bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caregiving Perceptions of Chinese Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disability in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Winnie W. S. , Ho Gladys S. M. 
Published: July 2006

Background  In this study, we tested the effects of three different coping strategies (i.e. problem‐focused, emotion‐focused and relationship‐focused coping) on both positive and negative caregiving perceptions.Materials and Methods  Two hundred and twelve Chinese mothers of children with intellectual disability from a major non‐governmental organization were recruited across various districts in Hong Kong. Chinese versions of the Daily Caregiving Stress Scale, Modified Family Support Scale, COPE Inventory, Relationship‐Focused Coping Scale, Caregiver Burden Inventory, and subscales of the Kansas Inventory of Parental Perceptions were completed.Results:  Findings of the hierarchical regression analyses indicated that whereas problem‐focused and emotion‐focused coping was differentially related to positive and negative perceptions, respectively, relationship‐focused coping was significantly related to both types of perceptions. Results of the relationship between positive and negative perceptions showed preliminary support for their orthogonality.Conclusions:  Relationship‐focused coping was found to be more suitable for understanding caregiver perceptions within collectivistic cultures. Implications for professional services were discussed.
‘Burnout’ Amongst Direct Care Workers in Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of Research Findings and Initial Normative Data
Authors: Skirrow Paul , Hatton Chris 
Published: July 2006

Background  Burnout has been highlighted as a significant problem for workers in the intellectual disabilities field. A growing number of studies have investigated the levels of burnout and its correlates amongst this population, although they have often reported somewhat contradictory findings.Materials and methods  The present paper sought to systematically review the literature describing the levels and correlates of burnout amongst direct care workers of adults with intellectual disabilities.Results  Meta‐analytic comparisons suggested that the levels of burnout are somewhat lowered in this population compared with normative samples and that there appeared to be a trend of burnout rates decreasing steadily over the past 20 years.Discussion  Burnout appears to represent a useful construct for measuring the distress of workers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. Gaps and inconsistencies were highlighted in the research literature and future research directions discussed.
Reproductive biology and postnatal development in the tent‐making batArtibeus watsoni(Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Chaverri G. , Kunz T. H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this study we investigated the reproductive patterns and postnatal development in the tent‐making batArtibeus watsoni. We sampled two populations in the Golfito Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park, south‐western Costa Rica, from June 2003 to March 2005. Most females were pregnant during the months of January and June, and most were lactating in March and July, indicating that this species exhibits seasonal bimodal polyoestry, with the first parturition peak occurring in February–March and the second in June–July. Additionally, we observed a postpartum oestrus following the first parturition, but not after the second. Females entered oestrus again in November–December and had a gestation period ofc. 3 months. A female‐biased sex ratio of neonates was observed during the second parturition period, and young were born at 32 and 56% of their mothers' body mass and length of forearm, respectively. Adult proportions in length of forearm were attained faster than adult proportions in body mass, and sustained flight was only possible after 35 days of age, when pups had achieved 100 and 80% of adult length of forearm and body mass proportions, respectively. Weaning and roosting independence occurred when young werec. 30–40 days old, and young females appeared to remain close to their place of birth, at least for their first mating period, whereas adult males were never recaptured near their birth site. In addition, sexual maturity was reached in as little as 3 months in females born during the first parturition period, whereas females born during the second birth period in June–July seemed to reach maturity at 6 months of age. Our results show thatA. watsonibelongs to the faster lane of the slow–fast continuum of life‐history variation in bats, which may be attributed primarily to its roosting and feeding ecology.
Lynx (Lynx lynx) killing red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in boreal Sweden – frequency and population effects
Authors: Helldin J. O. , Liberg O. , Glöersen G. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe studied the frequency and pattern of lynxLynx lynxpredation on red foxesVulpes vulpesin boreal Sweden by the radio tracking of foxes and the snow tracking of lynx. We also assessed the population trend of red foxes after the re‐establishment of lynx in the region, based on various population indices. Fifty per cent of recorded fox mortalities in the radio‐tracking study (four of eight) were lynx kills. Adult‐sized foxes killed by lynx during radio tracking were in normal condition and of prime age, and were killed after the assumed annual population bottleneck. Albeit based on a small number of kills, this pattern may suggest that lynx predation, at least to some extent, is additive to other mortality in foxes. The annual lynx predation rate was 14% on radio‐tracked foxes and 4% on snow‐tracked foxes. The population indices of foxes in the main study area decreased by about 10% annually during the study period. The population decrease could potentially be explained by lynx predation alone, but we acknowledge some alternative explanations. Our results point out the possibility that red fox populations can be significantly limited by allowing lynx populations to recover.
