bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric service use and psychiatric disorders in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Bhaumik S. , Tyrer F. C. , McGrother C. , Ganghadaran S. K. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground  UK policies aim to facilitate access to general psychiatric services for adults with intellectual disability (ID). If this is to be achieved, it is important to have a clear idea of the characteristics and proportion of people with ID who currently access specialist psychiatric services and the nature and extent of psychiatric disorders in this population.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was carried out on all adults with ID using specialist services in Leicestershire and Rutland, UK, between 2001 and 2006. Characteristics of individuals seen by psychiatric services and the nature and prevalence of psychiatric disorders were investigated.Results  Of 2711 adults identified, 1244 (45.9%) accessed specialist psychiatric services at least once during the study period. Individuals attending psychiatric services were more likely to be older and to live in residential settings; they were less likely to be south Asian or to have mild/moderate ID. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the total study population was 33.8%; the most common disorders were behaviour disorder (19.8%) and autistic spectrum disorders (8.8%). Epilepsy was highly prevalent (60.8%) among those attending psychiatric services without a mental health diagnosis. Behaviour disorders and autistic spectrum disorders were more common in men and in adults with severe/profound ID, whereas schizophrenia and organic disorders were more common in women and in adults with mild/moderate ID. Depression was also more common in women with ID.Conclusions  Psychiatric disorders and specialist health problems are common among adults with ID and the profile of psychiatric disorders differs from that found in general psychiatry. Close collaboration between general and specialist service providers is needed if the current move towards use of general psychiatric services in this population is to be achieved. The measures should include a clear care pathway for people with ID and mental health problems to facilitate the smooth transfer of patients between specialist and generic mental health services and arrangements for joint working where input from both services is required. The commissioning framework for such processes should be in place with appropriate pooling of resources.
Impact of environmental factors on community participation of persons with an intellectual disability: a systematic review
Authors: Verdonschot M. M. L. , De Witte L. P. , Reichrath E. , Buntinx W. H. E. , Curfs L. M. G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractStudy Design A systematic review of the literature.Objectives To describe which environmental factors have an impact on community participation of persons with an intellectual disability.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted for the period of 1996–2006 in Pubmed, CINAHL and PSYCINFO. Search terms were derived from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Three investigators assessed the relevance of the studies identified using predefined selection criteria. Aspects of community participation included were: domestic life; interpersonal interactions and relationships; major life areas; community, civic and social life. Environmental factors included were: products and technology; natural environment and human‐made changes to environment; support and relationships; attitudes; services, systems and policies.Results Out of 236 initial hits, 9 quantitative studies and 2 qualitative studies met the predefined selection criteria and were included in the study. Various research instruments were used in the studies and only one study used a conceptual framework. The review allowed the identification of a number of environmental factors positively affecting participation: opportunities to make choices; variety and stimulation of the environment of facilities; opportunities for resident involvement in policy making; small residential facilities; opportunities for autonomy; vocational services; social support; family involvement; assistive technology; and positive staff attitudes. A number of identified environmental factors negatively affecting participation are: lack of transport and not feeling accepted.Discussion It can be concluded that little has been published about the impact of environmental factors on community participation. Many studies do not clearly define the concept of community participation. Research on the impact of environmental factors on community participation so far seems not to be based on a theoretical framework. Most studies focused on the impact of services on community participation in general.
