bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐natal anaemia and iron deficiency in HIV‐infected women and the health and survival of their children
Authors: Isanaka Sheila , Spiegelman Donna , Aboud Said , Manji Karim P. , Msamanga Gernard I. , Willet Walter C. , Duggan Christopher , Fawzi Wafaie W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPrenatal iron supplementation may improve pregnancy outcomes and decrease the risk of child mortality. However, little is known about the importance of post‐natal maternal iron status for child health and survival, particularly in the context of HIV infection. We examined the association of maternal anaemia and hypochromic microcytosis, an erythrocyte morphology consistent with iron deficiency, with child health and survival in the first two to five years of life. Repeated measures of maternal anaemia and hypochromic microcytosis from 840 HIV‐positive women enrolled in a clinical trial of vitamin supplementation were prospectively related to child mortality, HIV infection and CD4 T‐cell count. Median duration of follow‐up for the endpoints of child mortality, HIV infection and CD4 cell count was 58, 17 and 23 months, respectively. Maternal anaemia and hypochromic microcytosis were associated with greater risk of child mortality [hazard ratio (HR) for severe anaemia = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66–4.01, P trend < 0.0001; HR for severe hypochromic microcytosis = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.27–4.38, P trend = 0.001]. Maternal anaemia was not significantly associated with greater risk of child HIV infection (HR for severe anaemia = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.91, 2.33, P trend = 0.08) but predicted lower CD4 T‐cell counts among HIV‐uninfected children (difference in CD4 T‐cell count/µL for severe anaemia: −93, 95% CI: −204–17, P trend = 0.02). The potential child health risks associated with maternal anaemia and iron deficiency may not be limited to the prenatal period. Efforts to reduce maternal anaemia and iron deficiency during pregnancy may need to be expanded to include the post‐partum period.
Anencephaly Does Not Cause Structural Alterations in the Fetal Penis
Authors: de Carvalho João P.M. , Costa Waldemar S. , Sampaio Francisco J.B. , Favorito Luciano Alves 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Anencephaly is the most severe neural tube defect in human fetuses. There is an increasing need for tissue replacement in chronic diseases and reconstructive surgeries. Fetal tissues have been used as a substitute for native organs.

Aim
The aim of this article was to compare the structure and morphology of the corpora cavernosa (CC) and spongiosum (SP) of penises from anencephalic and normal human fetuses.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures of this study were the proposition of a new model for biological studies and tissue transplantation.

Methods
We studied 11 penises from normal human fetuses, aged 14–23 weeks postconception (WPC), and five penises from anencephalic fetuses, aged 18–22 WPC. The organs were removed and processed by routine histological and immunolabeling techniques. Analysis of connective tissue (Cot), smooth muscle (SMC), and elastic fiber (EF) were performed in sections. Data were expressed as area density (Ad) using digital processing and software. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired t-test and linear regression was performed. Statistical significance was considered if P &lt; 0.05.

Results
The intracavernosal septum was present in all samples. We did not observe differences in the Ad of Cot and SMC in the penises of anencephalic fetuses when compared with normal ones. The simple linear regression suggested that during human development, there is a gradual increase in Cot (R2 = +0.45) and a decrease of SMC (R2 = −0.62) in the CC in both groups studied. Elastin was observed only in fetuses from 20th WPC.

Conclusions
There was no difference in the structure of the CC and corpus SP of anencephalic fetuses compared with normal ones. Elastin was documented from 20th WPC, which suggests the maintenance of erectile function. Histochemistry and immunolabeling suggested that penile shaft development is maintained and unaltered in anencephalic fetuses. Further studies should be performed to analyze anencephalic fetuses as a potential tissue-donating group and a model for biological studies.
Penile Arterial Waveform Analyzing System for Early Identification of Young Adults with High Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Wu Hsien-Tsai , Lee Chun-Ho , Chen Chin-Jung , Sun Cheuk-Kwan 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in young adults has raised much concern regarding early identification of risk factors for timely intervention.

