bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitudes Toward and Frequency of Partner Interactions Among Women Reporting Decreased Sexual Desire
Authors: Dennerstein Lorraine , Hayes Richard , Sand Michael , Lehert Philippe 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Limited published data address the impact of low sexual desire and interest on multiple domains of women’s partnered relationships.

Aim
To investigate associations between sexual interest and attitudes toward and frequency of partner interactions in women with reduced sexual desire.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using market research databases to recruit women from the general community in the United States, Germany, and Italy. Telephone interviews screened women to obtain a sample aged 18–65 years, in a relationship, and upset/bothered by decreased sexual desire. A 60-minute face-to-face questionnaire was conducted in participants’ homes.

Main Outcome Measures
Attitudes Toward Partner Interactions (ATPI) index measured sexual and nonsexual partner interactions. Higher scores indicated more positive attitudes and a higher frequency of partner interactions. Sexual interest was assessed on a 6-point scale.

Results
One thousand four hundred two of the 8,000 women screened met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate (USA N = 600, Germany N = 402, Italy N = 400). A high percentage of participants reported that their sexual interest was absent to very weak (45%) or somewhat weak (43%). Mean ATPI scores increased significantly across sexual interest categories, from absent to very weak (3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4 to 4.0) to somewhat weak (5.3, 95% CI 5.0 to 5.6) to somewhat strong or greater sexual interest (7.8, 95% CI 7.3 to 8.4) (one-way analysis of variance, effect size = 0.129, P = 0.001). Higher reported sexual interest was significantly associated with comparatively positive ATPI scores (above the median) (Phi-Kraemer, K = 0.194 P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
Clinicians need to be aware that women suffering from characteristics of hypoactive sexual desire disorder have more negative patterns of partner interactions.
Derangements in Endothelial Cell-to-Cell Junctions Involved in the Pathogenesis of Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Ryu Ji-Kan , Zhang Lu Wei , Jin Hai-Rong , Piao Shuguang , Choi Min Ji , Tuvshintur Buyankhuu , Tumurbaatar Munkhbayar , Shin Sun Hwa , Han Jee-Young , Kim Woo Jean , Suh Jun-Kyu 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Endothelial cell-to-cell junctions are crucial for vascular formation, networking, and remodeling of blood vessels as well as for inducing and integrating intracellular signals.

Aim
We investigated the differential expression and distribution of endothelial cell-to-cell junction proteins in the penis of mice with hypercholesterolemia-induced erectile dysfunction.

Methods
Two-month-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a diet containing 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid, and age-matched control animals were fed a normal diet, for 3 months. We performed dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Seegene, Seoul, Korea) to screen the differential gene expression of 21 endothelial cell-to-cell junctions.

Main Outcome Measures
At 5 months, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve, and the penis was harvested and stained with antibody to claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 (N = 8 per group). Cavernous specimens from a separate group of animals were used for claudin-5, VE-cadherin, and PECAM-1 reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western blot analysis.

Results
Erectile function was significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic mice than in controls. DPO-based multiplex PCR revealed a profound decrease in the gene expression of endothelium-specific cell-to-cell junction proteins, including claudin-5, VE-cadherin, and PECAM-1, in hypercholesterolemic mice compared with that in controls. The expression of claudin-5, VE-cadherin, and PECAM-1 protein evaluated by Western blot or immunohistochemistry was significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic mice than in controls. These endothelial cell-to-cell junction proteins were more sparsely distributed in the endothelium of cavernous sinusoids than in the endothelium of cavernous artery and dorsal blood vessels.

Conclusion
Down-regulation of the endothelial cell-to-cell junctions and decreased endothelial content in the corpus cavernosum might play a major role in the deterioration of erectile function in hypercholesterolemic mice.
Quantitative Sensory Testing of Peripheral Thresholds in Patients with Lifelong Premature Ejaculation: A Case-Controlled Study
Authors: Salonia Andrea , Saccà Antonino , Briganti Alberto , Del Carro Ubaldo , Dehò Federico , Zanni Giuseppe , Rocchini Lorenzo , Raber Marco , Guazzoni Giorgio , Rigatti Patrizio , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The main functional factors related to lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) etiology have been suggested to be penile hypersensitivity, greater cortical penile representation, and disturbance of central serotoninergic neurotransmission.

