bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflectance confocal microscopy for quantification of Sarcoptes scabiei in Norwegian scabies
Authors: Cinotti E. , Perrot J.L. , Labeille B. , Vercherin P. , Chol C. , Besson E. , Cambazard F. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground and Objectives  In vivo reflectance‐mode confocal microscopy (RCM) can be used for the diagnosis of scabies. This study quantifies S. scabiei and its eggs and droppings in a patient affected by Norwegian Scabies (NS), and describes their distribution within the epidermis and in different body areas.Methods  Different skin sites were randomly chosen in four sections (head, upper limbs, trunk and inferior limbs) of the body surface area (BSA) to acquire a total of 60 RCM z‐stacks. The number of mites and eggs, the presence of droppings, as well as the minimum epidermal depth at which mites, eggs and faeces were detectable, was established for each z‐stack. The total number of mites and eggs on the entire BSA was calculated considering the weighted mean for the four sections of the BSA.Results  A total of 15.8 millions of S. scabiei and 7.2 millions of eggs were calculated. Mites, eggs and faeces were homogeneously distributed all over the body surface. Droppings, easily recognized by the RCM, were present in more than an half of the analyzed cutaneous sites and were associated with the presence of parasites (chi‐squared test, P = 0.002).Conclusions  Our study illustrates the ability of RCM to identify, locate, and quantify the various forms of S. scabiei in human skin. NS is an extremely contagious disease, considering that the number of mites can be around 15.8 millions. Moreover, all areas of the body are parasitized in NS, including the face.
Body weight increment in patients treated with infliximab for plaque psoriasis
Authors: Florin V. , Cottencin A.C. , Delaporte E. , Staumont‐Sallé D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis is frequently associated with overweight and obesity. Anti‐TNF‐α therapies are effective in the treatment of psoriasis. TNF‐α is highly involved in body weight regulation.Objective  Our objective was to evaluate the increase in weight throughout the treatment with infliximab and the association of weight gain with the body mass index (BMI).Methods  Thirty‐five patients affected with severe plaque psoriasis receiving infliximab were included. A control group consisted of 16 patients affected with severe plaque psoriasis and treated with cyclosporine, methotrexate, or acitretin. Assessment of PASI score, body weight and BMI were performed at a 1 and 3‐year follow‐up.Results  We observed a body weight increment of 2.5 ± 4.4 kg (mean ± SD) (i.e. + 3.6% of baseline) and 0.1 ± 5 kg (i.e. + 1.2%) in patients treated with infliximab and the control group, respectively (P = 0.046), after 1 year of treatment. After 3 years of infliximab administration, weight gain was 4.8 ± 5 kg (n = 16) (i.e. + 6%) (P = 0.005). Moreover, as classified by BMI, normal weight patients experienced a 4 ± 3.7 kg weight gain (i.e. + 6%) whereas overweight and obese patients had gained 1.3 ± 4.8 kg (i.e. + 1.2%) (P = 0.039) after 1 year of anti‐TNF‐α therapy. Percentual changes in body weight were larger in normal weight patients at baseline than in overweight/obese counterparts (P = 0.0149).Conclusion  All patients, including normal weight patients, should receive a dietary intervention.
Clinicopathological study of 81 cases of localized and systemic scleroderma
Authors: Succaria F. , Kurban M. , Kibbi A.‐G. , Abbas O. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that includes localized and systemic forms. Our recent encounter with a morphea case exhibiting prominent perineural inflammation microscopically prompted us to assess the features of all patients diagnosed with morphea/scleroderma at our institution.Objective/methods  To describe the clinicopathological features of all patients diagnosed with morphea/scleroderma at American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUB‐MC) between 1999 and 2010, and compare our findings with those published in the literature.Results  A total of 81 cases (63 women and 18 men) were identified, of which 73 were localized (morphea) and eight were systemic scleroderma. Clinically, plaque type morphea was the most common variant both in adults and children, and seven (9%) cases of morphea were associated with lichen sclerosis et atrophicus (LSA). Histopathologically, perineural inflammation was observed in 49% of cases, and may serve, in addition to other features including lichen sclerosis‐like changes (observed in exclusively nine cases of morphea), more diffuse dermal and less subcutaneous sclerosis, and intense inflammation, as clues favouring diagnosis of morphea over systemic sclerosis.Conclusion  The features of morphea/scleroderma patients in this study are generally comparable to those published in the literature, with few differences. Clinically, plaque type morphea was the most common variant both in adults and children and LSA was a frequent association. Histopathologically, perineural inflammation was commonly observed and may serve in addition to lichen sclerosis‐like changes and intense inflammation as clues favouring diagnosis of morphea over systemic sclerosis.
Finding the words to work together: developing a research design to explore risk and adult protection in co‐produced research
Authors: Brookes Ian , Archibald Sylvia , McInnes Kerry , Cross Beth , Daniel Brigid , Johnson Fiona 
Published: May 2012

