bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vivo and in Vitro Animal Investigation of the Effect of a Mixture of Herbal Extracts from Tribulus terrestris and Cornus officinalis on Penile Erection
Authors: Kam Sung Chul , Do Jung Mo , Choi Jae Hwi , Jeon Byeong Tak , Roh Gu Seob , Hyun Jae Seog 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Herbal preparations have long been used as folk remedies for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
This study examined the effects of Tribulus terrestris and Cornus officinalis extracts on relaxation of the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum (CC), their mechanisms of action, and the effects of oral administration of a mixture of the herbal extracts on penile erection.

Methods
The relaxation effects and the mechanisms of action of T. terrestris extract, C. officinalis extract, and the mixture of both extracts on the rabbit CC were investigated in an organ bath. To evaluate whether the relaxation response of the CC shown in an organ bath occurs in vivo, intracavernous pressure (ICP) was calculated in rats after oral administration for a month. Additionally, adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in the CC were measured using immunoassay.

Main Outcome Measures
Smooth muscle relaxation was expressed as the percent decrease in precontraction induced by phenylephrine. ICP was assessed in rats after the oral administration of a mixture of both extracts for 1 month and changes in cGMP and cAMP concentrations were measured based on the concentration of the mixture of both extracts.

Results
T. terrestris extract, C. officinalis extract, and the mixture of both extracts showed concentration-dependent relaxation effects of the CC. In both the endothelium-removed group and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester pretreatment group, T. terrestris extract inhibited relaxation. ICP measured after oral administration of the extract mixture for a month was higher than that measured in the control group, and a significant increase in cAMP was observed in the mixture group.

Conclusions
T. terrestris extract and C. officinalis extract exhibited concentration-dependent relaxation in an organ bath. In the in vivo study of the extract mixture, ICP and cAMP was significantly potentiated. Accordingly, the mixture of T. terrestris extract and C. officinalis extract may improve erectile function.
An Evaluation of Sexual Functioning in Employed Outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder Treated with Desvenlafaxine 50mg or Placebo
Authors: Clayton Anita H. , Reddy Sujana , Focht Kristen , Musgnung Jeff , Fayyad Rana 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) include sexual dysfunction, but antidepressant pharmacotherapies are also associated with treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction.

Aim
These secondary and post hoc analyses evaluated sexual functioning in employed adult outpatients with MDD treated with desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) and placebo.

Method
Patients were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day or placebo.

Main Outcome Measures
The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) was administered every 4 weeks. Analysis of covariance was used to compare differences in mean change from baseline ASEX scores between desvenlafaxine and placebo for women and men.

Results
There were 422 evaluable patients with baseline ASEX scores (desvenlafaxine, N = 281; placebo, N = 141). Among women (desvenlafaxine, N = 184; placebo, N = 92), baseline scores were 20.0 (5.2) and 20.5 (5.3) for desvenlafaxine and placebo, respectively; mean changes at week 12 were −1.93 (0.37) and −1.03 (0.54), respectively (mean difference: 0.90 [–0.38, 2.18]; P = 0.169). Among men (desvenlafaxine, N = 97; placebo, N = 49), baseline scores were 16.4 (4.9) and 15.9 (4.8) for desvenlafaxine and placebo, respectively; mean changes at week 12 were −1.13 (0.47) and −1.06 (0.70), respectively (mean difference: 0.07 [–1.59, 1.74]; P = 0.932). Significantly greater orgasmic dysfunction at week 12 was observed in the subgroup of men without baseline sexual dysfunction treated with desvenlafaxine relative to placebo. Conversely, women without baseline sexual dysfunction experienced poorer overall sexual functioning and orgasm satisfaction at week 12 with placebo relative to desvenlafaxine treatment. Subgroup analyses of treatment responders and nonresponders found no difference in the proportion of men or women that developed or had resolution of sexual dysfunction in the desvenlafaxine and placebo groups.

