bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between goblet cell density and tear function tests
Authors: Yeo Anna Chwee Hong , Carkeet Andrew , Carney Leo G. , Yap Maurice Keng Hung 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The objective of this study was to find a relationship between goblet cell density (GCD) and other diagnostic tests of dry eye in a group of normal healthy Chinese subjects. The capability of using GCD as a tear function test was assessed.Method: A total of 42 optometry students with no contact lens wear history were recruited. Subjects were required to fill in a dry eye questionnaire. The non‐invasive tear break‐up time (NITBUT) of each subject was measured, followed by phenol red thread test (PRTT) and tear break‐up time (TBUT) tests. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the inferior nasal bulbar conjunctiva were harvested by the impression cytology technique. The specimens collected were labelled and stained with PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff)‐haematoxylin. The goblet cells and the conjunctival epithelial cells were counted under a light microscope of 100× magnification. Spearman's rho (ρ) correlation test was used to analyse the relationship between GCD and the other tear function tests.Results: With a probability level of 0.0051 (corrected for a cumulative familywise error rate of p = 0.05), GCD was found to have no correlation with NITBUT (ρ = −0.193, p = 0.222), McMonnies Dry Eye Scores (MCDES) (ρ = −0.052, p = 0.742), PRTT (ρ = − 0.188, p = 0.234) and TBUT (ρ = 0.246, p = 0.117).Conclusion: There was no correlation between GCD and MCDES, NITBUT, PRTT and TBUT. The GCD alone is not a useful diagnostic test for tear film instability in normal eyes although it is a good indicator in the diagnosis of ocular surface diseases.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): Is There Enough Scientific Evidence to Support Safety and Efficacy?
Authors: Mahady Gail B. , Chadwick Lucas R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOver the past 10 years, botanical dietary supplements containing goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) have become some of the best‐selling products on the American market. Traditionally used by Native Americans to treat digestive complaints, goldenseal is now recommended for the treatment of common cold, influenza, menstrual disorders, and traveler's diarrhea, as well as muscular pain. In spite of these claims, there is little scientific evidence to suggest that goldenseal is effective for the prevention or treatment of any ailment. While some published data suggest that berberine, one of the active chemical constituents of goldenseal, is of some benefit for the treatment of bacterially induced diarrhea, it is not as effective as some standard antibiotics. Furthermore, considering the low concentration of berberine in goldenseal extracts and the lack of quality control over botanical dietary supplements in general, the concentration of berberine in goldenseal extracts is too low to be therapeutically effective. The safety of extended use of goldenseal extracts is also questionable, as another chemical constituent of the plant, hydrastine, may cause hypertension, exaggerated reflexes, and respiratory failure if given in sufficient doses. Furthermore, extracts of goldenseal inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP 3A4) in vitro, and, therefore, may increase the toxicity of concomitantly administered prescription drugs t metabolized by this enzyme. Thus, due to a lack of substantiating scientific and clinical data for either safety or efficacy, the use of goldenseal is not recommended for any therapeutic indication.
Structure‐Based Androgen Receptor Gene Mutation Database: A Tool to Link Molecular Location and Receptor Function
Authors: Brive Lars , Agus David B. , Ely Kathryn R. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTBackground: Mutant androgen receptors (ARs) that arise in prostate cancer cells may contribute directly to the development of advanced disease in some patients. Therefore, a structural understanding of the altered receptors will provide new information about the molecular triggers that lead to androgen‐independent disease or metastatic spread.Methods: Recognizing that molecular localization is required to understand the effect of AR mutations on receptor function, a structural model of the ligand‐binding domain of AR was used to locate a comprehensive set of mutations in this domain that occur in prostate cancer. Substitutions were grouped into those that are likely to affect (1) ligand binding, (2) dimerization, or (3) coactivator binding/transactivation.Results: The results were tabulated and were used to develop a novel structure‐based database linking molecular location with clinical observations for each mutant receptor expressed in the prostate cancer cells. Categories in the database can be cross‐referenced to retrieve, for each mutation, molecular details of the substitution, clinical stage of the disease, treatment history, and functional phenotype of the mutant receptor.Conclusions: This database will be a resource for the development of therapeutics targeted to the AR and for understanding the role of ARs in androgen independence.
