bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Placing HIV beyond the metropolis: Risks, mobilities, and health promotion among gay men in the Halifax, Nova Scotia region
Authors: Lewis Nathaniel M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractResearch on HIV/AIDS among gay men in North America has departed from pure disease diffusion models to consider the social and environmental contexts where transmission may take place. Most of this work, however, focuses on large metropolitan areas and operationalizes the concept of place with only some degree of nuance. Large cities—and the bars, bathhouses, and gay villages within them—are often treated as containers of attributes that contribute to and concretize HIV risk. This article therefore seeks to apply a critical, ecological conception of place to understanding HIV risk, education, and prevention among gay men in the small city‐region of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Using in‐depth interviews with HIV/AIDS‐related service providers and self‐identified gay men, the study highlights four dynamics of HIV risk potentially affecting gay men in smaller cities and rural areas: (1) institutional ambivalence toward HIV education and messaging, (2) narrow conceptions of risk, (3) migrations into unfamiliar social and sexual environments, and (4) social and structural barriers to health service utilization.Situer le VIH au‐delà de la métropole : les risques, les mobilités, et la promotion de la santé chez les hommes gais dans la région d'Halifax, Nouvelle‐ÉcosseLes travaux de recherche menés sur le VIH/sida chez les hommes gais en Amérique du Nord ont rompu avec les modèles limités à la diffusion de la maladie afin de tenir compte davantage des contextes sociaux et environnementaux de transmissions possibles. Cependant, ce corpus scientifique est consacré aux grandes régions métropolitaines et applique la notion de lieu de façon peu nuancée. Les grandes villes, les bars, les saunas, et les villages gais qu'on y retrouve sont souvent désignés comme des milieux caractérisés par les attributs qui favorisent et concrétisent le risque de transmission du VIH. S'appuyant sur une conception écologique critique du lieu, cet article a pour objet de mettre en lumière le risque, les programmes d'éducation et la prévention en matière de VIH chez les hommes gais à Halifax, Nouvelle‐Écosse, une ville‐région de petite taille. Au moyen d'entrevues réalisées auprès de fournisseurs de services spécialisés dans le VIH/sida et auprès d'hommes s'étant déclarés gais, l'étude montre combien les dynamiques sociales et institutionnelles particulières ont une influence sur la façon dont les gais de la région conçoivent et se préoccupent du risque de transmission du VIH. Leurs récits mettent en évidence l'ambivalence institutionnelle envers les programmes d'éducation et la communication de messages portant sur le VIH, les négociations individuelles complexes entourant l'identité sexuelle et l'acte sexuel proprement dit, et les obstacles à l'accès aux services de santé sexuelle. Il en ressort un agencement particulier de discours sur le VIH et des risques potentiels que courent les hommes gais dans les petites villes et les autres régions périphériques du Canada.
Aspartate‐modified doxorubicin on its N‐terminal increases drug accumulation in LAT1‐overexpressing tumors
Authors: Wu Weidang , Dong Yan , Gao Jing , Gong Min , Zhang Xing , Kong Weiling , Li Yazhuo , Zeng Yong , Si Duanyun , Wei Zihong , Ci Xiaoyan , Jiang Lixin , Li Wei , Li Quansheng , Yi Xiulin , Liu Changxiao 
Published: April 2015

L‐type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), overexpressed on the membrane of various tumor cells, is a potential target for tumor‐targeting therapy. This study aimed to develop a LAT1‐mediated chemotherapeutic agent. We screened doxorubicin modified by seven different large neutral amino acids. The aspartate‐modified doxorubicin (Asp‐DOX) showed the highest affinity (Km = 41.423 μmol/L) to LAT1. Aspartate was attached to the N‐terminal of DOX by the amide bond with a free carboxyl and a free amino group on the α‐carbon atom of the Asp residue. The product Asp‐DOX was characterized by HPLC/MS. In vitro, Asp‐DOX exerted stronger inhibition on the cancer cells overexpressing LAT1 and the uptake of Asp‐DOX was approximately 3.5‐fold higher than that of DOX in HepG2 cells. Pharmacokinetic data also showed that Asp‐DOX was expressed over a longer circulation time (t1/2 = 49.14 min) in the blood compared to DOX alone (t1/2 = 15.12 min). In HepG2 and HCT116 tumor‐bearing mice, Asp‐DOX achieved 3.1‐fold and 6.4‐fold accumulation of drugs in tumor tissue, respectively, than those of the unmodified DOX. More importantly, treatment of tumor‐bearing mice with Asp‐DOX showed a significantly stronger inhibition of tumor growth than mice treated with free DOX in HepG2 tumor models. Furthermore, after Asp modification, Asp‐DOX avoided MDR mediated by P‐glycoprotein. These results suggested that the Asp‐DOX modified drug may provide a new treatment strategy for tumors that overexpress LAT1 and MDR1.
