bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endometriosis Is Associated With Prevalence of Comorbid Conditions in Migraine
Authors: Tietjen Gretchen E. , Bushnell Cheryl D. , Herial Nabeel A. , Utley Christine , White Leah , Hafeez Faizan 
Published: May 2007

Objective.—To examine the headache characteristics of women with migraine and endometriosis (EM), and differences in the prevalence of comorbid conditions between female migraineurs with EM, without EM and nonheadache controls.Background.—Migraine and EM are common conditions in women of reproductive age, and both are influenced by ovarian hormones. The comorbidity of migraine and EM is newly recognized, but reasons for the association are uncertain.Methods.—This is a cross‐sectional study of female headache outpatients and healthy controls conducted at University of Toledo and Duke University in 2005 and 2006. After a headache specialist determined headache frequency and diagnosis (based on criteria of the second International Classification of Headache Disorders), patients completed a self‐administered electronic survey with information on demographics, headache‐related disability, menstrual disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), vascular event risk, and comorbid conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), interstitial cystitis (IC), depression, and anxiety.Results.—Study enrolled 171 women with migraine and 104 controls. EM was reported more commonly in migraineurs than in controls (22% vs 9.6%, P < .01). Frequency of chronic headache was higher in migraineurs with EM compared to without EM (P= .002) and median headache‐related disability scores were also higher in the EM group (P= .025). Symptoms of PMDD were more common in migraineurs, but frequency did not differ by EM status. Migraineurs with EM reported more menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility compared to the migraine cohort without EM and to controls. Depression, anxiety, IBS, FM, CFS, and IC were more common in migraine with EM group than in controls. Anxiety (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–4.7), IC (OR = 10.6, 95% CI 1.9‐56.5), and CFS (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.5) were more common in migraine with EM group, than in the cohort with migraine without EM.Conclusion.—Prevalence of EM is higher in women with migraine than in nonheadache controls. Migraineurs with EM have more frequent and disabling headaches, and are more likely to have other comorbid conditions affecting mood and pain, compared to migraineurs without EM.
Nebivolol and Metoprolol for Treating Migraine: An Advance on β‐Blocker Treatment?
Authors: Schellenberg Rudiger , Lichtenthal Albert , Wöhling Heike , Graf Christine , Brixius Klara 
Published: May 2007

Objective.— To evaluate the efficacy of oral treatment with nebivolol and metoprolol in the prophylaxis of migraine attacks.Background.— β‐Blockers such as propranolol and metoprolol are known to be effective in preventing migraine attacks. Following earlier observations of successful use of nebivolol in a few hypertensive patients with concomitant migraine, we conducted a prospective study to ascertain whether nebivolol would be effective and better tolerated, in a methodologically strict, randomized and double‐blind setting.Design and Methods.— Randomized, double‐blind study in 30 patients with confirmed migraine diagnosis, a minimum 1‐year history, onset prior to 50 years of age, written records of attacks for the previous 3 months, and minimum 2 attacks per month. Primary endpoint was frequency of attacks (prevention of migraine attacks) in the final 4 weeks of a 14‐week treatment on full dose of metoprolol and nebivolol. Secondary endpoints were time to therapeutic effect, duration of attacks, intensity of headache, consumption of analgesics, evaluation of accompanying symptoms, migraine disability assessment, clinical global impression, quality of life, and responder rates. The statistical analysis was prospectively planned and conducted for all randomized patients.Results.— Both metoprolol and nebivolol where similarly effective regarding the main endpoint (prevention of migraine attacks) as well as the secondary ones, and both had a fast onset of action, typically within 4 weeks from starting therapy, with responder rates increasing relatively little over time after the first 4 weeks. Use of acute pain medication decreased on both drugs, as well as accompanying symptoms. Both patients' and physicians' evaluations of disability and disease status were similarly favorable to the 2 treatments. Regarding safety, nebivolol was considerably better tolerated than metoprolol in terms of all reported events, treatment‐related events, and event severity.Conclusions.— Our results suggest that nebivolol is as effective as metoprolol in the prophylaxis of migraine attacks, with the advantages of being better tolerated and not requiring up‐titration to achieve therapeutic levels. Further and larger trials should be conducted on nebivolol in the prevention of migraine attacks as it may provide an improvement in current migraine prophylaxis with β‐blockers.
College Student Alcohol Consumption, Day of the Week, and Class Schedule
Authors: Wood Phillip K. , Sher Kenneth J. , Rutledge Patricia C. 
Published: May 2007