Aim
This study aimed at identifying young males at risk through a novel penile arterial waveform analyzing system.

Methods
Between July 2009 and December 2010, 30 young adult volunteers of age 18 to 29 without known history of vascular diseases or erectile dysfunction were recruited.

Main Outcome Measures
Basic demographic and anthropometric characteristics (i.e., age, body weight, body height, body mass index, waist circumference) were recorded. Blood samples were obtained for determining levels of testosterone, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, fasting sugar, low- and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Data obtained from visual sexual stimulation (VSS) RigiScan and the penile arterial waveform amplitude (PAWA) ratios were compared in terms of their correlations with anthropometric and serum biochemical parameters using Pearson’s correlation analysis.

Results
PAWA ratios were found to correlate with Rigidity (tip and base) (r = 0.425, P = 0.019 and r = 0.664, P &lt; 0.001, respectively). Significant associations of PAWA ratios were noted not only with serum testosterone level but also with risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases including total triglyceride, HDL, age, waist circumference, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure. However, VSS RigiScan failed in identifying significant correlations with HDL, age, and diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions
Not only could the penile waveform analyzing system assess penile endothelial function in young adults, but the results also showed significant associations with their serum testosterone levels and metabolic parameters. The findings suggest that PAWA ratio may serve as an indicator for early identification and treatment of young adults at risk of erectile dysfunction.
A Study of Possible Associations Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Serotonin Receptor 1A, 1B, and 2C Genes and Self-Reported Ejaculation Latency Time
Authors: Jern Patrick , Westberg Lars , Johansson Ada , Gunst Annika , Eriksson Elias , Sandnabba Kenneth , Santtila Pekka 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Previous research has indicated that serotonergic genes may influence ejaculatory function. Attempts to investigate effects of polymorphisms in serotonergic genes have been carried out, but so far, no study has conducted exploratory genotype analyses regarding the serotonin receptor 1A, 1B, and 2C subtypes, which have been hypothesized to mediate the inhibitory effects of serotonin on ejaculation in rodents.

Aim
The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of a total of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in genes encoding serotonin receptor subtypes 1A, 1B, and 2C on self-reported ejaculation latency time.

Methods
A retrospective self-report measure of ejaculation latency time was used to investigate ejaculatory function in a population-based sample of 1,399 male twins. DNA was collected using self-administered saliva sampling.

Main Outcome Measure
Calculations of allelic effects were conducted using the Generalized Estimating Equations module of PASW 18.0, which appropriately controls for between-subjects dependence.

Results
Out of six investigated polymorphisms, two SNPs (both serotonin receptor 5-HT1B linked) had a significant main effect on ejaculation latency time. Of these, one (rs11568817) remained significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, indicating that individuals homozygous for the G allele had significantly shorter ejaculation latencies.

Conclusions
The results of this study support the hypothesis that serotonergic genes play a role in ejaculatory function in the general population. Replication of the results of the present study is warranted.
The Effects of Fibromyalgia Syndrome on Female Sexuality: A Controlled Study
Authors: Yilmaz Halim , Yilmaz Sema Dereli , Polat Halime Almula Demir , Salli Ali , Erkin Gulten , Ugurlu Hatice 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Fibromyalgia may have negative effects on sexual function in women.

Aims
To evaluate the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia and healthy control subjects, and to investigate the relation between sexuality and clinical parameters of fibromyalgia.

Main Outcome Measures
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Tender Points Count (TPC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Methods
Clinical evaluation and surveys were done with 126 women with fibromyalgia and 132 healthy women.

Results
Patients with fibromyalgia had higher BDI scores and lower frequency of sexual intercourse than control subjects. The mean FSFI scores (total and all domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia than control subjects. Mean FSFI scores (total and most domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia who had BDI score ≥ 17 than those who had BDI score &lt; 17. In women with fibromyalgia, a significant negative correlation was noted between total FSFI score, and both FIQ and BDI scores.

