bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia by Morphometry in Japanese Patients
Authors: Rubio Carlos A. , Hirota Teruyuki , Itabashi Masayuki , Hirohashi Setsuo , Kato Yo
Published: September 2010

With the aid of an image processor, the length of the intestinal metaplasia (IM) was recorded in 33 gastrectomy specimens (23 with early gastric cancer and 10 with gastric peptic ulcer). A total of 1917 sections were analyzed. The length of the areas with IM and the total length of the muscularis mucosa were measured in individual sections. The resulting ratio (length of IM/length of muscularis mucosa) was noted as the intestinal metaplasia index (IMI), as an expression of the extension of IM in the specimens. The IMI was influenced by the age of the patient and by the histologic type of the tumor: a higher IMI was found among older patients and among patients with adenocarcinoma of intestinal type. A comparison with a similar study done in gastrectomy specimens from Swedish patients indicates that despite the latter group being older, and the tumors being more advanced, the IM was much more extended in the gastric mucosa of the Japanese patients with gastric adenocarcinomas of intestinal type. From the results it is suggested that extended IM in the gastric mucosa may have some bearing on the histogenesis of gastric carcinomas, particularly adenocarcinomas of intestinal type.
Polyoxyethylene‐modified Superoxide Dismutase Reduces Side Effects of Adriamycin and Mitomycin C
Authors: Kawasaki Shingo , Akiyama Seiji , Kurokawa Tsuyoshi , Kataoka Masato , Dohmitsu Kazuya , Kondoh Ken , Yamauchi Masaji , Ito Katsuki , Watanabe Tadashi , Sugiyama Satoru , Ozawa Takayuki , Matsuyama Mutsushi , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: September 2010

Polyoxyethylene‐modified superoxide dismutase (SOD‐POE) is a newly developed long‐acting superoxide dismutase. Adriamycin (ADR) and mitomycin C (MMC) generate superoxide, which contributes to their cytocidal effects or side effects. We examined whether SOD‐POE could prevent the side effects induced by superoxide generated by antitumor agents, and the following results were obtained. SOD‐POE did not influence the antitumor effects of ADR and MMC either in vitro or in vivo, but prevented the toxic death of BALB/c, nu/nu male mice caused by overdoses of ADR or MMC. As for its effective sites, SOD‐POE prevented a decrease in the specific activity of rotenone‐sensitive NADH‐ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) in heart muscle mitochondrial respiratory chain function in BALB/c male mice administered 10 mg/kg ADR, and prevented damage to the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of mouse heart muscle by ADR as observed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, SOD‐POE prevented bone marrow suppression induced by MMC in Donryu rats. The above results suggest that combination chemotherapy with SOD‐POE would make it possible to increase the maximum permissible doses of antitumor agents, improving the efficacy of these agents.
Tissue‐specific expression of a defence‐related peroxidase in transgenic wheat potentiates cell death in pathogen‐attacked leaf epidermis
Authors: SCHWEIZER PATRICK
Published: September 2010

Gene technology can offer creative solutions to problems of agronomical relevance, which may not be solved by conventional breeding methods. One of the major problems of wheat cultivation is disease caused by a number of fungal pathogens including the wheat powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt). Transgenic wheat plants that constitutively express the coding sequence of the defence‐related wheat peroxidase TaPrx103 (previously TaPERO) in shoot epidermis under the control of the wheat GstA1 promoter were generated and found to exhibit enhanced resistance to Bgt (Altpeter et al., Plant. Mol. Biol. 57, 271–283). Here, I report on physiological and molecular analyses of these plants in order to assess the mode of action of the peroxidase encoded by the TaGstA1:TaPrx103 transgene. Epidermal cells of transgenic lines with enhanced resistance were found to respond to Bgt attack more frequently with hypersensitive cell death and the generation of hydrogen peroxide. By contrast, resistance of epidermal cell walls to degradation by fungal enzymes appeared to be similar in transgenic and wild‐type plants. Moreover, the analysis of the abundance of approximately 10 000 wheat transcripts revealed no significant effect of the GstA1i:TaPrx103 transgene on host gene expression in non‐inoculated leaves and only a marginal effect in Bgt‐challenged leaves, compared with wild‐type plants treated in the same manner. The results indicate that the TaPrx103 protein is involved in generating reactive oxygen species specifically in pathogen‐attacked cells, which may lead to localized cell death and resistance. I therefore suggest that the transgenic plants presented here can be regarded as substantially equivalent to non‐transgenic wheat.
Tectono‐sedimentary evolution of active extensional basins
Authors: Gawthorpe R. L. , Leeder M. R.
Published: September 2010

