bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the effect of a topical product containing C‐xyloside and blueberry extract on the appearance of type II diabetic skin
Authors: Draelos Zoe Diana , Yatskayer Margarita , Raab Susana , Oresajo Christian 
Published: June 2009

SummaryBackground  Diabetes is a multisystem disease caused by the presence of chronic hyperglycemia, which leads to increased oxidative stress. Many of the changes observed in type II diabetic patients can be traced to the increased production of advanced glycation end products, also known as AGEs. AGEs are produced as a result of a nonenzymatic reaction with glucose interacting with proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. AGEs are also present in normal skin with advancing age and contribute to the senescence of many body organs, including the skin.Aims  This research evaluated the effect of a topical product formulation containing blueberry extract, an AGE inhibitor, and C‐xyloside, a GAG synthesis stimulator, applied twice daily on the hand, arm, and facial skin of 20 type II diabetic females. Diabetic skin was chosen for evaluation because AGEs are found in increased concentration in diabetic skin, representing a model for accelerated aging.Materials and Methods  This single‐center study enrolled 20 female type II diabetics aged 55+ years with mild to moderate fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation on the face and hands. Subjects used the study product on their face, hand, and inner forearm twice daily for 12 weeks. Ordinal grading on a 4‐point scale (0 =  none, 1 =  mild, 2 =moderate, 3 =  severe) of facial fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, radiance, skin tone, skin smoothness, hyperpigmentation, creping, density, sagging, and overall appearance was performed by the investigator at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Tolerability, subject assessments, digital photography, AGE measurements, skin caliper measurements, and corneometry were also performed at each time point.Results  19/20 subjects successfully completed the study. The presence of AGEs was documented by skin autofluorescence. The 12‐week duration of the study was insufficient to measure a change in skin AGEs, but longer application of the study product might produce different results. No tolerability issues were noted. There was a statistically significant increase in skin caliper measurements on the face (P = 0.004) and arm (P = 0.014) as well as corneometry measurements (P < 0.001) consistent with enhanced moisturization at week 12. The dermatologist investigator also found statistically significant improvement in fine lines (P = 0.01), firmness (P = 0.011), radiance (P < 0.001), skin tone (P = 0.014), skin smoothness (P < 0.001), creping (P < 0.004), and overall appearance (P < 0.001).Conclusion  This study examined a topical product containing an AGE inhibitor and a GAG synthesis stimulator designed for the unique needs of diabetic skin.
A new source of aging?
Authors: Knaggs Helen 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThere has been a considerable increase in understanding how skin ages, along with significant progress toward the correction and prevention of the visible signs of aging. However, there are still many unknown factors regarding why we age – and why we all seem to age differently. An area of high interest is the biological or intrinsic processes that affect our appearance over time. This article describes a recent discovery of a membrane bound enzyme proven to be present in skin and increases its activity as biological age increases. The enzyme is located on the external surface of both fibroblast and keratinocytes, and generates free radicals. Therefore, as we age there appears to be a biological mechanism that further increases the production of free radicals. Additionally, there appears to be a relationship between activity of the enzyme and appearance. Data showed that subjects who look younger than their biological age had lower enzyme activity and conversely, subjects who looked older than their biological age had higher enzyme activity. Free radicals are believed to be a major contributing factor in the production of fine lines and wrinkles by destroying the collagen and elastin network keeping skin supple and firm.
