bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of motivational enhancement strategies for the maintenance of weight loss among obese individuals: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Rieger E. , Dean H. Y. , Steinbeck K. S. , Caterson I. D. , Manson E. 
Published: April 2009

Aim:  To investigate the efficacy of motivational enhancement strategies integrated within a standard lifestyle modification program for the maintenance of weight loss and improved psychosocial functioning of obese adults.Methods:  Twenty‐two obese adults completed 20 sessions of a motivationally informed cognitive behavioural treatment for weight loss and maintenance. Treatment outcome measures included anthropometrics, obesity‐specific quality of life, impulsive eating tendencies, body dissatisfaction, mood disturbance and maladaptive cognitions.Results:  At post‐treatment, there was a significant decrease in body weight (123.04 ± 22.06 vs. 116.84 ± 23.53, p < 0.001) with no significant change by the 12‐month follow‐up. Patients also reported significant improvements in obesity‐related quality of life, impulsive eating tendencies, body dissatisfaction and maladaptive cognitions at post‐treatment that were maintained at the 1‐year follow‐up.Conclusions:  The implementation of motivational enhancement strategies within a cognitive behavioural program results in sustained weight loss that compares favourably to previous lifestyle modification programs.
Three‐dimensional study on the effect of organophosphate pesticide ‘monocrotophos’ on lens of fish and its recovery
Authors: Ravneet  , Johal M. S. , Sharma M. L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe present studies are based on the feedback provided by fish farmers practicing composite fish culture of carps. According to them, fish habitats are affected by pesticides draining from agricultural fields into their catchments, especially during the rainy season. The lenses of most of the cultured fish became opaque, resulting in poor overall growth. In the literature, there was mounting evidence of pesticide toxicity involving multiple tissues. However, the fish visual system has never been investigated particularly from the toxicological perspective. In this regard, we carried out comparative toxicological studies on the lens of Cyprinus carpio communis using three different sublethal concentrations (0.038, 0.062 and 0.126 p.p.m.) of monocrotophos along with untreated controls for 30 days. Lenses from all the groups were extracted and preserved in gluteraldehyde and osmium tetraoxide and dehydrated in increasing grades of acetone. After dehydration, tissues were conducted with gold to observe under SEM. The fish exposed to monocrotophos developed cataract. Furthermore, when fish from the monocrotophos‐treated tanks were transferred to normal environmental conditions for the next 60 days, progressive lens degeneration was noted. To conclude, monocrotophos induces irreversible cataractous changes in the lens of C. carpio communis. The fish visual system has many similarities to mammals and may serve as a good model for comparative toxicologic and ophthalmologic studies.
The use of canine models of inherited retinal degeneration to test novel therapeutic approaches
Authors: Beltran William A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractInherited retinal degenerations (RDs) are a common cause of blindness in dogs and in humans. Over the past two decades numerous genes causally associated with these diseases have been identified and several canine models have been used to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of RDs, as well as to test the proof of principle and safety of novel therapies. This review briefly summarizes the drug delivery approaches and therapeutic strategies that have been and are currently tested in dogs, with a particular emphasis on corrective gene therapy, and retinal neuroprotection.
Bilateral orbital and nasal aspergillosis in a cat
Authors: Barachetti Laura , Mortellaro Carlo M. , Di Giancamillo Mauro , Giudice Chiara , Martino Pieranna , Travetti Olga , Miller Paul E. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA 12‐year‐old, 4 kg, castrated male Persian cat was referred with a 2‐month history of sneezing and bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. Rhinoscopically acquired nasal biopsies at this time revealed bilateral lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis. A tapering dose of oral prednisone caused the complete remission of the clinical signs, but 2 months after discontinuation of the therapy, the rhinitis recurred and the OD became exophthalmic. Computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass in both sides of the nasal cavity, both frontal sinuses, the right orbit, and to a lesser extent the left orbit. A fine needle aspirate of the right orbit revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation andAspergillusspp. hyphae. Repeat nasal biopsy demonstrated multi‐focal necrosis and a mixed inflammatory cell process which now included macrophages and scattered septate fungal hyphae. A few days later the cat became bilaterally blind and a contrast enhancing lesion involving the optic chiasm was found on magnetic resonance imaging. Despite a poor prognosis, therapy consisted of exenteration of the right orbit and trephination of both frontal sinuses before the planned initiation of medical antifungal therapy. Unfortunately, the cat died of cardiac arrest intraoperatively.Aspergillus fumigatuswas cultured from both orbits at necropsy. Orbital aspergillosis has been rarely reported in cats and its relationship with lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis is unclear. In this patient lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis or previous antibiotic/corticosteroid therapy may have allowed secondary fungal invasion of the nasal mucosa and subsequently both orbits and the brain. Alternatively,Aspergillusinfection may have preceded the lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis.
Laparoscopic vs open radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial cancer: oncological outcomes and 5‐year follow‐up
Authors: Greco Francesco , Wagner Sigrid , Hoda Rashid M. , Hamza Amir , Fornara Paolo 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare the oncological outcomes of laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU) vs open NU (ONU) for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween July 1999 and January 2003, we performed 70 LNUs and 70 ONUs for TCC of the upper urinary tract. ONU was reserved for patients with previous abdominal surgery or with severe cardiac and/or pulmonary problems. Demographic data, tumour staging and histological grading and rates of metastasis were recorded and compared.RESULTSFor LNU and ONU the mean operative durations were 240 min and 190 min, respectively. The definitive pathology showed a high incidence of tumour stage pT2 G2 in both LNU and ONU groups. The median follow‐up was 60 months. In the LNU group, the 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) was 75%: 100% for pTa, 88% for pT1, 78% for pT2, and 35% for pT3 (P < 0.001). In the ONU group, the 5‐year DFS was 73% (LNU vs ONU, P = 0.037): 100% for pTa, 89% for pT1, 75% for pT2 and 31% for pT3 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONThe results of our long‐term controlled study support the use of LNU as an effective alternative to ONU in the therapy of upper urinary tract urothelial cancer.
The Latin American Consortium of Studies in Obesity (LASO)
Authors: Bautista L. E. , Casas J. P. , Herrera V. M. , Miranda J. J. , Perel P. , Pichardo R. , González A. , Sanchez J. R. , Ferreccio C. , Aguilera X. , Silva E. , Oróstegui M. , Gómez L. F. , Chirinos J. A. , Medina‐Lezama J. , Pérez C. M. , Suárez E. , Ortiz A. P. , Rosero L. , Schapochnik N. , Ortiz Z. , Ferrante D. ,   on behalf of the investigators of the Latin‐American Consortium of Studies in Obesity (LASO)
Published: April 2009

