bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can magnetic resonance angiogram be a reliable alternative for donor evaluation for laparoscopic nephrectomy?
Authors: Kim Jun‐Chul , Kim Chan‐Duck , Jang Min‐Hwa , Park Sun‐Hee , Lee Jong‐Min , Kwon Tae‐Gyun , Yoo Eun‐Sang , Huh Seung , Kim Yong‐Lim 
Published: February 2007

Abstract:  Background:  While hand‐assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HLDN) is less invasive, which can encourage kidney donation, it requires more exact information about the renal vascular anatomy because of its limited visual field during nephrectomy. MRA is also an attractive choice because of its minimal invasiveness; further, it is an outpatient‐based procedure, it uses non‐nephrotoxic contrast material and it has no radiation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of gadolinium enhanced three‐dimensional MRA (GdE‐3D MRA) in a group of potential live donors who were candidates for HLDN.Methods:  From September 2002 to December 2004, 40 potential live renal donors were evaluated prospectively with GdE‐3D MRA, and this imaging modality was performed before the gold standard, the intra‐arterial digital subtraction angiogram (IA‐DSA), was carried out. All the images were reviewed in a blinded manner by the attending vascular radiologist. The MRA findings were compared with the DSA findings and the surgical findings as the reference methods. We evaluated the accuracy of MRA for imaging the renal architectures, and especially for imaging the renal accessory arteries and the early branching arteries that are important determinants for selection of the donor kidney.Results:  Both the MRA and DSA images showed consistent findings with the surgical findings in 92.5% of the 40 donors. There were no discrepant cases in depicting the main renal artery. MRA showed 100% specificity for imaging both the renal accessory arteries and the early branching arteries, when compared with the surgical findings. The kappa values for the MRA and DSA for the accessory arteries were all 0.66 compared with the intraoperative findings. MRA also depicted one huge renal cyst in one donor and many small renal cysts in the other donors that could not be imaged by DSA. There were no adverse events during the MRA procedure. None of the findings missed by MRA resulted in deleterious consequences at laparoscopic nephrectomy for the donor and graft.Conclusions:  Our limited experience with GdE‐3D MRA for imaging the renal structures in kidney donor evaluation for HLDN has been quite satisfactory.
Methodological considerations of measuring disability in bipolar disorder: validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Independent Functioning
Authors: Berns Stefanie , Uzelac Sarah , Gonzalez Cristina , Jaeger Judith 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence, severity and persistence of the disability associated with bipolar disorder (BPD). Reliable instruments are needed to support research into the factors associated with disability and treatment response. Contextual factors (e.g., availability of supported employment programs) can affect functionality, posing a challenge to such investigations. We present preliminary findings regarding the validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Independent Functioning (MSIF) in BPD. The MSIF provides discrete ratings of support separate from both role responsibility and performance quality in work, residential and educational environments. These distinctions allow the ‘correction’ for variability explained by contextual factors that allows the comparison of studies conducted in different environments and time.Methods:  Participants with BPD were administered the MSIF, the Social Adjustment Scale II (SAS‐II) and an interview recording objective data regarding work, school and residential activities as part of an ongoing longitudinal study of BPD disability.Results:  Construct validity estimated using standardized Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.76 (n = 58). MSIF global ratings were significantly lower (reflecting higher functionality) for subjects engaged in productive activity compared with participants who were not active (t = −3.6, p = 0.001) demonstrating external validity. Inter‐rater reliability estimates ranged from 0.86 to 0.99 (n = 49). Significant, high correlations were demonstrated between comparable MSIF and SAS‐II global ratings (criterion validity = 0.70–0.79) and low correlations were found between non‐comparable ratings (discriminant validity = −0.07 to −0.35) (n = 14).Conclusion:  We conclude that the MSIF is a valid and reliable instrument optimally designed for studying determinants of disability and treatment response in BPD.
Developing core sets for persons with bipolar disorder based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Vieta E , Cieza A , Stucki G , Chatterji S , Nieto M , Sánchez‐Moreno J , Jaeger J , Grunze H , Ayuso‐Mateos JL 
Published: February 2007

Introduction:  Functioning is increasingly being taken into account when assessing the impact of bipolar disorder (BD) on the individual, as well as the effectiveness of treatments. With the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), we can now rely on a globally agreed‐upon framework and system for classifying the typical spectrum of problems in functioning, given the environmental context in which subjects live. ICF Core Sets are subgroups of ICF items selected to capture those aspects of functioning that are most likely to be affected by specific disorders. Within a given disorder, both Brief and Comprehensive Core Sets can be established to serve specific purposes.Objective:  The aim of this paper is to outline the development process of the ICF Core Sets for BD.Methods:  The final definition of ICF Core Sets for BD will be determined at an ICF Core‐Sets Consensus Conference, which will integrate evidence from preliminary studies, namely (a) semi‐structured interviews with people with BD in different countries, (b) a Delphi exercise with international experts participating and (c) a cross‐sectional study.Conclusion:  ICF Core Sets are being designed with the goal of providing useful standards for research, clinical practice and teaching. We believe that these ICF Core Sets for BD will stimulate research leading to improved understanding of functioning, disability and health in BD. Such research, we hope, will lead to interventions and accommodations to improve restoration and maintenance of functioning and minimise disability among people with BD throughout the world.