Loose anagen hair syndrome in children of Upper Egypt
Authors: Abdel‐Raouf Hamza , El‐Din Wael Hosam , Awad Sherif S , Esmat Ashraf , Al‐Khiat Mohammad , Abdel‐Wahab Hosam , Fakahani Hasan , Al‐Domyati Moetaz , El‐Din Anber Tag , El‐Tonsy Mohammad Hany 
Published: June 2009

SummaryBackground  Loose anagen hair (LAH) syndrome is a phenomenon in early childhood characterized by the presence of easily pluckable hair, where hair tufts can be pulled out easily and painlessly.Aims  All reports in the English literature described mainly white patients with blond hair. We present the first report of LAH syndrome in dark‐skinned children of Upper Egypt.Patients and methods  Twenty‐eight children with LAH were diagnosed and examined from 1996 to 2007. The main complaints were patchy or diffuse alopecia and/or slow growth of hair. Clinical examination, hair pull test, trichogram, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed.Results  Children with LAH included 21 girls (75%) and seven boys (25%). Light microscopy of hair pull tests and trichograms disclosed a striking predominance of anagen hairs (90–100%) with misshapen hair bulbs and absent inner and outer root sheaths. SEM confirmed the misshapen anagen bulbs with ruffled appearance of cuticle and the longitudinal groove parallel to the long axis of the hair shaft. Most children improved spontaneously within few years, however, hair shed continued.Conclusion  LAH syndrome occurs in dark‐skinned children and could be under‐diagnosed. The condition is of cosmetic concern and does not affect the general health.
Age‐associated loss of Sirt1‐mediated enhancement of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in beta cell‐specific Sirt1‐overexpressing (BESTO) mice
Authors: Ramsey Kathryn Moynihan , Mills Kathryn F. , Satoh Akiko , Imai Shin‐ichiro 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) family of NAD‐dependent deacetylases regulates aging and longevity across a wide variety of organisms, including yeast, worms, and flies. In mammals, the Sir2 ortholog Sirt1 promotes fat mobilization, fatty acid oxidation, glucose production, and insulin secretion in response to nutrient availability. We previously reported that an increased dosage of Sirt1 in pancreatic β cells enhances glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and improves glucose tolerance in beta cell‐specific Sirt1‐overexpressing (BESTO) transgenic mice at 3 and 8 months of age. Here, we report that as this same cohort of BESTO mice reaches 18–24 months of age, the GSIS regulated by Sirt1 through repression of Ucp2 is blunted. Increased body weight and hyperlipidemia alone, which are observed in aged males and also induced by a Western‐style high‐fat diet, are not enough to abolish the positive effects of Sirt1 on β cell function. Interestingly, plasma levels of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), an important metabolite for the maintenance of normal NAD biosynthesis and GSIS in β cells, are significantly reduced in aged BESTO mice. Furthermore, NMN administration restores enhanced GSIS and improved glucose tolerance in the aged BESTO females, suggesting that Sirt1 activity decreases with advanced age due to a decline in systemic NAD biosynthesis. These findings provide insight into the age‐dependent regulation of Sirt1 activity and suggest that enhancement of systemic NAD biosynthesis and Sirt1 activity in tissues such as β cells may be an effective therapeutic intervention for age‐associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
The association between leukocyte telomere length and cigarette smoking, dietary and physical variables, and risk of prostate cancer
Authors: Mirabello Lisa , Huang Wen‐Yi , Wong Jason Y.Y. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Reding Douglas , David Crawford E. , De Vivo Immaculata , Hayes Richard B. , Savage Sharon A. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryTelomeres consist of nucleotide repeats and a protein complex at chromosome ends that are essential to maintaining chromosomal integrity. Several studies have suggested that subjects with shorter telomeres are at increased risk of bladder and lung cancer. In comparison to normal tissues, telomeres are shorter in high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer. We examined prostate cancer risk associated with relative telomere length as determined by quantitative PCR on prediagnostic buffy coat DNA isolated from 612 advanced prostate cancer cases and 1049 age‐matched, cancer‐free controls from the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial. Telomere length was analyzed as both a continuous and a categorical variable with adjustment for potential confounders. Statistically significant inverse correlations between telomere length, age and smoking status were observed in cases and controls. Telomere length was not associated with prostate cancer risk (at the median, OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.67, 1.08); associations were similar when telomere length was evaluated as a continuous variable or by quartiles. The relationships between telomere length and inflammation‐related factors, diet, exercise, body mass index, and other lifestyle variables were explored since many of these have previously been associated with shorter telomeres. Healthy lifestyle factors (i.e., lower BMI, more exercise, tobacco abstinence, diets high in fruit and vegetables) tended to be associated with greater telomere length. This study found no statistically significant association between leukocyte telomere length and advanced prostate cancer risk. However, correlations of telomere length with healthy lifestyles were noted, suggesting the role of these factors in telomere biology maintenance and potentially impacting overall health status.
