bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Mortality in Older People
Authors: Tikhonoff Valérie , Casiglia Edoardo , Mazza Alberto , Scarpa Roberta , Thijs Lutgarde , Pessina Achille C. , Staessen Jan A. 
Published: October 2005

Objectives: To investigate the role of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) as a predictor of mortality in elderly subjects.Design: Population‐based prospective cohort study.Setting: Two communities in northern Italy.Participants: Three thousand one hundred twenty Caucasian subjects aged 65 and older recruited in for the Cardiovascular Study in the Elderly and followed up for 12 years.Measurements: Anthropometric measures: fasting plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL‐C, glucose, creatinine, and body mass index. Clinical measures: medical assessment, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, coronary disease, heart failure, and smoking and drinking habits. Vital status measures: death certificates from the Registry Office and causes of death according to the International Classification of Diseases. After plotting mortality rates using quartiles of LDL‐C, relative hazard rates (RHRs) were calculated using multivariate Cox regression analyses. When the trend was nonlinear, the RHRs were further calculated for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of the distribution to confirm curvilinearity.Results: The distribution of risk of total mortality in women and of fatal heart failure in all subjects was curvilinear (non J‐shaped), decreasing nonlinearly with LDL‐C. For total mortality in men and cardiovascular mortality in both sexes, the relationship with LDL‐C was J‐shaped. The risk of fatal myocardial infarction was J‐shaped in men, whereas it increased linearly with higher LDL‐C in women. In both sexes, the association between stroke mortality and LDL‐C was not significant.Conclusion: This study adds to the uncertainty of the role of elevated levels of LDL‐C as a risk factor for mortality in old people.
Obesity among individuals with serious mental illness
Authors: Dickerson F. B. , Brown C. H. , Kreyenbuhl J. A. , Fang L. , Goldberg R. W. , Wohlheiter K. , Dixon L. B. 
Published: October 2005

Objective:  To study the distribution and correlates of body mass index (BMI) among individuals with serious mental illness.Method:  A total of 169 participants were recruited from randomly selected out‐patients receiving community‐based psychiatric care and were interviewed with items from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. Their BMI was compared with that of 2404 matched individuals from the NHANES data set.Results:  The distribution of BMI in the psychiatric sample significantly differed from that of the comparison group; 50% of women and 41% of men were obese compared with 27% and 20% in the comparison group. Within the psychiatric sample, higher BMI was associated with current hypertension and diabetes, a wish to weigh less, and reduced health‐related functioning.Conclusion:  Obesity is more prevalent among individuals with serious mental illness than in demographically matched individuals from the US general population. Among persons with mental illness, obesity is associated with co‐occurring health problems.
Reducing the duration of untreated first‐episode psychosis – effects on baseline social functioning and quality of life
Authors: Melle I. , Haahr U. , Friis S. , Hustoft K. , Johannessen J. O. , Larsen T. K. , Opjordsmoen S. , Rund B. R. , Simonsen E. , Vaglum P. , McGlashan T. 
Published: October 2005

Objective:  Long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with poorer outcome. The TIPS study demonstrated that DUP can be reduced through early detection (ED). As quality of life (QoL) is associated with DUP it is expected that reduction of DUP leads to better QoL.Method:  Consecutive first‐episode patients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of non‐organic, non‐affective psychosis were included, 281 patients gave informed consent and 263 completed a full evaluation of QoL.Results:  There were no differences in subjective QoL between ED and No‐ED groups attributable to reduction in DUP. There were significant bivariate differences in frequency of family and social contacts in favor of the ED group, but multivariate analyses indicated that these differences were based on differences in sample characteristics.Conclusion:  Deterioration in QoL may precede overt symptom formation. Focus on functional loss in ED educational campaigns may identify risk subjects earlier in the course of the disorder.
Effect of the menstrual cycle on pain experience associated with periodontal therapy
Authors: Özçaka Özgün , Bıçakçı Nurgün , Köse Timur 
Published: October 2005

