bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age, Gender, Depression, and Sexual Dysfunction in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Kao Ching , Yeh Tzung Lieh , Lee I Hui , Chen Po See , Huang Hui-Chun , Yang Yen Kuang , Shen Winston W. , Lu Ru-Band 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The effects of age and gender on sexual function have attracted much attention in recent years, though few studies have focused on this issue in Asian populations.

Aims
The Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) was used to: (i) assess the differences in sexual functioning between unmedicated outpatients with depressive disorders and healthy volunteers; and (ii) investigate the influences of gender and age on sexual functioning in both groups.

Main Outcome Measures
The CSFQ was used to assess sexual dysfunction.

Methods
Two groups of subjects, 73 unmedicated patients with depressive disorders and 116 healthy volunteers, were recruited to the study, and changes in their sexual function were assessed using the CSFQ. Subjects’ global depressive level and psychiatric morbidity were assessed using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ) and the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ).

Results
The depressed subjects had significantly lower total CSFQ scores than did the controls. A negative correlation between age and total CSFQ score was found in both genders of depressed patients. Age generally predicted the sum of the CSFQ scores for both genders in the depressed group after controlling for TDQ score; however, a positive correlation between age and total CSFQ score was identified in the female controls. We also found that the S-curve was the best-fit curve for both the male and female controls, the cut-off point for which was the age of 40.

Conclusions
Our study confirmed that, as a screening tool for clinically significant sexual dysfunction, the CSFQ offered good sensitivity for both the healthy and depressed subjects. In addition, our findings suggested that age and gender differences should be taken into account when measuring sexual satisfaction. It is possible that the age of 40 could be an anchor point in sexual functioning for the female population of Taiwan.
Sexual, Marital, and Social Impact of a Man’s Perceived Infertility Diagnosis
Authors: Smith James F. , Walsh Thomas J. , Shindel Alan W. , Turek Paul J. , Wing Holly , Pasch Lauri , Katz Patricia P. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Male factor infertility is a relatively common problem. This diagnosis may increase sexual, marital, and relationship strain in male partners of infertile couples.

Aim
To measure the personal, social, sexual, and marital impacts of a male factor infertility diagnosis among men in couples evaluated for infertility.

Methods
Cross-sectional analysis of 357 men in infertile couples from eight academic and community-based fertility clinics. Participants completed written surveys and face-to-face and telephone interviews at study enrollment. This interview queried each participant’s perception of their infertility etiology to determine the primary study exposure (i.e., male factor only, male and female factors, female factor only, unknown).

Main Outcome Measures
Personal Impact, Social Impact, Marital Impact, and Sexual Impact scales.

Results
Among the 357 men, no male factor was reported in 47%, isolated male factor was present in 12%, combined male and female factors were present in 16%, and unexplained infertility was present in 25% of couples. Male factor infertility was independently associated with worse Sexual (mean 39 vs. 30, standard deviation [SD] 2.7, P = 0.004) and Personal (mean 37 vs. 29, SD 3.8, P = 0.04) Impact scores relative to men in couples without male factor infertility. These differences remained statistically significant after controlling for male age, partner age, race, religion, educational level, employment status, prior pregnancy, duration of infertility, and prior paternity.

Conclusions
Male partners in couples who perceive isolated male factor infertility have a lower sexual and personal quality of life compared with male partners of couples without perceived male factor infertility. Social strain is highest among couples without a clear etiology for infertility. These findings highlight the clinically significant negative sexual, personal, and social strains of a perceived infertility diagnosis for men.
Protective Effects of Self‐Esteem and Family Support on Suicide Risk Behaviors among At‐Risk Adolescents
Authors: Sharaf Amira Y. , Thompson Elaine A. , Walsh Elaine 
Published: July 2009

