bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropeptidergic input pathways to the circadian pacemaker center of the Madeira cockroach analysed with an improved injection technique
Authors: Schulze Julia , Schendzielorz Thomas , Neupert Susanne , Predel Reinhard , Stengl Monika 
Published: June 2013

AbstractLight entrainment pathways synchronize the circadian clock of almost all species of the animal and plant kingdom to the daily light dark cycle. In the Madeira cockroach Rhyparobia (Leucophaea) maderae, the circadian clock is located in the accessory medulla of the brain's optic lobes. The clock has abundant neuropeptides with unknown functions. Previous studies suggested that myoinhibitory peptides (MIPs), orcokinins (ORCs), and allatotropin (AT) take part in light input pathways to the circadian clock. As the sequences of AT and ORCs of R. maderae have not yet been determined, with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry, the respective Rhyparobia peptides were characterized. To search for light‐like phase‐shifting inputs to the circadian clock, Rhyparobia‐MIP‐1, Rhyparobia‐AT, and Rhyparobia‐ORC were injected at different circadian times, combined with locomotor activity assays. An improved, less invasive injection method was developed that allowed for the analysis of peptide effects within <2 weeks after injection. Rhyparobia‐MIP‐1 and Rhyparobia‐AT injections resulted in dose‐dependent monophasic phase response curves with maximum delays at the beginning of the subjective night, similar to light‐dependent phase delays. In contrast to Manduca sexta‐AT, Rhyparobia‐AT did not phase advance locomotor activity rhythms. Only injections of Rhyparobia‐ORCs resulted in a biphasic light‐like phase response curve. Thus, it is hypothesized that Rhyparobia‐MIP‐1 and ‐AT are candidates for relaying light‐dependent delays and/or non‐photic inputs to the clock, whereas Rhyparobia‐ORCs might be part of the light‐entrainment pathways relaying phase delays and advances to the circadian clock of the Madeira cockroach.
What Is the Value of Sovereign Ratings?
Authors: Gaillard Norbert 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article gives a fresh analysis of sovereign ratings, including the recent default of Greece. Section 1 studies the evolution of the sovereign rating business, and Section 2 explains how credit ratings are assigned. Section 3 focuses on sovereign rating methodologies and identifies the key determinants of sovereign ratings. Section 4 measures the accuracy of these ratings between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2013. Section 5 compares credit ratings to market-based indicators, and Section 6 concludes.
Beer and beer compounds: physiological effects on skin health
Authors: Chen W. , Becker T. , Qian F. , Ring J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBeer is one of the earliest human inventions and globally the most consumed alcoholic beverage in terms of volume. In addition to water, the ‘German Beer Purity Law’, based on the Bavarian Beer Purity Law from 1516, allows only barley, hops, yeasts and water for beer brewing. The extracts of these ingredients, especially the hops, contain an abundance of polyphenols such as kaempferol, quercetin, tyrosol, ferulic acid, xanthohumol/isoxanthohumol/8‐prenylnaringenin, α‐bitter acids like humulone and β‐bitter acids like lupulone. 8‐prenylnaringenin is the most potent phytoestrogen known to date. These compounds have been shown to possess various anti‐bacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidative, anti‐angiogenic, anti‐melanogenic, anti‐osteoporotic and anti‐carcinogenic effects. Epidemiological studies on the association between beer drinking and skin disease are limited while direct evidence of beer compounds in clinical application is lacking. Potential uses of these substances in dermatology may include treatment of atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, pigmentary disorders, skin infections, skin ageing, skin cancers and photoprotections, which require an optimization of the biostability and topical delivery of these compounds. Further studies are needed to determine the bioavailability of these compounds and their possible beneficial health effects when taken by moderate beer consumption.
