEND3 with DKA plasma were suppressed by plasma heat treatment (56°C, 1 hour) and replicated with the application of DKA recombinant cytomix (IL‐6, IL‐8[KC], MCP‐1, and IL‐10), implicating circulating inflammatory protein(s) as mediators. Treatment of bEND3 with β‐OH‐butyrate, the main ketone elevated in DKA, failed to mimic the DKA plasma–induced activation and dysfunction of bEND3.ConclusionsDKA elicits systemic inflammation associated with CVEC activation and dysfunction, possibly contributing to DKA‐associated intracranial microvascular complications.
A nonribosomal peptide synthetase mediates siderophore production and virulence in the citrus fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata
Authors: Chen Li‐Hung , Lin Ching‐Hsuan , Chung Kuang‐Ren 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAlternaria species produce and excrete dimethyl coprogen siderophores to acquire iron. The Alternaria alternata gene AaNPS6, encoding a polypeptide analogous to fungal nonribosomal peptide synthetases, was found to be required for the production of siderophores and virulence on citrus. Siderophores purified from culture filtrates of the wild‐type strain did not induce any phytotoxicity on the leaves of citrus. Fungal strains lacking AaNPS6 produced little or no detectable extracellular siderophores and displayed an increased sensitivity to H2O2, superoxide‐generating compounds (KO2 and menadione) and iron depletion. Δnps6 mutants were also defective for the production of melanin and conidia. The introduction of a wild‐type AaNPS6 under the control of its endogenous promoter to a Δnps6 null mutant at least partially restored siderophore production and virulence to citrus, demonstrating a functional link between iron uptake and fungal pathogenesis. Elevated sensitivity to H2O2, seen for the Δnps6 null strain could be relieved by exogenous application of ferric iron. The expression of the AaNPS6 gene was highly up‐regulated under low‐iron conditions and apparently controlled by the redox‐responsive yeast transcriptional regulator YAP1. Hence, the maintenance of iron homeostasis via siderophore‐mediated iron uptake also plays an important role in resistance to toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results demonstrate further the critical role of ROS detoxification for the pathogenicity of A. alternata in citrus.
Experimentally observed soft‐tissue preservation near a marine brine seep
Authors: Deline Bradley , Parsons‐Hubbard Karla M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA sea urchin placed on the sea floor near an active brine seep was recovered after 13 years with detailed soft‐tissue preservation. Growth of an amorphous calcium carbonate solid with small amounts of the mineral bassanite occurred on the spines and test. The solid also exhibits striations at both the macro‐ and microscopic scales that preserve the muscle texture of the sea urchin. Such soft‐tissue replacement and mineralization could lead to exquisite fossilization. Soft‐tissue mineralization has been previously replicated in controlled laboratory conditions; however, this is the first report of the lithologic replication of soft tissues in an open marine experiment. Examples of extraordinary fossil preservation, or Lagersätten, give a distinct snapshot of the past and have led to a greater understanding of the history of life. Soft‐tissue lithification occurs in special circumstances in which local chemical conditions (often mediated by decay or bacterial factors) promote early diagenetic mineralization, the first steps of which are observed in this instance. The preservation of articulated skeletons, especially within echinoderms, is normally attributed to rapid burial, but that may not be necessary given that this urchin was at or very near the sediment–water interface for 13 years.
Genetic analysis and fine mapping of tms9, a novel thermosensitive genic male‐sterile gene in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sheng Zhonghua , Wei Xiangjin , Shao Gaoneng , Chen Mingliang , Song Jian , Tang Shaoqing , Luo Ju , Hu Yichao , Hu Peisong , Chen Liyun 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTwo‐line hybrid rice as a novel hybrid breeding method has huge potential for yield increasing and utilization of intersubspecific heterosis, and it is of major significance for the food security of rice‐consuming populations. Zhu1S is a thermosensitive genic male‐sterile line of rice with low critical temperature and excellent combining ability, which has been widely exploited as a female parent in Chinese two‐line hybrid rice breeding. Here, genetic mapping in F2 populations was used to show that its male sterility is inherited as a single recessive gene and that responsible gene (termed tms9) lies on the short arm of chromosome 2. A high‐resolution linkage analysis which was based on the Zhu1S/R173 F2 population found that the thermosensitive genic male‐sterile gene tms9 of Zhu1S was fine mapped between insertion–deletion (Indel) markers Indel 37 and Indel 57, and the genetic distance from the tms9 to the two markers was 0.12 and 0.31 cM, respectively. The physical distance between the two markers was about 107.2 kb. Sequence annotation databases showed that the two Indel markers (Indel 37 and Indel 57) were located on two BAC clones (B1307A11 and P0027A02). There are sixteen open reading frames (ORF) present in this region. The results of this study are of great significance for further cloning tms9 and molecular marker–assisted selection.
