bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Birth outcomes associated with prenatal participation in a government support programme for mothers with low incomes
Authors: Canning P. M. , Frizzell L. M. , Courage M. L. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground  Women with low incomes are at higher risk to have low‐birthweight (LBW) babies and less likely to participate in prenatal support programmes than women with higher incomes. This study examined birth outcomes among participants in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mother‐Baby Nutrition Supplement (MBNS), a prenatal programme for women with low incomes that provides a monthly financial supplement and printed information on infant health and development, along with a referral to public health nursing services.Methods  Application data (e.g. mother's age, education) for those who applied between August 2002 and December 2004 were obtained from the Provincial Government. Birth outcomes (e.g. birthweight, weeks of gestation) were available for 1599 women. Of these, 862 were parity zero and subsequently delivered full‐term infants. Comparisons were made on demographics, timeliness of enrolment and rates of full‐term LBW.Results  Participants were more often single, younger and less educated than the average woman who gave birth in the Province or Canada in 2004. Women enrolled early were less likely to have a full‐term LBW baby than those enrolled late (χ2(1)= 4.03, P= 0.045). Mothers enrolled late had a higher rate of full‐term LBW than was the case in the Province [risk ratio (RR) = 2.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.61−4.74] and Canada (RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.55−4.21) whereas those enrolled earlier, despite increased risk due to low income, age and education, single status and zero parity, had rates of full‐term LBW on par with the Province (RR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.71−2.32) and Canada (RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.68−2.08).Conclusion  The MBNS is an effective intervention for improving birth outcomes in women considered at risk. The challenge is to enrol pregnant women as early as possible. Future research will examine what programme component or combination of components (e.g. financial, information, referral) affects birth outcomes.
Physically active families – de‐bunking the myth? A qualitative study of family participation in physical activity
Authors: Thompson J. L. , Jago R. , Brockman R. , Cartwright K. , Page A. S. , Fox K. R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground  The benefits of physical activity for reducing obesity and related chronic diseases are well known. The need for more family‐based interventions to increase physical activity is frequently cited in the literature; however, little is known about if and how families are physically active together, and what factors might influence family‐based participation in regular physical activity. This study examined the types of activities (physical and sedentary) engaged in as a family and explored parents' perceptions of the importance, frequency, nature and barriers to family physical activity.Methods  Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with 30 parents (26 female, four male) of 10‐ to 11‐year‐old schoolchildren who attended either low, middle or high socio‐economic status schools in Bristol, UK. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, anonymized and analysed using conventional content analysis.Results  The majority of parents rated family engagement in physical activity as important, and identified benefits such as increased parent–child communication, spending time together, enjoyment, enhanced mental health, weight control and physical fitness. Despite these benefits most parents reported their families did little or no physical activity together as a family unit during the week, and any activities performed together were usually sedentary in nature. They reported increased family physical activity on the weekends but rarely including the full family unit simultaneously. Parents in two‐parent households commonly paired off with one or more children because of complexities of schedules. Commonly reported barriers were busy lifestyles, diverse ages and interests of children and adults, bad weather, and lack of access to facilities, transportation and money to support activities.Conclusions  Family‐based interventions might be more effective if they are designed to accommodate the complex demands and needs of two‐parent and single‐parent families and provide affordable, diverse activities appealing to a wide range of interests.
Parenting stress in US families: implications for paediatric healthcare utilization
Authors: Raphael J. L. , Zhang Y. , Liu H. , Giardino A. P. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjective  According to family stress models, parental responses to stress disrupt interactions between parent and child and may lead to parental inability to seek timely medical care for their child. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the relationship between high parenting stress and child healthcare utilization.Methods  We used the 2003–2004 National Survey of Children's Health to determine the prevalence of parenting stress in US families and associated socio‐demographic variables. We used weighted logistic regression to investigate associations between parenting stress and healthcare utilization, controlling for other parental psychosocial and socio‐demographic variables. The primary independent variables were parenting stress, parental mental health, parental coping and social support. The main dependent variables were emergency care, sick visits to primary care and preventive care in the past 12 months.Results  Nationally, 13% of children lived in households with at least one parent experiencing high parenting stress. Socio‐demographic variables associated with the highest odds of parenting stress included Black race, special needs status and non‐English primary language. Parents with high parenting stress had a higher odds (adjusted odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.10–1.41) of seeking emergency care for their children compared with parents with low parenting stress, controlling for other parental psychosocial factors and socio‐demographic variables.Conclusions  Having a parent who is experiencing high parenting stress is associated with greater utilization of paediatric emergency care. Interventions targeted at parenting stress may provide families with needed support and reduce unnecessary emergency care utilization.
