bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in gender ratios support the connection between smoking and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Morozova Natalia , O'Reilly Eilis J. , Ascherio Alberto 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSmokers have a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), but this association could simply be the result of a common factor causing both PD and aversion to smoking. Smoking behavior in industrialized nations has changed dramatically over the second half of the 20th century, with diverging patterns in male and female smoking rates. We therefore examined whether PD incidence changed concomitantly, as would be expected if smoking truly reduced PD risk. We performed a PUBMED search to identify relevant studies reporting male and female age‐specific prevalence or incidence of PD in different countries. For each country and birth cohort we then estimated the male to female ratio in PD incidence, and correlated these ratios with the corresponding male to female ratios in smoking behavior obtained from national statistics. We show that the relative frequency of PD among women declines when the proportion of women smoking increases. The strength of this correlation (r = 0.28; P = 0.0002) is comparable to the opposite trend observed for lung cancer, and supports an overall 74% reduction in risk of PD among smokers. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that smoking reduces the risk of PD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale in essential tremor: A population‐based study in three Spanish communities
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Benito‐León Julián , Bermejo‐Pareja Félix 
Published: May 2008

AbstractEssential tremor (ET) is associated with both functional disability and depression. Each could contribute to a poor sense of well‐being and low morale. We hypothesized that morale would be lower in ET cases than controls. Using a population‐based, cross‐sectional design, morale was assessed in 187 ET cases and 561 matched controls living in three communities in central Spain using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) (range = 0 [low morale]–17), which included three‐dimensions of psychological well‐being: agitation, lonely dissatisfaction, and attitude toward own aging. The PGCMS score was lower in ET cases than controls (9.41 ± 3.21 vs. 10.39 ± 2.92, P < 0.001), as were the Agitation subscore (3.17 ± 1.71 vs. 3.78 ± 1.67, P< 0.001) and Lonely Dissatisfaction subscore (3.75 ± 1.34 vs. 4.02 ± 1.24, P < 0.05). Nearly one‐half of the ET cases were classified as having low morale compared with only one‐third of controls (P = 0.006). In a linear regression analysis adjusting for demographic factors and multiple comorbid conditions, ET cases had a lower log PGCMS score than controls (P < 0.001). Exclusion of participants on antidepressant medication did not change the results. Our results indicate that morale is significantly lower in community‐dwelling ET cases than in matched controls. This lower morale could in part be a proxy for mild, untreated depression. It therefore seems important to detect and then possibly treat this problem to improve the psychological well‐being of patients with this disease. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Push and release test predicts better Parkinson fallers and nonfallers than the pull test: Comparison in OFF and ON medication states
Authors: Valkovič Peter , Brožová Hana , Bötzel Kai , Růžička Evžen , Benetin Ján 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the Pull Test—Retropusion Test and the Push and Release Test (P&R) as regards their ability to predict Parkinson (PD) fallers and nonfallers in relation to their medication state. Eighty‐two PD patients participated in the study. Fallers (N = 36) and nonfallers (N = 46) were grouped on the basis of their fall history. Fallers were those who had fallen at least once within the last 6 months. The two groups were compared on the basis of the patients' performance in the Pull and the P&R tests, both in their “OFF” and “ON” medication state. The overall accuracy of the classification of PD patients as fallers and nonfallers was determined by means of binomial logistic regression (BLR) and the analysis of the “area under the receiver operating characteristics curve” (AUC). In the OFF medication state, the statistical analysis revealed that the Pull Test was accurate (methods BLR (AUC)) in 85.4% (0.87) of cases and the P&R Test in 86.6% (0.90). In the ON medication state, the Pull Test was only 76.8% (0.78) accurate, while the P&R Test was 87.8% (0.87) accurate. Both clinical tests are valid and relatively equivalent when assessing patients in their OFF medication state; however, the P&R Test is more accurate than the Pull Test in the ON state. This indicates that it is more widely applicable in clinical practice. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Agents used for chemoprevention of prostate cancer may influence PSA secretion independently of cell growth in the LNCaP model of human prostate cancer progression