PROBLEM:  If and how family support and self‐esteem might interact to protect against adolescent suicide risk is not well understood.METHODS:  Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the moderating effect of family support on the relationship between self‐esteem and suicide risk behaviors among potential high school dropouts (N= 849), using questionnaires and in‐depth assessment interviews.FINDINGS:  Family support moderated the impact of self‐esteem on suicide risk; the ameliorating effect of self‐esteem was stronger among adolescents with low versus high family support.CONCLUSIONS:  Self‐esteem influences adolescent suicide risk behaviors for youth with low as well as high family support. Interventions designed to strengthen both self‐esteem and support resources are appropriate.
Word Order Patterns and Principles: An Overview
Authors: Song Jae Jung 
Published: July 2009

AbstractOver the last several decades, word order has established itself as one of the most recurrent research topics in linguistic typology, generating insightful theories and data. This work provides an overview of recent word order research carried out within the broad framework of linguistic typology, highlighting some of the major word order patterns, and theories that have been proposed to explain them. The trend among recent studies on word order is that more and more attention is being directed towards developing processing‐based explanations. There also seems to be a tension between unifying and multiple principles (or explanations).
Robust Detection of EGFR Copy Number Changes and EGFR Variant III: Technical Aspects and Relevance for Glioma Diagnostics
Authors: Jeuken Judith , Sijben Angelique , Alenda Cristina , Rijntjes Jos , Dekkers Marieke , Boots‐Sprenger Sandra , McLendon Roger , Wesseling Pieter 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly affected in cancer, generally in the form of an increase in DNA copy number and/or as mutation variants [e.g., EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII), an in‐frame deletion of exons 2–7]. While detection of EGFR aberrations can be expected to be relevant for glioma patients, such analysis has not yet been implemented in a routine setting, also because feasible and robust assays were lacking.We evaluated multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detection of EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII in DNA of a spectrum of 216 diffuse gliomas. EGFRvIII detection was verified at the protein level by immunohistochemistry and at the RNA level using the conventionally used endpoint RT‐PCR as well as a newly developed quantitative RT‐PCR. Compared to these techniques, the DNA‐based MLPA assay for EGFR/EGFRvIII analysis tested showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. We conclude that MLPA is a robust assay for detection of EGFR/EGFRvIII aberrations. While the exact diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value of such EGFR testing remains to be seen, MLPA has great potential as it can reliably and relatively easily be performed on routinely processed (formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded) tumor tissue in combination with testing for other relevant glioma markers.
Social Optimization in the Presence of Cognitive Local Optima: Effects of Social Network Topology and Interaction Mode
Authors: Kennedy James 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe combined tendency for positive self‐presentation and mimicry or social learning results in the capability of a population of simulated individuals to optimize their cognitive structures. A population of parallel constraint satisfaction networks was created, with globally and locally optimal activation patterns. Individuals started with random activations and interacted to find optimal vectors. Two social network topologies were tested, as well as two modes of interaction; results indicated that the ability to optimize activation vectors depends on the social network configuration and whether individuals are influenced by their best neighbor or are attracted to a neighborhood centroid. Simulated individuals are able to find suitable patterns of belief or attitude with very little internal information processing, using social interaction.
Effects of taxon sampling on molecular dating for within‐genus divergence events, when deep fossils are used for calibration
Authors: MILNE Richard I. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA universal method of molecular dating that can be applied to all families and genera regardless of their fossil records, or lack thereof, is highly desirable. A possible method for eudicots is to use a large phylogeny calibrated using deep fossils including tricolpate pollen as a fixed (124 mya) calibration point. This method was used to calculate node ages within three species‐poor disjunct basal eudicot genera, Caulophyllum, Podophyllum and Pachysandra, and sensitivity of these ages to effects such as taxon sampling were then quantified. By deleting from one to three accessions related to each genus in 112 different combinations, a confidence range describing variation due only to taxon sampling was generated. Ranges for Caulophyllum, Podophyllum and Pachysandra were 8.4–10.6, 7.6–20.0, and 17.6–25.0 mya, respectively. However, the confidence ranges calculated using bootstrapping were much wider, at 3–19, 0–32 and 11–32 mya, respectively. Furthermore, deleting 10 adjacent taxa had a large effect in Pachysandra only, indicating that undersampling effects are significant among Buxales. Changes to sampling density in neighboring clades, or to the position of the fixed fossil calibration point had small to negligible effects. Non‐parametric rate smoothing was more sensitive to taxon sampling effects than was penalized likelihood. The wide range for Podophyllum, compared to the other two genera, was probably due to a high degree of rate heterogeneity within this genus. Confidence ranges calculated by this method could be narrowed by sampling more individuals within the genus of interest, and by sequencing multiple DNA regions from all species in the phylogeny.
Rapid loss of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b from serum in patients receiving a triple treatment with telaprevir (MP‐424), pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks
Authors: Suzuki Fumitaka , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Sezaki Hitomi , Yatsuji Hiromi , Kawamura Yusuke , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Mineta Rie , Iwasaki Satomi , Watahiki Sachiyo , Kobayashi Mariko , Miyakawa Yuzo , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: July 2009

