bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin for perceived sleep disturbances associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal among patients in methadone maintenance treatment: a double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Peles Einat , Hetzroni Tal , Bar‐Hamburger Rachel , Adelson Miriam , Schreiber Shaul 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTAims  To evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin in attenuating sleep difficulties during benzodiazepine (BDZ) withdrawal.Design  Double‐blind cross‐over control study.Setting  Methadone maintenance treatment clinic.Participants  Eighty patients enrolled at a community methadone maintenance clinic recruited to a BDZ withdrawal programme.Intervention  Melatonin (5 mg/day) or placebo: 6 weeks one arm, 1 week washout, 6 weeks other arm.Measurements  Urine BDZ; self‐reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES‐D) questionnaires administered at baseline, and at 6, 7 and 13 weeks.Findings  Sixty‐one patients (77.5% in the ‘melatonin first’ condition and 75% in the ‘placebo first’ condition) completed 6 weeks of treatment, showing a similar BDZ discontinuation rate of 11/31 and 11/30, respectively. PSQI scores were significantly lower (indicating better sleep quality) in the 22 patients who discontinued BDZ (8.9 ± 0.9) than in 39 with urine BDZ (11.2 ± 0.7, P = 0.04). Sleep quality in patients who continued abusing BDZ improved more in the ‘melatonin first’ group than in the ‘placebo first’ group, with no differences in sleep quality improvement in patients who stopped BDZ.Conclusion  Most improvement in sleep quality was attributed to BDZ discontinuation. Although melatonin did not enhance BDZ discontinuation, it improved sleep quality, especially in patients who did not stop BDZ.
Developing limits for driving under cannabis
Authors: Grotenhermen Franjo , Leson Gero , Berghaus Günter , Drummer Olaf H. , Krüger Hans‐Peter , Longo Marie , Moskowitz Herbert , Perrine Bud , Ramaekers Johannes G. , Smiley Alison , Tunbridge Rob 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTObjective  Development of a rational and enforceable basis for controlling the impact of cannabis use on traffic safety.Methods  An international working group of experts on issues related to drug use and traffic safety evaluated evidence from experimental and epidemiological research and discussed potential approaches to developing per se limits for cannabis.Results  In analogy to alcohol, finite (non‐zero) per se limits for delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood appear to be the most effective approach to separating drivers who are impaired by cannabis use from those who are no longer under the influence. Limited epidemiological studies indicate that serum concentrations of THC below 10 ng/ml are not associated with an elevated accident risk. A comparison of meta‐analyses of experimental studies on the impairment of driving‐relevant skills by alcohol or cannabis suggests that a THC concentration in the serum of 7–10 ng/ml is correlated with an impairment comparable to that caused by a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Thus, a suitable numerical limit for THC in serum may fall in that range.Conclusions  This analysis offers an empirical basis for a per se limit for THC that allows identification of drivers impaired by cannabis. The limited epidemiological data render this limit preliminary.
The value of calretinin and cytokeratin 5/6 as markers for mesothelioma in cell block preparations of serous effusions
Authors: Shield P. W. , Koivurinne K. 
