bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of condom use in a sample of MSM in Ecuador
Authors: Gutiérrez Juan-Pablo , Molina-Yepez Diana , Morrison Ken , Samuels Fiona , Bertozzi Stefano M 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
In Ecuador, the prevalence of HIV in the general population is approximately 0.3%. However, up to 17% prevalence has been reported among specific groups of homosexual and bisexual men. The objective of this study is to explore correlates of condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM) across eight cities in Ecuador.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey design was used. A questionnaire including variables on sexual behaviour, demographics, and socio-economic characteristics was distributed to a sample of MSM in eight Ecuadorian cities.

Results
Information was obtained for 2,594 MSM across the eight cities. The largest subcategory of self-identification was active bisexuals (35%), followed by those who described themselves as "hombrados" (masculine gays, 22%). The mean age was 25 years, and the majority were unmarried (78%), with a median of 10 years of schooling (IQR 7 – 12). Regarding condom use, 55% of those interviewed had unprotected penetrative sex with each of their last three partners, and almost 25% had never used a condom. The most important correlates of condom use were single status, high life-skills rating, and high socio-economic status (RP 5.45, 95% CI 4.26 – 6.37; RP 1.84, 95% CI 1.79 – 1.86, and RP 1.20, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.31, respectively).

Conclusion
Our data illustrate the urgent need for targeted HIV-prevention programs for MSM populations in Ecuador. MSM have the highest HIV prevalence in the country, and condom use is extremely low. It is imperative that prevention strategies be re-evaluated and re-prioritized to more effectively respond to the Ecuadorian epidemic.
A cluster-randomized educational intervention to reduce inappropriate prescription patterns for elderly patients in general practice – The Prescription Peer Academic Detailing (Rx-PAD) study [NCT00281450]
Authors: Straand Jørund , Fetveit Arne , Rognstad Sture , Gjelstad Svein , Brekke Mette , Dalen Ingvild 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundAge-related alterations in metabolism and excretion of medications increase the risk of adverse drug events in the elderly. Inappropriate polypharmacy and prescription practice entails increased burdens of impaired quality of life and drug related morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this trial is to evaluate effects of a tailored educational intervention towards general practitioners (GPs) aimed at supporting the implementation of a safer drug prescribing practice for elderly patients ≥ 70 years.Methods/designApproximately 80 peer continuing medical education (CME) groups (about 600 GPs) in southern Norway will be recruited to a cluster randomized trial. Participating groups will be randomized either to an intervention- or a control group. The control group will not receive any intervention towards prescription patterns in elderly, but will be the target of an educational intervention for prescription of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections. A multifaceted intervention has been tailored, where key components are educational outreach visits to the CME-groups, work-shops, audit and feedback. Prescription Peer Academic Detailers (Rx-PADs), who are trained GPs, will conduct the educational outreach visits. During these visits, a set of quality indicators (QIs), i.e. explicit recommendations for safer prescribing for elderly patients, will be presented and discussed. Software will be handed out for installation in participants' practice computers to enable extraction of pre-defined prescription data. These data will subsequently be linked to corresponding data from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD). Individual feedback reports will be sent all participating GPs during and one year after the intervention. Feedback reports will include QI-scores on individual- and group levels, before and after the intervention. The main outcome of this trial is the change in proportions of inappropriate prescriptions (QIs) for elderly patients ≥ 70 years following intervention, compared to baseline levels.DiscussionImprovement of prescription patterns in medical practice is a challenging task. Evidence suggests that a thorough evaluation of diagnostic indications for drug treatment in the elderly and/or a reduction of potentially inappropriate drugs may impose significant clinical benefits. Our hypothesis is that an educational intervention program will be effective in improving prescribing patterns for elderly patients in GP settings.
A QTL on rat chromosome 7 modulates prepulse inhibition, a neuro-behavioral trait of ADHD, in a Lewis x SHR intercross
Authors: Vendruscolo Leandro Franco , Terenina-Rigaldie Elena , Raba Frantz , Ramos André , Takahashi Reinaldo Naoto , Mormède Pierre 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a substantial genetic component. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), considered as a good animal model of ADHD, also show less anxiety-like behaviors than Lewis (LEW) rats. The use of these inbred rat strains led us to the mapping of two quantitative trait loci (QTL), named Ofil1 (on chromosome 4) and Ofil2 (on chromosome 7), related to locomotion in the central and aversive area of an open field. Herein, we examined whether LEW and SHR rats differ in the acoustic startle reflex, a test used to study the neurobiology of anxiety, and in the prepulse inhibition of the startle response, which is known to be impaired in ADHD patients. The effect of the two aforementioned loci on these behavioral responses was also studied.

