bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ejaculation Profiles of Men Following Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Sullivan John F. , Stember Doron S. , Deveci Serkan , Akin-Olugbade Yemi , Mulhall John P. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Objectives
Radical prostatectomy (RP) is associated with anejaculation, which for some men is a source of bother and sexual dissatisfaction. Clinical experience has shown us some men after pelvic radiation therapy (RT) also experience anejaculation. This analysis was conducted to define the ejaculation profiles of men after RT for prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods
As a routine part of the sexual health evaluation for post-RT patients, men provided information regarding their ejaculatory function and orgasm. Analysis was conducted of a sexual medicine database reviewing demographic data, PCa factors, erectile, ejaculatory, and orgasmic function. Men with prior history of RP, cryotherapy, focal therapies, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were excluded. Patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire at follow-up visits commencing with the first posttreatment visit and specific attention was paid to the IIEF orgasm domain.

Results
Three hundred and sixty-four consecutive patients were included. Two hundred and fifty-two patients had external beam, and 112 patients had brachytherapy (BT). Mean age was 64 ± 11 (42–78) years and mean follow-up after RT was 6 ± 4.5 years. Mean prostate size at time of RT was 42 ± 21 g. Of the entire population, 72% lost the ability to ejaculate in an antegrade fashion after prostate RT by their last visit. The proportion experiencing anejaculation at 1, 3, and 5 years after RT was 16%, 69%, and 89%, respectively. For men with at least two IIEF questionnaires completed, the orgasm domain scores decreased dramatically over the follow-up period; orgasm domain scores (0–10): &lt;12 months post-RT 7.4, 13–24 months 5.4, 25–36 months 3.2, &gt;36 months 2.8 (P &lt; 0.01). Multivariable analysis identified several factors predictive of failure to ejaculate: older age, ADT, RT dose &gt; 100 Gy, and smaller prostates at the time of RT.

Conclusions
The vast majority of men after prostate RT will experience anejaculation and should be counseled accordingly prior to undergoing therapy. We have identified predictive factors.
Hospital mortality over time in patients with specific complications of cirrhosis
Authors: Vergara Mercedes , Clèries Montse , Vela Emili , Bustins Montserrat , Miquel Mireia , Campo Rafael 
Published: February 2013