Employment functioning and disability among community residents with bipolar affective disorder: results from an Australian community survey
Authors: Waghorn Geoffrey , Chant David , Jaeger Judith 
Published: February 2007

Objectives: To compare employment functioning and disability among people with bipolar affective disorder in comparison to adults with schizophrenia.Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 1997–1998. Participants were aged 18–64 years with a DSM‐III‐R diagnosis of either bipolar affective disorder (BPD, n = 156) or schizophrenia (n = 385) and were community residents with either outpatient or short‐stay inpatient status. The survey began by screening 5,710 people for psychosis, hence the sample consists mostly of bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Those with BPD were examined both in aggregation with and in contrast to people with schizophrenia on 24 independent variables covering demographic, clinical, and functioning characteristics with respect to two employment status variables and a global rating of social and occupational functioning.Results: The unadjusted and fully adjusted models revealed key functioning differences between BPD and schizophrenia. Adjusted correlates of employment functioning unique to people with BPD were: age, course of disorder, insight into positive symptoms, impairment attributed to medication, family history of schizophrenia, lifetime substance dependence, and lifetime repeated use of illicit or non‐prescription drugs.Conclusions: The population‐level correlates of employment functioning among people with BPD warrant special attention when providing both clinical and vocational assistance. Employment functioning in both BPD and schizophrenia is partly explained by demographic, clinical and functioning correlates, which can be independent of global assessments of social and occupational functioning.
Neurocognitive test performance predicts functional recovery from acute exacerbation leading to hospitalization in bipolar disorder
Authors: Jaeger Judith , Berns Stefanie , Loftus Shay , Gonzalez Cristina , Czobor Pál 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  Bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with significant functional morbidity at a rate which is particularly elevated among patients discharged from hospital. The aim of this study was to examine the degree to which neurocognitive test performance, measured following hospitalization for an acute affective episode, is predictive of functional recovery 1 year later.Methods:  Seventy‐eight Zucker Hillside Hospital patients aged 18–59 years and having Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BPD I), bipolar II disorder (BPD II) or BPD not otherwise specified (NOS) confirmed through a rigorous diagnosis consensus procedure, underwent a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery after initial stabilization (baseline) and were followed for at least 12 months (follow‐up). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) and Clinician‐Administered Rating Scale for Mania (CARS‐M) ratings were made at baseline and follow‐up. At follow‐up, functionality was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale for Independent Functioning (MSIF). Logistic regression was used to examine the predictive value of each of six validated neurocognitive domains for determining functionality (MSIF) at follow‐up. Baseline and follow‐up HAM‐D and CARS‐M were entered as covariates as was number of days between baseline and follow‐up.Results:  Attention and Ideational Fluency were significantly predictive of functional recovery 12 months later. Residual mania but not depression was associated with 12‐month MSIF rating. Lithium and benzodiazepine treatment at the time of neurocognitive testing did not affect the results.Conclusions:  This is the first study examining the predictive value of neurocognitive deficits, independent of residual mania or depression, for long‐term functional recovery following hospitalization. Selective neurocognitive deficits are predictive of long‐term functional recovery and, as such, should be candidate targets in treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Neuropsychological symptom dimensions in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Czobor Pál , Jaeger Judith , Berns Stefanie M , Gonzalez Cristina , Loftus Shay 
Published: February 2007

Background:  While neurocognitive (NC) impairments have been well documented in schizophrenia (SZ), there is limited data as to whether similar impairments are present in other persistent mental illnesses. Recent data indicate that NC impairments may be manifested in bipolar disorder (BPD) and that they persist across disease states, including euthymia. An important question is whether a comparable structure of NC impairments is present in the 2 diagnostic groups.Objective:  In a previous factor analytic study, we identified 6 factors to describe the basic underlying structure of neuropsychological (NP) functioning in SZ: Attention, Working Memory, Learning, Verbal Knowledge, Non‐Verbal Functions, Ideational Fluency. The goal of this study was to investigate whether this factor structure is generalizable for BPD.Methods:  The BPD sample included patients (n = 155) from an ongoing longitudinal study evaluating BPD at the time of hospitalization for relapse and at multiple time points over the following 2 years. The SZ sample included patients (n = 250) from a 3‐year study. For the current examination the baseline NP evaluations were selected for both samples.Results:  Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in the BPD sample yielded factors similar to those identified in the SZ sample. The coefficients of congruence ranged between 0.66–0.90 for the individual factors, indicating a good overall correspondence between the factor structures in the 2 diagnostic groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analysis with education level, full scale‐IQ, gender and ethnicity as covariates indicated that SZ patients had markedly worse performance on the Attention and Non‐Verbal Functioning factors compared to the BPD patients.Conclusions:  Together, these data suggest that while the same underlying factor structure describes NP functioning in both groups, the profile of impairments appears to vary with the diagnosis.
