bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Testosterone Levels, the Metabolic Syndrome (by Two Criteria), and Insulin Resistance in a Population of Men with Organic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Guay Andre , Jacobson Jerilynn 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men increases with age, as does cardiovascular disease (CVD). Major risk factors of CVD are similar to ED, including insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS). Hypogonadism has been associated with MS and IR in general populations.

Aim
To determine the association between hypogonadism and MS and/or IR in men with ED, and to determine if hypogonadism is related to these cardiovascular (CV) risks.

Main Outcome Measures
To compare the mean testosterone levels in men with and without IR and MS, and to show the difference in hypogonadism prevalence in mutually exclusive definitions of MS.

Methods
Mean testosterone for the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria of MS were calculated using independent t-tests. Multiple range t-tests were used to compare and contrast four groups: (i) only NCEP-Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria; (ii) only the WHO criteria; (iii) men with no MS; and (iv) men fulfilling both MS definitions. Chi-squared analysis was employed to determine the association of hypogonadism with IR.

Results
The prevalence of IR was 79% and of MS was 35 % by the WHO but 43% by the NCEP. Differences in point prevalences were negligible when mutually exclusive groups of MS were compared. Mean free testosterone was lower for the WHO MS or the WHO and NCEP MS (P  = 0.04) but not for only the NCEP MS criteria. IR was significantly associated with low free testosterone and hypogonadism (P  = 0.02 for each). If more than one criteria were present for either the WHO or NCEP MS, free testosterone was lower (P  = 0.02).

Conclusion
MS and IR are strongly associated with lower testosterone and hypogonadism. The WHO criteria are a more sensitive indicator of MS and may predict ED better. Men with ED should not only have CV risks evaluated, but should also have testosterone levels drawn.
The Burden of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome in Adult Men: Economic and Quality-of-Life Impact
Authors: Maggi Mario , Schulman Claude , Quinton Richard , Langham Sue , Uhl-Hochgraeber Kerstin 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) causes a wide range of symptoms that can lead to significant morbidity. Preliminary evidence has also linked TDS with premature mortality and with a number of comorbid diseases including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Such associations can lead to substantial economic and quality- of-life implications, the magnitude of which remains largely unknown.

Aim
To review the economic and quality-of-life consequences of a largely untreated condition and to consider the likely health economic benefits of testosterone treatment.

Methods
A systematic review of four main areas: epidemiological evidence of the magnitude of TDS, estimates of cost of illness, impact on quality-of-life, and cost-effectiveness of testosterone treatment.

Main Outcome Measure
Review of peer-reviewed literature.

Results
The lack of clear universally accepted diagnostic criteria and the uncertainty surrounding the link between TDS and some of its consequences complicate the estimation of the burden of illness of TDS. Consequences of TDS that potentially lead to increased economic burden include depression, sexual dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. However, although good evidence exists demonstrating an association between TDS and sexual dysfunction and cognitive impairment, evidence is less strong for depression, the incidence of fractures and mortality, and highly controversial for cardiovascular disease. The consequences that are likely to impact on patients' quality of life include sexual function, energy levels, body composition, mood, and cognitive function.

Conclusion
Understanding the burden is only the first step decision makers need to take to decide whether to allocate scarce resources to treat the condition. To make informed decisions on when and who to treat information is also needed on the cost-effectiveness of available treatments. Such data would highlight the benefits of treatment of TDS to physicians, patients, and to society as a whole.
Heme Oxygenase vs. Nitric Oxide Synthase in Signaling Mediating Sildenafil Citrate Action
Authors: Abdel Aziz M. Talaat , El-Asmer Mohamed Farid , Mostafa Taymour , Mostafa Samia , Atta Hazem , Abdel Aziz Wassef M. , Fouad Hanan , Rashed Laila , Sabry Dina , Mahfouz Soheir 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme catalyzes the rate limiting step in oxidative degradation of heme to biliverdin and carbon monoxide (CO). CO has been shown to share many properties with nitric oxide (NO), including activation of guanyl cyclase, signal transduction, and gene regulation.

Aim
To assess the signaling pathways mediating cavernous tissues response to sildenafil citrate intake experimentally.

Main Outcome Measures
In dissected cavernous tissues; detection of HO-1, HO-2 and nueronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene expressions by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), HO enzyme activity assay, HO-1, HO-2 protein detection by Western blot, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) tissue levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and histopathology.

Methods
Two hundred forty Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five equal groups were investigated: group (Gr) 1, controls received regular diet; Gr 2, received sildenafil citrate 4 mg/kg orally; Gr 3, received the same dose of sildenafil added to HO inducer, diferuloylmethane; Gr 4, received sildenafil added to HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin, and Gr 5, received sildenafil kg orally by gastric tube. Gr 3 received the same dose of sildenafil added to HO inducer, added to nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-Nitroarginine methylester. Twelve rats from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation successively after 1/2, 1, 2, and 3 hours from the intake.