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this pilot cross‐over study was to compare preliminarily the pain perception of female patients undergoing periodontal debridement during menstrual or pre‐menstrual phases (peri‐menstrual period) with that observed during mid‐menstrual phase (post‐menstrual period).Materials and Methods: Twenty women with moderate‐to‐advanced chronic periodontitis and regular menstrual cycles were asked to complete Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) during the first debridement visit. Patients were randomly assigned to receive their first debridement visit during either their peri‐menstrual or post‐menstrual period. Debridement was performed in bilateral quadrants of patients during the periods. Pain levels for each quadrant were asssessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), after each debridment visit.Results: There was no significant correlation of order of treatment in the intensity of perceived pain during the periods (p<0.05). The median VAS scores were 22.0 and 15.2 mm in the peri‐menstrual and the post‐menstrual period, respectively. Increase in pain perception among females during their peri‐menstrual period was significantly greater than their post‐menstrual period (p<0.05).Conclusion: No clinical conclusions can be drawn at this stage as this pilot study did not have a sufficiently broad population to generalize these observations to all female periodontal patients. Providing clinicians with information about patients' menstrual cycle during debridement can alter the pain experience.
The crossover design to evaluate the efficacy of plaque removal in tooth‐brushing studies
Authors: McCracken G. I. , Steen N. , Preshaw P. M. , Heasman L. , Stacey F. , Heasman P. A. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate the crossover clinical trial design to assess plaque removal efficacy of the Sonicare Elite.Material and Methods: A single‐cohort, 12‐week, two‐treatment, single‐blind, crossover clinical trial recruited 45 subjects. Plaque was recorded using the modified Quigley and Hein index plaque index (PI). After screening, subjects used the toothbrush for 2 weeks and were reminded to abstain from tooth cleaning 12–18 h prior to appointments. At visit two, subjects were randomized to 2 or 2½ min. brushing time. PIs was recorded pre‐ and post‐brushing. Subjects brushed for the allocated time for a further 2 weeks. At visit 3, PIs were recorded pre‐ and post‐brushing. Two weeks later, at visit 4, the subjects crossed over and the protocol was repeated.Results: There was no evidence of a learning effect within each arm of the crossover. A significant period effect was detected; however, no significant treatment by period effect was found. 2½ min. brushing removed more plaque at full mouth (p=0.037), smooth (p=0.012) and lingual (p=0.002) sites compared with 2 min.Conclusion: The crossover design is a valid model for assessing plaque removal efficacy in tooth‐brushing studies where no carry‐over effect is clinically plausible.
Bone response to different strength orthodontic forces in animals with periodontitis
Authors: Garat J. A. , Gordillo M. E. , Ubios A. M. 
Published: October 2005

Background:  Occlusal alterations resulting from tooth movements caused by periodontitis‐related bone loss are often corrected with orthodontic treatments. Although the outcome is usually satisfactory, a quantitative histomorphometric study of bone response would contribute to improving treatment planning and optimizing results.Methods and Results:  This study is a histomorphometric analysis of alveolar bone response to 51 and 75‐g orthodontic forces applied to rat molars subjected to experimental periodontitis by placing a ligature around the neck of the molar during 48 h. The orthodontic device consisted of two bands with a tube welded to their palatine aspect, through which the arms of a helicoidal spring were threaded so as to exert force toward palatine. The device was placed immediately and 48 h after removing the ligatures. When applied 48 h post‐removal of the ligature, both orthodontic forces caused an increase in bone volume in the periodontitis group.Conclusions:  Our study shows that application of orthodontic forces once periodontal infection has been controlled contributes to increasing alveolar bone volume, consequently improving bone quality.
The Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory—Female (SIDI-F): Item Response Analyses of Data from Women Diagnosed with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Authors: Sills Terrence , Wunderlich Glen , Pyke Robert , Segraves R. Taylor , Leiblum Sandra , Clayton Anita , Cotton Dan , Evans Kenneth 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common sexual complaint in women. Currently there are no validated instruments for specifically assessing HSDD severity, or change in HSDD severity in response to treatment, in premenopausal women. The Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory—Female (SIDI-F) is a clinician-administered instrument that was developed to measure severity and change in response to treatment of HSDD. Seventeen items were included in a preliminary version of the SIDI-F, including 10 items related to desire, and seven items related to possible comorbid factors (e.g., other kinds of sexual dysfunction, general relationship satisfaction, mood, and fatigue).

Aim
The aim of the study was to use the outcome of item response analyses of blinded data from two randomized, placebo-controlled trials, to assist in the revision of the scale.

Methods
A nonparametric item response (IRT) model was used to assess the relation between item functioning and HSDD severity on this preliminary version of the SIDI-F.

Results
Results show that the majority of SIDI-F items demonstrated good sensitivity to differences in overall HSDD severity. That is, there was an orderly relation between differences in option selection for an item and differences in overall HSDD severity. The IRT analyses further indicated that revisions were warranted for a number of these items. Five items were not sensitive to differences in HSDD severity and were removed from the scale.

Conclusion
The SIDI-F is a brief, clinician-administered rating scale designed to assess severity of HSDD symptoms in women. IRT analyses show that majority of the items of the SIDI-F function well in discriminating individual differences in HSDD severity. A revised 13-item version of the SIDI-F is currently undergoing further validation.
Sexual Dysfunction in Female Partners of Men Who Have Undergone Radical Prostatectomy Correlates with Sexual Dysfunction of the Male Partner
Authors: Shindel Alan , Quayle Sejal , Yan Yan , Husain Adnan , Naughton Cathy 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Preservation and restoration of erectile function after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer has been extensively studied. However, the influence of RP on the sexual function of female partners is poorly understood.

