bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Self-instructional Program for Diabetes Educators on Preconception Counseling for Women With Diabetes
Authors: Cothran Mary M. , Sereika Susan M. , Fischl Andrea Rodgers , Schmitt Patricia L. , Charron-Prochownik Denise 
Published: May 2009

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a self-instructional preconception counseling (PC) training program for Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) to enhance PC knowledge and self-efficacy. Methods A 1-group, pre-post test study was conducted with 31 CDEs from a large medical center in western Pennsylvania. The self-instructional program included selected readings, such as the American Diabetes Association's position statement on PC of women with diabetes and an interactive CD-ROM, “Reproductive-Health Awareness for Teenage Women With Diabetes” (“READY-Girls”). Paper-and-pencil knowledge and self-efficacy questionnaires regarding PC and pregnancies of women with diabetes were completed by the CDEs before and immediately following the self-instructional program. Upon completion, participants received 5.0 Continuing Nursing Education contact hours (CNEs) from the State Nurses Association. Results Prior to receiving the program, all of the participants indicated they would benefit from further training on PC. Pretest knowledge scores averaged in the 70th percentile; following the program, the participants significantly increased (P < .01) PC knowledge and self-efficacy in providing PC to women with diabetes, including adolescents. Conclusions Although CDEs knew relevant information, they lacked some specific knowledge about PC, and they lacked confidence in their knowledge and in their ability to counsel patients. Diabetes educators can benefit from an education program to provide PC to their female patients, including adolescents. Computer or Web-based accessibility could make this a low-cost and easily disseminated program.
Slowly Digestible Carbohydrate Sources Can Be Used to Attenuate the Postprandial Glycemic Response to the Ingestion of Diabetes-Specific Enteral Formulas
Authors: Vanschoonbeek K. , Lansink M. , van Laere K.M.J. , Senden J.M.G. , Verdijk L.B. , van Loon L.J.C. 
Published: May 2009

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the glycemic and insulinemic responses following the ingestion of recently developed diabetes-specific enteral formulas versus a standard and a high-fat formula. Methods Fifteen type 2 diabetes patients were selected to participate in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Two enteral formulas (47 energy percent [En%] carbohydrate, 34En% fat, and 4 g fiber/200 mL) were defined with either isomaltulose (formula 1) or sucromalt (formula 2) as the main carbohydrate source. For comparison, an isoenergetic diabetes-specific, high-fat (33En% carbohydrate, 50En% fat, 2.9 g fiber/200 mL) and a standard formula (55En% carbohydrate, 30En% fat, 2.8 g fiber/ 200 mL) were tested. Results Ingestion of formulas 1 and 2 and the high-fat formula resulted in an attenuated blood glucose response when compared with the standard formula (P < .05). In accordance, peak plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower when compared with the standard formula (189 ± 3.6 mg/dL [10.5 ± 0.2 mmol/L], 196.2 ± 3.6 mg/dL [10.9 ± 0.2 mmol/L], 187.2 ± 3.6 mg/dL [10.4 ± 0.2 mmol/L], and 237.6 ± 3.6 mg/dL [13.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L], respectively). Plasma insulin responses were lower after consumption of the newly developed and high-fat formulas. Ingestion of the high-fat formula resulted in a greater postprandial triglyceride response (P < .05). Conclusions Diabetes-specific enteral formulas rich in slowly digestible carbohydrate sources can be equally effective in attenuating the postprandial blood glucose response as low-carbohydrate, high-fat enteral formulas without elevating the plasma triglyceride response.
A National Study of the Diabetes Educator
Authors: Zrebiec John 
Published: May 2009