Methods
For this latter purpose, rats deriving from an F2 intercross between the LEW and SHR strains were selected according to their genotype at markers flanking the QTLs and bred to obtain lines of rats homozygous LEW/LEW or SHR/SHR for each of the two loci, thus generating 4 genotypic combinations.

Results
The SHR rats displayed decreased startle and prepulse inhibition levels when compared to LEW rats. Ofil2 affected prepulse inhibition in female rats only.

Conclusion
The results suggest that the LEW and SHR strains are appropriate for studying mechanisms of sensorimotor gating and indicate that the locus Ofil2 on rat chromosome 7 contain genes controlling prepulse inhibition, a neuro-behavioral trait of ADHD.
The time-course of a scrapie outbreak
Authors: McIntyre K Marie , Gubbins Simon , Goldmann Wilfred , Stevenson Emily , Baylis Matthew 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Because the incubation period of scrapie has a strong host genetic component and a dose-response relationship, it is possible that changes will occur during an outbreak, especially in the genotypes of cases, age-at-onset of disease and, perhaps, the clinical signs displayed. We investigated these factors for a large outbreak of natural scrapie, which yielded sufficient data to detect temporal trends.

Results
Cases occurred mostly in two genotypes, VRQ/VRQ and VRQ/ARQ, with those early in the outbreak more likely to be of the VRQ/VRQ genotype. As the epidemic progressed, the age-at-onset of disease increased, which reflected changes in the genotypes of cases rather than changes in the age-at-onset within genotypes. Clinical signs of cases changed over the course of the outbreak. As the epidemic progressed VRQ/VRQ and VRQ/ARQ sheep were more likely to be reported with behavioural changes, while VRQ/VRQ sheep only were less likely to be reported with loss of condition.

