bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of family‐centred practices in the early intervention programmes for infants and young children in Singapore with Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers and Measure of Beliefs about Participation in Family‐Centred Service
Authors: Tang H. N. , Chong W. H. , Goh W. , Chan W. P. , Choo S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  The primary purpose of this study was to report on an evaluation of the perceptions and beliefs of service providers towards family‐centred practices in 11 early intervention programmes for infants and young children in Singapore.Methods  The Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers (MPOC‐SP) and Measure of Beliefs about Participation in Family‐Centred Service (MBP‐FCS) were administered to 213 service providers made up of teachers, therapists, psychologists and social workers providing centre‐based therapy to children with special needs who were below the age of 6 years.Results  Exploratory factor analyses were performed with both scales. Nineteen of the 27 MPOC‐SP items were retained and supported the original four‐factor structure model. The exploratory factor analyses on MBP‐FCS provided a less satisfactory outcome. Fourteen of the 28 items were retained and these loaded onto four factors. The two factors relating to Beliefs about benefits of FCS and Beliefs about the absence of negative outcomes from FCS failed to emerge as separate factors. Further multiple regressions indicated that more direct work with families and positive self‐efficacy in implementing FCS contributed significantly to explaining service providers' positive perception towards family‐centred practice in service delivery.Conclusions  This is the first time MPOC‐SP and MBP‐FCS were administered to a population in an Asian context. While MBP‐FCS would benefit from further development work on its construct, MPOC‐SP offered important insights into service providers' perspectives about family‐centred practices that would have useful implications for professional and service development.
Inflammatory disease of the bile ducts–cholangiopathies: liver biopsy challenge and clinicopathological correlation
Authors: Portmann Bernard , Zen Yoh 
Published: June 2011

Portmann B & Zen Y  (2012) Histopathology 60, 236–248  Inflammatory disease of the bile ducts–cholangiopathies: liver biopsy challenge and clinicopathological correlationLiver biopsy interpretation in inflammatory diseases of the bile ducts or chronic cholangiopathies may be challenging, especially for pathologists working outside referral centres, where there is a limited exposure to relatively uncommon conditions. In view of the importance of sampling errors resulting from the patchy distribution of pathognomonic bile duct injuries and the misleading absence of cholestasis in the early stages, there is a need to recognize surrogate markers and subtle changes, in particular the early periportal deposition of copper and mild biliary interface activity. Such findings may either constitute the first indication of a primarily biliary disorder or be supportive of a clinically suspected diagnosis. Histological changes common to chronic cholangiopathies are reviewed at the variable stages of development that patients may first present to clinicians. As awareness of the protean clinical manifestations is essential for histological interpretation, the major and distinctive anatomoclinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis and primary and acquired sclerosing cholangitis are revisited, together with so‐called overlapping syndromes and less common variants and associations, including more recently documented conditions, such as IgG4‐related disease and the rarer multidrug resistance 3 deficiency. The review stresses the importance of evaluating histological changes in conjunction with clinical information.
Compatible interaction with its rice host leads to enhanced expression of the gamma subunit of oligosaccharyl transferase in the Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae
Authors: Sinha D. K. , Bentur J. S. , Nair S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae, is a fast evolving, damaging pest of rice. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of interaction between the gall midge and rice will help in devising strategies to control and manage the pest. The present study aims to identify rice‐responsive genes in the gall midge that aid pest survival. The abundance of transcripts coding for enzymes related to glycosylation, in a cDNA library prepared from maggots of the rice gall midge feeding on susceptible hosts, indicated their probable involvement in the gall midge–rice interaction. Hence, a full‐length transcript for a gamma subunit of the oligosaccharyl transferase gene (OoOST) from the gall midge was cloned and characterized. It has 72% similarity to its orthologue cloned from Aedes aegypti. Tissue‐specific analysis of the expression of OoOST revealed an increase (> sevenfold) in the transcripts of the gene in the salivary glands of maggots in susceptible plants when compared with the transcript level in the salivary glands of maggots feeding on resistant hosts. Using quantitative PCR, performed on different developmental stages of the maggots in two susceptible and two resistant hosts, we observed similar expression patterns (i.e. overexpression in the compatible interaction). These results indicate the involvement of OoOST in maggot survival and establishment in the susceptible host. In order to identify polymorphism in the gene, OoOST was cloned from three gall midge biotypes GMB1, GMB4 and GMB4M.
