bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of patients with symptomatic dermographism
Authors: Taşkapan O , Harmanyeri Y 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Dermographism or ‘simple’ dermographism, which has been noted in about 1.5% to 5% of healthy individuals, is regarded as a normal physiological phenomenon. However, in symptomatic dermographism (SD), even light pressure or rubbing from clothes may provoke widespread weal‐and‐flare reactions with itching and burning. It is one of the dermatologic diseases that negatively impacts quality of life.Objective  We aimed to reveal triggering factors and/or associated clinical conditions in patients with SD.Methods  Forty patients (28 women and 12 men) with SD whose ages varied between 7 and 65 (30.3 ± 10.7) participated in the study. Patients having chronic idiopathic urticaria, other types of physical urticaria and cutaneous/systemic mastocytosis were excluded. The diagnosis of SD was confirmed by stroking the skin of the back with a tongue blade. This procedure elicited within minutes a linear weal with a flare and severe itching. In light of the history, physical examination, skin prick test (SPT) with aeroallergens and laboratory results, a possible relationship of certain triggering factors and/or associated diseases (psychic factors, atopy, thyroid diseases, diabetes, menopause, infectious, systemic or malignant diseases, history of scabies, and history of drug reaction) to SD were investigated.Results  The duration of SD varied between 10 days and 10 years (mean: 20.8 months). Psychic factors were found to play the initial triggering role in 12 patients (30%). Five patients (12.50%) were atopic, and they had SPT reactivity to house dust mites. Three female patients (7.50%) defined that their complaints began following drug‐induced urticarial rash. Two patients (5%) had hyperthyroidism, and one of the patients with SD of 1‐month duration had type‐II diabetes mellitus. A female patient defined that her complaints began during the onset of menopausal period. SD was observed with scabies in one patient; and after poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis in a 7‐year‐old girl. No autoimmune, malignant or other systemic diseases were found in patients with SD.Conclusions  Contrary to commonly held opinion, SD may be associated with some diseases and/or triggered by some conditions. In this study, a close temporal relationship between the appearance of SD and psychic factors, drug reactions and scabies was documented. The relation between SD and atopy, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, menopause and glomerulonephritis seemed unclear.
Parental imprisonment: effects on boys’ antisocial behaviour and delinquency through the life‐course
Authors: Murray Joseph , Farrington David P. 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Prisoners’ children appear to suffer profound psychosocial difficulties during their parents’ imprisonment. However, no previous study has examined later‐life outcomes for prisoners’ children compared to children separated from parents for other reasons. We hypothesise that parental imprisonment predicts boys’ antisocial and delinquent behaviour partly because of the trauma of separation, partly because parental imprisonment is a marker for parental criminality, and partly because of childhood risks associated with parental imprisonment.Method:  This study uses prospective longitudinal data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD). The CSDD includes data on 411 Inner London males and their parents. We compare boys separated by parental imprisonment during their first 10 years of life with four control groups: boys who did not experience separation, boys separated by hospital or death, boys separated for other reasons (usually disharmony), and boys whose parents were only imprisoned before their birth. Individual, parenting, and family risk factors for delinquency were measured when boys were aged 8–11. Eleven antisocial and delinquent outcomes were assessed between ages 14 and 40.Results:  Separation because of parental imprisonment predicted all antisocial–delinquent outcomes compared to the four control conditions. Separation caused by parental imprisonment was also strongly associated with many other childhood risk factors for delinquency. After controlling for parental convictions and other childhood risk factors, separation caused by parental imprisonment still predicted several antisocial–delinquent outcomes, even up to age 32, compared with other types of separation.Conclusions:  Prisoners’ children are a highly vulnerable group with multiple risk factors for adverse outcomes. Parental imprisonment appears to affect children over and above separation experiences and associated risks. Further research on possible moderating and mediating factors such as stigma, reduction in family income and reduced quality of care is required to identify the mechanisms by which parental imprisonment affects children.
The Göteborg discotheque fire: posttraumatic stress, and school adjustment as reported by the primary victims 18 months later
Authors: Broberg Anders G. , Dyregrov Atle , Lilled Lars 
Published: November 2005