Visceral adiposity is closely correlated with neck circumference and represents a significant indicator of insulin resistance in WHO grade III obesity
Authors: Yang L. , Samarasinghe Y. P. , Kane P. , Amiel S. A. , Aylwin S. J. B. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryObjective  Although associations between visceral adiposity (intra‐abdominal fat mass) and insulin resistance are well established, previous data include few subjects with WHO grade III obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2]. We have investigated the relationship between visceral adiposity and insulin resistance using computed tomography (CT)‐quantified fat mass and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) in patients with severe obesity.Patients and methods  Eighteen nondiabetic subjects with BMI > 40 kg/m2 were recruited. BMI, and waist, hip and neck circumferences were measured. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose were measured to calculate HOMA‐IR. A single slice CT scan was taken at L4 and visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and ASAT, respectively) quantified using ‘SliceOmatic’ image analysis software.Results  A close correlation was demonstrated between VAT and HOMA‐IR (r2 = 0·46, P = 0·002), whereas ASAT showed no relationship. Neck circumference correlated with both VAT (r2 = 0·67, P < 0·0001) and HOMA‐IR (r2 = 0·35, P = 0·01). Waist circumference only correlated significantly with VAT (r2 = 0·25, P = 0·03).Conclusions  Visceral adiposity remains a strongly significant indicator of insulin resistance in WHO grade III obesity. Neck circumference surpasses other anthropometric measurements as a powerful marker of both VAT and insulin resistance.
Change of symptoms and perceived health in acromegalic patients on pegvisomant therapy: a retrospective cohort study within the German Pegvisomant Observational Study (GPOS)
Authors: Sievers Caroline , Brübach Katja , Saller Bernhard , Schneider Harald J. , Buchfelder Michael , Droste Michael , Mann Klaus , Strasburger Christian J. , Stalla Günter K. ,   On behalf of the German Pegvisomant Investigators
Published: December 2009

SummaryObjective  This study aimed at investigating how symptoms and perceived health changes in acromegalic patients during pegvisomant treatment in respect to IGF‐1 levels and disease characteristics.Design/patients  Retrospective, multicentre cohort study in 131 acromegalic patients within the German Pegvisomant Observational Study (GPOS).Measurements  Outcome measure was the change of perceived health evaluated by the Patient‐Assessed Acromegaly Symptom Questionnaire (PASQ) between baseline and after 1 year of pegvisomant therapy. Predictors were change in IGF‐1 levels, maximal pegvisomant dosage, adverse events and comorbidities.Results  Perspiration, soft tissue swelling and perceived health improved after 1 year of pegvisomant therapy while other symptoms such as headache, fatigue and joint pain remained largely unchanged over time. The highest mean IGF‐1/upper limit of normal (ULN) values before pegvisomant therapy were found in those patients with a reported amelioration in perspiration and soft tissue swelling after 1 year of pegvisomant treatment. The highest mean decrease of IGF‐1/ULN was found in those patients with reported amelioration of numbness and tingling of limbs. Other factors such as decrease in fasting glucose may play a role as independent predictor for some symptoms such as the improvement of headache, perspiration and perceived health, while other factors such as maximal pegvisomant dosage, occurrence of adverse events, tumour growth, or liver enzyme elevation did not play a predictive role.Conclusions  Patients’ symptoms and perceived health are in part an independent construct, not merely reflecting IGF‐1 status or biochemical control. Subjective measures should therefore be regularly documented in acromegalic patients as a patient‐oriented indicator for treatment success.
