bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
After discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors, tapering of mycophenolate mofetil further impairs donor‐directed cytotoxicity
Authors: Van Besouw Nicole M , Van De Wetering Jacqueline , Van Der Mast Barbara J , De Kuiper Ronella , Baan Carla C , Weimar Willem 
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Recently, we described a significant decrease in donor‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte precursor frequency (CTLpf) after discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), while the proliferative capacity in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), and the number of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) producing cells (pc) in Elispot remained unchanged.Methods:  We tested T‐cell reactivity in CNI free patients with stable renal graft function, on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (AZA) plus prednisone, who were tapered to 50% of their MMF or AZA dose.Results:  Furthermore, tapering of the MMF or AZA dose resulted in a decrease of donor‐reactive CTLpf in all patients with detectable CTLpf. Detectable numbers decreased from a median of 32 to 8 CTLp/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). No effect on third‐party reactive CTLpf was found, while the T‐cell reactivity to donor and third‐party cells as tested in MLC and in IFN‐γ Elispot was not affected either by tapering of immunosuppression. Third‐party reactivity was significantly higher than donor‐specific reactivity in all tests. A control group showed no changes in any of the in vitro assays.Conclusion:  Both withdrawal of CNI and tapering of MMF or AZA dose decreases the donor‐specific CTLpf. Our data suggest that reduction of immunosuppression results in a specific decrease of donor‐directed cytotoxic capacity of immunocompetent cells, while their proliferation and cytokine production capacity remained unchanged. Immunosuppression hinders development of cytotoxic non‐responsiveness.
Activities of Antioxidative Enzymes, Sulphur Assimilation, Photosynthetic Activity and Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Cultivars Differing in Yield Potential Under Cadmium Stress
Authors: Khan N. A. , Samiullah  , Singh S. , Nazar R. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe increasing concentration of cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soil has resulted in crop productivity loss. The activation of the antioxidative enzyme system and its synergy with sulphur assimilation may be required as one of the mechanisms for the alleviation of the effects of Cd. In the present study the activities of antioxidative enzymes and sulphur assimilation were studied in Cd‐treated wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to assess their involvement in determining yield potential. The cultivar WH542 (low yielding type) accumulated Cd to a greater amount in both root and leaf, and also exhibited higher contents of H2O2 and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and the activity of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) than cultivar PBW343 (high yielding type). The activities of other antioxidative enzymes, catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9), activity of ATP‐sulfurylase (EC 2.7.7.4), sulphur content, photosynthetic, growth and yield characteristics were higher in PBW343 than in WH542 in Cd treatment compared to the control. The results suggest that the efficient functioning of enzymes of the antioxidative system and sulphur assimilation helped in alleviating the effects of Cd in PBW343, protected photosynthetic ability and maintained high yielding potential of the cultivar.
Interactions of Cucumis myriocarpus, Lippia javanica and Ricinus communis Organic Amendments on Suppression of Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Mashela P. W. , Mphosi M. S. , Shimelis H. , Mokgalong N. M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractInteractions of wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus) fruits, fever tea (Lippia javanica) leaves and castor bean (Ricinus communis) fruits on suppression of the root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and improving tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) productivity were tested using the ground leaching technology (GLT). The eight treatments of the three‐factor factorial trial were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 10 replicates. Nematode numbers were inoculated at either 6500 or 6800 juveniles per plant and amendments were each applied to equally provide a total of 6 g per plant. Second‐order interactions significantly decreased final nematode numbers, but increased tomato fruit yield, dry shoot weight and plant height. Results of the study demonstrated that combining the three plant materials served well as a bionematicide with fertilizer effect on tomato production using the GLT.
Partial Molecular Characterization of Some Grapevine fanleaf virus Isolates from North‐east of Iran
Authors: Pourrahim R. , Farzadfar S. H. , Golnaraghi A. R. , Ahoonmanesh A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractFive isolates of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) collected from two viticultural regions in the north‐east of Iran were characterized based on coat protein (CP) gene sequences. The CP gene of all isolates was amplified by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using its specific primers, yielding a 1500‐bp amplicon. The nucleotide sequences for these isolates were obtained and compared with the CPI region of seven isolates from north‐west Iran and also with some other exotic GFLV‐CP sequences available in the GenBank. Analysis of our data revealed that the north‐east Iranian sequences have 83.7–87.5% of homology with the CPI regions of exotic GFLV isolates, and 83.0–87.1% homology with other isolates from north‐west Iran. High nucleotide homology (98.6–100%) was found among the GFLV isolates sequences obtained in this study. The deduced proteins obtained for our five isolates were 92.0–96.0% identical to other sequences. The generated phylogenetic tree revealed a clustering of GFLV isolates distributed over the world in one branch, and the Iranian isolates in other branches.