Long‐distance movements by a small carnivorous marsupial: how Sminthopsis youngsoni (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) uses habitat in an Australian sandridge desert
Authors: Haythornthwaite A. S. , Dickman C. R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis study investigated the extent of movement, habitat use and foraging behaviour of the lesser hairy‐footed dunnart Sminthopsis youngsoni, a small (9 g) insectivorous marsupial, in the dunefields of the Simpson Desert, western Queensland, Australia. Radio‐telemetry was used to track nightly movements of dunnarts while foraging and to determine their diurnal resting places. Both males and females travelled comparatively long distances while foraging (mean distance 412 m per night), but some males travelled much further (>2 km in a night). Females travelled frequently between the swales (interdunal valleys) and dune tops in the breeding season (spring), but remained in the swales in the colder months, whereas males were restricted mostly to the swales throughout the year. Females probably travel to the dune tops in response to increased seasonal food resources (invertebrates), at a time when their energy requirements are high (reproduction and lactation) and mobility may be restricted (with pouch‐ or nest‐young). Long‐distance movements and low rates of recapture (<10%) indicate that this species is serially nomadic and is able to move to areas of greater resource availability when local resources are depleted. We suggest that the ability to travel long distances in search of food is a successful strategy for this species, resulting in its persistent abundance in an environment where food resources are often patchy and unreliable.
Milk protein polymorphisms in Holstein cattle†
Authors: ONER YASEMIN , ELMACI CENGIZ 
Published: July 2006

Milk samples from 203 Holstein cows were phenotyped for genetic variants αs1‐casein, β‐casein, κ‐casein and β‐lactoglobulin using starch‐gel electrophoresis. All of the four milk protein loci exhibited polymorphism with allele frequencies of 0.862 ± 0.017 for αs1‐casein B, 0.966 ± 0.0009 for β‐casein A, 0.712 ± 0.0224 for κ‐casein A and 0.567 ± 0.0245 for β‐lactoglobulin B. The mean heterozygosity estimated over all the four milk protein loci was 0.3015. Genetic equilibrium was observed among all of the loci investigated, except κ‐casein. Chi‐squared tests revealed that there was no significant linkage among studied milk protein phenotypes.
Microbiological and chemical characterization of Fiore Sardo, a traditional Sardinian cheese made from ewe's milk
Authors: PISANO M BARBARA , FADDA M ELISABETTA , DEPLANO MAURA , CORDA ARIANNA , COSENTINO SOFIA 
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the chemical and microbial characteristics of 12 batches of artisanal Fiore Sardo, a protected designation of origin (PDO) hard cheese made from raw ewe's milk without addition of starters, during maturation. High standard deviations were observed for moisture percentage, total solids percentage and NaCl percentage content, possibly owing to differences in manufacturing processes and/or milk composition. Total mesophilic bacteria varied between 10 log10 cfu/g in 48‐h‐old cheese samples and 3 log10 cfu/g in 9‐month‐old samples. Total coliforms and staphylococci showed the highest counts at 48 h of ripening then decreased significantly, dropping to levels below 2 log10 cfu/g at 3 months of maturation. Lactic acid bacteria and enterococci were the dominant micro‐organisms throughout maturation. They were mainly represented by the species Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei group. Low levels of yeasts were detected throughout the maturation period of the cheese. Debaryomyces hansenii and Kluyveromyces lactis var. lactis were the prevalent yeast species isolated.
