bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women's Sexual Function Improves When Partners are Administered Vardenafil for Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Goldstein Irwin , Fisher William A. , Sand Michael , Rosen Raymond C. , Mollen Martin , Brock Gerald , Karlin Gary , Pommerville Peter , Bangerter Keith , Bandel Tiemo-Joerg , Derogatis Leonard R. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Introduction
There are limited data concerning the sexual function of women whose male partners receive pharmacological treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
One objective of this research was to prospectively compare the efficacy of vardenafil vs. placebo administered to men with ED in improving men's and women partners’ sexual function and satisfaction. Another goal was to assess the relationship of erectile function changes in men with ED receiving treatment with sexual function changes in women partners not directly receiving treatment.

Methods
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-institutional comparison of vardenafil vs. placebo was performed in 229 couples (treated man with ED &gt;6 months and untreated woman partner). Co-primary outcomes for which this research was statistically powered were Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP3) (treated man with ED) and Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (mSLQQ-QOL) (untreated woman partner).

Main Outcome Measures
Erectile function changes in men with ED receiving vardenafil vs. placebo were compared at last observation carried forward (LOCF) in SEP3, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and Erection Quality Scale (EQS). Sexual function at LOCF in women partners was determined by mSLQQ-QOL and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results
Compared with placebo at LOCF, vardenafil significantly increased least square (LS) mean scores in: (i) overall per-treated male SEP3 success rate, IIEF-EF, and EQS; and (ii) mSLQQ-QOL, total FSFI and sexual desire, subjective arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction FSFI domains in untreated women partners. Treatment-related improvement in erectile function as assessed by IIEF-EF and EQS was correlated reliably with improvement in women partners’ FSFI total and individual domain scores.

Conclusions
Vardenafil is an effective ED treatment in men that also significantly improves sexual function/satisfaction in untreated women partners. Women partners’ sexual function improvements relate significantly and consistently to treatment-related improvements in men's erectile function. ED management should emphasize both members of the couple.
Safety and Efficacy of Vardenafil, a Selective Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor, in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction and Arterial Hypertension Treated with Multiple Antihypertensives
Authors: Van Ahlen Hermann , Wahle Klaus , Kupper Wolfram , Yassin Aksam , Reblin Tjark , Neureither Marcus 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, was evaluated in a prospective trial in the primary care setting involving hypertensive men with ED who were receiving at least one antihypertensive medication.

Aims
To investigate the safety and efficacy of flexible-dose vardenafil therapy compared with placebo in PDE5 inhibitor-naïve subjects with arterial hypertension and ED.

Methods
In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 354 patients received placebo or vardenafil (5–20 mg) for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy measures were diary responses to the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) questions 2 (vaginal insertion) and 3 (maintenance of erection). Additional efficacy measures included positive responses to the Global Assessment Question (GAQ).

Results
Compared with placebo, vardenafil significantly improved mean SEP2 and SEP3 success rates over the 12-week study period (intention-to-treat [ITT] and last observation carried forward [LOCF]) analysis). For LOCF, SEP2 and SEP3 were 83% for vardenafil vs. 58% for placebo and 67% for vardenafil vs. 35% for placebo, respectively (P &lt; 0.0001 vs. placebo). Improved erections (GAQ) were experienced by 80% of vardenafil-treated patients at study end, compared with 40% for placebo (P &lt; 0.0001, LOCF). The most commonly reported treatment-emerging adverse events were headache (3.1%) and flushing (1.6%), which were mild-to-moderate and transient in nature. Importantly, there were no significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure or heart rate between the vardenafil and placebo groups. The average number of antihypertensives used per patient was 1.5 and 1.4 in the vardenafil and placebo groups, respectively. Both the incidence of adverse events and the ability to maintain an erection were unaffected by stratification into distinct subsets according to the class of antihypertensive medication being received.