Persistent mental health disturbances during the 10 years after a disaster: Four‐wave longitudinal comparative study
Authors: van der Velden Peter G. , Wong Albert , Boshuizen Hendriek C. , Grievink Linda 
Published: February 2013

AimAlthough some studies have examined the long‐term effects of disasters, very little is known about severe persistent symptoms following disasters. The aim of the present study was to examine persistent mental health problems and to what extent disaster exposure predicts long‐term persistent disturbances.MethodsFollowing a major disaster, a four‐wave study was conducted (surveys 2–3 weeks, 18 months, 4 years and 10 years after the event) that examined severe post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology (Impact of Event Scale), anxiety and depression symptoms and sleeping problems (Symptom Check List‐90‐R), and use of physician‐prescribed tranquilizers. Participants were affected adult Dutch native residents (n = 1083). At wave 2 and 3, a control group participated (n = 694). At wave 1, severity of disaster exposure was examined. Multiple imputation was used to target the problem of missing data across surveys due to non‐response such as in the fourth wave (61%).ResultsIn total, 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.1–8.2) developed persistent PTSD symptoms during the 10 years after the event. For anxiety, depression, sleeping problems these prevalences were 3.8% (95%CI: 2.7–5.0), 6.2% (95%CI: 4.7–7.6) and 4.8% (95%CI: 3.5–6.1) respectively. In total 1.3% (95%CI: 0.6–2.0) used tranquilizers at all waves. Approximately one out of 10 with severe symptoms 2–3 weeks after the event, developed persistent symptoms. Even in the long term, affected residents compared to controls had more often chronic anxiety symptoms and sleeping problems. High disaster exposure independently predicted persistent PTSD symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR], 4.20; 95%CI: 2.02–8.74, P < 0.001), anxiety (adj. OR, 3.43; 95%CI: 1.28–9.20, P < 0.01), depression symptoms (adj. OR, 2.95; 95%CI: 1.26–6.93, P < 0.01), and sleeping problems (adj. OR, 3.74; 95%CI: 1.56–8.95, P < 0.001).ConclusionPost‐disaster mental health care should (also) target persistent mental health disturbances in the long term, especially PTSD, anxiety, depression symptoms, and sleeping problems. High disaster exposure may be an early marker for risk of persistent symptoms.
Coexistence of Congenital Giant Melanocytic Nevus of the Scalp with Cranial Defect, Poliosis, and Hair Loss
Authors: Lee Woo J. , Lee Sang M. , Won Chong H. , Chang Sung E. , Lee Mi W. , Choi Jee H. , Moon Kee C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCongenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are pigmented lesions presenting on the skin in approximately 1% of all newborns at or shortly after birth. CMN have been described as being associated with several anomalies, including cranial bone hypertrophy, scoliosis, and spina bifida. This is the first report to describe a giant congenital melanocytic nevus on the scalp associated with cranial involvement, poliosis, and alopecia.
Recanalization of post‐transplant late‐onset long segmental portal vein thrombosis with bidirectional transhepatic and transmesenteric approach
Authors: Nosaka Shunsuka , Isobe Yoshinori , Kasahara Mureo , Miyazaki Osamu , Sakamoto Seisuke , Uchida Hajime , Shigeta Takanobu , Masaki Hidekazu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPV complications are the most frequent vascular complications in pediatric LT. We have experienced a case with chronic postoperative PVT that necessitates combined transhepatic and transmesenteric approach and have confirmed mid‐term patency. An eight‐yr‐old boy had successful LDLT with a left lateral segment graft at the age of two months for HBV‐related acute liver failure. Seven years after transplantation, the patient suddenly showed a melena with hypovolemic shock. Doppler ultrasound and CT revealed intrahepatic bile duct dilatation and main PVT with collateral formation at hepatic hilus and mesenterium of the Roux‐en‐Y jejunal loop. Urgent splenic artery embolization was performed to control the bleeding and was temporarily effective. Therefore, recanalization of PVO was attempted. Because of long segmental PVO and steep angle between the intrahepatic PV and the portal trunk, bidirectional transhepatic and transmesenteric approach was selected and resulted in deploying three metallic stents necessitating additional infusion thrombolytic therapy. The patient is now followed as an outpatient with patent stents for two yr since the procedure. For the rescue of these patients, recanalization of obstructed PV trunk with bidirectional approach would be feasible with better graft survival and less invasiveness than conventional surgical interventions.
PDT Dose Parameters Impact Tumoricidal Durability and Cell Death Pathways in a 3D Ovarian Cancer Model
Authors: Rizvi Imran , Anbil Sriram , Alagic Nermina , Celli Jonathan P. , Zheng Lei Zak , Palanisami Akilan , Glidden Michael D. , Pogue Brian W. , Hasan Tayyaba 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe successful implementation of photodynamic therapy (PDT)‐based regimens depends on an improved understanding of the dosimetric and biological factors that govern therapeutic variability. Here, the kinetics of tumor destruction and regrowth are characterized by systematically varying benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD)‐light combinations to achieve fixed PDT doses (M × J cm−2). Three endpoints were used to evaluate treatment response: (1) Viability evaluated every 24 h for 5 days post‐PDT; (2) Photobleaching assessed immediately post‐PDT; and (3) Caspase‐3 activation determined 24 h post‐PDT. The specific BPD‐light parameters used to construct a given PDT dose significantly impact not only acute cytotoxic efficacy, but also treatment durability. For each dose, PDT with 0.25 μM BPD produces the most significant and sustained reduction in normalized viability compared to 1 and 10 μM BPD. Percent photobleaching correlates with normalized viability for a range of PDT doses achieved within BPD concentrations. To produce a cytotoxic response with 10 μM BPD that is comparable to 0.25 and 1 μM BPD a reduction in irradiance from 150 to 0.5 mW cm−2 is required. Activated caspase‐3 does not correlate with normalized viability. The parameter‐dependent durability of outcomes within fixed PDT doses provides opportunities for treatment customization and improved therapeutic planning.
