bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A placebo‐controlled study investigating the efficacy and safety of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor UK‐369,003 for the treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Tamimi Nihad A.M. , Mincik Ivan , Haughie Scott , Lamb Janice , Crossland Anna , Ellis Peter 
Published: February 2010

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1bOBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor UK‐369,003 for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with and without erectile dysfunction (ED).PATIENTS AND METHODSThis was a multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐ and active‐controlled, parallel‐group study conducted across 45 centres in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. In all, 418 men aged ≥40 years with a clinical diagnosis of BPH, an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥13, and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of 5–15 mL/s for a voided volume of >150 mL were stratified into two groups (with and without ED) and randomized to one of seven treatment groups, i.e. UK‐369,003 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg modified release (MR), UK‐369,003 40 mg immediate release (IR), tamsulosin 0.4 mg prolonged release, or placebo, for 12 weeks. The primary study endpoint was the change in total IPSS after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary efficacy measures were IPSS storage and voiding subscores, Qmax, International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function domain, questions 5 and 6 of the Quality of Erection Questionnaire, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Male LUTS, the patient‐reported treatment‐impact questionnaire, and a bladder diary in which patients recorded the number of voluntary urinary voids, volume of urine voided per micturition, leaks, and urgency episodes.RESULTSThe mean change in the IPSS from baseline at week 12 for UK‐369,003 100 mg MR and 40 mg IR was −2.91 and −2.50 better than placebo, respectively. There was increasing efficacy with increasing dose of the MR formulation. For UK‐369,003 100 mg MR, Qmax improved by 2.10 mL/s compared with 0.84 mL/s in the placebo group.CONCLUSIONSUK‐369,003 had clinically meaningful efficacy and was well tolerated in men with LUTS associated with BPH. The Bayesian statistical analysis gave high posterior probabilities for true differences between UK‐369,003 100 mg MR and placebo. There was greater preference, satisfaction and willingness to use UK‐369,003 again for all treatment groups compared with placebo.
Lifetime depression and diabetes self‐management in women with Type 2 diabetes: a case–control study
Authors: Wagner J. A. , Tennen H. , Osborn C. Y. 
Published: February 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 713–717 (2010)AbstractAims  Little is known about the association between lifetime history of major depressive disorder (L‐MDD) and diabetes self‐management, particularly when depression is remitted. We examined the association between L‐MDD and diabetes self‐management in women with Type 2 diabetes who were not depressed at the time of assessment.Methods  L‐MDD was assessed with structured psychiatric interview. Participants completed paper‐and‐pencil measures of demographics, diabetes‐related distress, self‐care behaviours, healthcare utilization and diabetes self‐efficacy.Results  One‐hundred and fifty‐three women participated; 41% had L‐MDD. Compared with their never‐depressed counterparts, women with L‐MDD had more diabetes distress, reported lower overall rates of self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and greater tendency to skip SMBG, had lower diet adherence and were less likely to have seen a primary care provider in the past year. Diabetes self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between L‐MDD and self‐management.Conclusions  Interventions to promote self‐management for patients with L‐MDD may be warranted.
Prevalence of obesity and overweight among adults in Iran
Authors: Ayatollahi S. M. T. , Ghoreshizadeh Z. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed and developing countries have been increasing markedly over the past two decades. This increase includes all ages, genders, racial and ethnic groups, income, and educational levels. This study examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 25–55 years in Shiraz (Southern Iran). The data are based on a random multistage sample survey of 2282 married adults (1141 pairs) living is Shiraz, whose heights and weights were measured in the 2002–2003 academic year. The prevalence of overweight or obesity (body mass index ≥ 25) was 49.7% in men and 63.9% in women. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30) was 10.5% and 22.5% in men and women, respectively, which shows an increased secular change of 5.8% in men and 17.4% in women during a 14‐year period. Overweight and obesity are common in Iran. Obesity and overweight were significantly more common among women than among men (P‐valve = 0.000). There is a need to establish programmes for prevention and treatment of obesity especially Iranian's women.
