bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High levels of oxidative stress in rats infected withBlastocystis hominis
Authors: CHANDRAMATHI S. , SURESH K. , SHUBA S. , MAHMOOD A. , KUPPUSAMY U. R. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYObjective:Numerous studies have revealed the presence of oxidative stress in parasitic infections. However, such studies were lacking in the Malaysian population. Previously, we have provided evidence that oxidative stress is elevated in Malaysians infected with intestinal parasites. Stool examinations revealed that about 47·5% of them were infected with the polymorphic protozoa,Blastocystis hominis. However, they were found to have mixed infection with other intestinal parasites.Methodology:Therefore, in order to investigate the role ofB. hominisalone in affecting oxidative stress status, here we compared the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in urine and blood samples between uninfected andB. hominis-infected rats.Results:Infected rats exhibited elevated levels of oxidative indices namely advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) indicating that their overall oxidative damage level was higher. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was elevated at the initial stage of infection but decreased significantly during the last week of study duration suggesting that the antioxidant status of the host may be overwhelmed by oxidative damage.Conclusion:To date, this is the first comprehensivein vivostudy to provide evidence forBlastocystisinfection to correlate with significant oxidative burst leading to oxidative stress.
Anthelmintic activity of some Mediterranean browse plants against parasitic nematodes
Authors: MANOLARAKI F. , SOTIRAKI S. , STEFANAKIS A. , SKAMPARDONIS V. , VOLANIS M. , HOSTE H. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYThe anthelmintic properties of tannin-rich plants are being explored as an alternative to chemical drugs. Most data have been acquired on legume forages, but only few on browse plants. The present study aimed to (i) screen the in vitro effects of extracts from 7 Mediterranean plants on Haemonchus contortus, (ii) verify the role of tannins using an inhibitor, polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP) and (iii) verify the in vivo effects of extracts from 4 plants. Significant inhibition was shown in vitro using a larval migration inhibition (LMI) assay for all extracts except that from Olea europaea var. koroneiki. After adding PVPP, the LMI values were restored to control levels for all plants except Pistacia lentiscus and Ceratonia siliqua, confirming a role for tannins in the activity. In the in vivo experiment, 48 lambs composed 6 groups, depending on diet. On Day 0, groups G1–G5 received H. contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae and G6 remained uninfected. The various diets were distributed from Days 14 to 45: P. lentiscus (G1), Quercus coccifera (G2), C. siliqua (G3), Onobrychis viciifolia (G4), or Medicago sativa for the 2 control groups (G5, G6). Egg excretion, packed cell volumes (PCVs) and inorganic phosphate were measured weekly throughout the entire experimental period. At slaughter, the worms were enumerated and their fecundity assessed. Consumption of the 4 browser plants did not provoke differences in pathophysiological measurements but there were significant decreases in egg excretion, mainly explained by significant decreases in worm fecundity for both species, without any statistical difference in worm numbers.
Migration and site selection of Ornithodiplostomum ptychocheilus (Trematoda: Digenea) metacercariae in the brain of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Authors: MATISZ CHELSEA E. , GOATER CAMERON P. , BRAY DOUGLAS 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYThe migration of subadult parasites to preferred sites within final hosts is well characterized. In contrast, the migration of larval stages of trematodes to specific sites within their second intermediate hosts is poorly understood. We used a serial necropsy approach to characterize the migration of Ornithodiplostomum ptychocheilus diplostomules from the point of cercarial penetration, to encystment within the outermost tissues of the brain of fathead minnows. Diplostomules utilized peripheral nerves to access the central nerve cord, or they used specific cranial nerves to directly access the brain. Within 3 h of exposure to cercariae, 46% of all diplostomules were observed within the medulla of the brain. Diplostomules subsequently utilized specific neural tracts to reach lateral regions of the outermost tissue layer of the optic lobes, the stratum marginale. Diplostomules remained in this layer during their 4-week growth phase, then shifted site to the adjacent meninges for encystment. Characterization of a habitat shift for developing versus encysted metacercariae helps explain the results of previous ecological studies that document transient changes in the effects of metacercariae on the surivival, behaviour, and anti-parasite defences of infected fish.