Aims
To quantitatively assess penile sensory thresholds in European Caucasian patients with lifelong PE using the Genito-Sensory Analyzer (GSA, Medoc, Ramat Yishai, Israel) as compared with those of an age-comparable sample of volunteers without any ejaculatory compliant.

Methods
Forty-two consecutive right-handed, fully potent patients with lifelong PE and 41 right-handed, fully potent, age-comparable volunteers with normal ejaculatory function were enrolled. Each man was assessed via comprehensive medical and sexual history; detailed physical examination; subjective scoring of sexual symptoms with the International Index of Erectile Function; and four consecutive measurements of intravaginal ejaculatory latency time with the stopwatch method. All men completed a detailed genital sensory evaluation using the GSA; thermal and vibratory sensation thresholds were computed at the pulp of the right index finger, and lateral aspect of penile shaft and glans, bilaterally.

Main Outcome Measures
Comparing quantitatively assessed penile thermal and vibratory sensory thresholds between men with lifelong PE and controls without any ejaculatory compliant.

Results
Patients showed significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) thresholds at the right index finger but similar penile and glans thresholds for warm sensation as compared with controls. Cold sensation thresholds were not significantly different between groups at the right index finger or penile shaft, but glans thresholds for cold sensation were bilaterally significantly lower (P = 0.01) in patients. Patients showed significantly higher (all P ≤ 0.04) vibratory sensation thresholds for right index finger, penile shaft, and glans, bilaterally, as compared with controls.

Conclusions
Quantitative sensory testing analysis suggests that patients with lifelong PE might have a hypo- rather than hypersensitivity profile in terms of peripheral sensory thresholds. The peripheral neuropathophysiology of lifelong PE remains to be clarified.
Peripheral Vascular Disease and Erectile Dysfunction as Predictors of Mortality in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Hebert Kathy , Lopez Barbara , Macedo Francisco Yuri Bulcao , Gomes Conrado Rios , Urena Johan , Arcement Lee M. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Seventy percent to 90% of patients with heart failure (HF) report erectile problems. There are no published data on whether erectile dysfunction (ED) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) correlate with mortality in HF patients. Also, little is known regarding the impact of HF etiology on mortality in patients with ED.

Aims
Our aim was to investigate the relationship between ED and mortality in HF patients, to evaluate whether the etiology of HF carries a prognostic measure in patients with ED, and to assess the impact of PVD on mortality in optimally treated HF patients with ED.

Main Outcome Measures
The measures are: (i) mortality by presence or absence of ED; (ii) mortality by HF etiology and presence or absence of ED; and (iii) PVD and mortality in HF patients on optimal medical therapy with ED.

Methods
This is a single-center, prospective cohort study of 328 male HF patients (ejection fraction ≤ 40%) followed while being treated with optimal doses of beta blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men survey was used to assess ED (no ED ≥ 22 and ED ≤ 21). Ankle brachial index (ABI) was used to assess PVD (normal ABI ≥ 0.9 and abnormal ABI &lt; 0.9).

Results
Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to examine the relationship between the presence or absence of ED and PVD, and mortality in a HF population. Although not statistically significant, a trend for increased risk of death was demonstrated in the ischemic cardiomyopathy cohort with ED.

Conclusions
ED, highly prevalent in this cohort, did not identify HF patients on optimal medical therapy at increased risk for mortality. Among the HF patients with ED, HF type was not associated with increased risk for mortality whereas PVD was independently associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality.
The Impact of the Mid-Urethral Slings for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence on Female Sexuality
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Salvatore Stefano , Uccella Stefano , Zanirato Mara , Cattoni Elena , Nappi Rossella E. , Bolis Pierfrancesco 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
No available review has been specifically designed to analyze the relationship between mid-urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and female sexual function.