Published: October 2007

Objective:  To determine the value of calretinin and cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 in discriminating mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma in serous effusion specimens.Methods:  A total of 101 recent, histologically or clinically confirmed malignant effusions with immunostained cell block preparations were reviewed. The cases consisted of 34 mesotheliomas and 67 adenocarcinomas. This included 17 ascitic fluid and 84 pleural fluid samples. The adenocarcinomas included metastatic carcinomas from the breast (12), lung (19), stomach (3), colon (1), pancreas (2), ovary (6) endometrium (1) and 23 histologically confirmed metastases from unknown primary sites. The cases were assessed as negative or positive (>5% of cells stained). The staining pattern was recorded as cytoplasmic, cell membrane, nuclear or cytoplasmic and nuclear staining.Results:  Calretinin staining was present in 97% (33/34) of the mesothelioma cases with a majority of them showing both cytoplasmic and nuclear staining (29/33). Only 3% (2/67) of adenocarcinomas were positive for calretinin, one being a lung adenocarcinoma and the other an adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site in an ascitic fluid. Cytokeratin 5/6 staining was also present in 33/34 (97%) of mesothelioma cases. Six (9%) adenocarcinomas were positive, including metastases from the lung (1), breast (1), ovary (2) and unknown primary site (2). Four of the six adenocarcinoma cases positive for CK5/6 were in ascitic fluids. No cases of mesothelioma were negative for both calretinin and CK5/6. Only one adenocarcinoma case, (which was from unknown primary site in an ascitic fluid sample), was positive for both markers.Conclusions:  The results confirm that calretinin and CK 5/6 are useful markers for mesothelioma in effusion specimens. CK5/6 staining may be less useful for peritoneal fluid specimens where metastatic adenocarcinomas may be more likely to express the antigen. Further study of ascitic/peritoneal specimens is warranted. However, positive staining, particularly for both antigens, is highly indicative of a mesothelial origin for cells. The two markers make a useful addition to EMA and the panel of adenocarcinoma markers routinely applied to effusion specimens.
Modeling the date of leaf appearance in low‐arctic tundra
Authors: DELBART NICOLAS , PICARD GHISLAIN 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOne of the reported changes of arctic ecosystems in response to warming climate is the advance of the leaf appearance in spring. Such phenological changes play a role in the structural changes within tundra ecosystem communities. Recently, we developed a model that estimates the leaf appearance date for deciduous trees in taiga. We apply this model to the whole low‐arctic tundra, and we compare the simulated green‐up dates with the green‐up dates obtained from satellite observations and to in situ measurements of deciduous shrub leaf appearance. The model, although calibrated for taiga, performs remarkably well in tundra, with root mean square error ranging between 4 and 8 days for most of the tundra region, the same order as in taiga regions. The results seem to indicate that air temperature is the main factor controlling spring leaf phenology in tundra, just as in taiga, although these results do not permit us to reject soil temperature as the main trigger for leaf appearance in tundra. Because our model performs in tundra as well as in taiga, it can be used across the ecotone, and during a northward migration of the species from the taiga to the low‐arctic region. The leaf appearance model and the satellite observations reveal that leaf appearance has tended to occur earlier by approximately 10 days both in Alaska since 1975, and in west Siberian tundra since 1965.
Low‐dose antigen‐experienced CD4+ T cells display reduced clonal expansion but facilitate an effective memory pool in response to secondary exposure
Authors: Park Seong Ok , Han Young Woo , Aleyas Abi George , George Junu Abi , Yoon Hyun A , Lee John Hwa , Kang Ho Young , Kang Seong Ho , Eo Seong Kug 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe strength and duration of an antigenic signal at the time of initial stimulation were assumed to affect the development and response of effectors and memory cells to secondary stimulation with the same antigen. To test this assumption, we used T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐transgenic CD4+ T cells that were stimulated in vitro with various antigen doses. The primary effector CD4+ T cells generated in response to low‐dose antigen in vitro exhibited reduced clonal expansion upon secondary antigenic exposure after adoptive transfer to hosts. However, the magnitude of their contraction was much smaller than both those generated by high‐dose antigen stimulation and by naïve CD4+ T cells, resulting in higher numbers of antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells remaining until the memory stage. Moreover, secondary effectors and memory cells developed by secondary antigen exposure were not functionally impaired. In hosts given the low‐dose antigen‐experienced CD4+ T cells, we also observed accelerated recall responses upon injection of antigen‐bearing antigen‐presenting cells. These results suggest that primary TCR stimulation is important for developing optimal effectors during initial antigen exposure to confer long‐lasting memory CD4+ T cells in response to secondary exposure.