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the triple treatment with telaprevir (MP‐424), pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin during 12 weeks on‐treatment.Methods: The triple treatment was given to 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐1b in high viral load (median: 6.8 log IU/mL [range: 5.5–7.2]), with a median age of 54 years (range: 36–65 years). They were followed for early dynamics of HCV RNA in serum during 12 weeks and side‐effects.Results: HCV RNA levels decreased by 4.8 logs by 7 days and 5.5 logs by 14 days. HCV RNA disappeared in 50% (10/20) at 2 weeks, 79% (15/19) at 4 weeks, 88% (14/16) at 6 weeks, 94% (15/16) at 8 weeks and 100% (13/13) at 12 weeks. HCV RNA disappeared equally frequently in 10 treatment‐naive patients, six non‐responders to IFN monotherapy and four non‐responders to PEG‐IFN and ribavirin. It was no different in the patients with and without amino acid substitutions reducing the response to IFN. The treatment was withdrawn in seven (35%) patients, mostly due to reduced hemoglobin of less than 8.5 g/dL, of whom six (86%) remained clear of HCV RNA at 12 weeks.Conclusion: HCV RNA was lost from serum rapidly and universally in patients infected with HCV‐1b in high viral loads by the triple treatment. Because an early loss of HCV RNA correlates with high rates of sustained virological response (SVR), it would increase SVR substantially, and merit the patients who have not responded to previous therapies.
Efficacy and limitation of bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of acute and subacute liver failure in rats
Authors: Tokai Hirotaka , Kawashita Yujo , Ito Yuichiro , Yamanouchi Kosho , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Eguchi Susumu , Tajima Yoshitsugu , Kanematsu Takashi 
Published: July 2009

Aim:  Recent reports have shown that bone marrow cells (BMC) retain the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes. Thus, the BMC have been recognized as an attractive source for liver regenerative medicine. However, it has not been clarified whether BMC transplantation can be used to treat liver damage in vivo. In the present study, we explored whether BMC possess therapeutic potential to treat acute and/or subacute liver failure.Methods:  Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) was induced by 70% hepatectomy with ligation of the right lobe pedicle (24% liver mass), followed by transplantation of BMC into the spleen. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV‐positive (DPPIV+) BMC were then transplanted into DPPIV‐negative (DPPIV‐) recipients following hepatic irradiation (HIR) in which 70% of the liver was resected and the remnant liver irradiated.Results:  There was no benefit of BMC transplantation towards survival in the FHF model. DPPIV+ hepatocytes appeared in the liver tissues of the DPPIV‐ HIR model rats, but DPPIV+ hepatocytes replaced less than 13% of the recipient liver.Conclusion:  BMC transplantation may have limitations in the treatment of fulminant or acute liver failure because they do not have sufficient time to develop into functional hepatocytes. Preparative HIR may be beneficial in help to convert the transplanted BMC into host hepatocytes, and provide a survival benefit. Although, However, the precise mechanism warrants further studies.
Matrine improves 17α‐ethinyl estradiol‐induced acute cholestasis in rats
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhai Desheng , He Hui , Liu Junhua , Li Tingting , Chen Xijing , Ji Hui 
Published: July 2009

