bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Antibiotic Guidelines on Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with Nursing Home–Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: El Solh Ali A. , Akinnusi Morohunfolu E. , Alfarah Ziad , Patel Anil 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVES: To compare the 2003 community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) guideline and the 2005 healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP) guideline on time to clinical stability, length of hospital stay, and mortality in nursing home patients hospitalized for pneumonia.DESIGN: Retrospective study.SETTING: Three tertiary‐care hospitals.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty‐four nursing home patients.MEASUREMENTS: Patients were classified according to the antibiotic regimens they received based on the 2003 CAP guideline or the 2005 HCAP guideline. Time to clinical stability, time to switch therapy, and mortality were evaluated in an intention‐to‐treat analysis. A multivariate survival model using propensity analysis was used to adjust for heterogeneity between the two groups.RESULTS: Of the 334 patients, 258 (77%) were treated according to the 2003 HCAP guideline. Time to clinical stability did not differ between those treated according to the 2003 CAP or the 2005 HCAP guidelines. Only the Pneumonia Severity Index (P=.006) and multilobar involvement (P=.005) were significantly associated with delay in achieving clinical stability. Adjusted in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality were comparable in both cohorts (odds ratio (OR)=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.49–1.34, and OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.42–1.31, respectively), although time to switch therapy and length of stay were longer for those treated according to the 2005 HCAP guideline.CONCLUSION: In hospitalized nursing home patients with pneumonia, treatment with an antibiotic regimen according to the 2003 CAP guideline achieved comparable time to clinical stability and in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality with a regimen based on the 2005 HCAP guideline.
Healthy Older Adults Better Tolerate Sleep Deprivation Than Young Adults
Authors: Duffy Jeanne F. , Willson Hannah J. , Wang Wei , Czeisler Charles A. 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether healthy aging is associated with increased sleepiness and whether healthy older adults experience more sleepiness when acutely sleep deprived.DESIGN: A 5‐day inpatient circadian rhythm–sleep study consisting of 3 baseline nights followed by an extended 26‐hour wake episode under constant conditions.SETTING: Intensive Physiological Monitoring Unit, General Clinical Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐seven healthy participants without medical, psychological, or sleep disorders: 26 young (7 women, 19 men; mean age 21.9±3.3, range 18–29) and 11 “young‐old” adults (3 women, 8 men; mean age 68.1±3.6, range 65–76).INTERVENTION: An extended 26‐hour wake episode under constant conditions.MEASUREMENTS: Electroencephalographic‐verified wakefulness, slow eye movements, sustained attention, subjective sleepiness.RESULTS: During the first 16 hours corresponding to the usual waking day, both groups rated themselves as alert and had similar levels of vigilance and little evidence of sleepiness. As the wake episode continued, the older subjects were less impaired, showing faster reaction times, fewer performance lapses and attentional failures, and less frequent unintentional sleep episodes than the younger subjects.CONCLUSION: This small study suggests that excessive sleepiness is not normal in healthy older adults. Symptoms of excessive sleepiness in this population, including reliance on caffeine to maintain alertness, should be evaluated and treated. Further study is needed to determine whether daytime sleepiness in middle‐old (75–84 years) and old‐old (≥85) adults is normal or is instead associated with sleep restriction, undiagnosed sleep disorders, medication side effects, mood disorders, or other medical disorders that disrupt sleep.
Deficiency of Testosterone Associates with the Substrate of Atrial Fibrillation in the Rat Model
Authors: TSUNEDA TAKAYUKI , YAMASHITA TAKESHI , KATO TAKESHI , SEKIGUCHI AKIKO , SAGARA KOUICHI , SAWADA HITOSHI , AIZAWA TADANORI , FU LONG‐TAI , FUJIKI AKIRA , INOUE HIROSHI 
Published: April 2009

Background: Since the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases progressively with aging, especially in men, we hypothesized that testosterone might affect the occurrence of AF. Methods and Results: We examined the electrophysiological properties of the atria in isolated‐perfused hearts of sham‐operated male (SM), female (SF), orchiectomized male with and without administration of testosterone (ORCH‐T and ORCH), and ovariectomized female (OVX) Sprague‐Dawley rats. An electrophysiological study revealed that repetitive atrial responses induced by electrical stimuli significantly increased in ORCH rats without changes in other electrophysiological properties and were abolished by administration of testosterone. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we evaluated the expression level of calcium‐handling proteins. In ORCH rats, the immunoreactive protein level of ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and sodium–calcium exchanger significantly increased as compared with SM and ORCH‐T rats without alterations in the level of FK506‐binding protein (FKBP12.6), sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca‐ATPase, and phospholamban. Immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated decreased binding of FKBP12.6 to RyR2 in ORCH rats, which was prevented by testosterone. In contrast, the expression levels of these proteins showed no significant differences between SF and OVX rats. Conclusion: Deficiency of testosterone was arrhythmogenic in rat atria possibly through less binding of FKBP12.6 to RyR2, which could induce feasible calcium leakage from the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum. These results would explain, at least in part, the increase in the prevalence of AF in accordance with the decline of testosterone particularly in elderly men.