We present conceptual models for the tectono‐sedimentary evolution of rift basins. Basin architecture depends upon a complex interaction between the three‐dimensional evolution of basin linkage through fault propagation, the evolution of drainage and drainage catchments and the effects of changes in climate and sea/lake level. In particular, the processes of fault propagation, growth, linkage and death are major tectonic controls on basin architecture. Current theoretical and experimental models of fault linkage and the direction of fault growth can be tested using observational evidence from the earliest stages of rift development. Basin linkage by burial or breaching of crossover basement ridges is the dominant process whereby hydrologically closed rifts evolve into open ones. Nontectonic effects arising from climate, sea or lake level change are responsible for major changes in basin‐scale sedimentation patterns. Major gaps in our understanding of rift basins remain because of current inadequacies in sediment, fault and landscape dating.
A general inverse method for modelling extensional sedimentary basins
Authors: Bellingham P. , White N.
Published: September 2010

A two‐dimensional inverse model for extracting the spatial and temporal variation of strain rate from extensional sedimentary basins is presented and applied. This model is a generalization of a one‐dimensional algorithm which minimizes the misfit between predicted and observed patterns of basin subsidence. Our calculations include the effects of two‐dimensional conduction and advection of heat as well as flexural rigidity. More importantly, we make no prior assumptions about the duration, number or intensity of rifting periods. Instead, the distribution of strain rate is permitted to vary smoothly through space and time until the subsidence misfit has been minimized. We have applied this inversion algorithm to extensional sedimentary basins in a variety of geological settings. Basin stratigraphy can be accurately fitted and the resultant spatiotemporal distributions of strain rate are corroborated by independent information about the number and duration of rifting episodes. Perhaps surprisingly, the smallest misfits are achieved with flexural rigidities close to zero. Spatiotemporal strain rate distributions will help to constrain the dynamical evolution of thinning continental lithosphere. The strain rate pattern governs the heat‐flow history and so two‐dimensional inversion can be used to construct accurate maturation models. Finally, our inversion algorithm is a stepping stone towards a generalized three‐dimensional implementation.
The propagation and linkage of normal faults: insights from the Strathspey–Brent–Statfjord fault array, northern North Sea
Authors: McLeod A. E. , Dawers* N. H. , Underhill J. R.
Published: September 2010

Through examination of the scaling relations of faults and the use of seismic stratigraphic techniques, we demonstrate how the temporal and spatial evolution of the fault population in a half‐graben basin can be accurately reconstructed. The basin bounded by the ≫62‐km‐long Strathspey–Brent–Statfjord fault array is located on the western flank of the Late Jurassic northern North Sea rift basin. Along‐strike displacement variations, transverse fault‐displacement folds and palaeo‐fault tips abandoned in the hangingwall all provide evidence that the fault system comprises a hierarchy of linked palaeo‐segments. The displacement variations developed while the fault was in a prelinkage, multisegment stage of its growth have not been equilibrated following fault linkage. Using the stratal architecture of synrift sediments, we date the main phase of segment linkage as latest Callovian – middle Oxfordian (10–14 Myr after rift initiation). A dense subpopulation of faults is mapped in the hangingwall to the Strathspey–Brent–Statfjord fault array. The majority of these faults are short, of low displacement and became inactive within 3–4 Myr of the beginning of the extensional event. Subsequently, only the segments of the proto‐Strathspey–Brent–Statfjord fault and a conjugate array of antithetic faults located 3.5 km basinward continued to grow to define a graben‐like basin geometry. Faults of the antithetic array became inactive ∼11.5 Myr into the rift event, concentrating strain on the linked Strathspey–Brent–Statfjord fault; hence, the basin evolved into a half‐graben. As the rift event progressed, strain was localized on a smaller number of active structures with increased rates of displacement. The results of this study suggest that a simple model for the linkage of 2–3 fault segments may not be applicable to a complex multisegment array.
River spacing and drainage network growth in widening mountain ranges
Authors: Castelltort Sébastien , Simpson Guy
Published: September 2010

Drainage networks in linear mountain ranges always display a particular geometrical organisation whereby the spacing between the major drainage basins is on average equal to half the mountain width (distance from the mountain front to the main drainage divide), independent of climate and tectonics. This relationship is valid for mountains having different widths and is thus usually thought to be maintained by drainage reorganisation during mountain belt widening. However, such large‐scale systematic drainage reorganisation has never been evidenced. In this paper, we suggest an alternative explanation, namely that the observed drainage basin relationships are an inherent property of dendritic river networks and that these relationships are established on the undissected, lowland margins outside mountain ranges and are progressively incorporated and quenched into uplifted topography during range widening. Thus, we suggest that the large‐scale geometry of drainage networks in mountain ranges is mainly antecedent to erosion. We propose a model in which the large‐scale drainage geometry is controlled mainly by the geometrical properties of the undissected surfaces (in particular, the ratio of the regional slope to the local slope related to roughness) over which rivers are flowing before uplift, and is therefore independent of climate and tectonics.
Cultured Human Tumour Cells May Be Arrested In All Stages of the Cycle During Stationary Phase: Demonstration of Quiescent Cells In G1, S and G2 Phase
Authors: Drewinko B. , Yang Li Ying , Barlogie B. , Trujillo J. M.
Published: September 2010