Aim
The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess sexuality in men who have undergone RP for prostate cancer and their female partners.

Methods
Men who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer at our institution from 1996 to 2000 were identified and invited to participate in this study with their female partners. Both partners completed a demographic survey. Men completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and female partners completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and supplemental questions.

Main Outcome Measures
Correlation between IIEF and FSFI domain scores was determined in matched couples using Pearson correlation coefficient. Kappa statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient were calculated for supplemental questions and IIEF domain scores.

Results
Of 1,134 men contacted by letter, 90 (8%) couples completed demographic surveys and both the IIEF/FSFI. Pearson correlation coefficients of IIEF and FSFI domain scores in matched couples demonstrated significant correlation (P &lt; 0.05) of all IIEF domains with all FSFI domains with the exception of male erectile function and overall sexual function with female sexual desire. There was moderate agreement between partner supplemental questions and IIEF domain scores.

Conclusions
Response rate was very low. FSFI domain scores correlate with IIEF domain scores, indicating an interrelationship between male and female sexual dysfunction in these couples. Evaluation and treatment of sexual dysfunction after RP should involve both partners.
Extracts from Tephrosia vogelii for the protection of stored legume seeds against damage by three bruchid species
Authors: Koona P. , Dorn S. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAliquots of powdered dried leaves of Tephrosia vogelii (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae) were extracted with hexane, acetone and ethanol. The extracts were tested for their potential to protect stored legume seeds from damage by the bruchids Acanthoscelides obtectus, Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera – Bruchidae). While the acetone and ethanol extracts were ineffective except for a significant but low effect on A. obtectus, the hexane extract had a relatively high efficacy, providing similar control of all three bruchid species. This effect was manifested in slowly‐reduced adult survival within 7 days and in reduced numbers of eggs laid and of F1 progeny produced, resulting in seed damage averaging 7.1% compared to 99.8% in the untreated controls after one generation. These findings are discussed in the context of previously identified constituents of T. vogelii, the rotenoids rotenone, tephrosin and deguelin.
Coccidioidal meningitis presenting as memory loss
Authors: Hoffman Snyder Charlene 
Published: October 2005

PurposeThis case study is designed to help the nurse practitioner recognize atypical symptoms of coccidioidal meningitis, particularly in high‐risk groups that require further diagnostic treatment.Data sourcesSelected research, clinical articles, and case studies.ConclusionsCoccidioidal meningitis is a potentially lethal infection unless recognized and treated. Unlike other infectious meningitides that present with more acute meningeal symptoms, disseminated coccidioidomycosis can present insidiously. When it presents as cognitive dysfunction, it may be mistaken for early dementia and if undiagnosed can result in death. While it is an infectious disease that is endemic to a small number of southwestern states, these areas see a high volume of tourists who can unwittingly become infected. Knowledge of this infectious disease and the many ways it can imitate other diseases is critical to its early recognition and treatment.Implications for practiceFailure to recognize this reemerging, endemic fungal infection in high‐risk groups can result in death.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention: An exploratory study of women's use of, attitudes toward, and knowledge about alcohol
Authors: Walker Deborah S. , Darling Fisher Cynthia S. , Sherman Anita , Wybrecht Barbara , Kyndely Kathleen 
Published: October 2005

