bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term periodic anthelmintic treatments are associated with increased allergen skin reactivity
Authors: Endara P. , Vaca M. , Chico M. E. , Erazo S. , Oviedo G. , Quinzo I. , Rodriguez A. , Lovato R. , Moncayo A.‐L. , Barreto M. L. , Rodrigues L. C. , Cooper P. J. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryBackground
The low prevalence of allergic disease in the rural tropics has been attributed to the protective effects of chronic helminth infections. There is concern that treatment‐based control programmes for these parasites may lead to an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases.Objective
We measured the impact of 15–17 years of anthelmintic treatment with ivermectin on the prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity and allergic symptoms in school‐age children.Methods
The prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity, exercise‐induced bronchospasm and allergic symptoms was compared between school‐age children living in communities that had received community‐based treatments with ivermectin (for onchocerciasis control) for a period of 15–17 years with those living in geographically adjacent communities that had received no ivermectin.Results
The prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity was double in children living in treated communities compared with those in untreated communities (16.7% vs. 8.7%, adjusted OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.50–2.94, P<0.0001), and the effect was mediated partly by a reduced prevalence of Trichuris trichiura among treated children. Ivermectin treatments were associated with an increased prevalence of recent eczema symptoms (adjusted OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.05–4.78, P=0.04) but not symptoms of asthma or rhino‐conjunctivitis. The effect on eczema symptoms was not associated with reductions in geohelminth infections.Conclusion
Long‐term periodic treatments with ivermectin were associated with an increased prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity. There was some evidence that treatment was associated with an increased prevalence of recent eczema symptoms but not those of asthma or rhino‐conjunctivitis. Cite this as: P. Endara, M. Vaca, M. E. Chico, S. Erazo, G. Oviedo, I. Quinzo, A. Rodriguez R. Lovato, A.‐L. Moncayo, M. L. Barreto, L. C. Rodrigues and P. J. Cooper, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1669–1677.
A critical thinking disposition scale for nurses: short form
Authors: Hwang Shiow‐Y , Yen Miaofen , Lee Bih‐O , Huang Mei‐C , Tseng Hung‐F 
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to test the Chinese version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI‐CV) among nurses in Taiwan.Background.  Critical thinking is the use of purposeful self‐regulatory judgments to identify patient’s problems and provide patient care. Critical thinking influences nurses’ decision making. To date, no inventory to understand nurse’s critical thinking disposition has been developed.Design.  This was a survey design with a stratified random sampling to test the reliability and validity of the CTDI‐CV.Methods.  The participants comprised 864 registered nurses who were chosen by stratified random sampling from seven hospitals in Taiwan. Data were collected through self‐administered structured questionnaires.Results.  A new scale, short form (SF) CTDI‐CV, contains 18 items with three subscales: ‘systematic analysis’, ‘thinking within the box’ and ‘thinking out of the box’, was generated from the analysis with 44% explained variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and intra‐class correlation coefficients for overall and subscale were above 0·8. Goodness‐of‐fit test for the final model of SF‐CTDI‐CV revealed an acceptable result in the overall fit (χ2/df = 4·04, p < 0·05, GFI = 0·93, AGFI = 0·91, SRMR = 0·076, RMSEA = 0·059).Conclusion.  On the basis of these results, the SF‐CTDI‐CV is a reliable instrument for assessing critical thinking disposition for nurses.Relevance to clinical practice.  A short and valid critical thinking instrument for nurses will facilitate critical thinking research in the clinical practice arena. When designing continuing education activities, clinical educators will be able to efficiently and effectively evaluate the quality of critical thinking among practicing nurses.
