bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a case–control study
Authors: Celikel E. , Ozel‐Kizil E. T. , Akbostanci M. C. , Cevik A. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been very well studied, as most of the research has methodological restrictions like having no control group, using invalid assessment tools, unidimensional investigation of sexual functions and inclusion of males/females only. This study aimed to examine different sexual functions in patients with PD and compare with matched non‐parkinsonian controls by using a valid instrument. Predicting factors of SD in PD were also investigated.Methods:  The sample consisted of 45 patients with PD and 45 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Sexual functions were evaluated by Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX).Results:  Female patients had reduced sexual drive and they were less satisfied with orgasm, while male patients had easier orgasms than did the controls. Regression analysis identified increased age and female sex predictive of reduced sexual drive and sexual arousal. Ability to reach orgasm and satisfaction with orgasm were associated with female sex, while erection/lubrication was associated with marital status. The severity and duration of PD, as well as the severity of anxiety and depression were not associated with SD.Conclusion:  Using ASEX in the detection of SD in PD might be important in directing patients to further evaluation and treatment.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme polymorphisms and risk of spontaneous deep intracranial hemorrhage in Taiwan
Authors: Chen C.‐M. , Chen Y.‐C. , Wu Y.‐R. , Hu F.‐J. , Lyu R.‐K. , Chang H.‐S. , Ro L.‐S. , Hsu W.‐C. , Chen S.‐T. , Lee‐Chen G.‐J. 
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  This study examines whether angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of spontaneous deep intracerebral hemorrhage (SDICH) in Taiwan using a case–control study.Methods:  Totally, 217 SDICH patients and 283 controls were recruited. Associations of ACE A‐240T and ACE I/D polymorphisms with SDICH were examined under the additive model and adjusted for gender, age, body mass index, total cholesterol level, smoking history, alcohol use, hypertension, and use of ACE inhibitors.Results:  Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, family history of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), and low cholesterol level increase risk of female SDICH, whereas hypertension, alcohol use, smoking history, family history of SICH, and low cholesterol level are an important risk factor for male SDICH. After adjusting for covariates, only haplotype ACE T‐D (OR = 2.7, 95% CI, 1.1–6.5, P = 0.02) was associated with female SDICH.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that environmental risk factors play a major role and ACE polymorphisms play a minor role in contributing risk of SDICH in Taiwan.
Effects of zonisamide on isolated head tremor
Authors: Song I.‐U. , Kim J.‐S. , Lee S.‐B. , Ryu S.‐Y. , An J.‐Y. , Kim H.‐T. , Kim Y.‐I. , Lee K.‐S. 
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  The medical treatment available for patients with essential tremor (ET) is often inadequate. Furthermore, the efficacy of the medical treatments currently available for patients with ET of cranial nerve areas is less satisfactory than that of the medical treatments available for patients with ET involving the upper extremities. This pilot study was performed to evaluate whether zonisamide (ZNS) is effective in the treatment of patients with isolated head tremor.Methods:  All subjects with isolated head tremor were randomly treated with either ZNS or propranolol. After a washout period, the subjects were switched to the alternative drug.Results:  ZNS was found to be more effective in the treatment of patients with isolated head tremor than propranolol. No severe adverse effects were reported with either ZNS or propranolol.Conclusion:  ZNS may be more useful than propranolol for the treatment of ET patients with head tremor.
