bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intervention to improve level of overall functioning and mental condition of adolescents at high risk of developing first‐episode psychosis in Finland
Authors: Granö Niklas , Karjalainen Marjaana , Anto Jukka , Itkonen Arja , Edlund Virve , Roine Mikko 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: Being at high risk of developing psychosis has been suggested to be a result of a combination of acute life stressors and trait‐like vulnerability to psychosis. Reducing levels of stress could support overall functioning and mental condition in those at risk.Methods: The Jorvi Early Psychosis Recognition and Intervention (JERI) project at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Jorvi Hospital, Finland, is an early intervention team for adolescents at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis. The project is based on the idea of multiprofessional, community, home, family and network‐oriented, stress‐reducing, overall functioning‐supporting, low‐threshold care. The JERI team meets multiprofessionally with adolescents in their natural surroundings, for example, at school or at home, together with their parents, network and community co‐worker, who has originally contacted the JERI team because of unclear mental health problems. Subjects were assessed with the PROD‐prodromal screen to identify those at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis.Results: Statistically significant difference between baseline and follow‐up measures was found in at risk subjects (n = 28) in scales of overall functioning (P = 0.000), depression (P = 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.001), quality of life (QOL) and pre‐psychotic symptoms.Conclusions: JERI‐type intervention may improve level of overall functioning and support mental condition in adolescents at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis, even though further study with larger numbers of subjects, with a control group and with a longer follow‐up time, is needed.
Early psychosis intervention service for children and youth: a retrospective chart review of the first four years
Authors: Morris Ashley , Nixon Mary K. , Keyes Randy , Ashmore Douglas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims: There are at present no published reports of outpatient Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) service designed for children aged 16 years and under. The objectives of this study are to describe aspects of an outpatient paediatric EPI programme from the time period after the initial pilot and during its first 4 years of service with dedicated staffing.Method: This study employed a retrospective chart review model in which variables were operationalized and then extracted from existing patient medical records spanning a 4‐year time period. Data were then analysed for frequency, mean and range values.Results: Demographic characteristics and service profiles for 56 patients were collected. The majority were male (64.3%) and the mean age was 14.8 years (range: 9–17 years). The average number of days from referral to first in‐person contact was 7.3 days. The most common discharge diagnosis was Bipolar Disorder (38.7%) followed by Psychosis Not Otherwise Specified (25.8%) in those with psychosis, whereas an anxiety disorder was the most common diagnosis in those who were not psychotic. The majority of discharged patients were able to be followed up by community‐based services. Readmission and hospitalization rates for this EPI service were low.Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that an EPI model of care extended to a younger age group can be implemented to provide early intervention to youth with a range of psychiatric disorders that present with psychotic symptoms.
Stigma in families of individuals in early stages of psychotic illness: family stigma and early psychosis
Authors: Wong Celine , Davidson Larry , Anglin Deirdre , Link Bruce , Gerson Ruth , Malaspina Dolores , McGlashan Thomas , Corcoran Cheryl 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: Stigma is pervasive among families of individuals with psychotic disorders and includes both general and ‘associative’ stigma – that is, the process by which a person is stigmatized by virtue of association with another stigmatized individual. These forms of stigma may present a barrier to help seeking. However, little is known about stigma in the early stages of evolving psychotic disorder.Methods: Family members of 11 individuals at clinical high risk and of nine patients with recent‐onset psychosis were evaluated for generalized and associative stigma using the Opinions about Mental Illness (modified) and the Family Experiences Interview Schedule.Results: In this small study, the level of stigma was low, as families endorsed many supportive statements, forexample, patients should be encouraged to vote, patients want to work, mental illness should be protected legally as a disability and parity should exist in insurance coverage. Families also endorsed that both talking and a belief in God and prayer can help someone get better. Only ethnic minority families of individuals with recent‐onset psychosis endorsed a sense of shame and need to conceal the patient's illness.Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that family stigma is low in the early stages of psychotic disorder, a finding that requires further investigation in a larger and more representative sample. This may be an opportune time to engage young people and families, so as to reduce duration of untreated illness. Ethnic differences in stigma, if replicated, highlight the need for cultural sensitivity in engaging individuals and their families in treatment.