Six human colon carcinoma cell lines were induced to enter stationary phase of growth by nutrient deprivation and cell crowding. Growth kinetics parameters (cell number, flow cytometric analysis of DNA distribution, and labelling and mitotic indices) were measured sequentially for all lines during the various stages of in vitro growth. Our results demonstrated that a substantial fraction of cells (9–18%) were located in G2, phase when they changed from an exponential to a stationary mode of growth. Moreover, a large number of cells in stationary phase of growth had an S‐phase DNA content, as determined by flow cytometry, but failed to incorporate radioactive DNA precursors (up to 15‐fold difference). to substantiate these findings. cells in stationary phase of growth were induced to enter exponential growth by re‐seeding in fresh medium at a lower density. Subsequently observed changes in DNA‐compartment distribution, and in labelling and mitotic indices were those expected from cells that had been arrested at different stages of the cycle during their previous stationary phase. Thus, the non‐proliferating quiescent state (Q), traditionally located ‘somewhere’ in G1, phase, appears to be composed also of cells that can be arrested at other stages of the cycle (Qs, and QG). Although the proportion of such cells is rather small, their contribution to the growth kinetics behaviour of human in vivo tumours will become apparent following ‘recruiting’ or ‘synchronizing’ clinical manoeuvres and will prevent the formation of a clear‐cut wave of synchronized cells.
Empowering looked‐after children
Authors: Munro
Published: September 2010

Children’s rights include the right to participation in decisions made about them. For looked‐after children, this right is enshrined in the Children Act (England & Wales) 1989. This article reports the results of a study of children’s views about their experience of being looked after and the degree of power that they felt they had to influence decision making. Their main areas of criticism were frequent changes of social worker, lack of an effective voice at reviews, lack of confidentiality and, linked to this, lack of a confidante. The findings are discussed in relation to recent policy changes. Specifically, the Looked After Children documentation and the Quality Protects initiative, by setting out uniform objectives and performance criteria, seem to restrict the freedom of local authority management and of social workers to respond to individual children’s preferences, or to give weight to what the children themselves consider to be in their best interest.
What can we learn from the experiences of consultants around the time of a child's death?
Authors: Baverstock A. , Finlay F.
Published: September 2010

Aims  To describe how paediatric consultants report dealing with child and neonatal deaths as part of their daily work.

Background  Paediatric consultants are involved with children and their families facing death through illness. This study focused on consultant's involvement around the time of death including: decision making and its associated difficulties, talking to parents and the use of coping strategies. Consultants with more than 5 years experience were asked what experience has taught them and consultants with less that 5 years experience were asked what they felt was the biggest change from being a registrar.

Methods  Following Multicentre Research Ethics Committee (MREC) approval a pre‐piloted self‐administered questionnaire (with one reminder) was sent to 100 of the paediatric consultants within the South West Region.

Results  There was a 61% response rate. Most consultants had experienced a variety of opinions when talking to parents about when to withdraw or withhold life sustaining treatment. Uncertainty (39%) and disagreement (44%) made decision making difficult. Discussion with colleagues (41%), ‘honesty and time with parents’ (28%) and planning or ‘stage managing’ talking with parents (38%) were well used strategies to deal with this. New consultants find responsibility and decision making the biggest change from being a registrar.

Conclusions  We can learn much from the experiences of consultants around the time of a child's death. Their approach during resuscitation and withdrawal or withholding life sustaining treatment describes many strategies that have been developed to ease the often complex decision‐making process. Although consultants have built up personal support networks and individual coping strategies many recognize that these are not all encompassing and some harbour unresolved feelings of grief. Enabling health professionals to genuinely care, ‘giving oneself totally yet preserving oneself totally’ remains a challenge.
Stress in parents of children with cerebral palsy: what sources of stress are we talking about?
Authors: Ketelaar M. , Volman M. J. M. , Gorter J. W. , Vermeer A.
Published: September 2010

Background  Parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience high levels of stress. Little is known however on the different sources of stress parents experience. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relation between aspects of parental distress in the parenting role and the child's limitations in functional skills and the child's behavioural difficulties, in parents of children with CP.

Methods  A cross‐sectional study among 42 parents of ambulatory children with CP (age 3–8 years; GMFCS levels I–III) was performed, using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS).

Results  Regression analysis revealed that the PEDI Functional Skills and VABS Maladaptive behaviour scores explained 27% of the total variance in the PSI Parent domain total stress score. Maladaptive behaviour did significantly contribute to parental stress scores for the Parent domain subscales Attachment, Relationship with spouse, Depression, and, in particular, Sense of competence.