TCam‐2 seminoma cell line exhibits characteristic foetal germ cell responses to TGF‐beta ligands and retinoic acid
Authors: Young J. C. , Jaiprakash A. , Mithraprabhu S. , Itman C. , Kitazawa R. , Looijenga L. H. J. , Loveland K. L. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryGerm cell testicular cancer is understood to arise during embryogenesis, based on the persistence of embryonic germ cell markers in carcinoma in situ and seminoma. In this study, we examine the potential of the seminoma‐derived TCam‐2 cell line to be used as representative in functional analyses of seminoma. We demonstrate expression of several early germ cell markers, including BLIMP1, OCT3/4, AP2γ, NANOG and KIT. Many TGF‐beta superfamily receptors and downstream transcription factors are also present in these cells including the normally foetal ACTRIIA receptor, indicating potential responsiveness to TGF‐beta superfamily ligands. Treatment with BMP4 or RA induces a significant increase in ACTRIA, ACTRIIA and ACTRIIB transcripts, whereas activin A decreases ACTRIB. BMP4 and RA each support TCam‐2 survival and/or proliferation. In addition, despite increased KIT mRNA levels induced by BMP4, RA and activin A, activin A does not improve survival or proliferation. The capacity for BMP4 and retinoic acid to enhance foetal germ cell survival and proliferation/self‐renewal has been demonstrated in mice, but not previously tested in humans. This study is the first to demonstrate a functional response in seminoma cells, using a well‐characterized cell line, consistent with their foetal germ cell‐like identity.
Qualitative study of Enrolled Nurses transition to Registered Nurses
Authors: Cubit Katrina , Lopez Violeta 
Published: June 2011

cubit k. & lopez v. (2012) Qualitative study of Enrolled Nurses’ transition to Registered Nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(1), 206–211.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study which aimed to explore the transition experiences of graduate Registered Nurses (RN) who had previously practised as Enrolled Nurses.Background.  The literature suggests that graduate RN who have previously practised as Enrolled Nurses (EN) have specific support needs during their first year of clinical practice.Methods.  A qualitative descriptive study using focus group interviews was undertaken in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia in 2009. Eight graduate nurses (GN) were interviewed 1 week after the graduate nurses programme (GNP) had commenced and five GN at the middle and four GN at the end of the programme. Content analysis of the transcribed data was used to explicate themes.Results.  Three main categories were identified from the data: stepping out of their comfort zone, being taken advantage of and needing support like any other new RN. The GN pleaded that they need to be treated as any other new nurses undertaking the graduate nurse programme and for staff to forget that they used to be Enrolled Nurses.Conclusion.  Registered Nurses who had previously practised as Enrolled Nurses preferred not to be identified as having previous nursing experience as they feared being treated by their nurse managers as already capable of practicing as RN when in fact they needed support similar to any new graduate.
Social structure emerges via the interaction between local ecology and individual behaviour
Authors: Tanner Colby J. , Jackson Andrew L. 