Application of the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) to the Japanese population: reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the CAARMS
Authors: Miyakoshi Tetsuo , Matsumoto Kazunori , Ito Fumiaki , Ohmuro Noriyuki , Matsuoka Hiroo 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: The putative prodromal state of schizophrenia has been conceptualized as an at‐risk mental state (ARMS), which is identified on the basis of ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) criteria, and the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) has been developed as a specific instrument. However, the generalizability of CAARMS and the concept of ARMS have not been established. In this study, we tested the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of CAARMS (CAARMS‐J).Methods: The participants were recruited from a specialized clinic for ARMS. The inter‐rater reliability of CAARMS‐J was examined. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) subscale scores and the basic symptoms of the CAARMS‐J‐defined UHR‐positive group were compared with those of first‐episode psychosis (FEP) and UHR‐negative groups. The predictive validity was examined by following up the UHR‐positive individuals. The 12‐month transition rate to psychosis and the antipsychotics prescription rate were calculated.Results: The CAARMS‐J showed good inter‐rater reliability. The PANSS‐positive symptoms subscale scores of the UHR‐positive group were intermediate between the FEP and the UHR‐negative groups, and the UHR‐positive group scored higher than the UHR‐negative group in some basic symptoms. The positive and negative symptoms scores of the CAARMS‐J significantly correlated with the corresponding scores of the PANSS. After 12 months, 3 out of 28 (10.7%) UHR‐positive cases had transitioned to psychosis and 11 (39.2%) individuals were prescribed antipsychotics.Conclusions: The CAARMS‐J is a reliable and valid tool for assessing and detecting ARMS in Japanese clinical settings, suggesting that the concept of ARMS is applicable in Japan.
Duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care in patients with first‐episode psychosis in Iran
Authors: Sharifi Vandad , Kermani‐Ranjbar Tahereh , Amini Homayoun , Alaghband‐rad Javad , Salesian Niloofar , Seddigh Arshia 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: This is the first study on the duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care among patients with first‐episode psychosis in Iran as a developing country.Methods: Ninety‐one patients with a first episode of non‐organic psychosis admitted to a university‐affiliated psychiatric hospital in Iran were assessed for duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), pathways to care and mode of onset.Results: Median DUP was 11 weeks (mean = 52.3 weeks). Following the onset of psychosis, most patients were first seen by a psychiatrist (n = 23, 25.3%), a traditional healer (n = 21, 23.1%) or a general practitioner (n = 16, 17.6%). Most referrals to the psychiatric hospital were made by the family (n = 30, 33.1%), or health professionals (n = 29, 31.9%). Acute onset and rural place of residence were associated with shorter DUP in multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Median DUP was not long in an inpatient sample with first‐episode psychosis, which may be due to the preponderance of affective and acute psychoses in this sample and some help‐seeking or service variables.
Prodromal unfolding: the validation of the Schizotypic Syndrome Questionnaire model in a sample of first‐episode schizophrenic patients
Authors: Van Kampen Dirk , Maurer Kurt , An Der Heiden Wolfram , Häfner Heinz 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: Validation of Van Kampen's Schizotypic Syndrome Questionnaire (SSQ) model of schizophrenic prodromal unfolding. The SSQ model comprises 12 negative, asocial and psychotic‐like symptoms that are hypothesized to determine each other in terms of cause and effect.Method: Use was made of the Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia (IRAOS)‐dependent retrospective data assembled in the Mannheim Age–Beginning–Course Study sample of first‐episode schizophrenic patients to measure the SSQ symptoms. Both the mean positions of the IRAOS‐assessed symptoms on a continuum representing the proportion of total time of pre‐psychotic disturbance and the outcome of a series of LISREL analyses conducted on the IRAOS‐dependent data were addressed.Results: Both kinds of data supported the validity of the SSQ model; however, this was after introducing some (relatively minor or demonstrable ineffective) changes in the model as the ‘translation’ of the SSQ symptoms by means of the IRAOS was not always easy, or proved even impossible in the case of one symptom.Conclusions: The conclusion seems warranted that the present investigation supports the validity of the SSQ model as a model of pre‐psychotic and prodromal unfolding in patients diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. From a theoretical perspective, arguments are presented to interpret the SSQ model as a model of the core or principal symptoms of schizophrenia, including their temporal unfolding.
