bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pervasive threats within a protected area: conserving the endemic birds of São Tomé, West Africa
Authors: Dallimer M. , King T. , Atkinson R. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe importance of the rainforests on the island of São Tomé for biodiversity is well known. However, the area only recently received full legal protection as a National Park and currently few resources are available to enforce that legislation. With rapid economic development forecast for the island, active conservation efforts are essential. Here we study the distribution and density of the island's endemic bird species, including nine that are Globally Threatened, within the National Park. Sites, covering the full range of primary forest types, were surveyed using distance sampling methods. No introduced species were observed. The highest number of species, including eight Globally Threatened species, were found in lowland rainforest, although many were infrequently encountered. Higher altitude sites were less diverse, but supported some of the common endemic species at extremely high densities. The least diverse assemblage, with generally lower species population densities, occurred at the most accessible mid‐altitude forest site. Distance from settlements was a key explanatory variable for the presence of all Globally Threatened species, indicating that human habitation has negative effects on the suitability of nearby forest habitats. This suggests that, as infrastructure improvements proceed, populations of endangered species will come under growing pressure. Integrating the needs of biodiversity conservation and development represents a major challenge for many biodiverse countries and on São Tomé, as elsewhere, may best be achieved by preserving the still intact functioning forest ecosystem.
Scaling up child and adolescent mental health services in South Africa: Human resource requirements and costs
Authors: Lund Crick , Boyce Gerard , Flisher Alan J. , Kafaar Zuhayr , Dawes Andrew 
Published: February 2009

Background: Children and adolescents with mental health problems have poor service cover in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Little is known about the resources that would be required to provide child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in these countries. The purpose of this study was to calculate the human resources and associated costs required to scale up CAMHS in South Africa.Methods: A spreadsheet model was developed to calculate mental health service resources, based on an estimation of the need for services in a given population. The model can be adapted to specific settings by adjusting population size, age distribution, prevalence, comorbidity, levels of coverage, service utilisation rates, workloads, length of consultations and staff profile. Steps in the modelling include population identification; estimates of prevalence, service utilisation and staffing; and costing.Results: Using a nominal total population of 100,000 (of which 43,170 would be children and adolescents under 20 years of age), the following full‐time equivalent staff are required at minimum coverage level: 5.8 in PHC facilities, .6 in general hospital outpatient departments (OPDs), .1 in general hospital inpatient facilities, 1.1 in specialist CAMHS OPDs, .6 in specialist CAMHS inpatient facilities, .5 in specialist CAMHS day services, and .8 in regional CAMHS teams. This translates into roughly $21.50 and $5.99 per child or adolescent per annum nationally for the full coverage and minimum coverage scenarios respectively. When comparing the results of this model with current realities in South Africa, there remains a substantial shortfall in existing levels of CAMHS provision.Conclusions: The model can be used as an advocacy tool to engage with planners and policy makers on a rational basis. It can also be adapted for use in other countries, and is intended to support wider calls for a global scaling up of mental health services.
Acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese women: concerns and implications
Authors: Kwan TTC , Chan KKL , Yip AMW , Tam KF , Cheung ANY , Lo SST , Lee PWH , Ngan HYS 
Published: February 2009

Objective  To explore Chinese women’s perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and their intention to be vaccinated.Design  A cross‐sectional community‐based survey study.Setting  Thirteen community women’s health centres of The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.Sample  A total of 1450 ethnic Chinese women aged 18 or above who attended the health centres.Methods  Participants completed a written consent and an anonymous questionnaire onsite.Main outcome measures  Knowledge and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccination against cervical cancer and participants’ own intention to be vaccinated.Results  About 38% of the participants (n = 527) had heard of HPV and 50% (n = 697) had heard of vaccination against cervical cancer. HPV infection was perceived to be stigmatising and detrimental to intimate, family and social relationships. Despite misconceptions and a grossly inadequate knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination, 88% of the participants (n = 1219) indicated that they would likely be vaccinated. Majority of the participants believed that sexually experienced women should be vaccinated, while 27% opposed vaccinating sexually naive women. Younger age women who perceived a disruptive impact of HPV infection on intimate relationship and their partners’ approval were significantly associated with a positive intention to be HPV vaccinated.Conclusions  The easy acceptability of HPV vaccination among the mostly sexually experienced Chinese participants and their knowledge deficit on the subject may implicate potential misuse of the vaccines and a false sense of security against cervical cancer. There is a dire need for culturally sensitive and tailored education for the public, women of different ages and their partners about HPV and HPV vaccination. Emphasis must be placed on the prophylactic nature of the current vaccines, the uncertain effects when given to sexually experienced women, the importance of adolescent vaccination and the need for continued cervical screening whether vaccinated or not.