Molecular characterization of fiveSarcocystisspecies in red deer (Cervus elaphus), includingSarcocystis hjortin. sp., reveals that these species are not intermediate host specific
Authors: DAHLGREN STINA S. , GJERDE BJØRN 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYMuscle tissue from 37 red deer from Norway was examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts from 2 reindeer were obtained for comparative studies. Cysts were excised and morphologically classified by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and DNA sequence analysis. FiveSarcocystisspecies,Sarcocystis hjortin. sp.,Sarcocystis hardangeri, Sarcocystis ovalis, Sarcocystis rangiferi, andSarcocystis tarandi, were found. All 5 species have previously been identified from either reindeer or moose by their sarcocyst morphology and/or ssu rRNA gene sequence.S. hjortiwas the most prevalent species. Multiple variants of the ssu rRNA gene and the first internal transcribed spacer were found inS. rangiferiandS. tarandifrom both red deer and reindeer. Phylogenetic analyses indicated thatS. tarandioccurs in both red deer and reindeer, but it could not be clearly demonstrated whether the sequence variation withinS. rangiferibetween hosts was due to different paralogues or/and different species. DNA sequencing was necessary for definitive species identification, since the hair-like protrusions on the cysts ofS. hjortiwere not always recognizable by light microscopy and since different cervids harbourSarcocystisspecies with highly similar cyst morphology of which at least some are not intermediate host specific.
Two-year-old phonology: impact of input, motor and cognitive abilities on development
Authors: DODD BARBARA , McINTOSH BETH 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTPrevious research has rarely compared the contributions of different underlying abilities to phonological acquisition. In this study, the auditory-visual speech perception, oro-motor and rule abstraction skills of 62 typically developing two-year olds were assessed and contrasted with the accuracy of their spoken phonology. Measures included auditory-visual speech perception, production of isolated and sequenced oro-motor movements, and verbal and non-verbal rule abstraction. Abilities in all three domains contributed to phonological acquisition. However, the use of atypical phonological rules was associated with lower levels of phonological accuracy and a linear regression indicated that this measure of rule abstraction had greater explanatory power than the measures of input processing and output skill.
Local meteorological conditions, dynamics of seroconversion to Toxoplasma gondii in cats (Felis catus) and oocyst burden in a rural environment
Authors: AFONSO E. , THULLIEZ P. , GILOT-FROMONT E. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in long-term monitoring of domestic cats (8–15 years) in three populations living in rural France. Overall seroprevalence was 52·7% (modified agglutination test ⩾1:40). Incidence was 0·26–0·39 seroconversions/cat per year, and the estimated rate of soil contamination by T. gondii oocysts ranged between 31 and 3600 oocysts/m2 per year, depending on the population. Incidence risk in cats was related to mean precipitation, explaining both the spatial and temporal variability in risk: local conditions explained differences between the three study sites and incidence risk increased during rainy years. This study brings rare quantitative information on the level of contamination of the environment by T. gondii oocysts, and suggests that the spatio-temporal distribution of incidence risk in cats may reflect both the influence of rain on prey populations and infectivity of T. gondii oocysts.
Staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec(SCCmec) in methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. A review and the experience in a tertiary-care setting
Authors: GARZA-GONZÁLEZ E. , MORFÍN-OTERO R. , LLACA-DÍAZ J. M. , RODRIGUEZ-NORIEGA E. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYCoagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are increasingly recognized to cause clinically significant infections, withS. epidermidisoften cited as the third most common cause of nosocomial sepsis. Among CNS, there is a high prevalence of methicillin resistance associated with staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec) elements. Although identical SCCmectypes can exist inS. aureusand CNS, some novel classes of SCCmecmay be unique to CNS. Differences in the accuracy of identification of CNS species and use of non-standardized methods for the detection of methicillin resistance have led to confusing data in the literature. In addition to the review of SCCmecin CNS, in this paper we report a 2-year surveillance of methicillin-resistant CNS in a tertiary-care hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Computer and internet use in vascular outpatients - ready for interactive applications?
Authors: Richter  , Schneider  , Klein-Weigel  
Published: December 2009

Background: Exploring patients’ computer and internet use, their expectations and attitudes is mandatory for successful introduction of interactive online health-care applications in Angiology. Patients and methods: We included 165 outpatients suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD; n = 62) and chronic venous and / or lymphatic disease (CVLD; n = 103) in a cross-sectional-study. Patients answered a paper-based questionnaire. Results: Patients were predominantly female (54.5 %). 142 (86.1 %) reported regular computer use for 9.7 ± 5.8 years and 134 (81.2 %) used the internet for 6.2 ± 3.6 years. CVLD-patients and internet-user were younger and higher educated, resulting in a significant difference in computer and internet use between the disease groups (p < 0.01 for both). Time spent online summed up to 4.3 ± 2.2 days per week and 1.44 ± 1.2 hours per day for all internet users without significant differences between the groups. The topics retrieved from the internet covered a wide spectrum and searches for health information were mentioned by 41.2 %. Although confidence in the internet (3.3 ± 1.1 on a 1-6 Likert scale) and reliability in information retrieved from the internet (3.1 ± 1.1) were relatively low, health-related issues were of high actual and future interest. 42.8 % of the patients were even interested in interactive applications like health educational programs, 37.4 % in self-reported assessments and outcome questionnaires and 26.9 % in chatforums; 50 % demanded access to their medical data on an Internetserver. Compared to older participants those < 50 yrs. used the internet more often for shopping, chatting, and e-mailing, but not for health information retrieval and interactive applications. Conclusions: Computers are commonly used and the internet has been adopted as an important source of information by patients suffering from PAD and CVLD. Besides, the internet offers great potentials and new opportunities for interactive disease (self-)management in angiology. To increase confidence and reliability in the medium a careful introduction and evaluation of these new online applications is mandatory.
