bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Patterns of Medication Use of Migraneurs in Latin America From 12 Cities in 6 Countries
Authors: Morillo Luis E. , Alarcon Fernando , Aranaga Nayesca , Aulet Sara , Chapman Evelina , Conterno Lucien , Estevez Edmundo , Garcia‐Pedroza Felipe , Garrido Juanita , Macias‐Islas Miguel , Monzillo Paulo , Nunez Lilia , Plascencia Noel , Rodriguez Carlos , Takeuchi Yuri ,   Latin American Migraine Study Group
Published: February 2005

Objective.—The objective of this study was to document the clinical characteristics of migraine and patterns of medication use in residents ≥15 years old in 12 Latin American urban communities.Background.—Few large‐scale population studies have established the symptoms and disability associated with migraine with or without aura in Latin American urban communities or the pattern of medication use in these regions.Methods.—In this study, subjects in 12 urban communities, from 6 Latin American countries, were surveyed with a validated face‐to‐face interview questionnaire based on International Headache Society criteria for migraine. The questionnaire was completed during face‐to‐face interviews with headache sufferers within selected households and included questions about migraine symptoms, migraine‐related disability, and the use of health‐care resources and medications to treat migraines.Results.—Of the 8618 people available for screening, 62% suffered from headaches. Of individuals with migraine, 42% reported consulting a health‐care professional about their headaches. Of the migraineurs, 94.2% reported moderate to severe pain. Associated symptoms of nausea or vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and osmophobia were common during migraine attacks in 30.3, 76.4, 85.1, and 47.7% of subjects, respectively. The majority of subjects suffered between one and eight migraines each month. Although no previous diagnosis of migraine was reported by 65% of headache sufferers, migraineurs lost an average of 8 days in the preceding 3 months in any of the following areas: school, work, household chores, and/or social, family, or leisure activities. The agents used most widely to treat migraine were paracetamol and salicylates, while nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, dypirone, and ergotamines were also commonly used. Medication use varied widely among countries, but was predominantly nonprescription.Conclusions.—Migraine is a common disorder in Latin American urban communities imposing significant burden on individuals, families, and communities. The magnitude of the impact and the range of activities affected by migraine are similar to those of previous reports in other regions. The preponderance of nonprescription medications and the scarcity of migraine‐specific triptans from the study findings are especially striking.
Disclosing Genetic Test Results to Family Members
Authors: Hamilton Rebekah J. , Bowers Barbara J. , Williams Janet K. 
Published: February 2005

Purpose:

To describe the experiences of disclosing genetic test results to biological family members among people tested for Huntington's disease (HD) or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC).
Design:

Grounded theory methodology.
Methods:

Open‐ended, tape‐recorded interviews were conducted with 29 participants—24 who had received genetic test results and 5 who had decided not to be tested. The participants were from three countries, including 15 U.S. states. Interviews occurred from 2 months to 4 years after receiving test results. Tapes were transcribed and analyzed for conceptual categories to describe the experience of disclosing genetic test results.
Findings:

Participants described the effects and meaning of disclosing test results to their various family members, and they selectively disclosed results to family members. The timing of disclosure was influenced by the particular disease and the person's perceived need to prepare. Disclosure of genetic test results brought the risk of HD and HBOC to the foreground, not only for the person tested but for family members as well.
Conclusions:

This study elucidated the perspective of the “discloser” and the consequences they anticipated and experienced.
Mothers' Experience of Helping Young Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wongvatunyu Suporn , Porter Eileen J. 
Published: February 2005

Purpose:

To describe mothers' experience of helping young adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Design:

Descriptive.
Methods:

A convenience sample of participants from support groups for parents of young adults with TBI met the criteria of engaging in regular interaction or helping their children (aged 20 to 36 years). These young adults had suffered moderate or severe TBI from a motor vehicle collisions, sports‐related injuries, or recreation‐related injuries more than 6 months earlier. A descriptive phenomenological method was used. Three in‐depth interviews were done with each mother over a 2‐month period. Data were the mothers' perceptions, actions, and intentions pertaining to their experiences of helping the young adults.
Findings:

