bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between physical activity, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate volume
Authors: Fowke Jay H. , Phillips Sharon , Koyama Tatsuki , Byerly Susan , Concepcion Raoul , Motley Saundra S. , Clark Peter E. 
Published: June 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Greater leisure‐time physical activity (PA) levels or a lower body mass index have previously been associated with a lower risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia or less severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). However, separating the effects of PA from obesity can be difficult, and the types of PA and the mechanisms underlying any association with LUTS among older men are unclear.
The present analysis used multiple validated instruments to measure PA domains across workplace, leisure time, and home domains, and finds that PAs ranging from sports to light housework are associated with lower LUTS severity. The benefits of PA were seen with irritative symptoms, and also among obese men. Furthermore, this analysis begins the investigation of mechanism by finding that the relationship between PA and LUTS is not mediated by prostate enlargement.
Objectives
To determine the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) severity and physical activity (PA) across workplace, home, and leisure domains.
To determine the mediating role of prostate enlargement on LUTS severity and PA.
Patients and Methods
The study included 405 men without prostate cancer or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.
LUTS severity was ascertained using the American Urological Association Symptom Index and prostate size by ultrasonography.
PA was assessed using validated questionnaires, with conversion to metabolic equivalent of task (MET)‐h/week to estimate leisure‐time PA energy expenditure.
Analysis used multivariable linear regression, controlling for body mass index (BMI), age, race, and treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Results
Higher leisure‐time PA energy expenditure and light housework activities were significantly associated with lower LUTS severity. Prostate volume was not significantly associated with PA in adjusted analyses, and controlling for prostate volume did not affect the association between LUTS severity and PA.
Stratification by BMI showed a moderate interaction (P = 0.052), suggesting that PA was more strongly associated with LUTS severity among obese men.
Conclusions
In this cross‐sectional analysis, leisure‐time and home‐time PA was inversely associated with LUTS severity.
The association between PA and LUTS severity was stronger for irritative symptoms and among obese men, and was not mediated through changes in prostate size.
Our results indicate the need for further detailed investigation of PA and LUTS.
Contrasting landscape effects on species diversity and invasion success within a predator community
Authors: Hogg Brian N. , Daane Kent M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimThe role of landscape variation in shaping invasion success remains unclear, particularly for exotic predators. We examined whether native and exotic predators responded similarly or differently to ecological change at the landscape scale.LocationVineyards and surrounding natural habitat in the Napa Valley, California, USA.MethodsWe surveyed spider communities in vineyards throughout the Napa Valley and used regression analysis to examine the effects of landscape context (proportion of vineyard monoculture and proportion of developed land surrounding vineyards) on spider species richness and on numbers and proportions of exotic spiders. We also compared spider composition and dominance of exotic spiders between vineyards and surrounding natural habitat using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS).ResultsThe success of the dominant exotic spider Cheiracanthium mildei was contingent on landscape context, and increased with proportions of vineyard and developed land in the surrounding landscape. Spider species richness and native spider abundance followed an opposing pattern. Cheiracanthium mildei was relatively unsuccessful near and in oak woodland, the primary type of natural habitat surrounding vineyards.Main ConclusionsResults show that anthropogenic landscape change can have contrasting effects on native and exotic predators and that landscape context can influence the relationship between habitat modification and invasion success. Results suggest that it may be possible to limit the spread of invasions by increasing the availability of habitat for native species.