Usefulness of iodine/creatinine ratio from spot‐urine samples to evaluate the effectiveness of low‐iodine diet preparation for radioiodine therapy
Authors: Kim Hee Kyung , Lee Soo Youn , Lee Ji In , Jang Hye Won , Kim Soo Kyoung , Chung Hye Soo , Tan Alice Hyun Kyung , Hur Kyu Yeon , Kim Jae Hyeon , Chung Jae Hoon , Kim Sun Wook 
Published: December 2009

SummaryObjective  The success of a low‐iodine diet (LID) is best determined by measurement of 24‐h urine iodine (U‐I) excretion. The aim of this study was to determine reliable estimates for 24‐h U‐I based on spot‐urine samples and to provide cut‐offs to determine the effectiveness of LID preparation.Design  We prospectively measured iodine levels in 193 patients based on 24‐h‐ and spot‐urine samples before radioactive iodine therapy. The iodine was expressed as the 24‐h U‐I excretion (μg/day) and as two different indices from spot urine, simple iodine concentration (simple I) and the iodine/creatinine (I/Cr) ratio. Poor LID preparation was defined as I excretion of >150 μg/day according to the 24‐h U‐I measurement.Results  The measured 24‐h U‐I was significantly higher than the two indices from spot urine (P < 0·001). However, there were statistically significant correlations between the 24‐h U‐I values and the two spot‐urine‐based indices; the correlation coefficient was 0·539 for simple I and 0·773 for I/Cr ratio (P < 0·001). The cut‐off of I/Cr ratio for poor LID preparation was >66·2 μg/g Cr (sensitivity 96·4%, specificity 83·6%, positive predictive value 50·0% and negative predictive value 99·3%).Conclusions  We demonstrated that the I/Cr ratio from spot urine could serve as a useful and reliable alternative to 24‐h urine collection as it has acceptable diagnostic values for detecting poor LID preparation.
Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men
Authors: Wehr E. , Pilz S. , Boehm B. O. , März W. , Obermayer‐Pietsch B. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryObjective  Studies in rodents indicate a role of vitamin D in male reproduction, but the relationship between vitamin D and androgen levels in men is largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the association of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with testosterone, free androgen index (FAI) and SHBG. Moreover, we examined whether androgen levels show a similar seasonal variation to 25(OH)D.Design  In this cross‐sectional study, 25(OH)D, testosterone and SHBG levels were assessed by immunoassay in 2299 men who were routinely referred for coronary angiography (1997–2000).Measurements  Main outcome measures were associations of 25(OH)D levels with testosterone, SHBG and FAI. FAI was calculated as testosterone (nmol/l)/SHBG (nmol/l) × 100.Results  Men with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (≥30 μg/l) had significantly higher levels of testosterone and FAI and significantly lower levels of SHBG when compared to 25(OH)D insufficient (20–29·9 μg/l) and 25(OH)D‐deficient (<20 μg/l) men (P < 0·05 for all). In linear regression analyses adjusted for possible confounders, we found significant associations of 25(OH)D levels with testosterone, FAI and SHBG levels (P < 0·05 for all). 25(OH)D, testosterone and FAI levels followed a similar seasonal pattern with a nadir in March (12·2 μg/l, 15·9 nmol/l and 40·8, respectively) and peak levels in August (23·4 μg/l, 18·7 nmol/l and 49·7, respectively) (P < 0·05 for all).Conclusion  Androgen levels and 25(OH)D levels are associated in men and reveal a concordant seasonal variation. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on androgen levels.
