bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mid‐pregnancy maternal leptin levels, birthweight for gestational age and preterm delivery
Authors: Shroff Monal R. , Holzman Claudia , Tian Yan , Evans Rhobert W. , Sikorskii Alla 
Published: August 2012

SummaryObjectiveMaternal blood leptin levels are positively associated with adiposity. Recent studies suggest that leptin is also abundantly produced by the placenta and may function as a regulator of foetal growth. Our goal was to examine mid‐pregnancy levels of leptin in maternal blood in relation to birthweight for gestational age (BW/GA) and timing of delivery after accounting for maternal prepregnancy body mass index (prepreg‐BMI) and pregnancy complications.PatientsData were from 1304 subcohort mother/infant pairs who participated in the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health (POUCH) Study (1998–2004).MeasurementsLeptin levels, measured at 16–27 weeks' gestation, were log‐transformed. Geometric mean (GMean) leptin levels were estimated by weighted linear regression with gestational age at blood draw as a covariate. GMean was re‐transformed to the original scale for reporting.ResultsUsing the GMeans leptin in mothers of term appropriate‐for‐gestational age (AGA) neonates as the referent (25·2 μg/l), we observed lower levels in mothers of preterm‐AGA (21·9 μg/l), term small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) (20·3 μg/l) and preterm‐SGA neonates (21·7 μg/l). Results were largely unchanged after adjustment for prepreg‐BMI. Leptin levels were higher in mothers who delivered large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) neonates, both preterm (33·6 μg/l) and term (29·1 μg/l), but the GMeans were markedly attenuated after adjustment for prepreg‐BMI.ConclusionThe association between BW/GA and maternal leptin levels after adjustment for prepreg‐BMI may represent: (i) a residual effect of maternal adiposity that is not fully captured by BMI; and/or (ii) variation in placental leptin levels entering the maternal circulation. In conclusion, mid‐pregnancy maternal blood leptin levels may be an early indicator of foetal growth status.
Reversible, non‐plaque‐induced loss of osseointegration of successfully loaded dental implants
Authors: Mattheos Nikos , Schittek Janda Martin , Zampelis Antonios , Chronopoulos Vasilios 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivesExcess loading has been often cited as a reason for the failure of dental implants or bone loss post‐osseointegration. The available data from animal studies have failed to show a clear role for excessive loading in the loss of osseointegration. The present case documentations aimed at providing a deeper insight into the medium‐ to long‐term influence of occlusal loading on osseointegrated implants, and describe the clinical manifestations of such pathology.Material and methodsTwo cases of loss of osseointegration are documented with single implants in the posterior maxilla. Implant mobility was in both cases the first and only sign of pathology, with the absence of plaque‐induced inflammation and marginal bone loss.ResultsRe‐osseointegration of the implants was achieved after the removal of the prosthetic reconstruction.ConclusionsThe two cases reported that the loss of osseointegration in the absence of plaque‐induced peri‐implant inflammation is possible, although the clinical manifestations were very different to these of peri‐implantitis. Once the occlusal loading was withdrawn, re‐osseointegration was clinically confirmed in a period of 6–8 months.
Association mapping of genetic risk factors for chronic wasting disease in wild deer
Authors: Matsumoto Tomomi , Samuel Michael D. , Bollinger Trent , Pybus Margo , Coltman David W. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractChronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting North American cervids. We assessed the feasibility of association mapping CWD genetic risk factors in wild white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) using a panel of bovine microsatellite markers from three homologous deer linkage groups predicted to contain candidate genes. These markers had a low cross‐species amplification rate (27.9%) and showed weak linkage disequilibrium (<1 cM). Markers near the prion protein and the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) genes were suggestively associated with CWD status in white‐tailed deer (P = 0.006) and mule deer (P = 0.02), respectively. This is the first time an association between the NF1 region and CWD has been reported.
Biochemical nutrient requirements of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus: co‐limitation by sterols and amino acids
Authors: Wacker Alexander , Martin‐Creuzburg Dominik 
Published: September 2012

Summary

It has been proposed that growth and reproduction of animals is frequently limited by multiple nutrients simultaneously. To improve our understanding of the consequences of multiple nutrient limitations (i.e. co‐limitation) for the performance of animals, we conducted standardized population growth experiments using an important aquatic consumer, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus.

We compared nutrient profiles (sterols, fatty acids and amino acids) of rotifers and their diets to reveal consumer–diet imbalances and thus potentially limiting nutrients. In concomitant growth experiments, we directly supplemented potentially limiting substances (sterols, fatty acids, amino acids) to a nutrient‐deficient diet, the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, and recorded population growth rates.

