bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Could azathioprine be considered as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of alopecia areata? A pilot study
Authors: Farshi Susan , Mansouri Parvin , Safar Farid , Khiabanloo Samad Rezaee 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAlopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in partial or total nonscarring hair loss and the treatment of severe alopecia areata is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of azathioprine as a systemic monotherapy for moderate to severe alopecia areata. A total of 20 patients [14 men (70%) and six women (30%)] with minimum 6 months history of alopecia areata were included. The extent of scalp hair regrowth during and after the completion of the 6 months treatment was evaluated by the Severity of Alopecia Tool (the SALT score). The daily drug intake was calculated as 2 mg/kg of body weight. Mean duration of current episode of scalp hair loss was 26.4 (26.4 ± 17) months. Mean regrowth percentage was 52.3% (52.3 ± 38.4). Mean hair loss percentage before treatment was 72.7% (72.7 ± 28.3) compared with 33.5% (33.5 ± 30.7) after 6 months of azathioprine treatment. This showed a highly significant statistical difference (Paired t‐test, CI 95% = 21.5–54.1). Mean hair loss score (S0–S5) before treatment was 3.9 (3.9 ± 1.6) and after 6 months of azathioprine treatment was 1.8 (1.8 ± 1.3). Assessment showed significant difference from baseline score (sign test, P < 0.0001). No significant statistical difference was observed with respect to gender before and after azathioprine treatment. Treatment with azathioprine as a systemic monotherapy clinically produces relevant improvement in moderate‐to‐severe alopecia areata. Generally azathioprine is a low‐cost and well‐tolerated drug and with controlled studies on larger number of patients, long‐term efficacy and safety of this treatment should be investigated.
Cutaneous myiasis: a review of the common types of myiasis
Authors: Robbins Kerri , Khachemoune Amor 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMyiasis is derived from the Greek word, myia, meaning fly. The term was first introduced by Hope in 1840 and refers to the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous (two‐winged) larvae (maggots) which, at least for a certain period, feed on the host’s dead or living tissue, liquid body‐substance, or ingested food. Myiasis is the fourth most common travel‐associated skin disease and cutaneous myiasis is the most frequently encountered clinical form. Cutaneous myiasis can be divided into three main clinical manifestations: furuncular, creeping (migratory), and wound (traumatic) myiasis. The flies that produce a furuncular myiasis include Dermatobia hominis, Cordylobia anthropophaga, Wohlfahrtia vigil, and the Cuterebra species. Gasterophilus and Hypoderma are two flies that produce a creeping myiasis. Flies that cause wound myiasis include screwworm flies such as Cochliomyia hominivorax and Chrysomya bezziana, and Wohlfahrtia magnifica. This article reviews current literature, provides general descriptions, and discusses life cycles of each species. It also gives treatment techniques and descriptions of each type of illness that results from interaction/infestation.
A comprehensive assessment of geographic variation in heat tolerance and hardening capacity in populations of Drosophila melanogaster from eastern Australia
Authors: SGRÒ C. M. , OVERGAARD J. , KRISTENSEN T. N. , MITCHELL K. A. , COCKERELL F. E. , HOFFMANN A. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe examined latitudinal variation in adult and larval heat tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster from eastern Australia. Adults were assessed using static and ramping assays. Basal and hardened static heat knockdown time showed significant linear clines; heat tolerance increased towards the tropics, particularly for hardened flies, suggesting that tropical populations have a greater hardening response. A similar pattern was evident for ramping heat knockdown time at 0.06 °C min−1 increase. There was no cline for ramping heat knockdown temperature (CTmax) at 0.1 °C min−1 increase. Acute (static) heat knockdown temperature increased towards temperate latitudes, probably reflecting a greater capacity of temperate flies to withstand sudden temperature increases during summer in temperate Australia. Larval viability showed a quadratic association with latitude under heat stress. Thus, patterns of heat resistance depend on assay methods. Genetic correlations in thermotolerance across life stages and evolutionary potential for critical thermal limits should be the focus of future studies.
Is the problem with the vehicle or the destination? Does high‐dose ESA or high haemoglobin contribute to poor outcomes in CKD?
Authors: BADVE SUNIL V , HAWLEY CARMEL M , JOHNSON DAVID W 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTRandomized controlled trials have consistently demonstrated adverse outcomes from targeting higher haemoglobin levels in chronic kidney disease patients treated with erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA). In contrast, observational studies have shown better survival in patients achieving high haemoglobin. Consequently, there is ongoing uncertainty as to whether high haemoglobin or high ESA dose contributes to poor outcomes in ESA‐treated chronic kidney disease patients. The objectives of this article are to review the available evidence pertaining to this contentious area, provide recommendations where possible and suggest directions for future research efforts.