The interleukin‐1 cluster gene region is associated with multiple sclerosis in an Italian Caucasian population
Authors: Borzani I. , Tola M. R. , Caniatti L. , Collins A. , De Santis G. , Luiselli D. , Mamolini E. , Scapoli C. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Polymorphisms of the interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) gene family have been proposed as potential variants for different diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). With respect to MS, IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T; rs16944), IL‐1 beta (+3954 C/T; rs1143634), IL‐1 alpha (−889 C/T; rs1800587), IL‐1 alpha (+4845 G/T; rs17561), and the variable number of tandem repeats in intron 2 of the IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RN) gene polymorphisms have been studied in different ethnic groups, leading to conflicting results.Methods:  This study investigates the association between IL‐1 genes and MS by means of 70 markers spanning the 1.1 Mb region where the IL‐1 genes map and exploring both the linkage disequilibrium (LD) and the haplotype structure in a case–control design including 410 subjects (160 patients and 250 controls).Results:  From allelic/genotypic tests, significant association was found for several polymorphisms including the IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T) variant (P‐adjusted = 4.5 × 10−4) and some polymorphisms around the IL‐1RN gene. The ‘block‐step’ pattern obtained from both the LD map and pairwise analysis identifies four LD regions. Region 1 showed a significant association with MS for the global test (P < 0.0001) and haplotypes containing the IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T) variant still demonstrate highly significant association with disease (P‐value range: 9.9 × 10−5 to 0.02).Conclusions:  Our findings support the existence of a causative variant for MS within this candidate region in a representative Italian Caucasian population and, in particular, the role of the IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T) variant warrants further investigation.
Does childhood anxiety evoke maternal control? A genetically informed study
Authors: Eley Thalia C. , Napolitano Maria , Lau Jennifer Y.F. , Gregory Alice M. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Despite theoretical and empirical support for an association between maternal control and child anxiety, few studies have examined the origins of this association. Furthermore, none use observer‐ratings of maternal control within a genetically informative design. This study addressed three questions: 1) do children who experience maternal control report higher anxiety levels than those who do not?; 2) to what extent do genetic and environmental factors influence maternal control and child anxiety?; 3) to what extent do genetic and environmental factors influence the associations between child anxiety and maternal control?Method:  Five hundred and thirty 8‐year‐old children (from 265 twin pairs) and their mothers were observed participating in an ‘etch‐a‐sketch’ task from which maternal control was rated. Children rated their anxiety using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders.Results:  Children who experienced maternal behaviour rated as ‘extreme control’ reported higher anxiety levels than those who did not. Maternal control was highly heritable (A = .63), high self‐rated anxiety less so (h2g = .36). The overlap between high child anxiety and maternal control was primarily due to shared genetic factors.Conclusions:  These results suggest that maternal control is likely to have been elicited by children with high levels of anxiety.
Lactobionic acid in a natural alkylpolyglucoside‐based vehicle: assessing safety and efficacy aspects in comparison to glycolic acid
Authors: Tasic‐Kostov Marija , Savic Snezana , Lukic Milica , Tamburic Slobodanka , Pavlovic Milos , Vuleta Gordana 
Published: February 2010

SummaryBackground/aims  Lactobionic acid (LA) is a newer cosmeceutical active belonging to the class of alpha‐hydroxyacids (AHAs), showing advantages over them. The aim of part I of this study was to compare efficacy and irritation potential of LA vs. glycolic acid (GA) from two types of vehicles – gel and emulsion. In part II, effects of LA‐containing emulsions based on a new, natural emulsifier of alkylpolyglucoside (APG) type were evaluated.Methods  Skin bioengineering was used on 77 healthy volunteers to assess: color as erythema and melanin (MI) index, transepidermal water loss, electrical capacitance and pH of the skin. In part I of the study, the parameters were measured after occlusion and periodically during 2 weeks of test samples application; in part II parameters were measured periodically during 4 weeks.Results/conclusion  LA‐containing samples has produced better skin performance when compared with corresponding GA‐containing ones, particularly the lack of both skin irritation and skin barrier impairment. When used in vehicles based on a new APG‐emulsifier, LA and GA have shown better efficacy, emphasizing the importance of vehicle on the effects of topical actives. LA (6%) in the emulsion based on APGs could be proposed as an alternative to low‐molecular AHAs in cosmeceuticals.