Occupational performance modification and personal change among clients receiving rehabilitation services for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dubouloz Claire‐Jehanne , Vallerand Josée , Laporte Diane , Ashe Brenda , Hall Martha 
Published: September 2007

Background:  A client's personal process of change is recognised as an important element in the rehabilitation process that may affect the acceptance and outcome of recommended occupational therapy self‐management interventions. Recent research has examined the transformative process of changing underlying values, beliefs, feelings and knowledge, collectively known as meaning perspectives, in clients receiving rehabilitation for various chronic conditions. Aim/methods:  This article presents the findings of a Grounded Theory Qualitative retrospective study of 10 adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis receiving occupational therapy to modify their daily living environment and activities to maximise the quality of life and occupational performance. They were interviewed twice in a semidirected manner. Results:  Two personal change processes were identified for two different courses of the illness: progressive adaptation during a course of gradual steady development of symptoms without remission, and complex adaptation that led to transformation during a course of acute development of symptoms with periods of remission. Conclusion:  Implications for more effective and efficient occupational therapy interventions are suggested.
Paediatric medulloblastoma: Patterns of care and radiotherapy quality assurance in Australia
Authors: Ahern V , Koh E‐S , Gebski V , Sathiyaseelan Y 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to document how children in Australia with medulloblastoma are being treated and to evaluate the quality of radiotherapy (RT) delivered. The Radiotherapy Database of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Haematology and Oncology Group was used to identify 46 children with medulloblastoma younger than the age of 15 years treated with radical intent by craniospinal irradiation between 1997 and 1999 inclusively. Twenty‐six patients had completely resected disease without evidence of disease spread. Of these, 16 patients received a craniospinal RT dose of <25 Gy in addition to chemotherapy. RT treatment immobilization methods varied, as did planning methods. RT dose to critical structures was recorded on treatment plans for only 15% of patients. The average systematic error in shield placement at the posterior orbit was 5.2 mm, and two‐thirds of patients were ‘overshielded’ at this site. Adequate coverage of the distal end of the thecal sac was achieved in fewer than 50% of on‐treatment verification films for 21 of 45 patients. With a reduction in RT dose to the craniospinal axis for paediatric medulloblastoma, greater attention is needed for patient immobilization, documentation of RT dose to critical structures and the placement and reproducibility of shielding.
Preparing to sit the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiologists Faculty of Radiation Oncology Fellowship Part 2 examination: The value of a workshop including practice and feedback
Authors: Bydder S , Bloomfield L , Dally M , Harris P , Dorset L , Semmens J 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA workshop has been held annually to help prepare candidates to sit the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiologists Part 2 Faculty of Radiation Oncology examination. This study examined the value of such a course and its component parts and assessed attendees’ learning environments. We collected detailed information from participants before and after the training workshop in 2005. A specific feature of this workshop included the use of an examination technique feedback form to facilitate the provision of systematic and comprehensive feedback to individual candidates after mock examination. Participants completed course evaluation forms and a learning environment survey. There were 22 candidate participants. The course and its components of this course were perceived very positively – including the examination technique feedback forms and written advice. Only three of the 24 questions regarding the registrars learning environment had less than 80% favourable responses – two of these questions related to workload. The course design described seems reasonably satisfactory in that it included the components ranked most highly by candidates. We also identified a number of variations that may be useful for future workshops. Although learning environments were generally good, we identified a perceived problem with workloads affecting a significant number of registrars.
Mothers of pre‐school children talk about childhood overweight and obesity: The Weight of Opinion study
Authors: Pagnini Deanna L , Wilkenfeld Rachel L , King Lesley A , Booth Michael L , Booth Susan L 
Published: September 2007

Aim: To investigate the perceptions of parents of young children aged 2–5 years regarding childhood overweight and obesity.Methods: Parents with children in seven pre‐schools and long day‐care centres from diverse socio‐economic areas across metropolitan Sydney and one rural area were recruited for focus groups. Focus group transcripts were analysed using content analysis.Results: Providing food was an emotional issue for the mothers in this study. They were more concerned about their young children being underweight than overweight, and this increased their stress around children’s eating. Food treats were perceived as entitlements. Mothers did believe that they were responsible for their children’s eating, but acknowledged the influence of other environmental factors related to food retail and marketing. Practical and safety issues limited opportunities for their children to be physically active beyond the formal child‐care setting. Parents had practical suggestions for solutions to some of the barriers they experienced, and wanted support for their role.Conclusions: The emotional intensity of the mothers’ perceptions about their children’s eating and weight status suggests that interventions, including communications, need to go beyond information and engage with parents’ emotions. Some food concerns were actually related to broader parenting issues and indicate the potential value for interventions to focus on behavioural parenting techniques. Preventive interventions need to acknowledge the issues faced by parents and support their role directly, such as through making healthy and active behaviours easily available, and indirectly, through providing local services, including early childhood services.
