bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the factor structure of the Family Quality of Life Survey – 2006
Authors: Isaacs B. , Wang M. , Samuel P. , Ajuwon P. , Baum N. , Edwards M. , Rillotta F. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground  Although the Family Quality of Life Survey – 2006 (FQOLS‐2006) is being used in research, there is little evidence to support its hypothesised domain structure. The purpose of this study was to test the domain structure of the survey using confirmatory factor analysis.Method  Samples from Australia, Canada, Nigeria and the USA were analysed using structural equation modelling. The data from Australia, Canada and the USA were combined on the assumption that these countries are similar, at least to some degree, in economic development, language and culture. The Nigerian data were analysed on its own. The analysis was undertaken in two phases. First, the hypothesis that each of nine domains of the FQOLS‐2006 is a unidimensional construct that can reliably measure the dimensions Importance, Stability, Opportunities, Attainment, Stability and Satisfaction was tested. Second, the hypothesis that family quality of life (FQoL) is a single latent construct represented by the nine domains measured in the FQOLS‐2006 was tested.Results  In the first phase of the analysis, the Importance dimension was dropped because of skewness and lack of variance. The Stability dimension did not fit well within the individual domain model in both the Nigerian and the combined three countries' data. When Importance and Stability were excluded, the individual domain models showede good or acceptable fit when error variances of some dimensions were allowed to correlate. In the second phase of the analysis, the overall model, FQoL, represented by the nine domains of the FQOLS‐2006 showed good fit in both data sets.Conclusions  The conceptual model of the FQOLS‐2006 was supported with some qualifications. Each domain on the survey can be reliably measured by four dimensions Opportunities, Initiative, Attainment and Satisfaction. The dimensions of Importance and Stability, however, did not fit. Data reported on these dimensions from past and current studies should be interpreted with caution. The construct of FQoL is also reliably measured by the domains of the FQOLS‐2006. Further research into the psychometric properties of the survey, particularly from a cross‐cultural perspective, is needed.
Quality outcomes in group home dementia care for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Janicki M. P. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground  Dementia, as a public health challenge, is a phenomenon vexing many care organisations providing specialised residential and family supports for older adults with intellectual disabilities. With increasing survivorship to ages when risk is greatest, expectations are that many more adults in service will present with cognitive decline and diagnosed dementia as they grow older. As persons with dementia present with new needs, there is often a call for a reorientation of services. With respect to residential supports, agencies may need to adapt current methods of care, with particular attention to providing care in small group homes. However, dementia‐related care also must be quality care and applicable standards need to be met.Method  Reviewed were relevant policy and practice organisational guidelines and applied research literature addressing components of care and service provision that are critical to quality care and that were consistent with professional practice.Results  Examined were the nuances and contributing factors of quality dementia care and it was proposed that quality of care criteria need to be universally applicable and serve as a framework for adapting extant residential environments and make them ‘dementia‐capable’.Conclusions  It is proposed that efforts to evaluate dementia‐related care provision with respect to quality need to consider quality of care provision components such as (1) clinically relevant early and periodic assessment; (2) functional modifications in the living setting; (3) constructive staff education and functionality for stage‐adapted care; and (4) flexible long‐term services provision that recognises and plans for progression of decline and loss of function.
Hepatitis C and autoimmunity: a therapeutic challenge
Authors: Böckle B. C. , Baltaci M. , Ratzinger G. , Graziadei I. , Vogel W. , Sepp N. T. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract.  Böckle BC, Baltaci M, Ratzinger G, Graziadei I, Vogel W, Sepp NT (Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, Austria). Hepatitis C and autoimmunity: a therapeutic challenge (Case Report). J Intern Med 2012; 271: 104–106.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes not only acute and chronic liver disease, but also extrahepatic symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient who developed simultaneously subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and a small CD20+ B‐cell clone because of chronic HCV infection and relapse after standard of care therapy (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin). Treatment with rituximab, a chimeric anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, was successful.