Conclusions
Fibromyalgia has negative effects on female sexual function that are aggravated by depression.
The Effect of Gepirone-ER in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Depressed Men
Authors: Fabre Louis F. , Clayton Anita H. , Smith Louis C. , Goldstein Irwin , Derogatis Leonard R. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Antidepressant medications especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve depressive symptoms but further decrease sexual function. Gepirone extended release (gepirone-ER) differs from the SSRIs in only affecting the 5-HT1A receptor and has demonstrated efficacy in treatment of depression and sexual dysfunction in depressed women. This report describes the effect of gepirone-ER on sexual function in depressed men.

Aim
The aims of this article were to study the effects of gepirone-ER on sexual function in men with MDD and to determine if positive effects are independent of antidepressant or anxiolytic activity.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures of this article were Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17), and changes in sexual functioning questionnaire (CSFQ).

Methods
In an 8-week study, gepirone-ER, placebo, or fluoxetine were administered in a double-blind fashion to 181 depressed men. The CSFQ results were used to determine quality of sexual function. To test for an antidepressant or anxiolytic effect, a 50% reduction in HAMD-17 score separated antidepressant responders from nonresponders, and item 12 of the HAMD scale (psychic anxiety) scores of 0 or 1 separated anxiolytic responders from nonresponders.

Results
Gepirone-ER treatment improved total sexual function compared with placebo measured by the CSFQ at weeks 4 (P = 0.012) and 8 (P = 0.046). At 4 weeks, almost every CSFQ domain is improved. The orgasm domain was especially improved, 67% by week 4. Gepirone-ER antidepressant and anxiolytic nonresponders showed significant improvement in sexual function. Fluoxetine treatment did not produce improvement. In fact, fluoxetine-treated subjects had lower scores on the total CSFQ, less than placebo, and significantly less than gepirone-ER.

Conclusion
Gepirone-ER improves sexual dysfunction in depressed men. All domains of sexual function improved. Gepirone-ER has a pro-sexual effect independent of antidepressant or anxiolytic activity.
Operating in an Intellectual Property World: Knowledge Sharing among Plant Breeders in Canada
Authors: Galushko Viktoriya , Gray Richard , Oikonomou Emmanouil 
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the incentives for knowledge sharing in an industry where a public institution and a private firm develop new differentiated crop varieties and sell them to heterogeneous farmers. The decision of the public institution to either share their knowledge, or protect and cross‐license their IP with the rival firm, is a strategic choice. While the profit‐maximizing private research firms have an incentive to protect and secure their intellectual property (IP), under some conditions they choose to cross‐license their technology rather than forgo access to the public IP. The budget constrained public firm, with an objective of maximizing farmers’ welfare, can have an incentive to share its IP but under certain conditions has an incentive to incur transaction costs to protect and cross‐license its technology to obtain access to the private technology. The theoretical model shows that public incentives to protect IP are likely to be stronger in a research industry with significant corporate presence. A survey of Canadian wheat and canola breeders reveals that public breeders are far more secretive in the canola sector than in the wheat sector, a dichotomy that is consistent with the theoretical results.Le présent article examine les avantages du partage de connaissances dans un secteur d’activité où une institution publique et une firme privée mettent au point de nouvelles variétés végétales différenciées et les vendent à des agriculteurs hétérogènes. La décision de l’institution publique de partager ses connaissances ou de protéger sa propriété intellectuelle (PI) et de procéder à la concession de licences réciproques avec la firme rivale constitue un choix stratégique. Bien que les firmes de recherche privées axées sur la maximisation des bénéfices aient intérêt à protéger leur PI, dans certaines conditions, elles choisissent de procéder à la concession de licences réciproques plutôt que de renoncer à l’accès de la PI du secteur public. L’institution publique à budget restreint, qui vise entre autres à maximiser le bien‐être des agriculteurs, peut tirer profit du partage de sa PI mais, dans certaines conditions, elle a intérêt à assumer les coûts de transaction pour protéger sa technologie et procéder à une concession de licences réciproques afin d’obtenir l’accès à la technologie du secteur privé. Le modèle théorique montre que les avantages publics liés à la protection de la PI risquent d’être plus importants dans un secteur de la recherche où la présence des entreprises est forte. Un sondage mené auprès de sélectionneurs de blé et de canola canadiens révèle que, dans le secteur public, les sélectionneurs de canola sont beaucoup plus enclins à conserver le secret que les sélectionneurs de blé, une dichotomie qui concorde avec les résultats théoriques.
Gadamer and Davidson on Language and Thought
Authors: Vessey David 
Published: January 2012