Clinical decision‐making in a multidisciplinary gynaecological cancer team: a qualitative study
Authors: Kidger J , Murdoch J , Donovan JL , Blazeby JM 
Published: February 2009

Objective  To explore the factors that influence treatment decision‐making in a gynaecological cancer team (MDT).Design  Qualitative study using interviews and observations.Setting  Gynaecological cancer MDT meetings and participants’ offices.Sample  A gynaecological cancer MDT and members of that team.Methods  Observations of ten MDT meetings and semistructured interviews with 16 team members. Data analysis using the constant comparison technique of grounded theory and ethnography.Main outcome measures  Factors affecting treatment decisions in the MDT meetings.Results  Disease‐centred information was central to decision‐making, whereas patient‐centred factors such as patient choice and co‐morbidity were more peripheral. This was partly due to variation in team members’ type and level of participation: senior clinicians occupied the most dominant roles in discussions and decision‐making, whereas nurses contributed less but were more likely to focus on patient‐related factors. Three main decision‐making pathways emerged: a short discussion followed by a clear decision, a prolonged discussion ending in a definite treatment plan, and a lengthy discussion with no clearly stated decision at the end. The type of pathway followed depended on a case’s complexity and the extent of agreement among team members.Conclusions  The process of treatment decision‐making was not consistent for all women but was affected by factors such as the complexity of the case, which team members participated, and the extent of team members’ agreement. Improvements are needed to ensure patient‐centred information is included for all women and that clear decisions are reached and recorded in all cases.
‘Weighing up and balancing out’: a meta‐synthesis of barriers to antenatal care for marginalised women in high‐income countries
Authors: Downe S , Finlayson K , Walsh D , Lavender T 
Published: February 2009

Background  In high‐resource settings around 20% of maternal deaths are attributed to women who fail to receive adequate antenatal care. Epidemiological evidence suggests many of these women belong to marginalised groups often living in areas of relative deprivation. Reasons for inadequate antenatal attendance have yet to be fully evaluated.Objectives  To identify the factors affecting access to antenatal care for marginalised pregnant women living in developed countries.Search strategy  We included qualitative studies from developed countries published in English language journals (1980–2007).Selection criteria  Qualitative studies exploring the views of marginalised women living in developed countries who either failed to attend for any antenatal care or did so late or irregularly.Data collection and analysis  Eight studies fulfilled the selection criteria and were synthesised in accord with the techniques derived from meta‐ethnography.Main results  Initial access is influenced by late pregnancy recognition and subsequent denial or acceptance. Continuing access appears to depend on a strategy of weighing up and balancing out of the perceived gains and losses. Personal resources in terms of time, money and social support are considered alongside service provision issues including the perceived quality of care, the trustworthiness and cultural sensitivity of staff and feelings of mutual respect.Conclusions  A nonthreatening, nonjudgemental antenatal service run by culturally sensitive staff may increase access to antenatal care for marginalised women. Multiagency initiatives aimed at raising awareness of, and providing access to, antenatal care may also increase uptake.
Start of induction of labour with oxytocin in the morning or in the evening. A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bakker JJ , De Vos R , Pel M , Wisman C , Van Lith JM , Mol BWJ , Van Der Post JA 
Published: February 2009

Objective  The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of induced labour with intravenous oxytocin with a start in the evening versus in the morning.Design  Randomised controlled trial.Setting  Labour wards of three hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.Participants  Women with an indication for induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin.Methods  Included women were randomized to either the evening group with a start of induction of labour at 21:00 hours, or the morning group with a start at 07:00 hours.Main outcome measures  Primary outcome was duration of labour. Secondary outcomes were instrumental delivery rate, adverse neonatal outcome defined as an Apgar score below 7 after 5 minutes, number and indications of paediatric consults and neonatal admissions, duration of second stage, number of intrapartum infections and necessity of pain relief.Results  We randomised 371 women. Mean duration of labour was not significantly different (primiparae: morning 12 hours and 8 minutes versus evening 11 hours and 22 minutes, P value 0.29; multiparae: morning 7 hours and 34 minutes versus evening 7 hours and 46 minutes, P value 0.70). There were no significant differences in instrumental deliveries rates, number of infections or patient satisfaction. Unexpectedly, neonatal outcome was better in women induced in the evening.Conclusion  Induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin in the evening is equally effective as induction in the morning.