Working, receiving disability benefits, and access to mental health care in individuals with bipolar disorder
Authors: Elinson Lynn , Houck Patricia , Pincus Harold Alan 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which people in a bipolar disorder (BPD) registry were working, factors associated with working and obtaining disability benefits, and the impact disability benefits have on work.Methods:  We compared the socio‐demographic, disease, treatment, and health insurance characteristics among three work disability groups – working, not working, and not working and receiving disability benefits – using a chi‐square statistical test on categorical data, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare means, and a Kruskal–Wallis non‐parametric test of significance with skewed data.Results:  Among 1,855 individuals, 49.4% reported they were working. Those working were younger, more frequently self‐identified as Caucasian, were more highly educated, had a higher income, were more often married, had a shorter duration of illness, and reported the shortest illness duration, the lowest percentage of suicide attempts, and manic and mixed or rapid symptoms in the past 6 months compared to the two non‐working groups. Working individuals least often reported receiving electroconvulsive therapy and being hospitalized and had the longest median duration since last hospitalization and the lowest percentage with treatment in the past 6 months. They were currently likelier to be treated by a primary care physician or other health professional than a psychiatrist compared to non‐working groups. Finally, compared to the non‐working groups, the working group had the highest percentage with no health insurance and private health insurance, the highest percentage using managed care, and the lowest percent under a fee‐for‐service plan. All work disability groups had similar perceptions of their mental health care plan in terms of the number of doctors or clinics from which to choose, the location of their health care providers, and the quality of mental health care. Those in the working group were least satisfied with the range of mental health services provided in their health plan.Conclusions:  Disability benefits are rarely awarded when a person is working. Moreover, receipt of disability benefits increases the likelihood that a person with BPD will be receiving health care benefits and, in many cases, those benefits provide greater access to treatment compared to health care insurance received through an employer. We conclude that the incentives to work run counter to access to treatment among people with BPD.
Virulence Analysis and Race Classification of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in China
Authors: Liu H. , Yang W. , Hu B. , Liu F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwo hundred and eighty‐five isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were randomly collected from 22 rice‐growing provinces in China. Ninety‐one representative isolates were chosen to assess the differential characteristics of 24 near‐isogenic rice lines containing a single resistance gene or two to four genes. Most isolates were avirulent on pyramided lines, except IRBB51, and hence, the pyramided lines cannot be used as differentials for the virulence analysis of X. oryzae pv. oryzae in China. The 13 rice lines with a single gene were used further to establish a system of races classification of X. oryzae pv. oryzae in China. IR24 and IRBB10 were susceptible to the isolates with several exceptions, whereas IRBB5, IRBB7 and IRBB21 were resistant. Based on the interactions between the isolates of X. oryzae pv. oryzae and the 13 near‐isogenic rice lines, six single‐gene rice cultivars (IRBB5, IRBB13, IRBB3, IRBB14, IRBB2 and IR24) were chosen as differentials, and the 285 tested isolates were classified into nine races. The reaction patterns of the nine races in order were: RRRRRR, RRRRRS, RRRRSS, RRRSSS, RRSSSS, RSRRRS, RSSRRS, RSSSSS and SSSSSS. The race frequencies were 10.18%, 10.53%, 4.91%, 10.18%, 24.21%, 5.96%, 11.23%, 22.46% and 0.35% respectively. The virulence of representative strains of eight Philippine races on 13 rice lines with a single gene was determined and compared with the Chinese races. The frequency distributions of X. oryzae pv. oryzae races were primarily described for the different regions in China.
Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum Populations Isolated from Tomato Plants in Tunisia
Authors: Hibar K. , Edel‐Herman V. , Steinberg Ch. , Gautheron N. , Daami‐Remadi M. , Alabouvette C. , El Mahjoub M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFusarium crown and root rot of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici is a new devastative disease of tomato greenhouse crops in Tunisia. Nothing is known neither about the population of this pathogen in this region, nor about the population of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato. In order to examine the genetic relatedness among the F. oxysporum isolates by intergenic spacer restriction fragment length polymorphism (IGS‐RFLP) analysis and to elucidate the origin of the formae specialesradicis‐lycopersici in Tunisia by looking for genetic similarity of Tunisians isolates with isolates from a foreign source, the genetic diversity among F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici populations was investigated. A total of 62 isolates of F. oxysporum, obtained from symptomless tomato plants, were characterized using IGS typing and pathogenicity tests on tomato plants. All Fusarium isolates were highly pathogenic on tomato. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates were separated into five IGS types. From the 53 F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates, 34 isolates have the same IGS types (IGS type 25), and the remaining 19 isolates were distributed into four IGS types. However, the only nine isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici have six different IGS types. This difference of diversity between the two formae speciales suggests that F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates have a foreign origin and may have been accidentally introduced into Tunisia.
