bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical staining of human islet cells with region‐specific antibodies against secretogranins II and III
Authors: Stridsberg M. , Grimelius L. , Portela‐Gomes G. M. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractChromogranins and secretogranins belong to the granin family of proteins, which are expressed in neuroendocrine and nervous tissue. In earlier publications we have described the development of region‐specific antibodies against CgA and CgB. In this study we describe antibodies to SgII and SgIII and their usefulness for immunohistochemical staining. Peptides homologous to defined parts of secretogranins II and III were selected and synthesized. Antibodies were raised and immunostainings were performed on normal human pancreas. The SgII 154–165 (N‐terminal secretoneurin), SgII 172–186 (C‐terminal secretoneurin) and SgIII antibodies immunostained all insulin‐immunoreactive cells, most of the glucagon cells and some of the pancreatic polypeptide cells. The SgII 225–242 antibody immunostained only the insulin‐containing cells. None of the antibodies immunostained the somatostatin cells. This study is the first observation of the expression of SgIII in human tissues, where we show expression of SgIII in three of the four major islet cell types in human pancreas.
The pathways connecting the hippocampal formation, the thalamic reuniens nucleus and the thalamic reticular nucleus in the rat
Authors: Çavdar Safiye , Onat Filiz Y. , Çakmak Yusuf Özgür , Yananli Hasan R. , Gülçebi Medine , Aker Rezzan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMost dorsal thalamic nuclei send axons to specific areas of the neocortex and to specific sectors of the thalamic reticular nucleus; the neocortex then sends reciprocal connections back to the same thalamic nucleus, directly as well indirectly through a relay in the thalamic reticular nucleus. This can be regarded as a ‘canonical’ circuit of the sensory thalamus. For the pathways that link the thalamus and the hippocampal formation, only a few comparable connections have been described. The reuniens nucleus of the thalamus sends some of its major cortical efferents to the hippocampal formation. The present study shows that cells of the hippocampal formation as well as cells in the reuniens nucleus are retrogradely labelled following injections of horseradish peroxidase or fluoro‐gold into the rostral part of the thalamic reticular nucleus in the rat. Within the hippocampal formation, labelled neurons were localized in the subiculum, predominantly on the ipsilateral side, with fewer neurons labelled contralaterally. Labelled neurons were seen in the hippocampal formation and nucleus reuniens only after injections made in the rostral thalamic reticular nucleus (1.6–1.8 mm caudal to bregma). In addition, the present study confirmed the presence of afferent connections to the rostral thalamic reticular nucleus from cortical (cingulate, orbital and infralimbic, retrosplenial and frontal), midline thalamic (paraventricular, anteromedial, centromedial and mediodorsal thalamic nuclei) and brainstem structures (substantia nigra pars reticularis, ventral tegmental area, periaqueductal grey, superior vestibular and pontine reticular nuclei). These results demonstrate a potential for the thalamo‐hippocampal circuitry to influence the functional roles of the thalamic reticular nucleus, and show that thalamo‐hippocampal connections resemble the circuitry that links the sensory thalamus and neocortex.
Pertussis vaccination and epilepsy—an erratic history, new research and the mismatch between science and social policy
Authors: Shorvon Simon , Berg Anne 
Published: January 2008

Summary For over 50 years, concerns have been raised about the risk of pertussis vaccine‐induced childhood encephalopathy and epilepsy. This article reviews the scientific literature, and the social and historical context in which the scientific, public health and societal views have not always been aligned. Large‐scale studies of this issue have produced conflicting results, although the recent consensus is that the risk of vaccine‐induced encephalopathy and/or epilepsy, if it exists at all, is extremely low. Risk estimates in the literature have included: risk of a febrile seizure 1 per 19,496 vaccinations; risk of an afebrile seizure 1 per 76,133 vaccinations; risk of encephalopathy after pertussis infection nil—3 cases per million vaccinations. A recent study showed that encephalopathy in 11 out of the 14 children studied, although previously attributed to vaccination, was in fact due an inherited genetic defect of the SCNIA gene that codes for the voltage gated neuronal sodium channel. This study is important because it provides a solid alternative explanation for the perceived pertussis vaccine‐encephalopathy association. The interesting possibility is raised that the encephalopathy apparently due to pertussis itself may, in some cases, be due to an SCNIA mutation. It may also, by analogy, shed some light on the continuing debate about other serious long‐term adverse effects of vaccination in general.