Published: June 2011

Summary1. The formation of groups is a fundamental aspect of social organization, but there are still many questions regarding how social structure emerges from individuals making non‐random associations.2. Although food distribution and individual phenotypic traits are known to separately influence social organization, this is the first study, to our knowledge, experimentally linking them to demonstrate the importance of their interaction in the emergence of social structure.3. Using an experimental design in which food distribution was either clumped or dispersed, in combination with individuals that varied in exploratory behaviour, our results show that social structure can be induced in the otherwise non‐social European shore crab (Carcinus maenas).4. Regardless of food distribution, individuals with relatively high exploratory behaviour played an important role in connecting otherwise poorly connected individuals. In comparison, low exploratory individuals aggregated into cohesive, stable subgroups (moving together even when not foraging), but only in tanks where resources were clumped. No such non‐foraging subgroups formed in environments where food was evenly dispersed.5. Body size did not accurately explain an individual’s role within the network for either type of food distribution.6. Because of their synchronized movements and potential to gain social information, groups of low exploratory crabs were more effective than singletons at finding food.7. Because social structure affects selection, and social structure is shown to be sensitive to the interaction between ecological and behavioural differences among individuals, local selective pressures are likely to reflect this interaction.
Dispersal as a limiting factor in the colonization of restored mountain streams by plants and macroinvertebrates
Authors: Brederveld Robert J. , Jähnig Sonja C. , Lorenz Armin W. , Brunzel Stefan , Soons Merel B. 
Published: June 2011

Summary1. Over the past centuries, European streams have been heavily influenced by humans through pollution and regulation. As a result, the quality and diversity of freshwater riparian habitats have declined strongly, and the diversity of riparian flora and fauna has decreased. Recent restoration measures have resulted in stream habitat improvements, but biodiversity improvements have failed to follow in fragmented streams. It has been suggested that dispersal limitation could play an important role in the lack of biodiversity improvement in restored streams, but to date, there is no conclusive evidence for this assumption.2. In this study, we investigated whether colonization of restored streams by plants and macroinvertebrates is limited by dispersal. We hypothesized that colonization success increases with increasing availability of (nearby) source populations and with increasing ability of species to disperse over long distances. We related species composition in seven restored stream sections to species’ abundances in the surroundings and to species’ dispersal abilities.3. For both plants and macroinvertebrates, colonization success is strongly related to the abundance of species in the local and regional species pools.4. For plants, dispersal strategy has an additional influence on colonization success: short‐lived plants with high production of small, well‐dispersed seeds colonized best within the 3‐ to 5‐year period after restoration.5. The existence of dispersal strategy constraints could not be confirmed in macroinvertebrates, possibly because these are limited by a lack of connectivity on larger spatial scales. On the landscape scale, beneficial effects of increased plant diversity might further improve habitat suitability for macroinvertebrates.6. Synthesis and applications. Dispersal appears to be a limiting factor for successful (re)colonization of restored streams in fragmented landscapes. In plants, this is attributed to limitations in seed dispersal abilities and likely to a lack of nearby source populations as well. In macroinvertebrates, lack of nearby source populations may also be a limiting factor. Hence, we suggest restoring landscape connectivity at larger spatial scales and optimizing the availability of near‐natural ‘source’ areas in the vicinity of restoration projects, at least for plants, to improve the success of biodiversity restoration in fragmented habitats.
Spatial patterns of tree species richness in two temperate forests
Authors: Wang Xugao , Wiegand Thorsten , Wolf Amy , Howe Robert , Davies Stuart J. , Hao Zhanqing 
Published: June 2011

Summary1. The relative contribution of external vs. internal clustering mechanisms for determining community structure and its manifestations has been the subject of a continuous debate, but few attempts have been made to examine their single and joint effects in a compound process model.2. In this study, we tested four a priori hypotheses on the relative importance of habitat heterogeneity (topography and soil) and internal clustering mechanisms such as dispersal limitation on the species–area relationship (SAR) in two fully mapped 25‐ha plots of temperate forests in the Changbaishan (CBS) Nature Reserve, China, and the Chequamegon‐Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin, USA.3. We used the distance decay curve to test the generality of the results obtained for the SAR. To find out if the relative importance of internal and external clustering mechanisms changed with life stage, we conducted separate analyses for small, large and all trees.4. Model selection favoured the most complex hypothesis that assumed an influence of both habitat heterogeneity and internal clustering on SAR and the distance decay curve. For the CBS plot, which shows weak topographical structuring, models were consistent with data only if soil factors were included into assessment of habitat heterogeneity. At the Wabikon plot, we could not test soil variables, but inclusion of topographical variables substantially improved the fit of the distance decay curve.5. In general, the results of the SAR agreed with those of the distance decay curve, but the latter was sensitive to positive habitat‐mediated species associations. The SAR, but not distance decay, distinguished among competing hypotheses for the community of large trees at CBS, where species exhibited only weak clustering.6. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find substantial differences in the relative importance of internal and external clustering mechanisms with life stage.7. Synthesis. Our analysis of spatial community structure for two relatively diverse temperate forests revealed that the factors governing spatial community structure may not substantially differ from those in highly diverse tropical forests. This result adds to our understanding of the ecological processes underlying the spatial diversity structure in natural forest communities.