Punjabi Sikh patients’ cardiac rehabilitation experiences following myocardial infarction: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Galdas Paul M , Kang H Bindy K 
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives.  To explore the cardiac rehabilitation experiences of Punjabi Sikh patients post myocardial infarction.Background.  Punjabi Sikh people are at significantly higher risk of mortality from myocardial infarction compared with those of European descent. Punjabi Sikh patients’ participation in cardiac rehabilitation post myocardial infarction is therefore likely to yield considerable benefits. However, uptake of cardiac rehabilitation by South Asian people has been reported to be modest. Previous investigators have seldom provided insight into experiences of Punjabi Sikh patients post myocardial infarction and the steps that can be taken to improve the appropriateness of cardiac rehabilitation programmes for this at‐risk patient group.Design.  Interpretive qualitative design.Method.  In‐depth interviews, based on the McGill Illness Narrative Interview schedule, with 15 Punjabi Sikh patients post myocardial infarction attending a cardiac rehabilitation programme in British Columbia, Canada, were conducted; thematic analysis using grounded theory methods of coding and constant comparative analysis was employed.Results.  Four mutually exclusive themes emerged relating to the salient aspects of participants’ cardiac rehabilitation experience: ‘making sense of the diagnosis’, ‘practical dietary advice’, ‘ongoing interaction with peers and the multi‐disciplinary team’ and ‘transport and attendance’.Conclusions.  The themes identified point towards some of the ingredients necessary for providing culturally appropriate cardiac rehabilitation interventions for Punjabi Sikh patients following myocardial infarction. The findings highlight the importance of providing culturally relevant rehabilitation advice about diet and lifestyle changes and providing time for ongoing dialogue with support from health care professionals and peers. The findings from this study also illustrate the need to avoid generalisations about the impact religious beliefs may have on South Asian individuals’ willingness to adhere to cardiac rehabilitation advice and make lifestyle adjustments.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study raises awareness of some of the salient features of experiences of Punjabi Sikh patients with post myocardial infarction that can help guide nurses to provide culturally appropriate cardiac rehabilitation and coronary health promotion.
Adaptive item‐based learning environments based on the item response theory: possibilities and challenges
Authors: Wauters K. , Desmet P. , Van den Noortgate W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe popularity of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) is increasing rapidly. In order to make learning environments more efficient, researchers have been exploring the possibility of an automatic adaptation of the learning environment to the learner or the context. One of the possible adaptation techniques is adaptive item sequencing by matching the difficulty of the items to the learner's knowledge level. This is already accomplished to a certain extent in adaptive testing environments, where the test is tailored to the person's ability level by means of the item response theory (IRT). Even though IRT has been a prevalent computerized adaptive test (CAT) approach for decades and applying IRT in item‐based ITSs could lead to similar advantages as in CAT (e.g. higher motivation and more efficient learning), research on the application of IRT in such learning environments is highly restricted or absent. The purpose of this paper was to explore the feasibility of applying IRT in adaptive item‐based ITSs. Therefore, we discussed the two main challenges associated with IRT application in such learning environments: the challenge of the data set and the challenge of the algorithm. We concluded that applying IRT seems to be a viable solution for adaptive item selection in item‐based ITSs provided that some modifications are implemented. Further research should shed more light on the adequacy of the proposed solutions.
Examining the technological pedagogical content knowledge of Singapore pre‐service teachers with a large‐scale survey
Authors: Koh J.H.L. , Chai C.S. , Tsai C.C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis paper examined the profile of Singaporean pre‐service teachers in terms of their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). A total of 1185 pre‐service teachers were studied with a TPACK survey. An exploratory factor analysis found five distinctive constructs: technological knowledge, content knowledge, knowledge of pedagogy, knowledge of teaching with technology and knowledge from critical reflection. The participants of this study did not make conceptual distinctions between TPACK constructs such as technological content knowledge and technological pedagogical knowledge. There were some differences in their TPACK perceptions by gender. However, the influence of age and teaching level were not strong. The methodological and theoretical implications for the development of TPACK surveys were discussed.