Background:  On October 29, 1998, around 400 young people were gathered in an old warehouse in Göteborg, Sweden, for a discotheque party. A fire erupted and spread explosively. Adolescents were exposed to dreadful scenes inside and outside the building. In all, 63 young people were killed and 213 physically injured. An 18‐month follow‐up with 275 adolescents (126 girls) who survived the fire, regarding the effects of the fire on symptoms of posttraumatic stress, school adjustment and performance, is reported.Methods:  Impact of Events Scale (IES), Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Scale (CAPS) and an interview concerning background factors and issues of public and personal support.Results:  The level of posttraumatic stress was generally high, and highest among adolescents with an immigrant background. In all, 25% of the participants met DSM‐IV criteria for PTSD. Twenty‐three percent of the participants reported having either dropped out of school or repeated a class because of the fire. Students’ ratings of how their own school handled the situation, and school absenteeism, were related to ratings of their own performance in school as well as to the level of posttraumatic stress.Conclusions:  Traditional talking cures were more sought out by girls than boys. Broad‐scale interventions must be complemented with special treatment opportunities for the most severely afflicted. Victims who suffer from high levels of posttraumatic stress need special support for a long period of time to minimise the effects on scholastic achievement and adjustment. Studies of the effects of traumatic events on child and adolescent development should measure school‐related effects better than has hitherto been the case.
Women's thoughts about sexual life after childbirth: focus group discussions with women after childbirth
Authors: Olsson Ann , Lundqvist Martina , Faxelid Elisabeth , Nissen Eva 
Published: November 2005

Background:  To give birth and become a parent is a source of many emotions and expectations. Several studies show that women experience different problems after giving birth. It can bring many physical, emotional and social changes that may alter the woman's sexual needs and impact on her relationship. The aim of this study was to elucidate how some women experienced their sexual life with their partner after giving birth.Methods:  Twenty‐seven women participated in six focus group discussions (FGDs). These discussions took place 3–24 months postdelivery. The midwives at their antenatal clinics selected them. A discussion guide with broad questions related to the subject was used and an observer took notes during the FGD.Results:  Four themes were identified: body image after childbirth, how sexual patterns are altered following new stresses of family life, discordance of sexual desire with the partner and the necessity for reassurance. The women did not feel comfortable with the physical changes that had taken place and their body image. Childbirth meant less sleep and less free time; consequently, instead of having sex, women wanted to sleep or have time for themselves and that led to a changed sex pattern. Discordance of sexual desire with the partner was a problem but most of the women expressed confidence that their sexual desire would return shortly. Reassurance and confirmation that they were physically alright and back to normal was essential.Conclusion:  New mothers are concerned with their body image and the ability to adapt to parenting. They need sensitive, professional counselling and reassurance about their body, as well as about sexual life after childbirth. This level of professional counselling is presently not widely available to new mothers, while midwives and gynaecologists should be the key persons to provide this service.
Prostaglandin D2 pathway and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ‐1 expression are induced by mechanical loading in an osteoblastic cell line
Authors: Siddhivarn Chitpol , Banes Albert , Champagne Catherine , Riché Estelle L. , Weerapradist Woranut , Offenbacher Steven 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  The hypothesis underlying the current study was that the arachidonic acid cascade, specifically activation of the prostaglandin (PG) D2 pathway in osteoblasts, is an anabolic signal induced by mechanical loading.Background:  Previous studies have shown that mechanical loading of osteoblasts triggers cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, PGE2 and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis. Since modest mechanical loading of osteoblasts promotes bone formation, we sought to determine whether mechanical stress activates the osteoblastic PGD2 pathway resulting in the synthesis of osteogenic cyclopentenones, including Δ12PGJ2.Methods:  Osteoblast monolayers were stretched using a Bioflex apparatus at a frequency of 1 Hz with 1% elongation. Cells and cell media were collected at various time points: 5, 10, 15, 30 min; and 1, 4, 16, 24 h. RNA was extracted for quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). In certain experiments, cells were pre‐labeled with 14C arachidonic acid prior to stretching. Radiolabeled metabolites in cell media were identified by reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). Osteoblasts were evaluated for an induction in bone nodule formation by stretching.Results:  Mechanical strain significantly increased mRNA expression of COX‐1, COX‐2, PGD2 synthase and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ‐1, but not of PPARγ‐2 as compared to control unstretched cells (p < 0.05). Mechanical loading stimulated the release of PGE2, PGD2 and the PGD2 metabolite Δ12PGJ2. Mechanical strain resulted in the induction of bone nodules.Conclusions:  This report indicates that mechanical loading of osteoblasts results in activation of PGD2 and the concomitant expression of transcription factor PPARγ‐1 mRNA. The coordinated synthesis of Δ12PGJ2, a natural ligand for PPARγ‐1, with the increased expression of PPARγ‐1, suggests that biomechanical transduction pathways that initially involve the activation of cyclooxygenases may also involve the activation of the Δ12PGJ2–PPAR pathway.
Increased infiltration of CD1d+ and natural killer T cells in periodontal disease tissues
Authors: Amanuma R. , Nakajima T. , Yoshie H. , Yamazaki K. 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique T lymphocyte subset that has been implicated in the regulation of immune responses associated with a broad range of diseases including autoimmunity, infectious diseases, and cancer. In contrast to conventional T cells, NKT cells are reactive to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐like molecule CD1d. Considering the periodontitis having both aspects of infection and autoimmunity in nature, CD1d and reactive NKT cells are of particular importance.Objective:  The aim of the present study was to examine whether the expression of CD1 isoforms and Vα24+ invariant NKT cells is associated with different disease entities, namely gingivitis and periodontitis.Material and Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on cryostat sections of gingival tissues from 19 patients with periodontitis and eight patients with gingivitis using antibodies to CD1a, b, c, d, Vα24+ invariant NKT cells, CD83, CD3 and CD19.Results:  Although all four subsets of CD1 molecules were expressed in periodontal lesions, CD1d was most abundant. CD1d expression was more frequent in periodontitis than gingivitis and increased together with increase of invariant NKT cell infiltration. Double immunohistochemical staining showed co‐expression of CD1d and CD19 on identical cells and proximate infiltration of CD1d+ and invariant NKT cells.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that CD1d‐expressing B cells could activate NKT cells by CD1d‐restricted manner and this NKT cell activation may play roles in pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
Maturation‐state dependent response of human periodontal ligament cells to an intermittent parathyroid hormone exposure in vitro
Authors: Lossdörfer S , Stier S , Götz W , Jäger A 
Published: November 2005

