bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiology: A review of signal origins and applications to investigating glaucoma
Authors: Graham Stuart L , Klistorner Alexander 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBecause different electrophysiological responses can be isolated to different retinal and cortical cell types and levels, the proportion in which the different signals are reduced can reflect the primary areas of damage. The knowledge of electrophysiology component sources can thus be applied when examining ophthalmic disorders. The present review covers the proposed origins and the usefulness of the conventional electrophysiological responses. Their application to glaucoma is discussed, with particular reference to the pattern electroretinogram. In the second part of the current review, we present some recent developments that relate to the use of multifocal pseudorandomly stimulated recording. This technique enables a new approach to the electrical assessment of visual responses. Analysis for temporal non‐linearities and spatial distribution of the response throughout the visual field can be implemented. This type of recording has the potential to provide a method of objective visual field assessment in glaucoma and other disorders of the visual system.
Screening for diabetic retinopathy using a non‐mydriatic retinal camera in rural Victoria
Authors: Harper C Alex , Livingston Patricia M. , Wood Carolyn , Jin Cara , Lee Sue J. , Keeffe Jill E. , McCarty Cathy A. , Taylor Hugh R. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Purpose: To develop a screening programme for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy using non‐mydriatic retinal photography. Methods: A community based screening service was offered to all people with known diabetes mellitus in selected townships in the LaTrobe and Goulburn Valleys in Victoria. At the local examination centre, basic sociodemographic information was collected as well as details of previous use of eye care services for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. The examination included visual acuity (VA), glycosylated haemoglobin level and Polaroid photographs of each fundus using a Canon CR5‐45NM non‐mydriatic retinal camera (Canon, Tochigiken, Japan). Dilating drops were not used. Photographs were subsequently reviewed and letters were sent to all participants (with copies to their general practitioners) with recommendations for appropriate follow up. Results: A total of I 177 people with diabetes attended the screening service, which is estimated to be 40% of the total population with known diabetes in the study area. The mean age was 65 years (range 20–94 years); 559 (48%) people reported not having a dilated fundus examination within the past 2 years; 345 (29%) people had never had a dilated fundus examination. Of the 2354 eyes, 2126 (90%) of the photographs were gradable. A total of 704 people (60%) had normal VA and no evidence of diabetic retinopathy, 209 people (18%) had diabetic retinopathy, 101 people (9%) had evidence of other fundus pathology, 42 people (3%) had reduced acuity (< 6/18) in one or both eyes (with no fundus pathology evident) and 121 people (10%) had ungradable photographs in one or both eyes. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the usefulness of a screening programme with non‐mydriatic retinal photography as an adjunct to current eye care services for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy.
Horner's syndrome resulting from a prolonged abnormal posture during a coma
Authors: Thompson CG 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Background: Horner's syndrome results from the impairment of the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye and orbit. Other nerve palsies from prolonged unchanged posture are well described, but Horner's syndrome following prolonged lateral flexion has only twice been seen previously and these cases were in association with anaesthesia. Methods/Results: A case is described of Horner's syndrome resulting from a prolonged period of unchanged posture from an alcohol‐induced coma. A review of the anatomy of Horner's syndrome is presented. Conclusion: To my knowledge, this is the first reported case of Horner's syndrome resulting from a coma.
Workers, Workplaces and Working Hours
Authors: Bryan Mark L 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis article uses the British Workplace Employee Relations Survey 1998 dataset to evaluate the importance of firm‐level factors in determining weekly hours of work in Britain, to analyse the amount of variation of hours within firms, and to assess whether workers are sorted into firms on the basis of hours. Nearly a third of the explained variation in weekly hours of work can be ascribed to firm‐level differences, which are unrelated to any observed worker characteristics. Firm‐level ‘policies’ are especially important in the private‐services sector. A further 40 per cent of variance can be attributed to the effect within firms of different occupation, skills and family characteristics. Finally, about a quarter of the explained variation in working hours is due to a sorting process of workers to firms, especially on the basis of skill and occupation.
Side by Side We Battle Onward? Representing Workers in Contemporary America
Authors: Givan Rebecca Kolins 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAs collective bargaining in the United States declines, diverse forms of worker representation are proliferating. Strategic dilemmas of representation are central to the diverse organizations and coalitions representing disparate aspects of workers' interests. Unions continue to bargain collectively, while forming alliances with other groups and providing an array of services to members. Other organizations and loose associations represent specific aspects of workers' interests and advocate on their behalf while stopping short of collective bargaining. This article compares the scope, objectives and methods of worker representation by unions and non‐bargaining actors. It argues that the key dilemmas of which workers to represent, over what issues and through which organizational forms, apply both to unions and to non‐bargaining actors, such as community organizations, and advocacy groups, which represent select interests of particular workers. These non‐bargaining actors are key strategic allies for unions. While these organizations do not take on collective bargaining, they are sometimes better positioned to represent other key needs and interests of workers. The legal‐political and mutual insurance needs of workers are sometimes well met by these emergent groups. However, these organizations do not, and cannot, provide the advantages of traditional collective bargaining.