Results
HO-2 gene expression was demonstrated in all groups. HO-1 was not expressed in controls, expressed in Gr 2, accentuated in Gr 3, and attenuated in Gr 4 and 5. These results were confirmed by Western blot. The nNOS was expressed in controls, increased in Gr 2 and 3, and decreased in Gr 4 and 5. HO enzyme activity and cGMP levels were significantly elevated in Gr 2, accentuated in Gr 3, and significantly decreased in Gr 4 and 5 compared to controls. Vasodilatations were observed in cavernous tissues of histopathologic sections of Gr 2 and increased in those of Gr 3.

Conclusion
Sildenafil citrate actions may be mediated by up-regulation of HO-1 gene expression.
The South Australian Couples Sildenafil Study: Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Study to Examine the Psychological and Relationship Consequences of Sildenafil Use in Couples
Authors: Hundertmark James , Esterman Adrian , Ben-Tovim David , Austin Mary-Anne , Dougherty Melissa 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The South Australian Couples Sildenafil (SACS) study sought to look more closely at the role of sexual functioning in couples by exploring the impact of treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) with sildenafil.

Aim
The SACS study investigated the individual and dyadic impact of the drug sildenafil (Viagra) on couples over a 6-month period.

Main Outcome Measures
A range of outcome measures were utilized including the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction.

Methods
Couples were recruited through the use of local media and general practitioners. Couples were randomly allocated to placebo or active drug with the option of using up to one study tablet per day for 6 months. Couples were reviewed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

Results
There were 108 couples who were eligible for the study with the eventual analysis including 49 couples in the active treatment group and 47 in the placebo group with similar demographic and background profiles found in both groups. A large number of psychosocial, quality-of-life, and sexual measures were recorded at the end of the trial for both male subjects and their female partners. Predictably, the erectile response in the active treatment group showed a significant improvement as measured by the IIEF although no change was found between the active and placebo groups in relationship functioning as measured by the DAS scores.

Conclusions
The SACS study found no difference between treatment arms with regard to relationship functioning after the use of sildenafil for ED. Potential contributing factors to a “no change” result are discussed. The SACS study adds to the available literature on psychological and interpersonal factors in the treatment of ED which have not been sufficiently investigated until recently.
Influence of passive hyperthermia on human ventilation during rest and isocapnic hypoxia
Authors: Curtis Andrew N. , Walsh Michael L. , White Matthew D. 
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential interaction of core temperature and isocapnic hypoxia on human ventilation and heart rate (HR). In 2 resting head-out water-immersion trials, 8 males first breathed air and then 12% O2in N2while the end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide was kept 0.98 (0.66) mmHg (mean (SD)) above normothermic resting levels. The first immersion trial was with a normothermic esophageal temperature (Tes) of ~36.7 °C, and for the second trial, 1 h later, water temperature was increased to give a hyperthermic Tesof ~38.2 °C. Isocapnic hypoxia increased normothermic ventilation by 4 L·min–1(p = 0.01) from 10.12 (1.07) to 14.20 (3.21) L·min–1, and hyperthermic ventiliation by 7 L·min–1(p = 0.002) from 13.58 (2.58) to 20.79 (3.73) L·min–1. Ventilation increases during hyperthermia were mediated by breathing frequency and, during isocapnic hypoxia, by tidal volume. Unexpectedly, there was an absence of any hypoxic ventilatory decline that could be attributed to a hydrostatic effect of immersion. Isocapnic hypoxia increased the HR by similar amounts of ~10 and ~11 beats·min–1in normothermia and hyperthermia, respectively. In conclusion, it appears that hyperthermia increases human ventilatory but not heart rate responses to isocapnic hypoxia.
Parenteral nutrition related hepato-biliary disease in adults
Authors: Raman Maitreyi , Allard Johane P. 
Published: July 2007

Parenteral nutrition is a life-saving therapy in patients with intestinal failure. One of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is liver disease. Early on, there is steatosis, which can evolve to steatohepatitis and eventually to cholestasis of varying severity. The etiology of parenteral nutrition related liver disease is multifactorial. Provision of excess calories in the TPN solution, along with lipids administered >1 g/kg are thought to increase the risk of parenteral nutrition related liver disease. Other factors such as nutrient deficiencies and nutrient toxicities may also play a role in the pathogenesis of liver disease, along with sepsis and the lack of enteral stimulation. Non-pharmacological management strategies for TPN-related liver disease include enteral stimulation, optimal TPN composition, and avoidance of excess carbohydrate and lipid calories. Pharmacological therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid and antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of bacterial translocation and sepsis should be considered. Early referral for transplantation should be considered in patients with evidence of portal hypertension. This review focuses on the clinical aspects, pathogenesis, and management strategies of parenteral nutrition-related liver disease in adult patients.
Activity levels in pregnant New Zealand women: relationship with socioeconomic factors, well-being, anthropometric measures, and birth outcome
Authors: Watson Patricia E. , McDonald Barry W. 
Published: July 2007