Conclusion
Vardenafil significantly improves EF in hypertensive men treated with concomitant antihypertensive medication, is well tolerated, and does not significantly affect blood pressure.
Healthcare providers’ perspectives: Estimating the impact of chronicity
Authors: Falkenstern Sharon K. , Loeb Susan J. , Gueldner Sarah H. , Penrod Janice , Poon Leonard W 
Published: October 2005

PurposeTo compare elders’ self‐ratings of the impact of their chronic conditions with healthcare providers’ estimates of the impact of the same conditions on older adults. The effect of length of time in clinical practice and rural or urban clientele on healthcare providers’ impact ratings was also explored.Data sourcesA pen‐and‐paper survey was administered to 122 community‐dwelling adults aged 55 years and older, attending health education or exercise programs held by a hospital in a city of approximately 60,000 people. Elders were asked to identify which of 11 common chronic conditions they had and then to rate the impact each condition had on their daily lives. A sample of 290 healthcare providers who are members of the Gerontological Society of America completed a mailed survey asking them to estimate the impact that each of the 11 conditions had on older adults.ConclusionsHealthcare providers consistently overestimated the impact that chronic health conditions had on older adults when compared with the elders’ self‐ratings of impact. Greater levels of experience were not significantly related to providers’ impact ratings of chronic conditions.Implications for practiceNurse practitioners, as primary care providers, must understand the impact of chronic conditions on older adults’ daily lives in order to provide effective, efficient, and evidence‐based health care. This study points to the need for more research to discover why older adults and healthcare providers have such different perspectives on the impact of chronic health conditions.
Development of a Microsphere-Based Serologic Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunoassay and a Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay To Detect Murine Norovirus 1 Infection in Mice
Authors: Hsu Charlie C. , Wobus Christiane E. , Steffen Earl K. , Riley Lela K. , Livingston Robert S. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1) is a newly recognized pathogen of mice that causes lethal infection in mice deficient in components of the innate immune response but not in wild-type 129 mice. In this study, in vitro-propagated MNV-1 was used as antigen to develop a multiplexed fluorescent immunoassay (MFI) to detect antibodies to MNV-1 in infected mice. The MNV-1 MFI was 100% specific and 100% sensitive in detecting anti-MNV-1 antibody in sera from experimentally infected mice. Testing of a large number of mouse serum samples (
n
= 12,639) submitted from contemporary laboratory mouse colonies in the United States and Canada revealed that 22.1% of these sera contained antibodies to MNV-1, indicating infection with MNV-1 is widespread in research mice. In addition, a reverse transcriptase PCR primer pair with a sensitivity of 25 virus copies was developed and used to demonstrate that MNV-1 RNA could be detected in the spleen, mesenteric lymph node, and jejunum from some experimentally infected mice 5 weeks postinoculation. These diagnostic assays provide the necessary tools to define the MNV-1 infection status of research mice and to aid in the establishment of laboratory mouse colonies free of MNV-1 infection.
Evaluation of Immunoglobulin G Subclass Antibodies against RecombinantFasciola giganticaCathepsin L1 in an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serodiagnosis of Human Fasciolosis
Authors: Wongkham Chaisiri , Tantrawatpan Chairat , Intapan Pewpan M. , Maleewong Wanchai , Wongkham Sopit , Nakashima Kunio 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACTA cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinantFasciola giganticacathepsin L1 antigen was developed to detect specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass antibodies (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) and was evaluated for its diagnostic potential for human fasciolosis. In an analysis of the sera of 13 patients infected withF. gigantica, 209 patients with other parasitic infections, 32 cholangiocarcinoma patients, and 42 healthy controls, the IgG4-ELISA gave the highest diagnostic values. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of this method based on the detection of IgG4 antibody were 100%, 99.3%, 99.3%, 86.7%, and 100%, respectively. The results revealed that restricting the ELISA to the detection of specific IgG4 antibody enhanced the specificity and accuracy for the serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis.
Recombinant
Leishmania
Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Passos S. , Carvalho L. P. , Orge G. , Jerônimo S. M. , Bezerra G. , Soto M. , Alonso C. , Carvalho E. M. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Serological tests with crude or recombinant
Leishmania
antigens are important tools for the diagnosis of leishmania infection. However, these tests are not markers of active visceral leishmaniasis (VL), since antibodies to these markers are often observed in individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection and they do not fall shortly after therapy. In this study, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against three recombinant
Leishmania
antigens (rH2A, KMP11, and the “Q” protein) were evaluated in sera from individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection and in patients with VL pre- and posttherapy. The sensitivity of the serological test for diagnosis of VL was 100% with all three antigens. The titers of IgG fell significantly after therapy. While most of the individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection had antibodies to rH2A and the “Q” protein, only 1 out of 15 individuals had antibodies to KMP11. These data indicate that KMP11 may be used to discriminate
L. chagasi
infection from active VL and may serve as a marker of response to therapy.
Cryptococcus neoformans
-Reactive and Total Immunoglobulin Profiles of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected and Uninfected Ugandans
Authors: Subramaniam Krishanthi , French Neil , Pirofski Liise-anne 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