Effectiveness of using a behavioural intervention to improve dietary fibre intakes in children with constipation
Authors: Sullivan P. B. , Alder N. , Shrestha B. , Turton L. , Lambert B. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Functional constipation is common in childhood; diets in affluent industrialised countries may be a significant contributory factor as a result of inadequate fibre content. Only a few intervention studies have been reported where childhood constipation has been treated by increasing dietary fibre. The present study aimed to demonstrate that dietary fibre intakes of children with constipation can be increased using a specifically‐designed behaviour modification technique with a self‐monitoring and reward system.Methods:  Forty‐three children, aged 2–14 years, with functional constipation (defined as less than three bowel movements per week with hard stools and difficulty or delay in defecation) were randomised to one of two treatment groups: Control (n = 20), receiving general advice on increasing dietary fibre intake, or Intervention (n = 23), using the intervention tool. Fibre intake, laxative use and stool frequency were assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months, using parent‐filled diaries.Results:  A behavioural intervention method significantly increases the fibre intakes of children with constipation at 3 months compared to standard dietary treatment (P = 0.005), remaining so after adjusting for baseline fibre intake (P = 0.007). Follow‐up at 6 and 12 months showed no further increase. No significant benefit in terms of a reduction in laxative use or increased stool frequency associated with additional fibre intake was demonstrated.Conclusions:  The findings confirm the difficulties encountered in beginning and maintaining high‐fibre diets in children.
HIV prevention in southern Africa: why we must reassess our strategies?
Authors: Katsidzira Leolin , Hakim James G. 
Published: June 2011

SummarySouthern Africa continues to shoulder a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic with the number of new infections outstripping treatment initiation two‐ to threefold. Current prevention strategies have had a limited impact on the trajectory of the epidemic so far. The history of HIV prevention research is dominated by failed approaches, but recent developments have provided reason for hope. These include the successful male circumcision outcomes in trials in South Africa, Kenya and Uganda, the recent protective outcome of a tenofovir vaginal gel trial in South Africa and the proof that pre‐exposure prophylaxis with oral combination tenofovir/emtricitabine can work in men. The latter positive outcome has however been shattered by the early closure of FEM‐PrEP for futility. The challenge now is on how to best integrate emerging prevention methods with established strategies, recognising that some of the older methods have never been scaled up to saturation level.