The inflammatory response in the MPTP model of Parkinson’s disease is mediated by brain angiotensin: relevance to progression of the disease
Authors: Joglar Belen , Rodriguez‐Pallares Jannette , Rodriguez‐Perez Ana Isabel , Rey Pablo , Guerra Maria Jose , Labandeira‐Garcia Jose Luis 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe neurotoxin MPTP reproduces most of the biochemical and pathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. In addition to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated as a consequence of mitochondrial complex I inhibition, microglial NADPH‐derived ROS play major roles in the toxicity of MPTP. However, the exact mechanism regulating this microglial response remains to be clarified. The peptide angiotensin II (AII), via type 1 receptors (AT1), is one of the most important inflammation and oxidative stress inducers, and produces ROS by activation of the NADPH‐oxidase complex. Brain possesses a local angiotensin system, which modulates striatal dopamine (DA) release. However, it is not known if AII plays a major role in microglia‐derived oxidative stress and DA degeneration. The present study indicates that in primary mesencephalic cultures, DA degeneration induced by the neurotoxin MPTP/MPP+ is amplified by AII and inhibited by AT1 receptor antagonists, and that protein kinase C, NADPH‐complex activation and microglial activation are involved in this effect. In mice, AT1 receptor antagonists inhibited both DA degeneration and early microglial and NADPH activation. The brain angiotensin system may play a key role in the self‐propelling mechanism of Parkinson’s disease and constitutes an unexplored target for neuroprotection, as previously reported for vascular diseases.
N‐terminally truncated BAF57 isoforms contribute to the diversity of SWI/SNF complexes in neurons
Authors: Kazantseva Anna , Sepp Mari , Kazantseva Jekaterina , Sadam Helle , Pruunsild Priit , Timmusk Tõnis , Neuman Toomas , Palm Kaia 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 807–818.AbstractThe SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable, a nucleosome remodeling complex (SWI/SNF) chromatin‐remodelling complexes act upon the nucleosomal structure and regulate transcription, replication, repair of chromatin and splicing. In this study, we present evidence that human, mouse and rat genes encoding one of the SWI/SNF complex subunits, BAF57, undergo neuron‐specific splicing of exons II, III and IV. Alternative splicing yields in at least three isoforms of BAF57 protein that have truncated N‐termini (N‐BAF57s). The transcripts encoding N‐BAF57 isoforms are predominantly expressed in the nervous system. The biochemical fractionation data supported by the results of the co‐immunoprecipitation analysis show that N‐BAF57 isoforms associate into protein complexes together with Brg1, Brm, BAF155 and BAF170. Transient over‐expression of N‐BAF57 isoforms in non‐neural cells affects the level of expression of certain neuron‐restrictive silencer element‐containing genes. Together these data suggest that neuronal isoforms of BAF57 contribute to functional SWI/SNF complexes regulating neurogenesis.
Decrease of reported adverse events to injectable polylactic acid after recommending an increased dilution: 8‐year results from the Injectable Filler Safety study
Authors: Rossner Florian , Rossner Mathias , Hartmann Vanessa , Erdmann Ricardo , Wiest Luitgard G , Rzany Berthold 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBackground  Injectable fillers are widely used in aesthetic medicine. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a semipermanent filler that needs to be diluted with sterile water before injection. PLA has been associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions, specifically nodule formation.Objective  To describe adverse reactions to PLA and potential risk factors based on a partly population‐based registry over an 8‐year period.Methods  The Berlin registry is a partially population‐based registry where dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other specialists are contacted regularly and asked to report patients with adverse events to injectable fillers substances. Additional patients were derived from private practices outside of Berlin. The patients were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. The results were mainly analyzed by descriptive measures.Results  Twenty‐two patients (age, 47.82 ± 12.65 years) with adverse reactions to PLA were included. The most frequent adverse reaction was nodule formation found in all patients. In 13 (59.1%) of the cases, nodule formation was considered to be severe. Nodules appeared after a mean latency period of 6.00 ± 5.84 months. The duration of the adverse reactions until the interview was 14.32 ± 10.13 months. The frequency of patients with adverse events to PLA was found to decrease after new recommendations concerning the dilution of the product were launched.Conclusion  PLA is an injectable filler substance that may cause subcutaneous nodules in treated patients. Our data support a decreased risk of adverse reactions with an increased dilution. However, nodule formation still appears to be a characteristic feature of PLA.