Cognitive deterioration and duration of untreated psychosis
Authors: Gaynor Keith , Dooley Barbara , Lawlor Elizabeth , Lawoyin L. Richard , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: To examine the relationship between cognitive deterioration and the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in a first‐episode psychosis sample.Method: We assessed a consecutive sample of first‐episode psychosis participants (N = 50) with measures of cognitive deterioration and DUP.Results: Using correlations and stepwise linear regressions, we found strong relationships between DUP and measures of cognitive deterioration.Conclusions: The length of DUP predicted cognitive deterioration. These results highlight a potential DUP grace period (>6 months) in which significant cognitive deterioration may be averted.
Anti-Apical-Membrane-Antigen-1 Antibody Is More Effective than Anti-42-Kilodalton-Merozoite-Surface-Protein-1 Antibody in Inhibiting
Plasmodium falciparum
Growth, as Determined by the In Vitro Growth Inhibition Assay
Authors: Miura Kazutoyo , Zhou Hong , Diouf Ababacar , Moretz Samuel E. , Fay Michael P. , Miller Louis H. , Martin Laura B. , Pierce Mark A. , Ellis Ruth D. , Mullen Gregory E. D. , Long Carole A. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and the 42-kDa merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1
42
) are leading malaria vaccine candidates. Several preclinical and clinical trials have been conducted, and an in vitro parasite growth inhibition assay has been used to evaluate the biological activities of the resulting antibodies. In a U.S. phase 1 trial with AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel plus CPG 7909, the vaccination elicited anti-AMA1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) which showed up to 96% inhibition. However, antibodies induced by MSP1
42
-C1/Alhydrogel plus CPG 7909 vaccine showed less than 32% inhibition in vitro. To determine whether anti-MSP1
42
IgG had less growth-inhibitory activity than anti-AMA1 IgG in vitro, the amounts of IgG that produced 50% inhibition of parasite growth (Ab
50
) were compared for rabbit and human antibodies. The Ab
50
s of rabbit and human anti-MSP1
42
IgGs were significantly higher (0.21 and 0.62 mg/ml, respectively) than those of anti-AMA1 IgGs (0.07 and 0.10 mg/ml, respectively) against 3D7 parasites. Ab
50
data against FVO parasites also demonstrated significant differences. We further investigated the Ab
50
s of mouse and monkey anti-AMA1 IgGs and showed that there were significant differences between the species (mouse, 0.28 mg/ml, and monkey, 0.14 mg/ml, against 3D7 parasites). Although it is unknown whether growth-inhibitory activity in vitro reflects protective immunity in vivo, this study showed that the Ab
50
varies with both antigen and species. Our data provide a benchmark for antibody levels for future AMA1- or MSP1
42
-based vaccine development efforts in preclinical and clinical trials.