Utilization of Topiramate During Pregnancy and Risk of Birth Defects
Authors: Green Mark W. , Seeger John D. , Peterson Craig , Bhattacharyya Arun 
Published: June 2012

Objective.— To evaluate the risk of oral cleft and major congenital malformation occurrence in infants born to women exposed to topiramate in their first trimester of pregnancy compared with women who used other anti‐epileptic drugs or those with disease states in which topiramate may have been used.Methods.— Sourced from patients' pharmacy and medical claims from 2002 through 2010, this study identified infants born from mothers exposed to topiramate (n = 870) and other anti‐epileptic drugs (n = 3615) in the first trimester of pregnancy. First trimester exposure was based on prescription dispensing dates and days supplied relative to infant birth date, accounting for premature delivery. Infants born to women with migraine without epilepsy (n = 26,865), women with epilepsy (n = 2607), and women with diabetes mellitus (n = 13,062), as well as randomly sampled women (n = 99,761), were used for comparison. Topiramate use was excluded from all groups with the exception of the topiramate and random sample cohorts. Non‐anti‐epileptic drug teratogens were excluded from each cohort (except random sample). Unadjusted relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for topiramate vs each comparator were calculated. Risks >1 indicate a higher risk with topiramate vs comparator, whereas risks <1 indicate a lower risk with topiramate vs comparator.Results.— The frequency of oral clefts was 0.23% for topiramate use, 0.17% for other anti‐epileptic drug use (topiramate vs comparator relative risk = 1.39 [95% confidence interval: 0.28‐6.85]), 0.16% for migraineurs (1.47 [0.36‐6.06]), 0.31% for epileptics (0.75 [0.16‐3.52]), 0.26% for diabetics (0.88 [0.21‐3.67]), and 0.16% for the random sample (1.44 [0.36‐5.81]). The frequency of major congenital malformations was 4.33% for topiramate use, 3.21% for other anti‐epileptic drugs (1.33 [0.92‐1.90]), 3.79% for migraineurs (1.12 [0.81‐1.55]), 4.33% for epileptics (0.98 [0.68‐1.41]), 6.58% for diabetics (0.65 [0.47‐0.89]), and 3.77% for the random sample (1.13 [0.82‐1.55]).Conclusions.— This retrospective study quantified the association between topiramate exposure during pregnancy and the risk of oral cleft or major congenital malformations, and suggested little or no increase in risk in comparison with exposure to other anti‐epileptic drugs or to disease states, such as migraine, epilepsy, or diabetes. However, small numbers of events limit the strength of inferences.
Neurochemical Heterogeneity of Rats Predicted by Different Measures to be High Ethanol Consumers
Authors: Barson Jessica R. , Fagan Shawn E. , Chang Guo‐Qing , Leibowitz Sarah F. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundAlcoholism is a heterogeneous disease, with subjects possibly differing both in the best measure that predicts their excess consumption and in their most effective pharmacotherapy. Two different measures, high novelty‐induced activity and high‐fat‐induced triglycerides (TGs), are known to identify subgroups of animals prone to consuming higher amounts of ethanol (EtOH). The question investigated here is whether these subgroups are, in fact, similar in their neurochemical phenotype that may contribute to their overconsumption.MethodsEtOH‐naïve, Sprague–Dawley rats were subgrouped based on the 2 predictor measures of activity or TG levels, and then quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and digoxigenin‐labeled in situ hybridization were used to measure their expression of hypothalamic peptides that affect EtOH intake. In additional subgroups subsequently trained to drink 9% EtOH, the opioid antagonist and alcoholism medication, naltrexone, was tested at a low dose (0.02 mg/kg, s.c.) to determine the rats' sensitivity to its effects.ResultsThe 2 measures, while both effective in predicting amount of EtOH intake, were found to identify distinctive subgroups. Rats with high compared to low activity exhibited significantly greater expression of galanin and enkephalin in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and of orexin in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PFLH), but no difference in melanin‐concentrating hormone in PFLH or neuropeptide Y in arcuate nucleus. This contrasts with rats having high TG, which exhibited greater expression only of PVN galanin, along with reduced PFLH orexin. The high‐activity rats with elevated enkephalin, but not high‐TG rats, were also unusually sensitive to naltrexone, which significantly reduced their alcohol intake.ConclusionsIn addition to revealing differences in endogenous peptides and drug responsiveness in predicted high EtOH drinkers, this study demonstrates that these disturbances differ markedly between the 2 at‐risk subgroups. This indicates that simple tests may be effective in identifying subjects most responsive to a specific pharmacotherapy.