An analytical model of non‐photorespiratory CO2 release in the light and dark in leaves of C3 species based on stoichiometric flux balance
Authors: BUCKLEY THOMAS N. , ADAMS MARK A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTLeaf respiration continues in the light but at a reduced rate. This inhibition is highly variable, and the mechanisms are poorly known, partly due to the lack of a formal model that can generate testable hypotheses. We derived an analytical model for non‐photorespiratory CO2 release by solving steady‐state supply/demand equations for ATP, NADH and NADPH, coupled to a widely used photosynthesis model. We used this model to evaluate causes for suppression of respiration by light. The model agrees with many observations, including highly variable suppression at saturating light, greater suppression in mature leaves, reduced assimilatory quotient (ratio of net CO2 and O2 exchange) concurrent with nitrate reduction and a Kok effect (discrete change in quantum yield at low light). The model predicts engagement of non‐phosphorylating pathways at moderate to high light, or concurrent with processes that yield ATP and NADH, such as fatty acid or terpenoid synthesis. Suppression of respiration is governed largely by photosynthetic adenylate balance, although photorespiratory NADH may contribute at sub‐saturating light. Key questions include the precise diel variation of anabolism and the ATP : 2e‐ ratio for photophosphorylation. Our model can focus experimental research and is a step towards a fully process‐based model of CO2 exchange.
The novel protease inhibitor SRD441 ointment is not effective in the treatment of adult subjects with atopic dermatitis: results of a randomized, vehicle‐controlled study
Authors: Foelster Holst R. , Reitamo S. , Yankova R. , Worm M. , Kadurina M. , Thaci K. , Bieber T. , Tsankov N. , Enk A. , Luger T. , Duffy M. , Tansley R. 
Published: September 2010

To cite this article: Foelster Holst R, Reitamo S, Yankova R, Worm M, Kadurina M, Thaci K, Bieber T, Tsankov N, Enk A, Luger T, Duffy M, Tansley R. The novel protease inhibitor SRD441 ointment is not effective in the treatment of adult subjects with atopic dermatitis: results of a randomized, vehicle‐controlled study. Allergy 2010; 65: 1594–1599.AbstractBackground:  There is evidence that excessive protease activity in the skin is an important factor in the development of atopic dermatitis. SRD44 is a topically formulated novel protease inhibitor that selectively inhibits Staphylococcal‐derived aureolysin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).Methods:  This was a double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled randomized trial conducted in thirteen hospital dermatology outpatient clinics in Germany (9), Bulgaria (3) and Finland (1). Ninety‐three out of 103 screened adult subjects with confirmed atopic dermatitis affecting ≤20% of body surface area, with an IGA score of 2 or 3 at randomization were randomized following a washout period to either SRD441 ointment or matching vehicle twice daily for 28 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the clearance of Atopic dermatitis (AD score of 0 or 1 IGA) at Day 21. Secondary endpoints included measures of SCORing Atopic Dermatitis, pruritus self‐assessment, rescue medication use and occurrence of new exacerbations. A range of safety and tolerance endpoints were included.Results:  There were no significant treatment differences in IGA success rates at Day 21 (SRD441 ointment, 11.1%; vehicle ointment, 12.5%; P = 1.000). Evaluation of secondary efficacy variables revealed no clinical or important statistical differences between treatment groups. Eighteen subjects (19.4%) discontinued the study drug because of an AE (seven subjects [15.6%] in the SRD441 group and 11 subjects [22.9%] in the vehicle group). Twenty‐seven subjects (60.0%) in the SRD441 group and 34 subjects (70.8%) in the vehicle group reported an adverse event (AE).Conclusions:  SRD441 ointment did not demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis raising questions on the effectiveness of MMPs as a target for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. NCT00882245.
BK viremia surveillance after kidney transplant: single‐center experience during a change from cyclosporine‐to lower‐dose tacrolimus‐based primary immunosuppression regimen
Authors: Geddes C.C. , Gunson R. , Mazonakis E. , Wan R. , Thomson L. , Clancy M. , Carman W.F. 