Masitinib decreases signs of canine atopic dermatitis: a multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase 3 trial
Authors: Cadot Pierre , Hensel Patrick , Bensignor Emmanuel , Hadjaje Céline , Marignac Geneviève , Beco Luc , Fontaine Jacques , Jamet Jean‐François , Georgescu Gabriela , Campbell Karen , Cannon Andréa , Osborn Sarah C. , Messinger Linda , Gogny‐Goubert Michel , Dubreuil Patrice , Moussy Alain , Hermine Olivier 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the efficacy and safety of masitinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor capable of downregulating mast cell functions, for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Dogs with confirmed CAD received masitinib at 12.5 mg/kg/day (n = 202) or control (n = 104) for 12 weeks. A reduction in CAD Extent and Severity Index (CADESI‐02) score of ≥50% at week 12 was observed in 61% of masitinib‐treated dogs versus 35% of control dogs (P < 0.001), according to the modified intent‐to‐treat population. For dogs resistant to ciclosporin and/or corticosteroids (60% of the study population), CADESI‐02 response rates were 60 versus 31%, respectively (P = 0.004). The mean reduction in pruritus score of severely pruritic dogs was 46 versus 29%, respectively (P = 0.045). Furthermore, 65% of owners with severely pruritic dogs assessed masitinib efficacy as good/excellent versus 35% control (P = 0.05). Overall, 63% of investigators assessed masitinib efficacy as good/excellent versus 35% control (P < 0.001). Premature discontinuations from the modified intent‐to‐treat population (28.2% masitinib versus 26.0% control) were mainly due to adverse events (13.4 versus 4.8%, respectively) or lack of efficacy (12.4 versus 18.3%, respectively). In total, 13.2% dogs presented with severe adverse events (16.0% masitinib versus 7.7% control). Masitinib showed a risk of reversible protein loss, although regular surveillance of blood albumin and proteinuria allowed for discontinuation of treatment while the dog was still clinically asymptomatic. Masitinib proved to be an effective and mostly well‐tolerated treatment of CAD, including severe and refractory cases, with medically manageable adverse effects.
The effects of rose bengal‐ and erythrosine‐mediated photodynamic therapy on Candida albicans
Authors: Costa Anna Carolina Borges Pereira , Rasteiro Vanessa Maria Campos , Pereira Cristiane Aparecida , Rossoni Rodnei Dennis , Junqueira Juliana Campos , Jorge Antonio Olavo Cardoso 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using rose bengal or erythrosine with light emitting diode (LED) on Candida albicans planktonic cultures and biofilms. Seven C. albicans clinical strains and one standard strain (ATCC 18804) were used. Planktonic cultures and biofilms of each C. albicans strain were submitted to the following experimental conditions: (a) treatment with rose bengal and LED (RB+L+); (b) treatment with erythrosine and LED (E+L+); and (c) control group, without LED irradiation or photosensitiser treatment (P−L−). After irradiation of the planktonic cultures and biofilms, the cultures were seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (37 °C at 48 h) for counting of colony‐forming units (CFU ml−1) followed by posterior anova and Tukey’s test analyses (P < 0.05). The biofilms were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed a significant reduction of planktonic cultures (3.45 log10 and 1.97 log10) and of biofilms (<1 log10) for cultures that were subjected to PDT mediated using either erythrosine or rose bengal, respectively. The SEM data revealed that the PDT was effective in reducing and destroying of C. albicans blastoconidia and hyphae. The results show that erythrosine‐ and rose bengal‐mediated PDT with LED irradiation is effective in treating C. albicans.
Influence of serum on in vitro susceptibility testing of echinocandins for Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii
Authors: Saribas Zeynep , Yurdakul Pinar , Cetin‐Hazirolan Gulsen , Arikan‐Akdagli Sevtap 
Published: June 2011

SummaryEchinocandins are antifungal drugs used for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis. They bind to serum proteins within a rate of 96 to >99%. The effect of serum on in vitro echinocandin susceptibility tests of certain Candida and Aspergillus species was reported. This study was performed to determine the effect of human serum on in vitro susceptibility testing of echinocandins for clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii, the species which generally have higher minimum inhibitor concentrations compared with other Candida species. One hundred C. parapsilosis and 20 C. guilliermondii isolates were included in the study. The susceptibility tests of caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin were performed using microdilution method, either in the presence or absence of 50% human serum, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27‐A3 guidelines. It was demonstrated that human serum significantly affects the in vitro susceptibility results of echinocandins for C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii isolates, mostly yielding an increase in MICs. The most prominent fold changes were for micafungin and anidulafungin in C. parapsilosis, and for anidulafungin in C. guilliermondii isolates. Serum influences the in vitro echinocandin susceptibility in C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii. The mechanism and clinical significance of this in vitro change need to be clarified.