Conclusions  Parents' functioning can be affected by behavioural aspects of the child with CP, and sense of competence could be an important variable in this relation. This emphasizes the importance of the development of specific interventions that support the family as a whole.
Anti‐cardiolipin antibodies in autoimmune thyroid diseases
Authors: Paggl A. , Caccavo D. , Ferri G. M. , di Prima M. A. , Amoroso A. , Vaccaro F. , Bonomo L. , Afeitra A.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE In recent years anti‐phospholipid antibodies have gained much attention since they are frequently associated with thrombosis, recurrent abortion, and thrombocytopenia. Besides disease‐specific autoantibodies, other autoantibodies reactive with both organ and non‐organ specific autoantigens have been found in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence and significance of anti‐phospholipid antibodies in untreated patients with different forms of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty‐one patients (26 females, five males; mean age 42.5 years) affected by different autoimmune thyroid diseases were studied. Fourteen patients were affected by Graves' disease, eight by silent thyroiditis, five by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Four patients with Graves' disease in remission were also evaluated. Anti‐cardiolipin antibodies were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In five Graves' disease patients anti‐cardiolipin antibodies were evaluated before and after 3 months of therapy with methimazole.

RESULTS Seventeen out of 31 patients were positive for IgG and/or IgM anti‐cardiolipin antibodies, the highest levels occurring in three Graves' disease patients with severe thyrotoxicosis. In four of five Graves' patients evaluated before and after methimazole therapy, anti‐cardiolipin antibodies decreased following treatment.

None of the patients with increased IgG and/or IgM anti‐cardiolipin antibodies showed clinical manifestations of the anti‐phospholipid syndrome during our observation which ranged from 1 to 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS Our results showed an increased incidence of anti‐cardiolipin antibodies in patients affected by autoimmune thyroid diseases. However, these autoantibodies seem merely to represent a non‐specific marker of immune dysregulation.
The effect of growth hormone replacement therapy in hypopituitary adults on calcium and bone metabolism*
Authors: Beshyah Salem A. , Thomas Elizabeth , Kyd Patricia , Sharp Patrick , Fairney Angela , Johnston Desmond G.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE The importance of growth hormone (GH) for normal skeletal growth in childhood and adolescence is well established but much less is known about its action on the adult skeleton. We therefore wished to investigate the effects of replacement treatment with blosynthetic human GH in hypopituitary adults on aspects of calcium homeostatis, bone metabolism and bone mineral mass.

PATIENTS Forty hypopituitary adults (21 females and 19 males; aged 19–67 years).

DESIGN A prospective randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial lasting for 6 months.

PROTOCOL Following baseline assessments, GH was given in a daily dose of 0·02–0·05 IU/kg body weight subcutaneously (or a placebo (P)) at bedtime. Patients were reviewed at 1, 3 and 6 months.

MEASUREMENTS Plasma calcium, phosphate and total plasma alkaline phosphatase were measured at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months. Serum insulin like growth factor I (IGF‐I), osteocalcin, procollagen 1 carboxyterminal peptide (P1CP) and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level, 24‐hour urinary calcium and creatinine excretion were all measured at 0 and 6 months. Bone mineral density of total body and lumbar spine was also measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry at 0 and 6 months in 12 patients on GH and 14 on placebo.

RESULTS Thirty‐eight patients completed the study (18 on GH, 20 on placebo). Serum IGF‐I Increased significantly on GH treatment (mean ± SD) (GH: 276 ± 197 vs P: 88 ± 50 μg/l, P < 0 0001 at 6 months). Plasma calcium increased slightly but significantly in the GH‐treated group (2·23 ± 0·11–2·29 ± 0·11 mmol/l, P<0·05). At the end of the study, plasma calcium was however similar on GH and placebo (GH, 2·29 ± 0·11; P, 2·26 ± 0·09 mmol/l). Plasma phosphate increased on GH (GH: 1·02±0·23–1·32±0·19; P: 0·99±0·16–0·96±0·12 mmol/l over the 6 months of treatment, P<0·001). There was no significant change in the urinary calcium excretion on GH therapy. Plasma total alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and P1CP were significantly higher on GH than P at 6 months (alkaline phosphatase: GH: 104±32 vs P: 69±32 U/I, P<0·01, osteocalcin: GH: 17·2±8·0 vs P: 5·3±3·2 μg/l, P<0·001 and P1CP: GH: 207 ± 152 vs P: 93±31 μg/l, P<0·01). There was no difference in the intact parathyroid hormone level (GH: 31 ± 14 vs P:31 ± 15 ng/l, NS). No significant change was observed in bone mass after 6 months of GH treatment, either in total body bone mineral content or in the lumbar spine.

CONCLUSION In this large study, GH replacement in hypopituitary adults for 6 months increased bone turnover but did not affect bone mineral content. Longer‐term studies are required to assess further any effect on bone mass.
Cardiovascular and renal effects of growth hormone*
Authors: Caidahl K. , Edén S. , Bengtsson B.‐Å.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE With the advent of recombinant human GH (rhGH), it has become possible in controlled clinical studies to explore the effects of GH replacement in adults with GH deficiency. The objective of this study was to determine cardiovascular and renal effects of GH replacement in adults with GH deficiency.