Activity during pregnancy has health implications for mother and child. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine changes in activity levels during pregnancy; the influence of socioeconomic factors and well-being on activity, and the influence of activity on maternal anthropometric measures and birth outcome. Twenty-four hour activity diaries were collected for 3 d in months 4 and 7 of pregnancy in 197 volunteers. Anthropometric measures and questionnaires to determine personal details were collected at these times and 2 months post-partum. Health records were used to supply infant measures. The time spent on each activity category was calculated, and used to calculate overall daily metabolic equivalents (METs). Low socioeconomic (SES) group 24 h activity levels were significantly higher than for high SES or welfare groups (p = 0.013). Activity declined throughout pregnancy in all groups (p = 0.002). Women with children had higher 24 h activity, spending 41% more time walking and (or) on housework than nulliparous women (p = 0.013). Reduced well-being was associated with lower levels of activity. Sleep and lying down time influenced 2 month post-partum body mass (upper quartile gained 2.54 kg, lower quartile lost 0.24 kg, p < 0.001). Mean infant gestational age increased with increasing 24 h activity (p = 0.047). No infants were born prematurely to mothers who spent more than 190 min/d walking or doing housework activities in month 4. Probability of infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) declined with time spent walking or doing housework in month 4 (p = 0.007). Mean (SE) birth weight was 3883 (±165) g in the 10% of women spending less than 530 min sleeping or lying down per day, compared with 3413 (±104) g in the 10% of women spending 725 min or more sleeping or lying down. Socioeconomic factors were therefore important influences on activity levels during pregnancy. Inactivity, especially in early pregnancy, was associated with more maternal weight retention at 2 months post-partum and a greater probability of admission to NICU and premature delivery.
A study on immunotoxicological effects of subacute amitraz exposure in rats
Authors: Institoris L. , Banfi H. , Lengyel Zs. , Papp A. , Nagymajtenyi L. 
Published: July 2007

The effects of amitraz, a formamidine pesticide, were investigated in four-week old outbred male Wistar rats on certain classic toxicological and haematological parameters as well as on specific immune functions. The animals were treated, per os by gavage for 28 days, in a five-day treatment two days break system, with 26.5, 21.1, 10.6 and 5.29 mg/kg/day amitraz. On the 29th day, organ weights of the thymus, heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidneys, adrenals, testicles and popliteal lymph node; WBC and RBC counts, Ht, MCV, haemoglobin; and cell content of the femoral bone marrow were determined. In two separate groups, the effects of amitraz on the PFC content of the spleen, and on the maximum level and time course of DTH reaction, were investigated. Amitraz in 26.5 mg/kg dose increased relative adrenal weight, and decreased relative liver weight, MCV value, PFC content of the spleen, and the maximum level of DTH reaction. The 21.1 mg/kg dose decreased only MCV value, while 10.6 mg/kg elevated the liver-to-brain weight ratio. Based of these findings, a NOEL dose of 5.29 mg/kg was determined for amitraz in this experimental system; while the LOEL doses were 10.6 mg/kg for the general toxicological, 21.1 mg/kg for the haematological and 26.5 mg/kg for the immune function parameters. The results show that the exposure sensitivity of these immune functions to amitraz is lower than that of some other toxicological and haematological parameters. Human & Experimental Toxicology ( 2007) 26 , 441—445
Molecular cloning and analysis of zebrafish voltage-gated sodium channel beta subunit genes: implications for the evolution of electrical signaling in vertebrates
Authors: Chopra Sameer S , Watanabe Hiroshi , Zhong Tao P , Roden Dan M 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Action potential generation in excitable cells such as myocytes and neurons critically depends on voltage-gated sodium channels. In mammals, sodium channels exist as macromolecular complexes that include a pore-forming alpha subunit and 1 or more modulatory beta subunits. Although alpha subunit genes have been cloned from diverse metazoans including flies, jellyfish, and humans, beta subunits have not previously been identified in any non-mammalian species. To gain further insight into the evolution of electrical signaling in vertebrates, we investigated beta subunit genes in the teleost Danio rerio (zebrafish).