Conclusion
This study of one of the largest scrapie outbreaks in the UK allowed investigation of the effect of PrP genotype on other epidemiological parameters. Our analysis indicated that, although age-at-onset and clinical signs changed over time, the observed changes were largely, but not exclusively, driven by the time course of the PrP genotypes of cases.
Pathological and physiological functions of presenilins
Authors: Vetrivel Kulandaivelu S , Zhang Yun-wu , Xu Huaxi , Thinakaran Gopal 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Mutations in PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes account for the majority of cases of early-onset familial Alzheimer disease. Since the first prediction of a genetic link between PSEN1 and PSEN2 with Alzheimer's disease, many research groups from both academia and pharmaceutical industry have sought to unravel how pathogenic mutations in PSEN cause presenile dementia. PSEN genes encode polytopic membrane proteins termed presenilins (PS1 and PS2), which function as the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, an intramembrane protease that has a wide spectrum of type I membrane protein substrates. Sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by BACE and γ-secretase releases highly fibrillogenic β-amyloid peptides, which accumulate in the brains of aged individuals and patients with Alzheimer's disease. Familial Alzheimer's disease-associated presenilin variants are thought to exert their pathogenic function by selectively elevating the levels of highly amyloidogenic Aβ42 peptides. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, several recent studies have linked PSEN1 to familiar frontotemporal dementia. Here, we review the biology of PS1, its role in γ-secretase activity, and discuss recent developments in the cell biology of PS1 with respect to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
Halofuginone inhibits NF-κB and p38 MAPK in activated T cells
Authors: Leiba M , Cahalon L , Shimoni A , Lider O , Zanin-Zhorov A , Hecht I , Sela U , Vlodavsky I , Nagler A 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Halofuginone, a low molecular weight plant alkaloid, inhibits collagen α1 (I) gene expression in several animal models and in patients with fibrotic disease, including scleroderma and graft-versus-host disease. In addition, halofuginone has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor progression. It was demonstrated recently that halofuginone inhibits transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an important immunomodulator. The present study was undertaken to explore the effects of halofuginone on activated T cells. Peripheral blood T cells were activated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in the absence and presence of halofuginone and assessed for nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), T cell apoptosis, chemotaxis, and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was applied to investigate the effect of halofuginone on T cells in vivo. Preincubation of activated peripheral blood T cells with 10–40 ng/ml halofuginone resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in NF-κB activity (80% inhibition following incubation with 40 ng halofuginone, P=0.002). In addition, 40 ng/ml halofuginone inhibited secretion of TNF-α, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and TGF-β (P&lt;0.005). Similarly, halofuginone inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and apoptosis in activated T cells (P=0.0001 and 0.005, respectively). In contrast, T cell chemotaxis was not affected. Halofuginone inhibited DTH response in mice, indicating suppression of T cell-mediated inflammation in vivo. Halofuginone inhibits activated peripheral blood T cell functions and proinflammatory cytokine production through inhibition of NF-κB activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. It also inhibited DTH response in vivo, making it an attractive immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory agent.
IFN-α promotes definitive maturation of dendritic cells generated by short-term culture of monocytes with GM-CSF and IL-4
Authors: Dauer Marc , Schad Katharina , Junkmann Jana , Bauer Christian , Herten Jan , Kiefl Rosemarie , Schnurr Max , Endres Stefan , Eigler Andreas 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) generated in vitro have to be viable and phenotypically mature to be capable of inducing T cell-mediated immunity after in vivo administration. To facilitate optimization of DC-based vaccination protocols, we investigated whether the cytokine environment and the mode of activation affect maturation and survival of DC derived from monocytes by a short-term protocol. Monocytes cultured for 24 h with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4 were stimulated with proinflammatory mediators for another 36 h to generate mature DC. Additional activation with CD40 ligand and interferon (IFN)-γ increased viability of DC and promoted definitive maturation as defined by maintenance of a mature phenotype after withdrawal of cytokines. Addition of IFN-α to DC cultures prior to stimulation further enhanced definitive maturation: IFN-α-primed DC expressed high levels of costimulatory molecules and CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) up to 5 days after cytokine withdrawal. Compared with unprimed DC, IFN-α-primed DC displayed equal capacity to migrate upon CCR7 ligation and to prime antigen-specific T helper cell as well as cytolytic T cell responses. In conclusion, we show that optimal maturation and survival of monocyte-derived DC require multiple activation signals. Furthermore, we identified a novel role for IFN-α in DC development: IFN-α priming of monocytes promotes definitive maturation of DC upon activation.
Protection by Ziziphora clinopoides of acetic acid-induced toxic bowel inflammation through reduction of cellular lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity
Authors: Ghafari H , Yasa N , Mohammadirad A , Dehghan G , Zamani M J , Nikfar S , Khorasani R , Minaie B , Abdollahi M 
Published: June 2006