Correlates of Urinary, Fecal, and Dual Incontinence in Older African‐American and White Men and Women
Authors: Markland Alayne D. , Goode Patricia S. , Burgio Kathryn L. , Redden David T. , Richter Holly E. , Sawyer Patricia , Allman Richard M. 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence and correlates of urinary (UI), fecal (FI), and dual (DI) incontinence in community‐dwelling older adults.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional, population‐based in‐home survey.SETTING: Three rural and two urban Alabama counties (1999–2001).PARTICIPANTS: Stratified random sample of 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older: 25% African‐American men, 25% white men, 25% African‐American women, 25% white women.MEASUREMENTS: UI defined as involuntary urine loss at least monthly; FI defined as “In the past year, have you had any loss of control of your bowels, even a small amount that stained the underwear?” Independent variables were sociodemographics, medical history, and activities of daily living (ADLs) excluding toileting. Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed using UI, FI, and DI as dependent variables.RESULTS: UI, FI, and DI prevalences were 27%, 6%, and 6%, respectively. White women had higher prevalence of UI (41.1% vs 24.6%, P<.001) and DI (18.5% vs 8.0%, P=.07) but not FI (4.4% vs 3.8%, P=.83) than African‐American women. Men had no racial differences in prevalence (UI 22.2%, FI 7.7%, DI 4.6%). In women, UI, FI, and DI correlates included higher Charlson comorbidity score and depressive symptoms and greater ADL difficulty for UI and DI. In men, UI was associated with prostate disease and depressive symptoms; FI with chronic diarrhea, history of transient ischemic attack (TIA), and poor self‐perceived health; and DI with history of TIA, foot and leg swelling, and depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION: Women had racial differences as well as similar correlates of incontinence subtypes, whereas men did not.
Antioxidant Vitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease in Older Adults
Authors: Gray Shelly L. , Anderson Melissa L. , Crane Paul K. , Breitner John C. S. , McCormick Wayne , Bowen James D. , Teri Linda , Larson Eric 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES:To examine whether use of vitamins C or E alone or in combination was associated with lower incidence of dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD).DESIGN:Prospective cohort study.SETTING:Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, Washington.PARTICIPANTS:Two thousand nine hundred sixty‐nine participants aged 65 and older without cognitive impairment at baseline in the Adult Changes in Thought study.MEASUREMENTS:Participants were followed biennially to identify incident dementia and AD diagnosed according to standard criteria. Participants were considered to be users of vitamins C or E if they self‐reported use for at least 1 week during the month before baseline.RESULTS:Over a mean follow‐up±standard deviation of 5.5±2.7 years, 405 subjects developed dementia (289 developed AD). The use of vitamin E was not associated with dementia (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77–1.25) or with AD (HR=1.04; 95% CI=0.78–1.39). No association was found between vitamin C alone (dementia: HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.71–1.13; AD: HR=0.95, 95% CI=0.72–1.25) or concurrent use of vitamin C and E (dementia: HR=0.93, 95% CI=0.72–1.20; AD: HR=1.00, 95% CI=0.73–1.35) and either outcome.CONCLUSION:In this study, the use of supplemental vitamin E and C, alone or in combination, did not reduce risk of AD or overall dementia over 5.5 years of follow‐up.