Results
We identified and cloned single zebrafish gene homologs for beta1-beta3 (zbeta1-zbeta3) and duplicate genes for beta4 (zbeta4.1, zbeta4.2). Sodium channel beta subunit loci are similarly organized in fish and mammalian genomes. Unlike their mammalian counterparts, zbeta1 and zbeta2 subunit genes display extensive alternative splicing. Zebrafish beta subunit genes and their splice variants are differentially-expressed in excitable tissues, indicating tissue-specific regulation of zbeta1-4 expression and splicing. Co-expression of the genes encoding zbeta1 and the zebrafish sodium channel alpha subunit Nav1.5 in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells increased sodium current and altered channel gating, demonstrating functional interactions between zebrafish alpha and beta subunits. Analysis of the synteny and phylogeny of mammalian, teleost, amphibian, and avian beta subunit and related genes indicated that all extant vertebrate beta subunits are orthologous, that beta2/beta4 and beta1/beta3 share common ancestry, and that beta subunits are closely related to other proteins sharing the V-type immunoglobulin domain structure. Vertebrate sodium channel beta subunit genes were not identified in the genomes of invertebrate chordates and are unrelated to known subunits of the para sodium channel in Drosophila.

Conclusion
The identification of conserved orthologs to all 4 voltage-gated sodium channel beta subunit genes in zebrafish and the lack of evidence for beta subunit genes in invertebrate chordates together indicate that this gene family emerged early in vertebrate evolution, prior to the divergence of teleosts and tetrapods. The evolutionary history of sodium channel beta subunits suggests that these genes may have played a key role in the diversification and specialization of electrical signaling in early vertebrates.
Comparative genomic hybridizations reveal absence of large Streptomyces coelicolor genomic islands in Streptomyces lividans
Authors: Jayapal Karthik P , Lian Wei , Glod Frank , Sherman David H , Hu Wei-Shou 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
The genomes of Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces lividans bear a considerable degree of synteny. While S. coelicolor is the model streptomycete for studying antibiotic synthesis and differentiation, S. lividans is almost exclusively considered as the preferred host, among actinomycetes, for cloning and expression of exogenous DNA. We used whole genome microarrays as a comparative genomics tool for identifying the subtle differences between these two chromosomes.

Results
We identified five large S. coelicolor genomic islands (larger than 25 kb) and 18 smaller islets absent in S. lividans chromosome. Many of these regions show anomalous GC bias and codon usage patterns. Six of them are in close vicinity of tRNA genes while nine are flanked with near perfect repeat sequences indicating that these are probable recent evolutionary acquisitions into S. coelicolor. Embedded within these segments are at least four DNA methylases and two probable methyl-sensing restriction endonucleases. Comparison with S. coelicolor transcriptome and proteome data revealed that some of the missing genes are active during the course of growth and differentiation in S. coelicolor. In particular, a pair of methylmalonyl CoA mutase (mcm) genes involved in polyketide precursor biosynthesis, an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase implicated in timing of actinorhodin synthesis and bldB, a developmentally significant regulator whose mutation causes complete abrogation of antibiotic synthesis belong to this category.

Conclusion
Our findings provide tangible hints for elucidating the genetic basis of important phenotypic differences between these two streptomycetes. Importantly, absence of certain genes in S. lividans identified here could potentially explain the relative ease of DNA transformations and the conditional lack of actinorhodin synthesis in S. lividans.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis in an Indian population by an indirect ELISA protocol based on detection of Antigen 85 complex: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kashyap Rajpal S , Rajan Anju N , Ramteke Sonali S , Agrawal Vijay S , Kelkar Sanjivani S , Purohit Hemant J , Taori Girdhar M , Daginawala Hatim F 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) remains problematic despite many new advanced diagnostic methods. A reliable and rapid diagnostic test, which could be performed in any standard pathology laboratory, would help to obtain definitive early diagnoses of TB. In the present study we describe a prospective evaluation for demonstrating Antigen (Ag) 85 complex in the sera from TB patients.

Methods
Indirect ELISA, employing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the purified Ag 85 complex, was used to demonstrate Ag 85 complex in sera from TB patients. Serum samples were obtained from 197 different groups of patients: confirmed TB {n = 24}, clinically diagnosed TB {n = 104}, disease controls {n = 49} and healthy controls {n = 20}. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to calculate the cut off value and comparison between TB and non-TB groups were done by the chi-square test.

Results
The indirect ELISA method, using an mAb against Ag 85 complex, yielded 82% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] 67 to 93%) and 86% specificity (95% CI, 57 to 98%) for the diagnosis of TB. The serum positivities for Ag 85 complex in cases of confirmed and clinically diagnosed TB patients were 96% (23/24) and 79% (82/104) respectively, while the positivity for patients in the non-tuberculosis group was 14% (10/69).

Conclusion
The detection of Ag 85 complex in sera from TB patients by indirect ELISA using mAb against purified Ag 85 complex gives a reliable diagnosis and can be used to develop an immunodiagnostic assay with increased sensitivity and specificity.