bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendritic Cells Induce Regulatory T Cell Proliferation through Antigen-Dependent and -Independent Interactions
Authors: Zou Tao , Caton Andrew J. , Koretzky Gary A. , Kambayashi Taku 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells with suppressive function that protect the host from autoimmunity and prevent excessive immunopathology. Functional Tregs must be present throughout life to provide continuous protection for the host. Despite the intense study of this lineage, the mechanisms by which Tregs are maintained in the steady-state remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the control of Treg proliferation. In the absence of overt TCR stimulation, we found that DCs induce polyclonal Treg division in murine splenocyte cultures. In vivo expansion of DCs also correlated with polyclonal Treg expansion. DC-induced Treg division required IL-2, which was provided by conventional CD4+ T cells through an MHC class II (MHC II)-dependent interaction with DCs. Provision of exogenous IL-2 obviated the need for conventional CD4+ T cells in the induction of Treg proliferation, but this process still required a contact-dependent but MHC II-independent interaction between DCs and Tregs. Although Treg division could occur in the absence of MHC II expression by DCs, direct stimulation of Tregs by cognate Ag/MHC II complexes enhanced IL-2–induced Treg proliferation. These data demonstrate that DCs coordinate the interactions that are necessary to initiate polyclonal Treg proliferation.
The Effects of Measures of Language Experience and Language Ability on Segmental Accuracy in Bilingual Children
Authors: Goldstein Brian A. , Bunta Ferenc , Lange Jenny , Rodriguez Jenny , Burrows Lauren 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
The present study investigated the effects of selected measures of language experience (parent-reported estimates of frequency of output and language use) and language ability (parent-reported language proficiency and mean length of utterance in words) on the segmental accuracy of Spanish- and English-speaking bilingual children.

Method
The phonological skills of 50 typically developing bilingual Spanish-English children (mean age = 5;9 [years;months]) were examined. Independent variables included parent estimates of language use, language proficiency, and frequency of language output (5 groups), as well as a direct language measure (mean length of utterance in words) to predict the dependent segmental accuracy measures (percentage of consonants and vowels correct).

Results
Frequency of language output did not have an effect on any of the English or Spanish segmental accuracy measures. However, parent-reported language use and language proficiency as well as the direct measure of language ability (mean length of utterance in words) had various effects on segmental accuracy. Those effects differed, however, in language-specific patterns.

Conclusions
Parental estimates of language use and language proficiency are useful for predicting the phonological skills of bilingual Spanish- and English-speaking children, and augmenting them with a direct measure of language ability as a predictor of segmental accuracy is desirable.
Measuring Pragmatic Language in Speakers With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Comparing the Children’s Communication Checklist—2 and the Test of Pragmatic Language
Authors: Volden Joanne , Phillips Linda 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
To compare the Children’s Communication Checklist—2 (CCC–2), a parent report instrument, with the Test of Pragmatic Language (TOPL), a test administered to the child, on the ability to identify pragmatic language impairment in speakers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who had age-appropriate structural language skills.

Method
Sixteen rigorously diagnosed children with ASD were matched to 16 typically developing children on age, nonverbal IQ, and structural language skill. Both groups were given the TOPL, and their parents completed the CCC–2.

Results
The CCC–2 identified 13 of the 16 children with ASD as pragmatically impaired, while the TOPL identified only 9. Neither test identified any of the children in the control group as having pragmatic language impairment.

Conclusions
In these children with ASD, who displayed age-appropriate structural language skills, the CCC–2 identified pragmatic language impairment better than the TOPL. Clinically, this can be useful in documenting the presence of language dysfunction when traditional standardized language assessments would not reveal communication problems.
The Role of Listener Experience on Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) Ratings of Postthyroidectomy Voice
Authors: Helou Leah B. , Solomon Nancy Pearl , Henry Leonard R. , Coppit George L. , Howard Robin S. , Stojadinovic Alexander 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
To determine whether experienced and inexperienced listeners rate postthyroidectomy voice samples similarly using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V).

Method
Prospective observational study of voice quality ratings of randomized and blinded voice samples was performed. Twenty-one postthyroidectomy patients’ voices, representing a wide range of severities, were rated using a custom-automated version of the CAPE-V. Ten male and 11 female voices were rated by 10 experienced and 10 inexperienced listeners. Experienced listeners consisted of 5 otolaryngologists (ENTs) and 5 speech-language pathologists (SLPs); inexperienced listeners were medical professionals with no formal training or experience in voice disorders.