Published: September 2010

C.C. Geddes, R. Gunson, E. Mazonakis, R. Wan, L. Thomson, M. Clancy, W.F. Carman. BK viremia surveillance after kidney transplant: single‐center experience during a change from cyclosporine‐to lower‐dose tacrolimus‐based primary immunosuppression regimen. Transpl Infect Dis 2011:13:109–116. All rights reservedBackground.The aim was to report our experience of BK viremia surveillance after kidney transplant during a period of change from cyclosporine (CyA)‐to lower‐dose tacrolimus (Tac)‐based primary immunosuppression regimens.Methods.In a prospective single‐center observational cohort study, 68 consecutive patients received renal transplant during the period when we used a CyA‐based primary immunosuppression regimen and 66 after we changed to a lower‐dose Tac‐based regimen. Testing for BK viremia by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was performed at least monthly for a minimum of 1 year.Results.Thirty‐nine (29.1%) patients developed BK viremia and 2 (1.5%) developed BK nephropathy. The actuarial time to BK viremia was shorter in patients receiving CyA/mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/prednisolone (Pred) compared with Tac/MMF/Pred (P=0.04) and primary immunosuppression with CyA/MMF/Pred was the only independent predictor of BK viremia (hazard ratio 1.95;P=0.047). Comparing patients who experienced BK viremia and those who did not, there was no difference in incidence of acute rejection (20.5% vs. 25.3%;P=0.56) or estimated glomerular filtration rate at 12 months (48.8 vs. 49.9 mL/min/1.73 m2), but the incidence of ureteric stenosis was higher (10.3% vs. 1.1%;P=0.01).Conclusions.Our data demonstrate a lower incidence of BK viremia in patients on lower‐dose Tac compared with CyA‐based primary immunosuppression in contrast to previous studies, and provide further support for the association between BK virus and ureteric complications.
Coherence analysis of local field potentials in the subthalamic nucleus: differences in parkinsonian rest and postural tremor
Authors: Reck Christiane , Himmel Matthias , Florin Esther , Maarouf Mohammad , Sturm Volker , Wojtecki Lars , Schnitzler Alfons , Fink Gereon R. , Timmermann Lars 
Published: September 2010

AbstractImplantation of electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for deep brain stimulation is a well‐established method to ameliorate motor symptoms in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study investigated the pathophysiology of rest and postural tremor in PD. In 14 patients with PD, we recorded intraoperatively local field potentials (LFPs) in the STN (at different recording depths) and electromyographic signals (EMGs) of the contralateral forearm. Using coherence analysis we analysed tremor epochs both at rest and hold conditions in patients of the akinetic‐rigid or of the tremor‐dominant PD subtype. Data analysis revealed significant LFP–EMG coherence during periods of rest and postural tremor. However, strong differences between both tremor types were observed: local maxima (cluster) of rest and postural tremor did not match. Additionally, during rest tremor coherence occurred significantly more frequently at single tremor frequency than at double tremor frequency in tremor‐dominant as well as in akinetic‐rigid patients. In contrast, during postural tremor in patients with akinetic‐rigid PD coherence was predominantly at double tremor frequency. The data suggest a specific topography of ‘tremor clusters’ for rest and postural tremor. Furthermore, we presume that the same tremor mechanisms exist in patients with tremor‐dominant and akinetic‐rigid PD, but to different degrees.
Putative γ‐aminobutyric acid neurons in the ventral tegmental area have a similar pattern of plasticity as dopamine neurons during appetitive and aversive learning
Authors: Kim Yun‐Bok , Matthews Marguerite , Moghaddam Bita 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDopamine influences affective, motor and cognitive processing, and multiple forms of learning and memory. This multifaceted functionality, which operates across long temporal windows, is broader than the narrow and temporally constrained role often ascribed to dopamine neurons as reward prediction error detectors. Given the modulatory nature of dopamine neurotransmission, that dopamine release is activated by both aversive and appetitive stimuli, and that dopamine receptors are often localized extrasynaptically, a role for dopamine in transmitting precise error signals has been questioned. Here we recorded from ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons, while exposing rats to novel stimuli that were predictive of an appetitive or aversive outcome in the same behavioral session. The VTA contains dopamine and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons that project to striatal and cortical regions and are strongly implicated in learning and affective processing. The response of VTA neurons, regardless of whether they had putative dopamine or GABA waveforms, transformed flexibly as animals learned to associate novel stimuli from different sensory modalities to appetitive or aversive outcomes. Learning the appetitive association led to larger excitatory VTA responses, whereas acquiring the aversive association led to a biphasic response of brief excitation followed by sustained inhibition. These responses shifted rapidly as outcome contingencies changed. These data suggest that VTA neurons interface sensory information with representational memory of aversive and appetitive events. This pattern of plasticity was not selective for putative dopamine neurons and generalized to other cells, suggesting that the temporally precise information transfer from the VTA may be mediated by faster acting GABA neurons.
