bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BPH progression: concept and key learning from MTOPS, ALTESS, COMBAT, and ALF‐ONE
Authors: Roehrborn Claus G. 
Published: February 2008

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a significant burden in ageing men due to frequently associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which may impair quality of life. BPH is also a progressive disease, mainly characterized by a deterioration of LUTS over time, and in some patients by the occurrence of serious outcomes such as acute urinary retention (AUR) and need for BPH‐related surgery. The goals of therapy for BPH are not only to improve bothersome LUTS but also to identify those patients at risk of unfavourable outcomes, to optimize their management.In selected patients, combination of an α1‐blocker and a 5α‐reductase inhibitor is the most effective form of BPH medical therapy to reduce the risk of clinical progression and relieve LUTS. Monotherapy also significantly reduces the risk of BPH clinical progression, mainly through a reduction of LUTS deterioration for α1‐blockers while 5α‐reductase inhibitors also reduce the risk of AUR and need for BPH‐related surgery.Enlarged prostate and high serum prostate‐specific antigen levels have been consistently found to be good clinical predictors of AUR and BPH‐related surgery in longitudinal population‐based studies and placebo arms of controlled studies. High post‐void residual urine (PVR) is also associated with an increased risk of LUTS deterioration and should thus be reconsidered in practice as a predictor of BPH progression. Conversely, baseline LUTS severity and low peak flow rate, initially identified as predictors of unfavourable outcomes in community setting, behave paradoxically in controlled trials, probably as a consequence of strict inclusion criteria and subsequent regression to the mean and glass ceiling effects. Lastly, there is increasing evidence that dynamic variables, such as LUTS and PVR worsening, and lack of symptomatic improvement with α1‐blockers are important predictors of future LUTS/BPH‐related events, allowing better identification and management of patients at risk of BPH progression.
Overview of obesity in Mainland China
Authors: Chen C. M. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis overview describes the study of obesity issues over the last 8 years in Mainland China. A disease risk‐based body mass index classification for Chinese adults was developed and verified by the results of the 2002 China Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey. Age and gender‐specific BMI cut‐offs for Chinese children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were also developed. As the first step in the obesity control effort, the public health implications of the prevalence of overweight and obesity were set out and publicized by the government of China. The overweight prevalence in 2002 was 22.8% and for obesity 7.1%, these having increased by 40.7% and 97.2%, respectively, since 1992. In children, dramatic increases in overweight/obesity have occurred with a two‐ to threefold increase in Beijing and Shanghai between 1985 and 1995; the prevalence of overweight plus obesity in 7‐ to 12‐year‐old boys approached 29% in 2000 and in girls 15–17%. The rapid development of overweight/obesity in China will undoubtedly push up the prevalence of chronic disease. The relative risk for adult hypertension and diabetes in the overweight and obese populations was 2–5 in 2002. In adolescents, the relative risk of hypertension in the overweight was 3.3 and in the obese 3.9, with a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in the obese Chinese children of whom 90.5% had evidence of abdominal obesity. Even the overweight group had 15.8% with abdominal obesity. Based on the population attributable risks of overweight and obesity in 2002 and data on the direct medical costs of hypertension, diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease, 25% of these comorbidity costs could be attributed to overweight and obesity. As the improvement in linear growth of young children is usually slower than their improvements in weight during the economic development of China, the long‐term adult implications of having a problem of ‘Stunted obesity’ rather than simple obesity in young children are raised. Analysis of the associations between adult obesity with the individuals' fetal and early nutrition highlights the need for further investigation.
