bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of betamethasone valerate foam formulation in comparison with betamethasone dipropionate lotion in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate alopecia areata: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, investigator‐blinded trial
Authors: Mancuso Giuseppe , Balducci Antonella , Casadio Chiara , Farina Paolo , Staffa Mauro , Valenti Lorenzo , Milani Massimo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Betamethasone valerate foam (BVF) is a new topical corticosteroid formulation. In scalp psoriasis patients BVF has induced a significantly greater clinical improvement in comparison with corticosteroid lotions. No data are available to date regarding the efficacy and safety of BVF in mild‐to‐moderate alopecia areata (AA).Study aim To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of BVF treatment in patients with mild‐to‐moderate AA.Subjects and Methods Sixty‐one patients (26 men and 35 women; mean age 41 ± 13 years) with mild‐to‐moderate AA (hair loss < 26%) were enrolled in a parallel‐group, investigator‐blinded trial. Subjects were assigned randomly to BVF (31 patients) or to betamethasone dipropionate lotion (BDL) (30 subjects). Both treatments were applied to the affected areas twice a day for 12 consecutive weeks.Outcomes The primary study outcome was to compare the hair regrowth rate. Efficacy was evaluated at weeks 8 and 12 and at follow up (week 20), using a hair regrowth score (RGS) with a scale ranging from 0 (regrowth < 10%) to 4 (regrowth > 75%).Results Fifty‐seven subjects (93%) completed the trial. At week 20, the RGS was 3.1 ± 1.5 and 1.8 ± 1.6 in the BVF and BDL groups, respectively (P < 0.01). A RGS > 3 was observed in 61% of patients in the BVF group (19/31) in comparison with 27% (8/30) in the BDL group (P < 0.03). No serious adverse events were observed in both groups during the study.Conclusion Betamethasone valerate foam has shown to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment of mild‐to‐moderate AA. Further trials are warranted to evaluate the role of this new formulation in comparison or in combination with intralesional corticosterioids in AA treatment.
Genetic and social control of male maturation in Phallichthys quadripunctatus (Pisces: Poeciliidae)
Authors: Kolluru G. R. , Reznick D. N. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAge and size at maturity can have significant fitness consequences. Selection often favors early‐maturing individuals because of their higher survival to maturity and greater relative contribution to population growth rate, but it may also favor delayed maturation if fitness increases with age or size at maturity. Males of several poeciliid fishes exhibit variation in age and size at maturity primarily controlled by a sex‐linked gene called the P‐locus. Wild‐caught Phallichthys quadripunctatus males show a bimodal size distribution, which is often associated with a P‐locus polymorphism in other poeciliids. We conducted two experiments to evaluate the inheritance of male age and size at maturity and the influence of social environment (presence of mature or juvenile males during development) on these traits. We specifically tested the hypothesis that male age and size at maturity in P. quadripunctatus are governed by a single Y‐linked locus, and modified by the social environment. Although our results imply both a genetic and an environmental component to the dimorphism in maturation, both large and small males were able to sire both large and small sons, allowing us to reject the hypothesis that age and size at maturity in this species are controlled by a single, Y‐linked locus. Our data do not conform adequately to any of the genetic mechanisms described to date for maturation polymorphism in poeciliids. We suggest alternative mechanisms that may operate in P. quadripunctatus.