Purpose The practice analysis described in this report was conducted by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) to (1) provide a basis for documenting the continuing validity of the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators, (2) define new areas that should be assessed in future certification examinations, and (3) ensure that the content of certification examinations is related to practice. Methods The study involved developing a diabetes educator job task list and survey, distributing 4103 surveys, and analyzing survey responses from a multidisciplinary and geographically representative sample of certified diabetes educators. Results Eight hundred thirty-six surveys were suitable for analysis, with relevant demographic subgroups adequately represented. Based on survey data, an examination matrix and detailed content outline was constructed that will be used by NCBDE to assemble future test forms. Conclusions Certification examination specifications were developed directly related to the important activities that diabetes educators perform. Future forms of the certification examination will continue to be matched to job-related, criterion-referenced test specifications and will have strong evidence of content validity. Future forms of the exam will contain 200 items at specified cognitive levels with a representative sampling of tasks within 3 core areas from the detailed content outline.
Psychometric properties of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39) in a generic stroke population
Authors: Hilari Katerina , Lamping Donna L , Smith Sarah C , Northcott Sarah , Lamb Alice , Marshall Jane 
Published: May 2009

Background: We previously developed the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39) and tested it with people with chronic aphasia. A scale allowing comparisons of quality of life between people with versus without aphasia post-stroke would be of value to clinicians. Objectives: To evaluate the psychometrics of the SAQOL-39 in a generic stroke sample. Should this process result in a generic-stroke version of the scale (SAQOL-39g), a further aim is to compare the latter and the SAQOL-39 as tested in chronic aphasia. Design and subjects: Repeated measures psychometric study, evaluating internal consistency, test—retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness to change. People admitted to hospital with a first stroke were assessed two weeks, three months and six months post stroke. Measures: SAQOL-39, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel, Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, General Health Questionnaire-12 and Frenchay Activities Index. Results: Of 126 eligible participants, 96 (76%) participated and 87 (69%) were able to self-report and are presented here. Testing the SAQOL-39 in generic stroke resulted in the SAQOL-39g, which has the same items as the SAQOL-39 but three domains: physical, psychosocial, communication. The SAQOL-39g showed good internal consistency (α = 0.95 overall score, 0.92—0.95 domains), test—retest reliability (interclass correlation (ICC) = 0.96 overall, 0.92—0.98 domains), convergent (r = 0.36—0.70 overall, 0.47—0.78 domains) and discriminant validity (r = 0.26 overall, 0.03—0.40 domains). It differentiated people by stroke severity and visual analogue scale (VAS)-defined quality of life. Moderate changes (d = 0.35—0.49; standardized response mean (SRM) = 0.29—0.53) from two weeks to six months supported responsiveness. Conclusions: The SAQOL-39g demonstrated good reliability, validity and responsiveness to change. It can be used to evaluate quality of life in people with and without aphasia post stroke.
The Physical Activity and Disability Survey — Revised (PADS-R): an evaluation of a measure of physical activity in people with chronic neurological conditions
Authors: Kayes Nicola M , Schluter Philip J , McPherson Kathryn M , Taylor Denise , Kolt Gregory S 
Published: May 2009

Objective: To revise the Physical Activity Disability Scale (PADS) and to explore the acceptability and test—retest reliability of the revised measure, the PADS-R, in people with multiple sclerosis. Design: This study was conducted over three phases: (1) PADS-R questionnaire development including modification to the original PADS, field testing and refinement; (2) PADS-R scoring; (3) PADS-R acceptability and reliability assessment, where participants completed the PADS-R twice over the telephone, three days apart, and then answered a series of semi-structured questions on the instrument's acceptability. Subjects: Participants were recruited from the local Multiple Sclerosis Society, Stroke Foundation and Auckland District Health Board depending on the purpose of each phase: (1) PADS-R questionnaire development (n = 30, multiple sclerosis); (2) PADS-R scoring (n = 293, multiple sclerosis; and n = 83, stroke); and (3) PADS-R acceptability and reliability assessment (n = 29, multiple sclerosis). Main measures: Physical Activity Disability Scale-Revised (PADS-R) Results: The PADS-R took approximately 20 minutes to administer and most (n = 25; 86%) participants reported it to be easy to understand and complete. All participants reported that it enabled them to give an accurate picture of their physical activities. In terms of test—retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (0.87 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.78, 0.96)), but the 95% limits of agreement were wide (±1.13). When observations which potentially represented important changes in activity were excluded, these limits narrowed considerably (±0.89). Conclusions: The PADS-R appears to be a conceptually and psychometrically sound measure of physical activity for people with chronic neurological conditions.
Effects of balance training on gait parameters in patients with chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: McKeon Patrick O , Paolini Gabriele , Ingersoll Christopher D , Kerrigan D Casey , Saliba Ethan N , Bennett Bradford C , Hertel Jay 
Published: May 2009