Five phenomena that were structures of the experience were discerned, discussed with participants to obtain their feedback, and compared to the relevant literature. The five phenomena of the mothers' experiences were: reconnecting my child's brain, considering my child's safety, making our lives as normal as possible, dealing with our biggest problem, and advocating for my child.
Conclusions:

The mothers continued rehabilitation efforts with the young adults, even when only minimal services were available to support their efforts. Mothers needed interventions to enhance their knowledge, and they and the young adults with TBI needed expanded community services.
Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in synovial fluids of patients with symptomatic internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: Sato Jun , Segami Natsuki , Kaneyama Keiseki , Mashiyama Yuichi , Fujimura Kazuma , Yoshitake Yoshino 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an inducer of angiogenesis and permeability of small blood vessels. We determined the concentrations of VEGF in synovial fluid of patients with symptomatic internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).Methods:  Diluted synovial fluid was collected by a pumping procedure from 22 TMJs of patients with internal derangement and 10 control TMJs. VEGF concentration was determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  The VEGF was detected in 14 of the 22 joints (64%) of patients with internal derangement, at a mean concentration of 67 pg/ml, but in only one control joint (12.5 pg/ml) (P = 0.004 for the difference in concentration). There was a significant correlation between VEGF concentration and total protein concentration in the synovial fluid (P = 0.002).Conclusions:  The increased concentration of VEGF in patients with symptomatic internal derangement suggests that this growth factor may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.
Validation of the VapoMeter, a closed unventilated chamber system to assess transepidermal water loss vs. the open chamber Tewameter®
Authors: De Paepe Kristien , Houben Evi , Adam Ralf , Wiesemann Frank , Rogiers Vera 
Published: February 2005

Background/aim: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the most important biophysical parameters for evaluating the efficiency of the human skin water barrier. Different approaches exist to measure TEWL. The most commonly used methodology consists of the open chamber diffusion technique in which the water vapor pressure gradient is measured in g/h m2 according to Fick's law. A typical apparatus is the Tewameter®. Recently, a portable device – the VapoMeter – became available with a humidity sensor in a closed chamber.Methods: In the present work, the closed chamber VapoMeter is compared with the open chamber Tewameter® for its applicability to assess TEWL. A comparative study – including parallel in vivo measurements with both devices – was carried out on human forearm skin.Results: It could be concluded that both instruments are reliable tools. A good correlation between recordings (r=0.503–0.966) was found with a consistent feature of measuring higher TEWL values for the Tewameter® than for the VapoMeter. Probe pressure, probe temperature and relative humidity were revealed to be important parameters inducing significant differences in data outcome.Conclusions: From skin barrier damage experiments it became clear that the Tewameter® is able to detect significantly smaller differences than the VapoMeter. In addition, the closed chamber device is currently not sensitive enough to discriminate for the effects induced by diurnal rhythm and fluctuations as a function of time. On the other hand, the small and handy VapoMeter allows more flexibility in measuring protocols and in in‐use performance.
An Analysis of Size Effect on the Performances of Low-Leakage 0.10 µm Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor for 5-GHz Band Low-Power RF-ICs and Static Random Access Memory Applications
Authors: Lin Yo-Sheng 
Published: February 2005

In this paper, we demonstrate the size effect on the DC and RF performances of 0.10 µm RF metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) for 5-GHz band low-power radio-frequency integrated circuits (RF-ICs) and high-speed static random access memory (SRAM) applications. It was found that either one of the increase of device's width, the increase of gate-source voltage (when its corresponding transconductance (g
m) is smaller than the maximum g
m), and the decrease of measurement temperature can enhance the kink effect of both scattering parameters S
11 and S
22 because of the increase of g
m. A device with larger gate-width exhibits better RF noise and power performances because of higher gain and the lighter effect of parasitic extrinsic elements. In addition, the directly extracted equivalent Pucel's noise parameters P, R, and C of the MOSFETs can be used to calculate the noise figures of LNA's/mixers and the phase noise of oscillators, and thus is very helpful in the design of RF circuits.
Adhesion molecules and cardiovascular risk in peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Schiano Vittorio , Scopacasa Francesco , Chiariello Massimo , Silvestro Antonio , Brevetti Gregorio 
Published: February 2005