Aim:  To explore the effects of matrine (MT) on acute intrahepatic cholestasis induced by 17α‐ethinyl estradiol (EE) in rats.Methods:  Acute intrahepatic cholestasis in rats were induced by EE, and the effects of MT on acute intrahepatic cholestasis were explored and compared with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) by serum biochemical determination and bile excretion experiments.Results:  The serum biochemical and bile biochemical results indicated that MT and UDCA had notable hepatoprotective effects by counteracting cholestasis induced by EE. The bile flow and the bile excretion of glycocholic acid (GC, a substrate of bile salt export pump [Bsep]), ketoprofen glucuronide (KPG) and rhodamine 123 (Rh123, a substrate of multidrug resistance protein 1 [MDR1]) decreased by EE, were significantly improved after administration of MT.Conclusion:  MT exhibited potential protection against EE‐induced acute intrahepatic cholestasis.
Clinicopathological analysis of CD133+ and NCAM+ human hepatic stem/progenitor cells in damaged livers and hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: Tsuchiya Atsunori , Kamimura Hiroteru , Takamura Masaaki , Yamagiwa Satoshi , Matsuda Yasunobu , Sato Yoshinobu , Nomoto Minoru , Ichida Takafumi , Aoyagi Yutaka 
Published: July 2009

Aim:  Hepatic stem cells are capable of dramatically changing and differentiating to form mature hepatocytes in acute and chronically damaged livers; however, the clinicopathological characteristics of these heterogeneous cell populations have not been sufficiently analyzed.Methods:  In this study, cells in tissue sections from 12 cases of acute damaged livers and 31 cases of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), and the surrounding chronically damaged liver tissues, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using the previously reported hepatic stem/progenitor cell marker CD133 (AC133) and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) marker.Results:  In both the acute and chronically damaged livers, CD133+ cells and NCAM+ cells were present in ductular reactions (DR), which include hepatic stem/progenitor cells, and became more apparent in proportion to the degree of fibrosis or histological damage. Analysis of their distribution and morphological similarities revealed that the NCAM+ cell population included cells that were closer to, and morphologically more similar to, hepatocytes than were CD133+ cells. Analysis of HCC using these markers revealed that 9.7% of HCC expressed NCAM (two cases had abundant NCAM+ cells), while CD133+ HCC were not detected.Conclusion:  These results suggest that CD133 and NCAM can be employed to enrich for hepatic stem/progenitor cells and that DR can be distinguished in greater detail using these markers. NCAM+ HCC were detected, but their function remains unresolved. Expression of CD133, a potent stem cell marker, may be extremely rare in the common human HCC examined.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. III: cytopathology and surgical pathology
Authors: Kidney Beverly A. , Dial Sharon M. , Christopher Mary M. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:The Education Committee of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology has identified a need for improved structure and guidance of training residents in clinical pathology. This article is the third in a series of articles that address this need. The goals of this article are to describe learning objectives and competencies in knowledge, abilities, and skills in cytopathology and surgical pathology (CSP); provide options and ideas for training activities; and identify resources in veterinary CSP for faculty, training program coordinators, and residents. Guidelines were developed in consultation with Education Committee members and peer experts and with evaluation of the literature. The primary objectives of training in CSP are: (1) to develop a thorough, extensive, and relevant knowledge base of biomedical and clinical sciences applicable to the practice of CSP in domestic animals, laboratory animals, and other nondomestic animal species; (2) to be able to reason, think critically, investigate, use scientific evidence, and communicate effectively when making diagnoses and consulting and to improve and advance the practice of pathology; and (3) to acquire selected technical skills used in CSP and pathology laboratory management. These guidelines define expected competencies that will help ensure proficiency, leadership, and the advancement of knowledge in veterinary CSP and will provide a useful framework for didactic and clinical activities in resident‐training programs.
Gas hydrate drilling transect across northern Cascadia margin - IODP Expedition 311
Authors: Riedel M. , Collett T. , Malone M. J. ,   IODP Expedition 311 Scientists
Published: July 2009