Composition and evolution of fluids during skarn development in the Monte Capanne thermal aureole, Elba Island, central Italy
Authors: ROSSETTI F. , TECCE F. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe describe the chemistry of the fluids circulating during skarn formation by focusing on fluids trapped in calcsilicate minerals of the inner thermal aureole of the Late Miocene Monte Capanne intrusion of western Elba Island (central Italy). Primary, CH4‐dominant, C‐O‐H‐S‐salt fluid inclusions formed during prograde growth of the main skarn‐forming mineral phases: grossular/andradite and vesuvianite. The variable phase ratios attest to heterogeneous entrapment of fluid, with co‐entrapment of an immiscible hydrocarbon–brine mixture. Chemical elements driving skarn metasomatism such as Na, K, Ca, S and Cl, Fe and Mn were dominantly partitioned into the circulating fluid phase. The high salinity (apparent salinity between 58 and 70 wt% NaCl eq.) and the C‐component of the fluids are interpreted as evidence for a composite origin of the skarn‐forming fluids that involves both fluids derived from the crystallizing intrusion and contributions from metamorphic devolatilization. Oxidation of a Fe‐rich brine in an environment dominated by fluctuation in pressure from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions (maintained by active crack‐sealing) contributed to skarn development. Fluid infiltration conformed to a geothermal gradient of about 100°C km−1, embracing the transition from high‐temperature contact metamorphism and fluid‐assisted skarn formation (at ca 600°C) to a barren hydrothermal stage (at ca 200°C).
Mobilization of ore fluids during Alpine metamorphism: evidence from hydrothermal veins in the Variscan basement of Western Carpathians, Slovakia
Authors: HURAI V. , LEXA O. , SCHULMANN K. , MONTIGNY R. , PROCHASKA W. , FRANK W. , KONEČNÝ P. , KRÁĽ J. , THOMAS R. , CHOVAN M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractHydrothermal polymetallic veins of the Gemeric unit of the Western Carpathians are oriented coherently with the foliation of their low‐grade Variscan basement host. Early siderite precipitated from homogeneous NaCl‐KCl‐CaCl2‐H2O brines with minor CO2, while immiscible gas–brine mixtures are indicative of the superimposed barite, quartz–tourmaline and quartz–sulphide stages. The high‐salinity aqueous fluid (18–35 wt%) found in all mineralization stages corresponds to formation water modified by interaction with crystalline basement rocks at temperatures between 140 and 300°C. High brominity (around 1000 ppm in average) resulted from evaporation and anhydrite precipitation in a Permo‐Triassic marine basin, and from secondary enrichment by dissolution of organic matter in the marine sediments at diagenetic temperatures. Sulphate depletion reflects thermogenic reduction during infiltration of the formation waters into the Variscan crystalline basement. Crystallization temperatures of the siderite fill (140–300°C) and oxygen isotope ratios of the parental fluids (4–10‰) increase towards the centre of the Gemeric cleavage fan, probably as a consequence of decreasing water/rock ratios in rock‐buffered hydrothermal systems operating during the initial stages of vein evolution. In contrast, buoyant gas–water mixtures, variable salinities and strongly fluctuating P–T parameters in the successive mineralization stages reflect transition from a closed to an open hydrothermal system and mixing of fluids from various sources. Depths of burial were 6–14 km (1.7–4.4 kbar, in a predominantly lithostatic fluid regime) during the siderite and barite sub‐stages of the north‐Gemeric veins, and up to 16 km (1.6–4.5 kbar, in a hydrostatic to lithostatic fluid regime) in the quartz–tourmaline stage of the south‐Gemeric veins. The fluid pressure decreased down to approximately 0.6 kbar during crystallization of sulphides. U‐Pb‐Th, 40Ar/39Ar and K/Ar geochronology applied to hydrothermal muscovite–phengite and monazite, as well as cleavage phyllosilicates in the adjacent basement rocks and deformed Permian conglomerates corroborated the opening of hydrothermal veins during Lower Cretaceous thrusting and their rejuvenation during Late Cretaceous sinistral transpressive shearing and extension.