Excellent Early and Late Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement in People Aged 80 and Older
Authors: Filsoufi Farzan , Rahmanian Parwis B. , Castillo Javier G. , Chikwe Joanna , Silvay George , Adams David H. 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To investigate early and late outcome of aortic valve replacement (AVR) in a large cohort of patients aged 80 and older.DESIGN: Retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing AVR using a computerized database based on the New York State Department of Health registry. Data collection was performed prospectively.SETTING: University hospital (single institution).PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred eight patients undergoing AVR (231 (17.6%) aged ≥80, 1,077 (82.4%) <80).MEASUREMENTS: Patient characteristics, hospital mortality, morbidity, length of stay and long‐term survival were analyzed.RESULTS: Subjects aged 80 and older were more likely to be female, had a lower body mass index, and presented significantly more often with comorbidities such as heart failure, renal failure, and extensive aortic calcification. Crude hospital mortality was 5.2% (n=12) in subjects age 80 and older, compared with 4.5% (n=48) in those younger than 80 (P=.37). Respiratory failure occurred more frequently in those aged 80 and older. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age of 80 and older was not a predictor of hospital mortality. The median length of stay was significantly higher in those aged 80 and older than in those younger than 80 (10 days vs 7 days, P=.01). Five‐year survival was 64±5% in those aged 80 and older, which was similar to that of the age‐ and sex‐matched general U.S. population.CONCLUSION: Excellent results after AVR can be expected in patients aged 80 and older, with minimal increase in postoperative mortality and acceptable postoperative morbidity. Respiratory failure is the main postoperative complication in patients aged 80 and older. Recent advances in operative techniques and perioperative management have contributed to better surgical outcomes in these patients than found in historical reports.
Kidney Transplantation in Elderly People: The Influence of Recipient Comorbidity and Living Kidney Donors
Authors: Wu Christine , Shapiro Ron , Tan Henkie , Basu Amit , Smetanka Cynthia , Morgan Claire , Shah Nirav , McCauley Jerry , Unruh Mark 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which donor and recipient characteristics were associated with transplant outcomes in elderly kidney transplant recipients.DESIGN: Retrospective review.SETTING: Single university center.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand one hundred two patients, including 266 patients aged 60 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Recipient and donor characteristics and patient and graft outcomes.RESULTS: Of the 1,102 patients included in this study, 266 (25%) were aged 60 and older, and 117 (11%) were aged 67 and older. According to Cox proportional hazards analysis, patient survival was worse in elderly recipients, although the survival outcome in the oldest group (ages 68–86) was comparable with that in their slightly younger peers (ages 61–67). Graft function did not differ according to age. Comorbidity was a significant predictor of patient survival in elderly recipients (hazard ratio (HR)=1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03–1.34, P=.02) but not in the subset of elderly recipients of living donor kidneys (HR=1.01, 95% CI=0.8–1.3, P=.9).CONCLUSION: Older adults can achieve good outcomes with kidney transplantation, although in recipients with significant comorbid illness, careful donor selection and selective use of living donors may be vital to achieving good outcomes.
Melatonin and Bright‐Light Treatment for Rest–Activity Disruption in Institutionalized Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Dowling Glenna A. , Burr Robert L. , Van Someren Eus J. W. , Hubbard Erin M. , Luxenberg Jay S. , Mastick Judy , Cooper Bruce A. 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To test whether the addition of melatonin to bright‐light therapy enhances the efficacy in treating rest–activity (circadian) disruption in institutionalized patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial.SETTING: Two nursing homes in San Francisco, California.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty subjects (mean age 86) with AD.INTERVENTION: Experimental subjects received 1 hour of morning light exposure (≥2,500 lux in gaze direction) Monday to Friday for 10 weeks and 5 mg melatonin (LM, n=16) or placebo (LP, n=17) in the evening. Control subjects (n=17) received usual indoor light (150–200 lux).MEASUREMENTS: Nighttime sleep variables, day sleep time, day activity, day:night sleep ratio, and rest–activity parameters were determined using actigraphy.RESULTS: Linear mixed models were employed to test the primary study hypotheses. No significant differences in nighttime sleep variables were found between groups. At the end of the intervention, the LM group showed significant improvement in daytime somnolence as indicated by a reduction in the duration of daytime sleep, an increase in daytime activity, and an improvement in day:night sleep ratio. The LM group also evidenced a significant increase in rest–activity rhythm amplitude and goodness of fit to the cosinor model.CONCLUSION: Light treatment alone did not improve nighttime sleep, daytime wake, or rest–activity rhythm. Light treatment plus melatonin increased daytime wake time and activity levels and strengthened the rest–activity rhythm. Future studies should resolve the question of whether these improvements can be attributed to melatonin or whether the two zeitgebers interact to amplify efficacy.