Results

Inexperienced listeners rated voices as more severely impaired than experienced listeners for all CAPE-V parameters (
p
≤ .003). Those without experience in voice disorders had lower intra- and interrater reliability (e.g.,
r
= .838 and .528, respectively, for overall severity) than those with experience in voice disorders (e.g.,
r
= .911 and .722, respectively, for overall severity) for all parameters. Among experienced listeners, ENTs and SLPs rated voices similarly for most parameters.

Conclusions
Experienced and inexperienced listeners judged voice quality differently given minimal training with the use of the CAPE-V. SLPs and ENTs rated postthyroidectomy voice quality similarly. These findings indicate that the CAPE-V can be used reliably and similarly by professionals who specialize in voice disorders.
Within-Treatment Factors as Predictors of Outcomes Following Conversational Recasting
Authors: Hassink Johanna M. , Leonard Laurence B. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
Although conversational recasting has been a generally successful treatment approach, the precise factors that influence children’s learning through recasts are not yet understood. In this study, we examined details of the relationship between child utterance and clinician utterance that seemed likely to influence learning.

Method

Three measures were calculated from transcripts of recasting sessions with 17 preschoolers with specific language impairment. In all sessions, 3rd person singular –
s
served as the target. The measures of interest were the frequency of recasts following child utterances that were prompted by clinicians, the frequency of clinicians’ recasts of subjectless sentences, and the frequency of clinicians’ noncorrective recasts. We assessed the short-term and long-term predictive value of these measures through regression analyses.

Results
Noncorrective recasts proved to be a positive predictor of short- and long-term gains in the use of the target form. Recasts of subjectless sentences were associated with poorer outcomes, though their contribution was relatively small.

Conclusions
The nature of learning that takes place varies according to the relationship between child and clinician utterances during the recasting process. These variations have implications for clinical practice and for how learning through recasting is characterized.
Tell Me Your Story: Analysis of Script Topics Selected by Persons With Aphasia
Authors: Holland Audrey L. , Halper Anita S. , Cherney Leora R. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
This study examined the content of 100 short scripts, co-constructed by persons with aphasia (PWA) and a clinician. The PWA subsequently learned the scripts by interacting with a computerized virtual therapist. The goal was to provide clinicians with ideas regarding content for treatment that is meaningful to PWAs.

Method
Thirty-three PWAs generated the scripts, typically including 1 monologue and 2 dialogues in which the PWA was either the initiator or the responder. Scripts were analyzed for common topics and themes.

Results
Thirty topics were identified and categorized into 10 themes. For the monologues, the largest category was personal stories (68%), with 12 of the 19 addressing their stroke and aphasia. For the dialogues, conversations with family were dominant (21%), followed by seeking or providing information (18%), and discussion of outside interests (14%).

Conclusion
PWAs choose to speak about their life experiences, choose to reconnect with their families, and tend to focus on communication that can help them to negotiate mundane normal life. Independent of how this content is used in treatment, materials should emphasize matters of high personal relevance to those treated.
Intolerance to β‐blockade in a mouse model of δ‐sarcoglycan‐deficient muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bauer Ralf , Blain Alison , Greally Elizabeth , Bushby Kate , Lochmüller Hanns , Laval Steve , Straub Volker , MacGowan Guy A. 
Published: August 2010