Objective: To examine the effects of a four-week balance training programme on ankle kinematics during walking and jogging in those with chronic ankle instability. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of balance training on the mechanical properties of the lateral ligaments in those with chronic ankle instability. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects/patients: Twenty-nine participants (12 males, 17 females) with self-reported chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to a balance training group or a control group. Intervention: Four weeks of supervised rehabilitation that emphasized dynamic balance stabilization in single-limb stance. The control group received no intervention. Main outcome measures: Kinematic measures of rearfoot inversion/eversion, shank rotation, and the coupling relationship between these two segments throughout the gait cycle during walking and jogging on a treadmill. Instrumented ankle arthrometer measures were taken to assess anterior drawer and inversion talar tilt laxity and stiffness. Results: No significant alterations in the inversion/eversion or shank rotation kinematics were found during walking and jogging after balance training. There was, however, a significant decrease in the shank/rearfoot coupling variability during walking as measured by deviation phase after balance training (balance training posttest: 13.1°± 6.2°, balance training pretest: 16.2° ± 3.3°, P = 0.03), indicating improved shank/rearfoot coupling stability. The control group did not significantly change. (posttest: 16.30° ± 4.4°, pretest: 18.6° ± 7.1°, P40.05) There were no significant changes in laxity measures for either group. Conclusions: Balance training significantly altered the relationship between shank rotation and rearfoot inversion/eversion in those with chronic ankle instability.
Integration of complementary medical treatments with rehabilitation from the perspectives of patients and their caregivers: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Chang Ling-Hui , Wang Jye 
Published: May 2009

Objective: This article uses a qualitative design and examines how patients and their caregivers integrate pluralistic health practices into rehabilitation from their perspectives. Design: Ethnography was used as the framework for research design. Data were collected via participant observation, taped in-depth interviews and regular chart review, and all interviews were transcribed verbatim. Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation unit in Taiwan. Subjects: Twenty-one patients, their caregivers and their rehabilitation professionals. Results: The patients and their caregivers used pluralistic illness explanations and treatments to make sense of their suffering, to control healing and to find the hope that rehabilitation professionals often deliberately avoided giving. Spiritual healing and therapies related to Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as functional food and herbal medicines, were popular alternative therapeutics. Although the patients and their caregivers perceived opposition from the medical staff on the unit, they used a variety of covert strategies to integrate their pluralistic illness explanations and treatments into their daily routines without openly challenging the rehabilitation primacy. Conclusion: Aware of the rehabilitation staff's opposition, the patients and caregivers resorted to a variety of underground strategies to conceal their use of complementary medical treatments.
An Autologous Cartilage Tissue Implant NeoCart for Treatment of Grade III Chondral Injury to the Distal Femur
Authors: Crawford Dennis C. , Heveran Chelsea M. , Cannon W. Dilworth , Foo Li Foong , Potter Hollis G. 
Published: May 2009

