bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome‐Wide Scan for Loci Influencing Quantitative Immune Response Traits in the Belém Family Study: Comparison of Methods and Summary of Results
Authors: Wheeler E. , Miller E. N. , Peacock C. S. , Donaldson I. J. , Shaw M.‐A. , Jamieson S. E. , Blackwell J. M. , Cordell H. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryHere we report the results from a genome‐wide linkage scan to identify genes and chromosomal regions that influence quantitative immune response traits, using multi‐case leprosy and tuberculosis families from north‐eastern Brazil. Total plasma IgE, antigen‐specific IgG to Mycobacterium leprae soluble antigen (MLSA), M. tuberculosis soluble antigen (MTSA) and M. tuberculosis purified protein derivative (PPD), and antigen‐specific lymphocyte proliferation (stimulation index or SI) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) release to MLSA and PPD, were measured in 16 tuberculosis (184 individuals) and 21 leprosy (177 individuals) families. The individuals were genotyped at 382 autosomal microsatellite markers across the genome. The adjusted immune‐response phenotypes were analysed using a variety of variance components and regression‐based methods. These analyses highlighted a number of practical issues and problems with regard to implementation of the methods and, interestingly, differences were observed between several standard statistical and genetic analysis packages used. From this we determined that, for this set of traits in these pedigrees, significant p values for linkage using variance components analysis, supported by significance using the Visscher‐Hopper modification of the Haseman‐Elston method, provided the most compelling evidence for linkage. Using these criteria, linkage (5.8 × 10−5 < p < 0.008) was seen for: total plasma IgE on chromosome 2; IgG to MLSA on chromosomes 8, 17 and 21; IgG to PPD on chromosome 12; SI to PPD on chromosome 1; IFN‐γ to MLSA on chromosomes 6, 7, 10, 12 and 14; and IFN‐γ to PPD on chromosomes 1, 16 and 19.
Psychometric Properties of the 15‐Item Geriatric Depression Scale in Functionally Impaired, Cognitively Intact, Community‐Dwelling Elderly Primary Care Patients
Authors: Friedman Bruce , Heisel Marnin J. , Delavan Rachel L. 
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To examine the psychometric properties of the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15), a brief depression screening measure.Design: Cross‐sectional.Setting: Nineteen counties in western New York, West Virginia, and Ohio.Participants: Nine hundred sixty functionally impaired, cognitively intact, community‐dwelling primary care patients aged 65 and older.Measurements: The GDS‐15, major depression as measured using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview, depressed mood, life satisfaction, suicidal ideation, and reported suicide attempts.Results: Exploratory factor analyses suggested a two‐factor structure for the GDS‐15 in this category of patients, with component subscales assessing depression and positive affect. Cronbach alpha coefficients provide evidence for moderate, although acceptable, internal consistency reliability. Significant associations between the GDS‐15 and measures of depressed mood, life satisfaction, and suicidal ideation demonstrated construct validity, whereas acceptable sensitivity and specificity to discriminate between depressed and nondepressed patients demonstrated criterion validity. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity did not differ significantly between patients with low and high functional impairment. A significant weakness of the scale is its low correlation with suicide attempt status.Conclusion: In general, this study provides evidence of impressive psychometric properties of the GDS‐15 when administered to a sample of functionally impaired, cognitively intact, community‐dwelling primary care patients.
