bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Professional risk for skin cancer development in male mountain guides – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lichte V , Dennenmoser B , Dietz K , Häfner H‐M , Schlagenhauff B , Garbe C , Fischer J , Moehrle M 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjective  For reasons of their outdoor work, mountain guides (MG) are heavily exposed to ultraviolet radiation during their work.Methods  A standardized interview and examination were performed on 283 male MG (median 41 years) from Germany, Switzerland and Austria and 309 age‐matched controls. The median occupation time as MG was 17 years; 39.9% were working full‐time.Results  The incidence of skin cancer and precancerous lesions was obtained. Precancerous lesions as solar keratosis (SK) were significantly more frequent in MG (25.4% vs. 7.4%). There was no skin cancer [BCC, SSC, melanoma (MEL)] in the control subjects. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was diagnosed in 20 MG (7.1%) and SSC in four MG (1.4%). There were 10 highly suspicious melanocytic lesions; one MG had a histologically confirmed malignant MEL. Risk factors for SK in the multivariate analysis included occupation (P < 0.0001), age (P < 0.0001) and skin type (P = 0.0002). Within the MG group, age (P < 0.0001) and hair colour (P = 0.0058) were independent risk factors for SK. Severe lifetime sunburns (P = 0.0007) and skin type (P = 0.041) were the significant risk factors for BCC, within the MG group in addition to the number of guiding days (P = 0.010). The risk factor for skin cancer (BCC, SCC and MEL) was the number of heavy sunburns during lifetime (P = 0.0014).Conclusion  The present study demonstrates an association between high occupational ultraviolet‐exposure and an increased prevalence of precancerous skin lesions and skin cancer. MG may be considered as an example for other outdoor professionals. Skin cancer of outdoor workers is likely to be an occupational disease. Primary and secondary prevention should be enforced.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Negotiating autonomy within the family: the experiences of young adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Mill Aviva , Mayes Rachel , McConnell David 
Published: December 2009

Accessible summary

In this study we asked six young people with intellectual disabilities what they thought about becoming independent in their families.
One person wanted more independence within her family and sometimes this caused fights. Three people were happy with the independence they had in their families and did not want things to change. Two people, with the help and support of their families, were trying to be more independent.
Families play an important part in young people becoming more independent. It was important for this group of young people for their families to understand and support their points of view.

SummaryThere is a small but expanding literature about the transition to adulthood for young people with intellectual disabilities. However, voices of young people with intellectual disabilities are under‐represented. This study explored the perspectives of young people with intellectual disabilities on their transition to adulthood, focusing particularly on the process of negotiating autonomy within the family. This exploratory study employed a life history approach, involving six young people with mild intellectual disabilities, aged 18–25 years, and two waves of responsive interviews. First interviews explored participants’ life roles, relationships and goals. Second interviews focused on the process of negotiating autonomy within the family. Three approaches to negotiating autonomy within the family were identified: defiant, passive and proactive. The particular approach taken by each participant was associated with the level of congruence between their perceived and desired levels of autonomy and parental support. The study suggests that the transition to adulthood for young people with intellectual disabilities and their parents is not inevitably conflict‐ridden. Parents and professionals may support young people with intellectual disabilities through this life stage by including them in family and service decision‐making, and by supporting them to take on varied and valued roles and responsibilities within the family and community.
Taking service providers to court: people with learning disabilities and Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Authors: Lerpiniere Jennifer , Stalker Kirsten 
Published: December 2009

Accessible summary

Many people with learning disabilities experience unfair treatment when they go to shops, banks or pubs.
Very few people take legal action or go to court about the unfair treatment they experience.
It can be difficult for a judge to decide if treatment is unfair if, e.g., a sports centre gives free carer’s tickets to some disabled people but not to others.
It is easier for a judge to decide treatment is unfair if a person with learning disabilities has been refused something. For example, if someone was refused a tattoo even though other customers were not refused.