Structural Adjustment, Spatial Imaginaries, and “Piracy” in Guatemala's Apparel Industry
Authors: Thomas Kedron 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article examines how urban violence influences the everyday lives of Guatemalan Maya entrepreneurs who make nontraditional clothing to sell in highland markets and Guatemala City. How urban space is imagined and experienced among apparel producers reflects a process of class differentiation linked to Guatemala's entrance into international trade and legal agreements. Realities of uneven access and unequal resource distribution allow some producers to take advantage of formal markets and official networks in the capital city, while others avoid the city streets out of fear. Such inequalities are obscured when entrepreneurs who benefit from urban connections talk about relative success in terms of a moral division between those who engage in brand piracy and those who do not. In line with an official discourse that blames “pirates,” gangs, and other marginalized groups for the country's social and economic ills, apparel producers who do not copy popular brands often view those who do as immoral and illegal. The case study presented here is fruitful ground for theorizing how cultural representations of urban space influence market strategies and moral logics amidst processes of economic and legal restructuring.
Transnational Migration, the Lost Girls of Sudan and Global “Care work”: A Photo Essay
Authors: DeLuca Laura 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis essay explores the work lives of a group of Sudanese refugees known popularly as the Lost Girls of Sudan. Like other women from the Global South, the Lost Girls often work in the care work sector as maids, babysitters, nannies, preschool attendants, food service workers, nurses, personal care attendants for elderly and disabled people. The article also explores the U.S. refugee policy of self‐sufficiency.
The neurocognitive performance of drug‐free and medicated euthymic bipolar patients do not differ
Authors: Goswami U. , Sharma A. , Varma A. , Gulrajani C. , Ferrier I. N. , Young A. H. , Gallagher P. , Thompson J. M. , Moore P. B. 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  Although it is established that euthymic bipolar patients have neurocognitive deficits, the influence of medication on their cognitive performance is uncertain and requires investigation.Method:  Neuropsychological tests of executive function, memory and attention were performed on 44 prospectively verified, euthymic bipolar I patients, 22 of whom were drug‐free. Residual mood symptom effects were controlled statistically using ancova.Results:  Drug‐free and medicated patients differed only in delayed verbal recall (Rey AVLT list A7, drug‐free > medicated), and perseverations during the five‐point test (drug‐free > medicated). When residual mood symptoms were controlled statistically, differences between drug‐free and medicated subjects became insignificant. Medication effect sizes were modest. Significant correlations were found between residual depression scores and measures of verbal learning.Conclusion:  Medications did not have any significant influence on neurocognitive performance, suggesting that neurocognitive deficits are an integral part of bipolar disorder.
Stroke in children: inherited and acquired factors and age‐related variations in the presentation of 48 paediatric patients
Authors: Del Balzo Francesca , Spalice Alberto , Ruggieri Martino , Greco Filippo , Properzi Enrico , Iannetti Paola 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim:  Stroke is relatively rare in children and the clinical presentation of paediatric stroke is often subtle. Numerous predisposing risk factors are known, and these can be both inherited and acquired. They include cardiac disease, vascular abnormalities, endothelial damage, infectious diseases, collagen tissue diseases, certain inborn errors of metabolism and anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant and deficiencies of protein C, protein S, antithrombin or plasminogen. In addition, abnormal activated protein C resistance (or Factor V Leiden), Factor II G20219A variant, and the thermolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) need to be considered.Methods:  To explore the prevalence of different predisposing conditions in paediatric stroke patients, we evaluated 48 patients, including subjects with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke subtypes.Results:  Only 7 out of 48 (14.5%) had no recognizable risk factors: the majority of paediatric stroke patients had pre‐existing risk factors that predisposed to the condition. The major genetic risk factor in our series of patients was homozygosity for the MTHFR C677T mutation (7 out of 48 patients); three more patients were found to be heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden mutation. Acquired predisposing conditions were present in 23 out of 48 patients and included pulmunar stenosis, head trauma, hyperlipidaemia and varicella infection. A total of 17 patients had both genetic and acquired predisposing factors.Conclusion:  Our results emphasize that multiple predisposing risk factors commonly predispose to paediatric stroke. In addition, the primary clinical presentation appeared to differ between the older and younger children: hemiparesis was the typical presentation in children <1 year of age while seizure predominated in older children.