The results from the supplementation experiments corroborated the nutrient limitations predicted by assessing consumer–diet imbalances, but provided more detailed information on co‐limiting nutrients. While the fatty acid deficiency of the cyanobacterium appeared to be of minor importance, the addition of both cholesterol and certain amino acids (leucine and isoleucine) improved population growth rates of rotifers, indicating a simultaneous limitation by sterols and amino acids.

Our results add to growing evidence that consumers frequently face multiple nutrient limitations and suggest that the concept of co‐limitation has to be considered in studies assessing nutrient‐limited growth responses of consumers.
Patients' family satisfaction with needs met at the medical intensive care unit
Authors: Khalaila Rabia 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimsThe current study investigated the perceived importance and the perceived met needs of family members in the medical intensive care unit and assessed family members' satisfaction with needs met.BackgroundStudies conducted throughout the world over the past 30 years indicate that family needs are still neglected. Unmet needs of family members of patients in the intensive care unit lead to dissatisfaction with care.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodA total of 70 family members of critically ill patients were included in this study conducted in a medical intensive care unit in Israel between October 2007–September 2008, using a structured interview. Three outcomes measured by the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit Inventory were regressed separately for baseline variables and family needs met subscales as measured by the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to detect factors that could have predicted each outcome.FindingsThe results showed differences between the perceived importance and the perceived met needs of family members. Satisfaction with care was positively related to meeting all needs domains except the information need. However, satisfaction with information and decision‐making was related only to meeting information and emotional support needs.ConclusionContinued unmet needs of family members of intensive care unit patients have a negative impact on family satisfaction. Only sweeping changes in clinical practice will succeed in meeting the unmet needs of patients' families.
Postpartum Corticosterone Administration Reduces Dendritic Complexity and Increases the Density of Mushroom Spines of Hippocampal CA3 Arbours in Dams
Authors: Workman J. L. , Brummelte S. , Galea L. A. M. 
Published: August 2012

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 15% of mothers after giving birth. A complete understanding of depression during the postpartum period has yet to be established, although disruptions in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and stress during the postpartum may be involved. To model these components in rats, we administered high corticosterone (CORT) postpartum, which increases immobility in the forced swim test (FST), and reduces maternal care, body weight and hippocampal cell proliferation in dams. The hippocampus is altered in response to chronic stress, exposure to high glucocorticoids and in major depression in humans. In the present study, we examined whether high CORT reduced dendritic complexity and spines in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Additionally, housing complexity was manipulated so that dams and litters were housed either with tubes (complex) or without tubes (impoverished) to investigate the consequences of new animal care regulations. Dams received 40 mg/kg/day of CORT or oil starting on day 2 postpartum for 23 days. Maternal behaviours were assessed on postpartum days 2–8 and dams were tested using the FST on days 21 and 22. Dams were killed on day 24 and brains were processed for Golgi impregnation. Pyramidal cells in the CA3 subfield were traced using a camera lucida and analysed for branch points and dendritic complexity, as well as spine density and type on both basal and apical arbours. As previously established, high CORT postpartum reduced maternal care and increased immobility in the FST, which is a measure of depressive‐like behaviour. High CORT postpartum reduced the complexity of basal arbours and increased mushroom spines on both apical and basal dendrites. Housing complexity had no effect on spines of CA3 pyramidal cells but modest effects on cell morphology. These data show that chronic high CORT in postpartum females alters hippocampal morphology and may provide insight regarding the neurobiological consequences of high stress or CORT during the postpartum period, as well as be relevant for postpartum stress or depression.
Identification of source‐sink dynamics in mountain lions of the Great Basin
Authors: Andreasen Alyson M. , Stewart Kelley M. , Longland William S. , Beckmann Jon P. , Forister Matthew L. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNatural and anthropogenic boundaries have been shown to affect population dynamics and population structure for many species with movement patterns at the landscape level. Understanding population boundaries and movement rates in the field for species that are cryptic and occur at low densities is often extremely difficult and logistically prohibitive; however genetic techniques may offer insights that have previously been unattainable. We analysed thirteen microsatellite loci for 739 mountain lions (Puma concolor) using muscle tissue samples from individuals in the Great Basin throughout Nevada and the Sierra Nevada mountain range to test the hypothesis that heterogeneous hunting pressure results in source‐sink dynamics at the landscape scale. We used a combination of non‐spatial and spatial model‐based Bayesian clustering methods to identify genetic populations. We then used a recently developed Bayesian multilocus genotyping method to estimate asymmetrical rates of contemporary movement between those subpopulations and to identify source and sink populations. We identified two populations at the highest level of genetic structuring with a total of five subpopulations in the Great Basin of Nevada and the Sierra Nevada range. Our results suggest that source‐sink dynamics occur at landscape scales for wide‐ranging species, such as mountain lions, and that source populations may be those that are under relatively less hunting pressure and that occupy refugia.
Humoral immunity is involved in the development of pericentral fibrosis after pediatric live donor liver transplantation
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Kondou Hiroki , Kimura Takeshi , Ikeda Kayo , Tachibana Makiko , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Kiyohara Yuki , Ueno Takehisa , Miyoshi Yoko , Mushiake Sotaro , Ozono Keiichi 
Published: August 2012