Influence of the FecXR Allele in Heterozygous Ewes on Follicular Population and Outcomes of IVP and ET using LOPU‐Derived Oocytes
Authors: Lahoz B , Alabart JL , Folch J , Sánchez P , Echegoyen E , Cocero MJ 
Published: February 2013

ContentsEwes heterozygous for the FecXR allele (R+) in the bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) gene display increased ovulation rate and prolificacy. Besides this phenotypic advantage, the influence of the FecXR allele on follicle number and size, oocyte competence and in vitro production (IVP) remains undefined. With these aims, 8 R+ and 8 wild‐type (++) ewes were subjected to 2 laparoscopic ovum pick‐up (LOPU) trials (four sessions per trial; two with and two without FSH) and subsequent IVP and fresh embryo transfer. All follicles >3 mm were punctured (n = 1673). Genotype did not significantly affect the number of punctured follicles per ewe and session (10.4 and 10.2 in R+ and ++ untreated ewes, 17.4 and 14.3 in R+ and ++ FSH‐treated ewes, respectively), but follicular diameter of R+ ewes was significantly reduced compared with ++ ewes (−0.2 mm in untreated and −0.8 mm in FSH‐treated ewes; p < 0.01). R+ ewes showed higher recovery rate and increased numbers of total and suitable cumulus–oocyte complexes for in vitro maturation (IVM). Similar rates of day 8 blastocysts were observed in R+ (36.1%, 147/407) and ++ (32.6%, 100/307) ewes, but the final output of day 8 blastocysts per ewe and session was higher in R+ ewes (+0.75; p < 0.005), without differences in survival rate at birth of the transferred embryos (40.4%, 21/52 vs 36.4%, 16/44, respectively). In conclusion, a higher number of oocytes proven to be competent for in vitro development and embryo survival after transfer are recovered from R+ ewes, despite the lower mean size of their follicles at puncture.
A Long‐Term Comparison of Hydrology and Plant Community Composition in Constructed Versus Naturally Occurring Vernal Pools
Authors: Collinge Sharon K. , Ray Chris , Marty Jaymee T. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSuccessful restoration of ephemeral wetlands worldwide is particularly challenging, given the often‐precise relationship between hydrological features and plant community dynamics. Using a long‐term experiment in vernal pool restoration, we compare hydrological and vegetative characteristics of constructed pools with those of adjacent, naturally occurring reference pools. Although constructed and reference pools were similar in maximum water depth and duration of inundation at the beginning of our experiment in 2000, constructed pools were shallower and inundated for shorter periods by 2009. Native vernal pool species were able to establish populations in many constructed pools, and seeding sped their establishment. Comparing seeded plots in constructed pools with unseeded plots in reference pools, we found no significant difference in the cover of seeded species, native species, or exotic species in most years. In recent years, however, native species have declined in both constructed and reference pools. Finally, the cover of native vernal pool species was positively and non‐linearly associated with both water depth and seeding treatment. We conclude that the establishment of appropriate hydrological conditions was necessary, but not sufficient to promote successful performance of vernal pool species in constructed pools. Constructed pools with hydrologic conditions similar to those of reference pools were more likely to support populations of native vernal pool plant species, but only seeded pools were similar to reference pools in abundance of native cover. Most importantly, hydrological conditions in experimental pools have worsened since their construction, which may hamper persistence of native species in this restoration effort.
The Arabidopsis leaf provascular cell transcriptome is enriched in genes with roles in vein patterning
Authors: Gandotra Neeru , Coughlan Sean J. , Nelson Timothy 
Published: February 2013

SummarySeveral classes of genes have been associated, by mutant phenotypes or cell biology, with the formation of vein patterns during early leaf development, including genes for certain transcription factors, auxin transport and response factors, endomembrane traffic components and other signaling pathway components. The majority of these are expressed with spatial and temporal specificity that includes expression in the precursors of vascular cells – provascular (PV) and procambial (PC) cells – suggesting that other PV/PC‐specific genes might have roles in vein patterning. We inventoried the PV/PC transcriptome of Arabidopsis leaves using a combination of laser microdissection and microarray expression profiling, and determined the phenotypes of knock‐outs of previously uncharacterized PV/PC‐specific genes. As examples, we observed vein pattern defects in knock‐out lines of KEG and a CCCH zinc finger protein. This strategy of gene discovery, based on the identification of a gene set co‐expressed in the same cells during the targeted developmental event, appears to be an efficient means of identifying genes functionally relevant to the event. In the case of vein patterning, this strategy would have identified many or most of the genes previously obtained by labor‐intensive screening for pattern‐defective mutants.