bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug treatment of urological symptoms: estimating the magnitude of unmet need in a community‐based sample
Authors: Hall Susan A. , Link Carol L. , Hu Jim C. , Eggers Paul W. , McKinlay John B. 
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVETo examine, in a community‐based sample, the use of prescription drugs for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and painful bladder syndrome; and to determine whether the use of recommended medications varied by sociodemographics, symptom severity, access to care, and other factors.SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn a cross‐sectional analysis of data obtained from 5503 men and women residents participating in the Boston Area Community Health Survey of Boston, MA, urological symptoms were ascertained by in‐person interviews conducted during 2002–2005, using validated symptom scales. Medication use in the past 4 weeks was captured using a combination of drug‐inventory methods and self‐report.RESULTSCompared to the prevalence of symptoms, the prevalence of use of medications for urological conditions was very low among men and women. The highest prevalence of use was among men with moderate‐to‐severe LUTS/BPH symptoms, where 9.6% used recommended drugs. Use of medications did not vary consistently by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status, but was often associated with symptom severity. More frequent and more recent use of medical care was also associated with greater use of urological medications.CONCLUSIONSOnly a small proportion of community‐dwelling men and women with urological symptoms are receiving recommended effective drug treatments for urological conditions. While not all persons are candidates for drug treatment, our results suggest that there is a substantial unmet need in the general population.
Adequacy of lymphadenectomy among men undergoing robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Cooperberg Matthew R. , Kane Christopher J. , Cowan Janet E. , Carroll Peter R. 
Published: June 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo compare rates of lymph node dissection (LND) and nodal yields between patients treated with open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP) and robot‐assisted RRP (RARP) in a contemporary single‐institution series.PATIENTS AND METHODSData from 1278 consecutive patients (716 ORRP and 562 RARP) from one institution were accrued prospectively in an institutional database, and the data analysed retrospectively. Disease risk was assessed using the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score. The likelihood of LND, nodal yield, and likelihood of node positivity were compared between ORRP and RARP.RESULTSOf patients treated with ORRP and RARP, 47.8% and 31.8% had LND, respectively, with more receiving LND over time in both surgical approaches. Men undergoing LND had a higher disease risk than those not undergoing LND (mean CAPRA score 4.3 vs 2.1, P < 0.01), and there was no difference in risk between those undergoing ORRP or RARP (mean CAPRA score 3.0 vs 2.9, P = 0.29). The mean (sd) nodal yield was 14.4 (8.7) for ORRP and 9.3 (5.4) for RARP (P < 0.01). Among patients undergoing LND, 5.8% of ORRP and 4.1% of RARP patients had positive nodes (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSThe indications for LND and template dissection should be the same regardless of surgical approach. The nodal yield was adequate using both approaches; the yield was higher among ORRP than RARP patients, but the difference was not large, and is less remarkable than the wide variation in yield within each approach. Several factors might explain this variation.
National prevalence of urogenital pain and prostatitis‐like symptoms in Australian men using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index
Authors: Ferris Jason A. , Pitts Marian K. , Richters Juliet , Simpson Judy M. , Shelley Julia M. , Smith Anthony M. 
Published: June 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2aOBJECTIVETo provide a summary, using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH‐CPSI), of the prevalence of prostatitis‐like symptoms in a population‐based sample of Australian men.SUBJECTS AND METHODSParticipants were Australian men aged 16–64 years recruited as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Health and Relationships: a nationally representative study. In all, 1346 men completed an extensive questionnaire which included the NIH‐CPSI. The index identifies six types of urogenital pain, the presence of urinary problems, and effects on quality of life. Men who reported perineal and/or ejaculatory pain or discomfort and a total NIH‐CPSI pain score of ≥4 were considered as having prostatitis‐like symptoms.RESULTSBased on a weighted population of 1373 men, some form of urogenital pain was reported by 105 (7.6%) men; with 2.8% of men reporting more than one type of urogenital pain. The mean (range) NIH‐CPSI pain score for men reporting pain was 6.2 (5.6–6.8); for all men the mean score was 0.5 (0.4–0.6). About 20% of men (284) were considered to have urinary problems. The mean urinary symptom score for all men was 0.9 (0.9–1.0). The mean total NIH‐CPSI score for men reporting pain was 13.3 (12.0–14.7) and for all men it was 2.6 (2.3–2.8). The estimated prevalence of prostatitis‐like symptoms was ≈2%.CONCLUSIONSUsing the NIH‐CPSI the estimated prevalence for urogenital pain in Australian men is 8%; an estimated 3% of men experience pain from more than one urogenital location. The estimated prevalence of prostatitis‐like symptoms in Australian men is 2%. Almost a third of Australian men experiencing urogenital pain or prostatitis‐like symptoms would be less than satisfied if this was to be ongoing for the rest of their life.
