bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and simulated validation of a food-frequency questionnaire for the Colombian population
Authors: Bautista Leonelo E , Herrán Oscar F , Pryer Jane A 
Published: May 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) useful for ranking of nutrient intakes.DesignSubjects consuming their regular diet completed 7 days of weighed intake registry (7-WIR). Foods for the FFQ were selected by stepwise multiple regression. The FFQ was then completed for each subject using data on individual food consumption from the 7-WIR. The correlation and agreement between the extrapolated FFQ and the 7-WIR data were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (rS) and Bland and Altman's limits of agreement (LOA).SettingBucaramanga, Colombia.SubjectsWe studied 97 randomly selected 20–40-year-old subjects.ResultsSixty foods were selected for the FFQ. The 7-WIR and the extrapolated FFQ intake estimates correlated well. rS was 0.58 for energy, 0.53 for carbohydrate, 0.50 for total fat, and 0.48 for protein. For micronutrients, rS varied from 0.46 (manganese) to 0.71 (vitamin B12). FFQ average intake estimates were 83%, 80%, 86.2% and 86.4% of 7-WIR estimates for energy, carbohydrate, total fat and protein, respectively. LOA for these nutrients ranged between 45% and 165%. FFQ micronutrient intakes were on average 96% (median) of those from the 7-WIR, and the median lower and upper LOA were 50% and 203%. However, there was no indication that the degree of agreement varied with the level of intake.ConclusionsAccording to our simulated validation, this FFQ may be useful to rank subjects by nutrient intake. Its validity against standard independent measurements and its applicability to other subsets of the Colombian population should be carefully considered.
Novel, benign, solid catalysts for the oxidation of hydrocarbons
Authors: Ratnasamy Paul , Raja Robert , Srinivas Darbha 
Published: May 2005