Obesity pandemic, correlated factors and guidelines to define, screen and manage obesity in Taiwan
Authors: Pan W.‐H. , Lee M.‐S. , Chuang S.‐Y. , Lin Y.‐C. , Fu M.‐L. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity and associated chronic diseases has increased rapidly in Taiwan. Data from three consecutive Nutrition and Health surveys in Taiwan show that obesity prevalence has tripled for elementary school boys and doubled for girls since 1993–1996. About one‐third of boys (15.5% and 14.7% for overweight and obesity, respectively) and one‐quarter of girls were either overweight (14.4%) or obese (9.1%) in 2001–2002. For adults, obesity prevalence rates defined by body mass index ≥27 kg m−2increased from 10.5% in men and 13.2% in women in the 1993–1996 survey, to around 17% in 2005. Prevalence of overweight was around 20% in 1993–1996 for both men or women, and increased to 30% in 2005 for men. No change was found in women. The underprivileged regions usually had higher prevalence of obesity and associated diseases. Scientific bases for Taiwan obesity definition are set out together with the screening and management plans. High‐calorie intake was associated with obesity in young children (grades 1–2), but not in older children and adults. Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle‐related variables were associated with obesity in men and older boys. In addition, good dietary quality was associated with a lower risk of obesity independent of energy intake in elderly Taiwanese. More research is needed to find effective determinants and public health measures for obesity, and concerted efforts are required to combat this rising health problem.
Economic burden of obesity‐related chronic diseases in Mainland China
Authors: Zhao W. , Zhai Y. , Hu J. , Wang J. , Yang Z. , Kong L. , Chen C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe objectives of the present study are: (i) to estimate annual direct medical costs of chronic diseases attributable to overweight and obesity among adults in China and (ii) to predict the medical costs if the epidemic continues developing. Using 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey (n = 39 834), the prevalence of overweight [24 ≥ body mass index (BMI) < 28] and obesity (BMI ≥ 28), and population attributable risks (PARs) for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke were calculated. The 2003 third National Health Services Survey (n = 143 521) was used to derive direct medical costs including costs for outpatient visits, physician services, inpatient stays, rehabilitation services, nursing fees and medications. The medical costs attributable to overweight and obesity were estimated by multiplying the disease costs by PAR for each disease. The total medical cost attributable to overweight and obesity was estimated at 21.11 billion Yuan (RMB) (∼$2.74 billion) accounting for 25.5% of the total medical costs for the four chronic diseases, or 3.7% of national total medical costs in 2003. The medical cost associated with overweight and obesity could increase to 37 billion Yuan (RMB) (∼$4.8 billion), a 75% increase, if the epidemic developed speedily and the ratio of overweight to obesity approached 1.1:1. The high economic burden of overweight and obesity suggests an urgent need to develop effective interventions for controlling the obesity epidemic and consequently the prevention of chronic diseases.
The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity and the epidemic changes in 1985–2000 for Chinese school‐age children and adolescents
Authors: Ji C.‐Y. ,   Cooperative Study on Childhood Obesity: Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC)
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis paper describes the nationwide prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity in Chinese urban population. Data sets of boys and girls aged 7–18 yrs were collected from the series of Chinese national surveillance on students' constitution and health between 1985 and 2000 were divided into five socioeconomic groups, while WGOC BMI‐reference was used as definitions of overweight and obesity. In 2000, the prevalence of childhood obesity/overweight in the coastal big cities, followed by that of the coastal middle/small cities, had reached the average level of the developed countries. The prevalence of obesity was low in most of the inland cities at an early stage of epidemic overweight. The epidemic manifested a gradient distribution in groups, which was closely related to socioeconomic status of the populations. A dramatic and steady increasing trend was witnessed among all sex‐age subgroups in these urban groups, and the increments in obesity/overweight are exceptionally high in recent 5 years, and the prospect of epidemic obesity in China is in no way optimistic. Preventive program should be focused on the improvement of the balance between caloric intake and energy expenditure, and interventions aimed at changing children's life styles.