Aim
The aim of our review has been to go through the available evidence and define the present state of the art about the effects of this specific type of surgery for SUI on female sexuality.

Methods
PubMed was searched for reports about the impact of mid-urethral slings on female sexual function that were published from 1995 to 2008, and the most relevant papers were reviewed.

Main Outcome Measures
Review on the effect of mid-urethral slings on sexuality.

Results
A total of 14 papers including 904 women have been published about the relationship between mid-urethral slings and female sexual function. The main mechanism accounting for improved sexuality is the cure of coital incontinence, while the most common symptom related to worsened sexual life is dyspareunia.

Conclusions
In the majority of cases, women undergoing mid-urethral sling procedures for SUI report that their sexual function is improved or unchanged by this type of surgery, although a not negligible risk of developing dyspareunia (&lt;15%) exists. There are no sufficient data to draw definitive conclusions about possible differences between retropubic vs. transobturator procedures.
Hyperlipidemia and Sexual Function in Premenopausal Women
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Ciotola Miryam , Maiorino Maria Ida , Giugliano Francesco , Autorino Riccardo , De Sio Marco , Cozzolino Domenico , Saccomanno Franco , Giugliano Dario 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
No reported studies exist assessing the relationship between sexual function and hyperlipidemia in women.

Aim
In this study, we assessed the domains of sexual function in a representative sample of sexually active premenopausal women with hyperlipidemia, but without cardiovascular disease, as compared with an age-matched female population without hyperlipidemia.

Methods
To be enrolled in the study, women had to meet at least one of the following criteria for the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels &gt;160 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels &lt;50 mg/dL; or triglyceride levels &gt;150 mg/dL. Lipid parameters were assessed and verified on blood taken at least twice in the hospital during the screening phase. Four hundred forty-one premenopausal women with hyperlipidemia were compared with 115 age-matched premenopausal women without hyperlipidemia.

Main Outcome Measures
We used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for assessing the key dimensions of female sexual function.

Results
The two groups were well matched for age and smoking prevalence. Compared with women of the control group, women with hyperlipidemia had reduced mean global FSFI score (22.8 ± 6.8 vs. 29.4 ± 4.9, P &lt; 0.001). Individual analysis of the different domains showed that women with hyperlipidemia reported significantly lower arousal, orgasm, lubrication, and satisfaction scores than control women. Based on the total FSFI score, 51% of women with hyperlipidemia had scores of 26 or less, indicating sexual dysfunction, as compared with 21% of women without hyperlipidemia (P &lt; 0.001). Based on a more conservative analysis including women under the lower quartile of the distribution of FSFI score, 32% of women with hyperlipidemia had scores of 23 or less, as compared with 9% of women without hyperlipidemia (P &lt; 0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified age, body mass index, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides as independent predictors of FSFI score.

Conclusions
Women with hyperlipidemia have significantly lower FSFI-domain scores as compared with age-matched women without hyperlipidemia. HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were independently associated with the FSFI score.
Oral Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors Alleviate Recurrent Priapism Complicating Thalassemia Intermedia: A Case Report
Authors: Tzortzis Vassilios , Mitrakas Lampros , Gravas Stavros , Mamoulakis Charalampos , Meissner Andreas , Kyriakou Despina , Melekos Michael D. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Recurrent ischemic priapism still remains a serious and difficult to treat complication of certain hematological disorders. Elucidation of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and application of new effective prophylactic treatments are needed.

Aim
To present the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) as a preventive measure against ischemic priapism recurrences complicating thalassemia intermedia.

Methods
We report on the case of a 19-year-old Caucasian man with thalassemia intermedia complicated by recurrent episodes of priapism following therapeutic splenectomy. After failure of conventional measures to control recurrences, a trial of long-term PDE5is use was initiated.

Main Outcome Measures
PDE5is efficacy based on clinical patient history.

Results
Within 2 months of PDE5i preventive strategy, priapism recurrences nearly resolved. At 6 months, prophylaxis was discontinued. At 12 months, the patient reported clear improvement and satisfaction, experiencing rare episodes of priapism and a physiologic erectile function.