Accessible Summary

SummaryAlthough co‐production of research with people who access support services is increasingly common, details about how people who access support services can take more of an assertive role in developing research proposals and method design remains sketchy. This article reflects on the development of a research project on adult protection practice in Scotland. We start by giving an overview of what the policy on adult protection is in Scotland, how we did our research on this topic and what people who may be affected told us they wanted. Then, we examine how our team talked through key words used in adult protection, namely, ‘risk’ and ‘abuse’. Coming to a shared understanding of the words and the concerns around them meant thinking about how words are used in many ways, from decisions about which words were used, to how these words were part of relating experience in stories, to how these stories fit into the work we were doing and how all of this shaped how we present our research to those who make and carry out services. Through doing a literature review together, we have gained a better understanding of how words are used as tools. We conclude that those who make, carry out and research services should consider using a wider range of tools than just words to help people have a say in how work to help people is done.
Relationships of people with learning disabilities in Ireland
Authors: Bane Geraldine , Deely Marie , Donohoe Brian , Dooher Martin , Flaherty Josephine , Iriarte Edurne Garcia , Hopkins Rob , Mahon Ann , Minogue Ger , Donagh Padraig Mc , Doherty Siobháin O’ , Curry Martin , Shannon Stephen , Tierney Edel , Wolfe Marie 
Published: May 2012

Accessible summaryThe inclusive research network is a group of researchers with learning disabilities, their supporters and paid professional researchers who do research about things important to people with learning disabilities in Ireland. In this research, we asked people with learning disabilities what they thought about relationships and supports. We asked people in focus groups: (i) What makes a good friend?, (ii) What do you think about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend?, and (iii) What supports do you need to have friends, a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Ninetyseven people (52 women and 45 men) took part in 16 focus groups. We found that people talked about:

Wanting to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend.
Being embarrassed talking about it.
Needing more support from family and staff to keep relationships and deal with them.
Wanting more transport to get around at night and to visit people.
Wanting a house of their own to invite friends, boyfriends and girlfriends.
We talk about the importance of these findings. We also talk about how we have used these findings to advocate for changing the laws in Ireland.SummaryThis study explored the perspectives of people with learning disabilities on relationships and supports in the Republic of Ireland. A national research network consisting of 21 researchers with learning disabilities, 12 supporters, and 7 university researchers conducted the study. Researchers with learning disabilities and their supporters ran 16 focus groups with peers with learning disabilities. A total of 97 adults with learning disabilities from across the country took part in the focus groups. Findings suggest that people with learning disabilities have a diversity of experiences and views on relationships and support needed to keep them. People with learning disabilities taking part in the focus groups identified that they need more support from friends, family, and services staff to develop new relationships and keep their existing ones. This support includes both emotional and systematic changes such as accessible transport, own housing, and changed laws. The article discusses how the research team used the findings to advocate for a change in the laws concerning sexuality and learning disability in the Republic of Ireland.
Checking Up On Des: My Life My Choice's research into annual health checks for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire
Authors: Michell Bryan 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThis is about research an Oxfordshire Self‐Advocacy Organisation did into annual health checks for people with learning disabilities. The self‐advocates worked with Oxfordshire's Primary Care Health Facilitator and a Professor to find out why only one in four people in our area had a health check in 2009/10 (Emerson & Glover 2010a,b). The article tells you what we did in ‘Easy Read’ with pictures.
How we like to live when we have the chance
Authors: Deguara Marthese , Jelassi Omar , Micallef Brian , Callus Anne‐Marie 
Published: May 2012