Association Between Parkinson's Disease and Low Bone Density and Falls in Older Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study
Authors: Fink Howard A. , Kuskowski Michael A. , Orwoll Eric S. , Cauley Jane A. , Ensrud Kristine E. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Group
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To examine the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of falls.Design: Cross‐sectional and prospective cohort study.Setting: Six U.S. clinical centers.Participants: Five thousand nine hundred ninety‐five community‐dwelling, ambulatory men aged 65 and older.Measurements: History of physician‐diagnosed PD was ascertained from participant self‐report. BMD was measured at the hip and spine using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Incident falls were ascertained for 1 year using mailed queries.Results: Fifty‐two participants (0.9%) reported a history of PD. In multivariate models, PD was associated with significantly lower BMD at the spine (−4.9%, P=.04) and total hip (−5.3%, P=.007) using DEXA and at the spine (−6.7%, P=.05) and total hip (−8.2%, P=.03) using QCT. PD was associated with a nearly three times greater age‐adjusted risk of multiple future falls (odds ratio (OR)=2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.55–5.46). Further adjustment for history of multiple falls in the year before baseline attenuated this risk, but it remained significant (OR=2.30, 95% CI=1.15–4.59).Conclusion: In this cohort of older men, PD was associated with lower BMD at the hip and spine, measured using areal and volumetric BMD, as well as increased falls. Clinicians should consider screening older men with PD for osteoporosis.
Reliability and Validity of a Steadiness Score
Authors: Clark Daniel O. , Callahan Christopher M. , Counsell Steven R. 
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To determine the internal consistency and construct and predictive validity of three survey questions regarding steadiness in a sample of community‐dwelling lower‐income older adults.Design: A 6‐month prospective cohort study.Setting: Community‐based.Participants: Three hundred fifty‐seven older adults who completed a baseline and 6‐month follow‐up interviewer‐administered survey. These older adults received care at a single, public health system and were judged by insurance status to be of low income.Measurements: Self‐report measures of steadiness while walking and transferring; difficulty in mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs); chronic illness; falls; hospitalization; and sociodemographic characteristics.Results: The three steadiness questions showed good internal consistency (0.88); construct validity in Pearson correlations with mobility (0.57), ADL (0.53), and IADL scores (0.41); and predictive validity. With regard to predictive validity, steadiness was predictive of falls, hospitalization, and decline in ADL and IADL function over a subsequent 6‐month period.Conclusion: Steadiness questions are a potentially valuable addition to survey research and clinical screening to identify persons with current impairment status and falls and disability risk.
Frailty in Older Mexican Americans
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Ostir Glenn V. , Peek M. Kristen , Snih Soham Al , Raji Mukaila A. , Markides Kyriakos S. 
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To identify sociodemographic characteristics and health performance variables associated with frailty in older Mexican Americans.Design: A prospective population‐based survey.Setting: Homes of older adults living in the southwest.Participants: Six hundred twenty‐one noninstitutionalized Mexican‐American men and women aged 70 and older included in the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly participated in a home‐based interview.Measurements: Interviews included information on sociodemographics, self‐reports of medical conditions (arthritis, diabetes mellitus, heart attack, hip fracture, cancer, and stroke) and functional status. Weight and measures of lower and upper extremity muscle strength were obtained along with information on activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. A summary measure of frailty was created based on weight loss, exhaustion, grip strength, and walking speed. Multivariable linear regression identified variables associated with frailty at baseline. Logistic regression examined variables predicting frailty at 1‐year follow‐up.Results: Sex was associated with frailty at baseline (F=4.28, P=.03). Predictors of frailty in men included upper extremity strength, disability (activities of daily living), comorbidities, and mental status scores (Nagelkerke coefficient of determination (R2)=0.37). Predictors for women included lower extremity strength, disability (activities of daily living), and body mass index (Nagelkerke R2=0.29). At 1‐year follow‐up, 83% of men and 79% of women were correctly classified as frail.Conclusion: Different variables were identified as statistically significant predictors of frailty in Mexican‐American men and women aged 70 and older. The prevention, development, and treatment of frailty in older Mexican Americans may require consideration of the unique characteristics of this population.