SummaryCurrent, high‐quality data are needed to evaluate the health impact of the epidemic of obesity in Latin America. The Latin American Consortium of Studies of Obesity (LASO) has been established, with the objectives of (i) Accurately estimating the prevalence of obesity and its distribution by sociodemographic characteristics; (ii) Identifying ethnic, socioeconomic and behavioural determinants of obesity; (iii) Estimating the association between various anthropometric indicators or obesity and major cardiovascular risk factors and (iv) Quantifying the validity of standard definitions of the various indexes of obesity in Latin American population. To achieve these objectives, LASO makes use of individual data from existing studies. To date, the LASO consortium includes data from 11 studies from eight countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela), including a total of 32 462 subjects. This article describes the overall organization of LASO, the individual studies involved and the overall strategy for data analysis. LASO will foster the development of collaborative obesity research among Latin American investigators. More important, results from LASO will be instrumental to inform health policies aiming to curtail the epidemic of obesity in the region.
MARKET EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM A NO‐BUBBLE ASSET MARKET EXPERIMENT
Authors: Lei Vivian , Vesely Filip 
Published: April 2009

Abstract.  We report the results of an experiment that demonstrates that market experience is not necessary to eliminate bubbles in the type of asset markets studied in Smith et al. (1988). We introduce a pre‐market phase in which subjects experience a dividend flow themselves by literally observing and receiving dividends for 12 periods. The robust bubble–crash phenomenon never occurs in our experiment. Our results provide strong evidence that so long as a majority of the subjects have full understanding of the structure of the dividend, market efficiency can be ensured.
Communication and Empowerment: A Place for Rich and Multiple Media?
Authors: Bunning Karen , Heath Becky , Minnion Andy 
Published: April 2009

