bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serving seniors better: service guidelines for financial planners
Authors: Pettigrew Simone , Mizerski Katherine , Donovan Robert 
Published: September 2004

Objective:  Generate a list of service guidelines to enable financial planners to better accommodate the needs of their older clients. Methods:  Focus groups and a national telephone survey were conducted with Australian seniors to generate 10 service guidelines for financial planners. Results:  The issues covered by the 10 guidelines are considered highly important by Australian seniors, with some apparent differences in ratings between older and younger seniors. Conclusion:  Seniors have specific attributes they require in financial planners. In particular, they seek trusting relationships and wish to be treated with dignity.
Serving seniors better: service guidelines for supermarkets
Authors: Pettigrew Simone , Mizerski Katherine , Donovan Robert 
Published: September 2004

Objective:  Generate a list of service guidelines to enable supermarket managers to accommodate the needs of their older customers. Methods:  Focus groups and a national telephone survey were conducted with Australian seniors to generate 10 service guidelines for supermarkets. Results:  The 10 guidelines produced are considered to be of significant importance by Australian seniors, with some apparent differences in importance and relevance ratings between older and younger seniors, and males and females. Conclusions:  Seniors have distinct service preferences when grocery shopping and their needs require special attention in the supermarket environment. In particular, they feel strongly about the quality of staff and equipment with which they come into contact.
Pilot study comparing the influence of different types of exercise intervention on the fear of falling in older adults
Authors: McCormack Gavin , Lewin Gill , McCormack Brandi , Helmes Edward , Rose Elizabeth , Naumann Fiona 
Published: September 2004

Background:  Individuals who fear falling may restrict themselves from performing certain activities and may increase their risk of falling. Such fear, reflected in the form of falls efficacy, has been measured in only a small number of studies measuring the effectiveness of exercise interventions in the elderly. This may be due to the various types of exercise that can be performed. Hence the effectiveness of exercise on falls efficacy is relatively understudied. Therefore, there is a need to measure falls efficacy as an outcome variable when conducting exercise interventions in the elderly. Methods:  A total of 43 elderly community‐dwelling volunteers were recruited and randomly allocated to a conventional exercise intervention, a holistic exercise intervention, or a control group. The interventions were performed 2 days per week for 10 weeks. Falls efficacy was measured at baseline and at the completion of the interventions using the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES). Results:  Within group comparisons between baseline and follow‐up indicated no significant improvements in falls efficacy, however, the difference for the conventional exercise group approached statistical significance (baseline 8.9 to follow‐up 9.3; P = 0.058). Within group comparisons of mean difference MFES scores showed a significant difference between the conventional exercise group and the control group (conventional exercise group 0.4 vs control group −0.6; P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Given the lack of significant improvements in falls efficacy found for any of the groups, it cannot be concluded whether a conventional or a holistic exercise intervention is the best approach for improving falls efficacy. It is possible that the characteristics of the exercise interventions including specificity, intensity, frequency and duration need to be manipulated if the purpose is to bring about improvements in falls efficacy.
Making Memories: pilot evaluation of a new program for people with dementia and their caregivers
Authors: Brodaty Henry , Low Lee‐Fay 
Published: September 2004

Objective:  To evaluate the effects of the Alzheimer's Association's (NSW) Making Memories program on people living at home with dementia and their caregivers. Methods:  Twenty‐four couples participated in the program that included 8 weekly education sessions, individual counselling, occupational therapy, 10 weekly diversional therapy sessions and ongoing monthly support groups. Ratings of psychological distress, quality of life and service use concerning the person with dementia, and depression, psychological distress, quality of life and physical health as regards to the caregiver were completed at baseline, 9 and 24 weeks. Results:  Psychological distress decreased significantly over time in persons with dementia. Caregivers were significantly less distressed in relation to behavioural disturbance after controlling for the frequency of the behaviour immediately after the program, but this rose at the 6‐month follow‐up. For caregivers there was a non‐significant trend towards better quality of life but no improvement in psychological distress or depression. Conclusions:  The Making Memories program decreased psychological distress in people with dementia. It had a short‐term beneficial effect on caregiver reactions to behavioural disturbance that was not maintained at follow‐up.
Penile Augmentation and Lengthening Procedurewith Partial Minimal Incision
Authors: Lee W.H. , Chang S.Y. 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACT

Objectives
To perform penile augmentation and lengthening procedure (PALP) for micropenis with partial minimal circumcision incision.