Show Me the World: Object Categorization and Socially Guided Object Learning in Infancy
Authors: Pauen Sabina , Birgit Träuble , Hoehl Stefanie , Bechtel Sabrina 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHow infants acquire knowledge about animate beings and physical objects has been of interest to developmental psychologists for many years. In this article, we provide evidence suggesting that by 7 months, infants have formed a global animate‐inanimate distinction that seems to be based on previously acquired knowledge. This knowledge may allow infants to analyze triadic social interactions involving another animate being and a physical object in more complex ways. Whereas 3‐ to 4‐month‐olds respond to object‐directed social cues such as eye gaze or facial expressions more or less automatically, 9‐ to 12‐month‐olds seem to integrate social and object knowledge to allocate their attentional resources. Twelve‐month‐olds can even detect person‐specific preferences for an entire category of objects. Based on this evidence, we conclude that infants’ learning about social beings and physical objects is closely related, but changes substantially in preverbal children.
The VCDQ – a Questionnaire for symptom monitoring in vocal cord dysfunction
Authors: Fowler S. J. , Thurston A. , Chesworth B. , Cheng V. , Constantinou P. , Vyas A. , Lillie S. , Haines J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundVocal cord dysfunction (VCD) typically involves abnormal adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration, mimics the symptoms of asthma and leads to the prescription of ineffective medications.ObjectiveWe aimed to develop a clinical tool to monitor symptoms and response to treatment in confirmed VCD.MethodsWe collated symptoms of VCD from focus groups comprising patients and healthcare professionals; phrases describing these symptoms were assessed for face validity and internal correlation and rated for importance. The resultant 12‐item questionnaire (VCDQ) rated the impact of each on a 5‐point Likert scale (total score range 12–60) and was tested for reliability, concurrent validity and performance in 31 patients with endoscopically confirmed VCD (± asthma), 29 asthmatics with no history of VCD and 14 healthy controls. We assessed response to speech and language therapy and the minimal important difference by measuring the VCDQ pre‐ and post‐ therapy in a 20 new patients.ResultsThe VCDQ had excellent test–retest reliability and differentiated VCD vs. healthy (Mann–Whitney U‐test: z = −5.390, P < 0.001) and asthma (z = −5.730, P < 0.001). All patients improved post‐therapy, assessed both by a global rating of change score (GRCS) and by the VCDQ [median (IQR) score pre‐therapy 50.5 (48.0 – 54.8), post‐therapy 35.0 (29.3 – 41.8), P < 0.001]. The minimal important difference in the VCDQ associated with a rating of ‘minimally better’ on the GRCS was 4 points.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe VCDQ is a valid and responsive tool suitable for measuring changes in symptoms in patients with VCD. It also gives insight into which symptoms are important to patients and could guide future therapy refinements. Future assessments of novel therapies for this condition should use an appropriately validated tool such as the VCDQ to measure response.