Background  Project @pple (Access & Participation for People with intellectual disability in Learning Environments)1 was about exploring the terms on which young people with intellectual disability access and participate with e‐Learning and the Web. The current study is one of a number of related studies. It explores the culture of information and communication technology (ICT) and the potential to support communication and empowerment.Materials and Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 20 young people with intellectual disability. The interviews involved a low‐technology, augmentative communication method called Talking Mats (Murphy & Cameron 2002).Findings  Information and communication technology and rich and multiple media featured in the participants’ narratives and contributed to self‐concept and inclusive communication. Positive value was attributed to ICT options by many, although some difficulties were expressed with regard to operational aspects of the technology.Conclusions  The lives of young people with intellectual disability provide a fertile culture for developments in this area, offering some new opportunities for communication and empowerment.
Monitoring changes and predicting loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy with the Motor Function Measure
Authors: VUILLEROT CAROLE , GIRARDOT FRANÇOISE , PAYAN CHRISTINE , FERMANIAN JACQUES , IWAZ JEAN , DE LATTRE CAPUCINE , BERARD CAROLE 
Published: April 2009

Aim  To assess changes in motor function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using the Motor Function Measure (MFM).Method  Three studies were performed. Two studies included only physiotherapy‐treated patients, with 13 patients (males mean age 11y 7mo, SD 1y 10mo, range 8–14y) in the 3‐month study and 41 patients (males mean age 14y 1mo, SD 5y 5mo, range 6–32y) in the 1‐year study. A third study compared 12 patients treated with steroids with 12 age‐ and motor‐function‐matched untreated patients (males mean age of treated patients 10y 2mo, SD 2y 2mo range 6–14) over a 12‐month period.Results  Over 3 months, the MFM D1 subscore (standing and transfers) decreased significantly (−4.7%; p<0.01). Over 1 year, all MFM subscores decreased significantly: −4.9% for D1 (p<0.01); −7.7% for D2 (axial and proximal motor capacity; p<0.01); −4.3% for D3 (distal motor capacity; p=0.03); and −5.8% for the total score (p<0.01). A threshold value for loss of ambulation and a predictive value 1 year before loss were estimated (total score 70% and D1 subscore 40%). Compared with the controls, patients treated with steroids had more stable total scores (−0.59 vs −5.87; p=0.02) and D2 subscores (0.98 vs −8.50; p<0.01).Interpretation  These results support the use of the MFM in everyday patient management to prepare for loss of ambulation and in clinical trials to follow up patients receiving various treatments.
Choice and birth method: mixed‐method study of caesarean delivery for maternal request
Authors: Kingdon C , Neilson J , Singleton V , Gyte G , Hart A , Gabbay M , Lavender T 
Published: April 2009