Material & Methods
From 1999 to 2004, 145 patients underwent PALP with partial minimal incision, dorsal one third of circumcision incision. PALP adopted dermofat graft from gluteal region. Graft length was 11cm and width was 4cm. Lengthening procedure was done with dissection of fundiform ligament. After dissection of ligament, multiple transverse sutures were done for approximation of prepubic dead space with 3-0 chromic cat gut.

Results
Postoperative penile length after 3 months was 7.3 ± 1.6cm compared with preoperative length 4.5 ± 1.2. Postoperative complications were seroma and inflammatory change (3.0%). Graft failure was 2 cases (1.4%).

Conclusion
For penile augmentation and lengthening procedure, partial minimal incision on circumcision incision was effective surgical procedure with minimal complications.

Disclosure
Was this work supported by industry? No.
Split Plaque Incisions and Bovine Pericardium Grafts in Severe Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Gueglio G. , Piana M. , Giudice C.R. , Damia O. 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACT

Objective
surgical treatment for severe Peyronie's disease is a challenge for urologists throughout the world. The aim of this video is to show the Gelbard's technique of split plaque incisions and the use of bovine pericardium grafts in a patient with severe dorsal curvature (90o) and no hourglass deformity.

Material and Methods
the video shows the operation of a 58 years old man who consulted for severe Peyronie's disease and firm erections. First, the x-ray and the ultrasound studies are shown and so are the auto-photographs. Then the main steps of the surgery are displayed in a didactic way. A pair of split incisions are performed in the plaque after lifting the neuro-vascular bundle and measuring of the penis. After the incisions, 3 cms. are gained in the penile length. Then, 2 grafts of bovine pericardium are placed to cover the gaps, tailoring them 20% bigger than the gaps. No corporoplasty was added. After closure of Buck's fascia, circumcision is routinely performed. Once the skin is closed, a Coban dressing is applied.

Results
using this technique we have operated on 6 patients since September 2003. Mean follow-up is 6 months (9-2) and so far the results are very good in terms of straightness and firmness of the erections. As the problem is only the curvature, there is no need for an H shaped incision thus reducing the probability of post-op ED. In this small series, only one patient reported a slight decrease in the firmness of his post-op erections.

Conclusion
although the number of patients is low and the follow-up is short, it seems that split plaque incisions and bovine pericardium grafts is a sound alternative in patients with severe dorsal curvature and no hourglass deformity.

Disclosure
Was this work supported by industry? No.
AN APPARATUS TO SEARCH FOR MIRROR DARK MATTER
Authors: GNINENKO S. N. 
Published: September 2004

Among several interesting motivations for experimenting with orthopositronium (o-Ps) in vacuum the most exciting one is probably related to the search for the dark matter of a mirror-type. The mirror matter is predicted to exist if parity is an unbroken symmetry of the vacuum. The existence of the mirror matter, which in addition to gravity communicates with our world through photon-mirror photon mixing, would result in orthopositronium (o-Ps) to mirror orthopositronium (o-Ps') oscillations. The experimental signature of this effect is the invisible decay of o-Ps in vacuum. We discuss an experiment to search for o-Ps→invisible decay in vacuum with a sensitivity in the branching ratio Br(o-Ps→invisible)≃10-7, which is an order of magnitude better than the present limit on this decay mode from the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. Details of the design are presented. The effect of various environments on o-Ps→o-Ps' oscillation probability is also discussed.
Intranasal steroids decrease eosinophils but not mucin expression in nasal polyps
Authors: Burgel P-R. , Cardell L.O. , Ueki I.F. , Nadel J.A. 
Published: September 2004