Determinants of coronary heart disease risk for women on a low income: literature review
Authors: Hemingway Ann 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTitle.  Determinants of coronary heart disease risk for women on a low income: literature review Aim.  This paper is a report of a literature review of the determinants of health and health behaviour relevant to coronary heart disease risk for women living on a low income.Background.  Coronary heart disease is now recognized as the biggest killer of women in both developed and developing countries. As in men, women’s mortality rates for coronary heart disease seem to be directly related to income inequality and social deprivation.Method.  The Medline, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Psychinfo and Web of Science databases were searched from 1996 to 2006 using the search terms ‘women and CHD risk’, ‘women and health behaviour’, ‘women low income and health behaviour’, ‘women low income and smoking’, ‘women low income and diet’ and ‘women low income and exercise’. In relation to the wider determinants of health ‘women low income and CHD’, ‘women education and CHD’, ‘women employment and CHD’ and ‘women housing and CHD’. Seminal research reports before this period were included if they proved highly influential on later research. A narrative review was conducted.Findings.  All the wider determinants of health considered had a negative impact on heart disease risk for women living on low incomes. The latter also appears to have a negative impact on health behaviour.Conclusion.  Although the impact of the wider determinants of health on coronary heart disease risk are well‐understood, their impact on health behaviour (specifically diet, exercise and smoking) is less well‐understood. If effective interventions are to be designed to tackle inequalities in health, then this deficiency needs to be addressed urgently.
Evaluation of three fall‐risk assessment tools in an acute care setting
Authors: Kim Emily Ang Neo , Mordiffi Siti Zubaidah , Bee Wong Hwee , Devi Kamala , Evans David 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTitle.  Evaluation of three fall‐risk assessment tools in an acute care setting Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the validity of three fall‐risk assessment tools to identify patients at high risk for falls.Background.  Patient falls make up 38% of all adverse events occurring in hospital settings, and may result in physical injury and undesirable emotional and financial outcomes. No single fall‐risk assessment tool has been conclusively validated.Method.  The Morse Fall Scale, St Thomas Risk Assessment Tool in Falling Elderly Inpatients, and Hendrich II Fall Risk Model were validated in inter‐rater reliability and validity studies in 2003. This included assessment of the probability of disagreement, κ‐values, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of the assessment tools with the associated 95% CI.Findings.  One hundred and forty‐four patients were recruited for the inter‐rater reliability study. The probabilities of disagreement were between 2·8% and 9·7%, and 95% CI for all tools ranged from 1·1% to 15·7%. The κ‐values were all higher than 0·80. In the validity study, 5489 patients were recruited to observe 60 falls. The Morse Fall Scale at a cutoff score of 25 and Heindrich II Fall Risk Model at a cutoff score of 5 had strong sensitivity values of 88% and 70%, respectively. However, in comparison with the Morse Fall Scale (specificity = 48·3%), only the Heindrich II Fall Risk Model had a more acceptable level of specificity (61·5%).Conclusion.  The Heindrich II Fall Risk Model is potentially useful in identifying patients at high risk for falls in acute care facilities.
Assessing the relationship between respiratory acclimation to the cold and photosystem II redox poise in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: ARMSTRONG ANNA F. , WARDLAW KRISTEN D. , ATKIN OWEN K. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe examined the effect of manipulating photosystem II (PSII) redox poise on respiratory flux in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. Measurements were made on wild‐type (WT) plants and npq4 mutant plants deficient in non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, WT and mutant warm‐grown plants were exposed to three different irradiance regimes [75, 150 and 300 µmol photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)], and leaf dark respiration was measured in conjunction with PSII redox poise. In the second experiment, WT and mutant warm‐grown plants were shifted to 5 °C and 75, 150 or 300 µmol PAR, and dark respiration was measured alongside PSII redox poise in cold‐treated and cold‐developed leaves. Despite significant differences in PSII redox poise between genotypes and irradiance treatments, neither genotype nor growth irradiance had any effect upon the rate of respiration in warm‐grown, cold‐treated or cold‐developed leaves. We conclude that changes in PSII redox poise, at least within the range experienced here, have no direct impacts on rates of leaf dark respiration, and that the respiratory cold acclimation response is unrelated to changes in chloroplast redox poise.