A proof‐of‐concept study of the effectiveness of a removable device for offloading in patients with neuropathic ulceration of the foot: the Ransart boot
Authors: Dumont I. J. , Lepeut M. S. , Tsirtsikolou D. M. , Popielarz S. M. , Cordonnier M. M. , Fayard A. J. , Devemy F. , Fernandez E. , Basuyaux O. , Jeffcoate W. J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim  To undertake a proof‐of‐concept study to determine whether a removable offloading device (the Ransart boot) for the management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) was as effective as reports of non‐removable devices.Research design and methods  This observational study used the Ransart boot for patients with DFU, in seven specialist centres. If a patient had two or more ulcers, one was selected as the index ulcer. Ulcers were classified by the University of Texas (UT) system.Results  There were 135 patients (mean age 60.3 ± 11.4 years); 96 (71.1%) male. Median ulcer duration at presentation was 90 [interquartile range (IQR) 30–1825] days. Seven were lost to follow‐up, seven developed other major illnesses and four died; outcomes were documented in the remaining 117. Eighty‐two (70.1% of 117) healed, after a median (IQR) 60 (43–99) days, while 22 (18.8%) ulcers were resolved by amputation (one major). The remaining 13 (11.1%) patients were judged non‐compliant. There was a close correlation between ulcer classification at baseline and both time to healing (P < 0.001 χ2‐test) and amputation (P < 0.001; Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient). There was a positive correlation between ulcer duration at presentation and time to healing (P < 0.02), UT class (P < 0.01), glycated haemoglobin (P < 0.02) and amputation (P < 0.04).Conclusions  Time to healing and incidence of amputation were comparable with those previously reported for non‐removable devices. Given that a removable device is much more acceptable to the patient, the effectiveness, cost and acceptability of the removable devices, such as the Ransart boot, need to be compared with a non‐removable device in a randomized trial.
J‐shaped relationship between waist circumference and subsequent risk for Type 2 diabetes: an 8‐year follow‐up of relatively lean Japanese individuals
Authors: Sakurai M. , Miura K. , Takamura T. , Ishizaki M. , Morikawa Y. , Nakamura K. , Yoshita K. , Kido T. , Naruse Y. , Kaneko S. , Nakagawa H. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAims  This study investigated the relationship between waist circumference and the subsequent incidence of Type 2 diabetes and the association with insulin resistance and pancreatic B‐cell function in relatively lean Japanese individuals.Methods  The study participants were 3992 employees (2533 men and 1459 women, aged 35–55 years) of a metal‐products factory in Japan. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations during an 8‐year follow‐up. We calculated age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) according to the sex‐specific quintile of waist circumference at baseline. Differences in baseline insulin resistance [homeostatis model assessment (HOMA)‐IR] and pancreatic B‐cell function (HOMA‐B) were compared between participants who developed diabetes and those who did not.Results  During the follow‐up, 218 participants developed diabetes. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted HRs across the quintiles of waist circumference were 1.78, 1.00 (reference), 1.59, 3.11 and 3.30, respectively (P for trend, < 0.0001). The HR for the lowest quintile was significantly higher than that for the second quintile. Among participants with waist circumference of the lowest quintile, HOMA‐B was lower in those who developed diabetes than in those who did not [33.1 (24.1–45.0) vs. 54.3 (37.9–74.6) median (interquartile range), P < 0.0001], but HOMA‐IR did not differ between these groups.Conclusions  There was a J‐shaped relationship between waist circumference and subsequent risk for Type 2 diabetes in relatively lean Japanese individuals; lower pancreatic B‐cell function may also increase the risk of diabetes in very lean Japanese people.