PurposeThe incidence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is increasing, even though it is 100% preventable. This study examined use of, knowledge about, and attitudes toward alcohol of women requesting emergency contraception (EC) and/or a pregnancy test, and evaluated whether a brief intervention would be effective in educating them about the risks of FASD.Data sourcesFifty women from two outpatient clinics participated. Information was collected on demographic and personal health habits, alcohol use, and knowledge of and attitudes toward alcohol. As a brief intervention to increase knowledge about FASD, participants read a short pamphlet about the risks of alcohol exposure in pregnancy and then completed a post‐test questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and skewness, were calculated for all variables. Pearson correlations were computed to assess relationships between demographic/lifestyle variables and attitudes toward and knowledge about alcohol. Paired t‐tests were used to analyze the relationship between pretest and post‐test knowledge scores.ConclusionsThe majority of participants were single (76%), college educated (94%), and received EC at the clinic visit (60%). The average age was 24 years. Slightly over half (52%) reported drinking beer at least once a week, with one to six cans on occasion. Younger women expressed more tolerant attitudes toward alcohol use (p= .02) and drank significantly more beer on occasion (p= .015). Women who reported drinking alcohol when they last had sex were significantly (p= .017) less tolerant in their attitudes toward alcohol use. The intervention used in this study was effective in communicating knowledge about FASD to this population (p < .0001).Implications for practiceThese findings suggest that young women may be engaging in behaviors that could put potential offspring at risk for exposure to alcohol. Clinicians are advised to take a thorough history to determine alcohol use in all women of childbearing age and to provide information regarding FASD prevention.
Sensitivity and Specificity of a Monoclonal Antibody-Based Fluorescence Assay for Detecting
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Spores in Feces of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques
Authors: Singh Inderpal , Sheoran Abhineet S. , Zhang Quanshun , Carville Angela , Tzipori Saul 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Enterocytozoon bieneusi
is clinically the most significant among the microsporidia causing chronic diarrhea, wasting, and cholangitis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. Microscopy with either calcofluor or modified trichrome stains is the standard diagnostic test for microsporidiosis and does not allow species identification. Detection of
E. bieneusi
infection based on PCR is limited to a few reference laboratories, and thus it is not the standard diagnostic assay. We have recently reported the development and characterization of a panel of monoclonal antibodies against
E. bieneusi
, and in this publication we evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of an immunofluorescence assay (IFA), compared with PCR, in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques. The IFA, which correlated with the primary PCR method, with a detection limit of 1.5 ×10
5
spores per gram of feces, will simplify considerably the detection of
E. bieneusi
spores in clinical and environmental specimens and in laboratory and epidemiological investigations.
Psychosis in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Thanvi B R , Lo T C N , Harsh D P 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Psychosis is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly in its later stages. The symptoms range from comparatively minor illusions, vivid dreams, and occasional, non-disturbing visual hallucinations to frank psychosis. The pathogenesis of psychosis in PD is not fully known. Management of psychosis in PD requires a multidisciplinary approach. Some of the newer atypical antipsychotics are effective against psychosis with no significant worsening of PD. Psychosis in PD is associated with poor quality of life for patients and the carers.
Revisiting the ABC strategy: HIV prevention in Uganda in the era of antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Okware S , Kinsman J , Onyango S , Opio A , Kaggwa P 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
The ABC strategy is credited for bringing the HIV/AIDS epidemic under control in Uganda. By promoting abstinence, being faithful, and condom use, safe(r) behaviours have been identified that are applicable to people in different circumstances. However, scaling-up of antiretroviral therapy in the country raised concerns that HIV prevention messages targeting the uninfected population are not taking sufficient account of inherent complexities. Furthermore, there is debate in the country over relative importance of abstinence in reduction of HIV incidence as well as over the morality and effectiveness of condoms. The purpose of this paper is to examine each component of ABC in light of current developments. It is argued that there is still a strong justification for condom use to complement abstinence and being faithful. There is an urgent need to update and relaunch Uganda’s ABC strategy—its three elements are complementary, synergistic, and inseparable in the national HIV prevention programme.
Terrestrial habitat preferences of the natterjack toad during and after the breeding season in a landscape of intensive agricultural activity
Authors: Miaud Claude , Sanuy Delfi 
Published: October 2005

AbstractNineteen adult toads equipped with transmitters were followed during and after the breeding period (January to September) in order to estimate their home range area and habitat use in a landscape of cereal agriculture. Median home range area was 0.5 ha (range 0.1-11 ha) during the breeding season (January-April). Home range areas increase during the post-breeding season (April-September) e.g., median minimum concave polygon of 4.1 ha. No relation between home range and toads' body size was observed. Six habitat types were described in the studied area. The proportion of habitats used (i.e. proportion of the pooled positions of 11 toads during the post-breeding season in each habitat) was significantly different from the proportion of available habitats: while crops represented 85% of the available habitat, only 43% of the toads' positions were recorded in this type of habitat. A compositional analysis of habitat preference was performed. At both landscape and individual home range levels, the toads preferred the stone embankments and ditches above all, while the crops were the least preferred habitat. This study highlights the role of habitat linkage and marginal habitats for the persistence of amphibian populations in intensive agricultural and arid landscapes.
Ecological patterns of distribution on gradients of elevation and species diversity of snakes in southern Taiwan
Authors: Lee Tsung Hung 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe study was conducted in southern Taiwan, along a road traversing the study area from 287 to 1680 m a.s.l. from May to October 2003 to investigate the distribution patterns and species diversity of the snakes. A total of 69 individual snakes belonging to 16 species were recorded. The Shannon's index and evenness index of the full study area were 2.4337 and 0.8777, respectively. Moreover, evenness index was 401 to 700 m > 1001 to 1300 m > 701 to 1000 m > 1301 to 1600 m altitudinal zone. The Shannon's index, DMG, and the reciprocal form of the Berger-Parker index (1/d) were 1001 to 1300 m > 401 to 700 m > 701 to 1000 m > 1301 to 1600 m altitudinal zone. Thirty-seven snakes were found in natural forest, 12 in plantation forest, 8 in secondary forest, and 12 in agricultural lands. I concluded that the highest species richness and diversity are found in mid-altitudinal mountains in southern Taiwan.