Abstract
A transect of four sites (U1325, U1326, U1327 and U1329) across the northern Cascadia margin was established during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 311 to study the occurrence and formation of gas hydrate in accretionary complexes. In addition to the transect sites, a fifth site (U1328) was established at a cold vent with active fluid flow. The four transect sites represent different typical geological environments of gas hydrate occurrence across the northern Cascadia margin from the earliest occurrence on the westernmost first accreted ridge (Site U1326) to the eastward limit of the gas hydrate occurrence in shallower water (Site U1329). Expedition 311 complements previous gas hydrate studies along the Cascadia accretionary complex, especially ODP Leg 146 and Leg 204 by extending the aperture of the transect sampled and introducing new tools to systematically quantify the gas hydrate content of the sediments. Among the most significant findings of the expedition was the occurrence of up to 20 m thick sand-rich turbidite intervals with gas hydrate concentrations locally exceeding 50% of the pore space at Sites U1326 and U1327. Moreover, these anomalous gas hydrate intervals occur at unexpectedly shallow depths of 50–120 metres below seafloor, which is the opposite of what was expected from previous models of gas hydrate formation in accretionary complexes, where gas hydrate was predicted to be more concentrated near the base of the gas hydrate stability zone just above the bottom-simulating reflector. Gas hydrate appears to be mainly concentrated in turbidite sand layers. During Expedition 311, the visual correlation of gas hydrate with sand layers was clearly and repeatedly documented, strongly supporting the importance of grain size in controlling gas hydrate occurrence. The results from the transect sites provide evidence for a structurally complex, lithology-controlled gas hydrate environment on the northern Cascadia margin. Local shallow occurrences of high gas hydrate concentrations contradict the previous model of gas hydrate formation at an accretionary prism. However, long-lived fluid flow (part of the old model) is still required to explain the shallow high gas hydrate concentrations, although it is most likely not pervasive throughout the entire accretionary prism, but rather localized and focused by the tectonic processes. Differences in the fluid flow regime across all of the transect drill sites indicate site-specific and probably disconnected (compartmented) deeper fluid sources in the various parts of the accretionary prism. The data and future analyses will yield a better understanding of the geologic controls, evolution and ultimate fate of gas hydrate in an accretionary prism as an important contribution to the role of gas hydrate methane gas in slope stability and possibly in climate change.
Hydrate occurrences in the Namibe Basin, offshore Namibia
Authors: Swart Roger 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Seismic data has long suggested the presence of methane hydrates offshore Namibia. The seismic data shows the presence of well-developed bottom-simulating reflectors which can be mapped over a large area. A recent seabed coring programme has confirmed the presence of hydrates in the Namibe Basin. The hydrates appear to be associated with slump features and are a drilling hazard as well as a potential resource. The methane hydrate appears to originate from both biogenic and thermogenic sources.
The International Court of Justice – New Practice Directions
Authors: Rosenne Shabtai 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNew Practice Directions III, VI and XIII, deal with the written pleadings and the oral pleadings and the relations between the two. This Note examines these new Practice Directions in light of relevant provisions of the Statute and the Rules of Court and suggests that the Court exercise its powers to give the parties suggestions regarding the content of the written pleadings in regular interlocutory stages. This is to meet the Court's desire to maintain succinctness of the written pleadings without prejudice to their adequacy.