bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of patients with cognitive impairment after stroke: A survey of Australian occupational therapists
Authors: Koh Chia‐Lin , Hoffmann Tammy , Bennett Sally , McKenna Kryss 
Published: January 2009

Background/aim: Cognitive impairment is a common and often debilitating consequence of stroke. The current practice patterns of Australian occupational therapists who work in this area are not clearly known. The aim of this study was to investigate the theoretical approaches, assessments, interventions and research evidence used by Australian occupational therapists who work with patients who have cognitive impairment poststroke. Methods: A self‐administered, purpose‐designed online survey was used. Results: Survey responses were received from 102 occupational therapists. The client‐centred approach was the most commonly used theoretical approach, with 81.3% and 72% using it often or all of the time with inpatients and outpatients, respectively. Assessments that were most frequently used were the Mini Mental State Examination (63.7% of participants), the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (45.1%), the Functional Independence Measure (57.8%, and the Assessment of Living Skills and Resources (10.0%). Interventions involving functional activities were used more frequently than compensatory techniques, such as diaries, alarms, or other electronic devices, and paper and pencil remedial exercises. Few (16%) participants used computer programs specifically designed for cognitive rehabilitation. Although 60.8% of the participants reported using research literature when making decisions about interventions, a higher percentage reported relying on their past experience (88.3%) and colleagues’ opinions (77.4%). Conclusion: This study provides an insight into the current practices of Australian occupational therapists who work with people who have cognitive impairment after stroke. Client‐centredness is emphasised in current practice; however, the use of research evidence to inform practice appears to be limited.
Role of rosiglitazone in lipopolysaccharide‐induced peritonitis: A rat peritoneal dialysis model
Authors: SONG SANG HEON , KWAK IHM SOO , YANG BYEONG YUN , LEE DONG WON , LEE SOO BONG , LEE MIN YOUNG 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYAim:  The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ agonist, rosiglitazone, in the amelioration or prevention of inflammation including peritoneal fibrosis secondary to the peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) model of non‐uraemic rats.Methods:  Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to six groups according to treatment. A 90 min peritoneal equilibrium test, dialysate cellular components, peritoneal thickness and cellularity were assessed on day 21. Additionally, immunohistochemical stains of peritoneal membrane, such as PPAR‐γ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, collagen‐1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 were performedResults:  The dialysate neutrophil count and peritoneal thickness in the high‐dose rosiglitazone group was significantly decreased compared to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐only group. The peritoneal membrane from the LPS‐only group showed marked cellular proliferation in the area of the submesothelial compact zone compared with the PD‐only group, the rosiglitazone‐only group, and the high‐dose rosiglitazone group. The 90 min peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) results showed no statistical difference among the six groups excluding dialysate‐to‐plasma urea ratio. The number of PPAR‐γ expressing cells and the expression of TGF‐β1 were decreased in the high‐dose rosiglitazone group compared to the LPS‐only group. There were no differences in the expression of VEGF and collagen‐1 among the six groups. Interestingly, the number of PPAR‐γ‐positive cells was correlated with expression of VEGF, TGF‐β1, collagen‐1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 irrespective of the study group.Conclusion:  The results of this study showed that rosiglitazone ameliorated peritoneal inflammation induced by LPS and reduced the TGF‐β1 expression in the peritoneal membranes.
MHC fine mapping of human type 1 diabetes using the T1DGC data
Authors: He C. , Hamon S. , Li D. , Barral‐Rodriguez S. , Ott J. ,   Diabetes Genetics Consortium
Published: January 2009