Flow mediated vasodilation and circulating concentrations of high sensitive C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in normal pregnancy – The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study
Authors: Saarelainen Heli , Valtonen Pirjo , Punnonen Kari , Laitinen Tomi , Raitakari Olli T. , Juonala Markus , Heiskanen Nonna , Lyyra‐Laitinen Tiina , Viikari Jorma S. A. , Heinonen Seppo 
Published: June 2009

SummaryBackground:  Traditional risk factors such as hyperlipidemia induce a state of inflammation that impairs vascular function. Despite marked maternal hyperlipidemia, endothelial function improves during pregnancy. In non‐pregnant state increased circulating levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) lead to attenuated flow mediated vasodilation. Relation between endothelial function and pro‐inflammatory cytokines has not been studied thoroughly in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on hsCRP and pro‐inflammatory cytokines and their associations with vascular endothelial function.Methods:  As part of population‐based, prospective cohort Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study conducted in Finland we measured brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) and serum concentrations of hsCRP, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in 57 pregnant Finnish women throughout gestation and 62 control women matched for age and smoking.Results:  HsCRP‐concentration was greater in pregnancy compared to non‐pregnant controls (median hsCRP 2·52 mg l−1 versus 1·21 mg l−1, P<0·001). IL‐6‐concentration was slightly increased in pregnancy compared with the non‐pregnant controls (median 1·66 versus 1·32 mg l−1, non‐significant [NS]) and TNF‐α‐concentration was slightly decreased in pregnant group (2·11 versus 2·38 pg ml−1, NS). FMD increased during pregnancy and IL‐6 had a positive correlation to the FMD in pregnancy (R = 0·288, P = 0·031).Conclusions:  Improvement of FMD in normal pregnancy was not affected by increase in hsCRP concentration. We found an association with IL‐6 and FMD but we believe that improvement in endothelial function during normal pregnancy is not caused by variation in hsCRP, IL‐6 or TNF‐α.
Intra‐observer and inter‐observer variation of Hertel exophthalmometry
Authors: Lam Andrew K. C. , Lam Chun‐fai , Leung Wai‐kit , Hung Pui‐kwan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  This study investigated the intra‐observer and inter‐observer variation of Hertel exophthalmometry.Methods:  Seventy normal Chinese adults had bilateral exophthalmometry performed by two examiners. The two examiners were masked to the measurement results. One examiner did the measurement twice and the other examiner measured it once; the order was randomised. The same Hertel exophthalmometer was used throughout the study. The Bland–Altman method was used to analyse the intra‐observer and inter‐observer agreement.Results:  The mean intra‐observer and inter‐observer agreements on the interorbital distance (IOD) were ±3.31 mm and ±6.39 mm, respectively. The intra‐observer exophthalmometry difference was −0.01 ± 0.61 mm for the right eye and 0.09 ± 0.56 mm for the left eye. Agreements were ±1.19 mm and ±1.09 mm for the right and left eyes, respectively. The inter‐observer exophthalmometry difference was −0.61 ± 0.89 mm for the right eye and −0.49 ± 0.80 mm for the left eye. Agreements were ±1.74 mm and ±1.57 mm for the right and left eyes, respectively. There was no significant intra‐observer difference but the inter‐observer difference was significant on both the IOD and exophthalmometry.Conclusion:  Good intra‐observer agreement was demonstrated using Hertel exophthalmometry. The inter‐observer agreement was clinically acceptable.