Sex investment ratios in monogyne and polygyne populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Vargo E. L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBoth monogyne (single queen per colony) and polygyne (multiple queens per colony) populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta are good subjects for tests of kin selection theory because their genetic and reproductive attributes are well‐characterized, permitting quantitative predictions about the degree to which sex investment ratios should be female‐biased if workers and not queens control reproductive allocation. In the study populations, an investment ratio of 3 females: 1 male is predicted (a proportional investment in females of 0.75) in the monogyne form, whereas a proportional investment in females between 0.637 and 0.740 is expected in the polygyne form. To test these predictions, colonies from a single population of each social form were collected and censused during three different seasons. Consistent with their alternative modes of colony founding, monogyne colonies invested more in reproduction (sexual production) and less in growth/maintenance (worker production) than did the polygyne colonies. Overall, the sex investment ratios were female‐biased in both forms, although there was considerable seasonal variation. After adjusting for sex‐specific energetic costs, the proportional investment in females was 0.607 in the monogyne population, a value in between those expected under complete control by either the queen or the workers. However, when combined with data from four other previously studied monogyne populations in the U.S.A., the mean investment ratio did not differ significantly from the value predicted if workers have exclusive control. In the polygyne population, the proportional investment in females of 0.616 was consistent with the level of female bias expected under partial to complete worker control, although the potential influence of two confounding factors — possible contact with monogyne colonies and the preponderance of sterile diploid males — weakens this conclusion somewhat. Taken as a whole, the sex investment ratios of monogyne and polygyne populations of S. invicta are consistent with at least partial worker control. Of several ultimate and proximate explanations that have been proposed to explain inter‐colonial variation in the sex investment ratio, only the effect of the primary sex ratio (female‐determined eggs: male‐determined eggs) laid by the queen appears to account for the observed variation among monogyne colonies. In the polygyne population, there is limited support for the hypothesis that greater resource abundance favors investment in females.
Weed Control of Four Higher Plant Species in Paddy Rice Fields in Southeast Asia
Authors: Hong N. H. , Xuan T. D. , Tsuzuki E. , Terao H. , Matsuo M. , Khanh T. D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractFour higher plants, namely glory bowers (Clerodendrum trichotomum L.), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.), beggarweed (Desmodium triflorum L.) and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), with the strong allelopathic potential among 19 allelopathic species from Southeast Asia, were tested for their effects on weed emergence in paddy soil and field. In a greenhouse experiment, D. stramonium, D. triflorumand M. azedarach exhibited similar inhibitory magnitude at 1 t ha−1 achieving more than 90 % weed control. C. trichotomum achieved about 70 % weed reduction at 2 t ha−1. In paddy fields, D. triflorum was the most promising material for weed control and attained the highest rice yield among treatments, at the concentration of 2 t ha−1, whereas the inhibition of D. stramonium and M. azedarach was weakened in the greenhouse. No injury of rice plants was observed. These plants might be used as natural herbicides to reduce the dependence on synthetic herbicides.
Field Pea Seeding Management for Semi‐arid Mediterranean Conditions
Authors: Tawaha A. M. , Turk M. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe effects of seeding rate (30, 60 and 90 seeds m−2), seeding date (14 January, 28 January and 12 February), seed weight (0.18 and 0.25 g seed−1), seeding depth (3 and 6 cm), and phosphorus fertilization rate (17.5, 35.0 and 52.5 kg P ha−1) and placement method (banded or broadcasted) on field pea (Pisum sativum L.) development and seed yields were investigated in irrigated field experiments conducted in northern Jordan in 2000 and 2001. Results and treatment responses were consistent in both years. Seeding rate, seeding date, seed weight and rate and method of phosphorus fertilization had significant effects on most traits measured; planting depth however did not affect any of the traits. Generally a positive correlation was observed between each factor and seed yield and yield components, with the exception of a negative correlation between seeding rate and yield components, and seeding date and yield and yield components. Increase in seeding rate from 30 to 90 seeds m−2, and increase in P fertilization from 17.5 to 52.5 kg ha−1 alone increased seed yields by 50 and 41 %, respectively. Each delay of 2 weeks for seeding from mid‐January resulted in reductions of 12 % in seed yields. Overall, the results revealed that a combination of early seeding (14 January), of large seeds at an high seeding rate (90 seeds m−2), with P fertilizer banding (52.5 kg P ha−1) maximize field pea yields in irrigated fields in semi‐arid Mediterranean environments. With such management pea seed yields can be as high as 2800 kg ha−1.