Accessible summary

This article has been written by a group of persons with intellectual disability which is called the Consultative Committee of Persons with Intellectual Disability. This group works in Malta.
The article is about how we would like to live. It looks at two things: where we would like to live and going out in the community.
This article shows the different opinions of persons with intellectual disability.
We have a right to choose. Other people should not decide for us about what we would like to do in our lives.
Different people have different opinions. This is why it is important that service providers talk to us about how we would like to live.
We need help in our lives and more accessibility so that we can do what we would like to do.

SummaryThis article has been written by a group of persons with intellectual disability, which is called the Consultative Committee of Persons with Intellectual Disability. This group works in Malta. The article is about how we would like to live. It looks at two things: ‘where we would like to live’ and ‘going out in the community’. This article shows the different opinions of persons with intellectual disability about these subjects. The fact that different people have different opinions shows why it is important that service providers talk to us about how we would like to live. We have a right to choose. Other people should not decide for us about what we would like to do in our lives. But it is also important to remember that we need help in our lives and more accessibility so that we can do what we would like to do.
No effect of the FitFor2 exercise programme on blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and birthweight in pregnant women who were overweight and at risk for gestational diabetes: results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Oostdam N , van Poppel MNM , Wouters MGAJ , Eekhoff EMW , Bekedam DJ , Kuchenbecker WKH , Quartero HWP , Heres MHB , van Mechelen W 
Published: May 2012

Please cite this paper as: Oostdam N, van Poppel M, Wouters M, Eekhoff E, Bekedam D, Kuchenbecker W, Quartero H, Heres M, van Mechelen W. No effect of the FitFor2 exercise programme on blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and birthweight in pregnant women who were overweight and at risk for gestational diabetes: results of a randomised controlled trial. BJOG 2012;119:1098–1107.Objective  To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise programme for pregnant women who were overweight or obese and at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Design  Randomised controlled trial.Setting  Hospitals and midwifery practices in the Netherlands.Population  Pregnant women who were overweight or obese and at risk for GDM between 2007 and 2011.Methods  Normal care was compared with an exercise training programme during pregnancy. The training consisted of aerobic and strength exercises, and was aimed at improving maternal fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and birthweight. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects.Main outcome measures  Maternal outcome measures were fasting blood glucose (mmol/l), fasting insulin (pmol/l) and HbA1c (%), body weight (kg), body mass index (kg/m2), and daily physical activity (minute/week). Offspring outcome measures were birthweight and fetal growth.Results  A total of 121 women were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 59) or an intervention (n = 62) group. Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that the exercise programme did not reduce maternal fasting blood glucose levels nor insulin sensitivity. Also, no effect was found on birthweight.Conclusions  The exercise intervention performed over the second and third trimester of pregnancy had no effects on fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and birthweight, most probably because of low compliance. The high prevalence of women at risk for GDM calls for further research on possible interventions that can prevent GDM, and other types of interventions to engage this target group in physical activity and exercise.
The role of informal caregivers during cancer patients’ recovery from chemotherapy
Authors: Ockerby Cherene , Livingston Patricia , O’Connell Bev , Gaskin Cadeyrn J. 
Published: May 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 147–155