A pilot study on the corneal biomechanical changes in short‐term orthokeratology
Authors: Chen Davie , Lam Andrew K. C. , Cho Pauline 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To investigate the biomechanical changes in the cornea, in terms of corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), with short‐term orthokeratology (ortho‐k) treatment, using the Ocular Response Analyser (ORA; Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, NY, USA).Methods:  Twenty young myopes wore ortho‐k lenses in four different sessions: 15, 30, 60 min and overnight respectively. Except for the overnight session which was always the final trial, those sessions were randomly assigned with a 1‐week washout period in between. CH and CRF were measured using the ORA and results were compared between the baseline and after each wearing session.Results:  The mean baseline CH and CRF were 11.1 ± 1.0 mmHg and 10.7 ± 1.3 mmHg, respectively. There was no significant change in CH throughout the study, while a decreasing trend of CRF was shown. Paired t‐test with Bonferroni correction found a significantly reduced CRF of 10.1 mmHg after overnight wear.Conclusions:  Short‐term ortho‐k treatment was shown to alter some corneal biomechanical properties. CRF was shown to decrease with increasing duration of lens wear. Further study is warranted to investigate the long term effect on corneal biomechanics from ortho‐k treatment.
Autonomic correlates of ocular accommodation and cardiovascular function
Authors: Davies Leon N. , Wolffsohn James S. , Gilmartin Bernard 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the hypothesis that objective measures of open‐ and closed‐loop ocular accommodation are related to systemic cardiovascular function, and ipso facto autonomic nervous system activity.Methods: Sixty subjects (29 male; 31 female) varying in age from 18 to 33 years (average: 20.3 ± 2.9 years) with a range of refractive errors [mean spherical equivalent (MSE): −7.12 to +1.82 D] participated in the study. Five 20‐s continuous objective recordings of the accommodative response, measured with an open‐view IR autorefractor (Shin‐Nippon SRW‐5000), were obtained for a variety of open‐ and closed‐loop accommodative demands while simultaneous continuous measurement of heart rate was recorded with a finger‐mounted piezo‐electric pulse transducer for 5 min. Fast Fourier Transformation of cardiovascular function allowed the absolute and relative power of the autonomic components to be assessed in the frequency‐domain, whereas heart period gave an indication of the time‐domain response.Results: Increasing closed‐loop accommodative demand led to a concurrent increase in heart rate of approximately 2 beats/min for a 4.0 D increase in accommodative demand. The increase was attributable to a reduction in the absolute (p < 0.05) and normalised (p < 0.001) input of the systemic parasympathetic nervous system, and was unaffected by refractive group. The interaction with refractive group failed to reach significance.Conclusions: For sustained accommodation effort, the data demonstrate covariation between the oculomotor and cardiovascular systems which implies that a near visual task can significantly influence cardiovascular behaviour. Accommodative effort alone, however, is not a sufficient stimulus to induce autonomic differences between refractive groups. The data suggest that both the oculomotor and cardiovascular systems are predominantly attributable to changes in the systemic parasympathetic nervous system.
Axial length measurements before and after removal of silicone oil: a new method to correct the axial length of silicone‐filled eyes for optical biometry
Authors: Wang Kai , Yuan Meng‐Ke , Jiang Yan‐Rong , Bao Yong‐Zhen , Li Xiao‐Xin 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA total of 67 eyes of 67 patients that have undergone vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included in this prospective clinical study. We measured the axial length (AL) and the anterior chamber depth (ACD) with A‐mode ultrasonography and IOL Master before and after removal of silicone oil. Phase refractive indices of silicone oil at different wavelengths from 400 nm to 1000 nm were measured with an Abbe refractometer and a series of equations were derived to adjust the AL values obtained with the IOL Master in silicone‐filled eyes. The instruments showed good agreement between the AL values measured before and after removal of silicone oil. The ACD values obtained with A‐mode ultrasonography were lower than the values obtained with the IOL Master (p < 0.01). The AL values obtained with the IOL Master after removal of silicone oil were lower than the values obtained preoperatively (p < 0.01). The AL values obtained with the IOL Master after adjustment are more accurate than A‐mode ultrasonography in silicone‐filled eyes.
How well does record abstraction quantify the content of optometric eye examinations in the UK?