Relationship between childhood obesity cut‐offs and metabolic and vascular comorbidities: comparative analysis of three growth standards
Authors: Martínez‐Costa C. , Núñez F. , Montal A. , Brines J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundTo compare the association between metabolic and vascular comorbidities and the body mass (BMI)‐for‐age cut‐off criteria from three growth standards [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2000; World Health Organization (WHO), 2007; Spanish Reference Criteria (Carrascosa Lezcano et al., 2008)] that are used to define being overweight and obese in childhood.MethodsA prospective study was conducted in 137 children (aged 8–16 years). Based on BMI‐for‐age Z‐scores according to WHO cut‐offs, 59 participants were obese, 35 were overweight and 43 were normal‐weight. All participating children were subsequently reclassified applying the CDC and Spanish Reference Criteria. Blood pressure (BP), biochemical variables and vascular parameters (stiffness and intima‐media thickness) were analysed.ResultsAccording to WHO and CDC references, 48% and 43% of the children, respectively, were categorised as obese, whereas 16% were considered as obese using the Spanish Reference Criteria. Applying WHO criteria, obese children showed significantly higher levels of insulin, homeostasis model assessment index and most vascular parameters, as well as lower high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol than overweight children. Moreover, overweight children showed higher BP, insulin and uric acid, and lower HDL‐cholesterol than normal weight children. The CDC criteria yielded similar results, although with fewer differences between obese and overweight children. Applying Spanish criteria, the differences between obese and overweight children disappeared.ConclusionsWHO and CDC BMI‐for‐age references and cut‐offs are useful for defining obesity and being overweight in children because they clearly identify metabolic and vascular comorbidities. The Spanish Reference Criteria underdiagnose obesity because overweight children show comorbidities typical of the obese.
Effects of bipolar electrocoagulation versus suture after laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma on the ovarian reserve and outcome of in vitro fertilization
Authors: Takashima Akiko , Takeshita Naoki , Otaka Kiwamu , Kinoshita Toshihiko 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of coagulation versus suture used for hemostasis during laparoscopic excision of a unilateral endometrioma for outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF).Material and MethodsThis retrospective study was set in a university hospital. A total of 44 sterile patients underwent laparoscopic excision of a unilateral ovarian endometrioma. Bipolar electrocoagulation was performed for hemostasis in 21 patients and the remaining 23 patients underwent suturing. Samples of blood were taken on day 3 of menstruation before the operation. Serum levels of anti‐Müllerian hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone and estradiol were measured. Number of antral follicles, follicular flushings, oocytes retrieved, and embryos were counted and the outcomes of IVF were recorded.ResultsNo significant differences in the serum levels of any of the hormones were found between the pre‐ and postoperative samples, in either group. The mean antral follicle count, number of follicular flushings, oocytes retrieved and embryos obtained were significantly lower in the treated ovary as compared with the corresponding values in the contralateral intact ovary in the suture group. The pregnancy rates were similar in the two groups.ConclusionsThere was no difference in the outcome of IVF between the two different methods of hemostasis.
Erectile Dysfunction, Penile Atherosclerosis, and Coronary Artery Vasculopathy in Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Caretta Nicola , Feltrin Giuseppe , Tarantini Giuseppe , D'Agostino Chiara , Tona Francesco , Schipilliti Mirko , Selice Riccardo , Minicuci Nadia , Gerosa Gino , Foresta Carlo 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) is the expression of a systemic vascular disease and in particular of endothelial dysfunction. Dysfunctional endothelium plays also a significant role in the onset and progression of coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV).