The role of informal caregivers during cancer patients’ recovery from chemotherapy
Aims:  (i) To investigate the availability, perceived importance and roles of informal caregivers in the recovery of patients treated at day oncology centres and (ii) identify differences between patients with and without informal caregivers in the extent to which they experienced symptoms, and the level of bother symptoms caused.Method:  Patients from three Australian hospitals (n = 122) were recruited during cycles 1 or 2 of adjuvant chemotherapy. Participants completed a modified version of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) each day for 5 days after chemotherapy. A telephone interview conducted 10 days post‐treatment explored the availability, importance and roles of caregivers. During the interview, participants also completed the modified RSCL in which they were asked about the extent to which they experienced, and were bothered by, each symptom over the prior 5 days combined.Results:  Overall, 71% of participants had an informal caregiver in the 5 days postchemotherapy, commonly a partner. More women (71%) than men (48%) had a caregiver (p < 0.05). Caregivers were perceived to be highly important; they were more important for women than men (U = 213.50, p < 0.01). The most common assistance caregivers provided was meal preparation and emotional support and companionship. On days 6–10 postchemotherapy, the extent to which overall physical symptoms were experienced was higher for patients with a caregiver than without (U = 987.50, p < 0.05); similarly their symptoms caused more bother (U = 966.00, p < 0.01).Conclusions:  These findings highlighted the importance of informal caregivers to patients postchemotherapy. It is imperative that patients are informed of the importance of this support so a caregiver can be arranged, if possible. Understanding the needs of patients following chemotherapy would enable health professionals to advise patients, with or without caregivers, how to best prepare for and manage their recovery at home.
Impairment of osteoblast differentiation due to proliferation‐independent telomere dysfunction in mouse models of accelerated aging
Authors: Wang Haitao , Chen Qijun , Lee Seoung‐Hoon , Choi Yongwon , Brad Johnson Frederick , Pignolo Robert J. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryWe undertook genetic and nongenetic approaches to investigate the relationship between telomere maintenance and osteoblast differentiation, as well as to uncover a possible link between a known mediator of cellular aging and senile bone loss. Using mouse models of disrupted telomere maintenance molecules, including mutants in the Werner helicase (Wrn−/−), telomerase (Terc−/−), and Wrn−/− Terc−/− double mutants predisposed to accelerated bone loss, we measured telomere dysfunction‐induced foci (TIFs) and markers of osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs). We found that telomere maintenance is directly and significantly related to osteoblast differentiation, with dysfunctional telomeres associated with impaired differentiation independent of proliferation state. Telomere‐mediated defects in osteoblast differentiation are associated with increased p53/p21 expression and concomitant reduction in RUNX2. Conversely, MPCs from p53−/− mice do not have substantial telomere dysfunction and spontaneously differentiate into osteoblasts. These results suggest that critical telomere dysfunction may be a prominent mechanism for age‐related osteoporosis and limits MPC differentiation into bone‐forming cells via the p53/p21 pathway.
Effects of pyrazole partial agonists on HCA2‐mediated flushing and VLDL‐triglyceride levels in mice
Authors: Li Zhaosha , Blad Clara C , van der Sluis Ronald J , de Vries Henk , Van Berkel Theo JC , IJzerman Adriaan P , Hoekstra Menno 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Niacin can effectively treat dyslipidaemic disorders. However, its clinical use is limited due to the cutaneous flushing mediated by the nicotinic acid receptor HCA2. In the current study, we evaluated two partial agonists for HCA2, LUF6281 and LUF6283, with respect to their anti‐dyslipidaemic potential and cutaneous flushing effect.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In vitro potency and efficacy studies with niacin and the two HCA2 partial agonists were performed using HEK293T cells stably expressing human HCA2. Normolipidaemic C57BL/6 mice received either niacin or the HCA2 partial agonists (400 mg·kg−1·day−1) once a day for 4 weeks for evaluation of their effects in vivo.KEY RESULTS Radioligand competitive binding assay showed Ki values for LUF6281 and LUF6283 of 3 and 0.55 µM. [35S]‐GTPγS binding revealed the rank order of their potency as niacin > LUF6283 > LUF6281. All three compounds reduced plasma VLDL‐triglyceride concentrations similarly, while LUF6281 and LUF6283, in contrast to niacin, did not also exhibit the unwanted flushing side effect in C57BL/6 mice. Niacin reduced the expression of lipolytic genes HSL and ATGL in adipose tissue by 50%, whereas LUF6281 and LUF6283 unexpectedly did not. In contrast, the decrease in VLDL‐triglyceride concentration induced by LUF6281 and LUF6283 was associated with a parallel >40% reduced expression of APOB within the liver.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The current study identifies LUF6281 and LUF6283, two HCA2 partial agonists of the pyrazole class, as promising drug candidates to achieve the beneficial lipid lowering effect of niacin without producing the unwanted flushing side effect.
Symptomatic and functional remission in patients with first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Verma S. , Subramaniam M. , Abdin E. , Poon L. Y. , Chong S. A. 
Published: May 2012