Quality of life assessment in a sample of patients affected by Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Caliandro Pietro , Grugni Graziano , Padua Luca , Kodra Yllka , Tonali Pietro , Gargantini Luigi , Ragusa Letizia , Crinò Antonino , Taruscio Domenica 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  The goals of this study are to investigate the quality of life of Prader–Willi syndrome patients and to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and the clinical picture.Methods:  We performed a multicentric study on 40 consecutive patients with Prader–Willi syndrome. Quality of life was evaluated through the Short Form‐36 and the Child Health Questionnaire‐Parent Form‐50 according to the age of patients.Results:  In patients older than 14 years old, quality of life is intensely impaired both in mental and physical aspects. Weight at the moment of the observation, birthweight and facial features are the main variables that influence quality of life. In patients who are 14 years old or younger, the Family Activity and Physical scores are lower for those patients with characteristic facial features and in patients with decreased fetal movement or infantile lethargy. Self‐esteem is lower in patients with a higher Mini Mental Score.Conclusions:  Physical and mental aspects of quality of life are impaired in Prader–Willi patients, weight is the clinical finding which mainly influences negatively the physical aspects of quality of life. However, weight does not cause mental problems. These are mainly due to the presence of characteristic facial features. Interestingly, a high birthweight is associated with less impairment of the mental aspects of quality of life.
Endostatin expression in the murine model of ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced acute renal failure
Authors: BELLINI MARIA H , COUTINHO ENIA L , FILGUEIRAS THELMA C , MACIEL THIAGO T , SCHOR NESTOR 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY:Background:  Renal ischaemia‐hypoxia is a leading cause of acute renal failure, a clinical condition associated with rapid loss of renal function and high rates of mortality. Renal proximal tubular cells are the most severely injured during renal ischaemia, caused by the breakdown of the extracellular matrix of the tubular basement membrane. Endostatin is the C‐terminal fragment of collagen XVIII generated by proteolytic cleavage and it is well‐known as being an inhibitor of angiogenesis. In vitro, endostatin inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and migration, as well as tubule formation. In vivo, it has a potent inhibitory effect on tumour growth. In this study, we analysed endostatin gene expression in C57BL/6 mouse kidneys subjected to ischaemia/reperfusion.Methods:  Ischaemic renal failure was induced via 45 min of bilateral occlusion of the renal artery and vein, followed by 12 h or 24 h of reperfusion. Whole‐kidney homogenate and total RNA were extracted for examination by western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The immunohistological examination revealed increased endostatin expression in injured kidney, mainly in the proximal tubule and collecting ducts.Results:  Endostatin/collagen XVIII mRNA and protein expression increased during ischaemia and within 12 h of reperfusion. In the western blot assay, we identified increased expression of the 30 kDa endostatin‐related fragment and of matrix metalloproteinase‐9. CD31 was significantly expressed during reperfusion (P < 0.05). Immunohistological examination revealed glomerular and tubulointerstitial expression of endostatin.Conclusion:  These data suggest the local synthesis of a 30 kDa endostatin‐related fragment following acute renal failure and suggest its role in the modulation of renal capillary density.
Current licensing authority standards for peripheral visual field and safe on‐road senior aged automobile driving performance
Authors: Silveira Sue , Jolly Neryla , Heard Robert , Clunas Nathan J , Kay Lynnette 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground:  The current licensing authority's (Austroads) visual field standards are met when a person demonstrates an intact visual field extending horizontally at least 120 degrees within 10 degrees above and below the horizontal midline. A person cannot be licensed unconditionally if they have a hemianopia, quadrantanopia or any significant visual field loss (scotoma) that is likely to impede driving performance. Despite fairly rigorous implementation of these vision standards by licensing authorities, there is little scientific evidence available to demonstrate that a driver will or will not be safe on road depending on the extent of their visual field.Methods:  This study was developed to examine if the current licensing authority vision standards predict safe on‐road driver performance in a cohort of 100 senior drivers. The study consisted of four stages in which participants underwent on‐road assessment by a multidisciplinary team including a driving instructor, orthoptist and occupational therapist; off‐road occupational therapy cognitive skills assessment using the Visual Recognition Slide Test (VRST‐USyd); off‐road orthoptic assessment including history, visual acuity and visual fields; and feedback from the team regarding the participant's visual and driving status. Visual fields were assessed using both the Goldmann and Esterman tests. Correlations were calculated to determine the relationship between visual field results and on‐road driving performance.Results:  Generally it was found that visual field test results did not predict driving performance accurately for both participants with and without visual field loss.Conclusion:  The results bring into question the current Austroads visual field standards for safe driving.