Increased mucin expression is a feature of nasal polyposis. Corticosteroids reduce polyp size and symptoms, but their effect on mucin production remains unknown. In this study, the effects of intranasal corticosteroids on MUC5AC mucin expression, nasal resistance, eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), interleukin (IL)-8, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression was assessed in nasal polyps.In nine subjects, one nasal polyp was removed surgically before treatment and another was removed after 8 weeks of intranasal fluticasone (400 µg·day−1). Tissues were processed forin situhybridisation and immunohistochemical staining. Described effects of fluticasone on nasal polyps (reduction in nasal resistance and in eosinophil infiltration) were evaluated. Morphometric analysis was performed to assess the effect of fluticasone on epithelial-, MUC5AC-, EGFR- and IL-8-stained areas, TNF-α-stained cells, and neutrophil numbers.Treatment with fluticasone decreased nasal resistance and intra-epithelial eosinophils. The MUC5AC-stained area in the epithelium was unchanged by treatment; MUC5AC mRNA expression was unaffected by treatment. EGFR-stained area, intra-epithelial neutrophil numbers, IL-8 and TNF-α expression were also unchanged by therapy.Intranasal fluticasone was effective in decreasing nasal airflow resistance and intra-epithelial eosinophils but had no effect on mucin or epidermal growth factor receptor expression or on neutrophil recruitment.
Intravenousiloprost bridging to orthotopic liver transplantation in portopulmonary hypertension
Authors: Minder S. , Fischler M. , Muellhaupt B. , Zalunardo M.P. , Jenni R. , Clavien P-A. , Speich R. 
Published: September 2004

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is associated with poor prognosis and high perioperative mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation.This study documents the first case of a patient with PPHTN who was successfully bridged to orthotopic liver transplantation withi.v.iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue. The PPHTN had resolved completely 4 months after successful transplantation.In conclusion, portopulmonary hypertension is a relative contraindication to orthotopic liver transplantation, which should be attempted only if pulmonary haemodynamics improve with prostanoids. In this context, iloprost may be a valuable alternative to epoprostenol.
Role and regulation of interleukin-1 molecules in pro-asthmatic sensitised airway smooth muscle
Authors: Whelan R. , Kim C. , Chen M. , Leiter J. , Grunstein M.M. , Hakonarson H. 
Published: September 2004

Interleukin (IL)-1β is a pleiotropic, pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been importantly implicated in driving the inflammatory response and resultant changes in airway smooth muscle (ASM) responsiveness in asthma. IL-1β belongs to a family of molecules, known as the IL-1 axis, which exert both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Since dysregulation of IL-1 axis molecules may be critical in the pathobiology of asthma, the present study examined the expression and activation of both the inhibitory and stimulatory IL-1 axis molecules in human ASM cells and their roles in modulating cytokine and immunoglobulin (Ig)E immune complex (IgE cx)-mediated changes in rabbit ASM constrictor and relaxant responsiveness.The results demonstrate the following. 1) Pre-treatment of isolated rabbit tracheal rings with the inhibitory IL-1 axis members, IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-1 type-II receptor abrogated both IL-5- and IgE cx-induced changes in ASM responsiveness. 2) Administration of IL-5, IL-1β and IgE cxs to human ASM cells increased mRNA and protein expressions of both stimulatory and inhibitory IL-1 axis molecules. 3) The time course of IL-5-induced IL-1 axis molecule expression preceded that of both IL-1β and IgE immune cxs.Collectively, these findings suggest that modulation at the level of the interleukin-1 axis of molecules may have significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of asthma.
Protection of pulmonary epithelial cells from oxidative stress by hMYH adenine glycosylase
Authors: Kremer Ted M , Rinne Mikael L , Xu Yi , Chen Xian Ming , Kelley Mark R 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Oxygen toxicity is a major cause of lung injury. The base excision repair pathway is one of the most important cellular protection mechanisms that responds to oxidative DNA damage. Lesion-specific DNA repair enzymes include hOgg1, hMYH, hNTH and hMTH.