We determined total and
Cryptococcus neoformans
glucuronoxylomannan (GXM)-reactive antibody repertoires of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected Ugandans in a retrospective, case-control study of participants in a randomized controlled trial of pneumococcal vaccination. The study included 192 adults: 48 who subsequently developed cryptococcal meningitis (CM); (HIV
+
CM
+
); 2 individuals who matched them in CD4
+
T-cell level, stage of HIV disease, and age but did not develop CM (HIV
+
CM
−
); and 48 HIV-uninfected individuals. Total serum immunoglobulin concentrations and titers of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA to GXM, pneumococcal polysaccharides, and antibodies expressing certain V
H
3 idiotypes were determined with banked sera obtained before the development of cryptococcosis for HIV
+
CM
+
subjects. The results showed that HIV-infected subjects had significantly lower levels of IgM to GXM but higher levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG and IgA to GXM than those of HIV-uninfected subjects. HIV-infected subjects with a history of pneumonia had higher levels, and those with a history of herpes zoster had lower levels of GXM-binding antibodies than subjects with no history of either disease. Minimal to no cross-reactivity was demonstrated between antibodies to GXM and polysaccharides in a pneumococcal vaccine. No significant differences between the antibody repertoires of HIV
+
CM
+
and HIV
+
CM
−
subjects were identified, but among subjects without a history of pneumonia, there was a trend towards lower V
H
3-positive antibody levels among HIV
+
CM
+
than among HIV
+
CM
−
subjects. Our findings demonstrate an association between previous infectious diseases and differences in the total and GXM-reactive antibody repertoires of HIV-infected subjects and suggest the question of whether certain microbes modulate subsequent antibody responses to GXM deserves further study.
Clonal Diversity and Turnover of
Streptococcus mitis
bv. 1 on Shedding and Nonshedding Oral Surfaces of Human Infants during the First Year of Life
Authors: Kirchherr Jennifer L. , Bowden George H. , Richmond Dorothy A. , Sheridan Michael J. , Wirth Katherine A. , Cole Michael F. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus mitis
bv. 1 is a pioneer colonizer of the human oral cavity. Studies of its population dynamics within parents and their infants and within neonates have shown extensive diversity within and between subjects. We examined the genetic diversity and clonal turnover of
S. mitis
bv. 1 isolated from the cheeks, tongue, and primary incisors of four infants from birth to 1 year of age. In addition, we compared the clonotypes of
S. mitis
bv. 1 isolated from their mothers' saliva collected in parallel to determine whether the mother was the origin of the clones colonizing her infant. Of 859 isolates obtained from the infants, 568 were unique clones. Each of the surfaces examined, whether shedding or nonshedding, displayed the same degree of diversity. Among the four infants it was rare to detect the same clone colonizing more than one surface at a given visit. There was little evidence for persistence of clones, but when clones were isolated on multiple visits they were not always found on the same surface. A similar degree of clonal diversity of
S. mitis
bv. 1 was observed in the mothers' saliva as in their infants' mouths. Clones common to both infant and mothers' saliva were found infrequently suggesting that this is not the origin of the infants' clones. It is unclear whether mucosal immunity exerts the environmental pressure driving the genetic diversity and clonal turnover of
S. mitis
bv. 1, which may be mechanisms employed by this bacterium to evade immune elimination.
Potential of Direct Agglutination Test Based on Promastigote and Amastigote Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis
Authors: Singh Ruchi , Subba Raju B. V. , Jain R. K. , Salotra Poonam 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermal complication, a sequel to kala-azar. Diagnosis of PKDL presents a challenge due to the low parasite burden in the lesions. The direct agglutination test (DAT) based on promastigote and amastigote antigens of
Leishmania donovani