AbstractHospital mortality secondary to cirrhosis is high.AimTo evaluate hospital mortality in patients admitted for specific complications of cirrhosis over time.Material and methodsRegistry‐data from Administrative Inpatient Dataset of acute care hospitals were collected at discharge from 2003 to 2010. Inclusion criteria were as follows: hospital admissions where one of the diagnoses was cirrhosis and the reason for admission was a specific complication of cirrhosis (ascites, encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome and haemorrhage from varices, bacterial spontaneous peritonitis). Analysis of variance was used for comparisons of quantitative variables and Chi‐square for qualitative variables. Logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors associated with hospital mortality; the Hosmer and Lemeshow test was applied to evaluate calibration and the ROC curve for discrimination respectively.ResultsA total of 12,671 hospital admissions were analysed; 67.7% were men. Mean hospitalization stay was 10.9 (SD 9.2) days and the most frequent causes were encephalopathy (44.2%) and ascites (30.9%). Global hospital mortality was 11.6%. Logistic regression showed that once all factors had been adjusted, hepatorenal syndrome conveyed the highest risk for death (49.2%; OR = 8.1(95%CI:6.6–9.9). Risk of death was also increased by associated comorbidities and older age. Hospital mortality in the period 2006–2010 was 27% inferior to the period 2003–2005. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.77 (95%CI 0.76–0.78).ConclusionsHospital mortality as a result of specific complications of cirrhosis is high, but has been declining in recent years.
Equine alopecia areata: a retrospective clinical descriptive study at the University of California, Davis (1980–2011)
Authors: Hoolahan Danielle E. , White Stephen D. , Outerbridge Catherine A. , Shearer Patrick L. , Affolter Verena K. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundAlopecia areata (AA) causes hair loss due to inflammatory changes within and around hair bulbs and lower portions of the hair follicles. Documentation of AA in horses is limited to a few case reports.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this retrospective study was to characterize equine AA by describing patterns in age, sex, breed and lesion distribution in a series of cases. An attempt was made to characterize the long‐term course of the disease by surveying owners of affected horses.AnimalsComputerized records from 1 January 1980 to 1 July 2011 yielded 15 horses.MethodsDescriptive statistics were calculated for age at presentation, breed, sex, dermatological signs, season when diagnosed and any recurrence of AA. The breed and sex distribution of horses with AA was compared with the equine hospital population during the study period.ResultsThe prevalence of AA was 0.017%. Appaloosas and quarter horses were the most commonly recorded breeds. The median age was 9 years, with an age range from 3 to 15 years. Alopecia was the primary dermatological abnormality in all horses and commonly affected the mane, tail and face. More than half of the horses presented for other medical conditions. Five of seven (71.4%) owners who returned completed surveys reported a seasonal pattern to the disease, which usually worsened in spring and summer.Conclusions and clinical importanceAlopecia areata is a rare disease in horses, and is typically cosmetic in nature. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study investigating the epidemiology of equine AA.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Industrial Strain Gluconobacter oxydans H24
Authors: Ge Xin , Zhao Yan , Hou Wei , Zhang Weicai , Chen Weiwei , Wang Jianhua , Zhao Nan , Lin Jian , Wang Wenxi , Chen Mengxia , Wang Qingge , Jiao Yinghui , Yuan Zhigang , Xiong Xianghua 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Gluconobacter oxydans
is characterized by its ability to incompletely oxidize carbohydrates and alcohols. The high yields of its oxidation products and complete secretion into the medium make it important for industrial use. We report the finished genome sequence of
Gluconobacter oxydans
H24, an industrial strain with high
l
-sorbose productivity.
A mixed methods protocol to investigate medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of White British and South Asian origin
Authors: Kumar Kanta , Raza Karim , Nightingale Peter , Horne Rob , Shaw Karen , Greenfield Sheila , Gill Paramjit 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundLow adherence to medicines is an important issue as up to 40% of patients with chronic diseases do not take their medications as prescribed. This leads to suboptimal clinical benefit. In the context of rheumatoid arthritis, there is a dearth of data on adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs among minority ethnic groups. This study aims to assess the relationship between adherence to medicines and biopsychosocial variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of South Asian and White British origin.Methods/analysisA mixed methods approach will be used, encompassing a cross-sectional survey of 176 patients collecting demographic and clinical data, including information on adherence behaviour collected using a series of questionnaires. This will be followed by indepth qualitative interviews.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the South Birmingham (10/H1207/89) and Coventry and Warwickshire (12/WM/0041) Research Ethics Committees. The authors will disseminate the findings in peer-reviewed publications.
Comparing the performance characteristics of CSF-TRUST and CSF-VDRL for syphilis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gu Weiming , Yang Yang , Wu Lei , Yang Sheng , Ng Lai-King 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine the performance characteristics of toluidine red unheated serum test on cerebrospinal fluids (CSF-TRUST) as compared to venereal disease research laboratory test on cerebrospinal fluids (CSF-VDRL) for laboratory the diagnosis of neurosyphilis.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingSexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinics.Participants and methodsCSF and serum samples were collected from 824 individual STD clinic patients who have syphilis and are suspected to progress to neurosyphilis within a 9-month period. CSF-VDRL and CSF-TRUST were performed parallelly on the same day when collected.Treponema pallidumparticle agglutination (TPPA) tests were also performed on the CSF and the serum samples, and biochemical analysis of the CSF samples was also performed.ResultsThe overall agreement between CSF-TRUST and CSF-VDRL was 97.3%. The reactive ratios of the CSF samples were 22.1% by CSF-TRUST and 24.8% by CSF-VDRL, respectively. All CSF-TRUST-reactive cases were reactive in the CSF-VDRL. Twenty-two samples with CSF-TRUST-negative were tested CSF-VDRL-reactive with low titres (1 : 1 to 1 : 4). Over 97% of the double-reactive CSF samples (CSF-VDRL and CSF-TRUST) had an identical titre or a titre within a two-fold difference. The agreement of CSF-TPPA and CSF-VDRL was 71.9%. Similarly, the agreement of CSF-TPPA and CSF-TRUST was 69.2%.ConclusionsOur results revealed that CSF-TRUST could be used as an option for CSF examination in settings without CSF-VDRL in place.
Hormone Metabolism Genes and Mammographic Density in Singapore Chinese Women
Authors: Lee Eunjung , Su Yu-Chen , Lewinger Juan Pablo , Hsu Chris , Van Den Berg David , Ursin Giske , Koh Woon-Puay , Yuan Jian-Min , Stram Daniel O. , Yu Mimi C. , Wu Anna H. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Background: Female steroid hormone levels and exogenous hormone use influence breast cancer risk. We investigated the association between genetic variation in the hormone metabolism and signaling pathway and mammographic density, a strong predictor of breast cancer risk.
Methods: We genotyped 161 SNPs in 15 hormone metabolism pathway gene regions and evaluated mammographic density in 2,038 Singapore Chinese women. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and mammographic density association. An overall pathway summary was obtained using the adaptive ranked truncated product test.
Results: We did not find any of the individually tested SNPs to be associated with mammographic density after a multiple testing correction. There was no evidence of an overall effect on mammographic density of genetic variation in the hormone metabolism pathway.
Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, genetic variation in hormone metabolism pathway was not associated with mammographic density in Singapore Chinese women.
Impact: Consistent with existing data from Caucasian populations, polymorphisms in hormone pathway genes are not likely to be strong predictors of mammographic density in Asian women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(5); 984–6. ©2013 AACR.
Projected Changes in East African Rainy Seasons
Authors: Cook Kerry H. , Vizy Edward K. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
A regional climate model with 90-km horizontal resolution on a large domain is used to predict and analyze precipitation changes over East Africa caused by greenhouse gas increases. A pair of six-member ensembles is used: one representing the late twentieth century and another the mid-twenty-first century under a midline emissions scenario. The twentieth-century simulation uses boundary conditions from reanalysis climatology, and these are modified for the mid-twenty-first-century simulation using output from coupled GCMs. The twentieth-century simulation reproduces the observed climate well. In eastern Ethiopia and Somalia, the boreal spring rains that begin in May are cut short in the mid-twenty-first-century simulation. The cause is an anomalous dry, anticyclonic flow that develops over the Arabian Peninsula and the northern Arabian Sea as mass shifts eastward near 20°N in response to strong warming over the Sahara. In Tanzania and southern Kenya, the boreal spring's long rains are reduced throughout the season in the future simulation. This is a secondary response to precipitation enhancement in the Congo basin. The boreal fall “short rains” season is lengthened in the twenty-first-century simulation in the southern Kenya and Tanzania region in association with a northeastward shift of the South Indian convergence zone.
Modulation of central sensitisation by detoxification in MOH: Results of a 12-month detoxification study
Authors: Munksgaard Signe B , Bendtsen Lars , Jensen Rigmor H 
Published: February 2013