Mu‐opioid receptor A118G polymorphism in healthy volunteers affects hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis adrenocorticotropic hormone stress response to metyrapone
Authors: Ducat Elizabeth , Ray Brenda , Bart Gavin , Umemura Yoshie , Varon Jack , Ho Ann , Kreek Mary Jeanne 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe mu‐opioid receptor encoded by the gene OPRM1 plays a primary role in opiate, alcohol, cocaine and nicotine addiction. Studies using opioid antagonists demonstrate that the mu‐opioid receptor (MOP‐r) also mediates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis stress response. A common polymorphism in exon one of the MOP‐r gene, A118G, has been shown to significantly alter receptor function and MOP‐r gene expression; therefore, this variant likely affects HPA‐axis responsivity. In the current study, we have investigated whether the presence of the 118AG variant genotype affects HPA axis responsivity to the stressor metyrapone, which transiently blocks glucocorticoid production in the adrenal cortex. Forty‐eight normal and healthy volunteers (32 men, 16 women) were studied, among whom nine men and seven women had the 118AG genotype. The 118G allele blunted the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) response to metyrapone. Although there was no difference in basal levels of ACTH, subjects with the 118AG genotype had a more modest rise and resultant significantly lower ACTH levels than those with the prototype 118AA at the 8‐hour time point (P < 0.02). We found no significant difference between genders. These findings suggest a relatively greater tonic inhibition at hypothalamic–pituitary sites through the mu‐opioid receptor and relatively less cyclical glucocorticoid inhibition in subjects with the 118G allele.
Different alcohol exposures induce selective alterations on the expression of dynorphin and nociceptin systems related genes in rat brain
Authors: D'Addario Claudio , Caputi Francesca F. , Rimondini Roberto , Gandolfi Ottavio , Del Borrello Elia , Candeletti Sanzio , Romualdi Patrizia 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTMolecular mechanisms of adaptive transformations caused by alcohol exposure on opioid dynorphin and nociceptin systems have been investigated in the rat brain. Alcohol was intragastrically administered to rats to resemble human drinking with several hours of exposure: water or alcohol (20% in water) at a dose of 1.5 g/kg three times daily for 1 or 5 days. The development of tolerance and dependence were recorded daily. Brains were dissected 30 minutes (1‐ and 5‐day groups) or 1, 3 or 7 days after the last administration for the three other 5‐day groups (groups under withdrawal). Specific alterations in opioid genes expression were ascertained. In the amygdala, an up‐regulation of prodynorphin and pronociceptin was observed in the 1‐day group; moreover, pronociceptin and the kappa opioid receptor mRNAs in the 5‐day group and both peptide precursors in the 1‐day withdrawal group were also up‐regulated. In the prefrontal cortex, an increase in prodynorhin expression in the 1‐day group was detected. These data indicate a relevant role of the dynorphinergic system in the negative hedonic states associated with multiple alcohol exposure. The pattern of alterations observed for the nociceptin system appears to be consistent with its role of functional antagonism towards the actions of ethanol associated with other opioid peptides. Our findings could help to the understanding of how alcohol differentially affects the opioid systems in the brain and also suggest the dynorphin and nociceptin systems as possible targets for the treatment and/or prevention of alcohol dependence.
Alpha4 subunit‐containing GABAA receptors in the accumbens shell contribute to the reinforcing effects of alcohol
Authors: Rewal Mridula , Donahue Rachel , Gill T. Michael , Nie Hong , Ron Dorit , Janak Patricia H. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe α4βδ gamma‐aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) has been proposed to mediate the rewarding effects of low‐to‐moderate concentrations of alcohol (ethanol) that approximate those achieved by social drinking. If this is true, then this receptor should be necessary for the reinforcing effects of ethanol as assessed in an instrumental self‐administration procedure in which rats are trained to lever press for oral ethanol. We used viral‐mediated RNA interference to transiently reduce expression of the α4 GABAAR subunit in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We found that responding for ethanol was significantly reduced after α4 reductions in the NAc shell, but not NAc core. This reduction was specific to ethanol, as responding for sucrose was not altered. The presence of ethanol was also required as unreinforced responding for ethanol in subjects previously trained to respond for ethanol (i.e. responding during an extinction test) was not altered. In addition, responding during reinforced sessions was not altered during the initial 5 minutes of the session, but decreased after 5 minutes, following multiple reinforced responses. Together, these findings indicate that the α4 GABAAR subunit in the NAc shell is necessary for the instrumental reinforcing effects of oral ethanol, further supporting a role for α4‐containing GABAARs in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of ethanol. Possible pharmacological and non‐pharmacological explanations for these effects are considered.