Establishment of Woody Riparian Species from Natural Seedfall at a Former Gravel Pit
Authors: Roelle James E. , Gladwin Douglas N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEstablishment of native riparian communities through natural seedfall may be a viable reclamation alternative at some alluvial sand and gravel mines where water level can be controlled in the abandoned pit. We experimented with this approach at a pit in Fort Collins, Colorado, where a drain culvert equipped with a screw gate allows water levels to be manipulated. From 1994 to 1996 we conducted a series of annual drawdowns during the period of natural seedfall of Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera (plains cottonwood), Salix amygdaloides (peachleaf willow), and S. exigua (sandbar willow), thus providing the bare, moist substrate conducive to establishment of these species. Establishment was highly variable from year to year; in the fall following establishment, frequency of occurrence on 0.5‐m2 sample plots ranged from 8.6% to 50.6% for cottonwood, 15.9% to 22.0% for peachleaf willow, and 21.7% to 50.0% for sandbar willow. Mean densities, however, were comparable to those reported for other locations. Concurrent establishment of the undesirable exotic Tamarix ramosissima (saltcedar) was a problem, but we were able to eradicate most saltcedar seedlings by reflooding the lower elevations of the annual drawdown zones each fall. At the end of the 3‐year period, at least one of the three native woody species survived on 41.1% of the plots, while saltcedar was present on only 6.1%. In addition to the potential for establishing valuable native habitats, adaptations of the techniques described may require less earth moving than other reclamation approaches.
Riparian Forest Restoration Along Large Rivers: Initial Results from the Sacramento River Project
Authors: Alpert Peter , Griggs F. Thomas , Peterson Daryl R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRestoration of riparian vegetation along large rivers is complicated by the patchiness of the habitat and by conflicts with the societal need to control flooding. The Sacramento River Project, led by The Nature Conservancy in northern California, is testing whether it is possible to restore native forest along a large river without removing flood control. We conducted a post‐hoc analysis of monitoring data collected by the project on 1–4‐year old plantings of 10 native trees and shrubs at five sites. Two questions of general interest were: Can one identify types of species or sites that are especially suitable for restoration in such riparian habitats? To what degree must sites be treated as mosaics of patches, with different types of patches that are suited to different species? Plant performance as measured by height was better in species of Salicaceae or in species planted as cuttings than in species of other families or in species planted as seedings or seeds. Three within‐site factors, land form, soil depth to a buried layer of sand or gravel, and soil texture, affected the growth of several species, indicating that sites do need to be treated as patchy. However, there was little evidence that different species performed better on different types of patches. Instead, areas with deep or fine soils seemed to be favorable for a number of species. Results suggest that it is feasible to re‐establish native trees and shrubs along large, regulated rivers, at least at certain sites for an initial period of several years with the aid of weed control and irrigation. Shallowly buried layers or lenses of gravel or sand are a hidden, fine‐scale factor that can reduce plant growth on river terraces.
A Note of Caution on Using Absolute Methanol Concentrations and Low Temperatures to Quantify Mycosporine‐Like Amino Acids in Algae
Authors: Sommaruga R. , Tartarotti B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs), a family of UV‐absorbing compounds, are widespread among many marine and freshwater organisms, however, no standard method to analyze these compounds is available. Consequently, protocols to extract MAAs largely differ, for example, in the type of solvent, concentrations, temperatures, and times used. In this study, we tested whether the concentrations of MAAs are affected by extraction at different temperatures and methanol (MeOH) concentrations. Natural assemblages of freshwater phytoplankton and the marine alga Porphyra sp. were used as test organisms. The MAAs shinorine, palythine, MAA 331, asterina‐330, and porphyra‐334 present in the organisms examined were generally best extracted at 45 °C in 25% aqueous MeOH. In Porphyra sp. and natural freshwater phytoplankton, the mean total MAA concentrations obtained with this protocol were, respectively, about 13 and 3 times higher than when extracted in 100% MeOH at 4 °C. Depending on the organism examined, both MeOH concentration and temperature affected extraction efficiency and final MAA concentration. Our results stress the need for a priori testing the influence of these variables to assure that the highest concentration is obtained without altering the qualitative MAA composition. Based on these results, direct comparison of MAA concentrations reported in the scientific literature should be done with caution.