Background Human and animal models suggest that central sensitisation plays a role in medication-overuse headache (MOH). We aimed to study pain perception in MOH patients before and a year after withdrawal. Methods We examined pain perception in 35 MOH patients before and two, six and 12 months after detoxification. For baseline comparison, we tested 40 healthy controls. We measured cephalic and extra-cephalic pressure-pain thresholds and supra-threshold pressure-pain scores and extra-cephalic pain thresholds, supra-threshold pain scores and temporal summation for electrical stimulation. Results Of the 35 patients, 21 patients completed the entire study and remained cured of MOH. Statistically significant differences between patients and healthy controls were found in cephalic pressure-pain thresholds (137.3 kPa vs. 170 kPa, p < 0.05), extra-cephalic pressure pain thresholds (213.3 vs. 274.3 kPa, p < 0.05), in cephalic supra-threshold pressure-pain scores measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (61 vs. 27 mm, p < 0.05) and extra-cephalic supra-threshold pain scores for electrical stimulation (19.0 vs. 10.0 mm, p < 0.05). Cephalic supra-threshold pain scores decreased statistically significantly from 50.3 mm at baseline to 28.0 mm at the 12-month follow-up. In contrast to controls, temporal summation was not found in MOH patients before withdrawal, but after detoxification temporal summation normalised. Conclusion The central nervous system is sensitised in patients with MOH. For the first time we demonstrate that the pain perception continues to normalise up to a year after detoxification. This emphasises the importance of detoxification and follow-up to prevent relapse.
The adaptor molecule SAP plays essential roles during invariant NKT cell cytotoxicity and lytic synapse formation
Authors: Das Rupali , Bassiri Hamid , Guan Peng , Wiener Susan , Banerjee Pinaki P. , Zhong Ming-Chao , Veillette André , Orange Jordan S. , Nichols Kim E. 
Published: February 2013

Key Points
The adaptor molecule SAP is required for T-cell receptor-induced iNKT cell killing of T- and B-cell targets. SAP-deficient iNKT cells adhere poorly to T-cell lymphoid targets and exhibit reduced polarization of lytic machinery to the immunologic synapse.
Direct-write, highly aligned chitosan-poly(ethylene oxide) nanofiber patterns for cell morphology and spreading control
Authors: Fuh Yiin Kuen , Chen Sheng Zhan , He Zhe Yu 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Near-field electrospinning has been demonstrated to be able to achieve direct-write and highly aligned chitosan nanofibers (CNF) with prescribed positioning density. Cell spreading in preferential direction could be observed on parallel-aligned nanofibers, and the CNF patterns were capable of guiding cell extension when the distances between them are 20 and 100 μm, respectively. Alignment of the cells was characterized according to their elongation and orientation using the fast Fourier transform data and binary image analysis. Parallel CNF indicates that the alignment values sequentially increased as a function of positioning density such that incrementally more aligned cells were closely related to the increasing CNF positioning density. These maskless, low-cost, and direct-write patterns can be facily fabricated and will be a promising tool to study cell-based research such as cell adhesion, spreading, and tissue architecture.
Correlation between chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs and telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Lin , Li Pei-Feng , Geng Ming , Cao Yong-Cheng , Yin Ying-Chun 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The determination of sensitive chemotherapy drugs for gastric cancer (GC) is one of the greatest challenges of adjuvant therapy. Here we evaluated the chemosensitivity of GC to anticancer drugs and the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression, and investigated the relationship of them.