Methods
The above lesion-specific DNA repair enzymes were expressed in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) using the pSF91.1 retroviral vector. Cells were exposed to a 95% oxygen environment, ionizing radiation (IR), or H2O2. Cell growth analysis was performed under non-toxic conditions. Western blot analysis was performed to verify over-expression and assess endogenous expression under toxic and non-toxic conditions. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student's t test with significance being accepted for p < 0.05.

Results
Cell killing assays demonstrated cells over-expressing hMYH had improved survival to both increased oxygen and IR. Cell growth analysis of A549 cells under non-toxic conditions revealed cells over-expressing hMYH also grow at a slower rate. Western blot analysis demonstrated over-expression of each individual gene and did not result in altered endogenous expression of the others. However, it was observed that O2 toxicity did lead to a reduced endogenous expression of hNTH in A549 cells.

Conclusion
Increased expression of the DNA glycosylase repair enzyme hMYH in A549 cells exposed to O2 and IR leads to improvements in cell survival. DNA repair through the base excision repair pathway may provide an alternative way to offset the damaging effects of O2 and its metabolites.
cuticleDB: a relational database of Arthropod cuticular proteins
Authors: Magkrioti Christiana K , Spyropoulos Ioannis C , Iconomidou Vassiliki A , Willis Judith H , Hamodrakas Stavros J 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
The insect exoskeleton or cuticle is a bi-partite composite of proteins and chitin that provides protective, skeletal and structural functions. Little information is available about the molecular structure of this important complex that exhibits a helicoidal architecture. Scores of sequences of cuticular proteins have been obtained from direct protein sequencing, from cDNAs, and from genomic analyses.
Most of these cuticular protein sequences contain motifs found only in arthropod proteins.

Description
cuticleDB is a relational database containing all structural proteins of Arthropod cuticle identified to date. Many come from direct sequencing of proteins isolated from cuticle and from sequences from cDNAs that share common features with these authentic cuticular proteins. It also includes proteins from the Drosophila melanogaster and the Anopheles gambiae genomes, that have been predicted to be cuticular proteins, based on a Pfam motif (PF00379) responsible for chitin binding in Arthropod cuticle. The total number of the database entries is 445: 370 derive from insects, 60 from Crustacea and 15 from Chelicerata. The database can be accessed from our web server at http://bioinformatics.biol.uoa.gr/cuticleDB.

Conclusions
CuticleDB was primarily designed to contain correct and full annotation of cuticular protein data. The database will be of help to future genome annotators. Users will be able to test hypotheses for the existence of known and also of yet unknown motifs in cuticular proteins. An analysis of motifs may contribute to understanding how proteins contribute to the physical properties of cuticle as well as to the precise nature of their interaction with chitin.
Prediction of DtxR regulon: Identification of binding sites and operons controlled by Diphtheria toxin repressor in Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Authors: Yellaboina Sailu , Ranjan Sarita , Chakhaiyar Prachee , Hasnain Seyed Ehtesham , Ranjan Akash 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
The diphtheria toxin repressor, DtxR, of Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been shown to be an iron-activated transcription regulator that controls not only the expression of diphtheria toxin but also of iron uptake genes. This study aims to identify putative binding sites and operons controlled by DtxR to understand the role of DtxR in patho-physiology of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Result
Positional Shannon relative entropy method was used to build the DtxR-binding site recognition profile and the later was used to identify putative regulatory sites of DtxR within C. diphtheriae genome. In addition, DtxR-regulated operons were also identified taking into account the predicted DtxR regulatory sites and genome annotation. Few of the predicted motifs were experimentally validated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The analysis identifies motifs upstream to the novel iron-regulated genes that code for Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (FpG), an enzyme involved in DNA-repair and starvation inducible DNA-binding protein (Dps) which is involved in iron storage and oxidative stress defense. In addition, we have found the DtxR motifs upstream to the genes that code for sortase which catalyzes anchoring of host-interacting proteins to the cell wall of pathogenic bacteria and the proteins of secretory system which could be involved in translocation of various iron-regulated virulence factors including diphtheria toxin.