Dietary habits, physical activity and obesity in Hong Kong residents
Authors: Chow C. C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryRecent data from the Hong Kong Population Health Survey 2003/04 commissioned by the Department of Health estimate that 17.8% of the population aged 15 and above are overweight (BMI 23.0–24.9 kg/m2) and 21.1% are obese (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2). Similar to many industrialized societies, it is generally believed that chronic positive energy balance as a consequence of excess energy intake (energy dense processed food typically high in fat, protein and refined carbohydrates with a low fiber content) together with a sedentary life is the main culprit. Against this background, a territory‐wide ‘EatSmart@school.hk’ campaign (http://www.eatsmart.gov.hk) organized by the Department of Health, with support from academic institutes and voluntary organizations, has been commissioned since November 2005. So far several important guidelines have been published including the ‘Nutritional Guidelines on Lunch Box / Snacks for Primary School Students’. We certainly welcome a long term vision and a direction from policy makers relating to a population and public health approach to obesity. The prevention of obesity requires a review of dietary and physical activity habits and then measures to change our habits in a practical and reliable way.
Occupational and Job Mobility in the US*
Authors: Moscarini Giuseppe , Thomsson Kaj 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe propose a new methodology to measure worker mobility across occupations and jobs in the US, building on the limited longitudinal dimension of monthly CPS data. For the period 1979–2006, we find that about 3.5% of male workers employed in two consecutive months report different three‐digit occupations. This rate is procyclical, mildly rising in the 1980s and falling after 1995. We also revise upward current estimates of aggregate job‐to‐job mobility since 1994, from 2.7% to 3.2% of employment per month. Despite extreme similarity of average levels and time‐series behavior, occupational and job mobility are only weakly correlated.
Public Employment and the Business Cycle*
Authors: Quadrini Vincenzo , Trigari Antonella 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe add a public employment sector to the basic search and matching model in order to study the business cycle impact of public wage and employment policies. The government is assumed to follow exogenous rules for public wages and employment calibrated to match some cyclical features of US policies. These features include a positive public wage premium and mildly procyclical public wages and employment. We find that the presence of the public sector increases the volatility of employment and output.
Labor Market Dynamics and the Business Cycle: Structural Evidence for the United States*
Authors: Ravn Morten O. , Simonelli Saverio 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe use a 12‐dimensional VAR to examine the aggregate effects of two structural technology shocks and two policy shocks. For each shock, we examine the dynamic effects on the labor market, the importance of the shock for labor market volatility, and the comovement between labor market variables and other key aggregate variables in response to the shock. We document that labor market indicators display “hump‐shaped” responses to the identified shocks. Technology shocks and monetary policy shocks are important for labor market volatility but the ranking of their importance is sensitive to the VAR specification. The conditional correlations at business cycle frequencies are similar in response to the four shocks, apart from the correlations between hours worked, labor productivity and real wages. To account for the unconditional correlations between these variables, a mixture of shocks is required.
Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Karkar Islanders
Authors: Ricaut F. X. , Thomas T. , Arganini C. , Staughton J. , Leavesley M. , Bellatti M. , Foley R. , Mirazon Lahr M. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWe analyzed 375 base pairs (bp) of the first hypervariable region (HVS‐I) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and intergenic COII/tRNALys 9‐bp deletion from 47 Karkar Islanders (north coast of Papua New Guinea) belonging to the Waskia Papuan language group. To address questions concerning the origin and evolution of this population we compared the Karkar mtDNA haplotypes and haplogroups to those of neighbouring East Asians and Oceanic populations. The results of the phylogeographic analysis show grouping in three different clusters of the Karkar Islander mtDNA lineages: one group of lineages derives from the first Pleistocene settlers of New Guinea‐Island Melanesia, a second set derives from more recent arrivals of Austronesian speaking populations, and the third contains lineages specific to the Karkar Islanders, but still rooted to Austronesian and New Guinea‐Island Melanesia populations. Our results suggest (i) the absence of a strong association between language and mtDNA variation and, (ii) reveal that the mtDNA haplogroups F1a1, M7b1 and E1a, which probably originated in Island Southeast Asia and may be considered signatures of Austronesian population movements, are preserved in the Karkar Islanders but absent in other New Guinea‐Island Melanesian populations. These findings indicate that the Karkar Papuan speakers retained a certain degree of their own genetic uniqueness and a high genetic diversity. We present a hypothesis based on archaeological, linguistic and environmental datasets to argue for a succession of (partial) depopulation and repopulation and expansion events, under conditions of structured interaction, which may explain the variability expressed in the Karkar mtDNA.