Long-term outcome of patients with mild intermittent claudication under secondary prevention
Authors: Taute  , Thommes  , Taute  , Rapmund  , Lindner  , Podhaisky  
Published: December 2009

Background: The known natural history of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is determined by the generalization of atherosclerosis with resulting high cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this prospective study was to record all vascular and non-vascular events in patients with mild intermittent claudication (IC) undergoing secondary preventive measures in a 10-year follow-up and to determine the time-points at which systemic localizations of atherosclerotic events develop. Patients and methods: Patients who originally had an isolated Fontaine stage IIa PAD were included in the follow-up which involved assessments carried out on an annual basis. The incidence and timepoints of vascular (i.e., myocardial infarction, stroke, critical limb ischemia, vascular death), and nonvascular events (i.e., cancer, non vascular death) were recorded and compared with the known natural history. Results: 534 events (vascular: 433) concerning 109 claudicants (M/F: 88/21; 60.8 ± 8.8 years; ABI 0.66 ± 0.11) were recorded over an average follow-up period of 104 months. 25.7% of the claudicants died, 39% due to vascular events, 36% due to cancer disease and 25% due to other events. A deterioration of PAD (n = 108) was the most frequent event after 20 months, followed by angina pectoris (n = 41) and cancer diseases (n = 20) after 42 and 45 months, stroke (n = 19) after 58 months, myocardial infarction (n = 12) after 63 months, and finally critical limb ischemia (n = 27) and amputations (n = 10) after 80 and 114 months (median). 111 revascularizations were carried out. 62.3% of the claudicants developed a polyvascular disease, with 20% in a trivascular territory. Conclusions: A high vascular comorbidity also develops under secondary prevention as an expression of the continuing generalization of the atherosclerotic process in PAD. The causes for death are determined both by the vascular and the tumor related comorbidity.
Adverse Incidents in Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Units: Rates, Correlates and Pressures
Authors: Carr Vaughan J. , Lewin Terry J. , Sly Ketrina A. , Conrad Agatha M. , Tirupati Srinivasan , Cohen Martin , Ward Philip B. , Coombs Tim 
Published: December 2009

Objective: This paper reports findings from a multicentre service evaluation project conducted in acute psychiatric inpatient units in NSW, Australia. Overall rates of aggression, absconding and early readmission are reported, as well as length-of-stay profiles and associations between these outcomes and selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics routinely collected by health services. Method: Data from the 11 participating units were collected for a 12month period from multiple sources, including electronic medical records, routine clinical modules, incident forms, and shift based project-specific logs. For the current analyses, two admission-level datasets were used, comprising aggregated patient-level events (n=3242 admissions) and basic sociodemographic, clinical, admission and discharge information (n=5546 admissions by 3877 patients). Results: The participating units were under considerable strain: 23.3% of admissions were high acuity; 60.4% had previous hospital stays; 47.6% were involuntary; 25–30% involved adverse incidents; bed occupancy averaged 88.4%; median length of stay was 8days (mean=14.59days); and 17.4% had a subsequent early readmission. Reportable aggressive incidents (11.2% of admissions) were intermittent (averaging 0.55 incidents per month per occupied bed) and associated with younger age, personality disorder, less serious aggression, longer periods of hospitalization, and subsequent early readmission. Less serious aggressive incidents (15.0% of admissions) were maximal in the first 24h (averaging 3.73 incidents per month per occupied bed) and associated with younger age, involuntary status, bipolar and personality disorders, the absence of depression, and longer hospital stays. Absconding (15.7% of admissions) peaked in the second week following admission and was associated with drug and alcohol disorder, younger age, and longer periods of hospitalization. Conclusions: By examining relationships between a core set of risk factors and multiple short-term outcomes, we were able to identify several important patterns, which were suggestive of the need for a multi-level approach to intervention, shifting from a risk management focus during the early phase of hospitalization to a more targeted, therapeutic approach during the later phase. But the latter approach may not be achievable under current circumstances with existing resources.