Correlation between anthropometric facial features and characteristics of nasolacrimal drainage system in connection to false passage
Authors: Narioka Junji , Matsuda Seiji , Ohashi Yuichi 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground:  To determine the correlation between the anthropometric facial features and the anatomy of the nasolacrimal drainage system.Methods:  Forty‐six mid‐sagittal halves of 23 cadavers were studied. The inclination of the lacrimal sac (LS) and nasolacrimal duct (NLD), and the LS‐NLD angle were measured in both the sagittal and coronal planes. For the facial features, the height, length and depth of the nose, the intercanthal distance, nasal breadth, nasofacial angle, distance between the external naris, and the inferior aperture of the NLD were measured. The correlations between the angles and the facial features were calculated.Results:  The LS‐NLD angle was classified into three anatomical types according to the inclination of the LS and the NLD in the sagittal and coronal planes; the anterior‐inward type (43.5%), anterior‐outward type (37.0%), and posterior‐outward type (19.5%). The nasal depth was correlated with the sagittal LS‐NLD angle, and the nasal height and length were correlated with the coronal LS‐NLD angle.Conclusions:  There is a large variation in the LS‐NLD angle, and nasal depth, height and length can be used to predict the direction of this angle.
Bioenergetic models for acetate and phosphate transport in bacteria important in enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Burow Luke C. , Mabbett Amanda N. , McEwan Alastair G. , Bond Philip L. , Blackall Linda L. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryMost of our understanding of the physiology of microorganisms is the result of investigations in pure culture. However, in order to understand complex environmental processes, there is a need to investigate mixed microbial communities. This is true for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), an environmental process that results in the enrichment of the polyphosphate‐accumulating organism Accumulibacter spp. and the glycogen non‐polyphosphate accumulating organism Defluviicoccus spp. We investigated acetate and inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake in enrichments of Accumulibacter spp. and acetate uptake in enrichments of Defluviicoccus spp. For both enrichments, anaerobic acetate uptake assays in the presence of the protonophore, carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) or the membrane potential (Δψ) uncoupler valinomycin, indicated that acetate is likely to be taken up by a permease‐mediated process driven by the Δψ. Further investigation with the sodium ionophore monensin suggested that anaerobic acetate uptake by Defluviicoccus spp. may in part be dependent on a sodium potential. Results of this study also suggest that Accumulibacter spp. generate a proton motive force (pmf or Δp) for anaerobic acetate uptake by efflux of protons in symport with Pi through an inorganic phosphate transport (Pit) system. In contrast, we suggest that the anaerobic Δp in Defluviicoccus spp. is generated by an efflux of protons across the cell membrane by the fumarate respiratory system, or by extrusion of sodium ions via decarboxylation of methylmalonyl‐CoA. Aerobic Pi uptake by the Accumulibacter spp. enrichment was strongly inhibited in the presence of an ATPase inhibitor, suggesting that the phosphate‐specific transport (Pst) system is important even under relatively high concentrations of Pi. Acetate permease activity in these microorganisms may play an important role in the competition for acetate in the often acetate‐limited EBPR process. Activity of a high‐velocity Pst system in Accumulibacter spp. may further explain its ability to compete strongly in EBPR.
The obligate aerobic actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) survives extended periods of anaerobic stress
Authors: Van Keulen Geertje , Alderson Jesse , White Janet , Sawers R. Gary 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor is an obligate aerobe that is found in soil and aqueous habitats. The levels of oxygen in these environments can vary considerably, which raises the question of how these bacteria survive during periods of anaerobiosis. Although S. coelicolor cannot grow in the complete absence of oxygen, we demonstrate here that it is capable of microaerobic growth and maintaining viability through several weeks of strict anaerobiosis. Both resting and germinated spores are able to survive abrupt exposure to anaerobiosis, which contrasts the situation with Mycobacterium species where gradual oxygen depletion is required to establish a latent state in which the bacterium is able to survive extended periods of anaerobiosis. Growth of S. coelicolor resumes immediately upon re‐introduction of oxygen. Taken together these findings indicate that survival is not restricted to spores and suggest that the bacterium has evolved a mechanism to maintain viability and a membrane potential in the hyphal state. Furthermore, although we demonstrate that several members of the genus also survive long periods of anaerobic stress, one species, Streptomyces avermitilis, does not have this capacity and might represent a naturally occurring variant that is unable to adopt this survival strategy.