HPA‐axis activity as a predictor of future disruptive behaviors in young adolescents
Authors: Sondeijker Frouke E.P.L. , Ferdinand Robert F. , Oldehinkel Albertine J. , Tiemeier Henning , Ormel Johan , Verhulst Frank C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLow HPA‐axis activity has been proposed as a risk factor for disruptive behaviors. However longitudinal data on this topic are practically lacking. In the present study we investigated if low HPA‐axis activity predicted future disruptive behaviors. We included 1,399 boys and girls from the Dutch general population, initially aged 10–12 years. At the first assessment, basal cortisol levels were assessed. At the first assessment and at follow‐up 2 years later disruptive behaviors were assessed with parent and self‐report questionnaires. The results suggest that the association between low cortisol levels at 8.00 p.m. and future disruptive behaviors according to the parents was only present for boys. More importantly however, the results suggest that low HPA‐axis activity is not a good predictor for disruptive behaviors, but could be valuable to identify those with a poor prognosis, once disruptive behaviors are present in preadolescence.
Oxidative stress and protein oxidation in the brain of water drinking and alcohol drinking rats administered the HIV envelope protein, gp120
Authors: Singh Ashok K. , Gupta Shveta , Jiang Yin 
Published: February 2008

J. Neurochem. (2008) 104, 1478–1493.AbstractPossible roles of oxidative stress and protein oxidation on alcohol‐induced augmentation of cerebral neuropathy in gp120 administered alcohol preferring rats drinking either pure water (W rats) or a free‐choice ethanol and water (E rats) for 90 days. This study showed that peripherally administered gp120 accumulated into the brain, liver, and RBCs samples from water drinking – gp120 administered rats (Wg rats) and ethanol drinking – gp120 administered rats (Eg rats), although gp120 levels in samples from Eg rats were significantly greater than the levels in samples from Wg rats. The brain samples from ethanol drinking‐saline administered (EC) and Wg rats exhibited comparable levels of free radicals that were significantly lower than the levels in Eg rats. Peroxiredoxin‐I (PrxI) activity in the brain samples exhibited the following pattern: Wg ≫ ≫ WC ≫ EC > Eg. Total protein‐carbonyl and carbonylated hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein levels, but not N‐acetylaspartate or N‐acetyl aspartylglutamate or total protein‐thiol levels, paralleled the free radical levels in the brain of all four groups. This suggests PrxI inhibition may be more sensitive indicator of oxidative stress than measuring free radicals or metabolites. As PrxI oxidation in WC, Wg, and EC rats was reversible, while PrxI oxidation in Eg rats was not, we suggest that alcohol drinking and gp120 together hyperoxidized and inactivated PrxI that suppressed free radical neutralization in the brain of Eg rats. In conclusion, chronic alcohol drinking, by carbonylating and hyperoxidizing free radical neutralization proteins, augmented the gp120‐induced oxidative stress that may be associated with an increase in severity of the brain neuropathy.
Assessment of coronary blood flow and the reactivity of the microcirculation non‐invasively with transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Kiviniemi Tuomas 
Published: February 2008

SummaryBackground:  The development in ultrasound technology has allowed the use of non‐invasive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for the study of coronary artery physiology and pathophysiology. TTE can be used to detect atherosclerotic changes in epicardial coronary arteries and to study the effects of specific interventions on coronary microcirculation.Aim:  The purpose of this review was to summarize the development of TTE, and outweigh the strenghts and weaknesses of the method for the evaluation of coronary artery blood flow. Moreover, findings from clinical trials studying microcirculatory reactivity using TTE are presented.Conclusions:  TTE is a feasible and reproducible method for the evaluation of coronary artery blood flow. It can also be used in assessing the vasodilation of the epicardial coronary artery simultaneously with flow velocity measurement during the cold pressor test and coronary flow velocity reserve assessment. It is specifically suitable for repeated measurements in interventional trials.