Authors: Peternac Daniel , Klima Irena , Cecchini Marco G. , Schwaninger Ruth , Studer Urs E. , Thalmann George N. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory growth effects of different potential chemopreventive agents in vitro and to determine their influence on PSA mRNA and protein expression with an established screening platform.METHODSLNCaP and C4‐2 cells were incubated with genistein, seleno‐l‐methionine, lycopene, dl‐alpha‐tocopherol, and trans‐beta‐carotene at three different concentrations and cell growth was determined by the MTT assay. PSA mRNA expression was assessed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and secreted PSA protein levels were quantified by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay.RESULTSGenistein, seleno‐l‐methionine and lycopene inhibited LNCaP cell growth, and the proliferation of C4‐2 cells was suppressed by seleno‐l‐methionine and lycopene. PSA mRNA expression was downregulated by genistein in LNCaP but not C4‐2 cells. No other compound tested altered PSA mRNA expression. PSA protein expression was downregulated by genistein, seleno‐l‐methionine, dl‐alpha‐tocopherol in LNCaP cells. In C4‐2 cells only genistein significantly reduced the secretion of PSA protein.CONCLUSIONSIn the LNCaP progression model PSA expression depends on the compound, its concentration and on the hormonal dependence of the cell line used and does not necessarily reflect cell growth or death. Before potential substances are evaluated in clinical trials using PSA as a surrogate end point marker, their effect on PSA mRNA and protein expression has to be considered to correctly assess treatment response by PSA. Prostate 68:1307–1318, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translationally regulated C/EBPβ isoform expression upregulates metastatic genes in hormone‐independent prostate cancer cells
Authors: Kim Myoung H. , Field Jerrel 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDC/EBPβ is a transcription factor regulating key biological processes including cellular growth and differentiation and its increased expression correlates with tumor invasiveness. Recently, the increased expression of C/EBPβ was reported in proliferative inflammatory atrophy of the prostate, associating with increased COX‐2 expression and androgen receptor (AR) downregulation.METHODSC/EBPβ expression was determined in DU‐145, PC‐3 and LNCaP cells by immunoblotting. Transient transfection of C/EBPβ expression vectors was performed to investigate translational regulation of its isoform expression. Reporter gene analysis was performed to investigate transcriptional activity of C/EBPβ on metastatic gene expression.RESULTSWe determined that transcriptionally active, full‐length C/EBPβ isoforms were dominantly expressed in hormone‐independent DU‐145 and PC‐3 cells, while transcription‐repressing truncated isoform was dominant in hormone‐dependent LNCaP cells. Our results further showed lack of full‐length isoform expression from the transiently transfected C/EBPβ expression vector in LNCaP cells compared to that in PC‐3 cells transfected with the same vector, while the expression of truncated isoform was comparable in both cell lines. Interestingly, however, the most upstream initiation site A null mutation restored translation of full‐length isoform in LNCaP cells. These results suggest that full‐length C/EBPβ isoform expression in LNCaP cells may be suppressed at the upstream initiation sites, likely at site A. Most importantly, C/EBPβ overexpression significantly upregulated promoter activities of IL‐8, COX‐2, and anti‐apoptotic Bfl‐1 genes.CONCLUSIONSOur study demonstrates that C/EBPβ is an important transcription factor upregulating metastatic gene expression and that its isoform expression is differentially regulated at the translational level in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 68:1362–1371, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of prostate efferent neurotrasmission by amikacin
Authors: Gardi Mario , Nigro Filippo , Ragazzi Eugenio , Sacco Emilio , Volpe Andrea , Totaro Angelo , Pinto Francesco , Bassi Pierfrancesco 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDIt has been suggested that manipulation of the autonomic nerve supply to the prostate leads to loss of functional and structural integrity of the gland, and that these changes may be useful in treating prostatic diseases. This study investigates the effect of amikacin on prostate efferent neurotransmission in vitro, in both rat and human prostate samples.METHODSProstate samples, obtained from male Wistar rats and 8 patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia, were studied by measurement of isometric contraction induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), noradrenalin, carbachol, serotonin and ATP, in the presence or absence of amikacin 10−3 M in a low‐Ca medium.RESULTSAmikacin significantly reduced EFS‐induced contraction of isolated rat and human prostate samples by 45 ± 6.5% (P < 0.01) and 47 ± 6% (P < 0.01), respectively. Contraction was restored after addition of calcium chloride 2 × 10−3 M. Amikacin‐induced relaxation in rat prostate samples was greater than the effect of magnesium and weaker than those of prazosin and verapamil, but comparable in extent with the latter. No significant effect was observed on rat prostate contractile response to noradrenaline as to ATP in the presence of amikacin. Rat prostate contraction to carbachol and serotonin was inhibited by 35 ± 11% (P < 0.05) and 59 ± 11.7% (P < 0.01), respectively, after addition of amikacin 10−3 M.CONCLUSIONSAmikacin reduces in vitro both rat and human prostate contraction elicited by pre‐junctional stimulation, but does not affect prostate contraction evoked by post‐junctional stimulation. Our results indicate that amikacin affects prostatic efferent neurotransmission. Prostate 68:1330–1335, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The variable sampling rate X̄ control charts for monitoring autocorrelated processes