Flexible Contract Workers in Inferior Jobs: Reappraising the Evidence
Authors: Green Colin , Kler Parvinder , Leeves Gareth 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThere is concern that the increase in flexible employment contracts witnessed in many OECD economies is evidence of a growth in low‐pay, low‐quality jobs. In practice, it is difficult to evaluate the ‘quality’ of flexible jobs. Previous research has primarily investigated objective measures of job quality such as wages and training or subjective measures such as job satisfaction. We jointly evaluate these elements of flexible employment contracts using a job quality index. Analysis of this index demonstrates that flexible jobs are of a lower quality. Differences in the subjective and objective assessment of factors like pay and hours are evident.
GAMBLING WITH TAX DOLLARS
Authors: Santore Rudy 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTMunicipalities often spend money in the hopes of generating new tax revenue. Because the estimated increase in tax revenues is uncertain, these policies are essentially gambles with tax dollars. This paper shows that it is possible for a welfare‐maximizing government to exhibit risk‐loving behavior even though individual taxpayers are risk‐averse. This risk‐loving behavior may occur when the government has the option to provide an indivisible public good, such as a park. Interestingly, the poorest and wealthiest municipalities do not find gambles optimal. For communities that find gambles optimal, both the provision of the public good and tax rates are affected.
HPABM: A Hierarchical Parallel Simulation Framework for Spatially‐explicit Agent‐based Models
Authors: Tang Wenwu , Wang Shaowen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA Hierarchical Parallel simulation framework for spatially‐explicit Agent‐Based Models (HPABM) is developed to enable computationally intensive agent‐based models for the investigation of large‐scale geospatial problems. HPABM allows for the utilization of high‐performance and parallel computing resources to address computational challenges in agent‐based models. Within HPABM, an agent‐based model is decomposed into a set of sub‐models that function as computational units for parallel computing. Each sub‐model is comprised of a sub‐set of agents and their spatially‐explicit environments. Sub‐models are aggregated into a group of super‐models that represent computing tasks. HPABM based on the design of super‐ and sub‐models leads to the loose coupling of agent‐based models and underlying parallel computing architectures. The utility of HPABM in enabling the development of parallel agent‐based models was examined in a case study. Results of computational experiments indicate that HPABM is scalable for developing large‐scale agent‐based models and, thus, demonstrates efficient support for enhancing the capability of agent‐based modeling for large‐scale geospatial simulation.
A new genus and species of lungless salamander (family Plethodontidae) from the Appalachian highlands of the south‐eastern United States
Authors: Camp C. D. , Peterman W. E. , Milanovich J. R. , Lamb T. , Maerz J. C. , Wake D. B. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe describe a striking new species of the lungless salamander family Plethodontidae from the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, USA. This miniature species, c. 25–26 mm (adult standard length), is so distinctive genetically and morphologically that we erect a new genus, the first new genus of amphibian described from the US in nearly 50 years. It is unique among plethodontids from eastern North America in displaying sexual colour dimorphism. Although certain miniaturized plethodontids exhibit a reduced number (four) of digits on the pes, this species possesses a full complement of five toes. A plethodontid phylogeny derived from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences places it in the tribe Spelerpini as the sister taxon to Eurycea. Genetic divergence between the new species and Eurycea for the nuclear gene Rag‐1 (4.7%) is among the higher levels observed between long‐established spelerpine genera (2.6–5.3%). This new form appears to be rare and is of immediate conservation concern.
Congenital perisylvian dysfunction – is it a spectrum?
Authors: CLARK MARIA , CHONG WUI K , COX TIM , NEVILLE BRIAN GR 
Published: June 2009

Aim  This study examines the overlap between children with bulbar cerebral palsy (Worster–Drought syndrome [WDS]) and perisylvian polymicrogyria.Method  A total of 121 children (81 males, 40 females; mean age 5y 5mo, SD 3y 6mo; age range 1mo–15y 4mo) were studied using retrospective clinical data and magnetic resonance imaging. In all, 70 children had WDS with normal perisylvian imaging, 31 had congenital bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (CBPP), and 20 had congenital unilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (CUPP).Results  All groups shared aetiological markers (male sex, congenital contractures, low familial incidence, excess antenatal events). There was a common phenotype of pseudobulbar palsy with mild limb pyramidal signs in all children with WDS, 90% of those with CBPP, and one‐third of those with CUPP, often also associated with learning disability*, epilepsy, and behavioural difficulties. A further 15% of children with CUPP acquired this phenotype through an epileptic encephalopathy. Pseudobulbar palsy rather than polymicrogyria was more predictive of additional impairments other than epilepsy.Interpretation  We propose that congenital perisylvian dysfunction is a spectrum encompassing the WDS phenotype and perisylvian polymicrogyria imaging abnormalities. As with other prenatal brain abnormalities, there is not necessarily concordance between imaging and clinical findings, although the phenotype is often more severe to manifest imaging abnormality. Clinical phenotype is the best indicator of prognosis. Epileptic encephalopathy can cause an acquired form of perisylvian dysfunction where there is.