Impact of a Cost‐Sharing Drug Insurance Plan on Drug Utilization Among Older People
Authors: Blais Lucie , Boucher Jean‐Marc , Couture Julie , Rahme Elham , LeLorier Jacques 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: In August 1996, the Régie de l'assurance‐maladie du Québec (RAMQ), the government body responsible for medical insurance in the Canadian province of Quebec, introduced a cost‐sharing drug insurance plan. Before this plan, individuals age 65 years and older had to pay Canadian (CDN)$2 per prescription, with the remaining cost paid by the RAMQ. With the new plan, beneficiaries may have to pay an amount between CDN$200 and CDN$925 per year, depending on their income. Concerned that this financial constraint imposed on older people might have an impact on the use of medications, we investigated whether the consumption of four classes of medications, antihypertensive agents, anticoagulants, nitrates, and benzodiazepines, was affected by the drug plan implementation.DESIGN: Time series models with pre/post comparison group.SETTING: Administrative computerized databases of the RAMQ.PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of Quebec residents age 65 years and older registered in the provincial drug plan between August 1992 and June 1997: 54,771 users of nitrates, 133,146 users of antihypertensive agents, 45,534 users of anti‐coagulants, and 26,165 users of benzodiazepines.MEASUREMENTS: We modeled the monthly consumption of the medications under study between August 1992 and June 1996. Monthly drug consumptions predicted from the models were compared with those observed for the 13 months (August 1996 to August 1997) following the implementation of the new drug plan using 95% confidence intervals. The number of prescriptions dispensed served as an indicator for drug consumption.RESULTS: During the study period we observed a nonstatistically significant decrease in number of prescriptions of 5.1% for nitrates, 1.1% for antihypertensive agents, and 0.8% for benzodiazepines, and a nonstatistically significant increase of 1.6% for anticoagulants.CONCLUSION: Residents of Quebec age 65 years and older were not found to have reduced significantly their consumption of nitrates, antihypertensive agents, anticoagulants, and benzodiazepines during the 13 months that followed the implementation of a cost‐sharing drug insurance plan.
Vitamin E and Lipid Peroxide Plasma Levels Predict the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in a Group of Healthy Very Old People
Authors: Mezzetti Andrea , Zuliani Giovanni , Romano Ferdinando , Costantini Fabrizio , Pierdomenico Sante D. , Cuccurullo Franco , Fellin Renato , The Associazione Medica Sabin  
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether systemic oxidative stress can predict the risk of first myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and congestive heart failure.DESIGN: A longitudinal study started in 1992 and completed in 1997.SETTING: Community‐based, outpatient.PARTICIPANTS: 102 apparently healthy, community‐dwelling subjects age 80 and older from the Vibrata valley, Teramo, Italy.MEASUREMENTS: Plasma vitamin E, β‐carotene, vitamin C, fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation (FPLPs), and serum lipids were determined at enrollment.RESULTS: Thirty‐two cardiovascular events were recorded in 47.4 months of follow‐up. The subjects with vitamin E levels in the highest quartile had a risk of cardiovascular events one‐sixth those with vitamin E levels in the lowest quartile (relative risk (RR) = 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04–0.55). The subjects with FPLPs in the highest quartile had a risk seven times greater than those with FPLPs in the lowest quartile (RR = 7.61; 95% CI = 2.23–25.96). No association was observed for vitamin C, β‐carotene, or total cholesterol. Multivariate adjustment for known risk factors did not significantly change the results.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in apparently healthy, community‐dwelling very old subjects, base‐line plasma concentration of vitamin E and FPLPs predicts the risk of future cardiovascular events. We confirm previous data showing that total cholesterol is not a predictor of cardiovascular disease in people age 80 and older.
Measuring Fitness in Healthy Older Adults: The Health ABC Long Distance Corridor Walk
Authors: Simonsick Eleanor M. , Montgomery Polly S. , Newman Anne B. , Bauer Douglas C. , Harris Tamara 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: The Health ABC Long Distance Corridor Walk (LDCW) was designed to extend the testing range of self‐paced walking tests of fitness for older adults by including a warm‐up and timing performance over 400 meters. This study compares performance on the LDCW and 6‐minute walk to determine whether the LDCW encourages greater participant effort.DESIGN: Subjects were administered the LDCW and 6‐minute walk during a single visit. Test order alternated between subjects, and a 15‐minute rest was given between tests.SETTING: The Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty volunteers age 70 to 78.MEASUREMENTS: The LDCW, consisting of a 2‐minute warm‐up walk followed by a 400‐meter walk and a 6‐minute walk test were administered using a 20‐meter long course in an unobstructed hallway. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded at rest and before and after all walks.RESULTS: All 20 subjects walked a faster pace over 400 meters than for 6 minutes, in which the mean distance covered was 402 meters. From paired t‐tests, walking speed was faster (mean difference = 0.23 m/sec; P < .001), and ending HR (mean difference = 7.6 bpm; P < .001) and systolic BP (mean difference = 8.3 mmHg; P = .024) were greater for the 400‐meter walk than for the 6‐minute walk. Results were independent of test order and subject fitness level.CONCLUSIONS: Providing a warm‐up walk and using a target distance instead of time encouraged subjects to work closer to their maximum capacity. This low‐cost alternative to treadmill testing can be used in research and clinical settings to assess fitness and help identify early functional decline in older adults.