AbstractRecently philosophers interested in bridging the gap between continental and analytic philosophy have looked to connecting Hans‐Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics with Donald Davidson’s philosophy of language. Both seem to share a number of positions, and each was familiar with the other’s writings. In this essay, I look at Davidson’s criticisms of Gadamer’s hermeneutics—in particular Gadamer’s view that dialogue always depends on a shared language and, when successful, produces a new common language to understand a topic. I argue that Davidson’s objections miss the way Gadamer is using conversation (Gespräch) as a technical term. Working out the difference between what Davidson and Gadamer mean reveals a deeper divide between their views about the relation between language and thought.
Efficacy of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Dispersion of Liposome with Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alpha‐Lipoic Acid and Kinetin
Authors: Maia Campos Patrícia Maria Berardo Gonçalves , de Camargo Júnior Flávio Bueno , de Andrade Jirrah Pedro , Gaspar Lorena Rigo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate the photoprotective effects of cosmetic formulations containing a dispersion of liposome with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) and kinetin, as well as their effects on the hydration and viscoelastic skin properties. The photoprotection was determined in vitro (antioxidant activity) and in vivo on UV‐irradiated hairless mouse skin. The hydration effects were performed with the application of the formulations under study on the forearm of human volunteers and skin conditions were analyzed before and after a single application and daily applications during 4 weeks in terms of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin moisture and viscoelastic properties. The raw material under study possessed free‐radical scavenging activity and the formulation with it protected hairless mouse skin barrier function against UV damage. After 4 weeks of application on human skin, the formulation under study enhanced stratum corneum skin moisture and also showed hydration effects in deeper layers of the skin. Thus, it can be concluded that the cosmetic formulation containing a dispersion of liposome with MAP, ALA and kinetin under study showed photoprotective effects in skin barrier function as well as pronounced hydration effects on human skin, which suggests that this dispersion has potential antiaging effects.
Toward responsible stock enhancement: broadcast spawning dynamics and adaptive genetic management in white seabass aquaculture
Authors: Gruenthal Kristen M. , Drawbridge Mark A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe evolutionary effects captive‐bred individuals that can have on wild conspecifics are necessary considerations for stock enhancement programs, but breeding protocols are often developed without the knowledge of realized reproductive behavior. To help fill that gap, parentage was assigned to offspring produced by a freely mating group of 50 white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis), a representative broadcast spawning marine finfish cultured for conservation. Similar to the well‐known and closely related red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), A. nobilis exhibited large variation in reproductive success. More males contributed and contributed more equally than females within and among spawns in a mating system best described as lottery polygyny. Two females produced 27% of the seasonal offspring pool and female breeding effective size averaged 1.85 per spawn and 12.38 seasonally, whereas male breeding effective size was higher (6.42 and 20.87, respectively), with every male contributing 1–7% of offspring. Further, females batch spawned every 1–5 weeks, while males displayed continuous reproductive readiness. Sex‐specific mating strategies resulted in multiple successful mate pairings and a breeding effective to census size ratio of ≥0.62. Understanding a depleted species’ mating system allowed management to more effectively utilize parental genetic variability for culture, but the fitness consequences of long‐term stocking can be difficult to address.