SummaryAlthough intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) play a relevant role in atherosclerosis, little is known about the prognostic impact of their soluble forms (s) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aim of this prospective study was to verify whether plasma levels of s ICAM-1 and s VCAM-1 predict cardiovascular risk in PAD, and improve the prognostic value of the ankle/brachial index (ABI) alone. Accordingly, plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, and the ABI were measured in 75 PAD patients who were monitored for a mean of 24±13 months. Twenty-two (29.3%) patients had a cardiovascular event (15 coronary, 3 cerebrovascular and 4 peripheral events). Plasma levels of sVCAM-1 were 618±258 ng/mL in patients with and 496±164 ng/mL in those without an event (p= 0.016). The corresponding sICAM-1 values were 344±239 ng/mL and 275±99 ng/mL (p= 0.079). The cardiovascular event rate was higher in patients with sVCAM-1 levels above the median than in those with sVCAM-1 below the median (p=0.0027 by log rank test). Independent predictors of events were sVCAM-1 levels above the median (p=0.005) and an ABI below the median (p= 0.001). Amongst patients with ABI below the median, the occurrence of sVCAM-1 above the median was associated with a 3.4-fold increase in risk (95% CI 1.308 to 9.573, p= 0.013). In conclusion, increased plasma levels of sVCAM-1 have a negative prognostic impact in PAD and improve the predictive value of ABI, which is currently the most powerful risk indicator in these patients.
Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel versus aspirin plus clopidogrel against platelet thromboembolism and intimal thickening in mice
Authors: Momi Stefania , Pitchford Simon , Alberti Paolo , Minuz Pietro , Del Soldato Piero , Gresele Paolo 
Published: February 2005

SummaryClopidogrel plus aspirin is the treatment of choice for patients undergoing percutaneous, coronary interventions with stenting, but it does not prevent restenosis. NCX-4016, a nitric oxide-releasing aspirin (nitroaspirin), exerts a wider range of antiplatelet actions compared to aspirin, superior antithrombotic activity and reduces restenosis after arterial injury in animals. The aim of the present study was to compare the combination of nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel with aspirin plus clopidogrel in a model of platelet pulmonary thromboembolism, bleeding and intimal thickening in mice. Drugs were administered orally for 5 days; the antithrombotic effects were evaluated against collagen plus epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism, the haemorrhagic effects by tail transection bleeding time and the effects on neointima proliferation by histomorphology of photochemically injured femoral arteries. Lung platelet emboli were reduced significantly and more effectively by nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel (-56%, p< 0.05 vs control) than by aspirin plus clopidogrel (-26%, p< 0.05 vs control). Ex vivo platelet aggregation was inhibited maximally by nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel. Aspirin plus clopidogrel strikingly prolonged the bleeding time while nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel induced a lesser prolongation. Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel significantly reduced intimal thickening of the femoral artery while aspirin plus clopidogrel was ineffective. Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel is more effective and less prohaemorrhagic than aspirin plus clopidogrel in mice; provided these data are confirmed in other animal models, nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel may represent a new regimen to be tested in patients undergoing coronary revascularization procedures.
Effects of aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyridamole administered singly and in combination on platelet and leucocyte function in normal volunteers and patients with prior ischaemic stroke
Authors: Zhao Lian , Fletcher Sally , Weaver Chris , Leonardi-Bee Jo , May Jane , Fox Sue , Willmot Mark , Heptinstall Stan , Bath Philip 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess whether triple antiplatelet therapy is superior to dual and mono therapy in attenuating platelet and leucocyte function. Aspirin (A), clopidogrel (C), and dipyridamole (D) were administered singly and in various combinations (A, C, D, AC, AD, CD, ACD), each for two weeks (without washout) to 11 healthy subjects and to 11 patients with previous ischaemic stroke in two randomised multiway crossover trials. At the end of each two-week period platelet aggregation, platelet-leucocyte conjugate formation and leucocyte activation were measured ex vivo blinded to treatment. Platelets were stimulated with collagen; additional measurements were made with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), platelet activating factor (PAF), adrenaline and the combination of, ADP, PAF and adrenaline. Results show that in the presence of collagen, ACD was superior to all antagonists or combinations, except AC, in reducing aggregation, platelet-leucocyte conjugate formation, and monocyte activation (all p< 0.05). ACD was also more potent than other treatments, except AC, in inhibiting the aggregation and platelet-monocyte conjugate formation induced by the combination of ADP, PAF and adrenaline. The effects were similar in both volunteers and stroke patients. No serious adverse events or major bleeding events occurred. Triple antiplatelet therapy did not appear to be more effective than combined aspirin and clopidogrel in moderating platelet and leucocyte function. Any additional clinical benefit provided by dipyridamole may be through other mechanisms of action.
Role of fibrinolytic and clotting parameters in the diagnosis of liver veno-occlusive disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a pediatric population
Authors: Spiezia Luca , Cesaro Simone , Messina Chiara , Paris Myriam , Pillon Marta , Saggiorato Graziella , Pagnan Antonio , Girolami Antonio , Zanesco Luigi , Cella Giuseppe , Teresa Sartori Maria 
Published: February 2005

SummaryHepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a severe complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Recent studies, mainly in adults receiving HSCT, have identified an increase in the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as a possible marker of VOD. To confirm this finding, the fibrinolytic, coagulation and liver function parameters were assayed before and weekly for 1 month after 61 HSCT performed in 53 consecutive children. Non-VOD patients had a slight increase in t-PA antigen, fibrinogen and P-selectin levels, as well as a mildly longer aPTT and a drop in antithrombin after HSCT. The 6 children with VOD (9.84%) had an early and significant increase in PAI-1 antigen and activity (p< 0.0001), t-PA antigen (p< 0.0001) and D-dimer (p< 0.01) levels, and a decrease in plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin and PT emerged 2(±1) days before the clinical diagnosis of VOD by comparison with mean post-HSCT values in the non-VOD patients. Significant differences were also detected for these parameters and antithrombin levels between non-VOD and VOD patients soon after the clinical onset of VOD, whereas the rise in bilirubin levels became significant only later on. In conclusion, variations in fibrinolytic test findings after HSCT, and PAI-1 in particular, may facilitate the early diagnosis of VOD in pediatric patients after HSCT.
Contribution of haplotypes across the fibrinogen gene cluster to variation in risk of myocardial infarction
Authors: Eriksson Per , Lundman Pia , Samnegård Ann , Boquist Susanna , Ericsson Carl-Göran , Tornvall Per , Hamsten Anders , Silveira Angela , Mannila Maria 
Published: February 2005