Pathways of Sexual Desire
Authors: Pfaus James G. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTIntroductionSexual desire is controlled by brain systems involved in sexual excitation and inhibition. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) may result from hypofunctional excitation, hyperfunctional inhibition, or some mix of the two.AimThis study aimed to identify neurochemical and neuroanatomical systems involved in sexual excitation and inhibition, their role during normal, and hypoactive sexual expressions.MethodsA comprehensive review of the human and animal literature is made, and a theory surrounding the ways that HSDD can be manifested and treated is presented.Main Outcome MeasuresDrug effects and neural systems derived largely from rat studies that are involved in the stimulation of sexual desire (excitatory system) vs. the stimulation of sexual reward, sedation, and satiety (inhibitory system).ResultsBrain dopamine systems (incertohypothalamic and mesolimbic) that link the hypothalamus and limbic system appear to form the core of the excitatory system. This system also includes melanocortins, oxytocin, and norepinephrine. Brain opioid, endocannabinoid, and serotonin systems are activated during periods of sexual inhibition, and blunt the ability of excitatory systems to be activated.ConclusionsDrugs that stimulate the activation of hypothalamic dopamine or that blunt endocannabinoid or serotonin release and/or postsynaptic binding may be effective in stimulating sexual desire in animals and humans. The characterization of how those drugs work will help generate a rational approach to drug development in the treatment of HSDD.
COMPOSITION PROPERTIES, PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SHELF LIFE OF WHOLE MILK AFTER THERMAL AND THERMO‐SONICATION TREATMENTS
Authors: BERMÚDEZ‐AGUIRRE DANIELA , MAWSON RAYMOND , VERSTEEG KEES , BARBOSA‐CÁNOVAS GUSTAVO V. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT Raw whole milk (RM) was pasteurized with heat‐pasteurized milk (TT) and thermo‐sonication (US) treatments. Batch pasteurization was used for TT and 36, 72, 108 and 120 µm of the ultrasound wave intensity (24 kHz, 400 W); in addition, the heat conditions were applied together for US. Apparent protein content of US milk decreased; butter fat content was increased by US treatment. Proximal analysis showed the presence of added water in US milk and a decrease of nonfat solids, whereas pH was decreased for US milk, lactic acid was increased and density was decreased from RM to US; also, the color of US milk was whiter. The tested parameters for the TT samples were often intermediate between RM and US samples. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) among all treatments. After 16 days, US samples (4C) did not show mesophilic growth higher than 2 log; pH, acidity and color remained constant.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThermo‐sonication (US) is an available method that can improve some sensorial and quality milk characteristics such as color and appearance, while at the same time, ultrasound pasteurizes the product. Minor changes in nutritional properties of milk (i.e., protein content) have been reported after US, with the advantage of extending the shelf life of the product for more than 16 days at 4C without the use of intensive heat treatments. This is a potential technology for use in research and development of new and current products in the dairy industry.
STUDY OF SOLIDS LEACHED DURING RICE COOKING USING THE TRANSMITTANCE AT 650 NM
Authors: MORAWICKI RUBÉN O. , SIEBENMORGEN TERRY , CHO MI JIN 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to develop a method to predict the amount of total solids leached during rice cooking using light transmittance at 650 nm with an ultraviolet‐visible spectrometer. Rice was cooked in excess water for different durations, the transmittance was measured, and the solids were determined gravimetrically after evaporation of the water. Results of leached solids obtained gravimetrically showed a good correlation with the logarithm of the transmittance (R2 = 0.9731), thus indicating the feasibility of the method. As a result, calibration curves were developed using rice starch and rice flour as standards. Calibration curves generated with rice starch has shown to overpredict the amount of solids leached. When rice flour was used, the method predicted that the solids leached with an average error of 2.3%, with a minor tendency towards underprediction.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSDuring the industrial production of instant rice, important amounts of solids leach out from the rice, producing yield loss and high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) waste streams. A quick method to estimate the leaching potential of different rice varieties would be important to adjust processing parameters and minimize leaching. The results presented in this study show that the transmittance at 650 nm can be used to estimate the solids leached during rice cooking. Still, the successful implementation of this method depends on the finding of suitable standards.