Perinatal Outcomes of Women Intending to Give Birth in Birth Centers in Australia
Authors: Laws Paula J. , Tracy Sally K. , Sullivan Elizabeth A. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract:  Background:  A recent Australian study showed perinatal mortality was lower among women who gave birth in a birth center than in a comparable low‐risk group of women who gave birth in a hospital. The current study used the same large population database to investigate whether perinatal outcomes were improved for women intending to give birth in a birth center at the onset of labor, regardless of the actual place of birth.Methods:  Data were obtained from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC) in Australia. The study included 822,955 mothers who gave birth during the 5‐year period, 2001 to 2005, and their 836,919 babies. Of these, 22,222 women (2.7%) intended to give birth in a birth center at the onset of labor. Maternal and perinatal factors and outcomes were compared according to the intended place of birth. Data were not available on congenital anomalies, or cause, or timing of death.Results:  Women intending to give birth in a birth center at the onset of labor had lower rates of intervention and of adverse perinatal outcomes compared with women intending to give birth in a hospital, including less preterm birth and low birthweight. No statistically significant difference was found in perinatal mortality for term babies of mothers intending to give birth in a birth center compared with term babies of low‐risk women intending to give birth in a hospital (1.3 per 1,000 births [99% CI = 0.66, 1.95] vs 1.7 per 1,000 births [99% CI = 1.50, 1.80], respectively).Conclusions:  Term babies of women who intended to give birth in a birth center were less likely to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery, and no significant difference was found in other perinatal outcomes compared with term babies of low‐risk women who intended to give birth in a hospital labor ward. Birth center care remains a viable option for eligible women giving birth at term. (BIRTH 37:1 March 2010)
What are the Risks Associated with Formula Feeding? A Re‐Analysis and Review
Authors: McNiel Melinda E. , Labbok Miriam H. , Abrahams Sheryl W. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract:  Background:  Most infant feeding studies present infant formula use as “standard” practice, supporting perceptions of formula feeding as normative and hindering translation of current research into counseling messages supportive of exclusive breastfeeding. To promote optimal counseling, and to challenge researchers to use exclusive breastfeeding as the standard, we have reviewed the scientific literature on exclusive breastfeeding and converted reported odds ratios to allow discussion of the “risks” of any formula use.Methods:  Studies indexed in PubMed that investigated the association between exclusive breastfeeding and otitis media, asthma, types 1 and 2 diabetes, atopic dermatitis, and infant hospitalization secondary to lower respiratory tract diseases were reviewed. Findings were reconstructed with exclusive breastfeeding as the standard, and levels of significance calculated.Results:  When exclusive breastfeeding is set as the normative standard, the re‐calculated odds ratios communicate the risks of any formula use. For example, any formula use in the first  6 months is significantly associated with increased incidence of otitis media (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.70 and OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 1.64, 12.50 in the available studies; pooled OR for any formula in the first 3 mo: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.78). Only shorter durations of exclusive breastfeeding are available to use as standards for calculating the effect of “any formula use” for type 1 diabetes, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and hospitalization secondary to lower respiratory tract infections.Conclusions:  Exclusive breastfeeding is an optimal practice, compared with which other infant feeding practices carry risks. Further studies on the influence of presenting exclusive breastfeeding as the standard in research studies and counseling messages are recommended. (BIRTH 37:1 March 2010)
Editorial: Unpleasant Truths about Salt Restriction
Authors: Ok Ercan , Mees Evert J. Dorhout 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMost chronic dialysis patients are volume overloaded. This has two consequences. The first is hypertension. Even though the pathophysiologic mechanism causing this blood pressure (BP) elevation is well known, many patients are treated with antihypertensive drugs. These are often ineffective and, even if they lower BP, they do not eliminate its cause and the associated cardiac damage. But at least as harmful to the heart as the pressure load is the volume load. In the early phase of dialysis, this may lead to acute pulmonary edema, which is often erroneously referred to as “heart failure.” Later, it causes dilatation of the heart compartments, stretching of their walls, and regurgitation through the valves. This dilated cardiomyopathy eventually leads to liver congestion, decreased ejection fraction, and low blood pressure. It is considered to be irreversible and incorrectly called “uremic” by many authors, but can be markedly improved and even cured by judicious ultrafiltration. This may take many months, since the heart muscle needs time to become “remodeled.” All these unwanted effects could be prevented by strong dietary salt restriction. We tried to analyze why this and other “old truths” are being forgotten. While the reasons are clearly multifactorial, the unfortunate introduction of the Kt/V concept seems the most important one. The claim that adequacy of dialysis can be solely defined by urea removal, disregarding all other factors, above all salt retention, has diverted the nephrologist’s attention from the most important issue, giving them the false conviction that the prescribed treatment is “adequate.”
Uncommon Complications of Long‐Term Hemodialysis Catheters: Adhesion, Migration, and Perforation by the Catheter Tip
Authors: Sequeira Adrian , Sachdeva Bharat , Abreo Kenneth 
Published: February 2010

AbstractUse of long‐term dialysis catheters (e.g., tunneled dialysis catheters) predisposes patients to complications. While catheter‐related bacteremia is one of the commonest encountered complication, there are a series of rare complications, namely catheter adherence to the vessel wall, catheter fracture, and vessel perforation, that can occur. This article attempts to discuss such complications with emphasis on potential risk factors, clinical presentations, and management options.