Variation of Fungicide Resistance in Czech Populations of Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Authors: Urban J. , Lebeda A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDuring the growing seasons between the years 2001 and 2004, 98 isolates of Pseudoperonospora cubensis from nine regions of Czech Republic were collected and screened for tolerance/resistance to the three frequently used fungicides (propamocarb, fosetyl‐Al, metalaxyl). Fungicides were tested in five different concentrations, using a floating disc bioassay. Fungicide effectiveness varied considerably. Propamocarb appeared most effective and all the isolates collected in the years 2001–2003 were found sensitive to all tested concentrations [607–9712 μg active ingredient (a.i.)/ml]. In 2004, some strains with increased resistance to propamocarb were detected. These strains were characterized by tolerance at the lowest concentrations (607 μg a.i./ml, eventually on 1214 μg a.i./ml); however, they were controlled by 2428 μg a.i./ml. Fosetyl‐Al was effective at the recommended concentration of 1600 μg a.i./ml against all isolates. However, the occurrence of isolates (collected in 2001) which sporulated at low concentrations (400 and 800 μg a.i./ml) indicated that the selection for tolerance occurs in the pathogen population. Nevertheless, this phenomenon was not confirmed with the P. cubensis isolates collected between the years 2002 and 2004. Metalaxyl was found ineffective, because 97% of the isolates showed the resistance to the recommended concentration (200 μg a.i./ml), and the other 3% of isolates expressed tolerant response. The majority of the isolates showed profuse and/or limited sporulation at higher concentrations (400 and 800 μg a.i./ml). A substantial shift to highly metalaxyl resistant strains was evident in the Czech P. cubensis populations during 2001–2004.
Molecular Characterization of a Totivirus and a Partitivirus from the Genus Ophiostoma
Authors: Doherty M. , Sanganee K. , Kozlakidis Z. , Coutts R. H. A. , Brasier C. M. , Buck K. W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwo fungal isolates of the genus Ophiostoma (O. minus and O. quercus) contain double‐stranded RNA elements which, when partially cloned and sequenced, represent fragments of RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase genes which are most closely related to those found in viruses in the families Totiviridae and Partitiviridae, respectively. This is the first description of a totivirus in the genus Ophiostoma. The partitivirus in O. quercus is distantly related to a partitivirus recently identified in O. himal‐ulmi.
Detection, Survival and Transmission of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis and X. axonopodis pv. vignicola, Causal Agents of Cassava and Cowpea Bacterial Blight, respectively, in/by Insect Vectors
Authors: Zandjanakou‐Tachin M. , Fanou A. , Le Gall P. , Wydra K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPopulations of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis and X. axonopodis pv. vignicola, causal agents of cassava and cowpea bacterial blight, respectively, were quantified in insects. The pathogens were found in the faeces, the intestines, and on the legs and mandibles of Zonocerusvariegatus. Additionally, X. axonopodis pv. manihotis was localized in the insect gut by immunofluorescence microscopy. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis survived at least 1 week in the insect intestines and at least 5 weeks in faeces kept under controlled conditions, while survival in faeces exposed to sunlight was <2 weeks. Five percentage [e.g. 5.8 × 107 colony‐forming units (CFU)/g faeces] of the fed population of X. axonopodis pv. manihotis in cassava leaves were recovered viable in the faeces after passage through the insect. The transmission of cassava bacterial blight by pathogen‐contaminated insect faeces to intact, healthy cassava leaves was demonstrated for the first time. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola was isolated from organs and faeces of the grasshopper Pyrgomorpha cognata, the Senegalese grasshopper (Oedaleus senegalensis), bee (Apis mellifera) and three Coleoptera (Ootheca mutabilis, Mylabris spp., Exochomus troberti) collected in bacterial blight‐infected cowpea fields. Cowpea belonged to the diet of 19 grasshopper species collected in cowpea fields as demonstrated by residues in their faeces. Pathogen‐contaminated Z. variegatus initiated an epiphytic population of 8.9 × 104 CFU/g on healthy cowpea leaves. Spraying cassava and cowpea leaves with 102 and 104 CFU/ml of their respective pathogen was sufficient to evoke symptoms. A possible role of insects in the transmission of X. axonopodis pvs. vignicola and manihotis is discussed.