Diurnal cortisol patterns of young male patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hempel Roelie J. , Tulen Joke H. M. , van Beveren Nico J. M. , Röder Christian H. , de Jong Frank H. , Hengeveld Michiel W. 
Published: September 2010

Aims:  It has been suggested that schizophrenic patients are more vulnerable to stress than healthy persons, and that stressors can trigger a psychotic episode or worsen symptoms. The biological system often studied in relation to stress is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the release of cortisol. We investigated whether the diurnal basal activity of the HPA axis differed between young male patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.Methods:  Twenty‐seven male patients (mean age 22 ± 5 years) and 38 healthy male control subjects (mean age 22 ± 3 years) were included in the present study. Saliva was sampled at five time points during the day: directly after awakening, 30 min thereafter, and at 12.00 hours, 16.00 hours and 22.00 hours.Results:  The cortisol concentration decreased significantly more during the day in the patient group thanin the control group. Patients also showed a significantly decreased area under the curve with respect to the increase, again indicating that the cortisol concentrations decreased more during the day in patients than in controls. Both the morning increase and the area under the curve with respect to the increase were significantly negatively correlated with negative symptom severity.Conclusions:  Patients with schizophrenia showed a different daytime sensitivity of the HPA axis. Our findings further suggest that an increase in negative symptom severity is related to a decreased HPA axis sensitivity.
Quality of life and related factors among cancer caregivers in China
Authors: Lu Lu , Pan Bochen , Sun Wei , Cheng Lili , Chi Tieshuang , Wang Lie 
Published: September 2010

Aims:  The present study was designed to investigate quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of cancer inpatients, and to explore the related factors with the long‐term goal to improve QOL of cancer caregivers in China.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was performed during the period January–March 2008. Subjects comprised 358 caregivers of cancer inpatients. The questionnaires pertaining to QOL, sociodemographic characteristics, caregiving demands, available social resources, caregiving situation, and caregiver's health status were used. Data were collected by nurses through interviews.Results:  The average QOL score of these subjects was 5.26. General linear model analysis showed that caregiver's QOL was significantly associated with, in standardized estimate sequence, spousal relationship, patient's activities of daily living, and chronic disease (no). Overall spousal relationship to patient had the strongest association with caregiver's QOL.Conclusions:  Psychological well‐being and social concerns of cancer caregivers were disrupted more seriously than spiritual well‐being and physical well‐being. In addition, spousal relationship, patient's disability, and caregiver's health status could affect the caregiver's QOL.
Severe polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma
Authors: Tobe Musashi , Ito Keiichi , Umeda Shun , Sato Akinori , Adaniya Noriaki , Tanaka Yuji , Hayakawa Masamichi , Asano Tomohiko 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA 73‐year‐old male patient with hypertension and hyperglycemia was referred to our hospital because of a diagnosis regarding his left adrenal tumor. Because the levels of urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine were elevated, and 131I‐MIBG scintigraphy showed intense uptake in the adrenal tumor, the tumor was diagnosed as a pheochromocytoma. An adrenalectomy was carried out. Severe polyuria, which was accompanied by a rapid decrease in central venous pressure, started 1 hour after the operation. Urine output of more than 8000 mL/day continued until the 16th postoperative day. Plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels were within the normal range. Plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were elevated postoperatively, and the elevation of these peptides was one possible cause for the severe polyuria. Because ADH levels in the tumor fluid were not elevated, the tumor was not an ADH‐secreting tumor. Urinary β2‐microglobulin was significantly elevated after the operation, thus suggesting that renal tubule dysfunction might also have been involved in the polyuria. However, the mechanism of polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma is not fully understood. Polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma is extremely rare, and the present subject is the second case to date.
A strategic plan for an Australian Long‐Term Environmental Monitoring Network
Authors: LIKENS GENE E. , LINDENMAYER DAVID B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBecause of the urgent need for robust, long‐term information on biodiversity loss and environmental change, we have proposed a Long‐Term (>10 years) Environmental Monitoring (LTEM) Network for Australia. The LTEM Network would comprise 25 Nodes distributed throughout Australia, be focused on terrestrial, inland aquatic and coastal estuarine ecosystems, and be established to monitor long‐term biodiversity loss and ecological change (patterns and trends). The LTEM Network would be question‐problem‐process‐driven and not infrastructure‐driven. Thus, the different Nodes in the LTEM Network would explicitly recognize different biota, different environmental problems, different environmental threats and different kinds of management interventions in different ecosystems. We provide a governance structure for the proposed LTEM Network and envisage that it would be characterized by being: (i) lean, yet powerful, agile and adaptive; (ii) both centralized (through a coordinating role by a Federal Government agency), yet decentralized in terms of where the Nodes are located and how they are operated and managed; and (iii) not overly bureaucratic. We also argue that it would be highly cost‐effective; our estimated cost for the establishment of an LTEM Network is $28 million per year or less than 0.25% of the total annual governmental expenditure of $12 billion on environmental management in 2003/2004. The LTEM Network would be a critical part of Australia's environmental infrastructure and provide the Nation, for the first time, with a formal, coordinated, long‐term Network to gauge status and change of biodiversity and environmental condition. We argue that this would allow the Nation to begin to address seriously many of the major data‐related deficiencies that currently exist in the environment and biodiversity conservation sectors in Australia.