PRMT11: a new Arabidopsis MBD7 protein partner with arginine methyltransferase activity
Authors: Scebba Francesca , De Bastiani Morena , Bernacchia Giovanni , Andreucci Andrea , Galli Alvaro , Pitto Letizia 
Published: October 2007

SummaryPlant methyl‐DNA‐binding proteins (MBDs), discovered by sequence homology to their animal counterparts, have not been well characterized at the physiological and functional levels. In order better to characterize the Arabidopsis AtMBD7 protein, unique in bearing three MBD domains, we used a yeast two‐hybrid system to identify its partners. One of the interacting proteins we cloned is the Arabidopsis arginine methyltransferase 11 (AtPRMT11). Glutathione S‐transferase pull‐down and co‐immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that the two proteins interact with each other and can be co‐isolated. Using GFP fluorescence, we show that both AtMBD7 and AtPRMT11 are present in the nucleus. Further analyses revealed that AtPRMT11 acts as an arginine methyltransferase active on both histones and proteins of cellular extracts. The analysis of a T‐DNA mutant line lacking AtPRMT11 mRNA revealed reduced levels of proteins with asymmetrically dimethylated arginines, suggesting that AtPRMT11, which is highly similar to mammalian PRMT1, is indeed a type I arginine methyltransferase. Further, AtMBD7 is a substrate for AtPRMT11, which post‐translationally modifies the portion of the protein‐containing C‐terminal methylated DNA‐binding domain. These results suggest the existence of a link between DNA methylation and arginine methylation.
Aesthetic problems associated with the cosmetic use of bleaching products
Authors: Ly Fatimata , Soko Anta Soumare , Dione Demba Anta , Niang Suzanne Oumou , Kane Assane , Bocoum Thierno Ibrahima , Dieng Mame Thierno , Ndiaye Bassirou 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground and aim  The use of skin bleaching products for cosmetic purposes is a frequent practice (25–96%) in women from sub‐Saharan Africa. The dermatologic complications associated with this practice have been comprehensively reported. The aim of this work was to study the epidemiologic, clinical, and cosmetic aspects of these complications in order to produce better therapeutic guidelines for their management.Methods  This was a prospective, descriptive study performed over a 6‐month period. All women aged between 15 and 50 years, who consulted a dermatologist (Le Dantec Hospital or Institute of Social Hygiene), experienced a complication associated with artificial depigmentation, and agreed to take part in the study, were included. The data were input and analyzed using Epi info version 6.0.Results  Eighty‐six female patients were included, with a mean age of 29.34 years (range, 16–49 years). The breakdown by level of education was as follows: primary (48.8%), secondary (18.3%), and higher (8.5%) education. Twenty‐two per cent of our population had not attended school. The mean monthly cost of skin bleaching products was 6.22 euros. The initial skin tone before using skin bleaching products was black in 41.5% of patients, light in 32.9%, and intermediate in 25.6%. The mean duration of exposure was 6.7 ± 5 years (range, 1–30 years). The breakdown by skin bleaching products showed that topical corticosteroids were the most frequently used (78%), followed by hydroquinone (56%), products based on vegetable extracts (31.7%), caustic products (8.5%), and, finally, products of unknown composition (41.4%). Two components or more were frequently combined (86.5%). The aesthetic complications of artificial depigmentation were the reason for consulting a dermatologist in 10 patients (12%). Nineteen types of aesthetic complication were reported in our sample. Hyperpigmentation of the joints was the most frequently found complication (85.4%), followed by striae atrophicae (72%) and skin atrophy (59.8%). The number of aesthetic complications found in the patients varied from one to nine. Patients frequently presented (71.9%) with other complications associated with artificial depigmentation.Conclusions  Aesthetic complications associated with artificial depigmentation are common, but rarely the reason for consulting a dermatologist. In the absence of suitable therapeutic agents, prevention, based on informing women of the damaging effects of artificial depigmentation, is the only way forward.