Background: For many college students, Friday class schedules may contribute to weekend‐like drinking behaviors beginning on Thursday. This study characterizes college students' daily alcohol consumption patterns and the relation between Thursday drinking and Friday classes overall and for specific vulnerable groups.Methods: A sample of 3,341 volunteer participants was drawn from 3,713 eligible first‐time undergraduates (56% female, 90% non‐Hispanic white). Eligible participation rates ranged from 66.5 to 74.0% across follow‐ups; 90% contributed data at for least one follow‐up. Precollege survey and web‐based surveys administered in the fall and spring semesters across 4 years of college were merged with student academic transcripts and university academic schedules at a large Midwestern public university. The main outcome measures included past 7‐day self‐reports of drinking behavior for each of 8 semesters.Results: Excessive drinking on Thursday, relative to other weekdays, was found and was moderated by Friday class schedule: hierarchical linear models indicated that students with no Friday classes drank approximately twice as much on Thursdays as students with early Friday classes (i.e., mean drinks=1.24 for students with early Friday class vs 2.41 for students with no Friday class). Students who had classes beginning at 12 pm. or later consumed similar amounts as those with no Friday classes (M=2.52). The magnitude of the Friday class effect was comparatively larger among males and among those who were members of the Greek system or participated in Greek activities. Ancillary analyses based on the subset of students who showed within‐subject variability in Friday classes across semesters (i.e., had both early and late or no Friday classes) produced findings similar to those based on the entire sample. Little evidence was found for compensatory drinking on Friday and Saturday among those with early Friday classes.Conclusions: Rates and amounts of alcohol consumption on Thursday are high, although they appear to be influenced by the presence and timing of Friday classes. Friday classes, especially those before 10 am, may reduce excessive drinking. Controlled institutional interventions are suggested to provide definitive research on the causal status of these ostensibly strong effects. This research provides a strong rationale for conducting such research.
Systematic Review of Driving Risk and the Efficacy of Compensatory Strategies in Persons with Dementia
Authors: Man‐Son‐Hing Malcolm , Marshall Shawn C. , Molnar Frank J. , Wilson Keith G. 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether persons with dementia are at greater driving risk and, if so, to estimate the magnitude of this risk and determine whether there are efficacious methods to compensate for or accommodate it.DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature.SETTING: Case‐control studies.PARTICIPANTS: Drivers with a diagnosis of dementia.MEASUREMENTS: Most studies used state and caregiver reported crash rates, performance‐based road tests, and driving simulator evaluations as their outcome measures.RESULTS: Twenty‐three studies were included. Drivers with dementia universally exhibited poorer performance on road tests and simulator evaluations, although only one study using an objective measure of motor vehicle crashes was able to show that drivers with dementia were involved in more crashes than control subjects. No studies were found that examined the efficacy of methods to compensate for or accommodate their worse driving performance.CONCLUSION: Drivers with dementia are poorer drivers than cognitively normal drivers, but studies have not consistently demonstrated higher crash rates. Clinicians and policy makers must take these findings into account when addressing issues pertinent to drivers with a diagnosis of dementia.
The Benefits and Costs of Inequality for the Advantaged and Disadvantaged*
Authors: Albrecht Don E. , Albrecht Scott G. 
Published: May 2007