SummaryDespite evidence of poor service provision for people with learning disabilities in the UK (e.g. DRC, Code of practice. Rights of access: services to the public, public authority functions, private clubs and premises. London: The Stationery Office, 2006; Sloan, J Inform Law Tech [electronic journal], 2001), very little use has been made of Part III (Goods, Facilities and Services) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 by people with learning disabilities (personal communication, Disability Rights Commission Conciliation Management Unit). Difficulties faced by individuals who might consider pursuing a claim against a service provider are well‐documented and include stress, time and financial constraints (Crit Soc Policy, 20: 533–549, 2000). Once a complaint has been made or a claim lodged other legislative barriers can make it difficult to pursue a case (Industr Law J, 32: 164–184, 2003). The aim of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of legislative use of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in promoting equality for people with learning disabilities. Effectiveness will be gauged through analysis of the legal process engaged in by two people with learning disabilities who made claims against service providers under Part III of this Act.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ‘I am a normal man’: a narrative analysis of the accounts of older people with Down’s syndrome who lived in institutionalised settings
Authors: Brown Jennifer , Dodd Karen , Vetere Arlene 
Published: December 2009

Accessible summary

This study is about the life stories of six older people with Down’s syndrome who spent some part of their childhoods in institutionalised settings.
They have interesting and moving stories to tell about their lives. They talked about their childhood and current lives, their likes and dislikes, their strengths and difficulties and their hopes and dreams. They also spoke about the important people in their lives.
The participants did not talk about themselves as being ‘old’, ‘disabled’ or as having ‘Down’s syndrome’. They talked about themselves in other ways, such as being ‘normal’, being a ‘man’ or a ‘beautiful lady’.
The researcher learnt about herself whilst doing this study. She learned about the value of taking time to listen to people and she reflected on her own life story.

SummaryThis paper is a narrative analysis of the accounts of six older people with Down’s syndrome who spent part of their childhood in institutional environments. The study aimed to find out how the participants talked about themselves. Different types of narrative analysis were used, including those of Murray (Qualitative psychology: a practical guide to research methods, London, UK, Sage, 2003), Gergen & Gergen (Hist Social Psychol, Hillsdale, NJ, Erlbaum, 1984) and Labov & Waletsky (Essays on the verbal and visual arts, Seattle, University of Washington Press, 1967). All of the participants spoke about their childhood, current and future lives. Most participants were able to reflect upon their strengths, limitations and hopes. The analysis highlighted the commonalities across the accounts: loss, abuse, health, significant others, transition, resilience and identity. Significantly, none of the participants identified themselves as having ‘Down’s syndrome’ or a ‘learning disability,’ nor did they identify with being ‘older’. Instead, individuals identified themselves in relation to gender and social roles. The accounts varied in terms of their form, structure, coherence and reflexive capacity. Clinical implications are discussed.
Behavioural interventions for self injurious behaviour: a review of recent evidence (1998–2008)
Authors: Prangnell Simon J. 
Published: December 2009

Accessible summary

One in four people with a severe learning disability harm themselves.
This affects their health and quality of life.
This study looks at research on helping people who harm themselves.
More research needs to be done to find better ways of helping people who harm themselves.

