bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memory and prefrontal functions in earthquake survivors: differences between current and past post‐traumatic stress disorder patients
Authors: Eren‐Koçak E. , Kılıç C. , Aydın I. , Hızlı F. G. 
Published: October 2008

Objective:  Many studies reported deficits in cognitive functions in post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most were, however, conducted on man‐made trauma survivors. The high comorbidity of alcohol use and depression with PTSD in these studies further complicated the interpretation of their results. We compared prefrontal lobe functions and memory in three earthquake survivor groups: current PTSD, past PTSD and no PTSD. We hypothesized that prefrontal performances of the current and past PTSD groups would be worse than that of control group.Method:  Survivors of the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey were evaluated for current and lifetime PTSD. Memory and prefrontal functions were assessed by a neuropsychological test battery.Results:  Current PTSD patients performed worse on attention, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed. Past PTSD group was similar to the controls on most cognitive measures, except for their vulnerability to proactive interference and low performance in verbal fluency for animal names.Conclusion:  Our findings indicate that the prefrontal organization and monitorization of verbally processed information are defective in earthquake‐related PTSD patients, more so in the current PTSD group.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)–TNF Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Their Serum Levels in Korean Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Chae Soo Jin , Kim Hoon , Jee Byung Chul , Suh Chang Suk , Kim Seok Hyun , Kim Jung Gu 
Published: October 2008

Problem  The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and TNF receptor (TNFR) genes and serum levels of TNF‐α and its soluble receptor (sTNFR) in Korean women with endometriosis.Method of study  The TNF‐α C(−857)T, C(−863)A and T(−1031)C, and TNFR1 A(36)G, TNFR2 T(676)G, A(1663)G, T(1668)G and C(1690)T polymorphisms, and serum levels of TNF‐α, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were analyzed in women with (n = 105) and without endometriosis (n = 101).Results  Serum sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 levels were significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in those without endometriosis, whereas no difference in serum TNF‐α level was noted. Single polymorphisms of TNF‐α and TNFR genes were not significantly different between the two groups. The frequencies of the TNF‐α T/C/C haplotype allele and the TNFR2 G/G/T haplotype allele were significantly decreased in women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. Women carrying at least one copy of the TNFR2 T/G/T and /or G/G/C haplotype allele had an approximately two times higher risk of endometriosis than women without these haplotype alleles.Conclusion  The haplotype alleles of the TNF‐α and TNFR2 gene polymorphisms are genetic factors associated with endometriosis, and circulating sTNFR rather than TNF‐α, may be involved in the development of endometriosis in Korean women.
Computerized tomography of the brain for elderly patients presenting to the emergency department with acute confusion
Authors: Hardy James Edward , Brennan Nicholas 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective:  Confusion is a common reason for presentation of elderly patients to the ED. There are many potential causes of confusion, which include acute neurological events. Computerized tomography (CT) scans are often routinely ordered to investigate confusion, despite the recommendation of guidelines against routine use. The aim of the present study was to determine the usefulness of CT brain scans in a prospective cohort of confused elderly patients presenting to an ED.Methods:  The progress notes of 106 consecutive patients over 70 years of age who had a CT brain scan for a presentation of acute confusion were reviewed for indications for the scan and the presence of neurological examination findings. Official radiology reports of CT brain scans were assessed for the presence of abnormalities.Results:  Of the 106 patients, 12 (11%, 95% CI 5.29–17.35) had no documented neurological examination. Fifteen patients (14%, 95% CI 7.51–20.79) had acute abnormalities on CT scan, one of whom had two abnormalities. There were ten acute ischaemic strokes, four cerebral haemorrhages and two meningiomas. Thirteen of the patients with positive CT findings (93%, 95% CI 80.7–105.96) had new findings on neurological examination. The only patient with no neurological findings with a positive CT scan had had a fall. A history of a fall or the presence of neurological findings on examination was predictive of a positive CT scan (odds ratio 17.07, 95% CI 2.15–135.35).Conclusion:  The results add further support to guidelines that suggest that CT scans of the brain for confused elderly patients should only be performed for those with acute neurological findings, head trauma or a fall.
The Female Sexual Response Cycle: Do Malaysian Women Conform to the Circular Model?
Authors: Sidi Hatta , Naing Lin , Midin Marhani , Nik Jaafar Nik Ruzyanei 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The concept of a sexual response cycle (SRC) for women has gained interest lately with the reintroduction of terms with new definitions and a new model for the sexual response, especially the Basson's circular model.

Aim
To determine the correlations among the SRC's phases (i.e., sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain) in Malaysian women, in order to validate the circular model of women's SRC.

Methods
Principal component analysis (PCA), a factor analysis technique with varimax rotation method, was used to explore the correlation structure of items in female respondents who scored on the Malay version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The number of factors or components to obtain was decided using Kaiser's criteria.