Elections and the Politics of Pork in the U.S. Senate
Authors: Crespin Michael H. , Finocchiaro Charles J. 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesWe examine the connection between pork‐barrel projects and the election returns of members of the U.S. Congress. While previous researchers have uncovered little evidence of a direct link, we refine the perspective that pork has electoral implications by advancing the argument that its effects differ across geographic and partisan contexts.MethodsOur empirical analysis focuses on the Senate—which has largely escaped attention—and utilizes a measure of pork that includes only those projects inserted by legislators as line items in appropriation bills from 1996 to 2004.ResultsWe find a direct relationship between pork and electoral performance, albeit one that is conditioned upon ideological congruence, constituency size, and the political ideology of the legislator.ConclusionsElectoral payoffs for pork‐barreling accrue to some but not all senators. Moreover, our findings demonstrate the pragmatic rationale for conservative opposition to earmarks.
Nucleus‐encoded mRNAs for Chloroplast Proteins GapA, PetA, and PsbO are Trans‐spliced in the Flagellate Euglena gracilis Irrespective of Light and Plastid Function
Authors: Mateášiková‐Kováčová Bianka , Vesteg Matej , Drahovská Hana , Záhonová Kristína , Vacula Rostislav , Krajčovič Juraj 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEuglena gracilis is a fresh‐water flagellate possessing secondary chloroplasts of green algal origin. In contrast with organisms possessing primary plastids, mRNA levels of nucleus‐encoded genes for chloroplast proteins in E. gracilis depend on neither light nor plastid function. However, it remains unknown, if all these mRNAs are trans‐spliced and possess spliced leader sequence at the 5′‐end and if trans‐splicing depends on light or functional plastids. This study revealed that polyadenylated mRNAs encoding the chloroplast proteins glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GapA), cytochrome f (PetA), and subunit O of photosystem II (PsbO) are trans‐spliced irrespective of light or plastid function.
Cutaneous mastocytosis with atypical mast cells and giant cytoplasmic granules
Authors: Lachapelle Jonathan , Moroz Brenda , Nguyen Van‐Hung 
Published: June 2012

A 12‐year‐old male presented with an 8‐year history of five firm cream colored papules on the right vertex of the scalp. A biopsy showed a dense infiltrate of monomorphous mast cells involving the dermis and extending into the subcutis. A relatively well‐circumscribed cluster of larger cells showed pleomorphic nuclei with bilobed and multilobed morphology. Both mast cell populations had an eosinophilic cytoplasm filled with granules ranging in size from small to giant forms. By immunohistochemistry, the cells expressed CD117, tryptase and CD68, and were negative for AE1/AE3, CD1a, CD2 and CD25. S‐100 staining revealed only faint cytoplasmic positivity and myeloperoxidase had an inhomogeneous patchy pattern, with an overall staining of less than 5% of the cells. A diagnosis of cutaneous mastocytosis was made and after 6 months follow‐up, no progression observed. Clinical correlation and awareness of these unusual morphologic features as being part of the spectrum of cutaneous mastocytosis are important to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy. Although pleomorphic, multilobed nuclear morphology and giant cytoplasmic granules have not been associated with an aggressive behavior or systemic mastocytosis, close clinical observation is warranted in this context.Lachapelle J, Moroz B, Nguyen V‐H. Cutaneous mastocytosis with atypical mast cells and giant cytoplasmic granules.