Association of respiratory tract infection symptoms and air humidity with meningococcal carriage in Burkina Faso
Authors: Mueller Judith E. , Yaro Seydou , Madec Yoann , Somda Paulin K. , Idohou Régina S. , Njanpop Lafourcade Berthe‐Marie , Drabo Aly , Tarnagda Zekiba , Sangaré Lassana , Traoré Yves , Fontanet Arnaud , Gessner Bradford D. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryObjectives  To evaluate risk factors for meningococcal carriage and carriage acquisition in the African meningitis belt, comparing epidemic serogroup A (NmA) to non‐epidemic serogroups.Methods  During the non‐epidemic meningitis season of 2003, pharyngeal swabs were taken at five monthly visits in a representative population sample (N = 488) of Bobo‐Dioulasso, Burkina Faso (age 4–29 years) and analysed by culture. Standardized questionnaires were administered. In 2006, a similar study was performed in 624 individuals (age 1–39 years) during an NmA meningitis epidemic. We evaluated serogroup‐specific risk factors for carriage, carriage acquisition and clearance using multivariate logistic and Poisson regression, and a Cox proportional hazard model.Results  The prevalence of NmA carriage (current or recent pharyngitis or rhinitis) was 16% (31%) vs. 0% (9%) in the epidemic vs. the hyperendemic setting. During the epidemic situation, NmA carriage was significantly associated with recent sore throat (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.41) and current rhinitis (OR 2.65). During the non‐epidemic meningitis season in 2003, air humidity (20–39% and ≥40%, compared to <20%) during the month before swabbing was significantly and positively associated with carriage acquisition of non‐groupable meningococci (OR 2.18 and 1.55) and inversely with carriage clearance (hazard ratio 0.61 and 0.27, respectively).Conclusion  Respiratory tract infections may increase meningococcal carriage, and thus contribute to epidemic risk, in addition to seasonality in the meningitis belt. Humid climate may favour carriage of unencapsulated meningococci. These findings may help identifying interventions against epidemic and hyperendemic meningococcal meningitis due to non‐vaccine serogroups.
Microparticles in stored red blood cells: an approach using flow cytometry and proteomic tools
Authors: Rubin O. , Crettaz D. , Canellini G. , Tissot J.‐D. , Lion N. 
Published: October 2008

Background and Objectives  Microparticles (MPs) are small phospholipid vesicles of less than 1 µm, shed in blood flow by various cell types. These MPs are involved in several biological processes and diseases. MPs have also been detected in blood products; however, their role in transfused patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize those MPs in blood bank conditions.Materials and Methods  Qualitative and quantitative experiments using flow cytometry or proteomic techniques were performed on MPs derived from erythrocytes concentrates. In order to count MPs, they were either isolated by various centrifugation procedures or counted directly in erythrocyte concentrates.Results  A 20‐fold increase after 50 days of storage at 4°C was observed (from 3370 ± 1180 MPs/µl at day 5 to 64 850 ± 37 800 MPs/µl at day 50). Proteomic analysis revealed changes of protein expression comparing MPs to erythrocyte membranes. Finally, the expression of Rh blood group antigens was shown on MPs generated during erythrocyte storage.Conclusions  Our work provides evidence that storage of red blood cell is associated with the generation of MPs characterized by particular proteomic profiles. These results contribute to fundamental knowledge of transfused blood products.
Morphological variation of Aechmea distichantha (Bromeliaceae) in a Chaco forest: habitat and size‐related effects
Authors: Cavallero L. , López D. , Barberis I. M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPlants show different morphologies when growing in different habitats, but they also vary in their morphology with plant size. We examined differences in sun‐ and shade‐grown plants of the bromeliad Aechmea distichantha with respect to relationships between plant size and variables related to plant architecture, biomass allocation and tank water dynamics. We selected vegetative plants from the understorey and from forest edges of a Chaco forest, encompassing the whole size range of this bromeliad. Plant biomass was positively correlated with most architectural variables and negatively correlated with most biomass allocation variables. Understorey plants were taller and had larger diameters, whereas sun plants had more leaves, larger sheath area, sheath biomass and sheath mass fraction. All tank water‐related variables were positively correlated with plant biomass. Understorey plants had a greater projected leaf area, whereas sun plants had higher water content and evaporative area. Plasticity indices were higher for water‐related than for allocation variables. In conclusion, there were architectural and biomass allocation differences between sun‐ and shade‐grown plants along a size gradient, which, in turn, affected tank water‐related variables.