Objectives. To test theoretical models intended to improve our understanding of the consequences of increased inequality for advantaged and disadvantaged populations.Methods. The 5 percent PUMS (Public Use Microdata Sample) data from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing were analyzed using a variety of ANOVA and regression techniques.Results. It was found that in geographic areas where inequality levels were high, individuals with low levels of education earn lower incomes than equally educated individuals in areas where inequality levels were lower. Similarly, in high‐inequality areas, individuals employed in low‐paying industries, who were not married, and who were minority earned lower incomes than individuals with similar characteristics in low‐inequality areas. The data clearly show that as the level of inequality increases, the benefits of being advantaged and the costs of being disadvantaged both increase.Conclusions. Support was found for both theoretical models tested in this study. As the extent of inequality increases in the United States, it is apparent from this study that the life chances of disadvantaged individuals diminish and are largely determined by the accident of their birth.
Social Insurance Expansion and Political Regime Dynamics in Europe, 1880–1945*
Authors: Kim Wonik 
Published: May 2007

Objectives. This article analyzes the causal relationship between political regime dynamics and social insurance expansion. I theorize that the social insurance expansion is the result of the ruling elites' strategic decision about regime change to dispel revolutionary motives. The key testable implication is that social insurance expansion is more likely to happen under a democratic regime, which, in turn, is influenced by the threat of social revolution evinced by strike activities.Methods. Using historical data on social insurance coverage from 12 European countries from 1880 to 1945, I test the hypothesis employing a treatment‐effects model that endogenizes democratization.Results. I find a positive association between social insurance expansion and democracy, controlling for other political mechanisms. Furthermore, I find that democratic transition is greatly influenced by the duration and intensity of strikes.Conclusion. This study suggests that social insurance expansion requires a link between a threat of revolution and democratization.
Criteria Air Pollution and Marginalized Populations: Environmental Inequity in Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona*
Authors: Grineski Sara , Bolin Bob , Boone Christopher 
Published: May 2007

Objectives. Our objective is to examine spatial relationships between modeled criteria air pollutants (i.e., nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, and ozone) and sociodemographics in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Modeled air pollution offers environmental justice researchers a new and robust data source for representing chronic environmental hazards.Methods. We used multiple regression equations to predict criteria pollution levels using sociodemographic variables at the Census block group level.Results. We find that Census block groups with lower neighborhood socioeconomic status, higher proportions of Latino immigrants, and higher proportions of renters are exposed to higher levels of criteria air pollutants. Proportion African American, however, is not a significant predictor of criteria air pollution in the Phoenix metro area.Conclusions. These findings demonstrate clear social‐class and ethnic‐based environmental injustices in the distribution of air pollution. We attribute these patterns to the role of white privilege in the historical and contemporary development of industrial and transportation corridors in Phoenix in relation to racially segregated neighborhoods. Although all people are implicated in the production of criteria pollutants, lower‐income and ethnic‐minority residents are disproportionately exposed in metropolitan Phoenix.
Estimating Missing Values from the General Social Survey: An Application of Multiple Imputation*
Authors: Penn David A. 
Published: May 2007

Objectives. Most researchers who use survey data must grapple with the problem of how best to handle missing information. This article illustrates multiple imputation, a technique for estimating missing values in a multivariate setting.Methods. I use multiple imputation to estimate missing income data and update a recent study that examines the influence of parents' standard of living on subjective well‐being. Using data from the 1998 General Social Survey, two ordered probit models are estimated: one using complete cases only, and the other replacing missing income data with multiple imputation estimates.Results. The analysis produces two major findings: (1) parents' standard of living is more important than suggested by the complete cases model, and (2) using multiple imputation can help reduce standard errors.Conclusions. Multiple imputation allows a researcher to use more of the available data, thereby reducing biases that may occur when observations with missing data are simply deleted.
Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Shocks Increase T‐Wave Alternans
Authors: LAMPERT RACHEL , SOUFER ROBERT , McPHERSON CRAIG A. , BATSFORD WILLIAM P. , TIRADO STEPHANIE , EARLEY CHRISTINE , GOLDBERG ANNA , SHUSTERMAN VLADIMIR 
Published: May 2007