Conclusions
PDE5 dysregulation seems to be an underline pathogenetic mechanism of thalassemia intermedia-associated priapism. It appears that PDE5is might have a role in the clinical management of such patients and their preventive efficacy warrants further testing in clinical trials.
Urethral Corpus Spongiosum Amyloidosis Presenting with Urethrorrhagia During Erection
Authors: Cormio Luigi , Sanguedolce Francesca , Pentimone Salvatore , Perrone Antonia , Annese Pasquale , Turri Francesco Paolo , Bufo Pantaleo , Carrieri Giuseppe 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Urethral amyloidosis is a rare, probably inflammatory condition usually presenting with hematuria and obstructive urinary symptoms, thus mimicking urethral malignancy. After histological confirmation of the diagnosis, treatment can be expectant or symptomatic.

Aim
To report an unusual cause of urethrorrhagia occurring only during erection in an otherwise healthy man.

Methods
A 30-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of urethrorrhagia occurring only during erection, and with a painless palpable nodule in his penile urethra clearly visible on urethral US and magnetic resonance imaging, but not on urethroscopy.

Results
The patient underwent wide surgical excision of the urethral nodule and grafting of the urethral defect with a pedicled preputial flap. Histological examination revealed isolated amyloid of urethral corpus spongiosum.

Conclusions
Isolated urethrorrhagia during erection and without urinary symptoms can be the presenting sign of urethral amyloidosis involving corpus spongiosum rather than the urethral lumen; in such cases, surgical exploration, wide urethral excision and grafting are mandatory.
Investigation of the distribution of lymphocyte subsets and zinc levels in multitransfused β‐thalassemia major patients
Authors: AL‐AWADHI A. M. , AlFADHLI S. M. , AL‐KHALDI D. , BORHAMA M. , BORUSLY M. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryHomozygous β‐thalassemia is a common genetic disorder in the Arabian Peninsula and an important cause of morbidity in Kuwait. The anemia is so severe that chronic blood transfusions, and the resulting iron overload, cause a shift in immunoregulatory balances and a deficiency in zinc. It was reported that individual immunological profile of CD8+ T‐lymphocytes may have a modifying effect on the severity of iron overload in HFE homozygous hemochromatosis patients, with low numbers being negatively correlated with the total amount of body iron stores. This has not been tested in thalassemia major patients. This study was designed to utilize flow cytometric immunophenotyping to characterize effects of regular blood transfusion, and high serum ferritin levels because of irregular use of iron chelation therapy on T lymphocytes (CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD8), B lymphocytes (CD19) and natural killer cells (CD56) and zinc levels in the blood of patients with thalassemia major (n = 49) and healthy normal controls (n = 60) in Kuwait. None of the patients had active infections. T‐cell markers’ percentage levels were comparable between patients and controls (P > 0.05), while B cell marker (CD19) was significantly higher in patients (P = 0.007). Patients had lower percentage levels of CD56 cells (P = 0.007) and normal serum zinc. All patients had high serum ferritin levels with no significant correlation to CD8+ T lymphocytes (P > 0.05). High iron stores did not have an effect on T lymphocytes’ profile, with normal zinc levels perhaps related to non compliance with chelation therapy. The high B cell marker may be indicative of stimulation of antibody producing cells as a result of regular blood transfusions.
Identification of single copy nuclear DNA markers for North American pit vipers
Authors: GIBBS H. LISLE , DIAZ JOSE 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe describe 18 single copy nuclear DNA loci (10 loci cloned from a Sistrurus catenatus catenatus genomic library and eight intron‐based loci amplified using conserved primers) that detect sequence variation in species from all genera (Sistrurus, Agkistrodon and Crotalus) of North American pit viper snakes. These loci (mean size in bp ± SE: 433 ± 51) show large numbers of phylogenetically informative sites across species (mean + SE: 10.2 ± 1.5), but limited variation within subspecies suggesting that they will be most useful for multilocus species‐level phylogenetic analyses in these snakes.
Rarebit perimetry and fovea test before and after cataract surgery