EFFECT OF BLANCHING ON STORAGE STABILITY OF HAZELNUT MEAL
Authors: CAM SEHRIBAN , KILIC MERAL 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT Influence of blanching on storage stability of hazelnut meal was investigated under accelerated storage conditions. Meals were obtained from unblanched and blanched hazelnut kernels, and stored at a relative humidity of 60% at 30C for 50 days. Total free fatty acid content, concentrations of individual free fatty acids, peroxide value and oil stability index were measured in the hazelnut meal samples during storage. No significant difference was found between peroxide values of the samples, however, the values of both samples increased during storage time. The concentrations of free fatty acids increased because of the activity of lipase in both meals, but the levels were lower in the blanched sample. Oil stability index of the unblanched sample was lower than that of the blanched sample. Blanching treatment was found to improve the oxidative stability of hazelnut meal, possibly because of partial inactivation of deteriorative enzymes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSHazelnut meal is a product obtained from hazelnut which is used as an ingredient in various food products. Hazelnut meal is more prone to degradation and quality loss during storage via oxidation compared with the whole counterpart. Stability of whole hazelnut has been studied to a great extent in the literature, but there is a scarcity of information regarding stability of processed hazelnut. In addition, there is no information in the literature about the amount of individual free fatty acids in hazelnut where the amounts of total free fatty acids have been reported extensively. This study provides data for quality and stability of hazelnut meal during storage which could be used by the food industry.
EFFICACY OF SOUR WHEY AS A SHELF‐LIFE ENHANCER: USE IN ANTIOXIDATIVE EDIBLE COATINGS OF BEEF STEAK*
Authors: HAQUE ZAHUR U. , SHON JINHAN , WILLIAMS J. BYRON 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT Sour whey powder (SWP) based edible coatings, with and without carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), were used to reduce oxidative degradation of cut beef steak stored at 2C for 5 days. Comparison was with calcium caseinate (CC) and soy protein isolate (SPI). Colorimetric measurements showed the mean of the color consistency index for L*, a*and b*scales of SWP to be highest with (18.3) and without CMC (19.8). Control gave a significantly lower value of 10.6. The percent inhibition of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) compared to control was 40.9, 38.9 and 48.9%, respectively for CC, SPI and SWP. In the same order, this value increased to 51.9, 45.1 and 59.2% when CMC was added to the coating. The peroxide value was also significantly reduced by SWP. Oxidative degradation as reflected by an increase in carbonyls and decrease in sulfhydryls was also reduced by SWP and it was better at this than the other proteins. Moisture barrier property of SWP based coating was the best and CMC significantly enhanced this property of CC and SPI though they did not fare well by themselves. Data show that SWP can effectively be used to extend quality and shelf life of beef steak.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn 2006, the U.S.A. produced more than 11.95 million metric tons of beef. Most of this was consumed as hamburger meat and steaks. Unfortunately, once the animal is slaughtered, meat undergoes oxidative degradation. Retail cut meats are particularly susceptible. Various antioxidative coatings have been tried with varying levels of success. The industry is keen for inexpensive and natural means. Recently, we successfully used sour whey, a byproduct of cottage cheese and/or caseinate manufacture, as natural antioxidative coating to extend shelf life of cut vegetables and apples. This part of our study investigates its efficacy in reducing oxidative degradation of retail cut beef steaks.
Introduction to Luther's Theology in Global Context
Authors: Helmer Christine 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLuther's theology has for the past two centuries been interpreted in the categories of German Protestant thought. As the paradigmatic ‘Reformer’, however, Luther transcends the geographical and historical restrictions of his own sixteenth‐century German context, so that his person and work emerge as inspirations of freedom in global context. This essay looks at Luther's theology of freedom by treating its reception in distinct contexts. The particularities of freedom as ‘justification’ spoken by ‘the word’ is a characteristic feature of German Protestantism. Freedom is interpreted in its Nordic and North American contexts in less ‘word‐focused’ and more philosophical‐theological concepts as well as in complex dialogue with late medieval thought. Contemporary feminist and liberation theologians take Luther's message into the global context of oppression and violence, seeing in Luther constructive potential for addressing economic and political injustice. The ‘global Luther’ opens up new possibilities for understanding Luther's theology in terms of experience, emotions, and reason.
Met amplification and tumor progression in Cdkn2a‐deficient melanocytes
Authors: VanBrocklin Matthew W. , Robinson James P. , Whitwam Todd , Guilbeault Adam R. , Koeman Julie , Swiatek Pamela J. , Vande Woude George F. , Khoury Joseph D. , Holmen Sheri L. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryWhile many genetic alterations have been identified in melanoma, the relevant molecular events that contribute to disease progression are poorly understood. Most primary human melanomas exhibit loss of expression of the CDKN2A locus in addition to activation of the canonical mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway. In this study, we used a Cdkn2a‐deficient mouse melanocyte cell line to screen for secondary genetic events in melanoma tumor progression. Upon investigation, intrachromosomal gene amplification of Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in melanoma progression, was identified in Cdkn2a‐deficient tumors. RNA interference targeting Met in these tumor cells resulted in a significant delay in tumor growth in vivo compared with the control cells. MET expression is rarely detected in primary human melanoma but is frequently observed in metastatic disease. This study validates a role for Met activation in melanoma tumor progression in the context of Cdkn2a deficiency.