Main Outcome Measure
To measure the correlation between female SRC's domain.

Results
A total of 230 married women aged 18–70 years old participated in this study. Factor loadings using PCA with varimax rotation divided the sexual domains into three components based on Kaiser's criteria with eigenvalues of 6.11, 5.59, and 3.50, respectively. Sexual desire, sexual arousal, and lubrication were highly correlated, and therefore, they fall in one component, reflecting one construct, whereas orgasm and sexual satisfaction fall in another component. The third component was formed by the pain items.

Conclusion
The strong correlation between sexual desire/arousal/lubrication means that they were the same and may support the contemporary theory of circular model of SRC in women.
Couple Satisfaction to Different Therapeutic Modalities for Organic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Hassan A. , El-Hadidy M. , El-Deeck B.S. , Mostafa T. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment studies do not measure treatment response and treatment satisfaction (both patient and partner satisfaction) where dissatisfaction reflects an aspirations/achievement gap.

Aim
To test the subjective implications of satisfaction to various therapeutic modalities for pure or mixed organic ED, and to address changes in the health-oriented quality of life (QoL) and the relation of psychiatric status of these patients to treatment satisfaction.

Methods
A prospective study included of 354 couples classified according to their line of therapy into five treated groups: testosterone, sildenafil citrate, intracavernosal injection, external negative vacuum device, and penile prosthesis.

Main Outcome Measures
Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Satisfied patients were compared to unsatisfied cases using the PCASEE scale for QoL and Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ) for psychiatric status.

Results
Sildenafil citrate-treated group represented the highest mean value of satisfaction score on EDITS, erectile function, orgasmic function, and overall satisfaction domains of IIEF. Penile implants-treated group was the second for satisfaction score on EDITS. The testosterone-treated group represented the highest mean value for sexual desire domain score of IIEF. Low scores in various domains of QoL were significantly improved among satisfied cases more than unsatisfied subjects after therapy. High association was found between dissatisfaction and scores for anxiety, obsession, and phobia, followed by scores of depression and somatic concomitant of anxiety.

Conclusion
ED is best conceived as intermingle of somatic, lifestyle, psychological, and partner relationship determinants. This should be taken into account to increase sexual satisfaction with improved QoL, and not only to produce rigid erection.
Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction in the Reproductive Years: The Influence of Endogenous and Exogenous Sex Hormones
Authors: Stuckey Bronwyn G.A. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTIntroductionSexual function in women in the reproductive age years is under psychological, sociocultural, and relationship influences, as well as the influence of sex hormones.AimTo examine the data relating to sexual function in women in the reproductive age group, particularly the influence of sex hormones. To examine, in particular, the influence of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the oral contraceptive pill and endogenous and exogenous testosterone.MethodsReview of the literature on female sexual function, confining the search to the reproductive age range.ResultsPopulation studies of sexual function identify sexual disinterest as being the most common sexual complaint in premenopausal women. Most studies of menstrual cyclicity identify a periovulatory increase in sexual desire or activity. All prospective studies of sexuality in pregnancy document a decline in sexual function with progression of pregnancy. Studies of the influence of the oral contraceptive pill on sexual function are contradictory with most prospective controlled studies showing no deleterious effect. Studies of the influence of endogenous androgens on sexuality are also contradictory with one large cross-sectional study showing no correlation, but some case-controlled studies show low androgens in women with sexual dysfunction. Studies of testosterone therapy in premenopausal women are ambiguous, with no clear dose-response effect.ConclusionSexual disinterest is prevalent in premenopausal woman despite being hormone replete. The assessment of androgen contribution is hampered by the unreliability of the testosterone assay in the female range. Large cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have not identified a correlation between testosterone and sexual function in women. Sexual dysfunction in the premenopausal age range is common. Sex hormones have a modifying effect on sexual function but social influences and learned responses are as important. The role of testosterone requires further study.
Determinants of spontaneous healing in traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane
Authors: Orji F.T. , Agu C.C. 
Published: October 2008