of indigenous isolates was developed to diagnose PKDL, and the results were compared with those of the rk39 strip test. The sensitivities of DAT for antileishmanial antibody detection, based on promastigote and amastigote antigens at a cutoff titer of 1:800 were 98.5% and 100%, respectively, with corresponding specificities of 96.5% and 100%. DAT could correctly detect 100% polymorphic cases and 95.4% macular PKDL cases. In comparison, the rk39 strip test was able to correctly diagnose 95.6% of polymorphic and 86.0% macular PKDL cases. DAT based on axenic amastigote antigen provided 100% sensitivity and specificity, making it particularly useful for macular PKDL cases, which are often missed by the rk39 strip test. Thus, DAT provides a simple, reliable, and inexpensive test for PKDL diagnosis with potential applicability in field conditions.
Feline Coronavirus Serotypes 1 and 2: Seroprevalence and Association with Disease in Switzerland
Authors: Kummrow Maya , Meli Marina L. , Haessig Michael , Goenczi Enikoe , Poland Amy , Pedersen Niels C. , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Lutz Hans 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACTTo determine the prevalence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV) serotypes 1 and 2 in Switzerland and their association with different disease manifestations, a serological study based on immunofluorescence tests was conducted with Swiss field cats using transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), FCoV type 1 and FCoV type 2 as antigens. A total of 639 serum samples collected in the context of different studies from naturally infected cats were tested. The current study revealed that, with an apparent prevalence of 83%, FCoV serotype 1 is the most prevalent serotype in Switzerland. FCoV type 1 viruses induced higher antibody titers than FCoV type 2, and were more frequently associated with clinical signs and/or feline infectious peritonitis. The antibody development in seven cats experimentally infected with FCoV type 1 revealed that, with progressing duration of infection, antibodies to FCoV type 1 significantly increased over those to FCoV type 2. There was a significant relationship between antibody titers against TGEV, FCoV 1, and FCoV 2 and TGEV antigen detected the highest proportion of seropositive cats. We conclude that a vaccine against FCoV should be based on FCoV type 1-related antigens and that for serodiagnosis of FCoV infection TGEV should be used to attain the highest diagnostic efficiency. When serology is used in addition to clinical signs, hematology, and clinical chemistry results as an aid to diagnose clinical FIP, TGEV shows a diagnostic efficiency equal to that of a FCoV antigen.
Evaluation of LIAISON Treponema Screen, a Novel Recombinant Antigen-Based Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for Laboratory Diagnosis of Syphilis
Authors: Marangoni Antonella , Sambri Vittorio , Accardo Silvia , Cavrini Francesca , D'Antuono Antonietta , Moroni Alessandra , Storni Elisa , Cevenini Roberto 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LIAISON Treponema Screen (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy), a new automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), in comparison with that of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and the following currently used treponemal tests: hemagglutination test (TPHA), immunoenzymatic assay (EIA), and Western blot (WB). First, a retrospective study was performed with a panel of 2,494 blood donor sera, a panel of 131 clinical and serologically characterized syphilitic sera, and 96 samples obtained from subjects with potentially interfering diseases or conditions. A prospective study was also performed by testing 1,800 unselected samples submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of the St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, for routine screening for syphilis. As expected, RPR was the least specific method, especially when potentially cross-reacting sera were tested. On the contrary, all of the treponemal tests proved to be very specific (99.9%) and they performed with the following sensitivities: 100% (WB), 99.2% (CLIA), 95.4% (EIA), and 94.7% (TPHA).
Immunoglobulin A Antibody Responses in Dengue Patients: a Useful Marker for Serodiagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection
Authors: Nawa M. , Takasaki T. , Ito M. , Inoue S. , Morita K. , Kurane I. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT
We determined the usefulness of an immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of dengue virus infections. The results indicate that the presence of IgA and IgM in serum samples assures recent primary dengue virus infection even with a single serum sample.
Fluorescent Multivalent Opsonophagocytic Assay for Measurement of Functional Antibodies to
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Bieging Kathryn T. , Rajam Gowrisankar , Holder Patricia , Udoff Ross , Carlone George M. , Romero-Steiner Sandra 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