SummaryEstimates suggest that up to one quarter of people who have a severe learning disability engage in self injurious behaviour (SIB). SIB poses serious risks, both to the person’s physical health and their quality of life. Behavioural approaches have made a contribution to supporting people who engage in SIB, although the last review of these approaches was completed in 2001. The current study provides an update to this review, and has considered papers published over the last 10 years. A systematic search of peer reviewed journals and the ‘grey’ literature identified 34 relevant documents, the majority of which were single case studies. These papers tended to report only on changes in the frequency of SIB during the intervention; one cannot conclude, therefore, about the long term efficacy and generalisability of these approaches. Reductions in SIB were highly variable, often produced in controlled environments and with the use of aversive interventions. The current study presents implications for research and clinical practice and highlights the need for more research reporting on the effectiveness of new interventions such as positive behavioural support.
Digging deeper: fine‐root responses to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration in forested ecosystems
Authors: Iversen Colleen M. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryExperimental evidence from a diverse set of forested ecosystems indicates that CO2 enrichment may lead to deeper rooting distributions. While the causes of greater root production at deeper soil depths under elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) require further investigation, altered rooting distributions are expected to affect important ecosystem processes. The depth at which fine roots are produced may influence root chemistry, physiological function, and mycorrhizal infection, leading to altered nitrogen (N) uptake rates and slower turnover. Also, soil processes such as microbial decomposition are slowed at depth in the soil, potentially affecting the rate at which root detritus becomes incorporated into soil organic matter. Deeper rooting distributions under elevated [CO2] provide exciting opportunities to use novel sensors and chemical analyses throughout the soil profile to track the effects of root proliferation on carbon (C) and N cycling. Models do not currently incorporate information on root turnover and C and N cycling at depth in the soil, and modification is necessary to accurately represent processes associated with altered rooting depth distributions. Progress in understanding and modeling the interface between deeper rooting distributions under elevated [CO2] and soil C and N cycling will be critical in projecting the sustainability of forest responses to rising atmospheric [CO2].
Post‐translational protein modification as a tool for transcription reprogramming
Authors: Spoel Steven H. , Tada Yasuomi , Loake Gary J. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPrecise modulation of transcription plays a vital role in both development and the response of all higher organisms to their environment. Temporal activation or repression of specific genes is accomplished via a plethora of transcriptional regulators. However, relatively little is known about how the activities of these proteins are controlled. Recent findings indicate that post‐translational modifications fine‐tune the function of transcription regulators by affecting their localization, conformation or stability. Here, we discuss these regulatory mechanisms in the context of the plant immune response. This system lends itself particularly well to studies of transcriptional regulators as activation of plant immunity is associated with rapid and dramatic reprogramming of the transcriptome. A case study of the plant immune coactivator NPR1 (nonexpressor of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes 1) illustrates that transcription regulator activity may be controlled by redox‐based modifications of cysteine thiols (e.g. disulphide bonding and S‐nitrosylation), phosphorylation, and ubiquitinylation coupled to protein degradation. Importantly, cross‐talk between distinct protein modifications may determine the spatial and temporal activity of transcription regulators that in turn profile the cellular transcriptome.
Requirement for small side chain residues within the GxGD‐motif of presenilin for γ‐secretase substrate cleavage
Authors: Pérez‐Revuelta Blanca Isabel , Fukumori Akio , Lammich Sven , Yamasaki Aya , Haass Christian , Steiner Harald 