Relationship between A and B variants of κ‐casein and β‐lactoglobulin and coagulation properties of milk (Part II)
Authors: MOLINA L H , BENAVIDES T , BRITO C , CARRILLO B , MOLINA I 
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study was to relate the genetic variants A and B of κ‐casein (κ‐CN) and β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) of the milk of 10 Chilean Holstein–Friesian cows and its coagulation properties (coagulation ability of milk, curd firmness and syneresis of the curd). The results showed that β‐Lg AB phenotypes have a significant effect on the studied properties in comparison with the samples containing the AA phenotype. A and B variants of κ‐CN did not have a significant effect on the coagulation properties, although there was a favourable interaction between β‐Lg AB and κ‐CN B.
Measurement of ionic calcium in milk
Authors: LIN M‐J , LEWIS M J , GRANDISON A S 
Published: July 2006

There are many reports in the literature regarding the effects of ionic calcium on reactions related to casein micelle stability, such as heat stability, ethanol stability and susceptibility to gelation, sediment formation and fouling. However, experimental evidence supporting these assertions is much less readily available. This paper evaluates three selective ion electrode systems for measuring ionic calcium directly in milk as well as looking at the effects on pH reduction and addition of calcium chloride. The best electrode system was the Ciba Corning 634 system, which was designed for blood but has been modified for milk. This was found to be reproducible and stable when calibrated daily and allowed direct measurements to be taken on milk in 70 s. This has been found to perform well now for 3 years. The other systems were not so useful, as they took longer to stabilize, but may be useful for higher ionic calcium concentrations, which are found in acidified milk products. Reducing the pH increased ionic calcium and reduced ethanol stability. Calcium chloride addition reduced pH, increased ionic calcium and reduced the ethanol stability. Readjusting the pH to its value before calcium addition reduced the ionic calcium, but not back to its original value. Milks from individual cows showed wide variations in their ionic calcium concentrations. This establishes the methodology for a more detailed investigation on measurement of ionic calcium in milks from individual cows and from bulk milks, to allow a better understanding of its role in casein micelle stability.
N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonists enhance histamine neuron activity in rodent brain
Authors: Faucard Raphaël , Armand Vincent , Héron Anne , Cochois Véronique , Schwartz Jean‐Charles , Arrang Jean‐Michel 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe modulation of histamine neuron activity by various non‐competitive NMDA‐receptor antagonists was evaluated by changes intele‐methylhistamine (t‐MeHA) levels and histidine decarboxylase (hdc) mRNA expression induced in rodent brain. The NMDA open‐channel blockers phencyclidine (PCP) and MK‐801 enhancedt‐MeHA levels in mouse brain by 50–60%. Ifenprodil, which interacts with polyamine sites of NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors, had no effect. PCP also increasedhdcmRNA expression in the rat tuberomammillary nucleus. The enhancement oft‐MeHA levels elicited by MK‐801 (ED50of ∼0.1 mg/kg) was observed in the hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus. Controlt‐MeHA levels and thet‐MeHA response to MK‐801 were not different in male and female mice. Double immunostaining for HDC and NMDA receptor subunits showed that histamine neurons of the rat tuberomammillary nucleus express NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) with NMDA receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) and NMDA receptor 2B subunit (NR2B). In addition, immunoreactivity for the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1 was observed near most histaminergic perikarya. Hence, these findings support the existence of histamine/glutamate functional interactions in the brain. The increase in histamine neuron activity induced by NMDA receptor antagonists further suggests a role of histamine neurons in psychotic disorders. In addition, the decrease in MK‐801‐induced hyperlocomotion observed in mice after administration of ciproxifan further strengthens the potential interest of H3‐receptor antagonist/inverse agonists for the symptomatic treatment of schizophrenia.