ASDIN: Controversial Vascular Access Surveillance Mandate
Authors: Paulson William D. , Work Jack 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently revised the requirements that end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) dialysis facilities must meet to be certified under Medicare. The CMS ESRD Interpretive Guidance Update states that the dialysis facility must now have an ongoing program of hemodialysis vascular access surveillance. Surveillance usually refers to monthly access blood flow or static dialysis venous pressure measurements combined with preemptive correction of stenosis. However, surveillance as currently practiced does not accurately predict synthetic graft thrombosis or prolong graft life. There is limited evidence that monthly surveillance may reduce native arteriovenous fistula thrombosis without prolonging fistula life, but the effect on thrombosis awaits further confirmation. Thus, the CMS surveillance requirement is not evidence based. We recommend the following changes to the ESRD Interpretive Guidance Update: only monitoring (e.g., physical examination) is required, whereas the proper role of surveillance awaits the results of further research. Such changes would allow nephrologists to apply the clinical judgment and individualized care that is most beneficial to their patients.
Telomere length in relation to insulin resistance, inflammation and obesity among Arab youth
Authors: Al‐Attas OS , Al‐Daghri N , Bamakhramah A , Shaun Sabico S , McTernan P , Huang TT‐K 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to determine the associations of telomere length to markers of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in Saudi children.Methods:  A total of 69 boys and 79 girls, aged 5–12 years, participated in this cross‐sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured. Serum glucose and lipid profile were measured using routine laboratory methods. Serum insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and active plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 were quantified using customized multiplex assay kits. C‐reactive protein and angiotensin II were quantified using ELISA. Leucocyte telomere length was examined by quantitative real time PCR utilizing IQ cycler.Results:  Mean telomere length was significantly shorter in obese boys compared with their lean counterparts (p = 0.049), not in girls. It was not associated to insulin resistance, adipocytokines and markers of inflammation. In girls, the significant predictor of telomere length was waist circumference, explaining 24% of variance (p = 0.041) while in boys, systolic blood pressure explained 84% of the variance (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Childhood obesity in boys corresponds to shorter leucocyte telomere length which is not evident in girls. The association of leucocyte telomere length to blood pressure and waist circumference in children suggests clinical implications as to the contribution of these parameters in premature ageing.
Comparison of 2,4‐D and dicamba treatments for embryo development and plant regeneration in crosses between Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Dactylis glomerata L.
Authors: Komatsu Toshinori , Uchiyama Kazuhiro , Arakawa Akira , Tase Kazuhiro 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe compared the effects of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4‐D) and 6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) treatments on embryo development and plant regeneration in crosses between Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Dactylis glomerata L. Two embryos (1.1% of pollinated florets) were obtained after 2,4‐D treatment for 2 days. They germinated on hormone‐free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1 g L−1 yeast extract, 70 g L−1 sucrose and 6 g L−1 agar, and developed into green seedlings. Dicamba treatment for 2 days gave higher frequencies of embryo development (4.3% of pollinated florets) than did 2,4‐D treatment, but only one embryo (0.4% of pollinated florets) germinated on hormone‐free MS agar medium, and no seedling was obtained. These results show that 2,4‐D is more effective than dicamba at producing F1 hybrids on hormone‐free MS agar medium. The F1 plant was intermediate between the parents in height, inflorescence morphology and lower leaf appearance. The folding of leaves in young shoots and the number of glumes resembled those of D. glomerata. Anthers did not dehisce. The F1 plant was an aneuploid with 26 chromosomes. The mean chromosome association was 0.04 trivalents, 10.36 bivalents and 5.16 univalents at metaphase I in pollen mother cells.
Responses of vegetation to soil disturbance by Sibelian marmots within a landscape and between landscape positions in Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Authors: Yoshihara Yu , Okuro Toshiya , Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar , Undarmaa Jamsran , Takeuchi Kazuhiko 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCan an examination of the interactive effects of soil disturbance by rodents and landscape positions on vegetation response evaluate the ecological role of the keystone species (ecosystem engineers) at a broad scale, thereby providing good approaches to the management of the key engineers for healthy Mongolian steppes? To answer this question, we surveyed plants growing on and off the mounds created by Siberian marmots (Marmota sibirica) among 14 landscape positions and within a single mountain slope in a forested steppe region of Mongolia. Significant interactions between landscape position and soil disturbance by marmots were seen in forb volume. The impact of soil disturbance on species composition was low in mountain areas and high on depositional plains. Soil disturbance may have changed microenvironments from xeric to more humid or from moist to more xeric, depending on the other site characteristics. Collectively, our results suggest that sedimentation and pre‐existing water conditions modify the relationships between soil disturbance and landscape position. Because the landscapes can be divided clearly into those that received only positive influences and those that received only negative influence from the marmot disturbance, zoning becomes more meaningful. Our a priori evaluation of the influence of keystone engineers on ecosystems at a broad scale could provide insights into how to optimize the performance of ecosystem engineering in a way that is beneficial to ecosystem management.