The delivery of a survivors’ group for learning disabled women with significant learning disabilities who have been sexually abused
Authors: Peckham Nicholas Guy , Corbett Alan , Howlett Susan , McKee Alan , Pattison Sue 
Published: November 2007

Accessible summary

People with learning disabilities are more likely to experience sexual things happening to them when they do not want them to. This is called sexual abuse.
A group was started to help women who have been sexually abused. The group met once a week and lasted for 20 weeks.
Women who were interested in attending this group were given information about it and asked on three separate occasions if they wanted to attend.
Seven women with learning disabilities took part in the group and their carers helped them travel to the group and then went into a separate carers group upstairs. After the groups had finished the carers helped the women get home again.
Some of the women found it very difficult to talk about the sexual abuse that had happened to them. At first they felt very upset and two women hurt themselves. Everybody felt angry about what had happened and it was good to hear they were not alone.
After several months the group helped the women feel less scared and depressed and helped the women's carers understand them better.
This research matters because it helped the women move on with their lives and will help others who want to start a survivors’ of sexual abuse group.
Children's moral judgments of commission and omission based on their understanding of second‐order mental states1
Authors: HAYASHI HAJIMU 
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  Children's moral judgments about acts of commission and omission with negative outcomes were studied based on their understanding of mental states. Children (N = 142) in the first, third, and fifth grades made judgments about four tasks composed of two levels of mental states (first‐order or second‐order) and two types of acts (commission or omission). The results showed that the 7‐year‐olds responded considering only first‐order mental states, but the 9‐ and 11‐year‐olds also used second‐order mental states in their judgments. Whether the acts were commission or omission did not make a difference. These results indicate that children can make moral judgments regarding acts of commission and omission based on an understanding of second‐order mental states by approximately the age of 9 years.
Antibody‐based approaches in Alzheimer’s research: safety, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and analytical tools
Authors: Lichtlen Peter , Mohajeri M. Hasan 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHigh morbidity, enormous socioeconomic costs, and lack of specific treatments emphasize the importance of research on protective therapies against Alzheimer’s disease. The efficacy of anti‐amyloid immunization strategies has been demonstrated preclinically, prompting the design of clinical studies. However, the detailed mechanisms of action of therapeutic antibodies, especially their influence on the complex amyloid β peptide (Aβ) metabolism and various Aβ‐equilibria present both within and outside the CNS, are far from being clear. Furthermore, physiological Aβ metabolism is poorly understood and the analytical tools to characterize and quantify treatment effects on Aβ metabolism are suboptimal. Thus, the design of immunization strategies with optimized benefit‐to‐risk ratios for patients is subjected to significant obstacles. Indeed, an active immunization trial with Aβ was discontinued because of severe adverse effects. Anti‐Aβ immunization protocols designed to attain high blood levels of antibodies bear the potential to induce brain inflammation and/or hemorrhage, thus directing the biomedical research towards development of more predictable therapies for minimizing the risk of adverse effects. The focus of this review is to summarize current knowledge of Aβ metabolism under physiological and antibody‐based therapeutic conditions and to introduce a promising approach, namely the passive immunization using antibody fragments, which are characterized by entirely different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties compared with conventional monoclonal antibodies.
Technical Note: Effect of contact lenses on measurement of the accommodation microfluctuations
Authors: Day Mhairi , Strang Niall C. , Seidel Dirk , Gray Lyle S. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAim:  Dynamic measurement of accommodation in subjects with myopia usually involves recording through soft contact lenses (CLs) to correct the refractive error. Conversely, dynamic accommodation measurement in emmetropic control subjects is generally undertaken without any corrective lenses. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether CL correction affects the measurement of accommodation microfluctuations using infrared refractometry, and whether this needs to be considered in studies which attempt to compare accommodation responses between the two groups.Methods:  Ten young emmetropic subjects viewed a high contrast Maltese cross target monocularly using the right eye at a target vergence of 0 D. The subjects viewed the target under two conditions: with CL condition and without CL condition, where the subjects viewed the target with the eye only. Accommodation responses of the right eye were recorded continuously for 2 min at a sampling rate of 52 Hz using the Shin‐Nippon SRW‐5000 autorefractor.Results:  No significant difference (two‐tailed paired t‐test, t9 = −1.499, p = 0.168) was found in mean accommodation response between the with CL (mean ± S.D. = −0.02 ± 0.24 D) and without CL conditions (mean ± S.D. = +0.01 ± 0.25 D). No significant (two‐tailed paired t‐test, t9 = 0.151, p = 0.883) difference in the magnitude of the accommodation microfluctuations was found between the with CL (mean ± S.D. = 0.162 ± 0.04 D) and without CL condition (mean ± S.D. = 0.169 ± 0.04 D). Power spectrum analysis revealed no differences in the characteristics of the microfluctuations waveform between the two conditions. A control experiment carried out on a subgroup of five subjects using a negative (−3 D) CL demonstrated that there was no significant effect of the dioptric power of the CL on the magnitude of the accommodation microfluctuations (anova: F3,15 = 0.254, p = 0.782).Conclusion:  Thin soft CLs do not affect the magnitude or frequency characteristics of accommodation microfluctuations when measured using the Shin‐Nippon SRW‐5000.