Published: December 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 112, 940–950.Abstractγ‐Secretase is a pivotal intramembrane‐cleaving protease complex and important drug target for Alzheimer’s disease. The protease not only releases small peptides, such as the amyloid‐β peptide, which drives Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, but also intracellular domains, which can have critical functions in nuclear signaling. Unlike typical aspartyl proteases, γ‐secretase contains a non‐classical GxGD active site motif in its catalytic subunit presenilin (PS) 1 or PS2. It is not known whether both glycines are of similar functional relevance and why the glycine residues are invariant elements of the motif. Here we identify the N‐terminal glycine of the GxGD motif in PS1, G382, as a critical residue of the active site domain of γ‐secretase. Substitution of G382 by a number of different amino acids abrogated γ‐secretase activity. Only the smallest possible G382A substitution allowed substantial γ‐secretase activity. Depending on the substrate, however, the presence of G382 could become even an absolute functional requirement of γ‐secretase. Very similar results were obtained for the C‐terminal glycine residue (G384) of the GxGD motif. Our data thus identify a requirement for small side chain residues in the active site domain of γ‐secretase and suggest that the glycines of the GxGD motif could be evolutionary conserved to allow cleavage of all possible γ‐secretase substrates, including those, which are highly sensitive to minimal alteration of the PS active site domain. These findings broaden our understanding of γ‐secretase substrate recognition and cleavage, which may prove crucial for therapeutic targeting of the enzyme.
Isolation and pharmacological characterization of AdTx1, a natural peptide displaying specific insurmountable antagonism of the α1A‐adrenoceptor
Authors: Quinton L , Girard E , Maiga A , Rekik M , Lluel P , Masuyer G , Larregola M , Marquer C , Ciolek J , Magnin T , Wagner R , Molgó J , Thai R , Fruchart‐Gaillard C , Mourier G , Chamot‐Rooke J , Ménez A , Palea S , Servent D , Gilles N 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Venoms are a rich source of ligands for ion channels, but very little is known about their capacity to modulate G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activity. We developed a strategy to identify novel toxins targeting GPCRs.Experimental approach:  We studied the interactions of mamba venom fractions with α1‐adrenoceptors in binding experiments with 3H‐prazosin. The active peptide (AdTx1) was sequenced by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry fragmentation. Its synthetic homologue was pharmacologically characterized by binding experiments using cloned receptors and by functional experiments on rabbit isolated prostatic smooth muscle.Key results:  AdTx1, a 65 amino‐acid peptide stabilized by four disulphide bridges, belongs to the three‐finger‐fold peptide family. It has subnanomolar affinity (Ki= 0.35 nM) and high specificity for the human α1A‐adrenoceptor subtype. We showed high selectivity and affinity (Kd= 0.6 nM) of radio‐labelled AdTx1 in direct binding experiments and revealed a slow association constant (kon= 6 × 106·M−1·min−1) with an unusually stable α1A‐adrenoceptor/AdTx1 complex (t1/2diss= 3.6 h). AdTx1 displayed potent insurmountable antagonism of phenylephrine's actions in vitro (rabbit isolated prostatic muscle) at concentrations of 10 to 100 nM.Conclusions and implications:  AdTx1 is the most specific and selective peptide inhibitor for the α1A‐adrenoceptor identified to date. It displays insurmountable antagonism, acting as a potent relaxant of smooth muscle. Its peptidic nature can be exploited to develop new tools, as a radio‐labelled‐AdTx1 or a fluoro‐labelled‐AdTx1. Identification of AdTx1 thus offers new perspectives for developing new drugs for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The sphingosine kinase inhibitor N,N‐dimethylsphingosine inhibits neointimal hyperplasia
Authors: McDonald Robert A , Pyne Susan , Pyne Nigel J , Grant Anne , Wainwright Cherry L , Wadsworth Roger M 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and its receptors may be involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation following vascular injury. Here, we evaluate the effect of d‐erythro‐N,N‐dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a sphingosine kinase (SK) inhibitor, on VSMC proliferation, apoptosis and neointimal formation.Experimental approach:  Growth responses in vitro to fetal calf serum (FCS) were measured by [3H]‐thymidine incorporation and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 (ERK‐1/2) activation in quiescent primary cultures of porcine VSMC in the presence and absence of various concentrations of the SK inhibitor DMS. In vivo treatment with DMS was delivered with a local endoluminal catheter, following balloon injury of coronary arteries. The artery intimal formation was investigated by angiography, myography and histomorphometry.Key results:  In vitro experiments indicated that DMS induced a dose‐dependent reduction in [3H]‐thymidine incorporation and ERK‐1/2 activation via a protein kinase C (PKC) independent mechanism with an IC50 value of 12 ± 6 and 15 ± 10 µM respectively. DMS also reduced Akt signalling. Four weeks following in vivo delivery of DMS, complete functional endothelial regeneration was observed in all treatment groups, with significant reduction of intimal formation (vehicle 23.7 ± 4.6% vs. DMS infusion 8.92 ± 2.9%, P < 0.05).Conclusions and implications:  Taken together, these results demonstrate that local administration of the SK inhibitor, DMS, reduced neointimal formation, and this effect could involve inhibition of ERK‐1/2 and Akt signalling, and modulation of smooth muscle growth.
An In Vitro Assessment of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging for Visualizing Cardiac Radiofrequency Ablation Lesions
Authors: EYERLY STEPHANIE A. , HSU STEPHEN J. , AGASHE SHRUTI H. , TRAHEY GREGG E. , LI YANG , WOLF PATRICK D. 
Published: December 2009