Aim
This pilot study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and pathogenesis of ED and its correlation with CAV in heart transplanted male.

Methods
A total of 77 male heart transplanted patients (HTx) evaluated in our center (mean age 61.6+10.6 years) were enrolled in the study.

Main Outcome Measures
All subjects underwent accurate medical history collection, including lifestyle (cigarette smoking, dietary and sedentary habits, drug intake, and erectile function before cardiac transplantation), physical examination (body mass index and arterial pressure), biochemical blood tests (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides), and hormones (prolactin, luteinizing hormone and total testosterone). Furthermore, they were studied with penile, carotid, femoral echo-color Doppler ultrasonography and coronary angiogram.

Results
Incidence of ED was 24% before HTx and increased up to 65% after. Postischemic cardiomiopathy was an indication to HTx in ED group more frequently than in patients without ED (No-ED group) (45.1% vs. 20%). ED patients showed a lower peak systolic velocity, a higher cavernosal intima-media thickness (IMT), a higher prevalence of cavernosal plaques (26.7% vs. 5.2%, P &lt;0.05), peripheral vascular disease (60.87% vs. 26.1%, P &lt;0.05) and CAV (45.8% vs. 25.8%, P &lt;0.05) with respect to No-ED patients. Coronary flow reserve was significantly reduced in ED vs. No-ED patients (2.43+0.7 vs. 2.9+0.8, P &lt;0.04). Finally, cavernous plaque and testosterone plasma levels were statistically associated with CAV.

Conclusions
We showed that ED is a frequent disease in HTx patients, more common when the original pathology is postischemic cardiomiopathy and associated with higher prevalence of cavernous plaques and CAV. Its evaluation should be integral to an HTx rehab program.
The CLOSER (

CL

arifying Vaginal Atrophy's Impact

O

n

SE

x and

R

elationships) Survey: Implications of Vaginal Discomfort in Postmenopausal Women and in Male Partners
Authors: Nappi Rossella E. , Kingsberg Sheryl , Maamari Ricardo , Simon James 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy (VA) is a chronic condition with symptoms that include vaginal dryness, soreness, itching, burning, and dyspareunia.

Aim
The CLarifying Vaginal Atrophy's Impact On SEx and Relationships survey evaluated the impact of VA on the physical and emotional aspects of sexual relationships between postmenopausal women and their male partners.

Methods
Four thousand one hundred females and 4,100 males representing the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, France, Canada, and the United States were surveyed. Assessments included: (i) talking about VA and its symptoms; (ii) the impact of VA on intimacy, relationships, and women's self-esteem; (iii) talking about VA and erectile dysfunction (ED); and (iv) the impact of local estrogen therapy (LET) on intimacy and relationships.

Main Outcome Measures
Descriptive data on the impact of VA.

Results
Twenty-eight percent of women did not tell their partners when they first encountered vaginal discomfort, mainly because they felt “it was just a natural part of growing older” (52%) or because of “embarrassment” (21%). Eighty-two percent of males wanted their partner to share their experiences with VA; males were also more comfortable discussing VA than females (68% vs. 58%, respectively). Having sex less often (women: 58%, men: 61%), less satisfying sex (women: 49%, men: 28%), and putting off having sex (women: 35%, men: 14%) were the main effects of VA. Intimacy avoidance was attributed to painful sex (women: 55%, men: 61%) and women's reduced sexual desire (women: 46%, men: 43%). Discussions about vaginal discomfort and ED were generally limited to partners and healthcare providers (HCPs). LET use resulted in less painful sex (women: 62%, men: 59%) and more satisfying sex (women: 47%, men: 49%).