Changes in the magnitude of drug‐unconditioned stimulus during conditioning modulate cocaine‐induced place preference in mice
Authors: Itzhak Yossef , Anderson Karen L. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTDrug reinforcement learning is relevant for the development of addiction. The present study investigated how changes in the magnitude of drug‐unconditioned stimulus during associative learning modulate the acquisition and extinction of cocaine‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP). B6;129S F2 mice were conditioned by three dosing schedules of cocaine: (1) ascending, (2) fixed and (3) descending daily doses. Following acquisition of CPP, extinction was induced by (1) context re‐exposure, (2) reconditioning by saline and (3) reconditioning by descending doses of cocaine. The magnitude of CPP following conditioning by daily ascending doses of cocaine (2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that obtained from conditioning by either a fixed daily dose (16 mg/kg × 4 days) or daily descending doses (24, 12, 6 and 3 mg/kg). Extinction following context re‐exposure showed persistent CPP in the ‘ascending’ group compared to the other two groups. However, extinction via reconditioning by saline was equally effective in all groups. Interestingly, reconditioning by descending doses of cocaine (1) extinguished CPP and (2) resulted in partial resistance to the reinstatement of conditioned response by cocaine priming. Results underscore the significance of daily changes in cocaine dosage in the development and extinction of drug‐induced conditioned response. Increase and decrease in cocaine dosage strengthens and weakens cocaine‐associated memory, respectively. Moreover, extinction by ‘tapering down’ drug reward may be superior to extinction by saline.
Donor–recipient relationships in African American vs. Caucasian live kidney donors
Authors: Reeves‐Daniel A. , Bailey A. , Assimos D. , Westcott C. , Adams P. L. , Hartmann E. L. , Rogers J. , Farney A. C. , Stratta R. J. , Daniel K. , Freedman B. I. 
Published: April 2011

Reeves‐Daniel A, Bailey A, Assimos D, Westcott C, Adams PL, Hartmann EL, Rogers J, Farney AC, Stratta RJ, Daniel K, Freedman BI. Donor–recipient relationships in African American vs. Caucasian live kidney donors. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E487–E490. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Purpose:  The purpose of the study was to characterize differences in donor and recipient relationships between African American (AA) and Caucasian living kidney donors.Methods:  Data from all successful living kidney donors at a single institution between 1991 and 2009 were reviewed. Relationships between donor and recipient were categorized and between‐group comparisons performed.Results:  The study sample consisted of 73 (18%) AA and 324 Caucasian living kidney donors. The distribution of donor–recipient relationships differed significantly between AA and Caucasians. AA donors were more likely to be related to the recipient (88% vs. 74%, p = 0.007) than Caucasians. AA donors were more likely to participate in child to parent donation and were less likely to participate in parent to child donation or to donate to unrelated individuals. Sibling and spousal donations were similar in both groups. Caucasian donors were more likely to be unrelated to the recipient than AA donors.Conclusions:  Differences exist in donor–recipient relationships between AA and Caucasian living kidney donors. Future studies exploring cultural differences and family dynamics may provide targeted recruitment strategies for AA and Caucasian living kidney donors. Living unrelated kidney transplantation appears to be a potential growth area for living kidney donation in AA.