PATIENTS We studied ten patients (one woman and nine men), mean age 47 years, with GH deficiency.

DESIGN The patients were given s.c. rhGH (Humatrope, Ell Lilly) 0·5 U/kg/week or placebo in a 6‐month double blind cross‐over study. Cardiac and renal function was measured before drug administration (baseline), before cross‐over (i.e. after 6 months), and before termination of drug administration (after another 6 months). Analysis of variance was used to compare measurements during GH replacement with baseline and placebo measurements. One patient was excluded because of atrial fibrillation.

MEASUREMENTS Main outcome measures were glomerular filtration rate and Doppler‐echocardiographic estimates of cardiac function and structure. Computerized exercise electrocardiogram, spirometry, and blood samples for analyses of plasma hormones were also obtained.

RESULTS Left ventricular function was maintained during GH replacement. However, left ventricular mass increased from 211 to 249 g (P<0·05) mainly due to increased left ventricular dimension since wall thicknesses did not increase. The left atrium increased from 38 to 41 mm (P<0·05), possibly because stroke volume increased from 92 to 118 ml (P<0·0001) and cardiac output increased from 5·29 to 7·58 l/min (P<0·05). Total peripheral resistance decreased from 18·9 to 12·4 mmHg min/l (P<0·05), and diastolic blood pressure from 79 to 72 mmHg (P<0·05). Heart rate at rest increased from 58 to 70 beats/min. Systolic blood pressure at rest was unchanged, as was systolic blood pressure during dynamic exercise. GH replacement did not cause ST‐abnormalities. Serum creatinine decreased from 91·4 to 85·3 μmol/l (P<0·05) and glomerular filtration rate increased from 89·6 to 99·8 ml/min (P<0·01).

CONCLUSIONS Thus, GH replacement has favourable cardiovascular and renal effects including increase of stroke volume and glomerular filtration rate with reduction of peripheral resistance.
The impact of cutting, liming and fertilizing on characteristics of abandoned upland meadows in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hájek J. , Poláková S.
Published: September 2010

The responses of three upland grassland phytocoenoses to three different management treatments were studied in Southern Bohemia. The sites were at an advanced successional stage, with all three being meadows abandoned since World War II: (i) Molinion, (ii) degraded Calthion with dominant Carex brizoides and (iii) plant community with the dominant species Calamagrostis villosa. Three different treatments (cutting, liming and fertilizing) were applied to the three grassland types, and their effects on the diversity, plant cover and biomass production were investigated over a 3‐year period. Analyses showed significant differences between meadow types in time as well as response to treatments. Independent of the treatments, the biomass production and Shannon index increased significantly in all meadows by varying degrees during the investigation period, whereas the cover decreased slightly in the case of the Carex community and the Molinion and remained unchanged in the case of the Calamagrostis community. Changes in the ground cover (as percentage) in response to management treatments varied between the meadow types. Limed and fertilized plots of the Molinion and Calamagrostis communities had higher percentage cover values compared to the control, but the cover of the C. brizoides community was not affected. In contrast, cut plots of the Molinion had slightly reduced cover. The changes in biomass and species diversity showed no significant correlation with the types of treatment used.
Childhood Asthma. Part I: Physiological and Psychological Aspects
Authors: King Neville J. , Murphy Gregory C.
Published: September 2010

Asthma is a bronchial disorder where many factors may effect the onset, severity and course of the disorder. The authors present a critical review of the literature relevant to the physiology of childhood asthma and psychological aspects of its development and maintenance. The limitations of psychoanalytic theory and learning theory as applied to asthma are discussed. The second part of this paper focuses on recent psychological therapy and will appear in a subsequent issue of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.
1981 International Year of Disabled Persons
Authors: Lucas Elizabeth
Published: September 2010

In 1976, the United Nations declared 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). The objectives of full participation and equality for disabled people have been reflected in Australia in the national media campaign theme of ‘Break Down the Barriers.’

So far the year has created an awareness of disabled people and their needs never before seen in Australia. The positive commitment to action and spirit of co‐operation established by the efforts of Commonwealth, State and Territory, regional and local IYDP organising groups in conjuction with non‐government organisations, professional groups, private enterprise and the community, should ensure that the benefits of the year persist long after IYDP is over.

The central principle of IYDP is the involvement of disabled people. To participate as full and equal members of society requires a fundamental attitude change on the part of decision makers and the community.

It is estimated in the western world, that 10 per cent of the population has a major physical, emotional or intellectual disability, (it is much greater in developing countries) which significantly restricts the ability and opportunity to participate in everyday life.