Aim:  The human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic genomic region occupying approximately 4 Mb on chromosome 6p21.3. The relationship between human MHC and type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been previously investigated. To fine map the disease locus in this region, we carried out both linkage and association analyses using the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium data.Methods:  Two‐point linkage analysis was performed with a set of microsatellite markers assuming a fully recessive inheritance model, where we found clustering of high LOD (logarithm of the odds) scores across the MHC region. To narrow down the linkage region, we performed association analyses using both microsatellite and two sets of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. We focused on the nuclear families containing a discordant sib‐pair (an affected and unaffected sib). For the microsatellite markers, we computed the average repeat length for each individual and carried out a paired t‐test.Results:  Microsatellite marker D6S2884 showed the highest association in a sharp peak with a p value of 3.15E−24. We confirmed this finding when using also SNP markers performing a McNemar’s test for association. The SNPs that showed the most significant evidence of association mapped to almost the same location as the microsatellite markers.Conclusions:  Besides the main goal of fine mapping of T1D genes, our results also illustrated the differences and the advantage of using both linkage and association analyses. After the identification of a wide peak with linkage analysis, we were able to dramatically narrow down the region by performing association analysis.
Analysis of maternal–offspring HLA compatibility, parent‐of‐origin and non‐inherited maternal effects for the classical HLA loci in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bronson P. G. , Ramsay P. P. , Thomson G. , Barcellos L. F. ,   Diabetes Genetics Consortium
Published: January 2009

Aim:  Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex trait for which variation in the classical human leucocyte antigen (HLA) loci within the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) significantly influences disease risk. To date, HLA class II DR‐DQ genes confer the strongest known genetic effect in T1D. HLA loci may also influence T1D through additional inherited or non‐inherited effects. Evidence for the role of increased maternal–offspring HLA compatibility, and both parent‐of‐origin (POO) and non‐inherited maternal HLA (NIMA) effects in autoimmune disease has been previously established. The current study tested hypotheses that classical HLA loci influence T1D through these mechanisms, in addition to genetic transmission of particular risk alleles.Methods:  The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) cohort was of European descent and consisted of 2271 affected sib‐pair families (total n = 11 023 individuals). Class I genes HLA‐A, Cw and B, and class II genes HLA‐DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1 were studied. The pedigree disequilibrium test was used to examine transmission of HLA alleles to individuals with T1D. Conditional logistic regression was used to model compatibility relationships between mother–offspring and father–offspring for all HLA loci. POO and NIMA effects were investigated by comparing frequencies of maternal and paternal transmitted and non‐transmitted HLA alleles for each locus. Analyses were also stratified by gender of T1D‐affected offspring.Results:  Strong associations were observed for all classical HLA loci except for DPA1, as expected. Compatibility differences between mother–offspring and father–offspring were not observed for any HLA loci. Furthermore, POO and NIMA HLA effects influencing T1D were not present.Conclusions:  Maternal–offspring HLA compatibility, POO and NIMA effects for eight classical HLA loci were investigated. Results suggest that these HLA‐related effects are unlikely to play a major role in the development of T1D.
Sexual function of patients under surveillance for bladder cancer
Authors: Van Der Aa Madelon N.M. , Bekker Milou D. , Van Der Kwast Theo H. , Essink‐Bot Marie‐Louise , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Zwarthoff Ellen C. , Sen Fatma E.F. , Elzevier Henk W. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and evaluate risk factors in patients just diagnosed with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMI UC), who have the prospect of an intensive surveillance scheme by cysto‐urethroscopy to detect tumour recurrences.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe conducted a cross‐sectional survey on 150 patients just diagnosed with primary or recurrent NMI UC. Patients were participating in a randomized clinical multicentre trial (CEFuB), comparing two surveillance schemes. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires at study entry 3 months before the start of the study‐surveillance scheme (demographic characteristics, a validated visual analogue scale, and validated subset of questions on sexual function and performance derived from QLQ‐BLS‐24). The results were compared with those from an age‐and gender‐matched healthy population.RESULTSThe response rate was 95% (142/150); 61% (87/142) of the respondents were sexually active in the previous 4 weeks after diagnosis, 66% (70/105) of men and 46% (17/37) of women. Although libido was not negatively affected, 54% (47/87) of the patients had a sexual dysfunction, and 23% (17/73) were afraid to inflict harm on their partner by sexual contact. Sexually active patients perceived a higher state of general health (P = 0.03).CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with NMI UC is very high (54%) compared with an age‐ and gender‐matched healthy population (20–45%). No predictors for sexual dysfunction were found. These patients and partners would benefit from proper sexual information in the outpatient clinic.
Physical Interventions for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Survey of Use, Policy, Training and Monitoring
Authors: Deveau Roy , McGill Peter 
Published: January 2009