SummaryFibrinogen has consistently been recognized as an independent predictor of myocardial infarction (MI). Multiple mechanisms link fibrinogen to MI; therefore disentangling the factors underlying variation in plasma fibrinogen concentration is essential. Candidate regions in the fibrinogen gamma (FGG), alpha (FGA) and beta (FGB) genes were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Several novel SNPs were detected in the FGG and FGA genes in addition to the previously known SNPs in the fibrinogen genes. Tight linkage disequilibrium extending over various physical distances was observed between most SNPs. Consequently, eight SNPs were chosen and determined in 377 postinfarction patients and 387 healthy individuals. None of the SNPs were associated with plasma fibrinogen concentration or MI. Haplotype analyses revealed a consistent pattern of hap-lotypes associated with variation in risk of MI. Of the four haplo-types inferred using the FGA –58G> A and FGG 1299+79T> C SNPs, the most frequent haplotype, FGG-FGA*1 (prevalence 46.6%), was associated with increased risk of MI (OR 1.51; 95%CI 1.18, 1.93), whereas the least frequent haplotype, FGGFGA*4 (11.8%), was associated with lower risk of MI (OR 0.79 95%CI 0.64, 0.98). In conclusion, fibrinogen haplotypes, but not SNPs in isolation, are associated with variation in risk of MI.
Basal high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels in patients with spontaneous venous thromboembolism
Authors: Vormittag Rainer , Vukovich Thomas , Schönauer Verena , Lehr Stephan , Minar Erich , Bialonczyk Christine , Hirschl Mirko , Pabinger Ingrid 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still under discussion because of controversial results in the literature. Conflicting data may have partly been due to bias by exogenous factors altering CRP levels. We investigated CRP concentrations in patients with spontaneous VTE applying a study design that allowed the measurement of basal high sensitivity (hs)-CRP levels. Patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, n=117) and pulmonary embolism (PE, n=97) were compared to healthy individuals (n=104). Hs-CRP levels (mg/dl) were significantly higher in patients (n=214, median/interquartile range: 0.171/0.082–0.366) than in controls (0.099/0.053–0.245, p=0.001). The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for VTE per 1 mg/dl increase of CRP was 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–6.8, p=0.03]. This association remained significant after adjustment for factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and factor VIII activity above 230% (OR = 2.9, 95% CI [1.1–7.5]), but became remarkably attenuated and lost its statistical significance after adjustment for BMI alone (OR = 1.7 [0.7–4.0]). CRP was also not independently associated with VTE in subgroups of patients (those with DVT without symptomatic PE, those with PE and patients without established risk factor) in multiple regression analysis. In summary, we observed significantly higher basal hs-CRP levels in patients with spontaneous VTE compared to healthy controls. This association was independent of hereditary and laboratory risk factors for VTE, but lost its significance after adjustment for BMI. Increased basal CRP levels do not appear to represent an independent risk factor for VTE.
Cytokine-mediated regulation of activating and inhibitory Fcγ receptors in human monocytes
Authors: Liu Yi , Masuda Emi , Blank Marissa C , Kirou Kyriakos A , Gao Xiaoni , Park Mee-Soon , Pricop Luminita 
Published: February 2005

AbstractFcγ receptors (FcγR) trigger inflammatory reactions in response to immunoglbulin-opsonized pathogens and antigen-antibody complexes. The coordinate expression of activating and inhibitory FcγR ensures the homeostasis of immune complex-driven inflammatory responses. In this study, we used antibodies with preferential binding for activating FcγRIIa and inhibitory FcγRIIb receptors to investigate the expression and regulation of FcγRII isoforms in human monocytes. Cross-linking of FcγRIIa triggered phagocytosis and cytokine production. Cross-linking of FcγRIIb was associated with phosphorylation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif and with a marked reduction in monocyte effector functions. Our study revealed that tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-13 altered the transcriptional activity of the FcγRIIB promoter in transfected cell lines and skewed the balance of activating versus inhibitory FcγR in human monocytes. TNF-α decreased the expression of inhibitory FcγRIIb. IL-10 up-regulated all classes of FcγR and induced alternative activation in monocytes, an effect that was synergistic with that of TNF-α. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-13, in combination with TNF-α, decreased the expression of activating FcγR and markedly down-regulated FcγR-mediated function. Our findings suggest that the cytokine milieu can induce changes in the relative expression of FcγR with opposing function and thus, may regulate the amplitude of FcγR-mediated uptake and inflammation.
Method to Rapidly Assess the Index Properties of Fine-Grained Dredged Materials
Authors: Lee LT 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Rapid assessment and characterization of very soft fine-grained soils may be desired in a field or laboratory situation when an estimate of soil properties is needed in advance of time-consuming standard laboratory procedures. For example, the need for rapid assessment may include geotechnical parameter estimation for preliminary design or jobsite quality control monitoring for specification compliance. One such method enabling parameter estimation or prediction consists of an adaptive technique called the “slump test” developed from a nongeotechnical materials test method. It is shown to be a viable tool for estimating index properties and remolded soil behavior. Correlations explored in this paper include water content, void ratio, Atterberg limits, and engineering behavior properties.