This article comments upon the historical development of ‘disability’, highlighting the need for this International Year of Disabled Persons.
Occupational Therapists: Their Career Views Eighteen Months After Graduation
Authors: Nordholm Lena A. , Westbrook Mary T.
Published: September 2010

A survey of 74% of the 1979 graduating class in occupational therapy at Cumberland College of Health Sciences indicated that 88.8% were employed in their profession. Some (29.6%) had experienced brief involuntary unemployment. Job satisfaction and career choice satisfaction were high, although 83.7% anticipated change from current employment within the next five years. Many (56.6%) expressed intentions to specialise in their profession and 39% planned to enrol in study programmes. Aspects of work considered most important were opportunities to develop skills, chances to do something worthwhile and the friendliness of co‐workers. The graduates experienced deprivation regarding the first two aspects and satisfaction regarding the third. Work aspects considered of least importance were pay, physical surroundings, and promotion opportunities. The most stressful aspect of work was dealing with other health professionals, who were perceived as confused about the role of occupational therapists.
Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children Undergoing Renal Dialysis
Authors: Norman Sheila B.
Published: September 2010

The medical treatment of renal diseases in the renal unit at Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney is reviewed briefly. There is specific emphasis on the physical and psychological problems of children and adolescents undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The occupational therapist in the unit provides diversional and remedial play activity within the context of a supportive relationship between the therapist and the child. Medical play is recommended as a means of helping the child to adjust to hospitalisation and to learn about treatment procedures. Specific medical play activity has been developed for adolescents and is reported. The principle underlying the occupational therapy programme is that greater understanding developed through play activity will promote the acceptance of and active co‐operation with treatment.
Simplified Technique for the Manufacture of Lycra Pressure Garments
Authors: Groom Maree
Published: September 2010

The article, ‘Control of hand oedema by use of lycra pressure garments’ Morrin, Taylor & Conolly, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 1982, 28(4), 167–174, described the need for, and value of, lycra pressure garments in the management of hand oedema. This article presents an alternative, and simplified, technique for manufacturing these garments.
A Literature Review: The Value of Neuromuscular Assessment in the Treatment of Hemiplegia
Authors: Hayward Debra
Published: September 2010

The cerebral vascular accident patient forms a significant diagnostic group treated by occupational therapists. A literature review has been undertaken to look clearly at the neuromuscular assessment of a hemiplegic patient. The paper discusses why neuromuscular assessments are necessary, what needs to be assessed and finally the relevance of such assessments.
Seating Position and Hand Function in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Seeger Barry R. , Falkner Pam , Caudrey David J.
Published: September 2010

Literature concerning the seating requirements for cerebral palsied children is reviewed. Three basic guidelines for correct seating, namely, seat base angle, backrest angle and seat flexion angle were isolated for investigation. These three factors were then taken as a basis for an experiment on the effects of seating position on hand function of a cerebral palsied adolescent. The method of testing and results are discussed and conclusions drawn on further tests that are required to investigate this experimental hypothesis.
An Occupational Therapy View of Crisis Intervention
Authors: Jacobs Tricia
Published: September 2010

The following paper outlines the roles and functions of a multidisciplinary team working on a controlled experiment to assess the feasibility of introducing a permanent crisis intervention team to a regional mental health service. Rationale for forming the team, and some results of the research are included. The research has shown similar results to those found in comparable experiments overseas.
Reflex Development and the Prehensile Deficit in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Carter Mark
Published: September 2010

Automatic prehensile responses are considered to form the reflex base for voluntary prehension. Aspects of upper limb dysfunction in cerebral palsy are identified as resulting from disorganization of this reflex base. Spastic forms often show exaggeration of traction and avoiding responses with a failure of higher level reactions. Athetoids exhibit a highly unstable equilibrium between the grasp reflex and avoiding response. Discussion in this article is based on a comprehensive literature review.
Psychodrama — As Part of an Integrated Therapeutic Programme
Authors: Guile Leslie A.
Published: September 2010

After approximately 180 sessions the author presents a detailed description of the conduct of psychodrama and describes how it is integrated into a comprehensive psycho‐therapeutic programme.

With appropriate safeguards it is a safe and useful procedure and has been found to be of value with very chronic “symptom‐bound” patients.
Allied Health Assistants: Their Training, Role and Attitudes
Authors: Strong Graham D.
Published: September 2010

Allied health assistants (AHA's) are persons trained or accredited by Mayfield Centre to assist occupational, speech and physiotherapists. The philosophy, structure and content of the Mayfield course are outlined, and a discussion of the status and role of AHA's follows. A postal survey was conducted of AHA's trained or accredited between 1977 and 1981 to determine their level of job satisfaction and to evaluate the relevance of the Mayfield course. It is concluded that training multidisciplinary assistants is of value and Mayfield Centre serves as a useful model.
Prescription of Functional Orthosis for the Spastic Hand in Cerebral Palsy: An Assessment Profile
Authors: Wilton Judith C.
Published: September 2010