Reduced activation in right lateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate gyrus in medication‐naïve adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during time discrimination
Authors: Smith Anna B. , Taylor Eric , Brammer Michael , Halari Rozmin , Rubia Katya 
Published: August 2008

Background: Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under‐perform when discriminating between durations differing by several hundred milliseconds. This function involves right prefrontal and anterior cingulate (AC) brain regions, which are structurally and functionally compromised in this patient group during executive tasks. We investigated the neuro‐anatomical substrates mediating fine temporal discrimination in adolescents with ADHD compared with controls, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Methods: Twenty‐one male medication‐naïve adolescents aged 10–15 years with aDSM‐IVdiagnosis of ADHD (combined subtype) and without comorbid Axis I disorders (except conduct disorder) were compared to a group of 17 age‐ and IQ‐matched healthy adolescents. Using fMRI on a 1.5T scanner, we compared brain activation and performance between adolescents with ADHD and controls during a time discrimination task contrasted with a temporal order task.Results: Despite comparable performance, patients with ADHD showed decreased activation in right dorsolateral and inferior prefrontal cortex and AC during time discrimination compared with controls.Conclusions: Right hemispheric fronto‐cingulate abnormalities in ADHD, previously observed during inhibitory and executive functions, are also associated with temporal perception. Furthermore, recruitment of medication‐naïve patients precludes the possibility that deficits are attributable to stimulant exposure.
Consumer receptiveness to universal design features
Authors: Nunn Teresa L. , Sweaney Anne L. , Cude Brenda J. , Hathcote Jan M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAs homeowners age and struggle to adapt to the built environment, the addition of universal design features could allow added mobility and independence within their homes. Universal design means building residences in such a way that they are usable to the greatest extent possible, by all ages and abilities. The research used a descriptive analysis of survey data from 444 randomly selected US households to determine which characteristics of universal design were currently used in homes. In addition, the research examined the desire for future universal design elements. The findings indicate that the particular design features desired in the future varied depending on age. These findings are especially relevant as the desire to age in place continues to grow among our ever‐increasing elderly population.
Self‐Reported Dietary Intake of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids and Association with Bone and Lower Extremity Function
Authors: Rousseau James H. , Kleppinger Alison , Kenny Anne M. 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between self‐reported omega‐3 fatty acid (O3FA) intake and bone mineral density (BMD) and lower extremity function in older adults.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analysis of baseline information from three separate ongoing studies of older adults, pooled for this analysis.SETTING: Academic health center.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty‐seven men (n=118) and women (n=129) residing in the community or an assisted living facility.MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported dietary intake (O3FA, omega‐6 fatty acids (O6FA), protein, and total calorie); BMD of the hip or heel; and lower extremity function including leg strength, chair rise time, walking speed, Timed Up and Go, and frailty.RESULTS: The mean reported intake of O3FA was 1.27 g/day. Correlation coefficients (r) between O3FA and T‐scores from total femur (n=167) were 0.210 and 0.147 for combined femur and heel T scores. Similar correlations were found for leg strength (r=0.205) and chair rise time (r=−0.178), but the significance was lost when corrected for protein intake. Subjects with lower reported O3FA intake (<1.27 g/day) had lower BMD than those with higher reported O3FA intake. In a multiple regression analysis with femoral neck BMD as the dependent variable and reported intake of O3FA, O6FA, protein, and vitamin D as independent variables, reported O3FA intake was the only significant variable, accounting for 6% of the variance in BMD.CONCLUSION: Older adults had low reported intakes of O3FA. There was an association between greater reported O3FA intake and higher BMD. There was no independent association between reported O3FA intake and lower extremity function. Results from this preliminary report are promising and suggest further investigation.
Photodynamic treatment with mono‐phenyl‐tri‐(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)‐porphyrin for pathogen inactivation in cord blood stem cell products
Authors: Trannoy Laurence L. , Van Hensbergen Yvette , Lagerberg Johan W.M. , Brand Anneke 
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplants and culture of hematopoietic progenitor cells require pathogen‐free conditions. The application of a method of pathogen inactivation in red blood cells using photodynamic treatment (PDT) was investigated for the decontamination of cord blood stem cell (CBSC) products.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CBSC products, spiked with Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, were treated with PDT using mono‐phenyl‐tri‐(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)‐porphyrin (Tri‐P(4)) and red light. After PDT, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the CBSC functions were performed.RESULTS: PDT of CBSC products resulted in the inactivation of the bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most resistant. Complete decontamination was achieved when CBSC products were contaminated with low titers of bacteria. PDT had no effect on white blood cell viability, the ex vivo expansion potential of the progenitor cells, and their capacity to differentiate to various hematopoietic cell lineages. However, PDT reduced the engraftment of human CBSCs in NOD/SCID mice, particularly affecting the B‐cell lineage engraftment.CONCLUSION: Pathogen inactivation of CBSC with Tri‐P(4)‐mediated PDT is feasible at contamination level up to 10 to 20 colony‐forming units per mL and can be considered when ex vivo expansion culture is anticipated. However, this treatment is not recommended for transplantation purposes at this time. Further investigations may elucidate why engraftment is diminished.