Conclusions
VA has an adverse emotional and physical impact on postmenopausal women and their partners. These findings may encourage more open communication about VA between couples and their HCPs.
High level of IL‐27 positively correlated with Th17 cells may indicate liver injury in patients infected with HBV
Authors: Zhang Geng‐Lin , Xie Dong‐Ying , Ye Yi‐Nong , Lin Chao‐Shuang , Zhang Xiao‐Hong , Zheng Yu‐Bao , Huang Zhan‐Lian , Peng Liang , Gao Zhi‐Liang 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin‐6/IL‐12 family cytokines play a key role in inflammatory diseases via their effects on the differentiation or regulation of T helper cells.AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the role of interleukin‐27 (IL‐27) and its association with helper T cells in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected patients.MethodsSamples were assessed from 51 HBV‐infected patients [28 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) subjects and 23 acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) subjects] and 18 normal controls (NC). Serum IL‐27 levels were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Circulating helper T cells were determined using flow cytometry and associations between IL‐27 expression and helper T cells were analysed.ResultsSerum IL‐27 levels rose in HBV‐infected patients (502.88 ± 23.35 pg/ml) compared to (NC, 277.14 ± 23.96 pg/ml, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, it significantly increased in patients with ACLF (587.90 ± 33.08 pg/ml) when compared with CHB (433.04 ± 26.57 pg/ml, P = 0.001). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between IL‐27 and the presence of HBeAg. High levels of IL‐27 then positively correlated with Tbil levels (r = 0.401, P = 0.004), but negatively associated with prothrombin time activity levels (r = −0.496, P < 0.001), and a slightly negative correlation trend with HBV‐DNA loads (r = −0.228, P = 0.107) existed in these HBV‐infected subjects. Additionally, frequency of circulating interleukin‐17‐producing CD4+T cells (Th17 cells) increased in HBV‐infected patients (ACLF, mean, 5.39%; CHB, median, 3.12%) as compared to NC subjects (median, 2.22%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, correlation analysis showed that serum IL‐27 level was positively associated with circulating Th17 cells (r = 0.342, P = 0.036).ConclusionThese results provided evidence that IL‐27 was positively correlated with Th17 cells commitment, and may exerted a proinflammatory effect in the development of liver injury in HBV‐infected patients.
Factors That Might Impact Intrathecal Drug Delivery (IDD) Dose Escalation: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mekhail Nagy , Mahboobi Ramatia , Farajzadeh Deroee Armin , Costandi Shrif , Dalton Jarrod , Guirguis Maged , Mehta Pankaj 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundIntrathecal drug delivery (IDD) system with implantable pumps has been used to treat cancer‐related pain as well as noncancer‐related chronic pain. Opioids, including morphine and hydromorphone, are the most commonly used intrathecal (IT) agents. Although technology, techniques, and knowledge of IDD have improved, dose escalation occurs relatively rapidly in noncancer pain.MethodsRetrospective chart review of IDD pump patients, implanted for a minimum of 2 years, was designed to investigate possible existing predictors that might impact IDD dose escalation, such as patient's demographic risk factors, duration of the treatment, and diagnosis of the patient's pain correlates with increase in medication requirement. Primary outcome was defined as the annual percent escalation in daily opioid dosage, and secondary outcome was the average annual percent reduction in VRS pain scores.ResultsMedian dosage escalation was 17% per year for patients with neuropathic pain compared with 12% per year for patients with other pain modalities. Mean opioid dosage increased 30.4% more rapidly for patients with neuropathic pain than for other pain modalities. The adjusted difference in means was 28.8% (P = 0.001). None of the secondary exposures were statistically significant after the Bonferroni adjustment. No association was found between pain modality and annual percent change in VRS pain score.ConclusionAnnual increases in daily opioid dosage were higher among patients with neuropathic pain than among patients with other modalities; we also found no evidence of difference in annual pain reduction.
The use of transient elastography and non‐invasive serum markers of fibrosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients
Authors: Goldschmidt Imeke , Stieghorst Henrik , Munteanu Mona , Poynard Thierry , Schlue Jerome , Streckenbach Carolin , Baumann Ulrich 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe use of non‐invasive markers to diagnose liver allograft fibrosis is not well established in children after LTx. TE, FT, and ELF score were performed in 117 liver‐transplanted children (60M, 8.9 [0.5–18.5] yr) and 336 healthy controls. Liver biopsy was available in 36 children. Results of histology and non‐invasive markers were compared using correlation coefficient or Mann–Whitney U‐test as appropriate. TE correlated best with histological degree of fibrosis (r = 0.85 vs. r = 0.04 [FT] or r = −0.38 [ELF]). Liver stiffness values for transplanted children without fibrosis were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (7.55 [5.4–20.4] kPa vs. 4.5 [2.5–8.9] kPa). Presence of rejection was a potent confounder for the performance of TE. Both TE and FT reflected clinical changes (acute rejection, cholestasis, increasing fibrosis) in a total of 16 patients who underwent serial measurements. TE correlates better with histological degree of fibrosis in liver‐transplanted children than FT or ELF, but an individual baseline value needs to be determined for each patient. Normal or cutoff values for pathological degrees of fibrosis cannot be transferred from non‐transplanted children. Follow‐up studies, preferably with protocol biopsies, might help to improve the diagnostic quality of TE.
Freak Observers and the Simulation Argument
Authors: Crawford Lyle 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe simulation hypothesis claims that the whole observable universe, including us, is a computer simulation implemented by technologically advanced beings for an unknown purpose. The simulation argument (as I reconstruct it) is an argument for this hypothesis with moderately plausible premises. I develop two lines of objection to the simulation argument. The first takes the form of a structurally similar argument for a conflicting conclusion, the claim that I am a so‐called freak observer, formed spontaneously in a quantum or thermodynamic fluctuation rather than through ordinary processes of evolution and growth. The second rejects the basic line of reasoning of both arguments: the sort of evidence they cite is not capable of supporting either the claim that I am a simulant or the claim that I am a freak observer. The evidence that simulants or freak observers exist is not a reason to think that I am one of them.
A method for estimating the residual risk of transfusion‐transmitted HBV infection associated with occult hepatitis B virus infection in a donor population without universal anti‐HBc screening
Authors: Seed C. R. , Kiely P. 
Published: June 2013