Conclusion
With the exception of orgasmic dysfunction in men without preexisting sexual dysfunction, no significant negative effect on sexual functioning was observed over 12 weeks of treatment with desvenlafaxine.
Simulating the toothbrush: evidence for a triple merger of galaxy clusters
Authors: Brüggen M. , van Weeren R. J. , Röttgering H. J. A. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The newly discovered galaxy cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214 hosts a 1.9 Mpc long, bright radio relic with a peculiar linear morphology. Using hydrodynamical N-body adaptive mesh refinement simulations of the merger between three initially hydrostatic clusters in an idealized set-up, we are able to reconstruct the morphology of the radio relic. Based on our simulation, we can constrain the merger geometry, predict lensing mass measurements and X-ray observations. Comparing such models to X-ray, redshift and lensing data will validate the geometry of this complex merger which helps in constraining the parameters for shock acceleration of electrons that produces the radio relic.
Effect of Peanut Skin Incorporation on the Color, Texture and Total Phenolics Content of Peanut Butters
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Kerr William L. , Cavender George A. , Swanson Ruthann B. , Hargrove James L. , Pegg Ronald B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe impact of incorporating ground dry‐blanched or roasted peanut skins (PS, three types: light‐, medium‐ and dark‐roasted) into peanut butter as a functional food ingredient was examined. A desirable grind size for the PS of less than 300 μm was achieved in most cases by milling the skins with the sugar. Adding ground PS to peanut butter at 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0% (w/w) resulted in a concentration‐dependent change in the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage L* C* h values. Peanut butters formulated with medium‐ and dark‐roasted PS showed an increase in hardness, and were generally more adhesive than those without PS or with dry‐blanched PS. A marked change in spreadability was found with greater than 2.5% added PS. Incorporation of dry‐blanched PS, especially at levels below 3.75%, produced the fewest alterations in physical properties of the peanut butters compared with the control. Importantly, a concentration‐dependent increase in the total phenolics content (TPC) was evident with PS fortification. Dry‐blanched PS had a TPC of ∼166 mg (+)‐catechin equivalents/g extract and yielded peanut butters with a 32, 33 and 38% higher TPC than found with light‐, medium‐ and dark‐roasted skin incorporation, respectively. Correspondingly, dry‐blanched PS addition at 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0% (w/w) resulted in an increase in the TPC by 86, 357, 533 and 714%, respectively, compared with peanut butters without PS fortification.Practical ApplicationsPeanut skins (PS) are a rich, inexpensive source of potentially health‐promoting compounds, notably proanthocyanidins. However, PS are not often utilized as a functional food ingredient in value‐added products. As the primary by‐product of the peanut industry, PS are usually discarded as waste with only a small amount used as animal feed. According to our study, ground PS incorporation into peanut butters effectively enhances the total phenolics content of the product and offers product line diversification while still retaining the product's standard of identity. Summarily, our research will aid the peanut industry via (1) by‐product/waste stream utilization; and (2) diversification of product lines by creating a value‐added peanut product with potential beneficial health properties.
Age Differences in Clinical Characteristics, Health care, and Outcomes after Ischemic Stroke in China
Authors: Deng Ya‐Xian , Wang Yi‐Long , Gao Bao‐Qin , Wang Chun‐Xue , Zhao Xing‐Quan , Liu Li‐Ping , Wang An‐Xin , Zhou Yong , Liu Gai‐Fen , Du Wan‐Liang , Zhang Ning , Jing Jing , Meng Xia , Xu Jie , Wang Lin‐Yu , Wang Yong‐Jun 
Published: August 2012

SummaryBackground and purposeLittle information is available on the effects of age on health care and outcomes of ischemic stroke (IS) in China. Our aim was to evaluated risk factors, health care, and outcomes among age groups including ≤45, 46–65, 66–79, and ≥80 years and to find whether the outcome was affected by age and health care.MethodsCNSR is a nationwide prospective registry for patients admitted with acute stroke and prospectively followed up 12‐month outcomes. Demographics, socioeconomics, risk factors, health care, and outcomes were analyzed among age groups, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of outcome and age and health care.ResultsWe identified 12,415 acute IS patients for analysis. Of 1179 (9.50%) were aged ≥80 years. In terms of risk factors, cardiac diseases were significantly more frequent in patients ≥80 years, behavioral risk factors were more common in younger patients, and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were more seen in 46–79 patients. The use of health care varied among groups and was significantly lower in ≥80 years especially in secondary prevention. The very old patients had the worst outcomes even after adjusting by prognostic factors; however, adjusting forward by health care, the extent of differences decreased.ConclusionsIn CNSR, differences in stroke clinic characteristics and health care were observed among various age groups, and the old patients, receiving lower levels of stroke care, had the worst outcomes. Knowledge of the age differences in ischemic stroke may be helpful to appropriately allocate the limited health resources and to improve stroke outcomes.
Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation of reed (Phragmites communisTrinius) using mature seed‐derived calli
Authors: Kim Yong‐Goo , Sharmin Shamima Akhtar , Alam Iftekhar , Kim Kyung‐Hee , Kwon Suk‐Yoon , Sohn Jung‐Hoon , Kim Sun‐Hyung , Liu Gongshe , Lee Byung‐Hyun 
Published: August 2012