Objective  To explore whether women view decision‐making surrounding vaginal or caesarean birth as their choice.Design  Longitudinal cohort study utilising quantitative (questionnaire, routinely collected data) and qualitative (in‐depth interviews) methods simultaneously.Setting  A large hospital providing National Health Service maternity care in the UK.Sample  Four‐hundred and fifty‐four primigravid women.Methods  Women completed up to three questionnaires between their antenatal booking appointment and delivery. Amongst these women, 153 were interviewed at least once during pregnancy (between 24 and 36 weeks) and/or after 12 moths after birth. Data were also obtained from women’s hospital delivery records. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed (survey and delivery data). Interview data were analysed using a seven‐stage sequential form of qualitative analysis.Results  Whilst many women supported the principle of choice, they identified how, in practice their autonomy was limited by individual circumstance and available care provision. All women felt that concerns about their baby’s or their own health should take precedence over personal preference. Moreover, expressing a preference for either vaginal or caesarean birth was inherently problematic as choice until the time of delivery was neither static nor final. Women did not have autonomous choice over their actual birth method, but neither did they necessarily want it.Conclusions  The results of this large exploratory study suggest that choice may not be the best concept through which to approach the current arrangements for birth in the UK. Moreover, they challenge the notion of choice that currently prevails in international debates about caesarean delivery for maternal request.
Mechanisms of U46619‐induced contraction of rat pulmonary arteries in the presence and absence of the endothelium
Authors: McKenzie C , MacDonald A , Shaw AM 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Thromboxane A2and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in the development of pulmonary hypertension. The receptor‐transduction pathway for U46619 (9,11‐dideoxy‐9α, 11α‐methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2α)‐induced contraction was examined in endothelium‐intact (E+) and denuded (E−) rat pulmonary artery rings.Experimental approach: Artery rings were mounted on a wire myograph under a tension of 7–7.5 mN at 37°C and gassed with 95% O2/5% CO2. Isometric recording was made by using Powerlab data collection and Chart 5 software.Key results: Both E+ and E− contractile responses were sensitive to Rho‐kinase inhibition and the chloride channel blocker NPPB [5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid]. The E+ response was sensitive to the store‐operated calcium channel blockers SKF‐96365 {1‐[B‐[3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propoxy]‐4‐methoxy‐phenethyl]‐1H‐imidazole hydrochloride} and 2‐APB (2‐amino ethoxy diphenylborate) (75–100 µmol·L−1). The E− response was sensitive to 2‐APB (10–30 µmol·L−1), a putative IP3receptor antagonist, and the calcium and chloride channel blockers nifedipine, DIDS (4,4′‐diisothiocyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid) and niflumic acid but was insensitive to SKF‐96365. Inhibiting KVwith 4‐AP in E+ rings exposed a contraction sensitive to nifedipine, DIDS and niflumic acid, whereas inhibiting BKCaexposed a contraction sensitive to mibefradil, DIDS and niflumic acid. This indicates that removal of the endothelium allows the TP receptor to inhibit KV, which may involve coupling to phospholipase C, because inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 (1‐[6‐[[(17β)‐3‐methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐y]amino]hexyl]– 1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione) switched the E− pathway to the E+ pathway.Conclusions and implications: The results from this study indicate that distinct transduction pathways can be employed by the TP receptor to produce contraction and that the endothelium is able to influence the coupling of the TP receptor.British Journal of Pharmacology(2009)157,581–596; doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2008.00084.x; published online 22 April 2009This article is part of a themed section on Endothelium in Pharmacology. For a list of all articles in this section see the end of this paper, or visit:http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009
Characterization of hadrucalcin, a peptide fromHadrurus gertschiscorpion venom with pharmacological activity on ryanodine receptors
Authors: Schwartz Elisabeth F , Capes E Michelle , Diego‐García Elia , Zamudio Fernando Z , Fuentes Oscar , Possani Lourival D , Valdivia Héctor H 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Members of the calcin family, presently including imperatoxin A, maurocalcin, opicalcins and hemicalcin, are basic, 33‐mer peptide activators of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), the calcium channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that provide the majority of calcium for muscle contraction. Here we describe hadrucalcin, a novel member of this family.Experimental approach: Hadrucalcin was isolated from the venom ofHadrurus gertschi. Amino acid sequence and mass were determined by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry respectively. A cDNA library was constructed to generate clones for DNA sequence determination. Biological activity of native toxin was confirmed with [3H]ryanodine binding, by using SR vesicles from cardiac and skeletal muscle, and with single skeletal (RyR1) and cardiac (RyR2) channels reconstituted in lipid bilayers. Hadrucalcin was applied to intact ventricular myocytes to investigate effects on calcium transients. The secondary structure of hadrucalcin was computer‐modelled by using atomic coordinates from maurocalcin, a structurally similar peptide.Key results: Hadrucalcin is distinguished from previously described congeners by two additional amino acids in its primary sequence and the lack of prominent amphipathicity. Hadrucalcin activated RyRs with high affinity (EC50= 37 nmol·L−1), induced a long‐lasting subconductance state on RyR1 and RyR2, and rapidly (lag time ∼2 s) penetrated ventricular cardiomyocytes, eliciting discharge of internal calcium stores and spontaneous contractions.Conclusions and implications: Hadrucalcin is a cell‐permeant, powerful activator of RyRs, which has translational potential for targeted delivery of drugs to RyR as novel therapeutic intervention in arrhythmogenic disease.
Improvements in overactive bladder syndrome after polypropylene mesh surgery for cystocele
Authors: OKUI Nobuo , OKUI Machiko , HORIE Shigeo 
Published: April 2009