The catalytic properties of two classes of solid catalysts for the oxidation of hydrocarbons in the liquid phase are discussed: (i) microporous solids, encapsulating transition metal complexes in their cavities and (ii) titanosilicate molecular sieves. Copper acetate dimers encapsulated in molecular sieves Y, MCM-22 and VPI-5 use dioxygen to regioselectivelyortho-hydroxylatel-tyrosine tol-dopa, phenol to catechol and cresols to the correspondingo-dihydroxy ando-quinone compounds. Monomeric copper phthalocyanine and salen complexes entrapped in zeolite-Y oxidize methane to methanol, toluene to cresols, naphthalene to naphthols, xylene to xylenols and phenol to diphenols. Trimeric μ3-oxo-bridged Co/Mn cluster complexes, encapsulated inside Y-zeolite, oxidizepara-xylene, almost quantitatively, to terephthalic acid. In almost all cases, the intrinsic catalytic activity (turnover frequency) of the metal complex is enhanced very significantly, upon encapsulation in the porous solids. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies suggest that the geometric distortions of the complex on encapsulation change the electron density at the metal ion site and its redox behaviour, thereby influencing its catalytic activity and selectivity in oxidation reactions.Titanosilicate molecular sieves can oxidize hydrocarbons using dioxygen when loaded with transition metals like Pd, Au or Ag. The structure of surface Ti ions and the type of oxo-Ti species generated on contact with oxidants depend on several factors including the method of zeolite synthesis, zeolite structure, solvent, temperature and oxidant. Although, similar oxo-Ti species are present on all the titanosilicates, their relative concentrations vary among different structures and determine the product selectivity.
Lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: latest update on α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists
Authors: Milani Shirin , Djavan Bob 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYAn update of a systematic review of α1‐adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) showed that these agents have comparable efficacy. The total symptom score is improved by 30–45% and maximum urinary flow rate by 15–30% vs baseline. α1‐AR antagonists that can be started at their therapeutic dose have a more rapid onset of action than α1‐AR antagonists that have to be titrated. α1‐AR antagonists can be differentiated according to their tolerability. Alfuzosin (especially the 10 mg once daily dose) and tamsulosin (especially the 0.4 mg once daily dose) are better tolerated than doxazosin and terazosin. However, alfuzosin might induce more cardiovascular adverse events (AEs) in the elderly and/or patients with cardiovascular comorbidity and/or comedication. Tamsulosin tends to interfere less with blood pressure regulation and induce less vasodilatory AEs than alfuzosin, especially in the elderly, and is well tolerated in patients with cardiovascular comorbidity and/or comedication. Cardiovascular AEs might lead to potentially serious complications such as falls, fractures and institutionalization. Abnormal ejaculation has mainly been reported in placebo‐controlled trials with tamsulosin but in direct comparative trials its rate with tamsulosin 0.4 mg was similar to, or only slightly higher than, the rate with alfuzosin. In addition, abnormal ejaculation is not reported as bothersome by the patient or associated with serious complications. It can be concluded that an α1‐AR antagonist with a low potential to interfere with blood pressure regulation and to induce cardiovascular AEs, also in patients with cardiovascular comorbidity and/or comedication, can be considered a first‐choice treatment option in LUTS/BPH.
Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: sexual function
Authors: Lowe Franklin C. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYLower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), and sexual dysfunction, are common, highly bothersome conditions in older men, and the prevalence of both disorders increases with age. Sexual dysfunction manifests mainly as erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory disorders, or decreased libido/hypoactive sexual desire (HSD). Whereas both reduced rigidity and reduced ejaculate volume are highly prevalent in ageing men, reduced rigidity and pain on ejaculation are considered to be most bothersome. Sexual dysfunction is much more prevalent in patients with LUTS/BPH than in men with no LUTS/BPH, even after controlling for confounding variables such as age or comorbidities. Hence LUTS/BPH is considered an independent risk factor for sexual dysfunction. Whether this is because of a common underlying pathology, or whether the considerable bother associated with LUTS/BPH leads to reduced sexual functioning, remains to be elucidated. Despite a decline in the frequency of sexual intercourse, as well as in overall sexual functioning, most ageing men report regular sexual activity and consider their sex life as an important dimension of their quality of life (QoL). However, most patients with LUTS/BPH experience a negative effect of their LUTS on their sex life. Hence, treatment of LUTS/BPH should aim to at least maintain or, if possible, improve sexual function. Current medical treatment of LUTS/BPH consists of monotherapy with α1‐adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists, 5α‐reductase inhibitors (RIs) or a combination of these. Whereas 5α‐RIs increase the risk of ED, ejaculatory disorders and HSD, α1‐AR antagonists can induce ejaculatory disorders, but do not provoke HSD or ED. Combined therapy carries the cumulative risk for sexual dysfunction associated with either type of drug. As already indicated, ED is generally perceived as more bothersome than ejaculatory disorders. In addition, α1‐AR antagonists slightly improve overall sexual function, possibly by increasing blood flow in the penis through α1‐AR blockade and/or to an increased overall QoL from the relief of LUTS. It can be concluded that α1‐AR antagonists constitute a first‐line therapy for LUTS/BPH because they combine good treatment efficacy with very few adverse effects on sexual function.
Chronic Cytomegalovirus Infection and Inflammation Are Associated with Prevalent Frailty in Community‐Dwelling Older Women
Authors: Schmaltz Heidi N. , Fried Linda P. , Xue Qian‐Li , Walston Jeremy , Leng Sean X. , Semba Richard D. 
Published: May 2005

Objectives: To evaluate the association between asymptomatic chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the frailty syndrome and to assess whether inflammation modifies this association.Design: Cross‐sectional analysis.Setting: Women's Health and Aging Study I & II, Baltimore, Maryland.Participants: Seven hundred twenty‐four community‐dwelling women aged 70 to 79 with baseline measures of CMV, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and frailty status.Measurements: CMV serology and IL‐6 concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty status was based on previously validated criteria: unintentional weight loss, weak grip strength, exhaustion, slow walking speed, and low level of activity. Frail women had three or more of the five components, prefrail women had one or two components, and women who were not frail had none of the components. Multinomial logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.Results: Eighty‐seven percent of women were CMV seropositive, an indication of chronic infection. CMV was associated with prevalent frailty, adjusting for age, smoking history, elevated body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure (CMV frail adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.2, P=.03; CMV prefrail AOR=1.5, P=.18). IL‐6 interacted with CMV, significantly increasing the magnitude of this association (CMV positive and low IL‐6 frail AOR=1.5, P=.53; CMV positive and high IL‐6 frail AOR=20.3, P=.007; CMV positive and low IL‐6 prefrail AOR=0.9, P=.73; CMV positive and high IL‐6 prefrail AOR=5.5, P=.001).Conclusion: Chronic CMV infection is associated with prevalent frailty, a state with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults; inflammation enhances this effect. Further prospective studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between CMV, inflammation, and frailty.
Type and Intensity of Activity and Risk of Mobility Limitation: The Mediating Role of Muscle Parameters
Authors: Visser Marjolein , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Colbert Lisa H. , Brach Jennifer , Rubin Susan M. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Newman Anne B. , Harris Tamara B. ,   for the Health ABC Study
Published: May 2005