RNA interference targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase ζ/receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase β suppresses glioblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ulbricht Ulrike , Eckerich Carmen , Fillbrandt Regina , Westphal Manfred , Lamszus Katrin 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe protein tyrosine phosphatase ζ/receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase β (PTPζ/RPTPβ) and its ligand pleiotrophin (PTN) are overexpressed in human glioblastomas. Both molecules are involved in neuronal cell migration during CNS development. In addition, PTN can induce glioma cell migration which is at least in part mediated through binding to PTPζ/RPTPβ. To study the relevance of this ligand–receptor pair for glioma growth in vitro and in vivo, we transfected the human glioblastoma cell line U251‐MG with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against PTPζ/RPTPβ. Stable siRNA transfection resulted in strong down‐regulation of PTPζ/RPTPβ expression. When injected subcutaneously into nude mice, clones that expressed normal levels of PTPζ/RPTPβ (PTPζ + clones) formed exponentially growing tumours, whereas tumour growth was almost completely abrogated for clones that expressed reduced PTPζ/RPTPβ levels (PTPζ – clones). Similar results were obtained using an orthotopic intracerebral model. Proliferation of PTPζ – cells in vitro was significantly reduced compared with that of control clones. Matrix‐immobilized PTN stimulated the proliferation of PTPζ + cells but not of PTPζ – cells. Haptotactic migration induced by PTN was reduced for PTPζ – clones compared with control clones. Our findings suggest that antagonization of PTPζ/RPTPβ expression can inhibit glioma growth in vivo and may thus represent a potentially promising treatment strategy.
Aberrant activation of CDK5 is involved in the pathogenesis of OPIDN
Authors: Wang Ying‐Peng , Mou Dan‐lei , Song Jun‐Feng , Rao Zhi‐Ren , Li Duan , Ju Gong 
Published: July 2006

AbstractExposure to triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP) may result in a late neurological complication, i.e. organophosphate‐induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). The aim of this study was to examine changes in levels of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and of its activator, p35/p25, in the spinal cord of hens treated by TOCP. After exposure to a single dose of TOCP, groups of adult hens were examined in 3, 5, 7, 9, 14, and 18 days after exposure. CDK5, p35/p25 expression and distribution in the lumbar spinal cord were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The hens showed signs of OPIDN around day 9 after exposure. The number of p (phosphorylated) ‐CDK5 and p35 positive cells increased significantly. Co‐localization and mislocalization of p‐CDK5 and p35/p25 was identified and became evident in neurons around the 9th day. Meanwhile, CDK5, p‐CDK5, p35, p25 protein levels and p25/p35 ratio were increased, and peaked around the 9th day, then decreased. Some hens' unilateral common peroneal was treated by roscovitine 3 days after TOCP exposure. Axonal transport of these nerves was faster than of their opposite side and of those simply treated by TOCP. These findings indicate aberrant activation of CDK5 may be involved in the pathogenesis of OPIDN.
Styrylbenzoazole derivatives for imaging of prion plaques and treatment of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
Authors: Ishikawa Kensuke , Kudo Yukitsuka , Nishida Noriyuki , Suemoto Takahiro , Sawada Tohru , Iwaki Toru , Doh‐ura Katsumi 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRecent prevalence of acquired forms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) has urged the development of early diagnostic measures as well as therapeutic interventions. To extend our previous findings on the value of amyloid imaging probes for these purposes, styrylbenzoazole derivatives with better permeability of blood–brain barrier (BBB) were developed and analyzed in this study. The new styrylbenzoazole compounds clearly labeled prion protein (PrP) plaques in brain specimens from human TSE in a manner irrespective of pathogen strain, and a representative compound BF‐168 detected abnormal PrP aggregates in the brain of TSE‐infected mice when the probe was injected intravenously. On the other hand, most of the compounds inhibited abnormal PrP formation in TSE‐infected cells with IC50 values in the nanomolar range, indicating that they represent one of the most potent classes of inhibitor ever reported. BF‐168 prolonged the lives of mice infected intracerebrally with TSE when the compound was given intravenously at the preclinical stage. The new compounds, however, failed to detect synaptic PrP deposition and to show pathogen‐independent therapeutic efficacy, similar to the amyloid imaging probes we previously reported. The compounds were BBB permeable and non‐toxic at doses for imaging and treatment; therefore, they are expected to be of practical use in human TSE.
Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hypertension, and leukocyte telomere length in men from the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Demissie S. , Levy D. , Benjamin E. J. , Cupples L. A. , Gardner J. P. , Herbert A. , Kimura M. , Larson M. G. , Meigs J. B. , Keaney J. F. , Aviv A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryInsulin resistance and oxidative stress are associated with accelerated telomere attrition in leukocytes. Both are also implicated in the biology of aging and in aging‐related disorders, including hypertension. We explored the relations of leukocyte telomere length, expressed by terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length, with insulin resistance, oxidative stress and hypertension. We measured leukocyte TRF length in 327 Caucasian men with a mean age of 62.2 years (range 40–89 years) from the Offspring cohort of the Framingham Heart Study. TRF length was inversely correlated with age (r = –0.41, P < 0.0001) and age‐adjusted TRF length was inversely correlated with the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) (r =–0.16, P = 0.007) and urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α (r = –0.16, P = 0.005) – an index of systemic oxidative stress. Compared with their normotensive peers, hypertensive subjects exhibited shorter age‐adjusted TRF length (hypertensives = 5.93 ± 0.042 kb, normotensives = 6.07 ± 0.040 kb, P = 0.025). Collectively, these observations suggest that hypertension, increased insulin resistance and oxidative stress are associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length and that shorter leukocyte telomere length in hypertensives is largely due to insulin resistance.
Extraordinary plasticity in aging in Strongyloides ratti implies a gene‐regulatory mechanism of lifespan evolution
Authors: Gardner Michael P. , Gems David , Viney Mark E. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAging evolves as the result of weakened selection against late‐acting deleterious alleles due, for example, to extrinsic mortality. Comparative studies of aging support this evolutionary theory, but details of the genetic mechanisms by which lifespan evolves remain unclear. We have studied aging in an unusual nematode, Strongyloides ratti, to gain insight into the nature of these mechanisms, in this first detailed examination of aging in a parasitic nematode. S. ratti has distinct parasitic and free‐living adults, living in the rat small intestine and the soil, respectively. We have observed reproductive and demographic aging in parasitic adults, with a maximum lifespan of 403 days. By contrast the maximum lifespan of free‐living adults is only 5 days. Thus, the two adults of S. ratti have evolved strikingly different rates of aging. Parasitic nematode species are frequently longer‐lived than free‐living species, presumably reflecting different extrinsic mortality rates in their respective niches. Parasitic and free‐living female S. ratti are morphologically different, yet genetically identical. Thus, the 80‐fold difference in their lifespans, the greatest plasticity in aging yet reported, must largely reflect evolved differences in gene expression. This suggests that interspecific differences in lifespan may evolve via similar mechanisms.
Reducing Unnecessary Right Ventricular Pacing with the Managed Ventricular Pacing Mode in Patients with Sinus Node Disease and AV Block
Authors: GILLIS ANNE M. , PÜRERFELLNER HELMUT , ISRAEL CARSTEN W. , SUNTHORN HENRI , KACET SALEM , ANELLI‐MONTI MICHAEL , TANG FENG , YOUNG MARTIN , BORIANI GIUSEPPE ,   On behalf of the Medtronic Enrhythm Clinical Study Investigators
Published: July 2006

Background: Frequent and unnecessary right ventricular apical pacing increases the risk of atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure. We evaluated a new pacing algorithm, managed ventricular pacing (MVP) which automatically changes modes between AAI/R and DDD/R in patients receiving pacemakers for symptomatic bradycardia.
Methods: Patients were randomized to the MVP mode or DDD/R mode for 1 month and then crossed over to the alternate pacing modality for an additional month. On completion of the crossover phase, the pacing mode selected was individualized and patients were followed for an additional 4 months.
Results: Of the 129 patients who successfully completed the crossover study, the cumulative percent ventricular pacing was significantly reduced in the MVP mode (median 1.4%) compared to the DDD/R mode (median 89.6%, 94.0% relative reduction; 95% CI 89.3–98.8%, P < 0.001). Patients with sinus node disease (SND, n = 51) when compared to patients with AV block (AVB) (n = 68) experienced a greater reduction in ventricular pacing with the MVP mode compared to the DDD/R mode (median relative reduction 99.1%; 95% CI 97.5–99.9% vs median relative reduction 60.1%; 95% CI 16.7–93.9% P < 0.001). The reduced percent ventricular pacing during MVP was sustained over longer term follow‐up.
Conclusions: The majority of patients with a bradycardia indication for cardiac pacing do not require ventricular pacing most of the time. The MVP mode significantly reduces unnecessary right ventricular pacing. This mode benefits even patients with intermittent AVB and is sustained over longer term follow‐up.