Background and objectives:  Parathyroid hormone (parathyroid hormone) has been shown to be capable of exerting anabolic effects on bone when administered intermittently. We hypothesized that parathyroid hormone will modulate the response of periodontal ligament cells in terms of anabolic effects with respect to proliferation, differentiation and the production of key regulatory factors of bone remodeling such as osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) in a maturation‐state dependent manner.Methods:  Periodontal ligament cells were cultured from human bicuspids obtained from six patients. Following characterization, confluent and preconfluent periodontal ligament cells were challenged with parathyroid hormone (1–34) for 0, 1, 3, 6 or 24 h within three incubation cycles of 48 h each. At harvest, the cell number, alkaline phosphatase specific activity and osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and RANKL production were determined by means of semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoassays. Dermal fibroblasts and MG63 osteoblast‐like cells served as a reference.Results:  Intermittent parathyroid hormone treatment of confluent periodontal ligament cells caused a significant increase in proliferation (+32% maximum) whereas alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin decreased at the transcriptional and translational level (−59.7% maximum). In preconfluent periodontal ligament cells, parathyroid hormone induced a decrease in proliferation (−66.3% maximum) but an increase in differentiation and osteoprotegerin production (+49.2% maximum). RANKL was hardly detectable and unaffected by parathyroid hormone treatment. Similar results were obtained in MG63 cells, whereas parathyroid hormone stimulation did not alter any of the parameters examined in dermal fibroblasts.Conclusion:  These results indicate that human periodontal ligament cells respond to an intermittent parathyroid hormone exposure with changes in proliferation, differentiation and osteoprotegerin production in a maturation‐state dependent manner and therefore might be regulatorily involved in periodontal regeneration.
Moderate and Severe Erectile Dysfunction Equally Affects Life Satisfaction
Authors: Mallis Dimitrios , Moisidis Kyriakos , Kirana Paraskevi-Sofia , Papaharitou Stamatis , Simos Gregorios , Hatzichristou Dimitrios 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT

Purpose
To explore the life satisfaction of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and to examine the relation between severity of ED and life satisfaction.

Materials and Methods
The study sample was recruited from patients who presented in an andrologic outpatient clinic complaining of ED. All patients underwent the basic clinical evaluation and were assessed by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) and the Life Satisfaction Inventory (LSI).

Results
The study included 69 patients with ED (age range 22–71 years, mean 49.5, SD 13.7). The LSI appeared to have satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). Men with ED had significantly lower satisfaction with their sexual life (t = −13.756, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000), but also significantly lower total score of satisfaction with their life (t = −2.793, d.f. = 68, P = 0.007) compared with available normative data from healthy population. However, when compared with controls, men with ED showed significantly higher satisfaction scores on their financial status (t = 5.075, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000) and on their leisure time activities (t = 4.029, d.f. = 68, P = 0.000). Regarding ED severity, mild ED affects patients’ satisfaction with sexual life less than do moderate and severe ED. Interestingly, no difference was identified between moderate and severe ED groups.