Facilitation of functional hand use in children with cerebral palsy is a priority of occupational therapists working in this area. This paper describes an orthotic assessment profile developed at the Spastic Welfare Association of Western Australia to assist therapists in defining objectives for inclusion of a functional orthosis as part of the occupational therapy treatment programme. Several objectives of an orthotic regime for cerebral palsied children and some of the orthoses used to fulfil these objectives are also described.
Seating and Mobility
Authors: Cunniffe T.W.
Published: September 2010

This paper was originally presented as the Keynote Address at the Australian Seminar on Seating and Posture Control for Disabled Persons in Sydney, Australia in October, 1983. This edited version is published here with the kind permission of the author.
Some Aspects of a Clinical Education Programme for Occupational Therapy Students Affiliated at a Psychiatric Hospital: 1979–1983
Authors: MOCELLIN GEORGE
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an outline of a programme in a psychiatric hospital which, over a five year period, provided for the psychosocial clinical education of 105 students. Results from the evaluation of some aspects of this programme, including feedback from students, are also presented and discussed. The paper provides a model for collaboration between clinicians and educators in the clinical education of occupational therapy students, and suggests areas for future research.
Modified Self‐Appraisal for Occupational Therapists
Authors: MAN PATRICK , FAGAN MICHAEL T.
Published: September 2010

This article provides an overview of performance appraisal and recounts the experiences of the authors in the design and implementation of an appraisal system which was recently introduced into the occupational therapy department of a major teaching hospital. Those experiences have been recorded as a case study so that occupational therapists and associated health professional groups might evaluate the utility of the methodology used and the final appraisal system produced for their own health care organisations.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Evaluation of an Inpatient Education Programme
Authors: CARTLIDGE PAMELA J. , HIGSON NAOMI B. , STENT GEORGE
Published: September 2010

It has been demonstrated that patient education increases patient compliance with prescribed treatment regimes in rheumatoid arthritis. An education programme, incorporating the use of video‐cassettes as an adjunct to therapy, has been introduced in the Combined Arthritis Unit. The programme was evaluated in the short‐term by the administration of questionnaires to patients both before and after participation in the group. These questionnaires were designed to determine changes in both knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis and available treatments and certain attitudes of patients towards their disease. Results showed significant increase in knowledge after the programme and changes in certain attitudes. Results also showed that neither long duration of illness, nor previous admissions to hospital imply that patients have adequate knowledge. The duration of the resultant changes and their behavioural significance warrant further study.
THE UNDERGRADUATE: Social Dance in an Occupational Therapy Programme
Authors: EVANS SUSAN
Published: September 2010

This article contains a rationale for chosing dance as a group activity and an account of some of the factors influencing the inclusion of a dance group in an occupational therapy programme.
THE UNDERGRADUATE: An Open and Shut Case — A Work Experience Programme for Physically Disabled Adolescents
Authors: DINLEY SUSAN , JOHNSON JACKI
Published: September 2010

A work experience programme was designed and implemented to cater for the individual needs of eight physically disabled adolescents. This programme was based on the format of the trial work experience programme for physically disabled adolescents established by Samer and Samuelson in an unpublished report in 1982. Subjective and objective results were used to establish the effect of work experience on changes in the physically disabled adolescent's occupational choice, basic work habits and the employer's attitudes towards disabled people. The subjective results indicated that the work experience programme enabled the physically disabled adolescents to make more realistic occupational choices and develop basic work skills. The objective results demonstrated that employers who viewed a film about the employability of disabled people preceding involvement in the programme displayed a significantly positive change in their attitude towards them.
Body Image Disturbance, An Issue Of Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: TREVAN‐HAWKE JUDITH A.
Published: September 2010

Opposing views as to the validity of body image disturbance as a diagnostic criterion for anorexia nervosa are discussed in relation to diagnosis, prognosis, and the treatment mode. The various methods used to assess body image disturbance are examined and a recommendation that the occupational therapy literature should be investigated to enable a proposal for treatment of the more severe instances of anorexia nervosa.
Attitudes and Knowledge of Occupational Therapy Clinicians and Students Regarding the Sexuality of Disabled People
Authors: Agnew P. J. , Poulsen A. , Maas F.
Published: September 2010

A study on attitudes and knowledge of occupational therapy students and clinicians in Queensland regarding sexuality and the handicapped has been conducted for the purpose of educational planning of prospective counsellors in occupational therapy programmes for the disabled. Subjects were 29 first year, 29 fourth year occupational therapy students, and 29 practising occupational therapists from a class which graduated four years ago. The results show knowledge to be generally poor, especially in the areas of renal disease, spinal cord injury, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and lower motor neurone disease. A one‐way ANOVA showed fourth year students to be more knowledgeable than the practising therapists, who in turn were better than the first year students. No differences between the three groups could be demonstrated in terms of attitude; the means of all three more than half way towards the liberal end of the scale. A discriminant analysis revealed that support for training in this area to be strongest among clinicians, possibly indicative of a perceived inadequacy in their own training in this regard.
Reading Difficulties and Optometry — A Review
Authors: Rodger Sylvia
Published: September 2010