Impact of physical activity and performance on medical care costs among the Japanese elderly
Authors: Yang Guang , Niu Kaijun , Fujita Kazuki , Hozawa Atsushi , Ohmori‐Matsuda Kaori , Kuriyama Shinichi , Nakaya Naoki , Ebihara Satoru , Okazaki Tatsuma , Guo Hiu , Miura Chihaya , Takahashi Hideko , Arai Hiroyuki , Tsuji Ichiro , Nagatomi Ryoichi 
Published: September 2010

Aim:  Physical activity (PA) is known to be inversely associated with medical care costs. The amount of PA is strongly associated with the level of physical performance among the elderly population. Therefore, it is possible that known relation between PA and medical care merely shows the relation between physical performance and medical care. To know whether PA itself relates to medical care, considering physical performance is necessary. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of PA on medical care expenditure by considering the physical performance in an elderly community‐dwelling population.Methods:  We investigated 483 subjects who did not have any history of diseases relating to limited PA and who completed both a self‐administered questionnaire including questions on PA and underwent a physical performance measurement. We ascertained the total medical care costs through a computerized linkage with claims lodged between August 2002 and March 2008 with the Miyagi National Health Insurance Association.Results:  The physical performance was positively associated with their level of PA. After multivariate adjustment for covariables including the levels of physical performance, the per capita medical care costs were found to be $US 827.3 (598.0–1056.7) (mean, 95% confidence interval), $US 711.1 (476.4–945.8) and $US 702.0 (461.6–942.4) (P for linear trend = 0.02) per month for those who had the lowest, average and the highest level of PA, respectively.Conclusion:  This prospective study indicates that a higher level of PA is associated with lower medical care costs among the Japanese elderly irrespective of physical performance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 157–165.
Accelerated rates of climatic‐niche evolution underlie rapid species diversification
Authors: Kozak Kenneth H. , Wiens John J. 
Published: September 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 1378–1389AbstractA major goal of ecology is to explain differences in species richness between regions and among clades. The diversification rate of clades is a key parameter for understanding both patterns. Here, we combine phylogenetic and climatic data for 250 species of plethodontid salamanders and show for the first time that rapid species diversification is associated with accelerated climatic‐niche evolution among species. Both rates are particularly rapid in tropical regions, and where few clades geographically overlap. These results offer a surprising ecological explanation for why diversification rates are often higher in the tropics: rapid shifts between climatic regimes, rather than specific environmental conditions (e.g. high productivity, energy) drive higher diversity. They also suggest that climatic‐niche evolution may be particularly rapid in regions where climate is particularly stable. Finally, these results indicate that evolutionary conservatism in climatic niches may be influenced by interactions between species and clades, rather than physiological tolerances alone.
Central and peripheral administration of human relaxin‐2 to adult male rats inhibits food intake
Authors: McGowan B. M. C. , Minnion J. S. , Murphy K. G. , White N. E. , Roy D. , Stanley S. A. , Dhillo W. S. , Gardiner J. V. , Ghatei M. A. , Bloom S. R. 
Published: September 2010

Aim: Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone involved in pregnancy and lactation. It is mainly secreted by the corpus luteum and placenta, but is expressed in a number of other tissues, including heart and brain. Within the brain, relaxin is expressed in the olfactory and limbic systems, the cortex and the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). Its cognate receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), is also widely expressed in the brain, including the hypothalamic ARC and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), areas important in appetite regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether relaxin influences food intake through central hypothalamic circuits. Methods: The human form of relaxin, human relaxin‐2 (H2) was administered centrally and peripherally to male Wistar rats and food intake measured. Behaviour was also assessed. Results: Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of H2 significantly decreased 1‐h food intake in the early dark phase [2.95 ± 0.45 g (saline) vs. 0.95 ± 0.18 g (180 pmol H2), p < 0.001]. ICV administration of H2 decreased feeding behaviour and increased grooming and headdown behaviour. Intraparaventricular injections of H2 significantly decreased 1‐h food intake in the early dark phase [3.13 ± 0.35 g (saline) vs. 1.35 ± 0.33 g (18 pmol H2), p < 0.01, 1.61 ± 0.31 g (180 pmol H2), p < 0.05 and 1.23 ± 0.32 g (540 pmol H2), p < 0.001]. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of H2 significantly decreased 1‐h food intake in the early dark phase [4.63 ± 0.46 g (vehicle) vs. 3.08 ± 0.15 g (66 nmol H2), p < 0.01, 3.00 ± 0.17 g (200 nmol H2), p < 0.01 and 2.26 ± 0.36 g (660 nmol H2), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: Central and peripheral administration of H2 reduces the food intake in rats. This effect may be mediated via the PVN and/or other brain regions.