Conclusions
Men who seek help for ED have lower satisfaction with sexual life and lower satisfaction with their overall life compared with healthy people. Severity of ED seems to be an important factor, as men with moderate ED perceive the impact of ED on their life satisfaction equally with those with severe ED. ED patients gain more satisfaction from other domains of their life, provided they adopt coping behaviors that help compensate for their low overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, as ED patients do not differ from healthy people in their expressed subjective rating of quality of life (QoL), life satisfaction may be more sensitive than QoL assessment in the evaluation of the impact of ED on our patients’ life.
Comparative Seed Dispersal Effectiveness of Sympatric Alouatta guariba and Brachyteles arachnoides in Southeastern Brazil1
Authors: Martins Milene Moura 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTI compared the effectiveness of sympatric brown howlers (Alouatta guariba) and muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides) as seed dispersers in terms of quantitative and qualitative attributes. I hypothesized that differences in feeding and behavioral patterns between these large‐bodied folivorous/frugivorous primates would lead to dissimilarities in their effectiveness as endozoochoric seed dispersal agents. The study was carried out in a semideciduous forest fragment of Fazenda Barreiro Rico, southeastern Brazil. Through behavioral sampling of frugivory and defecation events as well as analyses of fecal samples, I determined that A. guariba dispersed fewer species and produced a lower proportion of dung with intact seeds than B. arachnoides. There was no difference between the number of seeds in fecal samples of A. guariba and B. arachnoides. These primates affected to a similar degree both germination percentage and latency to germination of seeds they ingested or removed the pulp from. Howlers and muriquis were also similar in carrying seeds away from the parent trees. Contrary to muriquis, howlers defecated seeds under the canopy of conspecific lianas, where seeds are expected to suffer high mortality rates, and voided seeds predominantly in a clumped pattern. B. arachnoides was a more effective seed disperser when compared to A. guariba in some attributes evaluated, but not in others. Given the interspecific variation in recruitment patterns of tropical plants and the loss of frugivorous bird species at the study site, the differences between howlers and muriquis in their abilities as seed dispersers may crucially influence the composition and maintenance of seedling diversity.
A multiwavelength investigation of the temperature of the cold neutral medium
Authors: Roy Nirupam , Chengalur Jayaram N. , Srianand Raghunathan 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
We present measurements of the H i spin temperatures (Ts) of the cold neutral medium (CNM) towards radio sources that are closely aligned with stars for which published H2 ortho-para temperatures (T01) are available from ultraviolet (UV) observations. Our sample consists of 18 radio sources close to 16 nearby stars. The transverse separation of the lines of sight of the corresponding UV and radio observations varies from 0.1 to 12.0 pc at the distance of the star. The UV measurements do not have velocity information, so we use the velocities of low ionization species (e.g. Na i/K i/Ci) observed towards these same stars to make a plausible identification of the CNM corresponding to the H2 absorption. We then find that T01 and Ts match within observational uncertainties for lines of sight with H2 column density above 1015.8 cm−2, but deviate from each other below this threshold. This is consistent with the expectation that in the CNM Ts tracks the kinetic temperature due to collisions and that T01 is driven towards the kinetic temperature by proton exchange reactions.
Diffusive synchrotron radiation from extragalactic jets
Authors: Fleishman G. D. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Flattenings of non-thermal radiation spectra observed from knots and interknot locations of the jets of 3C 273 and M87 in the ultraviolet and X-ray bands are discussed within modern models of magnetic field generation in relativistic jets. Specifically, we explicitly take into account the effect of the small-scale random magnetic field, probably present in such jets, which gives rise to emission of diffusive synchrotron radiation, the spectrum of which deviates substantially from the standard synchrotron spectrum, especially at high frequencies. The calculated spectra agree well with the observed ones if the energy densities contained in small-scale and large-scale magnetic fields are comparable. The implications of this finding for magnetic field generation, particle acceleration and jet composition are discussed.
Role of Silver Ions in Destabilization of Intermolecular Adhesion Forces Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy in
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Biofilms
Authors: Chaw K. C. , Manimaran M. , Tay Francis E. H. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we report on the potential use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool to measure the intermolecular forces in biofilm structures and to study the effect of silver ions on sessile
Staphylococcus epidermidis
cell viability and stability. We propose a strategy of destabilizing the biofilm matrix by reducing the intermolecular forces within the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) using a low concentration (50 ppb) of silver ions. Our AFM studies on the intermolecular forces within the EPSs of
S. epidermidis
RP62A and
S
.
epidermidis
1457 biofilms suggest that the silver ions can destabilize the biofilm matrix by binding to electron donor groups of the biological molecules. This leads to reductions in the number of binding sites for hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and, hence, the destabilization of the biofilm structure.