Conclusions
We have used an in silico approach to identify the putative binding sites and genes controlled by DtxR in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Our analysis shows that DtxR could provide a molecular link between Fe+2-induced Fenton's reaction and protection of DNA from oxidative damage. DtxR-regulated Dps prevents lethal combination of Fe+2 and H2O2 and also protects DNA by nonspecific DNA-binding. In addition DtxR could play an important role in host interaction and virulence by regulating the levels of sortase, a potential vaccine candidate and proteins of secretory system.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B and low density lipoprotein receptor genes affect response to antihypertensive treatment
Authors: Liljedahl Ulrika , Lind Lars , Kurland Lisa , Berglund Lars , Kahan Thomas , Syvänen Ann-Christine 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Dyslipidemia has been associated with hypertension. The present study explored if polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in lipid metabolism could be used as predictors for the individual response to antihypertensive treatment.

Methods
Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes related to lipid metabolism were analysed by a microarray based minisequencing system in DNA samples from ninety-seven hypertensive subjects randomised to treatment with either 150 mg of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker irbesartan or 50 mg of the β1-adrenergic receptor blocker atenolol for twelve weeks.

Results
The reduction in blood pressure was similar in both treatment groups. The SNP C711T in the apolipoprotein B gene was associated with the blood pressure response to irbesartan with an average reduction of 19 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele, but not to atenolol. The C16730T polymorphism in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene predicted the change in systolic blood pressure in the atenolol group with an average reduction of 14 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele.

Conclusions
Polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in the lipid metabolism are associated with the response to antihypertensive treatment in a drug specific pattern. These results highlight the potential use of pharmacogenetics as a guide for individualised antihypertensive treatment, and also the role of lipids in blood pressure control.
Cytokine and immunoglobulin production by PWM-stimulated peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients
Authors: Fliss-Jaber Lilia , Houissa-Kastally Radhia , Bouzouita Kamel , Khediri Naceur , Khelifa Ridha 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) patients show a characteristic pattern of antibody responses to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) which is regularly associated with this tumor. However, no EBV-specific cytotoxic activity is detectable by the standard chromium-release assay at both peripheral and intratumoral levels. The mechanisms underlying this discrepancy between the humoral and cellular immune responses in NPC are still unknown, but might be related to an imbalance in immunoregulatory interleukin production. In this report, we investigated the ability of peripheral (PBL) and tumor- infiltrating (TIL) lymphocytes of undifferentiated NPC patients to produce in vitro three interleukins (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10) and three immunoglobulin isotypes (IgM, IgG, IgA).

Methods
Lymphocytes from 17 patients and 17 controls were cultured in the presence of Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) for 12 days and their culture supernatants were tested for interleukins and immunoglobulins by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Data were analysed using Student's t-test and probability values below 5% were considered significant.

Results
The data obtained indicated that TIL of NPC patients produced significantly more IL-2 (p = 0,0002), IL-10 (p = 0,020), IgM (p= 0,0003) and IgG (p < 0,0001) than their PBL. On the other hand, patients PBL produced significantly higher levels of IL-2 (p = 0,022), IL-10 (p = 0,016) and IgM (p = 0,004) than those of controls. No significant differences for IL-6 and IgA were observed.

Conclusion
Taken together, our data reinforce the possibility of an imbalance in immunoregulatory interleukin production in NPC patients. An increased ability to produce cytokines such as IL-10 may underlie the discrepancy between humoral and cellular immune responses characteristic of NPC.