Isolation of repellent ingredients from Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) flowers and their repellency against Aedes mosquitoes
Authors: Dua V. K. , Pandey A. C. , Singh R. , Sharma V. P. , Subbarao S. K. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:The repellent properties of different fractions isolated from Lantana camara flowers by using steam distillation, solvent partition and chromatographic methods were evaluated against Aedes mosquitoes. Maximum protection time of one fraction eluted by chloroform from a silica gel column was 3.45 h. One application of this fraction gave 100% protection for 2 h and may protect 75.8% at 7 h (t = 7.00, P < 0.001) against the bites of Aedes mosquitoes. Further purification of the most efficient fraction into pure compounds did not result in any increase in repellency.
N‐acetyltransferase‐2 gene polymorphism as a possible biomarker for prostate cancer in Japanese men
Authors: Hamasaki Takashi , Inatomi Hisato , Katoh Takahiko , Aono Hisami , Ikuyama Toshihiro , Muratani Tetsuro , Matsumoto Tetsuro 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of a polymorphism of the candidate metabolic enzyme N‐acetyltransferase‐2 (NAT2) in Japanese prostate cancer patients and Japanese non‐cancer controls, in order to determine if an association exists between NAT2 genotype and the occurrence, clinical stage and grade of prostate cancer.Methods: In the present case‐control study, 111 patients with prostate cancer and 152 controls were genotyped for the NAT2 polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction‐based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The NAT2 genotypes (slow or rapid acetylator genotype) were determined by the combination of three known NAT2 mutant alleles (M1, M2, M3) and the wild‐type allele.Results: The NAT2 slow acetylator genotype was statistically higher among prostate cancer patients (17.1%) compared with controls (8.6%) (Odds ration (OR) = 2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–4.69; P = 0.0289). In addition, there was a statistically increased risk of prostate cancer among smokers with the NAT2 slow genotype (OR = 3.78: 95% CI, 1.48–9.66; P = 0.0041). Furthermore, the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype was significantly higher among prostate cancer patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease (22.7%) compared with controls (8.6%) (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.40–7.06; P = 0.0051). Lastly, the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype was significantly higher among prostate cancer patients with high‐grade tumors (31.4%) compared with controls (8.6%) (OR = 4.90; 95% CI, 1.97–12.20; P = 0.0010).Conclusion: These data demonstrate that the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype plays an important role in determining the risk of developing prostate cancer in Japanese men and is also associated with more clinically advanced and pathologically aggressive disease. Furthermore, a possible interaction between the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype and smoking status was suggested.
Preliminary results of a monitoring system to confirm the preservation of cavernous nerves
Authors: Kurokawa Kohei , Suzuki Takanori , SuzukI Kazuhiro , Terada Naoki , Ito Kazuto , Yoshikawa Daisuke , Arai Yoichi , Yamanaka Hidetoshi 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: It is important to preserve the neurovascular bundle (NVB) during nerve‐sparing surgery. This article presents the preliminary results of our monitoring system for the postoperative preservation of erectile function.Methods: In 15 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and 20 patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy, intraoperative electrical stimulation along the NVB was performed to measure changes in intracavernous pressure before and after prostate removal. Seven of the radical prostatectomy patients and eight of the radical cystoprostatectomy patients underwent nerve‐sparing surgery. Postoperative erectile function was evaluated in 25 patients not receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy.Results: The NVB was judged to be preserved at least on one side electrophysiologically in 14 of 15 patients. Pathologically, three patients had pT3 cancer. Postoperatively, sufficient erectile function was demonstrated using the International Index of Erectile Function 5 in three patients, nocturnal penile tumescence in three patients, and a questionnaire or an interview in three patients. The other patients were incompletely erectile. None of the 11 patients not receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy, in whom NVB was not preserved, were erectile.Conclusion: If the successful criterion of nerve‐sparing surgery is defined as a change in intracavernous pressure of 4 cm H2O or more being observed at least unilaterally, and the successful criteria of erectile function preservation includes being sufficiently erectile as revealed by an interview, the sensitivity of our system was 69.2% (9/13) and the specificity was 100% (12/12). Neither adverse reactions to the measurement, nor inadequacy of cancer excision accompanying NVB sparing, were observed. These results suggest that our system can predict postoperative erectile function fairly accurately.