Protoporphyrin IX formation and photobleaching in different layers of normal human skin: Methyl‐ and hexylaminolevulinate and different light sources
Authors: Togsverd‐Bo Katrine , Idorn Luise W. , Philipsen Peter A. , Wulf Hans Christian , Hædersdal Merete 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTopical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used for various skin disorders, and selective targeting of specific skin structures is desirable. The objective was to assess accumulation of PpIX fluorescence and photobleaching within skin layers using different photosensitizers and light sources. Normal human skin was tape‐stripped and incubated with 20% methylaminolevulinate (MAL) or 20% hexylaminolevulinate (HAL) for 3 h. Fluorescence microscopy quantified PpIX accumulation in epidermis, superficial, mid and deep dermis, down to 2 mm. PpIX photobleaching by light‐emitting diode (LED, 632 nm, 18 and 37 J/cm2), intense pulsed light (IPL, 500–650 nm, 36 and 72 J/cm2) and long‐pulsed dye laser (LPDL, 595 nm, 7.5 and 15 J/cm2) was measured using fluorescence photography and microscopy. We found higher PpIX fluorescence intensities in epidermis and superficial dermis in HAL‐incubated skin than MAL‐incubated skin (P < 0.001). In mid and deep dermis, fluorescence intensities were higher (37%) in HAL‐treated skin than MAL‐treated skin, although not significant (P = ns). At skin surface, photobleaching was significantly higher (90–98%) after LED illumination (18 and 37 J/cm²) than IPL (29–53%, 36 and 72 J/cm²) and LPDL (43–62%, 7 and 15 J/cm²) (P < 0.001). Within the skin, photobleaching was steady from epidermis to deep dermis by LED illumination (37 J/cm², P = ns), but declined from epidermis to mid and deep dermis for IPL‐treated skin and LPDL‐treated skin (IPL 72 J/cm²: 26–15%; LPDL 15 J/cm²: 37–23%) (P < 0.04). Clinically, erythema correlated linearly with MAL and HAL‐induced photobleaching (r² = 0.175, P < 0.001). In conclusion, selective PpIX accumulation indicates HAL as an alternative to MAL for epidermal‐targeted PDT. In clinically relevant doses, PpIX photobleaching throughout the skin was more profound following LED than LPDL and IPL exposure.
Analysis of clinical and dermoscopic features for basal cell carcinoma neural network classification
Authors: Cheng Beibei , Joe Stanley R. , Stoecker William V. , Stricklin Sherea M. , Hinton Kristen A. , Nguyen Thanh K. , Rader Ryan K. , Rabinovitz Harold S. , Oliviero Margaret , Moss Randy H. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA. In this research, we examine four different feature categories used for diagnostic decisions, including patient personal profile (patient age, gender, etc.), general exam (lesion size and location), common dermoscopic (blue‐gray ovoids, leaf‐structure dirt trails, etc.), and specific dermoscopic lesion (white/pink areas, semitranslucency, etc.). Specific dermoscopic features are more restricted versions of the common dermoscopic features.MethodsCombinations of the four feature categories are analyzed over a data set of 700 lesions, with 350 BCCs and 350 benign lesions, for lesion discrimination using neural network‐based techniques, including evolving artificial neural networks (EANNs) and evolving artificial neural network ensembles.ResultsExperiment results based on 10‐fold cross validation for training and testing the different neural network‐based techniques yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve as high as 0.981 when all features were combined. The common dermoscopic lesion features generally yielded higher discrimination results than other individual feature categories.ConclusionsExperimental results show that combining clinical and image information provides enhanced lesion discrimination capability over either information source separately. This research highlights the potential of data fusion as a model for the diagnostic process.
INFLUENCE OF MARINE WATER CONDITIONS ON SALMONELLA ENTERICA SEROVAR TYPHIMURIUM SURVIVAL
Authors: EL MEJRI SELMA , EL BOUR MONIA , BOUKEF IMEN , AL GALLAS NAZEK , MRAOUNA RADHIA , GOT PATRICE , TROUSSELLIER MARC , KLENA JOHN , BOUDABBOUS ABDELATIF 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTSalmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains were isolated during a monitoring survey of the carpet shell clam (Ruditapes decussatus) collected from 23 stations along the Tunisian coast. The effect of starvation on Salmonella Typhimurium survival was investigated in vitro using microcosms composed of filtered (0.2 µm) marine water under dark and ambient temperature conditions (25C for 30 days). Eventual changes in physiological, biochemical properties, serotyping, biotyping and antimicrobial sensitivity for the environmentally adapted Salmonella Typhimurium were monitored. In response to stress conditions, the Salmonella Typhimurium strains progressively lost culturability in the absence of notable changes in the total cell count (during all the period of 30 days). Strains appeared to enter into a viable but noncultureable state as determined by epifluorescence method. We have also observed that the T90 value (time required for the reduction of 90% of cells) for the five different Salmonella strains ranged between 25 and 30 h; this indicated the survivability of Salmonella under stress conditions. This state was also characterized by biochemical and antimicrobial changes.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThis research highlighted the acquisition of the viable but nonculturable state of bacteria. This form of adaptation of certain pathogens does not really reflect their presence or absence in the marine environment and thus in foods of marine origin. Hence the use of conventional methods of bacterial identification must be completed more advanced research tools before declaring a healthy product or environment.