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chang , Chou Chao‐Yu 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRecent studies demonstrated that the adaptive X̄ control charts are more efficient than fixed parmeters (FP) X̄ control chart from statistical and economic criteria. The usual assumption for designing a control chart is that the observations from the process are independent. However, for many processes, such as chemical processes, consecutive measurements are often highly correlated, especially when the interval between samples is small. In the present paper, the observations are modeled as an AR(1) process plus a random error, and the properties of the variable sampling rate (VSR) X̄ charts are evaluated and studied under this model. Based on the study, the VSR X̄ chart is faster than the FP, variable sampling interval and variable sample size X̄ control charts in detecting mean shifts. However, when the level of autocorrelation is high or the process mean shift is large, the advantage of the VSR X̄ chart is reduced. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The meaning of stress from schoolchildren's perspective
Authors: Kostenius Catrine , Öhrling Kerstin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractResearching schoolchildren's lived experiences of stress was seen in this article as a holistic approach to stress research. The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of stress from schoolchildren's perspective. A total of 23 Swedish schoolchildren, aged 10–12 years, wrote open letters and were interviewed. The phenomenological–hermeneutical analysis resulted in five themes: being out of time; being less than one can be; being run by others; being in a fleeing, fighting body; and being lifted to excel. This updated understanding of the meaning of stress for schoolchildren included an emerged focus on their being caught in life's challenges. These challenges included a lack of freedom and time, as well as an opportunity for potential growth. Our understanding of the schoolchildren's lived experiences of stress may be used to facilitate the development of early stress intervention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legalising norms of democracy in the Americas
Authors: HAWKINS DARREN , SHAW CAROLYN 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWhy have states legalised international norms promoting domestic democracy in some regions of the world? This issue poses a difficult puzzle because standard assumptions about state preferences for sovereignty make the creation of strong, binding international rules on democracy unlikely. We identify four possible answers: the interests of powerful states, common government interests in domestic policy lock-in, the absence of fears that powerful states will use the rules to intervene unilaterally in domestic affairs, and the robustness of pre-existing norms. We explore our argument by applying it to the Organization of American States (OAS), a fairly unlikely organisation for the strong legalisation of international rules. Our findings suggest that legalisation of democracy is quite difficult to achieve. State interests in locking in democratic benefits and state power – even hegemonic power – are necessary but insufficient. An important set of new democracies attempted legalisation in the 1950s, yet failed. The United States, as strong a regional hegemon as ever, attempted further legalisation in 2005, yet failed. Motives and power must be accompanied by low fears of unilateral intervention and high levels of norm robustness in order to produce results.
Beyond standards before status: democratic governance and non-state actors
Authors: GARDNER ANNE-MARIE 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAre international standards of democratic governance applied to sub-state actors as well as to states? By examining the international response to self-determination claims, this article demonstrates that the international community does indeed hold sub-state groups accountable to such standards. Claimant groups that have internalised human rights and democratic norms are more likely to receive international support in the form of empowerment (promoting some form of self-governance). Through a comparison of the Kosovars’ quest for self-determination with the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians’ claim, the article suggests that ‘standards before status’ is neither unique to Kosovo nor a deviation from the pre-1999 international response to that claim.
Canadian content regulations and the formation of a national scene
Authors: Henderson Scott 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis article addresses the ongoing impact of Canadian Content Regulations as applied to commercial radio. While commercial broadcasters have repeatedly called for a relaxation of the regulations in response to the changing music industry, particularly the increased impact of the Internet, it is possible to demonstrate that the regulations have had a positive impact on Canadian listening habits. An examination of the ‘national’ charts provided by Last.fm, a website that tracks users’ listening habits, shows that Canadian users listen to Canadian tracks in excess of the amounts currently regulated for radio. Commercial broadcasters’ claims that the regulations prevent them from competing fairly with new technology thus run counter to such evidence. As official charts, and hence commercial playlists are still reliant on older modes of tracking music, via in-store purchases, an incomplete picture of the current state of the industry exists, and it is this picture that seems to shape the claims made by the commercial industry. Additionally, this paper explores the rise of a successful Canadian ‘scene’, spearheaded by bands such as Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, that demonstrates the impact of policy in creating a national music culture that is confident enough to no longer have to be explicitly Canadian, either sonically or lyrically. Cancon regulations would appear to have aided in situating Canadian acts comfortably within a wider music culture within Canada.
Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Low Transverse Cesarean Section
Authors: Olsen Margaret A. , Butler Anne M. , Willers Denise M. , Devkota Preetishma , Gross Gilad A. , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: May 2008

Background.Independent risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean section have not been well documented, despite the large number of cesarean sections performed and the relatively common occurrence of SSI.Objective.To determine independent risk factors for SSI after low transverse cesarean section.Design.Retrospective case-control study.Setting.Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,250-bed tertiary care hospital.Patients.A total of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section during the period from July 1999 to June 2001.Methods.Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for SSI or wound complication and/or data on antibiotic use during the surgical hospitalization or at readmission to the hospital or emergency department, we identified potential cases of SSI in a cohort of patients who underwent a low transverse cesarean section. Cases of SSI were verified by chart review using the definitions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Control patients without SSI or endomyometritis were randomly selected from the population of patients who underwent cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI were determined by logistic regression.Results.SSIs were identified in 81 (5.0%) of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI included development of subcutaneous hematoma after the procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 4.1–33.2]), operation performed by the university teaching service (aOR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.4–5.2]), and a higher body mass index at admission (aOR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0–1.1]). Cephalosporin therapy before or after the operation was associated with a significantly lower risk of SSI (aOR, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.5]). Use of staples for skin closure was associated with a marginally increased risk of SSI.Conclusions.These independent risk factors should be incorporated into approaches for the prevention and surveillance of SSI after surgery.
Using inferred residue contacts to distinguish between correct and incorrect protein models
Authors: Miller Christopher S. , Eisenberg David 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Motivation: The de novo prediction of 3D protein structure is enjoying a period of dramatic improvements. Often, a remaining difficulty is to select the model closest to the true structure from a group of low-energy candidates. To what extent can inter-residue contact predictions from multiple sequence alignments, information which is orthogonal to that used in most structure prediction algorithms, be used to identify those models most similar to the native protein structure?
Results: We present a Bayesian inference procedure to identify residue pairs that are spatially proximal in a protein structure. The method takes as input a multiple sequence alignment, and outputs an accurate posterior probability of proximity for each residue pair. We exploit a recent metagenomic sequencing project to create large, diverse and informative multiple sequence alignments for a test set of 1656 known protein structures. The method infers spatially proximal residue pairs in this test set with good accuracy: top-ranked predictions achieve an average accuracy of 38% (for an average 21-fold improvement over random predictions) in cross-validation tests. Notably, the accuracy of predicted 3D models generated by a range of structure prediction algorithms strongly correlates with how well the models satisfy probable residue contacts inferred via our method. This correlation allows for confident rejection of incorrect structural models.
Availability: An implementation of the method is freely available at http://www.doe-mbi.ucla.edu/services
Contact: david@mbi.ucla.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fecundity of Northeast Atlantic spurdog (Squalus acanthias)
Authors: Ellis Jim R. , Keable Jennie 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Ellis, J. R., and Keable, J. 2008. Fecundity of Northeast Atlantic spurdog (Squalus acanthias). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 979–981. A large catch of mature, female spurdog (Squalus acanthias) was made on 22 November 2005 in the Irish Sea. Examination of a subsample of 202 of these fish (82–117-cm total length, L) indicated that 28% were carrying near-term pups, 70% year one pups, and 1% candles. Uterine fecundity (F) for those fish that were not considered to have aborted pups (n = 179) ranged from 3 to 21 and increased with total length, where F = 0.428 L−31.87. The upper limits of these fecundity estimates are the highest recorded for spurdog in the Northeast Atlantic. These data are discussed in relation to previously published fecundity estimates and the possibility of a density-dependent increase in fecundity.
Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise?
Authors: Kjærsgaard Jens , Frost Hans 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Kjærsgaard, J., and Frost, H. 2008. Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1203–1215. A complex bioeconomic model is used to study the economic and biological consequences of establishing a marine protected area (MPA). The model is a multispecies age-structured bioeconomic model that treats days at sea and number of vessels, for different fleets fishing inside and outside the protected area, as endogenous variables. A simulation applies an adaptive investment rule that determines fleet size from year to year, and an optimization procedure provides a benchmark for a profit-maximizing solution over time. In contrast to most conventional studies on MPAs, fishing within the protected area is possible. Moreover, the stock is not divided between inside and outside the protected area, although the abundance of different age classes in each area differs. Therefore, the economic and biological impacts of fishing inside or outside are different. The North Sea flatfish fishery is used as a case study, so the analysis is particularly relevant because North Sea flatfish regulation is currently under revision.