Measuring the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy: comparing the conceptual differences and psychometric properties of three instruments
Authors: DAVIS ELISE , SHELLY AMY , WATERS ELIZABETH , DAVERN MELANIE 
Published: June 2009

Aim  To compare the conceptual differences, internal consistency, and validity of the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (CP QOL‐Child), the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), and a European generic health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire (10‐domain version; KIDSCREEN‐10) for children with cerebral palsy (CP).Method  Two hundred and four primary caregivers (185 females [91%], 19 males [9%]) of children with CP aged 4 to 12 years (mean 8y 4mo [SD 2.51]; 112 males [55%], 92 females [46%], Gross Motor Function Classification System level I=18%, II=28%, III=14%, IV=11%, V=28%) provided demographic data and completed the CP QOL‐Child, CHQ, and KIDSCREEN‐10. Fifty‐four children with CP aged 9 to 12 years completed the CP QOL‐Child and KIDSCREEN‐10.Results  The KIDSCREEN‐10 and CP QOL‐Child were developed to measure general HRQOL and CP‐specific QOL respectively, whereas the CHQ was developed to measure functional health and well‐being. In terms of internal consistency, KIDSCREEN‐10 (Cronbach’s α=0.86) and CP QOL‐Child (0.74–0.91) outperformed the CHQ (0.18–0.96). In terms of validity, all instruments were moderately correlated. Floor and ceiling effects, although minimal or not evident for KIDSCREEN‐10 and CP QOL‐Child (1–4.9%), were apparent for CHQ (0.5–62.9%).Interpretation  Conceptually and psychometrically, KIDSCREEN‐10 and CP QOL‐Child performed more strongly than the CHQ, for children with CP. The choice between these two instruments will depend on the questions posed and outcomes sought by the researcher or clinician.
Increased vulnerability of hippocampal pyramidal neurons to the toxicity of kainic acid in OASIS‐deficient mice
Authors: Chihara Kazuyasu , Saito Atsushi , Murakami Tomohiko , Hino Shin‐ichiro , Aoki Yuri , Sekiya Hiroshi , Aikawa Yuji , Wanaka Akio , Imaizumi Kazunori 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is a defense system for dealing with the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen. Old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS) is known to be expressed in astrocytes and involved in the ER stress response; however the function of OASIS in the injured brain has remained unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of OASIS in neuronal degeneration in the hippocampi of mice intraperitoneally injected with kainic acid (KA). OASIS mRNA was strongly induced in response to KA injection, with a similar time course to the induction of ER molecular chaperone immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein mRNA. In situ hybridization showed that KA injection causes induction of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein mRNA in glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive astrocytes as well as in pyramidal neurons, although up‐regulation of OASIS mRNA was only detected in glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive astrocytes. Primary cultured astrocytes, but not the neurons of OASIS−/− mice, revealed reduced vulnerability to ER stress. Furthermore, pyramidal neurons in the hippocampi of OASIS−/− mice were more susceptible to the toxicity induced by KA than those of wild‐type mice. Taken together, these data suggest that OASIS expressed in astrocytes plays important roles in protection against the neuronal damage induced by KA.