Objectives: To investigate the association between different types of physical activity behavior and incident mobility limitation in older men and women and to examine whether muscle parameters mediate these associations.Design: Cohort study with 4.5‐year follow‐up.Setting: Metropolitan areas surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee. A random sample of white Medicare beneficiaries and all age‐eligible blacks.Participants: Three thousand seventy‐five black and white men and women aged 70 to 79 with no self‐reported difficulty walking one‐quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps, enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study.Measurements: Participants were classified as exercisers (reporting ≥1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity), lifestyle active (reporting <1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity and ≥2,719 kcal/wk of total physical activity), or inactive (reporting <1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity and <2,719 kcal/wk of total physical activity). The study outcome, incident mobility limitation, was defined as two consecutive, semiannual self‐reports of any difficulty walking one quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps. Thigh muscle area, thigh muscle attenuation (a marker of fat infiltration in muscle), appendicular lean soft tissue mass, and isokinetic knee extensor strength were examined as potential mediators.Results: Over 4.5 years, 34.3% of men and 47.4% of women developed mobility limitation. Inactive persons had twice the risk of incident mobility limitation as exercisers (hazard ratio (HR)=2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.60−2.70, for men, HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.51−2.60, for women). Lifestyle‐active men and women had an intermediate risk (HR=1.47 and 1.44, respectively). For the lifestyle active and inactive, absence of walking activity conferred an additional risk of mobility limitation. Muscle parameters did not mediate the relationship between physical activity and mobility limitation, except for knee extensor strength in men.Conclusion: Exercise and an active lifestyle that includes walking protect against mobility loss in older men and women. Activity effects on muscle parameters do not explain this association.
Reduced Mammographic Screening May Explain Declines in Breast Carcinoma in Older Women
Authors: Kaplan Robert M. , Saltzstein Sidney L. 
Published: May 2005