Changing trends in the field of learning disabilities compel occupational therapists to keep up with trends and new approaches and to be able to view these objectively and scientifically. In this perspective, it is timely that the practice of optometry with learning disabled children is reviewed, as many occupational therapists refer children to optometrists for further assessment or to compliment their own treatment regimes. A review of the literature highlights definitional problems and conflicting findings. Although there is some support for the efficacy of optometric therapy, much of the published literature lacks an empirical scientific basis. It seems that vision training programmes are useful with some children, however visual or perceptual training techniques are not applicable to all types of reading difficulties.
Relaxation Therapy in the Acute General Hospital Setting
Authors: STRONG JENNY
Published: September 2010

The literature pertaining to relaxation therapy usage in the acute general hospital setting was examined. It was found that relaxation training is being used with several patient groups. However, at this stage, studies are only available which show it to be effective with the chronic headache patient group. There exists a need for controlled evaluations to be performed to determine the efficacy of relaxation therapy used with different diagnostic groups. Such evaluations should consider short term versus long term results, and the types of relaxation training methods used.
An Occupational Therapy Pre‐Dialysis Functional Assessment
Authors: DI STEFANO MARILYN
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an outline of a pre‐dialysis functional assessment developed for use with renal patients prior to entry into a self dialysis training programme. The purpose and outcomes of the assessment are discussed as they relate to occupational therapy treatment goals and strategies.
A Profile of the Continuing Education Activities of Occupational Therapists in New South Wales
Authors: ROBERTSON SADIE
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to discover the extent of participation in continuing education amongst occupational therapists in New South Wales. A questionnaire seeking information about the respondents' level of qualification and information about their employment; their participation in formal continuing education; their participation in informal activities of continuing education; and their attitude to continuing education, was sent to 128 therapists throughout New South Wales. The results obtained were examined in four ways: to report on the activities of the total number of respondents; on the differences between graduates and diplomates; on the differences between city therapists and country therapists; and on the differences between those working in teaching hospitals and those working in non‐teaching institutions. These results showed that on the whole, the respondents actively participated in continuing education. The attitude of respondents to continuing education supported their participation and indicated that they would participate more fully if the obstacles of work conflict, cost and distance could be overcome.
A Customized Spoon for a Patient with Arthritis
Authors: ALLWOOD COLIN
Published: September 2010

Patients with arthritis frequently experience difficulty with self feeding due to deformity of the hands. This article describes the fabrication of a customized feeding aid for such a patient. The technique uses dental wax to create a form fitting pattern which will suit individual needs. The pattern is then cast in strong acrylic by a simple and non‐costly process. The spoon constructed proved to be effective by allowing the patient to feed herself independently.
Towards a Better Understanding of Elderly Migrants
Authors: HILL CATHERINE
Published: September 2010

Occupational therapists are currently refining their skills in order to meet the needs of the growing aged population. However, it is necessary to develop even more specialised skills with respect to effective service delivery for those increasing numbers of elderly people whose first language is not English. This paper offers a demographic picture of aged migrants and attempts to describe some of the differences in lifestyle, culture and health beliefs. With this background it is possible to consider ways in which occupational therapists can offer more effective intervention.
Occupational Therapy's Contribution to Pain Management in Queensland
Authors: STRONG JENNY
Published: September 2010

One hundred and eighty‐nine Queensland registered occupational therapists responded to a questionnaire survey which investigated occupational therapy involvement in the chronic pain management area. Thirty‐three percent of these occupational therapists were involved in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain. No occupational therapists were involved in pain management on a full‐time basis, with all having additional patient caseloads and/or responsibilities. Fourteen percent of the occupational therapists who treated pain patients were operating from a specialist pain clinic. The patient groups most frequently seen were the arthritic and back pain groups. Prescription of assistive devices/adaptive equipment and involvement in activities of daily living were the treatment modalities most often used. The discussion centres upon the role played by occupational therapists working with chronic pain patients in Queensland.
Fieldwork Supervision: Roles, Tasks and Responsibilities
Authors: BARKER JOANNA
Published: September 2010

Fieldwork constitutes approximately thirty‐five per cent of occupational therapy undergraduate programme of study. It is of concern to occupational therapy educators that the fieldwork portion of the curriculum be planned and implemented to provide educationally sound learning experiences. Whatever the level of training and experience of fieldwork supervisors, implementation of a fieldwork training programme which will provide the necessary levels of learning, is dependent on the supervisor's understanding and use of methods of supervision. These include a knowledge of learning theories, skill in directing, supervising and guiding students in the performance of desired action. This paper will focus on effective and ineffective supervisors and how an understanding of student learning styles can increase the supervisor's ability to provide quality learning experience.