Nutrient dynamics in a tritrophic system of ants, aphids and beans
Authors: Schumacher E. , Platner C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe interactions between ants (Lasius niger), aphids (Aphis fabae) and plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) were studied in a laboratory experiment with the following treatments: application of N‐fertilizer for plants, supply of mealworms or sugar solution or their combination as alternative food sources for ants. Three main questions were studied: (1) Do ants reduce tending to honeydew‐producing aphids when an alternative sugar or protein resource was available? (2) Is aphid predation/protein consumption by ants higher when additional carbon is offered to maintain the carbon/protein balance? (3) Does fertilizer treatment propagate in the food web? For the experimental analysis stable isotope techniques were applied. δ15N served as a marker for the pathway from plants to higher trophic levels. Low δ15N‐value of fertilizer spread from plant shoots to aphids and ants. To trace which sugar‐/protein source was consumed by ants, the different13C/12C‐ratios of C3‐ and C4‐plants were used with aphids feeding on C3‐plant material, while mealworm food and sugar solution originated from C4‐plant material. Fertilizer application had no effect on biomasses of plants, consumers or microflora. Ant biomass was significantly higher when additional sugar solution was offered. Higher contents of13C indicated a high incorporation rate of additional sugar. Additional protein had no effect on colony biomass and no increasing predation on aphids could be observed when carbon was in excess. However, due to the lack of queens and newly produced larvae, protein requirements of experimental colonies were lower than in natural systems. Ants positively affected aphid populations, but reduced tending, whilst having access to an alternative sugar resource. When sugar/protein was offered to ants, the host plant had an increased root/shoot ratio. This indicates that decreasing aboveground activity of ants could lead to reduced plant growth of aphid‐infested plants, presumably due to higher fungal attack on shoots.
Morphological and Apoptotic Comparison of Primordial and Primary Follicles in Cryopreserved Human Ovarian Tissue
Authors: Wang LH , Mullen SF , Li Y , Zhong JQ , Crister JK , Chen ZJ 
Published: October 2008

ContentsThere are few reports which were designed to compare the survival rate of human primary follicles with primordial follicles after cryopreservation. This study was designed to evaluate whether such a difference occurs. Human ovarian biopsies were cryopreserved using dimethylsulphoxide/sucrose as the cryoprotectants. Fresh and cryopreserved ovarian samples were evaluated for viability differences between the two types of follicles using the endpoints of histology, ultrastructure and DNA fragmentation. In comparison with fresh ovarian tissue (83.9% ± 10.0%), the percentage of morphologically normal primordial follicles was not significantly different in cryopreserved tissue (73.9% ± 17.2%). However, a lower percentage of primary follicles with normal morphology was seen in the cryopreserved group (43.3% ± 25.7% vs 74.8% ± 19.4% for the fresh group). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the cryopreservation did not appear to affect the structural integrity of primordial follicles; however, varying ultrastructural damage to the cytoplasm was observed in the majority of the cryopreserved primary follicles. Using a DNA fragmentation assay, the percentage of apoptotic primordial and primary follicles in the unfrozen (26.3% and 20%) and frozen (23.3% and 25%) ovarian tissue was similar. A higher proportion of primary follicles, compared to primordial follicles, suffer histological damage after slow freezing.
European Eel Sperm Diluent for Short‐term Storage
Authors: Peñaranda DS , Pérez L , Gallego V , Barrera R , Jover M , Asturiano JF 
Published: October 2008

ContentsThe sperm of European eel shows a high density and the time of spermatozoa motility is very short after activation with sea water. These characteristics make difficult the sperm handling and its quality assessment. Several diluents were previously described for the Japanese eel obtaining over 3 weeks’ conservation times under refrigeration, but they rendered bad results in the European species. In the present study, several diluents were developed taking as basis the P1 medium, and using different dilution ratios (1 : 50, 1 : 100) and two pH (6.5, 8.5). The effect of the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA, 2% w/v) was also evaluated. At 24 h, undiluted samples already showed significant lower motility and viability than sperm samples diluted in the different media. The results for diluents with pH 6.5 and 8.5 were different. Spermatozoa diluted in media at pH 6.5 cannot be activated at 24 h, while samples diluted in the diluents with pH 8.5 and added with BSA did not show significant differences with respect to the fresh sperm motility until 48 h. The viability (percentage of alive cells) did not show differences until 1 week, independent of the dilution ratio. After 1 week, the motility was approximately 30% in the media containing BSA, which presented no differences for head size of the spermatozoa (perimeter and area) until 72 h and 1 week, respectively. In conclusion, the combination of one medium having similar physico‐chemical characteristics to the seminal plasma, including pH 8.5, and supplemented with BSA can be used in different dilution ratios for the sperm’s short‐term storage, preserving its motility capacity.
Pregnancy Rates in Angus Cross Beef Cows Bred at Observed Oestrus With or Without Second GnRH Administration in Fixed‐Time Progesterone‐Supplemented Ovsynch and CO‐Synch Protocols
Authors: Kasimanickam R , Hall JB , Currin JF , Inman B , Rudolph JS , Whittier WD 
Published: October 2008

ContentsCrossbred cows (n = 1073) from five locations had oestrous cycles synchronized with 100 μg of GnRH IM and insertion of controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) on Day 0 followed by 25 mg of PGF2α IM and CIDR removal on Day 7. Kamar® patches were placed on all cows at CIDR removal. Cows were observed three times daily for oestrus after PGF2α administration. In the Ovsynch‐CIDR group, cows detected in oestrus (n = 193) within 48 h after PGF2α were inseminated using the AM–PM rule. Among these cows, 80 received and 113 did not receive a second GnRH at 48 h after PGF2α. Cows (n = 345) not detected in oestrus received a second GnRH at 48 h after PGF2α on Day 9, and fixed‐time AI 16 h after the GnRH on Day 10. In the CO‐Synch‐CIDR group, cows detected in oestrus (n = 224) within 48 h after PGF2α were inseminated using the AM–PM rule. Among these cows, 79 received and 145 did not receive a second GnRH at 64 h after PGF2α. Cows (n = 311) not detected in oestrus received a second GnRH on Day 10 at the time of AI, 64 h after PGF2α. The AI pregnancy rates were not different between the Ovsynch‐CIDR and CO‐Synch‐CIDR groups (p = 0.48). There were no differences in the AI pregnancy rates for cows inseminated at a fixed time (p = 0.26) or at detected oestrus (p = 0.79) between the treatment groups. Among cows inseminated in oestrus, there were no differences in the AI pregnancy rates between cows that received or did not receive the second GnRH (p = 0.47). In conclusion, acceptable AI pregnancy rates can be achieved with or without inclusion of oestrus detection in the Ovsynch‐CIDR and CO‐Synch‐CIDR protocols. Among cows detected in oestrus, cows that received a second GnRH yielded similar pregnancy rates when compared with cows that did not receive the second GnRH.
Evaluating statistics in clinical trials: Making the unintelligible intelligible
Authors: Gilmore Stephen J 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMedical practitioners should be familiar with the basic principles of statistical testing and analysis, as the critical evaluation of clinical trials is an essential component to the effective practise of evidence‐based medicine. Practitioners also need to be able to identify unethical trial design. The aim of this review is to facilitate an understanding of inferential methodology by introducing some of the basic principles involved in the critical analysis of trial design and interpretation.
Therapy‐related leukaemia cutis: A review
Authors: Weinel Sarah , Malone Janine , Jain Dharamvir , Callen Jeffrey P 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYLeukaemia cutis following chemotherapy for a malignancy is a multifactorial process that is dependent on the chemotherapeutic agent used, the dosing regimen, and the cumulative dose as well as potential contributing therapies such as radiation and possibly even haematopoeitic support from granulocyte colony stimulating factor. In the right combination and in a patient with a conducive milieu of epigenetic factors, leukaemia can develop as a treatment complication. Leukaemia cutis is the specific infiltration of the skin by leukaemic cells and occurs most commonly when the underlying leukaemia is an acute myeloid leukaemia. Although it is well reviewed in the literature as a result of primary leukaemia, leukaemia cutis has only very rarely been reported in association with therapy‐induced leukaemia. This article reviews the factors that contribute to therapy‐related leukaemia and the development of leukaemia cutis.