Background  Perceived problems around the use of physical intervention (PI) to manage challenging behaviour have led to UK initiatives to encourage policy development and accredited training. However, information on PI use and the impact of these initiatives remains limited.Method  Adult residential services within an English region were sent a questionnaire regarding PI use, policy, staff training and monitoring/management.Results  Physical intervention use was reported by 47% of the services. Of services using PI, 65% reported having a policy governing its use and 79% reported providing staff training. Where restrictive PI was used, comparable figures were 82% for policy and 84% for training. PI use was reported to be monitored in some way by 94% of services. Opinions offered supported the reduction of PI use.Conclusions  Physical intervention use is widespread. National guidance on policy and training is widely followed though unimplemented by a minority. The time may be right to more explicitly aim for a reduction in PI use within services.
Clinical Psychopathology, Untoward Incidents and the Use of Restrictive Procedures in Adults with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Chaplin Eddie , Tsakanikos Elias , Wright Steve , Bouras Nick 
Published: January 2009

Background Previous evidence has suggested that clinical characteristics may predict use of restraint in adults with intellectual disability. However, the relationship between specific types of untoward incidents, corresponding interventions (restrictive procedures) and clinical psychopathology remains unclear.Method We examined all untoward incidents (n = 397) that were recorded for a group of service users (n = 65) referred to a specialist unit for adults with intellectual disability over a 6‐year period. Associations between different restrictive procedures and clinical psychopathology were investigated.Results Physical assault was the most common incident associated with physical restraint, male gender and presence of autism. De‐escalation was the most frequently employed intervention associated with less serious incidents such as verbal abuse and theft.Conclusions Specific interventions seem to be associated with different types of incidents and presence of autism. The results are discussed in terms of clinical practice and possible future directions.
Properties of casein micelles cross‐linked by transglutaminase
Authors: MOON JEONG‐HAN , HONG YOUN‐HO , HUPPERTZ THOM , FOX PATRICK F , KELLY ALAN L 
Published: January 2009

Factors affecting the cross‐linking of milk proteins by transglutaminase (TGase) were studied. Cross‐linking of caseins in bovine skim milk was optimal over a very wide pH range. The role of micellar calcium phosphate (MCP) in maintaining the integrity of TGase‐treated casein micelles was studied by incubating skim milk with 0.01% (w/v) TGase at 30°C for 1–24 h, followed by removal of MCP from untreated or TGase‐treated milk by acidification and dialysis. The protein content and profile of the samples were determined by Kjeldahl and SDS‐PAGE, respectively. Whey proteins in unheated milk were not susceptible to TGase‐induced cross‐linking. The higher level of sedimentable protein in MCP‐free TGase‐treated milk than in MCP‐free control milk indicated that TGase treatment partially prevented disintegration of the micelle on removal of MCP, probably due to extensive intramicellar TGase‐induced cross‐linking of casein molecules which led to the formation of sedimentable covalently bonded casein aggregates.
Apparent solidification time test for detection of foreign oils and fats adulterated in clarified milk fat, as affected by season and storage
Authors: KUMAR ARUN , GHAI DARSHAN LAL , SETH RAMAN , SHARMA VIVEK 
Published: January 2009

An apparent solidification time (AST) test was developed for the detection of foreign fats and oils in milk fat. AST values at 18°C for buffalo and cow milk fats ranged from 2 min 30 s to 2 min 48 s and 2 min 56 s to 3 min 26 s, while for pig body fat, goat body fat and hydrogenated vegetable oils, AST values were 1 min 30 s, 0 min 40 s and 1 min 50 s, respectively. Vegetable oils yielded no AST values, suggesting that adulteration can be detected using the AST method in the case of some but not all possible adulterants.
Specific inhibition of hypoxia inducible factor 1 exaggerates cell injury induced by in vitro ischemia through deteriorating cellular redox environment
Authors: Guo Shuhong , Miyake Minoru , Liu Ke Jian , Shi Honglian 
Published: January 2009

AbstractHypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) has been suggested to play a critical role in the fate of cells exposed to hypoxic stress. However, the mechanism of HIF‐1‐regulated cell survival is still not fully understood in ischemic conditions. Redox status is critical for decisions of cell survival, death and differentiation. We investigated the effects of inhibiting HIF‐1 on cellular redox status in SH‐SY5Y cells exposed to hypoxia or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), coupled with cell death analyses. Our results demonstrated that inhibiting HIF‐1α expression by HIF‐1α specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection increased reactive oxygen species generation, and transformed the cells to more oxidizing environments (low GSH/GSSG ratio, low NADPH level) under either hypoxic or OGD exposure. Cell death increased dramatically in the siRNA transfected cells, compared to non‐transfected cells after hypoxic/OGD exposures. In contrast, increasing HIF‐1α expression by desferrioxamine, a metal chelator and hydroxylase inhibitor, induced a more reducing environment (high GSH/GSSG ratio, high NADPH level) and reduced cell death. Further studies showed that HIF‐1 regulated not only glucose transporter‐1 expression, but also the key enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway such as glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. These enzymes are important in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis by generating NADPH, the primary reducing agent in cells. Moreover, catalase significantly decreased cell death in the siRNA‐transfected cells induced by hypoxia and OGD. These results suggest that maintenance of cellular redox status by HIF‐1 protects cells from hypoxia and ischemia mediated injuries.
Protective effects of antidepressants against chronic fatigue syndrome – induced behavioral changes and biochemical alterations
Authors: Kumar Anil , Garg Ruchika 
Published: January 2009

AbstractChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue, which substantially interferes with daily activities. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of antidepressants in an animal model of CFS in mice. Male albino mice were forced to swim individually for a period of 6‐min session each for 7 days. Imipramine (10 and 20 mg/kg), desipramine (10 and 20 mg/kg) and citalopram (5 and 10 mg/kg) were administered 30 min before forced swimming test on each day. Various behavior tests (immobility time, locomotor activity, anxiety‐like behavior by plus maze and mirror chamber) followed by biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase and nitrite level) were assessed in chronic stressed mice. Chronic forced swimming for 7 days significantly caused increase in immobility period, impairment in locomotor activity, anxiety‐like behavior, and oxidative stress (raised lipid peroxidation, nitrite activity and reduced glutathione and catalase activity) as compared with naïve mice (P < 0.05). Seven days of pretreatment with imipramine (10 and 20 mg/kg), desipramine (10 and 20 mg/kg), and citalopram (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility time, improved locomotor activity and anti‐anxiety effect (in both plus maze and mirror chamber test), and attenuated oxidative stress in chronic stressed mice as compared with control (chronic fatigues) (P < 0.05). These results suggested that these drugs have protective effect and could be used in the management of chronic fatigue like conditions.
Thyroid transcription factor‐1 immunohistochemistry: diagnostic tool and malignancy marker in canine malignant lung tumours
Authors: Bettini G. , Marconato L. , Morini M. , Ferrari F. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractDistinguishing primary lung carcinomas (PLCs) from metastases is a challenging task. The diagnostic and prognostic relevance of thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1), a nuclear protein expressed in follicular cells of the thyroid gland and pneumocytes, was tested in 34 primary and 27 nonprimary canine lung tumours. Normal pneumocytes stained negatively in 14 PLCs because of overfixation or prolonged storage of paraffin blocks and were excluded from the study. Among the 20 immunoreactive PLCs, 17 showed strong nuclear positivity. The three tumours that scored negative were two squamous cell and one papillary carcinoma. Metastatic tumours were always negative. TTF‐1 was 100% specific and 85% sensitive for PLCs. There was no significant relationship among the percentage of labelled tumour cells (TTF‐1 index) and the considered clinicopathological parameters (age, gender, histological type, tumour grade, TNM stage, node status and MIB‐1 index). TTF‐1 immunohistochemistry may give useful additional information regarding the origin of canine lung tumours, whereas its prognostic use still needs to be determined.
Mechlorethamine, procarbazine and prednisone for the treatment of resistant lymphoma in dogs
Authors: Northrup N. C. , Gieger T. L. , Kosarek C. E. , Saba C. F. , LeRoy B. E. , Wall T. M. , Hume K. R. , Childress M. O. , Keys D. A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractForty‐one dogs with resistant lymphoma were treated with a modified MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone) protocol (MPP [mechlorethamine, procarbazine and prednisone] administered on a 21‐day cycle, shortened from the 28‐day MOPP cycle). The overall response rate to MPP was 34% for a median of 56 days (95% confidence interval 30–238). Seventeen percent of dogs had a complete response for a median duration of 238 days, 17% had a partial response for a median of 56 days and 32% had stable disease for a median of 24 days. Histological grade or cell morphology on cytology was associated with response. Minimal toxicity was observed with the MPP protocol, suggesting that further dose intensification or addition of another chemotherapeutic agent would be possible.
Automated QT Measurement and Application to Detection of Moxifloxacin‐Induced Changes
Authors: Mortara David W. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Concern for drug‐induced QT prolongation has caused significant investment in QT measurement to safety‐test new compounds. Manual methods are expensive and time‐consuming. Reliable automatic methods would be highly desirable. Methods: Twelve‐lead Holter recordings were annotated beat‐to‐beat by an automatic algorithm for global QRS onset and T offset. T offset was established from the time of peak T downslope plus a rate‐dependent offset, analogous to the “tangent method,” wherein T offset is determined by extrapolating the T downslope to an intersection with the baseline. Results and Conclusions: Variances of the beat‐to‐beat QT measurements were in the range 2.5–3.4 ms over three distinct databases, including a large heart failure database. Application to a moxifloxacin/placebo control database of 29 subjects showed excellent results.
A novel protein fraction from Sesbania grandiflora shows potential anticancer and chemopreventive efficacy, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Laladhas Krishna P. , Cheriyan Vino T. , Puliappadamba Vineshkumar T. , Bava Smitha V. , Unnithan Rajesh G. , Vijayammal Parvathy L. , Anto Ruby John 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe report mechanism‐based evidence for the anticancer efficacy of a protein fraction, SF2 (Sesbania fraction 2) isolated from the flower of the medicinal plant, Sesbania grandiflora (S. grandiflora). The fraction was evaluated in two murine ascites tumour cell lines and human cancer cell lines of different origin for its anticancer effect. SF2 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation and externalization of phosphatidyl serine in Daltons lymphoma ascites (DLA) and colon cancer cells (SW‐480). Sensitivity to SF2 in these cells was associated with activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9, poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage and cytochrome C release which attests apoptosis induced cell death. Mechanistically, SF2 down‐regulated phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced NF‐κB, a transcription factor which controls the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in cell regulation and growth control. Additionally, SF2 also down‐regulated anti‐apoptotic factors such as Bcl‐2, p‐Akt and cyclooxygenase‐2 induced by the tumour promoter PMA suggestive of a possible explanation for its anticancer effect. In vivo studies using ascites and solid tumour models strongly support in vitro findings as SF2 administration increased the life span and decreased the tumour volume in mice bearing tumour. In vivo toxicological evaluation revealed the pharmacological safety of SF2 and may serve as a potential anticancer drug candidate.