Does delayed child‐bearing increase the risk of levator injury in labour?
Authors: DIETZ Hans P. , SIMPSON Judy M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground:  Levator trauma is common in parous women. We have recently found a relationship with age at first vaginal delivery in women seen before and after childbirth.Aims:  To examine women presenting with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders for such an association.Methods:  Eight hundred and one women were prospectively seen for an interview, clinical examination (including for levator integrity and function in 789 cases), multichannel urodynamic testing and pelvic floor ultrasound (including 3D imaging in 350 cases). Findings were tested for association with maternal age at first vaginal delivery, parity and operative vaginal delivery using logistic regression.Results:  Mean age was 55.3 years (range 17–90), with 79% complaining of stress urinary incontinence and 28% of symptoms of prolapse. Median vaginal parity was 2 (range 0–12); mean age at first vaginal delivery was 24 (range 14–39). Levator defects were found in 170 women (21.6%), 24% of the vaginally parous. Defects were more common on the right (86%) than left (45%) (P < 0.0001). Women with levator trauma had a higher mean age (25.5 (SD 5.2) vs 23.5 (SD 4.5) years, P < 0.0001). Regression modelling confirmed findings, demonstrating an increase in the odds of levator trauma of approximately 10% for every year of delay in child‐bearing. Vaginal operative delivery was associated with a near‐doubling of the odds of trauma.Conclusions:  Increased maternal age is a risk factor for intrapartum pelvic floor trauma. The global trend towards delayed child‐bearing may result in an increased prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in coming decades.
The protective effect of α‐lipoic acid in experimental ovarian ischaemia‐reperfusion injury
Authors: COSAR Emine , SAHIN Figen Kır , KÖKEN Gülengül , TOY Hatice , BASARALI Kemal , BÜYÜKBAS Sadik 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground:  We investigated the effect of α‐lipoic acid (LA) on reperfusion injury in a rat ovarian torsion–detorsion model. The changes in tissue and plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), end‐product of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO) and nitric oxide (NO), were determined. Ovarian histopathological findings were scored and compared among groups.Materials and methods:  Thirty‐two female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Sham operation was performed in group I; in group II only ovarian torsion was performed. Group III received intraperitoneal injections of saline, and group IV received LA via intraperitoneal injections (LA group: aqueous solution at 36 mg/kg of body weight per day, saline group: equal volume of saline) 21, nine, and one hour before torsion of the ovary. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 360° clockwise adnexial torsion for three hours, and ovaries were harvested. After three hours of adnexial detorsion, the rats in saline group and LA group were killed and adnexa were surgically removed.Results:  Ovarian tissue damage scores were significantly different among groups and were seen to correlate with tissue MDA levels. Ovarian tissue and serum MDA, NO and serum XO levels in the group III were significantly higher than those of the groups I and IV (P < 0.05). The serum levels of SOD in the group III were significantly lower than those of the groups I and IV (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  These results suggest that LA pretreatment has beneficial effects in the prevention of ischaemia‐reperfusion injury of the ovaries.
Epidemiology of Premalignant Gastric Lesions: Implications for the Development of Screening and Surveillance Strategies
Authors: De Vries Annemarie C. , Kuipers Ernst J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractGastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide; however, gastric cancer incidence varies greatly between different geographic areas. As gastric cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, the disease causes considerable morbidity and mortality. To detect gastric carcinomas at an early and curable stage, screening and surveillance seem necessary. Premalignant gastric lesions are well known risk factors for the development of intestinal type gastric adenocarcinomas. In a multistep cascade, chronic Helicobacter pylori‐induced gastritis progresses through premalignant stages of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, to eventually gastric cancer. Therefore, this cascade may provide a basis for early detection and treatment of gastric cancer. Epidemiology of gastric cancer and premalignant gastric lesions should guide the development of screening and surveillance strategies, as distinct approaches are required in countries with low and high gastric cancer incidences.