Background The healing potential of damaged articular cartilage is limited. The NeoCart is a tissue-engineered collagen matrix seeded with autogenous chondrocytes designed for the repair of hyaline articular cartilage. Hypothesis The NeoCart implant is well tolerated in the human knee. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Eight patients (treatment group) with full-thickness cartilage injury were treated with the NeoCart and evaluated prospectively. Autogenous chondrocytes provided by arthroscopic biopsy were seeded into a 3-dimensional type I collagen scaffold. The seeded scaffold was subjected to a tissue-engineering protocol including treatment with a bioreactor. Implantation of the prepared cartilage tissue patch was performed via miniarthrotomy and secured with a collagen bioadhesive. Evaluations through 24 months postoperatively included the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire, visual analog scale, range of motion, and cartilage-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including quantitative T2 mapping. Results Pain scores after NeoCart implantation were significantly lower than baseline at 12 and 24 months after the procedure (P < .05). Improved function and motion were also noted at 24 months. Six patients had 67% to 100% defect fill at 24 months with MRI evaluation. One patient had moderate (33%-66%) defect fill, and another patient had poor (less than 33%) defect fill. Partial stratification of T2 values was observed for 2 patients at 12 months and 4 patients at 24 months. No patients experienced arthrofibrosis or implant hypertrophy. Conclusion Pain was significantly reduced 12 and 24 months after NeoCart treatment. Trends toward improved function and motion were observed 24 months after implantation. The MRI indicated implant stability and peripheral integration, defect fill without overgrowth, progressive maturation, and more organized cartilage formation.
Chondrocyte Death and Cartilage Degradation after Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation Surgery in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Gulotta Lawrence V. , Rudzki Jonas R. , Kovacevic David , Chen Christopher C. T. , Milentijevic Dejan , Williams Riley J. 
Published: May 2009

Background Autologous osteochondral transplantation surgery requires an impact force on the graft that may cause chondrocyte death and matrix degradation. This study attempted to determine the degree to which this occurs in a rabbit model shortly after the procedure. Hypothesis Impaction of a press-fit autologous osteochondral graft in vivo results in chondrocyte necrosis, apoptosis, and matrix degradation at early time points. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Twenty New Zealand White rabbits underwent unilateral osteochondral transplantation (OT) surgeries, and 10, bilateral sham surgeries. Fifteen animals were sacrificed at time zero (10 sham-0 limbs, 10 OT-0 limbs), and 15, 4 days after surgery (10 sham-4 limbs, 10 OT-4 limbs). Chondrocyte viability/necrosis was determined with cell vital staining. Chondrocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL, Bcl-2, and M30 assays. Cartilage matrix degradation was determined by routine light and polarized light microscopy and COL2-3/4Cshort immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed with a 2-way analysis of variance (P < .05). Results There were significantly fewer viable cells in OT-4 than in sham-4. A similar difference in cell viability was found in OT-0 versus sham-0. There were more TUNEL-positive cells in OT-4 as compared with OT-0, sham-0, and sham-4; however, there was little or no staining of Bcl-2 and M30. Mankin scores were higher in both OT groups versus both sham groups at time zero and day 4. The OT-4 group had positive staining for COL2-3/4Cshort that corresponded with a loss of collagen birefringence at the superficial zone. Conclusion Osteochondral transplantation procedures performed by tamping a press-fit graft induce chondrocyte necrosis and matrix metalloproteinase—mediated cartilage matrix degradation. However, apoptosis was not found to a major contributor to cell death in this model. Clinical Relevance Results of osteochondral transplantation procedures may be improved by atraumatic insertion and fixation techniques or by pharmacologic agents that can block these degradative processes.
Compensatory evolution for a gene deletion is not limited to its immediate functional network
Authors: Harcombe WR , Springman R , Bull JJ 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Genetic disruption of an important phenotype should favor compensatory mutations that restore the phenotype. If the genetic basis of the phenotype is modular, with a network of interacting genes whose functions are specific to that phenotype, compensatory mutations are expected among the genes of the affected network. This perspective was tested in the bacteriophage T3 using a genome deleted of its DNA ligase gene, disrupting DNA metabolism.

Results
In two replicate, long-term adaptations, phage compensatory evolution accommodated the low ligase level provided by the host without reinventing its own ligase. In both lines, fitness increased substantially but remained well below that of the intact genome. Each line accumulated over a dozen compensating mutations during long-term adaptation, and as expected, many of the compensatory changes were within the DNA metabolism network. However, several compensatory changes were outside the network and defy any role in DNA metabolism or biochemical connection to the disruption. In one line, these extra-network changes were essential to the recovery. The genes experiencing compensatory changes were moderately conserved between T3 and its relative T7 (25% diverged), but the involvement of extra-network changes was greater in T3.