Objectives:  To analyse the various factors influencing spontaneous healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation in West Africa.Study design:  Prospective clinical study.Setting:  Tertiary referral centre.Participants:  Consecutive patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforations without history of previous middle ear disease.Main outcome measures:  Healing outcome at 4, 8, 12 weeks; effects of perforation size, location, and mode of injury, active intervention and ear discharge on healing outcome.Results:  Fifty‐three patients, 32 (60%) men and 21 (40%) women, aged 2–86 years, with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation who met our inclusion criteria were analysed. Ninety‐four percent of the perforations healed spontaneously. Spontaneous healing was significantly correlated with age (P < 0.05). It was significantly delayed by large perforations estimated at 50% or more of entire tympanic membrane, ear discharge, wrong intervention on acute perforation by ear syringing, and by penetrating injuries sustained through the ear canal (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01 respectively). Perforations in the anterior versus posterior quadrants showed no significant difference in the healing rate (P > 0.05). Non‐healing of the traumatic perforation was significantly associated with the large perforations, ear discharge and wrong intervention by ear syringing in chi‐square test (P = 0.01, P = 0.02 and P < 0.001 respectively), but only with penetrating injuries sustained through the ear canal and the ear syringing intervention in logistic regression test (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04 respectively).Conclusion:  The rate of spontaneous healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation varied inversely with age of patient and size of perforation. It was delayed by middle‐ear infection, as well as in ears that sustain direct injuries and in ears that had wrong interventions. However, it was not dependent on whether the perforation was in the anterior or posterior location. Logistic regression analysis revealed that penetrating injuries sustained through the ear canal and the ear syringing intervention were the only risk factors important in predicting the non‐healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation.
Is surgical debridement and topical 5 fluorouracil the optimum treatment for woodworkers’ adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses? A case‐controlled study of a 20‐year experience
Authors: Almeyda R. , Capper J. 
Published: October 2008

Objectives:  Woodworkers’ adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses is an extremely rare occupational malignancy with a locally aggressive course. Treatment with surgical exenteration and topical 5 fluorouracil (5FU) packs has become standard treatment over the last 10 years in this ENT unit. This study presents level 2 evidence that 5FU provides improved survival over previous management with primary radiotherapy and salvage craniofacial resection.Design:  Retrospective case series with historical control group.Setting:  District General Hospital.Participants:  The records of 31 consecutive patients with the disease were analysed. Five patients died prior to treatment. One patient was treated with surgery alone and therefore excluded. Twenty‐five patients were included in the analysis. Fourteen were treated with primary radiotherapy and 11 with surgery and topical 5FU.Outcome measures:  Disease free survival was measured using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.Results:  Five‐year disease free survival improved from 50% with primary radiotherapy to 86% with surgery and 5FU. This improvement is statistically significant (P = 0.03).Conclusion:  Topical 5FU treatment improves survival of Woodworker’s adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses. This finding may be useful in the treatment of other locally aggressive sinonasal malignancies.
Geographies of the Contemporary Informal Sector in the Global South: Gender, Employment Relationships and Social Protection
Authors: Lloyd‐Evans Sally 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis article explores past and present understandings of the phenomena popularly known as the ‘informal sector’ in the global South in order to re‐appraise its continued credibility as a conceptual framework for understanding work in the 21st century. The reality of the contemporary global economy is that a majority of the workforce are employed in casual, contractual, home‐based or own‐account work in the informal economy, escaping government regulations and social legislation. New worker‐oriented and gendered definitions of the informal sector, which encompass new spaces of unregulated waged, home‐based and even‐forced labour, have re‐awakened an interest in informality from a gendered, social justice perspective. Drawing on examples from the global South, with a particular focus on the Caribbean, the article examines how thinking about the informal sector has evolved from traditionalenterpriseanalyses to more gender sensitiveworker‐focusedperspectives. Following a critique of policies aimed to protect informal workers in old and new spaces of the global economy, it concludes by urging geographers to re‐engage with a new geography of informality which moves forward the goal of protecting and mobilising the world's informal workers in all their guises.
Geographies for Moving Bodies: Thinking, Dancing, Spaces
Authors: McCormack Derek P. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe body is well established as a research focus within contemporary human geography. Yet, the matter of how and in what ways bodies are geographical remains an open question. In this article, I address this question by examining work by geographers and others about the spaces ofmoving bodies. My points of departure are the twin claims that bodies move in more ways than one (spatio‐temporally, kinaesthetically, affectively, collectively, politically and imaginatively)andthat this movement is potentially generative of different kinds of spaces. These claims are developed through a discussion of dance. By drawing on work from a range of disciplines, I argue that research encounters with dance offer opportunities for thinking about three sets of issues: the relation between bodies and cultural geographies; the importance of affectivity in spatial experience; and the relation between the lived and the abstract. I conclude by outlining a series of pathways along which geographical research into the spaces of moving bodies might be developed further.
Migration, Identity and Belonging
Authors: Gilmartin Mary 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe study of migration within geography takes a variety of forms. While geographers traditionally studied push and pull factors in migration, this approach was challenged for its reliance on quantitative methods and its emphasis on economic factors. New approaches to the study of migration in geography have thus incorporated qualitative techniques and focused on migrant identities and migrant subjectivities. They have also provided new theorizations of the relationship between mobility and belonging, particularly through the concepts of transnationalism and translocalism, and through scales of belonging that range from citizenship to the home. Despite claims of the demise of the nation‐state under globalization, the role of the nation‐state in regulating migration and migrants, and in managing and policing borders, highlights its ongoing importance. Similarly, the potential centrality of place to the ongoing study of migration is highlighted by recent research on cities and regions. This foregrounds the negotiated and mutable nature of place in the context of transformations at a variety of interconnected scales.
Regulation and Localization of Isoforms of the Aerobic Oxidative Cyclase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii †
Authors: Allen Michael D. , Kropat Janette , Merchant Sabeeha S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractTetrapyrrole synthesis is complex and is regulated at several points. The aerobic oxidative cyclase catalyzes the oxidative closure of the fifth ring characteristic of all chlorophylls. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii encodes two paralogous protein components of the cyclase, which are differentially accumulated based on copper nutrition and oxygen supply. CRD1 is accumulated in copper‐deficient conditions, whereas CTH1 is present in copper replete conditions. Here, we show that CRD1 expression is regulated through a copper‐responsive element located upstream of the transcription start site. The differential production of CRD1 transcript accounts for the differential accumulation of the corresponding polypeptide. The CTH1 locus produces two transcripts: a 2.1 kb one under copper‐replete conditions and a 3.1 kb one under copper‐deficient conditions. We show that the 2.1 kb transcript can be translated into protein in vitro whereas the 3.1 kb transcript cannot. Differential accumulation of the 2.1 vs the 3.1 kb transcript therefore accounts for the copper‐responsive accumulation of CTH1. Biochemical fractionation reveals that both CRD1 and CTH1 are localized to chloroplast envelope as well as thylakoid membranes.
Nineteen novel microsatellite markers for the Olympia oyster, Ostrea conchaphila/lurida
Authors: STICK DAVID A. , LANGDON CHRIS J. , BANKS MICHAEL A. , CAMARA MARK D. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAccurate evaluation of remnant Ostrea conchaphila/lurida population structure is critical for developing appropriate restoration efforts. Here we report 19 polymorphic microsatellites suitable for analyses of population differentiation, pedigree reconstruction and linkage map construction. We screened clones from four enriched genomic libraries, identified 73 microsatellite‐containing sequences and designed polymerase chain reaction primers for 44 of these loci. We successfully optimized polymerase chain reaction conditions for 20 loci, including one monomorphic locus. In a Willapa Bay reference sample, mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.6729 and 0.8377. Nine loci deviated from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. These markers have proven useful for genetic studies of the Olympia oyster.
KPC-2-Producing
Enterobacter cloacae
and
Pseudomonas putida
Coinfection in a Liver Transplant Recipient
Authors: Bennett Jason W. , Herrera Monica L. , Lewis James S. , Wickes Brian W. , Jorgensen James H. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