We developed fluorescent mono- and multivalent opsonophagocytic assays (fOPA and fmOPA, respectively) specific for seven
Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F). Bacterial survival was quantitated with alamar blue, a fluorescent metabolic indicator. Both fOPA and fmOPA allow for determination of viability endpoints for up to seven serotypes with high levels of agreement to the reference method. The fmOPA eliminates colony counting, reduces serum volume, and produces results in 1 day.
Immunogenicity of an Intranasally Administered Modified Live Canine Parvovirus Type 2b Vaccine in Pups with Maternally Derived Antibodies
Authors: Martella Vito , Cavalli Alessandra , Decaro Nicola , Elia Gabriella , Desario Costantina , Campolo Marco , Bozzo Giancarlo , Tarsitano Elvira , Buonavoglia Canio 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT
The ability of a modified live canine parvovirus type 2b vaccine to elicit active immunization in pups with maternally derived antibodies (MDA) by intranasal administration was evaluated. The vaccine induced seroconversion in 100% of pups with MDA titers of ≤80 and in 51.6% of pups with titers between 160 and 320.
Critical Investigation of the CD14 Promoter Polymorphism: Lack of a Role for In Vitro Cytokine Response and Membrane CD14 Expression
Authors: von Aulock Sonja , Rupp Jan , Gueinzius Katja , Maass Matthias , Hermann Corinna 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT
Blood of volunteers, genotyped for the CD14 C(−159)→T polymorphism, showed no difference in cytokine release when stimulated with nine CD14-dependent immune stimuli. An analysis of the published data on the proposed association of CD14 genotype with membrane CD14 density revealed no significant correlation, questioning a functional impact of the CD14 polymorphism.
Monitoring surgical and medical outcomes: the Bernoulli cumulative SUM chart. A novel application to assess clinical interventions
Authors: Leandro G , Rolando N , Gallus G , Rolles K , Burroughs A K 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
Monitoring clinical interventions is an increasing requirement in current clinical practice. The standard CUSUM (cumulative sum) charts are used for this purpose. However, they are difficult to use in terms of identifying the point at which outcomes begin to be outside recommended limits.

Objective
To assess the Bernoulli CUSUM chart that permits not only a 100% inspection rate, but also the setting of average expected outcomes, maximum deviations from these, and false positive rates for the alarm signal to trigger.

Methods
As a working example this study used 674 consecutive first liver transplant recipients. The expected one year mortality set at 24% from the European Liver Transplant Registry average. A standard CUSUM was compared with Bernoulli CUSUM: the control value mortality was therefore 24%, maximum accepted mortality 30%, and average number of observations to signal was 500—that is, likelihood of false positive alarm was 1:500.

Results
The standard CUSUM showed an initial descending curve (nadir at patient 215) then progressively ascended indicating better performance. The Bernoulli CUSUM gave three alarm signals initially, with easily recognised breaks in the curve. There were no alarms signals after patient 143 indicating satisfactory performance within the criteria set.

Conclusions
The Bernoulli CUSUM is more easily interpretable graphically and is more suitable for monitoring outcomes than the standard CUSUM chart. It only requires three parameters to be set to monitor any clinical intervention: the average expected outcome, the maximum deviation from this, and the rate of false positive alarm triggers.