Acute genetic perturbation of exocyst function in the rat calyx of Held impedes structural maturation, but spares synaptic transmission
Authors: Schwenger Darius B. , Kuner Thomas 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe exocyst is an octameric protein complex mediating polarized secretion by tethering vesicles to target membranes. In non‐vertebrate neurons, the exocyst has been associated with constitutive membrane addition at growth cones and nerve terminals, but its function in synaptic vesicle trafficking at mammalian nerve terminals remains unclear. Here, we examined the role of the exocyst complex in immature postnatal day (P)13 and mature P21 rat calyces of Held. Exo70, an exocyst subunit conferring membrane anchoring of the complex, was tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and overexpressed as a full‐length subunit or as a dominant‐negative C‐terminally truncated variant (Exo70ΔC) disrupting membrane targeting. In vivo expression of the Exo70 subunits in the calyx was achieved by stereotaxic adeno‐associated virus‐mediated gene transfer into globular bushy cells of the rat ventral cochlear nucleus at P2. Overexpression of dominant‐negative Exo70ΔC, but not full‐length Exo70, decreased the structural complexity and volume of calyces, as assayed by confocal microscopy and three‐dimensional reconstructions. The distribution of active zones and synaptic vesicles remained unaffected. Neither perturbation changed the characteristics of spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release, short‐term depression or recovery from depression. Together, these data suggest that in central mammalian synapses, the exocyst complex mediates the addition of membrane during postnatal presynaptic maturation, but does not function as a tethering complex in local recycling of vesicles within the synaptic vesicle cycle.
Regulatory exaptation of the catabolite repression protein (Crp)–cAMP system in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Milanesio Paola , Arce‐Rodríguez Alejandro , Muñoz Amalia , Calles Belén , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe genome of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 encodes singular orthologues of genes crp (encoding the catabolite repression protein, Crp) and cyaA (adenylate cyclase) of Escherichia coli. The levels of cAMP formed by P. putida cells were below detection with a Dictyostelium biosensor in vivo. The cyaAP.putida gene was transcribed in vivo but failed to complement the lack of maltose consumption of a cyaA mutant of E. coli, thereby indicating that cyaAP.putida was poorly translated or rendered non‐functional in the heterologous host. Yet, generation of cAMP by CyaAP.putida could be verified by expressing the cyaAP.putida gene in a hypersensitive E. coli strain. On the other hand, the crpP.putida gene restored the metabolic capacities of an equivalent crp mutant of E. coli, but not in a double crp/cyaA strain, suggesting that the ability to regulate such functions required cAMP. In order to clarify the breadth of the Crp/cAMP system in P. putida, crp and cyaA mutants were generated and passed through a battery of phenotypic tests for recognition of gross metabolic properties and stress‐endurance abilities. These assays revealed that the loss of each gene led in most (but not all) cases to the same phenotypic behaviour, indicating a concerted functionality. Unexpectedly, none of the mutations affected the panel of carbon compounds that can be used by P. putida as growth substrates, the mutants being impaired only in the use of various dipeptides as N sources. Furthermore, the lack of crp or cyaA had little influence on the gross growth fingerprinting of the cells. The poor physiological profile of the Crp–cAMP system of P. putida when compared with E. coli exposes a case of regulatory exaptation, i.e. the process through which a property evolved for a particular function is co‐opted for a new use.