Ablation Lesion Quantification with ARFI Imaging. Introduction: Lesion placement and transmurality are critical factors in the success of cardiac transcatheter radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatments for supraventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated the capabilities of catheter transducer based acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) ultrasound imaging for quantifying ablation lesion dimensions.
Methods and Results:
RFA lesions were created in vitro in porcine ventricular myocardium and imaged with an intracardiac ultrasound catheter transducer capable of acquiring spatially registered B‐mode and ARFI images. The myocardium was sliced along the imaging plane and photographed. The maximum ARFI‐induced displacement images of the lesion were normalized and spatially registered with the photograph by matching the surfaces of the tissue in the B‐mode and photographic images. The lesion dimensions determined by a manual segmentation of the photographed lesion based on the visible discoloration of the tissue were compared to automatic segmentations of the ARFI image using 2 different calculated thresholds. ARFI imaging accurately localized and sized the lesions within the myocardium. Differences in the maximum lateral and axial dimensions were statistically below 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively, for the 2 thresholding methods, with mean percent overlap of 68.7 ± 5.21% and 66.3 ± 8.4% for the 2 thresholds used.
Conclusion:
ARFI imaging is capable of visualizing myocardial RFA lesion dimensions to within 2 mm in vitro. Visualizing lesions during transcatheter cardiac ablation procedures could improve the success of the treatment by imaging lesion line discontinuity and potentially reducing the required number of ablation lesions and procedure time. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 557‐563, May 2010)
Mobile Crisis Team Intervention to Enhance Linkage of Discharged Suicidal Emergency Department Patients to Outpatient Psychiatric Services: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Currier Glenn W. , Fisher Susan G. , Caine Eric D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Many suicidal patients treated and released from emergency departments (ED) fail to follow through with subsequent outpatient psychiatric appointments, often presenting back for repeat ED services. Thus, the authors sought to determine whether a mobile crisis team (MCT) intervention would be more effective than standard referral to a hospital‐based clinic as a means of establishing near‐term clinical contact after ED discharge. This objective was based on the premise that increased attendance at the first outpatient mental health appointment would initiate an ongoing treatment course, with subsequent differential improvements in psychiatric symptoms and functioning for patients successfully linked to care.Methods:  In a rater‐blinded, randomized controlled trial, 120 participants who were evaluated for suicidal thoughts, plans, or behaviors, and who were subsequently discharged from an urban ED, were randomized to follow‐up either in the community via a MCT or at an outpatient mental health clinic (OPC). Both MCTs and OPCs offered the same structured array of clinical services and referral options.Results:  Successful first clinical contact after ED discharge (here described as “linkage” to care) occurred in 39 of 56 (69.6%) participants randomized to the MCT versus 19 of 64 (29.6%) to the OPC (relative risk = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.55–3.56, p < 0.001). However, we detected no significant differences between groups using intention‐to‐treat analyses in symptom or functional outcome measures, at either 2 weeks or 3 months after enrollment. We also found no significant differences in outcomes between participants who did attend their first prescribed appointment via MCT or OPC versus those who did not. However divided (MCT vs. OPC, present at first appointment vs. no show), groups showed significant improvements but maintained clinically significant levels of dysfunction and continued to rely on ED services at a similar rate in the 6 months after study enrollment.Conclusions:  Community‐based mobile outreach was a highly effective method of contacting suicidal patients who were discharged from the ED. However, establishing initial postdischarge contact in the community versus the clinic did not prove more effective at enhancing symptomatic or functional outcomes, nor did successful linkage with outpatient psychiatric care. Overall, participants showed some improvement shortly after ED discharge regardless of outpatient clinical contact, but nonetheless remained significantly symptomatic and at risk for repeated ED presentations.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:36–43 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine