bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Equivalence of Chinese version of the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory
Authors: Lin Li‐Chan , Kao Chieh‐Chun , Tzeng Yu‐Ling , Lin Yeh‐Jen 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Title. Equivalence of Chinese version of the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory Aim.  This paper is a report of a study undertaken to translate the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory from the original English into a Chinese language version and to establish the content, semantic and technical equivalence of the Chinese version.Background.  Ensuring the equivalence of a translated Chinese version of the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory for patients with dementia is an essential requirement for identifying culturally specific expressions of agitated behaviours.Methods.  In Phase I, five experts scrutinized the Inventory items to determine whether the behaviour described was relevant to the agitated behaviours present in the Taiwanese culture. In Phase II, experts did the initial translation into Chinese and then back‐translated it into English. Four bilingual observers rated 31 residents with dementia to determine semantic equivalence across versions. In Phase III, the agitated behaviours of 32 residents were assessed by four observers using staff ratings and direct observation to determine the technical equivalence of the Chinese version. The study was carried out in Taiwan from August 2004 to April 2005.Findings.  In Phase I, the rating of behaviours described on the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory was relevant to the agitated behaviours based on Taiwanese culture with a content validity index (CVI) value of 0·993. In Phase II, intra‐class coefficients for all items on the Chinese version and split‐halves of Chinese and English versions ranged from 0·69 to 0·74. In Phase III, six possible results for estimation of reliability across methods and raters for the Chinese version ranged from 0·63 to 0·86.Conclusion.  The Chinese Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory had modest psychometric properties. Further studies are needed to assess criterion and conceptual equivalence.
Pretreatment preparation and management of interferon‐based therapy for hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Hopwood Max , Treloar Carla 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Title. Pretreatment preparation and management of interferon‐based therapy for hepatitis C virus infection Title.  Pretreatment preparation and management of interferon‐based therapy for hepatitis C virus infection Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore how healthcare professionals prepare patients for hepatitis C treatment and the management strategy used during this treatment.Background.  A high proportion of patients receiving hepatitis C treatment has dose reductions or discontinues treatment because of adverse events arising from the therapeutic drugs.Method.  An exploratory study was carried out in Australia in 2004 and 2005 using semi‐structured interviews with a sample of six healthcare professionals with experience in managing hepatitis C treatment regimens.Findings.  Participants reported that pretreatment preparation focused on information provision regarding the adverse events and the medical strategies that could ameliorate their impact. Patients’ vulnerabilities and supports were assessed prior to treatment and healthcare professionals sought to address patients’ problems as they arose during treatment. Participants discussed patients’ resilient coping style and the beneficial impact this had on treatment management.Conclusion.  Among our sample, a deficits‐based approach was taken to hepatitis C treatment management. While some attempts were made to assess patients’ strengths, these were limited to identifying those in family, work and social networks who could lend support to patients when problems occurred. Exploring patients’ past experiences of adversity and making a detailed evaluation of a range of patients’ strengths might assist clinicians in managing hepatitis C treatment regimens.
A technique for improved focused ion beam milling of cryo‐prepared life science specimens
Authors: HAYLES M. F. , STOKES D. J. , PHIFER D. , FINDLAY K. C. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe combination of focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy with a cryo‐preparation/transfer system allows specimens to be milled at low temperatures. However, for biological specimens in particular, the quality of results is strongly dependent on correct preparation of the specimen surface. We demonstrate a method for deposition of a protective, planarizing surface layer onto a cryo‐sample, enabling high‐quality cross‐sectioning using the ion beam and investigation of structures at the nanoscale.
The MADS domain factors AGL15 and AGL18 act redundantly as repressors of the floral transition in Arabidopsis
Authors: Adamczyk Benjamin J. , Lehti‐Shiu Melissa D. , Fernandez Donna E. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe developmental roles of AGL15 and AGL18, members of the AGL15‐like clade of MADS domain regulatory factors, have not been defined previously. Analysis of transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed that overexpression of AGL18 produces the same phenotypic changes as overexpression of AGL15, and the two genes have partially overlapping expression patterns. Functional redundancy was confirmed through analysis of loss‐of‐function mutants. agl15 agl18 double mutants, but not single mutants, flower early under non‐inductive conditions, indicating that AGL15 and AGL18 act in a redundant fashion as repressors of the floral transition. Further genetic analyses and expression studies were used to examine the relationship between AGL15 and AGL18 activity and other regulators of the floral transition. AGL15 and AGL18 act upstream of the floral integrator FT, and a combination of agl15 and agl18 mutations partially suppresses defects in the photoperiod pathway. agl15 agl18 mutations show an additive relationship with mutations in genes encoding other MADS domain floral repressors, and further acceleration of flowering is seen in triple and quadruple mutants under both inductive and non‐inductive conditions. Thus, flowering time is determined by the additive effect of multiple MADS domain floral repressors, with important contributions from AGL15 and AGL18.
Arabidopsis GH3‐LIKE DEFENSE GENE 1 is required for accumulation of salicylic acid, activation of defense responses and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae
Authors: Jagadeeswaran Guru , Raina Surabhi , Acharya Biswa R. , Maqbool Shahina B. , Mosher Stephen L. , Appel Heidi M. , Schultz Jack C. , Klessig Daniel F. , Raina Ramesh 
Published: May 2007

SummaryIn Arabidopsis, the GH3‐like gene family consists of 19 members, several of which have been shown to adenylate the plant hormones jasmonic acid, indole acetic acid and salicylic acid (SA). In some cases, this adenylation has been shown to catalyze hormone conjugation to amino acids. Here we report molecular characterization of the GH3‐LIKE DEFENSE GENE 1 (GDG1), a member of the GH3‐like gene family, and show that GDG1 is an important component of SA‐mediated defense against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Expression of GDG1 is induced earlier and to a higher level in response to avirulent pathogens compared to virulent pathogens. gdg1 null mutants are compromised in several pathogen defense responses, including activation of defense genes and resistance against virulent and avirulent bacterial pathogens. Accumulation of free and glucoside‐conjugated SA (SAG) in response to pathogen infection is compromised in gdg1 mutants. All defense‐related phenotypes of gdg1 can be rescued by external application of SA, suggesting that gdg1 mutants are defective in the SA‐mediated defense pathway(s) and that GDG1 functions upstream of SA. Our results suggest that GDG1 contributes to both basal and resistance gene‐mediated inducible defenses against P. syringae (and possibly other pathogens) by playing a critical role in regulating the levels of pathogen‐inducible SA. GDG1 is allelic to the PBS3 (avrPphB susceptible) gene.
Strain Differences in the Branching of the Sciatic Nerve in Rats
Authors: Rupp A. , Schmahl W. , Lederer W. , Matiasek K. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe sciatic nerve in the rat is the site most often used for peripheral nerve regeneration studies. The length of sciatic nerve available for research, however, depends on the point at which the sciatic nerve divides into the peroneal and tibial nerves. In the present study, the hind limbs of 150 adult male rats of five different strains (Sprague–Dawley, Fischer 344, Wistar–Han, Lewis and Nude) were analysed with regard to femur length, the point at which the sciatic nerve divides into the tibial and peroneal nerves, and where these are surrounded by the same epineurium, and the point at which they are encased in individual epineurial sheaths. The results indicate that the lengths of sciatic nerve are fairly constant in all strains of rats. In absolute terms, they amount to about one‐third of the length of the femur for stretches of undivided sciatic nerve, and up to nearly half of the femur length for stretches where the tibial and peroneal nerves are already present, but are still enclosed by the same epineurium. In 61.7% of the hind limbs examined in Fischer rats, however, no sciatic nerve could be seen as such, but only in the form of its successors surrounded by the separate epineuria. This makes it highly advisable not to use male adult Fischer rats in peripheral nerve regeneration studies with the sciatic nerve as the point of focus.
A Comparison of the Maternal Care of Females within Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) Communal Groups
Authors: Hayes Loren D. , Solomon Nancy G. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCommunal rearing, the shared rearing of offspring by multiple individuals or mothers, may improve the fitness of individuals in group‐living species. To date, many studies have focused on these potential fitness consequences. Fewer studies have emphasized the relative contributions to care of offspring by mothers and non‐breeding alloparents in singularly breeding groups (i.e., one female breeds) and mothers within plurally breeding groups (i.e., more than one female breeds). We compared the care provided by prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) mothers and alloparents in singularly breeding groups and mothers in plurally breeding groups. Subjects were littermate siblings in both types of social groups. Specifically, we quantified the amount of time that mothers and alloparents were away from pups during 6 h observational trials and the amount of time that females tactilely stimulated pups (licking and grooming) during 20 min trials. We also compared the quality of milk, measured as total solids, produced by mothers in plurally breeding groups. In singularly breeding groups, mothers spent significantly more time out of the nest but tactilely stimulated pups more than alloparents. In plurally breeding groups, focal mothers (i.e., the first mother to produce a litter) spent significantly more time out of the nest than second mothers (i.e., the second female to produce a litter) but licked and groomed pups an equal amount as second mothers. In plurally breeding groups, focal and second mothers produced milk with a similar concentration of total solids. These results suggest that communal rearing in groups is more beneficial to focal mothers than to other breeding or non‐breeding adult females. We discuss fitness‐based hypotheses that may explain the observed differences in the amount of care provided by mothers and alloparents.
Ecological Correlates of Roost Fidelity in the Tent‐Making Bat Artibeus watsoni
Authors: Chaverri Gloriana , Quirós Oscar E. , Gamba‐Rios Melquisedec , Kunz Thomas H. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractRoost switching is a common occurrence in bats, yet the causes and consequences of such behavior are poorly understood. In this study we explore the ecological correlates of roost fidelity in the tent‐making bat Artibeus watsoni, particularly focusing on the effect of sex, reproductive status, and roost availability using a three‐factor general linear model (GLM). We estimated roost fidelity of radio‐tracked individuals and found that the GLM was significant (R2 = 0.72, F10,34 = 8.91, p < 0.001). Significant interaction terms were observed for relative roost availability and sex (F4,34 = 16.96, p < 0.001), and relative roost availability and reproductive status (F6,34 = 7.62, p < 0.001), indicating that variation in roost fidelity among males and females, and among individuals under different breeding conditions, depended on relative roost availability at the site where they were radio‐tracked. Individuals in areas of high roost availability exhibited lower roost fidelity than those sampled in areas of lower roost availability. Females exhibited less roost fidelity than males for all roost availability categories, but the difference between males and females was only significant at high roost availability. The general pattern of decreased roost fidelity as roost availability increased was also prevalent among individuals in different breeding conditions. Additionally, satellite males exhibited higher roost fidelity than resident males in areas of low roost availability, and lactating females had higher roost fidelity than non‐breeding females in areas of medium roost availability. Our study thus demonstrates that sex, reproductive status, and roost availability all affect roost fidelity in the tent‐making bat A. watsoni, and also suggests that roost availability is the most important factor influencing roost fidelity in this bat, providing the first quantitative evidence that roost fidelity is correlated with roost abundance in a single species.
How do we improve outcomes for gastric cancer?
Authors: Yeoh Khay‐Guan 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAlthough the incidence of gastric cancer is decreasing globally, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death, accounting for 600 000 deaths annually worldwide. It is particularly common in Asia and especially in China, Japan and Korea. In Singapore, it is the fourth commonest cancer in men, who have a 1:50 lifetime risk of developing gastric cancer. Gastric cancer traditionally carries a poor prognosis because of late presentation at an advanced stage of disease. If diagnosed at an early stage, it is a curable disease. Four strategies will systematically help to improve outcomes for gastric cancer: (i) early detection by screening of high‐risk groups; (ii) clarification of the hypothesis that Helicobacter pylori eradication in endemic areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer is an effective primary prevention strategy; (iii) improvement of treatment by well‐designed clinical trials, coupled with molecular characterization of tumors; and (iv) improving our biological understanding of gastric carcinogenesis.
Parent‐initiated oral corticosteroid therapy for acute asthma: A survey of current practice
Authors: Vuillermin Peter J , South Mike , Carlin John B , Biscan Maree I , Brennan Sharon L , Robertson Colin F 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To determine (i) the proportion of doctors who recommend parent‐initiated oral corticosteroids (PIOCS) for acute asthma; and (ii) the proportion of parents who have received this advice.Methods:  (i) An internet‐based survey of doctors involved in the care of children with asthma; and (ii) a questionnaire‐based survey of parents of children aged 4–13 years who were identified from a random sample of primary schools within the Barwon region of Victoria.Results:  Eight‐five per cent (95% confidence interval 80.0–89.1%) of responding doctors reported recommending PIOCS to parents of children with asthma. However, only 16.5% (95% confidence interval 14.2–18.7%) of parents of children with recent asthma symptoms report that they have received such advice.Conclusion:  The majority of responding doctors involved in the care of children with asthma report recommending PIOCS to parents. By contrast, a minority of parents of children with asthma report that they have received such advice.
Diverging trends for lower respiratory infections in non‐Aboriginal and Aboriginal children
Authors: Moore Hannah , Burgner David , Carville Kylie , Jacoby Peter , Richmond Peter , Lehmann Deborah 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To investigate temporal trends in admission rates for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in a total population birth cohort of non‐Aboriginal and Aboriginal children.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of linked population‐based data using the Western Australian Data Linkage System. All singleton live births in Western Australia between 1990 and 2000 were included. Hospital admission rates per 1000 live births for ALRI before age 2 years and linear time trends for ALRI admission rates were investigated.Results:  ALRI admission rates were 7.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.2–7.7) times higher in Aboriginal than non‐Aboriginal children (337 vs. 45 per 1000 live births); pneumonia rates were 13.5 (95% CI 12.8–14.4) times higher and bronchiolitis rates were 5.8 (95% CI 5.3–6.0) times higher. ALRI admission rates rose in non‐Aboriginal children (<12 months, 6%/year, P < 0.002; 12–23 months, 11%/year, P < 0.001) but declined in Aboriginal children aged 12–23 months (4%/year, P = 0.003). Bronchiolitis rates rose in all children, especially non‐Aboriginal infants aged <12 months (13%/year, P < 0.001), while pneumonia rates rose in non‐Aboriginal children but declined in Aboriginal children. Declines in bronchitis and asthma were also noted.Conclusion:  There has been an increase in incidence of bronchiolitis before age 12 months. For children aged 12–23 months a diagnostic shift from asthma and bronchitis to bronchiolitis and changes in health service utilisation are likely explanations for diverging temporal trends. The continuing disparity between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children needs to be addressed and appropriate preventative measures for ALRI, and in particular bronchiolitis, are urgently needed.
Non‐invasive computed tomography angiography in the assessment of coronary stent patency: an Australian experience
Authors: Soon K. H. , Cox N. , Chaitowitz I. , Selvanayagam J. B. , Farouque O. , MacGregor L. , Bell K. W. , Lim Y. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of 16‐slice computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of coronary stent patency. CT coronary angiography (CA) has a high degree of accuracy in the assessment of coronary artery disease compared with invasive selective CA. However, its accuracy in the evaluation of stent patency is not well investigated.Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of paired CT coronary angiography (CT–CA) and invasive fluoroscopic coronary angiography (FCA) in 37 patients with 47 coronary stents. CT–CA was carried out with an electrocardiogram‐gated 16‐slice CT (LightSpeed‐16, General Electric (GE), WI, USA). Two CT reporters, blinded to the FCA findings, assessed CT images for stent patency. A cardiologist blinded to CT findings reported FCA. FCA was regarded as the reference standard.Results: A CT–CA could assess 45 of 47 coronary stents (96%). Non‐assessable stents on CT–CA were due to motion artefacts and stent‐blooming effects. Of those 45 assessable stents, CT–CA correctly identified five out of seven stents with binary in‐stent restenosis (ISR) and 37 of 38 stents without binary ISR. The sensitivity and specificity of 16‐slice CT in the evaluation of coronary stents for binary ISR were 71% (95% confidence interval (CI) (29%, 96%)) and 97% (95%CI (86%, 100%)), respectively, exclusive of non‐assessable stents. The positive and negative predictive values of 16‐slice CT were 83% (95%CI (36%, 100%)) and 95% (95%CI (83%, 99%)), respectively.Conclusion: Sixteen‐slice CT has a low sensitivity, but very a high specificity when compared with FCA in the evaluation of coronary stents for ISR.
Sarcoidosis in Australia
Authors: Gillman A. , Steinfort C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground:The incidence of sarcoidosis in Australia is unknown. The clinical features, diagnostic strategy and treatment of sarcoidosis in Australia have been poorly documented.Methods:We analysed the medical records of 122 patients with sarcoidosis presenting to a respiratory service, between 1995 and 2005, which serves a regional southeastern Australian population of approximately 200 000.Results:The incidence of sarcoidosis from 2000 to 2005 remained static and ranged from 4.4 to 6.3 patients per 100 000 population. The data showed that 55% were women and 28% were current smokers. Systems involved included lung parenchyma (66%), thoracic adenopathy (58%), skin (22%), ocular (18%), joint (11%), gastrointestinal tract (5%), central nervous system (3%) and hypercalcaemia (3%). Fifty‐one per cent of patients had an increased serum angiotensin‐converting enzyme level. The diagnosis was secured based on histological confirmation in 69%. Forty‐three per cent of the patients were treated with oral corticosteroids and 10% with inhaled steroids.Conclusion:Sarcoidosis in Australia is a multi‐system disease of unknown aetiology. This is the first reported incidence of sarcoidosis in Australia. The incidence is similar to another US‐based epidemiological study of a predominately white population. The development of a larger multicentre database would assist in the identification, clinical description and treatment of sarcoidosis.
Use of a functional assay to diagnose protein S deficiency; inappropriate testing yields equivocal results
Authors: Johnston A. M. , Aboud M. , Morel‐Kopp M.‐C. , Coyle L. , Ward C. M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInherited deficiency of protein S (PS) is a rare but accepted risk factor for venous thromboembolism. There is accumulating evidence that inherited PS deficiency may be associated with a variety of adverse obstetric events. Acquired PS deficiency may be caused by a variety of clinical states including normal pregnancy. We conducted a retrospective audit of the results of screening for PS deficiency through our reference laboratory. The majority of patients in this audit with significantly reduced (<50%) free functional PS levels had a major confounding factor likely to cause acquired PS deficiency, most frequently pregnancy. Recommendations for PS testing for the diagnosis of hereditary PS deficiency include deferring testing until at least 40 days post‐partum. It appears that these recommendations are not being adhered to leading to difficulty in the interpretation of results.