Introduction: While implantable defibrillator shocks save lives, shock can lead to ventricular arrhythmias. However, the mechanism of shock‐related proarrhythmia remains unclear. We evaluated the impact of ICD shock on repolarization instability, a factor associated with ventricular arrhythmogenesis. Methods and Results: Sixty‐five patients with ICDs underwent ambulatory ECG monitoring during defibrillation testing 3 months postimplant. TWA was analyzed continuously in the time domain during baseline, sedated, and post‐shock states. RR, QRS, and QT intervals and catecholamines were also measured continuously. Adequate pre‐ and post‐shock Holter data were recorded in 55 patients, 48 male, mean 64 ± 12 years, 50 with coronary disease, 48 with prior spontaneous or induced arrhythmia. TWA significantly increased after shock, from 9.6 ± 0.5 to 11.9 ± 0.6 μV, as did QRS duration, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels, compared with sedated and baseline states. RR intervals decreased minimally. TWA changes with shock were not associated with RR or QRS duration changes, but were associated with changes in epinephrine. Conclusions: ICD shock, even in the sedated state, increases repolarization instability as measured by TWA, an effect mediated in part by sympathetic stimulation. This association between shock and TWA may have important mechanistic and clinical implications for optimization of defibrillation therapy.
Avoidance of Right Ventricular Pacing in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Improves Right Ventricular Hemodynamics in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: LEE KATHY L. , BURNES JOHN E. , MULLEN THOMAS J. , HETTRICK DOUGLAS A. , TSE HUNG‐FAT , LAU CHU‐PAK 
Published: May 2007

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) applied by pacing the left and right ventricles (BiV) has been shown to provide synchronous left ventricular (LV) contraction in heart failure patients. CRT may also be accomplished through synchronization of a properly timed LV pacing impulse with intrinsically conducted activation wave fronts. Elimination of right ventricular (RV) pacing may provide a more physiological RV contraction pattern and reduce device current drain. We evaluated the effects of LV and BiV pacing over a range of atrioventricular intervals on the performance of both ventricles. Methods: Acute LV and RV hemodynamic data from 17 patients with heart failure (EF = 30 ± 1%) and a wide QRS (138 ± 25 msec) or mechanical dyssynchrony were acquired during intrinsic rhythm, BiV, and LV pacing. Results: The highest LV dP/dtmax was achieved during LV pre‐ (LV paced prior to an RV sense) and BiV pacing, followed by that obtained during LV post‐pacing (LV paced after an RV sense) and the lowest LV dP/dtmax was recorded during intrinsic rhythm. Compared with BiV pacing, LV pre‐pacing significantly improved RV dP/dtmax (378 ± 136 mmHg/second vs 397 ± 136 mmHg/second, P < 0.05) and preserved RV cycle efficiency (61.6 ± 14.6% vs 68.6 ± 11.4%, P < 0.05) and stroke volume (6.6 ± 4.4 mL vs 9.0 ± 6.3 mL, P < 0.05). Based on LV dP/dtmax, the optimal atrioventricular interval could be estimated by subtracting 30 msec from the intrinsic atrial to sensed RV interval. Conclusions: Synchronized LV pacing produces acute LV and systemic hemodynamic benefits similar to BiV pacing. LV pacing at an appropriate atrioventricular interval prior to the RV sensed impulse provides superior RV hemodynamics compared with BiV pacing.
Biventricular Pacing and QT Interval Prolongation
Authors: BHATIA ATUL , NANGIA VIKRAM , SOLIS JOAQUIN , DHALA ANWER , SRA JASBIR , AKHTAR MASOOD 
Published: May 2007

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine BiV pacing‐dependent changes in QT interval and the related potential for proarrhythmia. Biventricular (BiV) pacing has emerged as a promising therapy for patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) and bundle branch block (BBB). Methods and Results: One hundred and seventy‐six consecutive patients (123 men and 53 women; mean age 67 ± 16 years) with ischemic (n = 128) or nonischemic (n = 48) cardiomyopathy in New York Heart Association Class II (8%) or III (92%) CHF (ejection fraction 24 ± 9%) underwent atrial synchronous BiV pacing. The QRS, QT, and JT intervals were measured at 30 minutes after initiation of BiV pacing, at 24 hours, and at 1 month postimplant. QT interval was defined as the time interval between the initial deflection of the QRS complex and the point at which the T wave crossed the isoelectric line. At baseline, the average QRS duration was 178 ± 10 ms, attributable to left BBB (n = 158) or intraventricular conduction delay (n = 18). BiV pacing resulted in a small but statistically significant reduction in QRS duration (148 ± 9 ms during BiV pacing vs 178 ± 10 ms at baseline [P < 0.0001]), yet the QT increased to 470 ± 34 ms with BiV pacing versus 445 ± 32 ms at baseline [P < 0.0001]). The JTc interval during BiV pacing was significantly shorter than during LV pacing (290 ± 9 ms vs 320 ± 20 ms, P < 0.0001). During a mean follow‐up of 24 ± 6 months, one patient developed recurrent torsade de pointes. That was eliminated once left ventricular pacing was discontinued. Conclusion: Biventricular pacing prolongs QT interval. However, the occurrence of torsade de pointes is uncommon.
Pseudomycetoma caused by Microsporum canis in an immunosuppressed patient: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Berg Jena C. , Hamacher Kirsten L. , Roberts Glenn D. 
Published: May 2007

Background:  A 65‐year‐old woman with a history of liver and kidney transplantation presented with a pruritic and tender rash of 2‐year duration on her left knee.Methods:  The patient had a physical examination, and multiple skin biopsies were performed.Results:  Examination showed a cluster of dome‐shaped, violaceous papules. A skin biopsy specimen showed multiple granules containing basophilic material within the superficial to mid dermis. The grains were embedded in an eosinophilic substance and surrounded by granulomatous inflammation. A Gomori methenamine silver stain showed abundant septate hyphae, and cultures grew colonies of Microsporum canis. A diagnosis of dermatophytic granuloma, or pseudomycetoma, was made. After considering the patient’s immune status, a prolonged course of fluconazole was initiated.Conclusion:  Microsporum canis, a frequently encountered zoophilic dermatophyte associated with tinea capitis and tinea corporis, is rarely associated with a mycetoma‐like presentation, grain formation, or systemic infection. The medical literature describes only six cases of M. canis causing mycetoma‐like formations in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. This case report describes an unusual presentation of a common dermatophyte infection, and the literature review summarizes the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of dermatophyte infections. Such infections may warrant more aggressive treatment in immunocompromised patients.
The Etiological Role of Allogeneic Fetal Rejection in Pre‐Eclampsia
Authors: Nishizawa Haruki , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Suzuki Machiko , Kamoshida Shingo , Kato Takema , Saito Kuniaki , Tsutsumi Yutaka , Kurahashi Hiroki , Udagawa Yasuhiro 
Published: May 2007

ProblemIt has been demonstrated that allogeneic fetal rejection in normal pregnancy is prevented by placental indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO). Further, an immunological etiology has been implicated in pre‐eclampsia.Method of studyWe examined the differences in placental IDO activity between normal and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies.ResultsIDO mRNA expression and enzyme activity levels in the placenta were low in patients with severe pre‐eclampsia. The enzyme activity also inversely correlates with the blood pressure of the patients. In the placentas from severe pre‐eclampsia, IDO immunoreactivity was low, whereas regional T‐cell infiltration was observed reciprocally proportional to the IDO activity.ConclusionOur findings implicate a potential role for IDO activity and a maternal immunological reaction against an allogeneic fetus in the etiology of pre‐eclampsia.