Authors: Shah Rakhee , Edgar David F. , Evans Bruce J. W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  A recent review found standardised patient (SP) methodology to be the gold standard method for evaluating clinical care. We compared the clinical records describing the content of optometric eye examinations with the actual content, as revealed by SPs.Methods:  We recruited 111 community optometrists in the South East of the UK who consented to be visited by unannounced actors for an eye examination. The actors received extensive training to enable accurate reporting of the content of the eye examinations, via an audio recording and a checklist completed for each clinical encounter. Each participating optometrist was visited by three standardised patients. Upon completion of the standardised patient visits, copies of the clinical records were requested. Using the SP findings as the gold standard, the information gathered from the clinical record was classified for each quality criterion as true positive (reported by SP and documented on the record card), false negative (reported by SP but not documented on the record card), false positive (not reported by SP but recorded on the record card) and true negative (not reported by SP and not recorded on the record card).Results:  Compared to the gold standard, false positives were identified during record abstraction in 4% of cases and false negatives in 18% of cases. For symptoms and history, the proportion of false negatives ranged from 15% to 25% and 3 to 4% for false positives. The proportion of false negatives for tests performed during the eye examinations ranged from 12% to 22% and false positives ranged from 2% to 6%. Optometrists give patients more verbal advice than is indicated in their records (false negatives, 11–19%). Five to 15% of practitioners recorded patient management and advice that was not reported by the SPs.Conclusions:  Our findings regarding optometric consultation mirror the findings in other healthcare disciplines: clinical records are an imperfect representation of the content of a clinical consultation. Clinical records are subject to a recording bias leading to both under‐ and over‐estimation of the care provided due to the presence of false negatives and false positives. This study has important implications for clinico‐legal cases, where clinical records are a key item of evidence; and our findings indicate that accurate record‐keeping should be a priority for optometric continuing education.
Product selection in Internet business: a fuzzy approach
Authors: Mohanty B. K. , Aouni B. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a methodology which helps customers buy products through the Internet. This procedure takes into account the customer's level of desire in the product attributes, which are normally fuzzy, or in linguistically defined terms. The concept of fuzzy number will be used to measure the degree of similarities of the available products to that of the customer's requirements. The degrees of similarities so obtained over all the attributes give rise to the fuzzy probabilities and hence the fuzzy expected values of availing a product on the Internet as per the customer's requirement. Attribute‐wise the fuzzy expected values are compared with those of the available products on the Internet and the product that is closest to the customer's preference is selected as the best product. The multi‐attribute weighted average method is used here to evaluate and hence to select the best product.
Changes in Regional Variation of Medicare Home Health Care Utilization and Service Mix for Patients Undergoing Major Orthopedic Procedures in Response to Changes in Reimbursement Policy
Authors: FitzGerald John D. , Boscardin W. John , Ettner Susan L. 
Published: June 2009

Background. Significant variation in regional utilization of home health (HH) services has been documented. Under Medicare's Home Health Interim and Prospective Payment Systems, reimbursement policies designed to curb expenditure growth and reduce regional variation were instituted.Objective. To examine the impact of Medicare reimbursement policy on regional variation in HH care utilization and type of HH services delivered.Research Design. We postulated that the reimbursement changes would reduce regional variation in HH services and that HH agencies would respond by reducing less skilled HH aide visits disproportionately compared with physical therapy or nursing visits. An interrupted time‐series analysis was conducted to examine regional variation in the month‐to‐month probability of HH selection, and the number of and type of visits among HH users.Subjects. A 100 percent sample of all Medicare recipients undergoing either elective joint replacement (1.6 million hospital discharges) or surgical management of hip fracture (1.2 million hospital discharges) between January 1996 and December 2001 was selected.Results. Before the reimbursement changes, there was great variability in the probability of HH selection and the number of HH visits provided across regions. In response to the reimbursement changes, though there was little change in the variation of probability of HH utilization, there were marked reductions in the number and variation of HH visits, with greatest reductions in regions with highest baseline utilization. HH aide visits were the source of the baseline variation and accounted for the majority of the reductions in utilization after implementation.Conclusions. The HH interim and prospective payment policies were effective in reducing regional variation in HH utilization.