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. We were interested in examining the effect of a total extract from Ziziphora clinopoides, an Iranian folk herbal medicine, in the prevention and control of experimental mouse IBD. Z. clinopoides was administered (75, 150, 300 mg/kg) through drinking water to mice, which dispensed a toxic dose of acetic acid intrarectally. Prednisolone was used as the standard drug for comparison. Biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the colon were performed. Biochemical evaluation of the inflamed colon was carried out using assays of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) as indicators of free radical activity and cellular lipid peroxidation. Results indicated that the activity of MPO and lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) increased in acetic acidtreated groups, while recovered by pretreatment of animals with Z. clinopoides (75-300 mg/kg) and prednisolone. All doses of Z. clinopoides and prednisolonetreated groups showed significant lower score values of macroscopic and microscopic characters when compared to the acetic acid-treated group. The beneficial effect of Z. clinopoides (300 mg/kg) was comparable to that of prednisolone. It is concluded that Z. clinopoides inhibits acetic acid toxic reactions in the mouse bowel through inhibition of cellular oxidative stress. Proper clinical investigation should be carried out to confirm the same activity in human.
Does Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Worsen Anemia in Early Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide?
Authors: Papaldo Paola , Ferretti Gianluigi , Di Cosimo Serena , Giannarelli Diana , Marolla Paolo , Lopez Massimo , Cortesi Enrico , Antimi Mauro , Terzoli Edmondo , Carlini Paolo , Vici Patrizia , Botti Claudio , Di Lauro Luigi , Naso Giuseppe , Nisticò Cecilia , Mottolese Marcella , Di Filippo Franco , Ruggeri Enzo Maria , Ceribelli Anna , Cognetti Francesco 
Published: June 2006

Purpose We report on the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on hemoglobin (Hb) value in early breast cancer patients receiving high-dose epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) adjuvant treatment. Methods Five hundred and six stage I or stage II female breast cancer patients were treated with E 120 mg/m2 and C 600 mg/m2 with or without G-CSF and randomly assigned to receive in a factorial 2 × 2 design: EC; EC + lonidamine; EC + G-CSF; EC + lonidamine + G-CSF. Five consecutive G-CSF schedules tested 100 randomly assigned patients each: (1) 480 μg subcutaneously on days 8 to 14; (2) 480 μg on days 8, 10, 12, 14; (3) 300 μg on days 8 to 14; (4) 300 μg on days 8, 10, 12, and 14; and (5) 300 μg on days 8 and 12. The mean Hb level of 246 patients receiving EC plus G-CSF was compared with that of 240 patients receiving EC alone. The data presented are derived from an exploratory hypothesis-generating analysis. Results The EC dose intensity did not statistically differ between the G-CSF and the control arm. From the third cycle onward, the mean Hb value resulted significantly lower in G-CSF arm compared with control at each time point of each cycle (P < .0001). No statistically significant difference in the mean Hb level was observed between schedule 5 and control. Of interest, from the second course onward, the mean Hb level tended to be lower in patients receiving seven or four G-CSF injections compared with those patients who received only two injections. Conclusion Our data suggest that a G-CSF dose-related effect may play a role in worsening anemia in patients receiving adjuvant EC.
Predictive and Prognostic Value of Peripheral Blood Cytokeratin-19 mRNA-Positive Cells Detected by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Xenidis Nikos , Perraki Maria , Kafousi Maria , Apostolaki Stella , Bolonaki Irene , Stathopoulou Aliki , Kalbakis Kostas , Androulakis Nikos , Kouroussis Charalambos , Pallis Thanos , Christophylakis Charalambos , Argyraki Katerina , Lianidou Evi S. , Stathopoulos Stathis , Georgoulias Vassilis , Mavroudis Dimitris 
Published: June 2006