Multiplex Strategy for Multilocus Sequence Typing,
fla
Typing, and Genetic Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance of
Campylobacter jejuni
and
Campylobacter coli
Isolates Collected in Switzerland
Authors: Korczak Bożena M. , Zurfluh Monika , Emler Stefan , Kuhn-Oertli Jacqueline , Kuhnert Peter 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We present an optimized multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme with universal primer sets for amplifying and sequencing the seven target genes of
Campylobacter jejuni
and
Campylobacter coli
. Typing was expanded by sequence determination of the genes
flaA
and
flaB
using optimized primer sets. This approach is compatible with the MLST and
flaA
schemes used in the PubMLST database and results in an additional typing method using the
flaB
gene sequence. An identification module based on the 16S rRNA and
rpoB
genes was included, as well as the genetic determination of macrolide and quinolone resistances based on mutations in the 23S rRNA and
gyrA
genes. Experimental procedures were simplified by multiplex PCR of the 13 target genes. This comprehensive approach was evaluated with
C. jejuni
and
C. coli
isolates collected in Switzerland. MLST of 329 strains resulted in 72 sequence types (STs) among the 186
C. jejuni
strains and 39 STs for the 143
C. coli
isolates. Fourteen (19%) of the
C. jejuni
and 20 (51%) of the
C. coli
STs had not been found previously. In total, 35% of the
C. coli
strains collected in Switzerland contained mutations conferring antibiotic resistance only to quinolone, 15% contained mutations conferring resistance only to macrolides, and 6% contained mutations conferring resistance to both classes of antibiotics. In
C. jejuni
, these values were 31% and 0% for quinolone and macrolide resistance, respectively. The
rpoB
sequence allowed phylogenetic differentiation between
C. coli
and
C. jejuni
, which was not possible by 16S rRNA gene analysis. An online Integrated Database Network System (SmartGene, Zug, Switzerland)-based platform for MLST data analysis specific to
Campylobacter
was implemented. This Web-based platform allowed automated allele and ST designation, as well as epidemiological analysis of data, thus streamlining and facilitating the analysis workflow. Data networking facilitates the exchange of information between collaborating centers. The described approach simplifies and improves the genotyping of
Campylobacter
, allowing cost- and time-efficient routine monitoring.
Evaluation of an Array-Based Method for Human Papillomavirus Detection and Genotyping in Comparison with Conventional Methods Used in Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: García-Sierra Nerea , Martró Elisa , Castellà Eva , Llatjós Mariona , Tarrats Antoni , Bascuñana Elisabet , Díaz Rosana , Carrasco María , Sirera Guillem , Matas Lurdes , Ausina Vicente 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer in young women around the world. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially high-risk HPV types (HR-HPV), is necessary for the development of this cancer. HPV-DNA detection is increasingly being used in cervical cancer screening programs, together with the Papanicolau smear test. We evaluated the usefulness of introducing this new array-based HPV genotyping method (i.e., Clinical Arrays Papillomavirus Humano) in the cervical cancer screening algorithm in our center. The results obtained using this method were compared to those obtained by the hybrid capture II high-risk HPV DNA test (HC-II) and Papanicolau in a selected group of 408 women. The array-based assay was performed in women that were HC-II positive or presented cytological alterations. Among 246 array-positive patients, 123 (50%) presented infection with ≥2 types, and HR-HPV types were detected in 206 (83.7%), mainly HPV-16 (24.0%). Up to 132 (33.2%) specimens were classified as ASCUS (for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), and only 48 (36.4%) of them were HPV-DNA positive by either assay; however, 78.7% of these cases were caused by HR-HPV types. The agreement between both HPV-DNA detection techniques was fairly good (
n
= 367). Screening with Papanicolau smear and HC-II tests, followed by HPV detection and genotyping, provided an optimal identification of women at risk for the development of cervical cancer. Furthermore, with the identification of specific genotypes, either in single or multiple infections, a better prediction of disease progression was achieved. The array method also made allowed us to determine the possible contribution of the available vaccines in our setting.