Yamada H, Kondou H, Kimura T, Ikeda K, Tachibana M, Hasegawa Y, Kiyohara Y, Ueno T, Miyoshi Y, Mushiake S, Ozono K. Humoral immunity is involved in the development of pericentral fibrosis after pediatric live donor liver transplantation.Abstract:  Although LT can be successful for treating end‐stage liver disease in children, some patients develop fibrosis around the central vein area (PCF). This raises the possibility that PCF could lead to later cirrhosis and graft failure. Here, we report a retrospective immunohistochemical study of 28 patients who received a live donor liver transplant. We assessed the incidence and etiology of PCF using CD3, CD20, HLA‐DR, and C4d‐specific antibodies. Histological evidence of PCF was found in 13 cases (46.4%), of which 11 (84.6%) had experienced ACR and/or CP events post‐transplant. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed significantly stronger staining with these antibodies in the central vein area in PCF, especially for CD20 and C4d. This implies humoral immunopathology and suggests involvement of humoral immunity in the development of PCF. These results further imply that suppression of cellular immunity alone is insufficient to prevent PCF. We therefore suggest that suppression of both humoral and cellular immunity in combination would be required for prevention of PCF.
Successful treatment of a left ventricular assist device infection with daptomycin non‐susceptible methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Levy D.T. , Steed M.E. , Rybak M.J. , Guo Y. , Gialanella P. , Hanau L. , Muggia V. , Ostrowsky B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractRecipients of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are highly susceptible to the development of infections with multidrug‐ resistant (MDR) organisms. We describe the case of a patient with an LVAD who developed a device‐related, daptomycin non‐susceptible, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, highlighting this patient population as highly vulnerable to the development of such antimicrobial resistance. This report includes a thorough review of the literature on the mechanisms of development of daptomycin non‐susceptibility and suggests ways to prevent its emergence. We also provide and underscore the appropriate guidelines to abide by when attempting to control infections with such resistant isolates. This case also demonstrates the importance of definitive treatment with LVAD removal and transplantation as a component of appropriate management of invasive LVAD infections. In addition, we suggest that even infections with MDR organisms may not adversely affect post‐transplant outcomes.
Whole‐genome scanning for mapping determinacy in Pigeonpea (Cajanus spp.)
Authors: Mir Reyazul Rouf , Saxena Rachit K , Saxena Kul Bhushan , Upadhyaya Hari D , Kilian Andrzej , Cook Douglas R , Varshney Rajeev K 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDeterminacy is an agronomically important trait in several crop species including pigeonpea. With an objective to investigate determinacy in pigeonpea, a set of 94 pigeonpea lines including 11 determinate (DT) and 83 indeterminate (IDT) lines were used for genotyping with DArT arrays (with 6144 features) and 768 SNP markers using GoldenGate assay. The polymorphism information content (PIC) for these markers varied from 0.02 to 0.50. Association analysis on marker genotyping and phenotyping data showed a significant association (P ≤ 0.01) of determinacy with 19 SNP and 6 DArT markers explaining 8.05–8.58% and 7.26–14.53% phenotypic variation, respectively. Clustering based on entire DArT and SNP markers could not discriminate DT lines from IDT lines; however, analysis with associated markers discriminated DT lines from the IDT lines. Marker–trait associations after validation may prove useful in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) involving the development of ideal DT genotypes for environments with moderate growth, tolerance to drought and water logging. This is the first report on mapping of determinacy trait as well as the first report on association mapping for any trait in pigeonpea.
Test–retest reliability of computerised hand dynamometry in adults with acquired brain injury
Authors: Barden Hannah L. H. , Nott Melissa T. , Baguley Ian J. , Heard Robert , Chapparo Christine 
Published: August 2012