Conclusion
Compensatory evolution was only partly limited to the known functionally interacting partners of the deleted gene. Thus gene interactions contributing to fitness were more extensive than suggested by the functional properties currently ascribed to the genes. Compensatory evolution offers an easy method of discovering genome interactions among specific elements that does not rest on an a priori knowledge of those elements or their interactions.
plantsUPS: a database of plants' Ubiquitin Proteasome System
Authors: Du Zhou , Zhou Xin , Li Li , Su Zhen 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
The ubiquitin 26S/proteasome system (UPS), a serial cascade process of protein ubiquitination and degradation, is the last step for most cellular proteins. There are many genes involved in this system, but are not identified in many species. The accumulating availability of genomic sequence data is generating more demands in data management and analysis. Genomics data of plants such as Populus trichocarpa, Medicago truncatula, Glycine max and others are now publicly accessible. It is time to integrate information on classes of genes for complex protein systems such as UPS.

Results
We developed a database of higher plants' UPS, named 'plantsUPS'. Both automated search and manual curation were performed in identifying candidate genes. Extensive annotations referring to each gene were generated, including basic gene characterization, protein features, GO (gene ontology) assignment, microarray probe set annotation and expression data, as well as cross-links among different organisms. A chromosome distribution map, multi-sequence alignment, and phylogenetic trees for each species or gene family were also created. A user-friendly web interface and regular updates make plantsUPS valuable to researchers in related fields.

Conclusion
The plantsUPS enables the exploration and comparative analysis of UPS in higher plants. It now archives > 8000 genes from seven plant species distributed in 11 UPS-involved gene families. The plantsUPS is freely available now to all users at http://bioinformatics.cau.edu.cn/plantsUPS.
Identification of ColR binding consensus and prediction of regulon of ColRS two-component system
Authors: Kivistik Paula A , Kivi Rait , Kivisaar Maia , Hõrak Rita 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundConserved two-component system ColRS ofPseudomonasgenus has been implicated in several unrelated phenotypes. For instance, deficiency ofP. putidaColRS system results in lowered phenol tolerance, hindrance of transposition of Tn4652and lysis of a subpopulation of glucose-grown bacteria. In order to discover molecular mechanisms behind these phenotypes, we focused here on identification of downstream components of ColRS signal transduction pathway.ResultsFirst, highly similar ColR binding sites were mapped upstream of outer membrane protein-encodingoprQand a putative methyltransferase-encoding PP0903. These two ColR binding sequences were used as an input in computational genome-wide screening for new potential ColR recognition boxes upstream of different genes inP. putida. Biological relevance of a set ofin silicopredicted ColR-binding sites was analysedin vivoby studying the effect of ColR on transcription from promoters carrying these sites. This analysis disclosed seven novel genes of which six were positively and one negatively regulated by ColR. Interestingly, all promoters tested responded more significantly to the over-expression than to the absence of ColR suggesting that either ColR is limiting or ColS-activating signal is low under the conditions applied. The binding sites of ColR in the promoters analysed were validated by gel mobility shift and/or DNase I footprinting assays. ColR binding consensus was defined according to seven ColR binding motifs mapped by DNase I protection assay and this consensus was used to predict minimal regulon of ColRS system.ConclusionCombined usage of experimental and computational approach enabled us to define the binding consensus for response regulator ColR and to discover several new ColR-regulated genes. For instance, genes of outer membrane lipid A 3-O-deacylase PagL and cytoplasmic membrane diacylglycerol kinase DgkA are the members of ColR regulon. Furthermore, over 40 genes were predicted to be putatively controlled by ColRS two-component system inP. putida. It is notable that many of ColR-regulated genes encode membrane-related products thus confirming the previously proposed role of ColRS system in regulation of membrane functionality.