Load Lightening in Southern Lapwings: Group‐Living Mothers Lay Smaller Eggs than Pair‐Living Mothers
Authors: Santos Eduardo S. A. , Macedo Regina H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFemales of some cooperative‐breeding species can decrease their egg investment without costs for their offspring because helpers‐at‐the‐nest compensate for this reduction either by feeding more or by better protecting offspring from predation. We used the southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) to evaluate the effects of the presence of helpers on maternal investment. Southern lapwings are cooperative (some breeding pairs are aided by helpers), chick development is precocial, thus adults do not feed the chicks, and adults offer protection from predators through mobbing behaviors. We tested whether southern lapwing females reduced their reproductive investment (i.e. load‐lightening [LL] hypothesis) or increased their investment (i.e. differential allocation hypothesis) when breeding in groups when compared with females that bred in pairs. We found that increased group size was associated with lower egg volume. A significant negative association between the combined egg nutritional investment (yolk, protein, and lipid mass) and group size was observed. Chicks that hatched from eggs laid in nests of groups were also smaller than chicks hatched in nests of pairs. However, there was no relationship between the body mass index of chicks, or clutch size and group size, which suggests that such eggs are, simply, proportionally smaller. Our results support the LL hypothesis even in a situation where adults do not feed the chicks, allowing females to reduce investment in eggs without incurring a cost to their offspring.
Efficacy of PGF2α on Pre‐ovulatory Follicle and Corpus Luteum Blood Flow
Authors: Neglia G , Vecchio D , Russo M , Di Palo R , Pacelli C , Comin A , Gasparrini B , Campanile G 
Published: April 2011

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cloprostenol administration on the blood flow of pre‐ovulatory follicle (PF) and corpus luteum (CL), progesterone secretion and pregnancy outcome in buffaloes subjected to AI. The trial was performed on 75 Italian buffaloes at 182 ± 8 days in milk. Synchronized animals were randomly divided into two groups on the day of oestrus: Group T (n = 37) received a 0.524 mg intramuscular injection of cloprostenol and Group C (n = 38) received saline. Ultrasound examinations of the ovaries were performed 5 h after AI on the PF and 10 and 20 days after AI on the CL. Resistive (RI) and pulsatily index (PI) were calculated by colour‐Doppler mode in each examination. Blood samples were collected on days 10, 20 and 25 after AI for progesterone assay and 25 days after AI, ultrasonography was performed to assess pregnancy, which was confirmed on day 45. Subjects pregnant on day 25 but not on day 45 were considered to have undergone late embryonic mortality (LEM). Statistical analysis was performed by anova. No differences were found in PF dimensions, CL size and blood flow on day 10 and 20 after AI between treated and control groups. Pre‐ovulatory follicle area was higher in buffaloes that resulted pregnant on day 25 after AI compared to those that were non‐pregnant (2.13 vs 1.66 cm in pregnant and non‐pregnant buffaloes, respectively), while non‐pregnant buffaloes showed higher values of RI (0.49 vs 0.30; p < 0.05) and PI (1.0 vs 0.37; p = 0.07) compared to pregnant subjects. Treatment by cloprostenol did not influence pregnancy rate both on day 25 (31/75; 41.3%) and 45 (27/75; 36.0%), progesterone levels and incidence of LEM (4/31; 12.9%). In conclusion, cloprostenol administration at the time of AI does not seem to affect PF and CL blood flow.
Roles of human liver type fatty acid binding protein in kidney disease clarified using hL‐FABP chromosomal transgenic mice
Authors: KAMIJO‐IKEMORI ATSUKO , SUGAYA TAKESHI , MATSUI KATSUOMI , YOKOYAMA TAKESHI , KIMURA KENJIRO 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT:Kidney disease develops to renal failure over a period of days, months or years, hence, clinical markers that indicate the real‐time renal pathophysiological conditions is important. Liver type fatty acid binding protein (L‐FABP) is a 14 kDa molecule predominantly expressed in human proximal tubules. Clinical studies demonstrate that urinary excretion of L‐FABP derived from the proximal tubules is an excellent biomarker for predicting and monitoring deterioration of renal function or for early detection of kidney disease. However, in order to clarify the pathophysiological roles or dynamics of renal L‐FABP in diseased settings, in vivo experimental studies of kidney diseases are indispensable. Since L‐FABP is not endogenously expressed in murine kidneys, a transgenic (Tg) mouse model with expression of the human L‐FABP gene was established. This review article summarizes the findings on the pathophysiological roles and dynamics of renal human L‐FABP in the recent experimental studies performed using this Tg mouse model.