Objectives: To examine whether declines in breast cancer in the oldest‐old women correspond with declines in the use of cancer testing.Design: Cross‐sectional evaluation of three databases.Setting: Public access data.Participants: Cases recorded in the California Registry and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program between 1988 and 1997. The study also included respondents to the 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.Measurements: Cancer incidence and self‐reported mammography within the previous 2 years.Results: Most previous analyses have combined all individuals aged 75, 80, or 85 and older. Creating separate categories for age ranges 85 to 89, 90 to 94, 95 to 99, and 100 and older suggests different incidence patterns for a variety of cancers, including mammary carcinoma in situ (CIS). Between the ages of 40 and 74, there is a significant rise in CIS. Beginning at age 75, there is a significant decline in CIS through the highest age categories. The use of mammographic screening increases between the ages of 40 and 60. Beginning at age 75, there is a significant decline in the use of mammography that parallels the decline in incident cases of CIS.Conclusion: There may be a substantial reservoir of undiagnosed CIS in the population. Surveillance bias might explain the decreasing incidence of CIS with advancing age in the oldest age groups. Autopsy studies are needed to estimate the true prevalence of CIS in older women.
Development and Evaluation of a Multitarget Real-Time Taqman Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay for Detection of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus and Surveillance for an Apparently Related Coronavirus Found in Masked Palm Civets
Authors: Hu Wenqian , Bai Bingke , Hu Zhihong , Chen Ze , An Xuefang , Tang Lijun , Yang Jihong , Wang Hualin , Wang Hanzhong 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is the etiological agent of SARS. It is believed that SARS-CoV originates from wild animals. We have developed a multitarget real-time Taqman reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the quantitative detection of SARS-CoV. The sequences of the Taqman probes with a minor groove binder and the corresponding primers were based on the sequences of the N gene, open reading frame (ORF) 3, and ORF 8. The overall linear range of this assay was from at least 10
1
to 10
6
copies per reaction, and the detection limit could reach less than 10 copies per reaction. The quantification results for SARS-CoV from cell culture correlated well with those of the RT-PCR by using any two of the three sets of primer and probe used in this assay. However, the results of quantification of SARS-CoV obtained by using a few available throat swab specimens from SARS patients and the N gene as the target were almost 10 times higher than those obtained by using ORF 3 and ORF 8. Using this assay, we also detected an apparently SARS-CoV-related coronavirus in the throat swab specimens from masked palm civets in the west part of Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
Detection and Typing of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in Mucocutaneous Samples by TaqMan PCR Targeting a gB Segment Homologous for HSV Types 1 and 2
Authors: Namvar Lilly , Olofsson Sigvard , Bergström Tomas , Lindh Magnus 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) are major causes of mucocutaneous lesions and severe infections of the central nervous system. Here a new semiautomated method for detecting and typing of HSV was used to analyze 479 mucocutaneous swab samples. After DNA extraction using a Magnapure LC robot, a 118-bp segment of the gB region was amplified by real-time PCR utilizing type-specific TaqMan probes to identify HSV-1 or HSV-2. HSV detection in a single well using probes labeled with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) for HSV-1 and JOE (6-carboxy-4′,5′-dichloro-2′,7′-dimethoxyfluorescein) for HSV-2 had a sensitivity similar to that seen in separate reactions. All but one of 217 samples (99.5%) that had been positive by virus culture were positive by TaqMan PCR, with a correct identification of type in all cases. Out of 262 samples negative by virus culture, 48 (18.3%) were positive by TaqMan PCR, with higher

C
t

values compared with culture positive samples (
P
< 0.0001). Overall, the

C
t

values for HSV-1 were lower than for HSV-2 (mean, 25.5 versus 27.9), but to some extent this could be due to weaker fluorescence by JOE. Lower

C
t

values for HSV-1 were seen also in the 202 genital samples (79 HSV-1, 122 HSV-2, 1 HSV-1 and HSV-2), indicating that HSV-1 replicates as well as HSV-2 in the genital area. HSV-1 constituted 40% of genital infections and was associated with lower mean age (29.2 versus 36.4 years), probably reflecting the fact that recurrent genital HSV-1 infections are rare.
Enhanced Enzyme Immunoassay with Negative-Gray-Zone Testing Compared to a Single Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique for Community-Based Chlamydial Screening of Men
Authors: Horner Paddy , Skidmore Sue , Herring Alan , Sell Jo , Paul Ian , Caul Owen , Egger Matthias , McCarthy Anne , Sanford Emma , Salisbury Chris , MacLeod John , Sterne Jonathan , Low Nicola 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT

We evaluated a low-cost diagnostic strategy for detecting
Chlamydia trachomatis
in a low-prevalence population. We used an amplified enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with a reduced-cutoff “negative gray zone” to identify reactive specimens for confirmation by a nucleic acid amplification test. As part of the Chlamydia Screening Studies project, men provided a first-pass urine specimen, which they returned by post for testing. We tested 1,003 specimens by IDEIA PCE EIA (Dako) and Cobas PCR (Roche). There were 32 (3.2%) true positive specimens according to a combined standard using an algorithm requiring concordant results from at least two independent tests. All of these were positive by Cobas PCR and 24 were confirmed to be positive by PCE EIA, including 2 that gave results in the negative gray zone. There were 971 true negative specimens, 2 of which were positive by Cobas PCR and 19 of which were initially inhibitory for PCR. The relative sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PCE EIA with PCR confirmation were 75.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56.6 to 88.5%), 100% (95% CI, 99.7 to 100%), 100% (95% CI, 88.3 to 100%), and 99.2% (95% CI, 98.4 to 99.6%), respectively. The corresponding values for Cobas PCR were 100% (95% CI, 89.1 to 100%), 99.8% (95% CI, 99.3 to 100%), 94.1% (95% CI, 76.9 to 98.2%), and 100% (95% CI, 99.6 to 100%), respectively, with 1.9% (19/1003) of the samples being initially indeterminate. When the prevalence of
C. trachomatis
is low, the use of an amplified EIA on urine specimens, with confirmation of results in the negative gray zone by use of a nucleic acid amplification technique, is not suitable for screening asymptomatic men. In addition, positive nucleic acid amplification test results should be confirmed and an inhibition control should be used.
Assessment of Ribosomal Large-Subunit D1-D2, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, and Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Regions as Targets for Molecular Identification of Medically Important
Aspergillus
Species
Authors: Hinrikson Hans P. , Hurst Steven F. , Lott Timothy J. , Warnock David W. , Morrison Christine J. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT

Molecular approaches are now being developed to provide a more rapid and objective identification of fungi compared to traditional phenotypic methods. Ribosomal targets, especially the large-subunit RNA gene (D1-D2 region) and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2 regions), have shown particular promise for the molecular identification of some fungi. We therefore conducted an assessment of these regions for the identification of 13 medically important
Aspergillus
species:
Aspergillus candidus
,
Aspergillus
(
Eurotium
)
chevalieri
,
Aspergillus
(
Fennellia
)
flavipes
,
Aspergillus flavus
,
Aspergillus fumigatus
,
Aspergillus granulosus
,
Aspergillus
(
Emericella
)
nidulans
,
Aspergillus niger
,
Aspergillus restrictus
,
Aspergillus sydowii
,
Aspergillus terreus
,
Aspergillus ustus
, and
Aspergillus versicolor
. The length of ribosomal regions could not be reliably used to differentiate among all
Aspergillus
species examined. DNA alignment and pairwise nucleotide comparisons demonstrated 91.9 to 99.6% interspecies sequence identities in the D1-D2 region, 57.4 to 98.1% in the ITS1 region, and 75.6 to 98.3% in the ITS2 region. Comparative analysis using GenBank reference data showed that 10 of the 13 species examined exhibited a ≤1-nucleotide divergence in the D1-D2 region from closely related but different species. In contrast, only 5 of the species examined exhibited a ≤1-nucleotide divergence from sibling species in their ITS1 or ITS2 sequences. Although the GenBank database currently lacks ITS sequence entries for some species, and major improvement in the quality and accuracy of GenBank entries is needed, current identification of medically important
Aspergillus
species using GenBank reference data seems more reliable using ITS query sequences than D1-D2 sequences, especially for the identification of closely related species.
Molecular Epidemiology of Macrolide-Resistant Isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Collected from Blood and Respiratory Specimens in Norway
Authors: Littauer P. , Sangvik M. , Caugant D. A. , Høiby E. A. , Simonsen G. S. , Sundsfjord A. ,   the Norwegian Macrolide Study Group
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT

Norway has a low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, including macrolide-resistant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(MRSP). In a nationwide surveillance program, a total of 2,200
S. pneumoniae
isolates were collected from blood cultures and respiratory tract specimens. Macrolide resistance was detected in 2.7%. M-type macrolide resistance was found in 60% of resistant isolates, and these were mainly
mef
(A)-positive, serotype-14 invasive isolates. The
erm
(B)-encoded macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS
B
) type dominated among the noninvasive isolates. One strain had an A2058G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. Coresistance to other antibiotics was seen in 96% of the MLS
B
-type isolates, whereas 92% of the M-type isolates were susceptible to other commonly used antimicrobial agents. Serotypes 14, 6B, and 19F accounted for 84% of the macrolide-resistant isolates, with serotype 14 alone accounting for 67% of the invasive isolates. A total of 29 different sequence types (STs) were detected by multilocus sequence typing. Twelve STs were previously reported international resistant clones, and 75% of the macrolide-resistant isolates had STs identical or closely related to these clones. Eleven isolates displayed 10 novel STs, and 7/11 of these “Norwegian strains” coexpressed MLS
B
and tetracycline resistance, indicating the presence of Tn
1545
. The invasive serotype-14 isolates were all classified as ST9 or single-locus variants of this clone. ST9 is a
mef
-positive M-type clone, commonly known as England
14
-9, reported from several European countries. These observations suggest that the import of major international MRSP clones and the local spread of Tn
1545
are the major mechanisms involved in the evolution and dissemination of MRSP in Norway.