Hair loss in children in South‐East Nigeria: common and uncommon cases
Authors: Nnoruka Edith N. , Obiagboso Innocent , Maduechesi Chinyere 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  The cosmetic importance of hair as a unique structure of the scalp is immense, such that once the loss of hair becomes an issue for a child, parents, in most cases, project their own concerns, often expressed as guilt. The clinical presentation of hair loss and scalp disorders in children varies widely, often ranging from subtle to disfiguring forms, and may be acquired or congenital. This variable pattern of hair loss is seen in all regions, possibly based on the ethnic origin of hair types.Aim  To determine the clinical aspects of hair loss based on clinical appearance, age of onset, duration of disease, and associated features, and to provide a guide for the evaluation of acquired hair loss and scalp disorders commonly occurring in childhood in south‐east Nigeria.Methods  One hundred and thirteen children with hair loss and scalp disorders consulted the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Skin Clinic between February 2002 and March 2003. The data collected included age, sex, clinical presentation, associated symptoms, and family history. Laboratory tests [full blood count (FBC), thyroid function test (TFT), antinuclear antibody (ANA), urinalysis], microscopic examination, Wood's light examination, and histology were conducted for further confirmation where necessary.Results  There were 71 males (62.8%) and 42 females (37.2%), aged between 3 months and 13 years. The presenting symptoms included scaly scalp, itchiness, and anxiety; some patients were asymptomatic. Hair loss and fear were the chief concerns of 89.6% and 51.3% of parents, respectively, who presented with their children. Commonly occurring diagnoses were tinea capitis (62; 54.9%), alopecia areata (43; 38.1%), psoriasis (5; 4.4%), and telogen effluvium (3; 2.7%). Seventeen patients with alopecia areata had atopic dermatitis and three had vitiligo.Conclusion  Commonly occurring hair loss in children in our region is mainly acquired, and the clinical course is related to the parent's attitude to treatment, particularly for tinea capitis.
Impact of hair relaxers in women in Nakuru, Kenya
Authors: Etemesi Beatrice Amunga 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  The practice of relaxing hair is intended to straighten it, so that it is easy to manage and style, and the result is aesthetically pleasing. We studied the impact of using hair relaxers in women in Nakuru, Kenya.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was carried out between February and March 2006. The subjects were women and girls aged 15 years and above, living in Nakuru district, Kenya, who had been or were currently using hair relaxers and were willing to participate. Sampling was by the snowball method and data collection by questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Epi‐info 2000.Results  Two hundred and forty‐two women were recruited into the study. The age range was 15–51 years, with a median of 32 years. The main reasons given for relaxing hair were that it made hair easy to manage and looked “beautiful”. One hundred and thirty‐four women (67%) had problems with the relaxers used (at least once), 75% of whom decided to stop. Half of those who stopped resumed the use of relaxers almost immediately or after a period of time. The problems encountered included hair loss, burns to the scalp, and color change. Surprisingly fake/counterfeit products were not implicated as a cause of the problems experienced, although they are known to be on the market.Conclusion  Despite the problems encountered, a significant number of Kenyan women in this region have used and continue to use relaxers.
Alopecia in consultations in the dermatology department at Burkina Faso: epidemiologic, clinical, and etiologic aspects
Authors: Traore Adama , Sawadogo Salam , Barro Fatou , Niamba Pascal 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Hair loss, or alopecia, in a man or woman can have major psychologic repercussions.Aim  The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic, clinical, and etiologic aspects of alopecia in our service.Materials and Methods  A retrospective study was performed over two years. All patients of both sexes, who consulted a dermatologist for alopecia, were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, and etiologic data were collected.Results  The prevalence of alopecia is 1.02%. It generally concerns young people who are pupils or students. Hair loss was generally asymptomatic; the onset was often progressive. Alopecia was diffuse in 13.20% of cases. It was noted that 13.20% involved partial alopecia. The scalp was scarred or inflamed in 54.71% of cases.Tinea (21 cases), Alopecia areata (14 cases), Keloid folliculitis (6 cases), androgenetic alopecia (4 cases), traction alopecia (4 cases) and cosmetic alopecia (2 cases) were the most common etiologies we found in our patients.Conclusion  This preliminary study shows few epidemiologic, clinic and etiological aspects of the alopecia in Black African.