Changes in activities of daily living during treatment of late‐life depression*
Authors: SAITO Haruna , ICHIKAWA Kaori , NOMIYAMA Tetsuo , TATSUMI Nobuo , WASHIZUKA Shinsuke , HANIHARA Tokiji , AMANO Naoji 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground:  Patients with late‐life depression often exhibit cognitive deficits or disability. The relationship between late‐life depression and disability is an area of significance for geriatric psychiatry. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between changes in the severity of depression and activities of daily living (ADL) during treatment of late‐life depression.Methods:  We examined the severity of depression, cognitive function and ADL among 70 subjects aged 65 years or older with a history or a current episode of major depression. Examination with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham‐D), the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Barthel Index (BI) and the Hyogo Activities of Daily Living Scale (HADLS) were performed twice at an interval of approximately 1 month. All patients were receiving drug therapy for their depression.Results:  Participants presented with varied depressive severity on the Ham‐D and a slight cognitive deficit on the MMSE; approximately 60% had at least one problem on the HADLS. Between baseline and the follow‐up examination, significant improvements were noted in Ham‐D, MMSE and HADLS scores, but not the BI score. The correlations between the Ham‐D and ADL scores were significant at baseline and at the follow up examinations. In a multiple regression analysis, the difference in follow‐up and baseline scores on the Ham‐D contributed significantly to that of HADLS.Conclusions:  The present study demonstrates that many patients with late‐life depression have some problems with ADL and that a substantial improvement in ADL occurs in association with temporal improvement of depressive severity among subjects with late‐life depression.
Effects of Surgical and Endoscopic Electrocautery on Modern‐Day Permanent Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Systems
Authors: CHENG ALAN , NAZARIAN SAMAN , SPRAGG DAVID D. , BILCHICK KENNETH , TANDRI HARIKRISHNA , MARK LYNETTE , HALPERIN HENRY , CALKINS HUGH , BERGER RONALD D. , HENRIKSON CHARLES A. 
Published: February 2008

Background: Current guidelines recommend that all implanted pacemakers (PPM) and defibrillators (ICD) be interrogated before and after every invasive procedure. The ability of newer devices to withstand system malfunction or failure during surgery/endoscopy remains unknown.
Objective: To determine the frequency of PPM or ICD malfunction from periprocedural electrocautery.
Methods: Ninety‐two consecutive individuals referred for evaluation of a PPM or ICD system prior to noncardiac surgery/endoscopy were enrolled. Devices were preoperatively programmed to a “monitor only” zone to allow for detection of electromagnetic interferences (EMIs). Pacing parameters were maintained without disabling rate responsiveness. The devices were fully interrogated again after surgery. Correlations of inappropriate EMI sensing were made with reference to the distance from the site of electrocautery application to the device system.
Results: All devices withstood periprocedural EMI exposure without malfunction or changes in programming. Minor changes in lead parameters were noted. Three device systems demonstrated brief atrial mode switching episodes, one of which was likely secondary to inappropriate sensing of atrial noise
. Two pacemaker devices demonstrated inappropriate sensing of ventricular noise, both of which occurred when the application of electrocautery was within close proximity to the pacemaker generator (<8 cm). No ventricular sensed events were noted in any ICD system.
Conclusions: EMIs during noncardiac surgical/endoscopic procedures pose little threat to current device systems. Rare occasions of inappropriate sensing by devices can be seen in situations where the application of unipolar electrocautery is in close proximity of the system. Routine postsurgical interrogation of PPM or ICDs may not be necessary.