AimsPatients with mutations predisposing to cardiomyopathy often have routine assessments of left ventricular function. It is unclear whether asymptomatic mild cardiomyopathy should be treated with standard heart failure therapies.Methods and resultsWe tested the effect of metoprolol on cardiac haemodynamics and pathology in two animal models for muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy. Treatment started at an early stage in the development of the cardiomyopathy. Metoprolol was given orally (2.5 mg/kg/day) over 8 weeks to mdx mice (model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and δ‐sarcoglycan‐deficient (Sgcdnull) mice (model for Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2F). In vivo pressure–volume loops, fibrosis, in vivo myocyte sarcolemmal injury, and β‐adrenergic receptor mRNA were assessed. In β‐blocked mdx mice, there was a beneficial reduction in afterload and restored contractility resulting in an increased stroke volume. In contrast, in Sgcdnull mice, there was marked deterioration in haemodynamics (prolonged relaxation, Tau, and reduced stroke volume). Furthermore, challenging the β‐blocked Sgcdnull mice with the β‐adrenergic agonist dobutamine led to markedly increased mortality. Patterns of sarcolemmal injury or β‐adrenergic receptor mRNA could not account for this, though the acute rise in markers of active relaxation suggested abnormally high levels of intracellular calcium.Conclusionβ‐Blockers may not necessarily be beneficial in all cardiomyopathies, even when given at an early stage of development. Clinical trials of β‐blockers in muscular dystrophy‐associated cardiomyopathy may need to stratify patients by genotype.
Density-independent and -dependent habitat selection of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) based on geostatistical aggregation curves in the northern Gulf of St Lawrence
Authors: Tamdrari Hacène , Castonguay Martin , Brêthes Jean-Claude , Duplisea Daniel 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Tamdrari, H., Castonguay, M., Brêthes, J-C., and Duplisea, D. 2010. Density-independent and -dependent habitat selection of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) based on geostatistical aggregation curves in the northern Gulf of St Lawrence. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1676–1686. Relationships were sought between local density and population abundance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the northern Gulf of St Lawrence (Canada) over its entire area (4RS) and also within a subarea (4R) where the stock has concentrated since it collapsed during the early 1990s. Relationships were analysed using geostatistical aggregation curves computed within the two areas between years of contrasting abundance levels. The curves were interpreted in terms of four conceptual models of spatial dynamics: models D1 and D2, forced mainly by environmental heterogeneity, and models D3 and D4, in which individual behaviour is influenced by local density. Over the entire area, the cod population follows the D2 model for all years and age groups, and it is influenced by abiotic factors. Within the subarea, all four models applied, and the density-dependent basin model (D4) dominated from 2006 to 2008. The year 2006 seems to be pivotal because it coincides with the expansion of the cod population into its former area in the western Gulf (4S).
Efficacy of motivational interviewing for smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Heckman Carolyn J , Egleston Brian L , Hofmann Makary T 
Published: August 2010

ObjectiveA systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of interventions incorporating motivational interviewing for smoking cessation and identify correlates of treatment effectsData sourcesMedline/PubMed, PsycInfo and other sources including grey literatureStudy selectionTitle/abstract search terms were motivational interview* OR motivational enhancement AND smok*, cigarette*, tobacco, OR nicotine. Randomised trials reporting number of smokers abstinent at follow up were eligible.Data extractionData were independently coded by the first and third authors. We coded for a variety of study, participant, and intervention related variables.Data synthesisA random effects logistic regression with both a random intercept and a random slope for the treatment effect.Results31 smoking cessation research trials were selected for the study: eight comprised adolescent samples, eight comprised adults with chronic physical or mental illness, five comprised pregnant/postpartum women and 10 comprised other adult samples. Analysis of the trials (9485 individual participants) showed an overall OR comparing likelihood of abstinence in the motivational interviewing (MI) versus control condition of OR 1.45 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.83). Additional potential correlates of treatment effects such as study, sample, and intervention characteristics were examined.ConclusionsThis is the most comprehensive review of MI for smoking cessation conducted to date. These findings suggest that current MI smoking cessation approaches can be effective for adolescents and adults. However, comparative efficacy trials could be useful.
Biorthogonal Systems Approximating the Solution of the Nonlinear Volterra Integro-Differential Equation
Authors: Berenguer MI , Garralda-Guillem AI , Ruiz Galán M 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper deals with obtaining a numerical method in order to approximate the solution of the nonlinear Volterra integro-differential equation. We define, following a fixed-point approach, a sequence of functions which approximate the solution of this type of equation, due to some properties of certain biorthogonal systems for the Banach spaces "Equation missing" and "Equation missing".
Childhood asthma and infection: virus-induced exacerbations as determinants and modifiers: Figure 1–
Authors: Xepapadaki P. , Papadopoulos N.G. 
Published: August 2010

Respiratory infections have been implicated in the origin and exacerbation of asthma in a variety of ways; however, systemisation of this knowledge in a way helpful for disease management remains suboptimal.Several conceptual issues need to be taken into account: the fact that the effects of an infection may vary according to genetic background, the current immune status of the host, and parallel environmental stimuli, in addition to the particular infectious agent itself. Moreover, childhood is a very special period because of the continuous processes taking place, such as neural, immune and respiratory maturation.Epidemiological studies have convincingly demonstrated that the majority of asthma exacerbations, in both adults and children, follow viral upper respiratory tract infections. Asthma exacerbations are still often unresponsive to current asthma treatment, and new therapeutic approaches are required.This review presents current knowledge on the associations between infection and exacerbation of established asthma with respect to definitions, epidemiology, mechanisms and treatment.
Complexity of free radical Metabolism in human Erythrocytes
Authors: Nikolić-Kokić Aleksandra , Blagojević Duško , Spasić Mihajlo 
Published: August 2010