AbstractReed (Phragmites communis) is a potential bioenergy plant. We report on its firstAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation using mature seed‐derived calli. TheAgrobacteriumstrainsLBA4404,EHA105, andGV3101, each harboring the binary vector pIG121Hm, were used to optimizeT‐DNAdelivery into the reed genome. Bacterial strain, cocultivation period and acetosyringone concentration significantly influenced theT‐DNAtransfer. About 48% transient expression and 3.5% stable transformation were achieved when calli were infected with strainEHA105 for 10 min under 800 mbar negative pressure and cocultivated for 3 days in 200 μmacetosyringone containing medium. Putative transformants were selected in 25 mg l−1hygromycin B.PCR, and Southern blot analysis confirmed the presence of the transgenes and their stable integration. Independent transgenic lines contained one to three copies of the transgene. Transgene expression was validated byRT‐PCRandGUSstaining of stems and leaves.
Human sulfatase‐1 inhibits the migration and proliferation of SMMC‐7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells by downregulating the growth factor signaling
Authors: Liu Hu , Fu Xiaohui , Ji Weidan , Liu Kai , Bao Longlong , Yan Yan , Wu Mengchao , Yang Jiahe , Su Changqing 
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The human sulfatase‐1 (hSulf‐1) gene regulates the sulfation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and suppresses tumorigenesis and angiogenesis by inhibiting several growth factor signaling pathways. Because the serine‐threonine protein kinase (AKT) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways are critical in cell survival, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, the possible correlation between hSulf‐1 and AKT/ERK signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells needs further exploration.Methods:  Adenovirus Ad5‐hSulf1 carrying the hSulf‐1 gene, and vectors carrying hSulf‐1 shRNA, AKT shRNA and ERK shRNA were constructed and used to manipulate the expression of hSulf‐1, AKT and ERK in SMMC‐7721 cells. The scarification test, transwell and 3‐(4 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays were used to examine the cellular migration and proliferation, and the expression of hSulf‐1 and signaling factors, including the total and phosphorylated AKT and ERK, was analyzed by western blot in SMMC‐7721 cells.Results:  After infection with Ad5‐hSulf1, the expression of hSulf‐1 was increased with viral multiplicity of infection in SMMC‐7721 cells. Compared with the control adenovirus Ad5‐EGFP and blank control groups, cells in the Ad5‐hSulf1 group were showed that the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK was decreased. Meanwhile, the cell migration and cell viability were obviously suppressed.Conclusion:  The expression of hSulf‐1 mediated by adenovirus in HCC cells could downregulate the activity of AKT and ERK signaling pathways, and inhibit HCC cell migration and proliferation. The hSulf‐1 gene may be considered as a candidate of antitumor factor for cancer gene therapy.
Does National Culture Influence the Firm’s Choice of Debt Maturity?*
Authors: Chang Kiyoung , Wee Jung Bum , Yi Ha‐Chin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDebt is an effective mechanism to mitigate agency costs in relieving manager–shareholder conflicts. Similarly, debt maturity choice allows the firm to discipline entrenched managers. In this paper we show cross‐country evidence that national culture, along with corporate governance factors, influences the lender’s (or the borrower’s) debt maturity choice. Uncertainty avoidance index, masculinity, and long‐term orientation indices are negatively related to overall debt maturity in a country. This implies that the risk‐averse lenders offer (or, borrowing firms use) short‐term debt when the surrounding economic environment becomes more uncertain and ambiguous. This is consistent with the extant literature that national culture plays a critical role in determining financing decisions in the presence of uncertainty and ambiguity. We argue that national culture is one of the last factors to influence the significant variation of debt maturities across firms in different countries. The relative effect of national culture and corporate governance on firms’ debt maturity selection depends on whether a country’s financial system is a bank‐based economy (e.g. Japan and Germany) or a market‐based economy (e.g. the US and the UK).
REAL-LIFE VEHICLE ROUTING WITH TIME WINDOWS FOR VISUAL ATTRACTIVENESS AND OPERATIONAL ROBUSTNESS
Authors: HOLLIS B. L. , GREEN P. J. 
Published: August 2012