Carbapenemases are among the newest resistance mechanisms to emerge in some gram-negative bacteria. We describe bacteremia in a critically ill liver transplant recipient infected with KPC-2-producing
Enterobacter cloacae
and
Pseudomonas putida
. Although this enzyme has been previously described in
Enterobacter
spp., this is the first report of KPC carbapenemase in
P. putida
.
Polymorphism in the Human Major Histocompatibility Complex and Early Viral Decline during Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Yee Leland J. , Im KyungAh , Wahed Abdus S. , Bugawan Teodorica , Li Jia , Rhodes Shannon L. , Erlich Henry , Rosen Hugo R. , Liang T. Jake , Yang Huiying 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

The dynamics of the viral decline immediately after the start of therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may have prognostic potential for ultimate sustained virologic response. Considerable interindividual variability in the decline has been reported, including differences by race. The human major histocompatability complex (MHC) genes encode the human leukocyte antigens, which are important in the immune response to viral infections. We examined whether carriage of specific human MHC alleles are associated with the rate of the early viral decline. Longitudinal viral level data (baseline and days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 28 of treatment), medium resolution MHC genotyping, and random coefficients models were used to examine associations between MHC class I and class II allele carriage and the dynamics of the viral decline in 180 African-Americans (AAs) and 194 Caucasian Americans (CAs) with genotype-1 HCV infection over the first 28 days of treatment with peginterferon α2a plus ribavirin. Baseline viral levels were similar by race, irrespective of allele carriage. However, the rate of change in the viral decline was associated with both allele and race. Among the four subgroups defined by race and specific allele, the fastest rates of decline were observed (in terms of estimated mean viral declines log
10
IU/ml during the first four weeks) in CA noncarriers for A*03 (2.75;
P
= 0.018), in CA carriers for Cw*03 (2.99;
P
= 0.046), and in CA noncarriers for DQA1*04 (2.66;
P
= 0.018) or DQB1*0402 (2.65;
P
= 0.018). MHC alleles are associated with the viral decline during the first 28 days of peginterferon therapy.