Real-Time PCR-Based Pathotyping of Newcastle Disease Virus by Use of TaqMan Minor Groove Binder Probes
Authors: Farkas T. , Székely É. , Belák S. , Kiss I. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

A real-time reverse-transcription PCR was developed to detect and pathotype Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) in clinical samples. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers and TaqMan probes with nonfluorescent minor groove binder (MGB) quencher amplified and hybridized to a region in the fusion protein (F) gene that corresponds to the cleavage site of the F0 precursor, which is a key determinant of NDV pathogenicity. The application of degenerate primers and TaqMan MGB probes provided high specificity to the assay, as was shown by the successful and rapid pathotype determination of 39 NDV strains representing all the known genotypes (I to VIII) and pathotypes (lentogens/mesogens/velogens). The PCR assays specific for lentogenic and velogenic/mesogenic strains had high analytical sensitivity, detecting approximately 10 and 20 copies of the target molecule per reaction, respectively. The detection limit was also determined in terms of 50% egg infective dose (EID
50
) by using dilution series of virus stock solutions to be approximately 10
1.0
and 10
−1.3
EID
50
/ml for lentogens and velogens/mesogens, respectively. Organ, swab, and stool specimens from experimentally infected animals were tested to prove the clinical suitability of the method. The results of this study suggest that the described real-time PCR assay has the potential to be used for the rapid detection/pathotyping of NDV isolates and qualitative/quantitative measurement of the virus load.
Prevalence and Molecular Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis Delta Virus in Urban and Rural Populations in Northern Gabon in Central Africa
Authors: Makuwa Maria , Mintsa-Ndong Armel , Souquière Sandrine , Nkoghé Dieudonné , Leroy Eric M. , Kazanji Mirdad 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen was significantly higher in urban (12.9%) than in rural (7.6%) populations (
P
= 0.003), but no difference was found in the prevalence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV), which was high in both populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed the circulation of HBV-A3 and -E genotypes and the presence of HDV-1, HDV-7, and HDV-8 clades.
Comparison of the BD Phoenix System with the Cefoxitin Disk Diffusion Test for Detection of Methicillin Resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci
Authors: Mencacci Antonella , Montecarlo Ines , Gonfia Francesca , Moretti Amedeo , Cardaccia Angela , Farinelli Senia , Pagliochini Maria Rita , Giuliani Angela , Basileo Michela , Pasticci Maria Bruna , Bistoni Francesco 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

The BD Phoenix system was compared to the cefoxitin disk diffusion test for detection of methicillin (meticillin) resistance in 1,066
Staphylococcus aureus
and 1,121 coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) clinical isolates. The sensitivity for Phoenix was 100%. The specificities were 99.86% for
S. aureus
and 88.4% for CoNS.
Simulation and Prediction of the Adaptive Immune Response to Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Lee Ha Youn , Topham David J. , Park Sung Yong , Hollenbaugh Joseph , Treanor John , Mosmann Tim R. , Jin Xia , Ward Brian M. , Miao Hongyu , Holden-Wiltse Jeanne , Perelson Alan S. , Zand Martin , Wu Hulin 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe cellular immune response to primary influenza virus infection is complex, involving multiple cell types and anatomical compartments, and is difficult to measure directly. Here we develop a two-compartment model that quantifies the interplay between viral replication and adaptive immunity. The fidelity of the model is demonstrated by accurately confirming the role of CD4 help for antibody persistence and the consequences of immune depletion experiments. The model predicts that drugs to limit viral infection and/or production must be administered within 2 days of infection, with a benefit of combination therapy when administered early, and cytotoxic CD8 T cells in the lung are as effective for viral clearance as neutralizing antibodies when present at the time of challenge. The model can be used to investigate explicit biological scenarios and generate experimentally testable hypotheses. For example, when the adaptive response depends on cellular immune cell priming, regulation of antigen presentation has greater influence on the kinetics of viral clearance than the efficiency of virus neutralization or cellular cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that the modulation of antigen presentation or the number of lung resident cytotoxic cells and the combination drug intervention are strategies to combat highly virulent influenza viruses. We further compared alternative model structures, for example, B-cell activation directly by the virus versus that through professional antigen-presenting cells or dendritic cell licensing of CD8 T cells.