Comorbidity Is a Better Predictor of Impaired Immunity than Chronological Age in Older Adults
Authors: Castle Steven Charles , Uyemura Koichi , Rafi Asif , Akande Omosalewa , Makinodan Takashi 
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To determine whether high level of comorbidity, measured using a standardized instrument, can predict impaired immunity in older adults.Setting: Geriatric outpatient Clinic and Nursing Home Care Unit of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.Participants: Fifteen men aged 51 to 95 with varying levels of chronic illness.Measurements: Disease burden was measured using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) and immunity using proliferation of T cells induced by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and production of interleukin (IL)‐12, a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes T helper cell–dependent immune response, and IL‐10, a cytokine that inhibits T helper cell–dependent immune response, in response to mitogenic stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Results: With increasing comorbidity (increase in CIRS score) in older adults, there is a proportional decrease in immune response (decrease in T cell proliferation and IL‐12 production and increase in IL‐10 production in response to PHA stimulation). Neither immune response nor CIRS score was significantly correlated with chronological age in this sample of older adults with varying degrees of chronic illness.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the level of comorbidity correlates with the magnitude of immune response in older adults and suggests that the CIRS could be used to determine the magnitude of impaired immunity in older adults with different specific illnesses and different levels of severity.
Repolarization Abnormality for Prediction of All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study
Authors: OKIN PETER M. , MALIK MAREK , HNATKOVA KATERINA , LEE ELISA T. , GALLOWAY JAMES M. , BEST LYLE G. , HOWARD BARBARA V. , DEVEREUX RICHARD B. 
Published: August 2005

Background: Analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization abnormality using QTc interval and principal component analysis (PCA) of the T‐wave vector predict all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Novel descriptors of T‐wave morphology have been suggested as measures of repolarization heterogeneity and adverse prognosis. However, whether these T‐wave descriptors provide prognostic information beyond QTc and the PCA ratio has not been examined. Methods and Results: Predictive values of QTc, PCA, and novel ECG variables characterizing the T‐wave loop were assessed in 1,729 American Indian participants in the first Strong Heart Study exam. T‐loop morphology was quantified by the ratio of the second to first eigenvalues of the T‐wave vector (PCA ratio), T‐loop area (TLA) projected onto the dominant vector plane, T‐wave morphology dispersion (TMD) and by the sum of the squares of the fourth to eighth eigenvalues, the T‐wave residuum (TWR). After mean follow‐up of 4.8 ± 0.8 years, there were 183 deaths from all causes, including 51 CV deaths. In univariate Cox analyses, prolonged QTc, increased PCA ratio, TLA, TMD, and TWR were significant predictors of all‐cause and CV mortality (P < 0.001). In multivariate Cox analyses adjusting for demographic and clinical risk factors for mortality, increased PCA ratio (chi‐square = 7.9, P = 0.005) and TWR (chi‐square = 5.3, P = 0.022) remained significant predictors of CV mortality and increased QTc (chi‐square = 12.1, P < 0.001) and TWR (chi‐square = 6.0, P = 0.014) of all‐cause mortality. Addition of TWR to the model with clinical variables and the PCA ratio for CV mortality and to the model with clinical variables and prolonged QTc for all‐cause mortality increased prognostic value of each model (increase in overall chi‐square from 287.5 to 301.9 and from 221.5 to 230.3, respectively). Conclusion: Novel descriptors of T‐wave complexity provide additional prognostic information beyond QTc and PCA ratio for prediction of all‐cause and CV mortality.
Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with a Dual Defibrillator: Characteristics of Spontaneous and Induced Episodes and Effect of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Induction
Authors: BORIANI GIUSEPPE , RAVIELE ANTONIO , BIFFI MAURO , GASPARINI GIANNI , MARTIGNANI CRISTIAN , VALZANIA CINZIA , DIEMBERGER IGOR , CORRADO ANDREA , RACITI GIOVANNI , BRANZI ANGELO 
Published: August 2005

Background: The pattern of FF intervals during atrial fibrillation (AF) has been analyzed in induced and spontaneous AF episodes, after the induction of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and after atrial shock, in order to suggest practical considerations for AF management in patients implanted with antitachycardia devices. Methods: In 13 patients implanted with a dual‐chamber defibrillator, FF intervals were analyzed during two separate induced AF episodes, before and after VF induction over AF, as well as during spontaneous AF episodes and after unsuccessful atrial shocks. The following parameters were considered: mean atrial cycle length (CL), atrial CL stability, and standard deviation of the atrial cycle. Results: The AF pattern had comparable characteristics considering two separate inductions of AF, as well as spontaneous AF episodes. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia induction resulted in a shortening of atrial CL (P < 0.02) and in a less organized AF pattern (P < 0.005). Changes in the FF interval after ineffective shock therapy showed a shortening of AF cycles after shocks with energies far below the defibrillation threshold. Conclusions: (a) The AF pattern is reproducible in separate inductions of sustained AF and in spontaneous episodes, (b) dynamic changes involving a shortening of the AF cycle and an evolution to a less homogeneous pattern occur after VF induction, revealing a complex interplay between AF and VF, and (c) FF interval analysis after ineffective shock delivery may allow the relationship between delivered shock energy and effective defibrillation energy to be estimated, thereby providing practical suggestions for step‐up protocols in atrial cardioversion.
Significance of Tilt Table Testing in Patients with Suspected Arrhythmic Syncope and Negative Electrophysiologic Study
Authors: GARCÍA‐CIVERA ROBERTO , RUIZ‐GRANELL RICARDO , MORELL‐CABEDO SALVADOR , SANJUAN‐MAÑEZ RAFAEL , FERRERO ANGEL , MARTÍNEZ‐BROTONS ANGEL , ROSELLÓ ARACELI , BOTELLA SEGISMUNDO , LLACER ANGEL 
Published: August 2005

Background: The diagnostic significance of a tilt table test (TTT) in patients with a suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative electrophysiologic study (EPS) has not been previously assessed comparing the TTT results with the findings of prolonged monitoring using an implantable loop recorder (ILR). We sought to assess the diagnostic yielding of TTT in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope and negative EPS. Methods and Results: In 81 patients with suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative EPS, TTT was performed and an ILR implanted regardless the results of TTT. TTT was positive in 38 patients. During follow‐up, syncope or presyncope recurred in 32 patients (39.5%). No differences were found in recurrence rates in patients with positive and negative TTT (31.5% vs 46.5%, P = ns). According to rhythm registered during ILR activation, mechanisms of syncopal events were classified as: arrhythmic (atrioventricular [AV] block and ventricular tachycardia; n = 18), neurally mediated (sinus bradycardia and sinus pause; n = 9), and indeterminate (normal sinus rhythm; n = 5). There was no statistical association between the results of TTT and the mechanism of syncope. Conclusions: In patients with a suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and a negative EPS, TTT is of little value to predict the mechanism of syncope and the ILR implantation seems to be a useful and safe diagnostic strategy.
Cardiovascular risk factors and events in glaucoma patients with peripapillary focal arteriolar narrowing
Authors: Lam Andrew , Bunya Vatinee Y. , Piltz‐Seymour Jody R. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and events in glaucoma patients with and without peripapillary focal arteriolar narrowing of retinal vessels. Methods:  We examined the fundus photographs of 325 consecutive glaucoma patients for evidence of focal arteriolar narrowing of retinal vessels adjacent to the optic disc. Cases and controls were matched for age, race, sex and mean deviation on Humphrey visual field. Medical information regarding cardiovascular risk factors and events was collected from patients' primary care physicians, and this information was confirmed by questionnaires sent to the patients themselves. Results:  A total of 58 pairs of cases and controls were matched. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was exactly equal in both groups, 65.5% and 27.6%, respectively. Similarly, the prevalences of myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, angioplasty, family history of heart disease and smoking were nearly identical in both groups. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of strokes or transient ischaemic attacks. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and mortality was greater in the case group (mean differences of 8.6, p = 0.42 and 5.2, p = 0.25, respectively), however, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion:  There is no significant relationship between peripapillary focal arteriolar narrowing of retinal vessels and cardiovascular risk factors or events in patients with glaucoma. Proximal narrowing does not appear to be a marker of systemic vascular disease.