Background and ObjectivesThis report describes a method for estimating the risk of transfusion‐transmitted HBV infection attributable to blood components from donors with occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) applicable where universal anti‐HBc screening is not performed.Materials and MethodsIn the context of parallel HBsAg and individual donation HBV DNA testing, we developed a mathematical function p(OBI) to estimate the probability of failing to detect [p(NAT nondetection)] a potentially infectious [p(transmission)] donation from a donor with OBI.ResultsAmong 1 312 451 donations tested for HBsAg and HBV DNA, 29 (from 17 anti‐HBc reactive donors classified as OBI) were individual donation NAT negative, giving a p(NAT nondetection) of 2·2096 (95 CI: 1·538–3·173) × 10−5. To date, lookback on OBI donors has identified 35 (8·2%) recipients with evidence of current or past HBV infection among 427 tested recipients. After correcting for the background anti‐HBc rate in recipients, this results in a p(transmission) of 0·0384 (0·0167–0·0601). The product, pOBI is 1 in 981 920 (95% CI: 437 181–3 223 701). When this is summed with the WP risk for the 2011–2012 period, the overall HBV residual risk estimate is 1 in 538 224 (95% CI: 209 732–1 552 443).ConclusionWe estimate the OBI residual risk in Australia is approximately 1 in 982 000 per unit transfused, and this risk represents 55% of the total HBV residual risk and is declining as consequence of ID‐NAT identifying repeat donors with OBI.
Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Nonpharmacological Interventions for Fatigue in Children and Adolescents With Cancer
Authors: Chang Chi‐Wen , Mu Pei‐Fan , Jou Shiann‐Tarng , Wong Tai‐Tong , Chen Yu‐Chih 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundFatigue is one of the most distressing and prevalent symptoms reported by pediatric oncology patients. With the increase in cancer survival rates, medical teams have focused on methods that control cancer‐related fatigue in children during the disease and its treatment in order to increase the quality of life for these patients.AimThe objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence concerning the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions for fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer.MethodsThe search strategy was designed to retrieve studies published between 1960 and 2010 in either English or Chinese. This review included randomized controlled trials and quasi‐experimental studies. The studies that were selected for retrieval were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review using standardized critical‐appraisal instruments.ResultsThe review included six studies, and the meta‐analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of exercise interventions in reducing general fatigue (effect size = –0.76; 95% CI [–1.35, –0.17]) in children and adolescents with cancer.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe review provides an evidence‐based guide to future priorities for clinical practice. Exercise interventions could reduce the levels of general fatigue in children aged 6–18 years. In particular, exercise interventions for fatigue are feasible and safe.