Novel GYP(A‐B‐A) hybrid gene in a DANE+ person who made an antibody to a high‐prevalence MNS antigen
Authors: Velliquette Randall W. , Palacajornsuk Poonsub , Hue‐Roye Kim , Lindgren Sally , Ilstrup Sarah , Green Carole , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Reid Marion E. 
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: The glycophorin (GP) molecule associated with the GP.Dane phenotype is a GP(A‐B‐A) hybrid that contains some amino acids encoded by the Pseudoexon 3 of GYPB and Asn45 of GPA and carries the low‐prevalence MNS antigens DANE and Mur. Serum from a woman of English ancestry contained an immunoglobulin M alloantibody to a high‐prevalence MNS antigen, and the purpose of this study was to identify the molecular basis of her phenotype.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Hemagglutination, Western blotting, and DNA analyses were performed by standard methods.RESULTS: Tests of the proband's RBCs with monoclonal antibodies indicated a change of amino acids between positions 27 and 55 of GPA. Her RBCs expressed M, s, Mur, and DANE antigens and were Mg‐negative. The antigen recognized by her antibody was sensitive to treatment with papain, ficin, and trypsin and resistant to α‐chymotrypsin and dithiothreitol. Sequencing of DNA from the proband revealed a sequence of nucleotides identical to the GYP(A‐B‐A) encoding GP.Dane but without the adenyl nucleotide substitution, which has been predicted to change Ile46 of GPA to Asn45. Testing of her immediate family revealed the presence of an Mk gene.CONCLUSION: The proband had a novel GYP(A‐B‐A) encoding a DANE+ GP that is in cis to GYPBs and in trans to Mk. The high‐prevalence antigen lacking from this GP.Dane phenotype and recognized by the proband's serum is called ENDA (ISBT Number MNS44). Our results indicate that the change of Ile46 of GPA to Asn45 of GP.Dane is not required for expression of the DANE antigen.
Subdissociative‐dose Ketamine versus Fentanyl for Analgesia during Propofol Procedural Sedation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Messenger David W. , Murray Heather E. , Dungey Paul E. , Van Vlymen Janet , Sivilotti Marco L.A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectives:  The authors sought to compare the safety and efficacy of subdissociative‐dose ketamine versus fentanyl as adjunct analgesics for emergency department (ED) procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) with propofol.Methods:  This double‐blind, randomized trial enrolled American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class I or II ED patients, aged 14–65 years, requiring PSA for orthopedic reduction or abscess drainage. Subjects received 0.3 mg/kg ketamine or 1.5 μg/kg fentanyl intravenously (IV), followed by IV propofol titrated to deep sedation. Supplemental oxygen was not routinely administered. The primary outcomes were the frequency and severity of cardiorespiratory events and interventions, rated using a composite intrasedation event rating scale. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of specific scale component events, propofol doses required to achieve and maintain sedation, times to sedation and recovery, and physician and patient satisfaction.Results:  Sixty‐three patients were enrolled. Of patients who received fentanyl, 26/31 (83.9%) had an intrasedation event versus 15/32 (46.9%) of those who received ketamine. Events prospectively rated as moderate or severe were seen in 16/31 (51.6%) of fentanyl subjects versus 7/32 (21.9%) of ketamine subjects. Patients receiving fentanyl had 5.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9 to 13.6; p < 0.001) times the odds of having a more serious intrasedation event rating than patients receiving ketamine. There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes, apart from higher propofol doses in the ketamine arm.Conclusions:  Subdissociative‐dose ketamine is safer than fentanyl for ED PSA with propofol and appears to have similar efficacy.