Beliefs, Risk Perceptions, and Gaps in Knowledge as Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Older Adults
Authors: Berkowitz Zahava , Hawkins Nikki A. , Peipins Lucy A. , White Mary C. , Nadel Marion R. 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess beliefs and perceptions of risk about colorectal cancer (CRC) and gaps in knowledge about screening in adults aged 65 to 89.DESIGN: A population‐based survey.SETTING: United States.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,148 respondents with no history of CRC, representing an estimated population of 31.6 million persons, who were stratified according to screening behavior (up to date (n=457) vs not up to date (n=691)) and age (65–74 vs 75–89).MEASUREMENTS: The Health Information National Trends Survey (2003) questionnaire.RESULTS: An estimated 25% of adults aged 65 to 89 had not heard of the fecal occult blood test, 17% had not heard of sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and 42% were not up to date with either screening modality. Not visiting a healthcare provider in the previous year, not knowing about tests available for colon cancer, perceiving the arrangements to be checked for detecting colon cancer to be difficult, and not having an opinion about it and its cost, were significantly associated with not being up to date (each P<.03). Persons who were not up to date were frequently unaware of the importance of CRC screening, and often reported lack of a provider's recommendation to be screened (>75%). Lack of knowledge and awareness were more prevalent in those aged 75 to 89 than those aged 65 to 74.CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge and awareness and the absence of a physician's recommendation to be tested might explain not being up to date with CRC screening in adults in these age groups. These findings suggest a potential value for better communication between older adults and their providers regarding screening for CRC, when appropriate.
Psychometric Properties of the Activities‐Specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in Older Women
Authors: Talley Kristine M.C. , Wyman Jean F. , Gross Cynthia R. 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVES: To compare the psychometric properties of the Activities‐specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE).DESIGN: Secondary analysis using baseline and 12‐week data from a randomized, controlled trial on fall prevention.SETTING: Upper Midwest metropolitan area with assessments conducted in participants' homes.PARTICIPANTS: Population‐based sample of 272 noninstitutionalized female Medicare beneficiaries aged 70 and older at risk of falling.MEASUREMENTS: Participants self‐administered the ABC, SAFE, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Survey. During a home visit, a nurse practitioner administered the Berg Balance Test and Timed Up and Go, measured gait speed, and asked about falls and chronic illnesses.RESULTS: Baseline internal consistency measured using Cronbach alpha was 0.95 for the ABC and 0.82 for the SAFE. Baseline concurrent validity between the ABC and SAFE measured using a correlation coefficient was −0.65 (P<.001). ABC and SAFE scores were significantly correlated at baseline with physical performance tests and self‐reported health status. The ABC had stronger baseline correlations than the SAFE with most measures. Neither instrument demonstrated responsiveness to change at 12 weeks.CONCLUSION: The ABC and SAFE demonstrated strong internal‐consistency reliability and validity when self‐administered. The ABC had stronger associations with physical functioning and may be more appropriate for studies focused on improving physical function. Both instruments demonstrated ceiling effects, which may explain the lack of responsiveness to change in relatively nonfrail older women. Instruments sensitive to measuring lower levels of fear of falling are needed to capture the full range of this phenomenon in this population.