Purpose To evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of peripheral blood cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive cells in axillary lymph node–negative breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 167 node-negative breast cancer patients before the initiation of any systemic adjuvant therapy, and was analyzed for the presence of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells using a real time polymerase chain reaction assay. The association with known prognostic factors and the effect of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells on patients' prognosis was investigated. Results CK-19 mRNA-positive cells were detected in the blood of 36 (21.6%) of the 167 patients. There was no correlation between the detection of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood and the various known pathologic and clinical prognostic factors; only overexpression of HER2 receptor (score 2+/3+) on the primary tumor was associated with a higher incidence of CK-19 mRNA-positive cell detection (P = .033). Multivariate analysis revealed that detection of peripheral blood CK-19 mRNA-positive cells was associated with early clinical relapse (P < .00001) and disease-related death (P = .008). Conclusion Detection of peripheral-blood CK-19 mRNA-positive cells is an independent predictive and prognostic factor for reduced disease-free interval and overall survival, respectively, in node-negative breast cancer patients.
Postoperative Radiotherapy for Stage II or III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database
Authors: Lally Brian E. , Zelterman Daniel , Colasanto Joseph M. , Haffty Bruce G. , Detterbeck Frank C. , Wilson Lynn D. 
Published: June 2006

Purpose To investigate the association between survival and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with resected non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we selected patients with stage II or III NSCLC who underwent a lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Only those patients coded as receiving PORT or observation were included. To account for perioperative mortality, we excluded patients who survived less than 4 months. As a result of our inclusion criteria, we selected a total of 7,465 patients, with a median follow-up time of 3.5 years for patients still alive. Results Predictors for the use of PORT included age less than 50 years, higher American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, T3-4 tumor stage, larger tumor size, advanced node stage, greater number of lymph nodes involved, and a ratio of lymph nodes involved to lymph nodes sampled approaching 1.00. On multivariate analysis, older age, T3-4 tumor stage, N2 node stage, male sex, fewer sampled lymph nodes, and greater number of involved lymph nodes had a negative impact on survival. The use of PORT did not have a significant impact on survival. However, in subset analysis for patients with N2 nodal disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.855; 95% CI, 0.762 to 0.959; P = .0077), PORT was associated with a significant increase in survival. For patients with N0 (HR = 1.176; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.376; P = .0435) and N1 (HR = 1.097; 95% CI, 1.015 to 1.186; P = .0196) nodal disease, PORT was associated with a significant decrease in survival. Conclusion In a population-based cohort, PORT use is associated with an increase in survival in patients with N2 nodal disease but not in patients with N1 and N0 nodal disease.
Targeted Inhibition of Farnesyltransferase in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: A Phase I and II Trial of Tipifarnib Plus Dose-Dense Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Sparano Joseph A. , Moulder Stacy , Kazi Aslamuzzaman , Vahdat Linda , Li Tianhong , Pellegrino Christine , Munster Pam , Malafa Mokenge , Lee David , Hoschander Shira , Hopkins Una , Hershman Dawn , Wright John J. , Sebti Said M. 
Published: June 2006

Purpose To determine the recommended phase II dose (RPTD) of the farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitor tipifarnib when combined with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) in patients with advanced breast cancer, the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate after preoperative treatment with four cycles of the combination in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), and the effect of tipifarnib on primary tumor FTase enzyme activity in vivo. Patients and Methods Thirty-two patients with metastatic breast cancer (n = 11) or LABC (n = 21) received AC (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) administered intravenously on day 1 plus tipifarnib (100, 200, or 300 mg bid for 6 to 14 days) without (n = 2) or with (n = 30) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for up to four cycles. Patients with LABC underwent surgery after up to four cycles of the combination. Results When combined with AC every 2 weeks plus G-CSF, the RPTD of tipifarnib was 200 mg bid administered on days 2 to 7. Seven (33%) of 21 patients (95% CI, 15% to 55%) with LABC treated with up to four cycles of the combination at the RPTD had a pCR in the breast at surgery. The five patients had serial biopsies that demonstrated at least 50% FTase enzyme inhibition in the primary tumor (median, 100%; range, 55% to 100%) after tipifarnib. Conclusion Tipifarnib may be safely combined with dose-dense AC using a dose and schedule that significantly inhibits FTase enzyme activity in human breast cancer in vivo and may enhance the pCR rate after four cycles of preoperative dose-dense AC.