This paper describes an algorithm for producing visually attractive and operationally robust solutions to a real-life vehicle routing problem with time windows. Visually attractive and operationally robust solutions are usually synonymous with compact, nonoverlapping routes with little or no intra-route cross over. The visual attractiveness of routes, for practical routing applications, is often of paramount importance. We present a two phase solution approach. The first phase is inspired by the sequential insertion algorithm of Solomon (1987) and includes a range of novel enhancements to ensure visually attractive solutions are produced in the face of a range of nonstandard real-life constraints: A constrained and heterogeneous vehicle fleet; tight time windows and banned delivery windows; multiple route capacity measures; driver breaks; minimum route volumes; vehicle-location compatibility rules; nonreturn to base routes; peak hour traveling times; vehicle type dependent service times; and replenishment back at the depot. The second phase is based on the guided local search algorithm of Kilby et al. (1999). It uses an augmented objective function designed to seek solutions which strike a balance between minimizing traditional cost measures, whilst maximizing the visual attractiveness of the solution. Our two phase solution approach is particularly adept at producing solutions that both aggressively minimize the total number of routes, a feature that we believe has been missing in algorithms presented in equivalent literature, as well as minimizing traditional cost measures whilst delivering a very high degree of visual attractiveness. The algorithm presented has been successfully implemented and deployed for the real-life, daily beverage distribution problem of Schweppes Australia Pty. Ltd. for a range of capital cities throughout Australia.
Please Get to the Point! A Cortical Correlate of Linguistic Informativeness
Authors: Marini Andrea , Urgesi Cosimo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe production of informative messages is an effortful endeavor that relies on the interaction between microlinguistic (i.e., lexical and grammatical) and macrolinguistic (i.e., pragmatic and discourse) levels of processing. Although the neural correlates of microlinguistic processing have been extensively studied, investigation of the ability to organize the macrolinguistic aspects of message production is scanty. In this article, we show that repetitive TMS of the dorsal portion of the anterior left, but not right, inferior frontal gyrus reduces the levels of lexical informativeness and global coherence of narratives produced by healthy individuals. Interestingly, levels of productivity and microlinguistic processing were unaffected by the stimulation. These results suggest that the dorsal aspect of the anterior left inferior frontal gyrus is an epicenter of a wider neural network subserving the selection of contextually appropriate semantic representations.
Word Order and Scope: Transparent Interfaces and the ¾ Signature
Authors: Bobaljik Jonathan David , Wurmbrand Susi 
Published: August 2012

A recurring pattern of partial correlations between word order variation and scope possibilities (the ¾ signature) supports a particular view of economy constraints in syntax, with these properties: (1) There are economy conditions (soft constraints) that value a particular type of correspondence between LF and PF representations. (2) These constraints are unidirectional: LF (broadly construed) is calculated first and determines PF (surface word order). (3) Scope rigidity is a property not of languages but of specific configurations, and the distribution of rigidity effects is (largely) predictable from independent variation in the syntactic resources of various languages. We focus here on the interaction of these three assumptions and on the role of (2) in predicting the ¾ signature effect. We contrast our proposal with Reinhart’s (2005) Interface Economy model, in which economy conditions regulate a mapping that takes overt structure as its input and yields permissible interpretations.
Detection of IS6110 and HupB gene sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and bovisin the aortic tissue of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis
Authors: Soto María Elena , Del Carmen Ávila-Casado Ma , Huesca-Gómez Claudia , Alarcon Gilberto Vargas , Castrejon Vicente , Soto Virgilia , Hernandez Sergio , Espinola-Zavaleta Nilda , Vallejo Maite , Reyes Pedro A , Gamboa Ricardo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the large arteries and their branches; its etiology is still unknown. In individuals suffering from TA, arterial inflammation progresses to stenosis and/or occlusion, leading to organ damage and affecting survival. Relation of TA with Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been known, but there have been only a few systematic studies focusing on this association. The IS6110 sequence identifies the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the HupB establishes the differences between M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Our objective was to search the presence of IS6110 and HupB genes in aorta of patients with TA.