Voluntary Listing Requirements and Corporate Performance: The Case of the Dey Report and Canadian Firms
Authors: Panasian Christine , Prevost Andrew K. , Bhabra Harjeet S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe investigate the determinants and consequences of compliance with the Dey Committee recommendations encouraging greater board independence in Canada. Companies that acted on this recommendation appear to have done so to improve their performance and not for cosmetic purposes. Poorly performing firms that modified their boards experienced a greater increase in performance compared to those that did not. Overall, it appears that the primary function of the Dey Report was to refocus firms' attention on the quality of board monitoring, particularly those with poor relative performance.
Combined treatment of acute subretinal haemorrhages with intravitreal recombined tissue plasminogen activator, expansile gas and bevacizumab: a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Meyer Carsten H. , Scholl Hendrik P. , Eter Nicole , Helb Hans‐Martin , Holz Frank G. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess the effectiveness of consecutive intravitreal injections of recombined tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), expansile gas and bevacizumab in eyes with acute subretinal haemorrhage (SRH).Methods:  A retrospective, non‐randomized consecutive case series included 19 eyes in 19 patients with SRH related to exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). The initial size of the subfoveal SRH was 1–3 disc diameters. Each patient received a triple procedure using 0.05 ml rtPA (50 μg), 0.3 ml of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas and 0.05 ml bevacizumab (1.25 mg). Lesion size, location of the SRH and early treatment in diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) visual acuity were evaluated pretreatment as well as 1 and 3 months after the procedure.Results:  At the initial presentation, the patients’ mean age was 77 years (range 63–88 years) and the mean duration of symptoms was 9.3 days (range 4–12 days). The mean visual acuity pretreatment (20/133) improved significantly to 20/86 at 1 month and to 20/74 at 3 months. The mean ETDRS visual acuity improved from baseline by 2.1 lines at 1 month (Wilcoxon ranks test; P < 0.005) and 3.7 lines at 3 months after treatment (Wilcoxon ranks test; P < 0.005). None of our patients had reading visual acuity prior to treatment, with visual acuity below 0.3. One month after the triple procedure, 25% of our patients had reading visual acuity (≥ 0.4); at 3 months, the figure was 35%. A successful inferior displacement of the SRH was achieved in 17/19 eyes. Eyes with elevated intraocular pressure were treated immediately by a corneal paracentesis.Conclusion:  The intravitreal application of rtPA, gas and bevacizumab appears to be beneficial and well tolerated in the treatment of SRH in the short term. The triple approach seems a logical alternative to the current combined dual approach in limiting the progression of the underlying disease and achieving better visual outcome. Further randomized evaluations are warranted.
Formation of stromal collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in the developing zebrafish cornea
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Schonthaler Helia B. , Bron Anthony J. , Dahm Ralf 
Published: January 2008

Abstract.Purpose: Collagen fibrils and proteoglycans are the main components of the corneal extracellular matrix and corneal transparency depends crucially on their proper arrangement. In the present study, we investigated the formation of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in the developing cornea of the zebrafish, a model organism used to study vertebrate embryonic development and genetic disease.Methods: We employed thin‐section electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of the zebrafish cornea at different developmental stages.Results: The layering of the zebrafish cornea into an epithelium, a Bowman’s layer, stroma and endothelium was observed starting at 72 hr post‐fertilization. At this stage, the stroma contained orthogonally arranged collagen fibrils and small proteoglycans. The density of proteoglycans increased gradually throughout subsequent development of the cornea. In the stroma of 2‐week‐old larvae, the collagen fibrils were organized into thin lamellae and were separated by very large, randomly distributed proteoglycans. At 4 weeks, a regular arrangement of proteoglycans in relation to the collagen fibrils was observed for the first time and the lamellae were also thickened.Conclusion: The present study, for the first time, provides ultrastructural details of collagen fibril and proteoglycan development in the zebrafish cornea. Furthermore, it directly correlates the collagen fibril and proteoglycan composition of the zebrafish cornea with that of the human cornea. The similarities between the two species suggest that the zebrafish could serve as a model for investigating the genetics of human corneal development and diseases.