Disability Outcomes of Older Medicare HMO Enrollees and Fee‐for‐Service Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Porell Frank W. , Miltiades Helen B. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether older Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare risk health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have different rates of disablement than fee‐for‐service (FFS) beneficiaries.DESIGN: Secondary analysis of annual functional status transitions using the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, 1991 to 1996.SETTING: Telephone interviews.PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐four thousand seven hundred and sixty‐five person‐years of annual functional status transitions for noninstitutionalized older Medicare beneficiaries who were either risk HMO enrollees or FFS beneficiaries with or without private supplementary insurance.MEASUREMENTS: Five multinomial logit models were estimated as single‐state transition models, with five functional states, death, and censored as outcomes. The probability of being in a certain functional state the following year was specified as a function of individual risk factors and HMO versus FFS supplementary insurance status.RESULTS: Among functionally independent beneficiaries, the odds of becoming disabled in activities of daily living (ADLs) within a year were lower among FFS individuals with supplementary insurance (odds ratios (OR) = 0.67, P < .01) and HMO enrollees (OR = 0.58, P < .01). Among older people who were functionally impaired, neither HMO enrollment nor private supplementary insurance affected the risk of further functional decline or functional improvement. Supplementary insurance, but not HMO enrollment, was associated with lower mortality risk among beneficiaries with functional limitations (OR = 0.65, P < .05) or moderate ADL disability (OR = 0.72, P < .05).CONCLUSION: Medicare risk HMO enrollment and FFS private supplementary insurance convey similar benefits of slowing functional decline and extending life span for nonseverely disabled older people. That no association was found between adverse functional status outcomes and risk HMO enrollment has favorable implications regarding the quality of care of managed care plans.
Does Advanced Age Affect the Immediate and Long‐Term Results of Direct‐Current External Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation?
Authors: Fumagalli Stefano , Boncinelli Lorenzo , Bondi Ernesta , Caleri Veronica , Gatto Silvia , Di Bari Mauro , Baldereschi Giorgio , Valoti Paolo , Masotti Giulio , Marchionni Niccolò 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether advanced age affects the immediate and long‐term results of direct‐current external cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF), the sustained arrhythmia most commonly encountered in older patients.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of medical records.SETTING: Intensive care unit.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty consecutive patients (age 34–100) with AF who underwent ECV following a standardized protocol in an intensive care unit.MEASUREMENTS: Immediate efficacy of ECV, defined as recovery of sinus rhythm, and maintenance of sinus rhythm over the follow‐up were study outcomes. The univariate and multivariate associations of immediate efficacy of ECV and long‐term results with clinical variables were analyzed.RESULTS: At univariate analysis, immediate efficacy of ECV (overall, 91.2%) was lower in older patients and in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, higher for a 3‐ to 90‐day pre‐ECV duration of AF than for a duration of 2 days or less or more than 90 days, and independent of underlying cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous AF, and left atrial dimension. However, pre‐ECV duration of AF was the only multivariate predictor of ECV immediate success. Major complications occurred in only three patients. Of 220 patients discharged in sinus rhythm, 211 were followed up for a mean period ± standard deviation of 34 ± 25 months. AF relapsed in 45.5% of them. At multivariate analysis, underlying cardiac disease was the only predictor of the relapse rate, and relapse rate was lower in coronary heart disease than in valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, or lone AF.CONCLUSION: Immediate and long‐term results of ECV of AF, an effective and safe procedure, are unaffected by age, at least after adjusting for several covariates.
Mood Symptoms and Cognitive Performance in Women Estrogen Users and Nonusers and Men
Authors: Miller Karen J. , Conney Janet C. , Rasgon Natalie L. , Fairbanks Lynn A. , Small Gary W. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested sex differences in mood and cognition and that estrogen effects may partially explain such differences. In this study, we explore sex differences for a range of mood symptoms and for neuropsychological performance in men and postmenopausal women and assess the potential influence of estrogen on these measures.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study of men and women examining mood, neuropsychological test data, and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) use.SETTING: Outpatient study at an urban teaching hospital with subjects recruited from the community.PARTICIPANTS: All subjects (N = 96) were between the ages of 57 and 75 and included 31 women using ERT, 16 non‐ERT users, and 49 men. Subjects did not have major depression and were nondemented.MEASUREMENT: The three groups were compared according to profile of mood states and neuropsychological performance, and statistical analyses were controlled for socioeconomic status, age, and education level.RESULTS: Female ERT users were less depressed and less angry and performed better on measures of verbal fluency and working memory than the other subject groups.CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal estrogen use is associated with better mood and cognitive performance on tasks of fluency and working memory. These results suggest that estrogen should be examined as a potentially critical variable influencing late‐life sex differences in mood and cognition.