Methods
The GC cells which were collected from 68 patients with primary GC were primary cultured. The chemosensitivity of GC cells to anticancer drugs was evaluated successfully using the MTT assay for 60 cases of GC cells, and the hTERT mRNA expression was examined in 60 cases of GC tissues and corresponding normal gastric mucosa and 6 cases of chronic superficial gastritis mucosa by in situ hybridization.

Results
Taxol, Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil were in general more effective than Adriamycin and Mitomycin for GC cells, and the chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs was associated with tumor histological types and a worse tumor grade. Compared to normal gastric mucosa tissues, hTERT mRNA expression was significantly increased in GC (P<0.05), which was related with a worse differentiation and drug-resistance to 5-Fluorouracil or Adriamycin in GC.

Conclusions
These data demonstrate for the first time that examinations of hTERT mRNA expression as an important factor could be used to select the chemotherapeutic drugs for GC patients.

Virtual slides
The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1793217009875483
A rare case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis in a young healthy woman – case report
Authors: Pelemiš Mijomir , Stevanović Goran , Lavadinović Lidija , Matić Snežana , Milošević Ivana , Korać Miloš , Pelemiš Svetislav , Nedeljković Milan , Prostran Milica 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Disseminated fungal infections are still rare conditions, mostly caused by Candida spp. during immunosuppression. Infection of immunocompetent individuals is uncommon. Endocarditis is a rare manifestation during candidaemia, mostly in patients with prosthetic valves. Affection of previously unaltered valves is uncommon.

Case presentation

We presented a case of a young, previously healthy female patient with endocarditis, caused by Candida parapsilosis. The initial symptom, fever, was present four months before hospital admittance. She was febrile without other symptoms and during observation in a local hospital. After her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to the Institute for infectious and tropical diseases, Belgrade. Clinical findings on admission include petechial skin rash and moderate hepatosplenomegaly. Newly developed systolic murmur was noted, and Candida parapsilosis was isolated in multiple blood cultures. Echocardiography revealed 15 × 14 mm vegetations on the right aortic vellum.
She was treated with antifungal drugs (fluconasole, liposomal amphotericin B), and the affected valve was successfully replaced. The same strain of Candida parapsilosis was isolated from the intraoperative material of the valve.
There were no markers of immunosuppression or other conditions which could affect the immune system.

Conclusion

After a prolonged period of treatment she was successfully cured, and she received a long-term intermittent suppressive fluconasole therapy for the time being.
Development of an in vitro drug sensitivity assay for Trichuris muris first-stage larvae
Authors: Wimmersberger David , Tritten Lucienne , Keiser Jennifer 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Trichuriasis represents a major public health problem in the developing world and is regarded as a neglected disease. Albendazole and mebendazole, the two drugs of choice against trichuriasis display only moderate cure rates, hence alternative drugs are needed. To identify candidate compounds, in vitro drug sensitivity testing currently relies on the adult Trichuris muris motility assay. The objective of the present study was to develop a simple and cost-effective drug sensitivity assay using Trichuris muris first-stage larvae (L1).

Methods
Several potential triggers that induce hatching of T. muris were studied, including gastrointestinal enzymes, acidic environment and intestinal microflora. Next, optimal culture conditions for T. muris L1 were determined assessing a wide range of culture media. T. muris L1 were incubated in the presence of mebendazole, ivermectin, nitazoxanide, levamisole or oxantel pamoate at 37°C. The viability of the parasites was evaluated microscopically after 24 hours. The usefulness of fluorescent markers (resazurin, calcein AM, ethidium homodimer-1 or fluorescein-conjugated albumin) in drug sensitivity testing was also assessed.

Results
The established L1 motility assay provided accurate and reproducible drug effect data in vitro. IC50 values for oxantel pamoate, levamisole and nitazoxanide were 0.05, 1.75 and 4.43 μg/mL, respectively. Mebendazole and ivermectin failed to show any trichuricidal effect on L1. No correlation was found between data from the four fluorescent markers and the comparative motility assay.

Conclusions
The motility assay based on L1 was found suitable for drug sensitivity screening. It is rather simple, cost-effective, time-saving and sustains medium-throughput testing. Furthermore, it greatly reduces the need for the animal host and is therefore more ethical. None of the viability markers assessed in this study were found to be satisfactory.