Association between serum osteocalcin level and visceral obesity in Chinese postmenopausal women
Authors: Luo Yuqi , Ma Xiaojing , Hao Yaping , Xu Yiting , Xiong Qin , Tang Junling , Pan Xiaoping , Xiao Yunfeng , Bao Yuqian , Jia Weiping 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundA low serum osteocalcin level, visceral obesity and postmenopausal status are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease.ObjectiveWe investigated the relationship between the serum osteocalcin level and visceral fat content in a population of Chinese postmenopausal women.Design and patientsIn total, 1481 postmenopausal women (mean age ± standard deviation, 57·1 ± 4·8 years) were selected from the Shanghai Obesity Study.MeasurementsAbdominal fat accumulation was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects with a visceral fat area (VFA) of ≥80 cm2 were classified as abdominally obese. The total serum osteocalcin level was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.ResultsThe median serum osteocalcin level was 20·66 μg/l (interquartile range, 16·88–25·42 μg/l). The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity was 49·1% (n = 727). Abdominally obese subjects had lower serum osteocalcin levels than did nonabdominally obese subjects [19·14 (16·02–23·82) vs 21·97 (18·14–26·77) μg/l, respectively; P < 0·001]. Partial correlation analysis showed that the serum osteocalcin level was still negatively correlated with VFA after adjusting for age, years since menopause and body mass index (P < 0·01). Moreover, VFA was independently associated with the serum osteocalcin level after adjustment for confounding factors (P < 0·05). A low serum osteocalcin level was an independent risk factor for abdominal obesity (odds ratio, 0·972; 95% confidence interval, 0·953–0·991; P = 0·004).ConclusionThe serum osteocalcin level was inversely correlated with the visceral fat content in these Chinese postmenopausal women.
The presence of eye defects in patients with Turner syndrome is irrespective of their karyotype
Authors: Wikiera Beata , Mulak Malgorzata , Koltowska‐Haggstrom Maria , Noczynska Anna 
Published: April 2015

SummaryObjectivePublished data on eye disorders in patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are limited. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of eye disorders in patients with TS and assess the association with patient karyotype.DesignCross‐sectional, observational study.PatientsEighty‐two patients with TS.MeasurementsWe evaluated visual acuity (distance and proximity), intraocular pressure, optic system refraction, orthoposition, frontal eye segment, the eye fundus and colour vision. For eye fundus abnormalities, we conducted ultrasound examinations, visual field evaluations and fluorescein angiography. We statistically tested the association between the prevalence of eye disorders and karyotype.Results50 (61%) patients had monosomy X; 9 (11%) had mosaicism with a normal 46,XX line; 21 (26%) had structural aberrations; and 2 patients (2%) had other chromosomal abnormalities. Eye disorders were diagnosed in 43 (52%) patients, with 29 (35%) patients having multiple eye defects. Defects related to impaired vision were the most common (44%), followed by strabismus (21%), changes in the posterior eye segment (6%), red‐green colour deficiency (5%), changes in the anterior eye segment (5%) and nystagmus (4%). Amblyopia was diagnosed in 13 patients (16%). The most common combinations of ophthalmological defects were hypermetropia and astigmatism with or without other eye problems (12 patients). We found no association between the presence of eye defects and karyotype.ConclusionsDetection of eye abnormalities is necessary in all patients directly after being diagnosed with TS to prevent irreversible deterioration of eye function and permanent poor vision. All girls with TS, irrespective of their karyotype, should be referred to an ophthalmologist.
Immunohistochemistry for CD117 (KIT) is effective in distinguishing cutaneous adnexal tumors with apocrine/eccrine or sebaceous differentiation from other epithelial tumors of the skin
Authors: Goto Keisuke 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CD117 immunostaining for diagnosing cutaneous adnexal tumors, which has not been previously established.MethodsCD117 immunostaining was performed on representative sections of 87 clinicopathologically confirmed cutaneous apocrine/eccrine tumors, 13 sebaceous tumors, 52 follicular tumors, 55 keratinocytic tumors, 24 metastatic tumors of the skin of known origin and 1 mammary Paget disease. Staining of 5–50% of cells was considered focally positive, and staining of 51–100% of cells was considered diffusely positive. Staining intensity was semi‐quantitatively graded as weak, moderate or strong.ResultsA total of 82 (94.3%) tumors with apocrine/eccrine differentiation were CD117‐positive, whereas one mucinous carcinoma, one apocrine carcinoma, and three primary cutaneous extramammary Paget diseases were CD117‐negative. For most positive cases, staining was diffuse (64/82 cases) and moderate to strong in intensity (74/82). Twelve (92.3%) sebaceous tumors were CD117‐positive, showing mainly focal (9/12) and weak (7/12) positivity. Of the 52 follicular tumors, all 4 cases of pilomatricoma and other 5 tumors were positive for CD117. Of the 55 keratinocytic tumors, only 2 cases were CD117‐positive. The 24 metastatic tumors and mammary Paget disease were CD117‐negative.ConclusionsCD117 may be useful for the differential diagnosis of cutaneous adnexal tumors.