Authors: Nilsson Maria , Abdiu Oran , Laurell Carl‐Gustaf , Martin Lene 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of cataract on rarebit perimetry and the fovea test.Methods:  Twenty‐five consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery (mean age 63.0 ± 7.9 years) were examined prior to and after cataract surgery with a complete ophthalmological examination. In addition, the rarebit perimetry (RBP) and the rarebit fovea test (RFT) were performed.Results:  Best‐corrected visual acuity [BCVA, expressed in minimum angle of resolution (MAR)], RBP and RFT mean hit rate (MHR) improved significantly after cataract surgery. The relative pre–postsurgery difference was larger in the RFT [2.1 standard deviations (SDs)] compared to in BCVA (0.78 SDs). Seven patients had good BCVA (≤ 1.25) and RBP (83–99%) but low RFT (0–66%) before surgery. One patient with low preoperative BCVA (2.5) had a normal RFT (94%).Conclusion:  Cataract influenced both the RFT and RBP test, albeit the former more than the latter. The influence of cataract on RFT results, even when visual acuity is decreased only moderately, has to be taken into account when evaluating foveal function in patients with cataract. The larger relative change in RFT compared to BCVA values is thought to indicate that RFT is more sensitive for the effect of cataract. Therefore, RFT appears to be a sensitive test for visual disturbance and can presumably provide additional information at the preoperative evaluation of the patient.
Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 expression in photon‐radiated and non‐radiated uveal melanomas
Authors: Suesskind Daniela , Paulsen Frank , Buchgeister Markus , Spitzer Bernhard , Rohrbach Jens M. , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl U. , Spitzer Martin S. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose:  To determine and compare cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in photon‐radiated and non‐radiated malignant uveal melanomas and to analyse the correlation between COX‐2 expression and prognosis.Methods:  Immunohistochemical staining for COX‐2 was performed on 21 uveal melanomas that were endoresected after prior stereotactic radiotherapy with photons and on 22 tumours that were treated by endoresection without prior radiotherapy. COX‐2 staining was further analysed in respect to cell type, maximal prominence, time interval between radiotherapy and surgery, apoptotic index (AI), proliferative index (PI) and the development of metastatic disease.Results:  There was no difference in COX‐2 expression between radiated and non‐radiated melanomas (P > 0.15). COX‐2 staining correlated with neither the tumour prominence (P > 0.40) nor the AI or the PI (both P > 0.35). Tumours with high COX‐2 expression were significantly more likely to develop metastasis (P = 0.022).Conclusion:  Radiotherapy with photons does not induce COX‐2 expression in malignant melanomas of the uvea. But high COX‐2 expression may be a marker for poor prognosis.
Anatomical and functional outcome in brilliant blue G assisted chromovitrectomy
Authors: Henrich Paul B. , Haritoglou Christos , Meyer Peter , Ferreira Paulo R. , Schötzau Andreas , Katamay Robert , Josifova Tatjana , Schneider Ulrike , Flammer Josef , Priglinger Siegfried 
Published: April 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the potential of brilliant blue G (BBG) for intraoperative staining of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) with respect to staining properties and surgical outcome.Methods:  In a retrospective, non‐comparative clinical case series, we analysed 17 consecutive chromovitrectomy interventions for surgery of macular holes, ERMs, vitreoretinal traction syndromes and cystoid macular oedema. Following complete posterior vitreous detachment, BBG was injected into the vitreous cavity at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, followed by immediate washout. Main outcome measures were staining properties, visual acuity, central visual field testing and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements over a mean follow‐up period of 3 months.Results:  ILM staining was somewhat less intensive for BBG than for average indocyanine green (ICG) chromovitrectomy. However, the ILM was removed successfully without additional ICG in 15/17 patients. Postoperative visual acuity was improved in 16/17 patients and remained unchanged in one patient. Central retinal OCT thickness showed a postoperative reduction, with values ranging from +7 to −295 μm (median −89 μm). Neither visual field defects nor any other adverse events were recorded.Conclusion:  BBG permits sufficient staining for safe ILM removal. In this short‐term study, good anatomical and functional results were achieved and no adverse events were observed.