Synergistic Mechanism of Gene Expression and Pathways between Jasminoidin and Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Treating Focal Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhou Cai‐Xiu , Zhang Zhan‐Jun , Wang Li‐Ying , Jing Zhi‐Wei , Wang Zhong 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAimJasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid are 2 bioactive compounds extracted from Chinese medicine that have been proven to exert a synergistic effect as a combined administration for the treatment of stroke. The aim of this study was to reveal the pharmacogenomic mechanism of this synergistic effect of jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid.MethodsOne hundred and fifteen mice with brain damage, induced by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, were divided into 5 groups: jasminoidin‐treated, ursodeoxycholic acid–treated, combination‐treated, vehicle group, and sham‐operated group. Comparative analysis of stroke‐related gene expression profiles and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways among the 3 treatment groups were performed to reveal the mechanism of this synergistic effect.ResultsThis study demonstrated that (1) treatment with jasminoidin alone caused similar changes in the pattern of gene expression as those treated with the combination; (2) jasminoidin treatment and the combination treatment had more overlapping changes in gene expression and activated pathways than the ursodeoxycholic acid treatment; (3) Hspa1a and Ppm1e were only up‐regulated in the combination‐treated group; (4) the nonoverlapping genes Fgf12, Rarα, Map3k4, paxillin (PXN) in the combination‐treated group were markedly expressed, and P53 pathway was obviously activated in the combination‐treated group.ConclusionThese findings may suggest that jasminoidin is the major component of the combination, and the combination plays an important role of the synergistic effect in up‐regulating expression of gene Hspa1a, genes Fgf12, Rarα, Map3k4 and down‐regulating gene PXN, as well as activating P53 pathway.
The Late Cretaceous fold-thrust belt in the Peña de Bernal— Tamazunchale area and its possible relationship to the accretion of the Guerrero Terrane
Authors: Martini Michelangelo , Fitz Elisa , Solari Luigi , Camprubi Antoni , Hudleston Peter J. , Lawton Timothy F. , Tolson Gustavo , Centeno-García Elena 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The continental interior of Mexico is characterized by a Late Cretaceous prominent fold-thrust belt that shows characteristics of an eastward-tapering orogenic wedge. According to structural data and geothermometry of the deformation, this wedge is the result of horizontal stresses directed from the west (Pacific domain). The orogenic wedge is bounded to the west by the Guerrero Terrane, which is the second largest juvenile terrane accreted to the North American Cordillera. The possible linkage between the accretion of the Guerrero Terrane and the regional shortening in the Mexican interior is examined in detail in the region comprised between the Sierra de Guanajuato and the Peña de Bernal—Tamazunchale areas. In order to test the accretion hypothesis, we present key stratigraphic, structural, and geochronologic data from the Mexican Cordillera in central Mexico, and discuss the problems that exist in connecting the accretion of the Guerrero Terrane to the orogenic deformation of the Mexican continental interior.
Suspected adverse events, 2011
Authors: Dyer F. , Diesel G. , Cooles S. , Tait A. 
Published: June 2012

Increase in injection site reactions after vaccination in horses
Decrease in injection site sarcomas in cats
Increase in human adverse reaction reports
These are some of the results from the Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme in 2011, as discussed by Fabia Dyer and colleagues from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)