Meyerson's naevus: A clinical and histopathological study of 11 cases
Authors: Cook‐Norris Robert H , Zic John A , Boyd Alan S 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWe undertook a clinical and histopathological analysis of patients presenting with Meyerson's naevi. Eleven patients with the characteristic histological features of a Meyerson's naevus were identified over a 5‐year period. Diagnostic criteria included epidermal spongiosis and a dermal inflammatory infiltrate associated with a banal junctional or compound naevus. Cases were excluded if naevus cells showed moderate to severe atypia or regression. Patients were contacted by phone and interviewed regarding their lesions. The most common clinical appearance was a solitary, pruritic, erythematous eruption encircling a pre‐existing pigmented naevus. The trunk and proximal upper extremities were preferentially affected. Only one clinician listed Meyerson's naevus in the clinical differential diagnosis. All cases demonstrated a pigmented junctional or compound naevus with epidermal spongiosis, parakeratosis and a perivascular lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate with scattered eosinophils. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted almost exclusively of CD3+ lymphocytes, the majority of which were CD4+. However, a substantial number were CD8+. In all patients, the lesions cleared with excision or spontaneously, without recurrence or progression to melanoma. The aetiology of this entity remains unclear and most clinicians are unlikely to be familiar with it.
Treatment of lentigo maligna with total circumferential margin control using vertical and horizontal permanent sections: A retrospective study
Authors: R Lee Michael , J Ryman William 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThis retrospective study assesses the long‐term cure rate for the treatment of lentigo maligna using total circumferential margin control with vertical and horizontal permanent sections using life‐table analysis. A cohort of 31 patients in Sydney with lentigo maligna treated with total circumferential margin control with vertical and horizontal permanent sections over a 6‐year period were followed up. Follow up to determine recurrence was obtained by direct examination, by contact with the referring dermatologist, general practitioner, or by telephone interview with the patient's relative if the patient was deceased. Following our total circumferential margin control technique, of the 16 primary tumours, only one recurred (a cure rate of 94%). Of the 15 recurrent tumours, two had recurred. The mean follow‐up time in this study was 42 months (range 12–89 months). Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated that at 5 years, 87% of patients would be free from disease (95% confidence interval 70–100%). Seventy‐five per cent of the population can be expected to be disease‐free for 6 years (lower 95% confidence limit 4 years). We describe the use of total circumferential margin control with vertical and horizontal permanent sections for the treatment of lentigo maligna that we believe is simple, effective and reproducible.
Melanization in basal cell carcinomas: Microscopic characterization of clinically pigmented and non‐pigmented tumours
Authors: Tan Wee‐Ping , Tan Audrey Wei‐Hsia , Ee Hock‐Leong , Kumarasinghe Prasad , Tan Suat‐Hoon 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYClinical and microscopic pigmentation may affect the treatment outcomes in basal cell carcinoma. However, there have not been any in‐depth histopathological comparisons between clinically pigmented and non‐pigmented basal cell carcinomas with regards to microscopic melanization. The aims of our study were to determine the proportion of pigmented basal cell carcinomas presenting to the National Skin Centre in Singapore, to characterize the histological pattern of melanization and to perform a semi‐quantitative analysis of the degree of microscopic melanization of the tumours. Patients with clinical features and histologically confirmed basal cell carcinomas were recruited. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded and basal cell carcinoma sections were examined for histological subtype and pattern of melanization. Twenty‐five Chinese patients with 30 basal cell carcinomas were recruited. Three of the five clinically non‐pigmented and all of the clinically pigmented basal cell carcinomas had microscopic evidence of melanization. Microscopic melanization in clinically non‐pigmented basal cell carcinomas was present only focally or in the centre of the tumour mass. Both groups of basal cell carcinomas may be colonized by melanocytes. Two morphological types of melanocytes, a dendritic and round cell type, were identified. Future research is required to evaluate if the degree of microscopic melanization influences the treatment outcome of basal cell carcinomas.