Background: The International Continence Society has defined overactive bladder syndrome (OABS) by the following set of symptoms: ‘urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with urinary frequency and nocturia’. OABS and cystocele often coexist.Aim: This study aimed to analyse the changes in the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) of women followed up for one year after anterior repair surgery performed using a polypropylene mesh. In this surgery, a tape with four straps designed for optimum tissue holding capacity was fixed to the obturator foramen.Material and methods: Thirty‐four women were operated using the abovementioned mesh. The OABSS, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) and postvoid residual (PVR) volume were evaluated pre‐ and post‐surgery.Results: We observed significant improvements in the OABSS and quality of life scores before and after one year of surgery. The surgery was significantly effective in improving urgency, daytime frequency, incontinence, the Qmax and the PVR volume. No significant change in nocturia was observed post‐surgery.Conclusions: Our study confirmed the efficacy of the propylene mesh introduction surgery for cystocele for the improvement of OABS symptoms.
Watchful waiting: A management protocol for maternal glycaemia in the peripartum period
Authors: BARRETT Helen Lorraine , MORRIS Jonathan , McELDUFF Aidan 
Published: April 2009

Background: It is accepted that tight glycaemic control is necessary during labour in women with pregestational or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Although policies vary, routine use of intravenous glucose and insulin remains a standard practice in some institutions. We present a retrospective review of a more conservative approach. Briefly, regardless of planned delivery method, maternal blood sugar level (BSL) is monitored during delivery and only if outside 4–7 mmol/L is action taken. We report the results of an audit of this practice.Methods: A retrospective (August 2001–July 2004) review of 137 singleton, term deliveries of women with diabetes (23 pregestational, 114 GDM). Predetermined outcomes reported were BSL achieved prior to delivery, first neonatal BSL and/or admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for hypoglycaemia.Results: With our management practice, most women had a BSL between 4 and 8 mmol/L prior to delivery (17 (74%) diabetes mellitus (DM), 37 (93%) diet‐controlled GDM, 55 (89%) insulin‐requiring GDM). Neonatal hypoglycaemia (< 2.6 mmol/L) was common (n= 30 (22%)). However, most neonatal hypoglycaemia occurred in infants born to mothers with BSL 4–8 mmol/L (n= 26 (87%)). Neonatal hypoglycaemia requiring NICU admission (n= 13) was predominantly in infants born to mothers with BSL < 8mmol/L prior to delivery (n= 10 (77%)). Three of eight maternal BSLs > 8 mmol/L occurred prior to emergency caesarean section in women with pregestational diabetes.Conclusion: These results suggest that our current practice, particularly in women with GDM, may offer an alternative to more aggressive regimes.
Association of p53 polymorphism with ICSI/IVF failure and recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Razieh Dehghani FIROUZABADI , Nasrin GHASEMI , Maryam Ayazi ROZBAHANI , Nasim TABIBNEJAD 
Published: April 2009

Background: The p53 tumour suppressor gene is a well‐known factor regulating apoptosis in a wide variety of cells. Alterations in the p53 gene are among the most common genetic changes in human cancers. Several polymorphisms of the p53 tumour suppressor gene have been associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).Aims: To evaluate the association of polymorphisms p53 codon 72 with the response to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and occurrence of repeated miscarriages.Methods: The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes and allelic frequencies of Arg and Pro p53 at codon 72 were identified by using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 70 infertile women with more than two IVF failures. Each comparison was made with 97 women experiencing RPL and 32 fertile women each with at least two healthy children as the control group.Results: The frequency of homozygous Pro/Pro genotypes was found significantly higher among the women with RPL than the other two groups (P = 0.041). Whereas, Arg/Arg genotype was significantly different in the recurrent implantation failure (RIF) group (P = 0.005).Conclusion: It is concluded that p53 codon 72 polymorphism may serve as a susceptible factor affecting the chances of RPL and RIF.