Methoxetamine: An early report on the motivations for use, effect profile and prevalence of use in a UK clubbing sample
Authors: Winstock Adam R. , Lawn Will , Deluca Paolo , Borschmann Rohan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsTo assess the prevalence of use and subjective effect profile of methoxetamine among a group of polydrug users.Design and MethodsCross‐sectional, anonymous, online survey of UK‐based polydrug users was conducted. Prevalence of lifetime, last year and last month use, sourcing of the drugs, motivations for use, and subjective effect and risk profile compared with that of ketamine were measured.ResultsThere were 7700 UK‐based polydrug users, of whom 326 reported recent use of methoxetamine. Of the whole sample, 4.2% reported last 12 month use of methoxetamine compared with 24.5% for ketamine. The most common route of use was intranasal and the predominate effect described as psychedelic. Of the 15.5% of last year users of ketamine reporting last year use of methoxetamine, only 18.7% reported that they thought methoxetamine was less damaging to their kidneys or bladder than ketamine. Its broad effect profile, based on participants' first experience of use, was very similar to that of ketamine. Almost one‐third of users reported that they did not intend to try the drug again.Discussion and ConclusionsMethoxetamine appears to have a broadly similar effect profile to that of ketamine. Only a minority of participants were motivated to use it because they believed it was less damaging to their kidneys or bladder than ketamine. The impact of the recent temporary banning order on availability and use of both methoxetamine and ketamine should be monitored carefully. [Winstock AR, Lawn W, Deluca P, Borschmann R. Methoxetamine: An early report on the motivations for use, effect profile and prevalence of use in a UK clubbing sample. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:212–7]
Prevalence and correlates of neck injection among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Rafful Claudia , Wagner Karla D. , Werb Dan , González‐Zúñiga Patricia E. , Verdugo Silvia , Rangel Gudelia , Strathdee Steffanie A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsInjecting drugs in the neck has been related to adverse health conditions such as jugular vein thrombosis, deep neck infections, aneurysm, haematomas, airway obstruction, vocal cord paralysis and wound botulism, among others. We identified prevalence and correlates of neck injection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, Mexico.Design and MethodsBeginning in 2011, PWID aged ≥18 years who injected drugs within the last month were recruited into a prospective cohort. At baseline and semi‐annually, PWID completed interviewer‐administered surveys soliciting data on drug‐injecting practices. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of injecting in the neck as the most frequent injection site at a single visit.ResultsOf 380 PWID, 35.3% injected in the neck at least once in the past 6 months, among whom 71.6% reported it as their most common injection site, the most common injecting site after the arms (47%). Controlling for age, years injecting and injecting frequency, injecting heroin and methamphetamine two or more times per day and having sought injection assistance were associated with injecting in the neck [adjusted odds ratios (AOR): 2.12; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.27–3.53 and AOR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.52–4.53 respectively].Discussion and ConclusionsInjecting in the neck was very common among PWID in Tijuana and was associated with polydrug use and seeking injection assistance. Tailoring harm reduction education interventions for individuals who provide injection assistance (‘hit doctors’) may allow for the dissemination of safe injecting knowledge to reduce injection‐related morbidity and mortality. [Rafful C, Wagner KD, Werb D, González‐Zúñiga PE, Verdugo S, Rangel G, Strathdee SA. Prevalence and correlates of neck injection among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:630–6]
Prevalence of illicit substance use among Arab adults in Israel: Findings from a national survey
Authors: Lawental Maayan , Shoham Meyrav , Ron Pnina , Azaiza Faisal 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThe aim of this study was to examine illicit psychoactive substance use rates among adult Arabs in Israel.Design and MethodsCross‐sectional survey of 1200 Arab adults recruited nationwide via cluster sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire was conducted.ResultsFourteen percent of respondents reporting illegal substance use with increased odds of use among males and those who were secular/not religious.Discussion and ConclusionsThese findings show for the first time the extent of illegal substance use among Arab adults in Israel and suggest the possibility for targeted interventions in certain population groups. [Lawental M, Shoham M, Ron P, Azaiza F. Prevalence of illicit substance use among Arab adults in Israel: Findings from a national survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:660–2]