Tryptophan is a marker of human postmortem brain tissue quality
Authors: Grünblatt Edna , Monoranu Camelia Maria , Apfelbacher Manuela , Keller Daniela , Michel Tanja M. , Alafuzoff Irina , Ferrer Isidro , Al‐Saraj Safa , Keyvani Kathy , Schmitt Andrea , Falkai Peter , Schittenhelm Jens , McLean Catriona , Halliday Glenda M. , Harper Clive , Deckert Jürgen , Roggendorf Wolfgang , Riederer Peter 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPostmortem human brain tissue is widely used in neuroscience research, but use of tissue originating from different brain bank centers is considered inaccurate because of possible heterogeneity in sample quality. There is thus a need for well‐characterized markers to assess the quality of postmortem brain tissue. Toward this aim, we determined tryptophan (TRP) concentrations, phosphofructokinase‐1 and glutamate decarboxylase activities in 119 brain tissue samples. These neurochemical parameters were tested in samples from autopsied individuals, including control and pathological cases provided by 10 different brain bank centers. Parameters were assessed for correlation with agonal state, postmortem interval, age and gender, brain region, preservation and freezing methods, storage conditions and storage time, RNA integrity, and tissue pH value. TRP concentrations were elevated significantly (p = 0.045) with increased postmortem interval; which might indicate increased protein degradation. Therefore, TRP concentration might be one useful and convenient marker for estimating the quality of human postmortem brain tissue.
Parkin deficiency increases the resistance of midbrain neurons and glia to mild proteasome inhibition: the role of autophagy and glutathione homeostasis
Authors: Casarejos Maria J. , Solano Rosa M. , Rodriguez‐Navarro José A. , Gómez Ana , Perucho Juan , Castaño Jose G. , De Yébenes Justo García , Mena Maria A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractParkin mutations in humans produce parkinsonism whose pathogenesis is related to impaired protein degradation, increased free radicals and abnormal neurotransmitter release. In this study, we have investigated whether partial proteasomal inhibition by epoxomicin, an ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS) irreversible inhibitor, further aggravates the cellular effects of parkin suppression in midbrain neurons and glia. We observed that parkin null (PK‐KO) midbrain neuronal cultures are resistant to epoxomicin‐induced cell death. This resistance is due to increased GSH and DJ‐1 protein levels in PK‐KO mice. The treatment with epoxomicin increases, in wild type (WT) cultures, the pro‐apoptotic Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, the phosphorylation of tau, and the levels of chaperones heat‐shock protein 70 and C‐terminal Hsc‐interacting protein, but none of these effects took place in epoxomicin‐treated PK‐KO cultures. Poly‐ubiquitinated proteins increased more in WT than in PK‐KO‐treated neuronal cultures. Parkin accumulated in WT neuronal cultures treated with epoxomicin. Markers of autophagy, such as LC3II/I, were increased in naïve PK‐KO cultures, and further increased after treatment with epoxomicin, implying that the blockade of the proteasome in PK‐KO neurons triggers the enhancement of autophagy. The treatment with l‐buthionine‐S,R‐sulfoximine and the inhibition of autophagy, however, reverted the increase resistance to epoxomicin of the PK‐KO cultures. We also found that PK‐KO glial cells, stressed by growth in defined medium and depleted of GSH, were more susceptible to epoxomicin induced cell death than WT glia treated similarly. This susceptibility was linked to reduced GSH levels and less heat‐shock protein 70 response, and to activation of p‐serine/threonine kinase protein signaling pathway as well as to increased poly‐ubiquitinated proteins. These data suggest that mild UPS inhibition is compensated by other mechanisms in PK‐KO midbrain neurons. However the depletion of GSH, as happens in stressed glia, suppresses the protection against UPS inhibition‐induced cell death. Furthermore, GSH inhibition regulated differentially UPS activity and in old PK‐KO mice, which have depletion of GSH, UPS activity is decreased in comparison with that of old‐WT.
Roll call analysis of voting in the European Union Council of Ministers after the 2004 enlargement
Authors: MATTILA MIKKO 
Published: June 2009

AbstractVoting and coalitions in the Council of Ministers in the enlarged European Union are analysed for the period during which the EU had 25 Member States, based on Council's roll call records. In terms of frequency of voting in the Council, the new EU Member States did not differ from their older counterparts in any significant way. However, enlargement has had an impact on the Council interaction. A spatial roll call model shows that the Council's political space is comprised of two main dimensions. The first reflects the north‐south cleavage found in the Council even before the 2004 enlargement, while the second is related to enlargement and indicates a cleavage between the new and old Member States. Thus in the enlarged Union, the north‐south dimension is replaced by a north‐south‐east pattern.