Mirtazapine in combination with perospirone synergistically enhances dopamine release in the rat prefrontal cortex via 5‐HT1A receptor activation
Authors: Morita Michiaki , Nakayama Kazuhiko 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying the clinical efficacy of mirtazapine–perospirone combination therapy for treatment‐resistant depression in a rat model.Methods:  We studied the effect of combination therapy of the noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant mirtazapine and the serotonin‐dopamine antagonist perospirone on serotonin (5‐HT) and dopamine release in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by using microdialysis. Male Wistar rats (250–330 g bodyweight) underwent implantation of a guide cannula in the mPFC, and a microdialysis probe was then inserted into the guide cannula to ensure its final placement in the mPFC. Microdialysis and subsequent chromatographic analysis were performed to estimate the extracellular 5‐HT and dopamine concentrations.Results:  When they were used individually, perospirone (0.25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and mirtazapine (4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) induced increased dopamine release up to 134% and 190% relative to the pretreatment level, respectively. Their combination therapy synergistically and significantly (P < 0.0001) increased the dopamine concentration up to 397% of the pretreatment level compared with that induced by the individual drugs. This combination‐induced dopamine release was attenuated by 5‐HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), to a peak dopamine release of 151%. Extracellular 5‐HT release in the mPFC was not altered in any of the treatment groups.Conclusions:  The large increase in the dopamine concentration in the rat mPFC after the combination therapy was unique and may be responsible for the profound antidepressive effect observed in patients with treatment‐resistant depression.
Parental bonding in patients with eating disorders and self‐injurious behavior
Authors: Fujimori Akihito , Wada Yoshihisa , Yamashita Tatsuhisa , Choi Hyungin , Nishizawa Susumu , Yamamoto Haruka , Fukui Kenji 
Published: April 2011

Aim:  The goal of the study was to investigate the correlations among parental bonding patterns, eating disorders (ED) and self‐injurious behavior (SIB).Methods:  The subjects were 80 patients with ED who were divided into two groups based on those that had (n = 25) and had not engaged in SIB at least once in the last month. The patients and 120 healthy control subjects were evaluated using the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Parental Bonding Instrument.Results:  On the Parental Bonding Instrument, the ED + SIB group showed significantly lower paternal care compared with the ED/no SIB and control groups. On the Eating Disorder Inventory, the ED + SIB group showed higher body dissatisfaction, and increased maturity fear compared with the other two groups. The total scores and perfectionism and interoceptive awareness differed significantly among the three groups.Conclusion:  ED + SIB patients had a more severe ED pathology than ED/no SIB patients, and also felt that they had received low paternal care during childhood. Therefore, paternal care may be linked to severe ED pathology.
Sibling risk of anxiety disorders based on hospitalizations in Sweden
Authors: Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  This study used nationwide hospital records to examine sibling risk of any type of anxiety disorder in Sweden over a 40‐year period.Methods:  This study, carried out between 1 January 1968 and 31 December 2007, of the entire population of Sweden, linked information on family relationships from the nationwide Multi‐Generation Register with information from the nationwide Swedish Hospital Discharge Register on first diagnosis of anxiety disorder. A total of 42 602 persons hospitalized for anxiety disorders and 2093 affected siblings were identified. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated by comparing risk in siblings of persons hospitalized for anxiety disorders with risk in persons whose siblings had no hospital diagnosis of anxiety disorders.Results:  The sibling risk was 2.26, which was independent of sex and age differences between siblings. The SIR was highest in siblings <20 years of age (2.83). Analysis of risk by subtype showed that having a sibling diagnosed with any anxiety disorder resulted in increased risks of a number of disorders; the highest increased risk was of social phobia (SIR 3.68, 95% confidence interval, 1.68–7.69). Risk of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, and obsessive–compulsive disorder was raised in female but not male siblings.Conclusions:  Heritable effects likely play an important role in the cause of anxiety disorders, but the extent of their role remains to be established. Important contributions could be made by studies of gene–environment interactions that have sufficient sample sizes to produce reliable results.