Health effects of kava use in an eastern Arnhem Land Aboriginal community
Authors: Clough A. R. , Jacups S. P. , Wang Z. , Burns C. B. , Bailie R. S. , Cairney S. J. , Collie A. , Guyula T. , McDonald S. P. , Currie B. J. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Background:  Heavy kava use in Aboriginal commun­ities has been linked to various health effects, including anecdotes of sudden cardiac deaths.Aims:  To examine associations between kava use and potential health effects.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was carried out within a kava‐using east Arnhem Land Aboriginal community in tropical northern Australia. One‐hundred‐and‐one adults who were current, recent or non‐users of kava were enrolled in March 2000. Main outcome measures were physical, anthropometric, biochemical, haematological, immunological and neurocognitive assessments.Results:  Kava users more frequently showed a characteristic dermopathy (P < 0.001). They had increased levels of γ‐glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001). Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in kava users (P < 0.001). Fibrinogen, plasmin­ogen activator inhibitor‐1 and neurocognitive tests were not different between kava use categories. IgE and IgG antibodies were elevated across the whole group, as were C‐reactive protein and homocysteine.Conclusions:  Kava use was associated with dermopathy, liver function abnormalities and decreased lymphocytes. If kava continues to be used by Aboriginal populations, monitoring should focus on the health consequences of these findings, including a possible increase in serious infections. The interaction between kava, alcohol and other substances requires further study. Although markers of cardiovascular risk are increased across the population, these were not higher in kava users, and this increase may be linked to the large infectious pathogen burden reflective of the socioeconomic disadvantage seen in many remote Aboriginal communities. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 336−340)
Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae and myocardial infarction
Authors: Fraser A. G. , Scragg R. K. , Cox B. , Jackson R. T. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Background:  Several epidemiological studies have suggested a positive association of coronary heart disease with both Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. The issue has been difficult to resolve because of the potential impact of several confounding factors, in particular, socioeconomic status for H. pylori and smoking for C. pneumoniae.Methods:  A case‐control study was carried out of 341 patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) and 831 community controls who had serology tests for H. pylori and C. pneumoniae (selected from a total study number of 1745 subjects). Individuals of Pacific Island or Maori ethnicity were excluded because they were infrequent.Results:  H. pylori seropositivity was associated with increasing age (P < 0.001) and lower household income (P = 0.0003) but not with gender, smoking status or alcohol intake. H. pylori was associated with lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.007) and a higher body mass index (P = 0.007). The overall seropositivity for H. pylori was 41.6% for patients with MI and 34.5% for age and sex‐matched population controls. The odds ratio was 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00−1.80; P = 0.038) after adjusting for age and sex. C. pneumoniae seropositivity was significantly associated with male sex, younger age (P = 0.03) and smoking status (P = 0.004) but not associated with household income or any other measured risk factor for coronary heart disease. The overall seropositivity for C. pneumoniae was 51.2% for patients with recent MI and 43.5% for controls. After adjusting for age and sex, the odds ratio was 1.24 (95%CI: 0.95−1.62; P = 0.11). Subgroup analysis showed no clear pattern within different age groups. In particular, the odds ratio for H. pylori seropositivity in younger subjects (aged 35−49 years) was similar to the overall group (1.38; 95%CI: 0.83−2.29).Conclusion:  The association between H. pylori or C. pneumoniae seropositivity and coronary heart disease was significant but may not indicate a causal association. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 267−272)
Full publication of trials initially reported as abstracts in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 1980−2000
Authors: Hopewell S. , McDonald S. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Failure to identify all relevant reports of controlled trials is a potential source of bias in systematic reviews of health‐care interventions. The present study aims to identify how many reports of trials ­initially published as conference abstracts in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine were subsequently published in full. We identified trial reports by handsearching conference abstracts published in the Journal from 1980 to 2000. We then searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and PubMed to determine how many of these had been subsequently published in full. A total of 962 reports of controlled trials was identified from the conference proceedings of 17 medical societies. Of these, 589 (61%) reports of trials were subsequently published in full, and on average within 1−2 years. Handsearching conference abstracts identified a large number of reports of controlled trials, over one‐third of which were unpublished and therefore not easily accessible. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 192−194)
Utility of Exit Block for Identifying Electrical Isolation of the Pulmonary Veins
Authors: GERSTENFELD EDWARD P. , DIXIT SANJAY , CALLANS DAVID , RHO ROBERT , RAJAWAT YADAVENDRA , ZADO ERICA , MARCHLINSKI FRANCIS E. 