Methods
We analyzed aorta tissues embedded in paraffin from 5760 autopsies obtained from our institution, we divided the selected samples as cases and controls; Cases: aortic tissues of individuals with Takayasu’s arteritis. Control positive: aortic tissues (with tuberculosis disease confirmed) and control negative with other disease aortic (atherosclerosis).

Results
Of 181 selected aorta tissues, 119 fulfilled the corresponding criteria for TA, TB or atherosclerosis. Thus 33 corresponded to TA, 33 to tuberculosis (TB) and 53 to atherosclerosis. The mean age was 22 ± 13, 41 ± 19, and 57 ± 10, respectively. IS6110 and HupB sequences were detected in 70% of TA tissues, 82% in tuberculosis, and in 32% with atherosclerosis. Important statistical differences between groups with TA, tuberculosis versus atherosclerosis (p = 0.004 and 0.0001, respectively) were found.

Conclusion
We identified a higher frequency of IS6110 and HupB genes in aortic tissues of TA patients. This data suggests that arterial damage could occur due to previous infection with M. tuberculosis.
Chronic kidney disease in the type 2 diabetic patients: prevalence and associated variables in a random sample of 2642 patients of a Mediterranean area
Authors: Coll-de-Tuero Gabriel , Mata-Cases Manel , Rodriguez-Poncelas Antonio , Pepió Josep MA , Roura Pilar , Benito Belen , Franch-Nadal Josep , Saez Marc 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Kidney disease is associated with an increased total mortality and cardiovascular morbimortality in the general population and in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of kidney disease and different types of renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods
Cross-sectional study in a random sample of 2,642 T2DM patients cared for in primary care during 2007. Studied variables: demographic and clinical characteristics, pharmacological treatments and T2DM complications (diabetic foot, retinopathy, coronary heart disease and stroke). Variables of renal function were defined as follows: 1) Microalbuminuria: albumin excretion rate & 30 mg/g or 3.5 mg/mmol, 2) Macroalbuminuria: albumin excretion rate & 300 mg/g or 35 mg/mmol, 3) Kidney disease (KD): glomerular filtration rate according to Modification of Diet in Renal Disease < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or the presence of albuminuria, 4) Renal impairment (RI): glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 5) Nonalbuminuric RI: glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 without albuminuria and, 5) Diabetic nephropathy (DN): macroalbuminuria or microalbuminuria plus diabetic retinopathy.

Results
The prevalence of different types of renal disease in patients was: 34.1% KD, 22.9% RI, 19.5% albuminuria and 16.4% diabetic nephropathy (DN). The prevalence of albuminuria without RI (13.5%) and nonalbuminuric RI (14.7%) was similar. After adjusting per age, BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and macrovascular disease, RI was significantly associated with the female gender (OR 2.20; CI 95% 1.86–2.59), microvascular disease (OR 2.14; CI 95% 1.8–2.54) and insulin treatment (OR 1.82; CI 95% 1.39–2.38), and inversely associated with HbA1c (OR 0.85 for every 1% increase; CI 95% 0.80–0.91). Albuminuria without RI was inversely associated with the female gender (OR 0.27; CI 95% 0.21–0.35), duration of diabetes (OR 0.94 per year; CI 95% 0.91–0.97) and directly associated with HbA1c (OR 1.19 for every 1% increase; CI 95% 1.09–1.3).

Conclusions
One-third of the sample population in this study has KD. The presence or absence of albuminuria identifies two subgroups with different characteristics related to gender, the duration of diabetes and metabolic status of the patient. It is important to determine both albuminuria and GFR estimation to diagnose KD.