Global food demand, productivity growth, and the scarcity of land and water resources: a spatially explicit mathematical programming approach
Authors: Lotze‐Campen Hermann , Müller Christoph , Bondeau Alberte , Rost Stefanie , Popp Alexander , Lucht Wolfgang 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn the coming decades, an increasing competition for global land and water resources can be expected, due to rising demand for food and bio‐energy production, biodiversity conservation, and changing production conditions due to climate change. The potential of technological change in agriculture to adapt to these trends is subject to considerable uncertainty. In order to simulate these combined effects in a spatially explicit way, we present a model of agricultural production and its impact on the environment (MAgPIE). MAgPIE is a mathematical programming model covering the most important agricultural crop and livestock production types in 10 economic regions worldwide at a spatial resolution of three by three degrees, i.e., approximately 300 by 300 km at the equator. It takes regional economic conditions as well as spatially explicit data on potential crop yields and land and water constraints into account and derives specific land‐use patterns for each grid cell. Shadow prices for binding constraints can be used to valuate resources for which in many places no markets exist, especially irrigation water. In this article, we describe the model structure and validation. We apply the model to possible future scenarios up to 2055 and derive required rates of technological change (i.e., yield increase) in agricultural production in order to meet future food demand.
Stemming heart failure with cardiac‐ or reprogrammed‐stem cells
Authors: Tateishi Kento , Takehara Naofumi , Matsubara Hiroaki , Oh Hidemasa 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDespite extensive efforts to control myocyte growth by genetic targeting of the cell cycle machinery and small molecules for cardiac repair, adult myocytes themselves appeared to divide a limited number of times in response to a variety of cardiac muscle stresses. Rare tissue‐resident stem cells are thought to exist in many adult organs that are capable of self‐renewal and differentiation and possess a range of actions that are potentially therapeutic. Recent studies suggest that a population of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) is maintained after cardiac development in the adult heart in mammals including human beings; however, homeostatic cardiomyocyte replacement might be stem cell‐dependent, and functional myocardial regeneration after cardiac muscle damage is not yet considered as sufficient to fully maintain or reconstitute the cardiovascular system and function. Although it is clear that adult CSCs have limitations in their capabilities to proliferate extensively and differentiate in response to injury in vivo for replenishing mature car‐diomyocytes and potentially function as resident stem cells. Transplantation of CSCs expanded ex vivo seems to require an integrated strategy of cell growth‐enhancing factor(s) and tissue engineering technologies to support the donor cell survival and subsequent proliferation and differentiation in the host microenvironment. There has been substantial interest regarding the evidence that mammalian fibroblasts can be genetically reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which closely resemble embryonic stem (ES) cell properties capable of differentiating into functional cardiomyocytes, and these cells may provide an alternative cell source for generating patient‐specific CSCs for therapeutic applications.
Are antidepressants safe in the treatment of bipolar depression? A critical evaluation of their potential risk to induce switch into mania or cycle acceleration
Authors: Licht R. W. , Gijsman H. , Nolen W. A. , Angst J. 
Published: August 2008

Objective:  To address whether switch of depression into hypomania or mania or cycle acceleration in patients with bipolar disorder is caused by antidepressants or whether this phenomenon is attributable to the natural history of bipolar disorder itself.Method:  A critical review of the literature, pointing at sources of bias that have been previously overlooked. For examining the causation in question, the Bradford–Hill criteria were applied, i.e. specificity of the potential causative agent, strength of effect, consistency in findings, dose–response relation, temporal relation with exposure to agent preceding effect and biological plausibility.Results:  There is a scarcity of randomized studies addressing the question, and the available studies all suffer from various forms of bias. However, there is some evidence suggesting that antidepressants given in addition to a mood stabilizer are not associated with an increased rate of switch when compared with the rate associated with the mood stabilizer alone.Conclusion:  When combined with a mood stabilizer, antidepressants given for acute bipolar depression seemingly do not induce a switch into hypomania or mania. Whether antidepressants may accelerate episode frequency and/or may cause other forms of destabilization in patients with bipolar disorder remain to be properly studied.