Randomized study comparing the efficacy and tolerance of a lipophillic hydroxy acid derivative of salicylic acid and 5% benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris
Authors: Bissonnette R , Bolduc C , Seité S , Nigen S , Provost N , Maari C , Rougier A 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBackground  New topical treatments for acne vulgaris are needed for patients who have tolerance problems with current treatments.Aims  To compare the efficacy and tolerance of a lipophillic derivative of salicylic acid (lipo hydroxy acid or LHA) containing formulation and 5% benzoyl peroxide in subjects with acne vulgaris.Methods  Eighty subjects with mild to moderate facial acne were randomized to receive either the LHA formulation twice a day or benzoyl peroxide once a day for 12 weeks. Efficacy and tolerance were evaluated at days 0, 28, 56 and 87.Results  LHA formulation and benzoyl peroxide decreased the number of inflammatory lesions from baseline to week 12 by 44% and 47% and noninflammatory lesions by 19% and 23%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments (P = 0.748; P = 0.445).Conclusion  These results suggest that the LHA formulation could be a treatment option to consider in mild to moderate acne vulgaris patients that are intolerant to benzoyl peroxide.
Botulinum toxin cosmetic therapy correlates with a more positive mood
Authors: Lewis Michael B , Bowler Patrick J 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBackground  It has been suggested that botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) treatment for frown lines can also be used as a treatment for depression. A psychological mechanism for this effect is reviewed in which paralysis of the corrugator (frown) muscles leads to less facial feedback for negative emotions. Consequently, a negative affect is harder to maintain and so the person has a more positive mood.Methods  In order to test this mechanism, the mood of patients who had received BTX‐A treatment for glabelar frown lines was measured and compared with patients who had received other cosmetic treatments.Results  The BTX‐A–treated patients showed significantly less negative mood.Conclusion  The results support the facial feedback view that frowning can make one unhappier. Treatments that prevent frowning correlate with reduced negative mood.
Revisiting biothermal effects on erythematous hypertrophic scars during pregnancy
Authors: Nizet J‐Luc , Piérard Gérald E , Quatresooz Pascale 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBackground  Pregnancy is possibly associated with altered wound healing including the development of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring. The management of these lesions may prove to be difficult, and there are no universally accepted treatment protocols.Objective  To assess erythema fading of hypertrophic scars following cold applications.Methods  Skin color was assessed using the Visi‐Chroma VC100® technology following validation of the method. We compared the effects of freezing or cooling hypertrophic scars developed in 45 Caucasian pregnant women. The effects of liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy, hydrogel cooling pads, and thermal contact cushions were compared.Result  This pilot study showed that the three treatment modalities substantially decreased erythema. The thermal contact cushion appeared to be the most effective biothermal means for achieving this effect.Conclusion  Freezing or cooling hypertrophic scars helps reducing erythema of hypertrophic scars. This effect probably results from an inhibitory action exerted on the microvasculature. Data suggest that repeat applications of mild cooling might be more effective than a few short freezing sessions.
Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water‐channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models
Authors: Del Carmen Velazquez Pereda Maria , De Campos Dieamant Gustavo , Eberlin Samara , Nogueira Cecília , Colombi Débora , Di Stasi Luiz Claudio , De Souza Queiroz Mary Luci 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBackground  Green Coffea arabica L. seed oil is being widely used in cosmetic formulations, although its effects on human skin cells are not clear and most observations are unpublished.Aims  In this study, we evaluated the in vitro effects of green coffee (C. arabica L.) oil (GCO) on the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and in the release of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) by human skin fibroblasts. We also investigated the ability of GCO to increase aquaglycerolporins‐3 (AQP‐3) mRNA expression in cultured keratinocytes and human skin explants.Methods  Human fibroblasts were incubated for 48 h with several GCO concentrations (3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/mL). The levels of growth factors and extracellular matrix compounds in the culture supernatant were measured using commercial kits. To evaluate AQP‐3 relative expression, using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, keratinocytes were incubated for 3–6 h with the GCO optimal concentration of 25.0 mg/mL. Histological sections of human skin were also incubated with GCO (25.0 mg/mL) and immunostained by antiserum against AQP‐3.Results  Our results demonstrated that incubation with GCO produces a dose‐dependent stimulation in the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and GAG, in addition to increasing the release of the growth factors TGF‐β1 and GM‐CSF. GCO also induced the expression of AQP‐3 mRNA, which reached levels up to 6.5‐fold higher than those of the control cultures.Conclusion  The findings presented herein suggest that GCO might improve physiological balance in the skin, thus allowing the formation of new connective tissue, and preventing epidermis dryness by increasing AQP‐3 levels. Taking into account the limitations of in vitro studies, it is encouraging in this context to consider CGO as an adjuvant to be used in dermocosmetic formulations. Clinical studies are in progress in our laboratory aiming to further investigate the protective effects of CGO in the skin.