Cholesterol metabolism in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Uhía Iria , Galán Beatriz , Kendall Sharon L. , Stoker Neil G. , García José L. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe metabolism of cholesterol in Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 has been investigated by using a microarray approach. The transcriptome of M. smegmatis growing in cholesterol was compared with that of cells growing in glycerol as the sole carbon and energy sources during the middle exponential phase. Microarray analyses revealed that only 89 genes were upregulated at least threefold during growth on cholesterol compared with growth on glycerol. The upregulated genes are scattered throughout the 7 Mb M. smegmatis genome and likely reflect a general physiological adaptation of the bacterium to grow on this highly hydrophobic polycyclic compound. Nevertheless, 39 of the catabolic genes are organized in three specific clusters. These results not only supported the role of KstR and KstR2 as auto‐regulated repressors of cholesterol catabolism, and revealed some metabolic similarities and differences on actinobacteria, but more important, they have facilitated the identification of new catabolic genes, opening a research scenario that might provide important clues on the role of cholesterol in tuberculosis infection.
Prevalence and predictive factors of diabetes in hepatitis virus positive liver cirrhosis with fasting plasma glucose level of <126 mg/dL
Authors: Matsumoto Naoki , Arase Yasuji , Seko Yuya , Imai Norihiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Akuta Norio , Kobayashi Mariko , Kobayashi Masahiro , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saito Satoshi , Suzuki Fumitaka , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu , Aida Kaoru , Kobayashi Tetsuro 
Published: January 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictive factors of diabetes in hepatitis virus positive liver cirrhotic patients with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of <126 mg/dL.Methods:  A total of 263 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive liver cirrhosis, FPG level of <126 mg/dL, and had diabetes status evaluated by the use of 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), were enrolled in this study. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were analyzed periodically for 3 h after oral glucose loading. Diabetes was defined as a 2‐h post‐load glucose on the OGTT of ≥200 mg/dL. The prevalence of diabetes by use of OGTT and predictive factors for diabetes were evaluated by the use of the Mann–Whitney U‐test, Fisher's exact probability test or multivariate analysis by logistic regression. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as serum albumin level of <3.9 g/dL. Elevated indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG R15) was regarded as ≥ 25%.Results:  Out of 263 patients, 44 (16.7%) were diagnosed as having diabetes. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes occurred when patients had hypoalbuminemia of <3.9 g/dL (odds ratio [OR] 2.33; 95% confidential interval [CI] = 1.04–5.24; P = 0.040) and ICG R15 of <25% (OR 2.36; 95%CI = 1.01–5.58).Conclusions:  Hypoalbuminemia and elevated ICG R15 in hepatitis virus related cirrhotic patients with FPG level of <126 mg/day enhance diabetes pattern after OGTT with significant difference.
Development of a Bead-Based Multiplex Immunoassay for Simultaneous Quantitative Detection of IgG Serum Antibodies against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella-Zoster Virus
Authors: Smits Gaby P. , van Gageldonk Pieter G. , Schouls Leo M. , van der Klis Fiona R. M. , Berbers Guy A. M. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is normally used to quantify the amount of serum IgG antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster virus (MMRV). However, this method is time- and material-consuming. Therefore, a multiplex immunoassay for the simultaneous quantitative detection of antibodies against MMRV was developed. In-house as well as commercially available antigens can be used, making the assay available for all laboratories. The multiplex assay is much more sensitive than the separate ELISAs and has a high specificity, and only 5 μl of serum is needed. Heterologous inhibition did not exceed 11.5%, while homologous inhibition varied between 91.3 and 97.9%. Good correlations with the in-house ELISAs for measles (R2= 0.98), mumps (R2= 0.97), and rubella (R2= 0.97) virus as well as with the ELISA kit for varicella-zoster virus (R2= 0.95) were obtained. In conclusion, the MMRV multiplex assay is a good alternative to the conventional ELISAs and suitable for use in serosurveillance and vaccine studies.