Verma S, Subramaniam M, Abdin E, Poon LY, Chong SA. Symptomatic and functional remission in patients with first‐episode psychosis.Objective:  For patients suffering from psychotic disorders and their caregivers, ‘recovery’ remains important. Our study aims to examine the rates of both symptomatic and functional remission in first‐episode psychosis (FEP) patients at 2 years and identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with recovery.Method:  In this naturalistic study, all consecutive FEP patients presenting to an early psychosis intervention programme were recruited. Symptomatic remission was defined by the Schizophrenia Working Group’s criteria; functional remission was defined as a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) disability score of ≥61 with engagement in age‐appropriate vocation. Simple and multiple logistic regressions using stepwise method were used.Results:  Out of 1175 patients, 636 (54.1%) met criteria for symptomatic remission, 686 (58.4%) for functional remission, while 345 (29.4%) met for both. Multiple logistic regression revealed female gender (OR 1.47; 95%CI, 1.12–1.93), those married (OR 1.49; 95%CI, 1.02–2.18), younger age (OR 0.98; 95%CI, 0.95–0.99), tertiary education (OR 1.56; 95%CI, 1.02–2.38), shorter DUP (OR 0.99; 95%CI, 0.98–0.99), lower baseline PANSS negative scores (OR 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95–0.99), and early response at month 3 (OR 1.78; 95%CI, 1.31–2.42), as significant predictors of recovery at year 2.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that strategies to reduce DUP and achieve early response could improve remission rates in FEP patients.
Use of specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) rhesus macaques to better model oral pediatric cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: dela Pena Myra G. , Strelow Lisa , Barry Peter A. , Abel Kristina 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can result in lifelong neurological deficits. Seronegative pregnant woman often acquire primary HCMV from clinically asymptomatic, but HCMV‐shedding children.Methods  Potential age‐related differences in viral and immune parameters of primary RhCMV infection were examined in an oral rhesus CMV infection model in specific pathogen free macaques. RhCMV shedding was measured by real time PCR in plasma, saliva and urine. Immune parameters, including neutralizing and binding antibodies and RhCMV‐specific T cell responses, were assessed in longitudinally collected blood samples.Results  The oral RhCMV infection model in infant SPF rhesus macaques demonstrated that (i) the susceptibility to oral RhCMV infection declines with age, and (ii) infant macaques shed RhCMV more persistently and at higher titers compared to adult macaques. (iii)Conclusions  The oral infant RhCMV infection model appears to reflect viral pathogenesis in human HCMV‐infected children. Larger studies are needed to define immune parameters associated with better control of RhCMV in adult compared to young animals.
Acute traumatic spinal cord injury induces glial activation in the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Miller A. D. , Westmoreland S .V. , Evangelous N. R. , Graham A. , Sledge J. , Nesathurai S. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Traumatic spinal cord injury leads to direct myelin and axonal damage and leads to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to site of injury. Although rodent models have provided the greatest insight into the genesis of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), recent studies have attempted to develop an appropriate non‐human primate model.Methods  We explored TSCI in a cynomolgus macaque model using a balloon catheter to mimic external trauma to further evaluate the underlying mechanisms of acute TSCI.Results  Following 1 hour of spinal cord trauma, there were focal areas of hemorrhage and necrosis at the site of trauma. Additionally, there was a marked increased expression of macrophage‐related protein 8, MMP9, IBA‐1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages and microglia at the site of injury.Conclusions  This data indicate that acute TSCI in the cynomolgus macaque is an appropriate model and that the earliest immunohistochemical changes noted are within macrophage and microglia populations.