Complexity of free radical Metabolism in human ErythrocytesThe auto-oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin generating superoxide anion radical (O2.-) represents the main source of free radicals in the erythro-cytes. Hydrogen peroxide is produced by O2.-dismutation or originates from the circulation. Human erythrocytes are also exposed to the prooxidative actions of nitric oxide (NO) from circulation. Free radicals that may induce reactions with direct dangerous consequences to erythrocytes are also preceded by the reaction of O2.-and NO producing peroxynitrite. In physiological settings, erythrocytes show a self-sustaining activity of antioxidative defence (AD) enzymes, such as: superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.11.16), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx, EC 1.11.1.9) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), as well as low molecular weight antioxidants: glutathione and vitamins E and C. Their coordinate actions protect the erythrocyte's bio-macromolecules from free radical-mediated damage. Since there is node novosynthesis of AD enzymes in mature erythrocytes, their defence capacity is limited. Free radicals influence antioxidative enzymes capacities and relative share of particular components in the whole antioxidative system. Therefore, by measuring changes in the activity of individual AD components, as well as their interrelations by statistical canonical discriminant methods, valuable data about the complexity, overall relations and coordinated actions in the AD system in erythrocytes and its relevance for systemic effects can be acquired.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Significance of the Oxidative Stress Parameters in Children
Authors: Bajčetić Milica , Brajović Milan , Korkut-Tešić Radojka 
Published: August 2010

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Significance of the Oxidative Stress Parameters in ChildrenPharmacotherapy of pediatric diseases represents a major challenge considering that the majority of medicines in everyday practice have not been pediatrically evaluated. The efficacy of therapy depends to a large extent on the knowledge of pathophysiological processes in the children organism at different ages. Therefore, research in that direction is of the utmost importance. An imbalance in the production of free oxygen/nitrogen species and parameters of antioxidative protection is a significant factor in many diseases (e.g. heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, neonatal sepsis, cancer etc.) in children of different age groups. Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species serve as cell signaling molecules for normal biologic processes. An increase in their generation can cause damages which can disrupt normal physiological cellular processes and eventually cause cell death. This review outlines the previous assessments of oxidative stress parameters in children of different ages for some diseases. Also, the potential diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for the oxydative stress parameters in children have been considered.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance - A Powerful Tool of Medical Biochemistry in Discovering Mechanisms of Disease and Treatment Prospects
Authors: Spasojević Ivan 
Published: August 2010

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance - A Powerful Tool of Medical Biochemistry in Discovering Mechanisms of Disease and Treatment ProspectsIn pathophysiological conditions related to oxidative stress, the application of selected antioxidants could have beneficial effects on human health. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a technique that provides unique insight into the redox biochemistry, due to its ability to: (i) distinguish and quantify different reactive species, such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide, carbon centered radicals, hydrogen atom, nitric oxide, ascorbyl radical, melanin, and others; (ii) evaluate the antioxidative capacity of various compounds, extracts and foods; (iii) provide information on other important parameters of biological systems. A combination of EPR spectroscopy and traditional biochemical methods represents an efficient tool in the studies of disease mechanisms and antioxidative therapy prospects, providing a more complete view into the redox processes in the human organism.
Gene-Environment Interaction: A Genetic-Epidemiological Approach
Authors: Pekmezović Tatjana 
Published: August 2010

Gene-Environment Interaction: A Genetic-Epidemiological ApproachClassical epidemiology addresses the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations, and the factors associated with disease causation, with the aim of preventing disease. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to susceptibility, and it is still unclear how these factors interact in their influence on risk. Genetic epidemiology is the field which incorporates concepts and methods from different disciplines including epidemiology, genetics, biostatistics, clinical and molecular medicine, and their interaction is crucial to understanding the role of genetic and environmental factors in disease processes. The study of gene-environment interaction is central in the field of genetic epidemiology. Gene-environment interaction is defined as »a different effect of an environmental exposure on disease risk in persons with different genotypes,« or, alternatively, »a different effect of a genotype on disease risk in persons with different environmental exposures.« Five biologically plausible models are described for the relations between genotypes and environmental exposures, in terms of their effects on disease risk. Therefore, the study of gene-environment interaction is important for improving accuracy and precision in the assessment of both genetic and environmental factors, especially in disorders of less defined etiology. Genetic epidemiology is also applied at the various levels of disease prevention.