Does intervention by an allied health professional discussing adherence to medicines improve this adherence in Type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Doggrell S. A. 
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1341–1349 (2010)AbstractAims  Increasing adherence to medicines should improve glycaemic control and be cost effective in patients with Type 2 diabetes. It is assumed that the intervention of an allied health professional will improve adherence to medicines, but this has not been well documented. The aim of this review was to determine whether an intervention by an allied health professional, including a discussion of adherence to medicines, improved adherence to medicines in these subjects.Methods  A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken to determine this. All available studies were included and critically reviewed.Results  When adherence to medicines was high in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, an intervention by an allied health professional did not improve adherence. In studies in which the adherence could be improved the results were varied, with some studies showing improvement and some not. This variation existed whether the allied health professional was a nurse, a pharmacist or a diabetes educator, and whether the intervention was by phone or by counselling in person.Conclusions  In conclusion, prior to undertaking an intervention to improve adherence to medicines in Type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to know the baseline level of adherence, and if adherence is already high there is no point in undertaking an intervention. When adherence to medicines is low, it is not clear which interventions will improve adherence, and further studies are needed to clarify this.
Self management and patient understanding of diabetes in the older person
Authors: Hewitt J. , Smeeth L. , Chaturvedi N. , Bulpitt C. J. , Fletcher A. E. 
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 117–122 (2011)AbstractAim  To examine knowledge and management of diabetes by older people.Methods  A representative sample of 1047 people with Type 2 diabetes, aged 75 years and over, were asked a series of questions relating to their diabetes management and their understanding of self management. The impact of cognitive impairment and socio‐economic status were assessed.Results  The majority of people, 1015 (96.9%), were under the care of a health professional and 1018 (97.2%) were taking insulin, tablets, controlling their diet or a combination. Cognitive impairment (Mini‐Mental State Examination ≤ 23) was found in 235 (22.5%) people. Recent eye, foot and dietician assessment was reported by 813 (77.7%), 836 (79.7%) and 326 (31.1%) people, respectively. A quarter overall and 70% of those taking insulin tested their blood glucose. In the insulin group, 78 (54.2%) reported hypoglycaemia and those with cognitive impairment gave more incorrect responses when asked about diabetes management. Socio‐economic status made very little difference to any of these outcomes.Conclusions  Most older people with diabetes, regardless of their socio‐economic status, are under the care of a healthcare professional and use medication or diet to manage their disease. Large numbers also attend foot and eye examinations. However, over one fifth of older people with diabetes have cognitive impairment. Older people had a reasonable understanding of their diabetes management but this was worse in those people with cognitive impairment.
The Effects of Self‐Regulatory Strength, Content, and Strategies on Close Relationships
Authors: Luchies Laura B. , Finkel Eli J. , Fitzsimons Gráinne M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis article reviews the growing literature on the effects of self‐regulatory strength (how much self‐regulatory ability people have), self‐regulatory content (the goals toward which people self‐regulate), and self‐regulatory strategies (the manner in which people self‐regulate) on close relationships. The extant literature indicates that close relationships benefit when relationship partners (a) have greater versus less self‐regulatory strength, (b) prioritize relationship‐promotion goals versus self‐protection goals, (c) facilitate versus obstruct each other's personal goal pursuits, (d) enact positive relationship behaviors using approach versus avoidance strategies, and (e) pursue shared goals using complementary versus similar regulatory focus strategies. Future research could fruitfully (a) delve deeper into the influences of self‐regulatory content and strategies on relationships and (b) integrate multiple lines of research examining the effects of self‐regulation on relationships.
Data sets on pensions and health: Data collection and sharing for policy design
Authors: Lee Jinkook 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA growing number of countries are developing or reforming pension and health policies in response to population ageing and to enhance the welfare of their citizens. The adoption of different policies by different countries has resulted in several natural experiments. These offer unusual opportunities to examine the effects of varying policies on health and retirement, individual and family behaviour, and well‐being. Realizing these opportunities requires harmonized data‐collection efforts. An increasing number of countries have agreed to provide data harmonized with the Health and Retirement Study in the United States. This article discusses these data sets, including their key parameters of pension and health status, research designs, samples, and response rates. It also discusses the opportunities they offer for cross‐national studies and their implications for policy evaluation and development.