Background/aimThe ability to objectively and reliably measure hand performance over time is critical to monitor patient performance and evaluate treatment efficacy. Current spasticity measures are subjective in nature and fail to capture the complexity of the multi‐faceted upper motor neuron syndrome. This study examined the test–retest reliability of dynamic computerised hand dynamometry for simultaneously measuring multiple aspects of positive and negative features of the upper motor neuron syndrome during an active grasp and release task.MethodsCommunity‐living adults with upper motor neuron syndrome following acquired brain injury attending metropolitan spasticity clinics for management of upper limb spasticity (N = 36; mean age 50 years ±15) and control participants (N = 27, mean age 40 years ±12) completed a computerised hand dynamometry protocol across two testing occasions 5 weeks apart. Objective measurement of Isometric Force, Cycle Duration and Isometric Grip Work, Force Velocity, was completed during a repeated grasp and release test protocol with a computerised hand dynamometer to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of hand performance.ResultsKendall Coefficient of Concordance W scores ranged from W = 0.69–0.98 for motor elements of grasp and release, including Isometric Force, Cycle Duration, Isometric Grip Work and Force Velocity.ConclusionsThe investigated dynamic computerised hand dynamometry protocol showed fair/good to excellent levels of test–retest reliability in control participants and in subjects with upper motor neuron syndrome following acquired brain injury.
Project‐based fieldwork: Perspectives of graduate entry students and project sponsors
Authors: Fortune Tracy , McKinstry Carol 
Published: August 2012

Background/aimThis article builds on an earlier viewpoint regarding the need for project‐focussed fieldwork. It presents the findings of an evaluative study into the value of project placements undertaken by final year graduate entry master's students as part of a capstone subject. The authors argue that provision of project placements enable impending graduates to develop and implement macro level strategies to develop prevention, resource and service development skills often required of contemporary occupational therapy practitioners.MethodsA qualitative approach is adopted. Student cohorts from 2005 and 2006 completed open‐ended, written questionnaires, and agency project sponsors were interviewed to obtain their perspectives of the project placement experience.ResultsDespite some concern that project placements might be undertaken at the expense of ‘clinical’ placements these findings reveal that projects managed by students were perceived by services to add great value enabling them to advance important priorities. Students and sponsors highlighted a range of positive learning outcomes, including the ability to work collaboratively with supervisors and develop advanced communication skills and political acumen. The success of such placements depends on supportive supervision from academic staff.Conclusions and significance of the studyThe findings promote project placements as a highly authentic aspect of work integrated learning enabling learners to draw together a range of attributes that support the ability to manage complex issues that have occupational relevance at a macro level. In addition, such experiences help learners to develop agency and political acumen both increasingly important capabilities for the contemporary workplace.
How mental health occupational therapists address issues of diet with their clients: a qualitative study
Authors: Mahony Georgia , Haracz Kirsti , Williams Lauren T. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundPoor diet is a contributing factor to the high rates of obesity and related comorbidities in people with severe mental illness, and dietary change is a key treatment strategy. Providing healthy lifestyle interventions is a recognised role for occupational therapists. However, the existing literature fails to elucidate boundaries of this role. To begin to address this gap in the literature, this study explored the attitudes, actions and beliefs of mental health occupational therapists about providing diet‐related interventions.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with mental health occupational therapists working in one Area Health Service in New South Wales. Purposive sampling was used. Data were analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory methods, where meaning is co‐constructed by, and the theory ultimately grounded in the experiences of, the participant and researcher.ResultsThe participants felt confident providing clients with interventions to promote diet‐related skill development and providing general healthy eating education to support this development. However, they were not comfortable providing clients with specific dietary advice. Participants identified a need for further training and support to enhance their effectiveness in providing healthy eating education and highlighted the need for more dietitians in mental health services.ConclusionsThe occupational therapists in this study identified clear boundaries of their role in providing diet‐related interventions for people with severe mental illness. Suggestions for improvement in this area included further training for occupational therapists as well as increased access to dietitians for those services that lie outside the occupational therapy role.
Enhancing occupational therapists' confidence and professional development through a community of practice scholars
Authors: Wilding Clare , Curtin Michael , Whiteford Gail 
Published: August 2012

IntroductionAn important professional issue for occupational therapy is the need to develop and maintain high‐quality occupational therapy services. Clearly, a strong educational foundation is necessary, but not sufficient, for meeting this goal. Occupational therapists need to engage in ongoing education, professional development and critique of their theory and practice to ensure they meet best practice standards. One way that practitioners can do this, is to form practitioner communities with a focus on scholarship: a ‘community of practice scholars’.MethodsUsing the framework of action research, three occupational therapy academics worked collaboratively with 25 occupational therapy practitioners over a period of 12 months. During monthly teleconference meetings, the research group discussed, critiqued and reflected upon their practice. Transcripts of the final month's teleconferences, which focussed on evaluation of the community of practice scholars, were qualitatively analysed.FindingsTwo major themes are presented. The first theme, promotion of scholarship, describes that involvement in the community of practice scholars assisted participants to think more critically about their practice and to consider ways in which their practice might be improved. The second theme, promoting professional confidence, passion and cohesion, articulates that the support offered by the group helped the participants to feel an increased sense of confidence in their practice.ConclusionIt is proposed that communities of practice scholars have considerable potential for providing professional development opportunities for occupational therapists. In addition, such communities may lead to occupational therapists feeling more supported and experiencing increased satisfaction in their work.