How do small browsers respond to resource changes? Dietary response of the Cape grysbok to clearing alien Acacias
Authors: Kerley Graham I. H. , Landman Marietjie , De Beer Stephanie 
Published: December 2009

Summary 1. The responses of small ruminants to changing food availability may vary from a broadening of the diet with declining availability, as predicted by optimality theory, to the maintenance of a restricted, selected diet, as predicted by the body‐size constraint hypothesis. 2. We test these conflicting predictions by assessing the dietary responses of the Cape grysbok Raphicerus melanotis, a near‐endemic to the Cape Floristic region, South Africa, to changes in the availability of a key forage species (i.e. Australian Acacia sp.). We predicted that the removal of alien Acacias would cause a broadening of the diet, and the consumption of previously avoided species, despite the selectivity imposed by their small body size. We used faecal analyses to describe grysbok diet and assessed diet quality through faecal quality analyses. 3. Results show that grysbok are highly selective browsers, able to change their diet and dietary preferences in response to changes in food availability. Animals included additional species in the diet in the absence of alien Acacias, altered their principal dietary items, broadened foraging strategies to include grass and some previously avoided species became preferred in the absence of Acacias. These dietary changes were effective in maintaining dietary protein intake, and caused a reduction in fibre intake in the absence of Acacias. 4. The data do not support the body size constraint hypothesis which is thought to impose a limit on the ability of small ruminants to select additional dietary species. 5. These data represent the first quantification of extensive grazing (up to 51% of the diet) by a species considered a browser. These findings support the prediction of optimality theory, whereby animals faced with a loss of important food items broaden their diet to include previously avoided species.
Food availability and population processes: severity of nutritional stress during reproduction predicts survival of long‐lived seabirds
Authors: Kitaysky Alexander S. , Piatt John F. , Hatch Scott A. , Kitaiskaia Evgenia V. , Benowitz‐Fredericks Z. Morgan , Shultz Michael T. , Wingfield John C. 
Published: December 2009

Summary 1. Life‐history theory predicts a trade‐off between costs of current reproduction and future survival of individuals. Studies of short‐lived animals in general support this prediction. However, the effect of nutritional stress during reproduction on survival of long‐lived animals is poorly understood. 2. We examined the link between nutritional stress, fecundity and return to a breeding colony (hereafter ‘survival’) of black‐legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) at two colonies with contrasting patterns in adult survival, fecundity, and numerical trends. 3. We tested the observational (at Duck and Gull Is., Cook Inlet, Northern Gulf of Alaska) and experimental (at Middleton I., Gulf of Alaska) relationships between variations in the secretion of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) and food abundance. Then, we examined the relationships between nutritional stress (as reflected in CORT), reproduction, and survival of individuals. 4. On average, CORT was higher in kittiwakes breeding on Duck I. (declining, low fecundity, high survival) compared to those breeding on Gull I. (increasing, high fecundity, low survival). 5. At both colonies, CORT was directly negatively correlated with food abundance quantified at sea. Experimental feeding of individuals ad libitum resulted in a reduction of CORT in birds breeding on Middleton I. These results suggest that CORT is a reliable measure of food availability and defines nutritional stress (stress) in kittiwakes. 6. On Gull I., where survival is low (86%), production of young declined as stress increased. On Duck I., where survival is high (93%), parents always failed in raising young, though they experienced a wide range of stress levels. 7. Survival of individuals is linked to their CORT levels during reproduction. High levels of CORT predicted disappearance of individuals from both colonies. 8. The results support the hypothesis that nutritional stress during reproduction affects both survival and reproduction in long‐lived animals. However, even within a species the ways in which survival and reproduction trade‐off against each other may vary among populations. Results suggest that reproductive consequences of nutritional stress might differ between declining and increasing populations, which should be tested. We conclude that severity of nutritional stress during reproduction is one of the major factors defining population processes in kittiwakes.