Screening for hazardous alcohol use among university students using individual questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption
Authors: Blank Mei‐Ling , Connor Jennie , Gray Andrew , Tustin Karen 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAbbreviated versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) instrument have not been investigated among students. We compared a modified second item (AUDIT‐2*) (typical quantity per occasion as the number of drinks, rather than categorical responses) and the third item (AUDIT‐3) (heavy episodic drinking frequency) with AUDIT‐C scores and described their associations with sociodemographic variables.Design and MethodsWe analysed cross‐sectional data from the 2011 baseline of the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand, including respondents aged up to 25 years (n = 5082, response rate 65%). Hazardous drinking was defined as an AUDIT‐C score of seven or greater for men and five or greater for women. We calculated the area under receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for the AUDIT‐2* and AUDIT‐3. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to describe the associations between drinking patterns and sociodemographic factors.ResultsBased on the sex‐specific AUDIT‐C cut‐points, 36% of participants reported drinking at hazardous levels. For the AUDIT‐2*, the best combination of sensitivity and specificity was obtained for a cut‐point of five standard drinks. The best cut‐point for the AUDIT‐3 was for monthly heavy episodic drinking. Positive and negative predictive values were above 0.80 for both cut‐points. Consumption was associated with age, degree level, domestic/international status, accommodation type, relationship status and employment.Discussion and ConclusionsThe AUDIT‐2* and the AUDIT‐3 appear to be promising standalone screening items for detecting hazardous drinking in this population of heavy‐drinking students. [Blank M‐L, Connor J, Gray A, Tustin K. Screening for hazardous alcohol use among university students using individual questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:540–8]
Lamellar pathology in horses with pituitarypars intermediadysfunction
Authors: Karikoski N. P. , Patterson‐Kane J. C. , Singer E. R. , McFarlane D. , McGowan C. M. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyHoof lamellar pathology in horses with pituitarypars intermediadysfunction (PPID) has not been described previously.ObjectivesTo describe the histomorphometry and pathological lesions in hoof lamellar tissue of animals that hadPPIDwith or without concurrent laminitis, with reference to age‐matched controls. We hypothesised that lamellar lesions consistent with laminitis would be associated withPPID, even in animals without current or historical laminitis.Study designProspective case–control study.MethodsMid‐dorsal hoof histological sections were obtainedpost mortemfrom the forelimbs of 16PPID‐affected animals either with (n = 6) or without laminitis (n = 10) and 10 age‐ and breed‐matched controls. Sections were examined by a blinded veterinary pathologist. The length and width of 10 primary epidermal lamellae were measured using image analysis software. The morphology and pathology of primary and secondary epidermal lamellae were then typed or graded in axial, middle and abaxial regions. Fasting serum insulin, plasma adrenocorticotropin and blood glucose concentration were measured from blood samples taken prior to euthanasia.ResultsAll animals withPPIDand laminitis had fasting hyperinsulinaemia (median 74.1 miu/l, interquartile range 49.9–349.5 miu/l) whereasPPIDanimals without laminitis had serum insulin concentrations below the upper limit of the reference range (<20 miu/l). Lamellar pathology inPPIDanimals with laminitis was variable in severity and unrelated to the reported duration of laminitis (range 2 months–5 years). Most lesions were located abaxially within the lamellar tissue and included increased length and width of the lamellae, chronic abnormal keratinisation, interlamellar epidermal bridging and cell death with more acute lamellar tearing in some cases. The lamellae ofPPIDanimals without laminitis were normal referent to the relevant control group.ConclusionsWhetherPPIDand hyperinsulinaemia have a causal inter‐relationship or not, it may only be the hyperinsulinaemia that is associated with lamellar morphological alteration and pathology consistent with laminitis.