Published: December 2004

Pulmonary Vein Exit Block.
Introduction: Electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has been described using “entry block” as an endpoint for PV isolation. We describe a new technique for guiding PV isolation, using “exit block” out of the PV after ablation as a criterion for successful isolation. Methods and Results: A circular mapping catheter was positioned at the os of arrhythmogenic PVs and ablation was performed proximal to the mapping catheter until entry block into the vein was achieved. Pacing was performed from the mapping catheter and from the ablator inside the PV to document exit block out of the PV. In patients in whom cardioversion did not restore sinus rhythm, PV isolation was performed in AF. Entry and exit block were reassessed in ablated veins after a 20‐minute waiting period. Ninety‐five PVs were ablated in 41 patients. A total of 66 PVs in 34 patients were ablated in sinus rhythm. After entry block was achieved, exit block was present in only 38 (58%) of 66 PVs. A total of 29 PVs in 21 patients were ablated in AF. After cardioversion to sinus rhythm, there was evidence of entry block into the PV in 20 (69%) of 29 PVs and exit block in only 14 (48%) of 29 PVs. There was no significant difference between the total number of lesions applied per vein in sinus rhythm compared with AF (11.6 ± 8.6 vs 10.3 ± 6.2; P = NS). There was recovery of conduction after a 20‐minute waiting period in 9 (11%) 84 PVs. Conclusion: Identification of exit block after ostial PV ablation provides a clear endpoint for electrical isolation of the PVs. Isolation of the PVs can be performed during sustained AF without the need to apply excess RF lesions. Applying a 20‐minute waiting period after electrical isolation will identify reconnection in approximately 10% of PVs.
Extended Distribution of Prolonged and Fractionated Right Atrial Electrograms Predicts Development of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Idiopathic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: NAKAO KOJIRO , SETO SHINJI , UEYAMA CHIAKI , MATSUO KIYOTAKA , KOMIYA NORIHIRO , ISOMOTO SHOJIRO , YANO KATSUSUKE 
Published: December 2004

Prolonged and Fractionated RA Electrogram in PAF Folio.
Introduction: This study evaluates whether electrophysiologic abnormalities in patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) predict the transition to chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). Methods and Results: Ninety‐six patients with idiopathic PAF underwent electrophysiologic study and were followed up. During electrophysiologic study, endocardial mapping was performed at 12 sites in the right atrium (four aspects of the high, middle, and low right atrium). During follow‐up of 60 to 130 months, conversion from PAF to CAF was observed in 17 patients (CAF group). The remaining 79 patients remained in sinus rhythm (PAF group). Although a high frequency of abnormal atrial electrograms was observed in the high right atrium in both groups, the frequency of those recorded from the middle right atrium was significantly higher in the CAF group than in the PAF group (70.6% vs 13.9%, P < 0.0005). Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that > 50% of the patients with abnormal atrial electrograms in the middle right atrium developed CAF after 10 years, whereas only 7% of patients without those developed CAF (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that extended distribution of abnormal atrial electrograms from the high to middle right atrium is predictive of the development of CAF in patients with idiopathic PAF.