Early insight predicts depression and attempted suicide after 4 years in first‐episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder
Authors: Crumlish N. , Whitty P. , Kamali M. , Clarke M. , Browne S. , McTigue O. , Lane A. , Kinsella A. , Larkin C. , O'Callaghan E. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  To map the development of insight in the 4 years after presentation with first‐episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder and to determine the effects of evolving insight on depression and the likelihood of attempted suicide.Method:  We assessed 101 individuals at presentation, 6 months and 4 years. We measured insight, including recognition of mental illness, recognition of need for treatment and ability to relabel psychotic symptoms. We measured depression and recorded all suicide attempts.Results:  Insight improved with time. Recognition of mental illness at 6 months predicted depression and attempted suicide at 4 years.Conclusion:  Six months after presentation, the greater the acknowledgement by people that they had a mental illness, the more depressed they were at 4 years and the greater the likelihood that they would attempt suicide by 4 years. This may have implications for disclosure of diagnosis.
Maintenance antipsychotic medication patterns in outpatient schizophrenia patients: a naturalistic cohort study
Authors: Burns T. , Christova L. , Cooper S. , Harrison G. , McKendrick J. , Laugharne R. , Obuaya T. , McCreadie R. , O'Brien S. , Perrington S. , Stephenson D. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  Newer antipsychotics are increasingly used in schizophrenia maintenance. The UK change has been slow with little known on switching patterns. We aimed to investigate antipsychotic prescribing patterns in schizophrenia patients.Method:  A naturalistic six‐site cohort sample of 600 patients were interviewed by researchers at 6‐monthly intervals for 2 years to record their clinical and social functioning; use of services and medication for the preceding 6 months was obtained by structured extraction from clinical case notes.Results:  Alterations in antipsychotic medication were frequent in this group, mainly during periods of inpatient care. Atypical prescribing increased steadily, though slowly, across the period. Polypharmacy was less than anticipated.Conclusion:  Inpatient care remains the main forum for switching of antipsychotics. The UK maintains a slow shift to atypical antipsychotics.
A soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor reduces tumor necrosis factor‐α production in ultraviolet‐exposed primary human keratinocytes
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Yoshida Ryuji , Kanada Yasufumi , Fukuda Yoichi , Yagyu Tatsuo , Inagaki Kiyokazu , Kondo Toshiharu , Kurita Noriyuki , Yamada Yoshihiko , Sado Toshiyuki , Kitanaka Takashi , Suzuki Mika , Kanayama Naohiro , Terao Toshihiko 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Cytokines are produced as a consequence of photo‐damaged DNA and oxidative stress in ultraviolet (UV)‐exposed keratinocytes. A soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) down‐regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in tumor cells and inflammatory cells.Aim:  The effect of KTI on TNF‐α production in UV‐exposed primary human keratinocytes was analyzed.Results:  We show (i) UV induced up‐regulation of TNF‐α mRNA and protein expression in keratinocytes; (ii) cells treated with KTI before UV irradiation showed a significantly lower accumulation of TNF‐α protein in a dose‐dependent manner and a reduced UV‐induced up‐regulation of TNF‐α mRNA expression; (iii) KTI inhibited the induction of TNF‐α target molecules interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6 proteins; (iv) UV irradiation transiently activated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt signaling but only weakly activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p38; (v) KTI specifically inhibited UV‐induced activation of ERK, JNK, and p38, but not Akt; (vi) treatment of cells with SP600125, a pharmacological inhibitor of JNK, predominantly suppressed UV‐induced up‐regulation of TNF‐α expression; and (vii) KTI did not enhance suppression of UV‐induced JNK phosphorylation by SP600125.Conclusions:  KTI specifically inhibited UV‐induced up‐regulation of cytokine expression predominantly through suppression of JNK signaling pathway.