Use of Pro Re Nata Medications in Acute Inpatient Care
Authors: Stein-Parbury Jane , Reid Kim , Smith Narelle , Mouhanna Diane , Lamont Fiona 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: Available evidence suggests that the use of ‘as needed’ (PRN; from the Latin pro re nata: for an occasion that has arisen) medications has remained a standard aspect of treatment in acute inpatient mental health units over a number of years despite lack of evidence from controlled clinical trials. The practice is one in which doctors and nurses are interdependent; that is, while doctors prescribe the medications, professional nurses are the ones who make the clinical decisions to administer them. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the circumstances surrounding the use of PRN medications across four inpatient units in Sydney. Methods: The medical records of all patients admitted for >24h during a 2month period were retrospectively audited for details regarding prescriptions and administrations of PRN medications. Results: A total of 420 records were reviewed, producing a total of 3868 PRN medication administrations. Ninety-seven per cent of all patients were prescribed PRN medications and 93.8% were prescribed regular medications. The most frequently prescribed medications were second-generation antipsychotics for regular use along with benzodiazepine for PRN use. Nearly 84% of patients received at least one PRN medication during their admission, while patients diagnosed with personality disorder received more PRNs per day. The most common reason for PRN administration was patient agitation. The results indicated poor documentation in the prescription and documentation of PRN administrations. Also, the findings show that a small subset of the patients (5%) received >30% of all PRN medications. Conclusion: PRN medication use has endured as standard practice and the results of the present study are consistent with the reported frequency of use increasing slightly over the years. The combination of second-generation antipsychotics as regular medications and benzodiazepines for PRN medication is consistent with recommended treatment guidelines. The small subset of patients who were overrepresented in the PRN administrations is noteworthy.
Consequences of Using SF-12 and RAND-12 when Examining Levels of Well-Being and Psychological Distress
Authors: Lee Adeline , Browne Mark Oakley , Villanueva Elmer 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To explore the consequences of using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the RAND-12 Health Status Inventory (RAND-12) for estimation of associations between its component scores and the levels of well-being and psychological distress. Methods: Data from a rural community mental health survey of 5641 participants were analysed. Physical and mental health component scores of the SF-12 and RAND-12 were compared between participants with different rating on the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Kessler-10. Descriptive graphical methods were utilized to explore the relationship between SF-12 and RAND-12 components scores against well-being and psychological distress. Proportional odds model was utilized to estimate the quantitative relationship between component scores of the SF-12 and RAND-12 against categories of well-being and psychological distress. Results: Both SF-12 and RAND-12 component scores were generally positively associated with well-being and negatively associated with psychological distress. Median scores were similar despite scoring techniques used. However, distribution of scores differed whereby the RAND-12 yielded wider spread of scores in measures of well-being and psychological distressed when compared to the SF-12. A larger proportion of participants was classified as having moderate and severe disability under the RAND-12 compared to the SF-12. Conclusion: It is recommended that users of the SF-12 and the RAND-12 are aware of the implications of utilizing either of the scoring techniques. Scoring techniques used should ideally be based on the theoretical basis of the study with consideration of the target population. Researchers may wish to use the SF-12 if distinct uncorrelated physical and mental constructs are required and for studies on clinical populations. In contrast, RAND-12 should be used if correlated physical and mental constructs are required and if the study is on community or general populations.
Ethnic Neutropenia and Clozapine
Authors: Bray Amanda 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: The aim of the present paper was to examine the concept of benign ethnic neutropenia and to consider the implications of ethnicity in the current clozapine regulatory system. Method: The case of a young Palestinian man who lost access to clozapine due to a fall in his neutrophil count, is presented herein, and a brief review of ethnic variations in neutrophil levels is given. Results: This patient's clozapine was ceased, with unfortunate consequences, despite his having normal immune function. Conclusion: By using normative haematological data established in white populations, the Australian clozapine regulatory system places some non-white patients at a considerable disadvantage.
Spinal Cord Injury and Mental Health
Authors: Migliorini Christine , Tonge Bruce , Taleporos George 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the mental health of adults with spinal cord injury living in the community Methods: The study was a representative community cross-sectional cohort self-report survey, carried out in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury registered on the Victorian Spinal Cord Injury Register and adults with non-traumatic spinal cord injury attending a specialist non-traumatic spinal cord injury rehabilitation clinic. Participants (n=443) completed a self-report survey by internet, telephone or hard copy, which used reliable and valid measures of depression, anxiety and stress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) and post-traumatic stress disorder (Impact of Events Scale–Revised). Results: Nearly half (48.5%) of the population with spinal cord injury suffered mental health problems of depression (37%), anxiety (30%), clinical-level stress (25%) or post-traumatic stress disorder (8.4%). Overall, there was a twofold or more increase in the probability of emotional disorders compared to the general population. Of those with one mental health disorder, 60% also had at least one other emotional disorder, representing a substantial 56% increase over the general population in the probability of comorbidity of psychopathology. Better health and time since injury were associated with decreasing the risk of psychopathology. Conclusion: The results of the present study underscore the vulnerability of the population with spinal cord injury to emotional disorders. This study highlights the complexity of mental health problems experienced by many individuals with spinal cord injury living in the community. The delivery of mental health services to this vulnerable population requires recognition of comorbidity and problems of mobility, access and stigma.