Relationship between symptoms of androgen deficiency and psychological factors and quality of life among Chinese men
Authors: Lee A. M. , Chu L.‐W. , Chong C. S.‐Y. , Chan S.‐Y. , Tam S. , Lam K. S.‐L. , Lam T.‐P. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryAndrogen deficiency in the ageing male (ADAM) was proposed to characterize a symptom cluster of decrease in sexual function and strength, dysphoria and osteopenia in ageing men with decreased levels of androgens. Unlike menopause, literature on the topic is scarce and focuses mainly on the physiological aspects of the problem. However, men with ADAM also face a milieu of psychosocial stressors which may adversely affect their mental health. It is pertinent to examine ADAM within a psychological context. This study aims to determine the prevalence of symptoms of ADAM among Chinese men, and to examine their relationship with psychological distress and quality of life. A cross‐sectional design was employed with standardized questionnaires to assess symptoms of ADAM and related psychological factors. The ADAM questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Short Form Health Survey‐12 were administered to a community sample of 311 Chinese men (aged 40–80) attending a family medicine clinic in Hong Kong. Demographic information was also collected. A total of 87.8% of the sample was screened ADAM positive using the ADAM questionnaire. Age, duration of marriage, occupation, household income and physical health were found to be significantly associated with ADAM status. ADAM positive individuals were found to have higher anxiety and depression scores, higher stress level, higher psychiatric morbidity and poorer physical and mental quality of life compared with their ADAM negative counterparts. Symptoms of ADAM are prevalent among the Chinese. ADAM positivity as measured by the ADAM questionnaire is associated with poorer psychological well‐being and quality of life in the ageing population. Further research and clinical attention to the psychological needs of this population is warranted.
Arrangement of PMCA4 in bovine sperm membrane fractions
Authors: Post H. , Schwarz A. , Brandenburger T. , Aumüller G. , Wilhelm B. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryThe plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) is the main restorer of Ca2+ balance in sperm. Particularly, PMCA isoform 4 has an essential function in sperm fertility by its participation in gaining sperm hypermotility. PMCA activity is influenced by its lipid environment. Sperm membranes exhibit lipid raft microdomains or detergent‐resistant membrane domains, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, forming functional specialized areas. Lipid and protein composition of lipid rafts alters during the capacitation process, which is characterized by a cholesterol efflux. In this study, the localization of PMCA4 in lipid membrane fractions of the sperm plasma membrane was investigated. We identified PMCA4 in both the detergent‐resistant membrane (DRM) and in the detergent‐soluble (DS) fraction of caput and cauda sperm, respectively. Capacitation did not influence PMCA4 localization. In immunocytochemical studies PMCA4 was co‐localized with the lipid raft/DRM marker caveolin in the mid piece of caput and cauda sperm. Functional studies with seminal vesicle major protein PDC‐109 showed that the Ca2+‐ATPase activity in DS fractions of cauda sperm and capacitated cauda sperm was stronger enhanced than in the DRMs. In both fractions the effect was statistically significant. In contrast, in lipid overlay experiments PDC‐109 interacted stronger with the lipids extracted from DRMs than with lipids extracted from DS. Our results indicate a possible functional compartmentalization of PMCA in bull sperm membranes and point to a presumptive, yet unknown interaction partner of Ca2+‐ATPase and PDC‐109, mediating the PDC‐109 action from DRMs to the DS fraction of sperm plasma membrane.
Sildenafil efficacy in erectile dysfunction secondary to spinal cord injury depends on the level of cord injuries
Authors: Khorrami M. H. , Javid A. , Moshtaghi D. , Nourimahdavi K. , Mortazavi A. , Zia H. R. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryTo evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil in the treatment of neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) spinal cord injury (SCI). After taking consents 105 patients suffering from ED were enrolled in this prospective study. Seventy‐two patients had signs and symptoms of UMN and 33 patients had signs and symptoms of LMN or mixed (UMN and LMN) spinal cord injuries. The patients took 50–100 mg sildenafil or placebo tablet at least 45 min before sexual intercourse. Based on a IIEF questionnaire, success in achieving erection adequate for sexual intercourse was compared between sildenafil and placebo groups in UMN and non‐UMN spinal cord injuries. In patients with UMN disease, sildenafil was effective in 82% of patients and its efficacy was statistically higher than placebo (82 vs. 25%, p < 0.05). Twenty‐eight per cent of patients with non‐UMN disease had a favourable response to sildenafil that was not statistically different from placebo. Sildenafil seems more effective in the treatment of neurogenic ED secondary to UMN spinal cord injury compared with that secondary to LMN injury. Actually, its efficacy on LMN injuries does not seem different from placebo and administration of this treatment may not be effective in spinal cord injury which has caused LMN symptoms.