After Helicobacter pylori, Genetic Susceptibility to Gastric Carcinoma Revisited
Authors: Canedo Paulo , Figueiredo Ceu , Machado Jose Carlos 
Published: November 2007

AbstractGenetically, it is possible to distinguish two main forms of gastric carcinoma (GC): a hereditary form in which the initiating genetic alteration is inherited and the remaining mutations are acquired somatically; and a sporadic form in which every mutation is of somatic origin and where the environment is thought to play a major role.Although rare, the identification of germline mutations is proving invaluable in the clinical management of GC families. In the setting of sporadic‐type GC it has been shown that individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori have an increased risk of developing GC. Recently, abundant evidence has been collected showing that the risk for sporadic GC development also depends on host genetic factors. Despite providing important insights into the understanding of the disease pathogenesis, the genetic markers we have at present are not sensitive/specific enough to form the basis of a screening strategy.
Contemplating the Future without Helicobacter pylori and the Dire Consequences Hypothesis
Authors: Graham David Y. , Yamaoka Yoshio , Malaty Hoda M. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a serious chronic transmissible pathogen that causes gastric structural and functional damage and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. H. pylori is one of the digestive tract pathogens that has traveled with mankind since before humans moved out of Africa. Some have suggested that the long association of H. pylori with humans means there must be a benefit and suggest dire consequences will follow its eradication. Fortunately, there are now sufficient experiences with the outcome of treatment and with populations where the infection disappeared long ago to support the conclusion that H. pylori is a serious chronic transmissible pathogen that no one needs, deserves, or desires. The dire consequence hypotheses have proven to be erroneous attempts to blame some of the problems facing the modern world on a pathogen that was and is responsible for much suffering, morbidity, and mortality. It is time to join together to eradicate it and to let H. pylori join smallpox and polio on the hit list of undesirables.
Reduction of ethanol‐induced injury in portal hypertensive gastric mucosa of rats by induction of heat shock protein 72 by geranylgeranylacetone
Authors: Kai Seiichiro , Ohta Masayuki , Tominaga Masayuki , Matsumoto Toshifumi , Bandoh Toshio , Kitano Seigo 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTPortal hypertensive (PHT) gastropathy has an increased susceptibility to damage due to noxious factors. Heat shock protein (HSP) 72 has a protective effect against gastric mucosal injury and geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is an inducer of HSP 72. However, it remains unclear how HSP 72 influences the PHT gastric mucosa. The aim of the present study was to investigate HSP 72 induction by GGA and the protective effect to gastric mucosa in PHT rats. PHT rats were produced by staged portal vein occlusion, and GGA 200 mg/kg was orally administered. Expression of HSP 72 protein in the gastric mucosa was evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and gastric mucosal damage against 70% ethanol (10 mL/kg) following GGA or vehicle treatment was also estimated. Expression of mucosal HSP 72 after vehicle administration was significantly higher in the PHT rats compared with the sham‐operated rats. After GGA treatment, portal pressure did not change but HSP 72 was significantly increased in the gastric mucosa of both groups. Ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal damage was significantly decreased due to GGA treatment in the PHT rats, but not in the sham‐operated rats. These findings suggest that HSP 72 expression is enhanced in PHT gastric mucosa and plays an important role in gastric mucosal protection. The induction of HSP 72 by GGA may therefore effectively prevent mucosal injury in the PHT stomach.
Human bone marrow‐derived cells: An attractive source to populate dermal substitutes
Authors: Fioretti Florence , Lebreton‐DeCoster Corinne , Gueniche Farida , Yousfi Myriam , Humbert Philippe , Godeau Gaston , Senni Karim , Desmoulière Alexis , Coulomb Bernard 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTWe have previously shown the importance of dermal fibroblasts within skin substitutes for promoting the emergence of a functional neodermis after grafting in humans. However, the use of fibroblasts from sources other than the dermis needs to be evaluated for patients with extensive skin loss. Here we examined the capacity of human bone marrow‐derived cells (BMDCs), selected for their ability to adhere to plastic culture dishes, to behave like human dermal fibroblasts when incorporated within a 3D in vitro reconstructed tissue that promotes dermal fibroblast differentiation. Like dermal fibroblasts, BMDCs contracted a collagen matrix and were growth regulated by the matrix environment. They had the same shape and their nuclei had the same form factor as dermal fibroblasts. In addition, both cell types expressed desmin and vimentin but not α‐smooth muscle actin. BMDCs deposited collagen types I and III, and fibrillin‐1 with similar efficiency to dermal fibroblasts. In addition, BMDCs have the potential to regulate this deposition, as they produced metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9) and metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMP1) very similarly to dermal fibroblasts. BMDCs can thus be induced to express functions resembling those of dermal fibroblasts, including those involved in the wound healing process.