bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of developmental delay in infants aged 12 months
Authors: Slykerman Rebecca F. , Thompson John M. D. , Clark Phillipa M. , Becroft David M. O. , Robinson Elizabeth , Pryor Jan E. , Wild Chris J. , Mitchell Edwin A. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine which demographic, maternal, obstetric and postnatal variables were associated with achievement of developmental milestones at the age of 12 months in term infants. Mothers and babies were enrolled in the Auckland Birthweight Collaborative Study shortly after birth. All infants were full term (gestation ≥ 37 weeks). Approximately half of the sample were small for gestational age (SGA = birthweight ≤ 10th percentile), and half were appropriate for gestational age (AGA = birthweight > 10th percentile). A maternal interview was conducted soon after birth. Phase 2 of the study occurred 12 months later when mothers were sent a postal questionnaire requesting information about the child's health and development during the first year of life using the Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire. Seven hundred and forty‐four (85.4%) European mothers returned the postal questionnaire.SGA children were not at increased risk of developmental delay at 12 months of age. In a sample representative of New Zealand European children, after adjustment for the effects of potential confounders, maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.1 [95% CI 1.1, 4.0]), maternal smoking during the first year of life (OR = 1.9 [95% CI 1.0, 3.8]) and low levels of satisfaction with parenting (OR = 2.4 [95% CI 1.1, 5.2]) were associated with significantly increased risk of developmental delay. In the subgroup of SGA children, maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.9 [95% CI 1.4, 6.2]), high levels of stress associated with parenting (OR = 2.2 [95% CI 1.2, 4.0]), and low levels of satisfaction with parenting (OR = 4.3 [95% CI 1.3, 13.5]) were significantly associated with developmental delay after adjustment for the effects of potential confounders. In conclusion, maternal and postnatal factors were better predictors of developmental delay than demographic variables.
A public health collaboration for the surveillance of autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Rice Catherine E. , Baio Jon , Van Naarden Braun Kim , Doernberg Nancy , Meaney F. John , Kirby Russell S. ,   ADDM Network
Published: February 2007

SummaryAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a range of behavioural phenotypes defined by impaired development in social interaction, communication, imagination, and range of interests or behaviours. The aetiology and epidemiology of these serious developmental disabilities (DDs) are poorly understood. Estimates of the population prevalence of ASDs have varied widely within the US and abroad, with increasing estimates in most of the recent studies. In an effort to improve our understanding of the prevalence, population characteristics and public health impact of these conditions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has funded a multi‐site surveillance network for ASDs and other DDs that consists of programmes known as the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network which conducts surveillance activities and the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) which also conducts surveillance in addition to special research studies related to the ASDs. This collaboration will be referred to hereafter as the ADDM Network. The ADDM Network is implementing a multiple‐source surveillance programme to determine population prevalence and characteristics of ASDs and other DDs. This paper describes the collaborative efforts and explains the methods in developing this coordinated public health surveillance network to provide an ongoing source of high‐quality data on ASDs.
Clp protease controls chlorophyll b synthesis by regulating the level of chlorophyllide a oxygenase
Authors: Nakagawara Eiki , Sakuraba Yasuhito , Yamasato Akihiro , Tanaka Ryouichi , Tanaka Ayumi 
Published: February 2007

SummaryChlorophyll b is one of the major light‐harvesting pigments in green plants and it is essential for optimal light harvesting. Chlorophyll b is synthesized from chlorophyll a by chlorophyllide a oxygenase (CAO) which consists of A, B and C domains. Previously, we demonstrated that the C domain alone has a catalytic function, while the A and B domains control the level of CAO protein in response to chlorophyll b accumulation. We hypothesized that the accumulation of chlorophyll b triggers the proteolytic degradation of CAO. In this study, in order to gain further insight into this regulatory mechanism we screened for mutants that have defects in the control of CAO accumulation. Seeds from a transgenic line of Arabidopsis which overexpressed a CAO–GFP fusion were mutagenized and their progenies were screened by laser‐scanning confocal microscopy for mutants showing an elevated level of GFP fluorescence. One particular mutant (dca1) exhibited stronger GFP fluorescence and accumulated a GFP–CAO fusion protein at a higher level. Concomitantly, the chlorophyll a to b ratio decreased in this mutant. The mutation in the dca1 mutant was mapped to the ClpC1 gene, thereby indicating that a chloroplast Clp protease is involved in regulating chlorophyll b biosynthesis through the destabilization of CAO protein in response to the accumulation of chlorophyll b.
Association of polymorphic extracellular domains of MICA with cervical cancer in northeastern Thai population
Authors: Jumnainsong A. , Romphruk A. V. , Jearanaikoon P. , Klumkrathok K. , Romphruk A. , Luanrattanakorn S. , Leelayuwat C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCancer of the cervix is one of the common cancers among women worldwide. The primary risk factor of cervical cancer is the high‐risk group human papillomavirus infection. Host genetic factors should also be involved. Major histocompatibility complex class I chain related A (MICA), a ligand to the natural killer cell receptor group (NKG)2D receptor relevant to immune surveillance, was investigated as a potential candidate. MICA is highly polymorphic. Although the data were limited regarding functional polymorphism, it is conceivable that polymorphism of MICA may contribute to different degree of immune activation caused by different NKG2D‐binding affinity, acting as a susceptible factor for development of cervical cancer. In this study, we have developed a polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer technique defining most of MICA alleles with a total of 41 primer mixes. This set of primers could especially discriminate MICA*045 (formerly 052), a common allele in northeastern Thai population, from MICA*00701, a common allele in Caucasian population. Based on the distribution of MICA in northeastern Thai population, only 27 primer mixes were required to screen the MICA polymorphisms in this population. This set of primers was used for MICA typing of 100 samples of cervical cancer compared with 94 samples of healthy northeastern Thai females (NETF). Thirteen alleles or groups of alleles were identified in these samples. Common alleles in our population were MICA*00801(027,048)/0803, MICA*010 and MICA*00201(020, 023, 050)/30/41. Statistically significant differences were not observed in the distributions of MICA alleles between different stages of patients and the control group. However, there were particular residues that were negatively associated with cervical cancer, suggesting active MICA motifs in immune activation.
Determinants of social functioning in bipolar disorder
Authors: Pope Marie , Dudley Robert , Scott Jan 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Evidence indicates that social outcomes in bipolar disorders (BP) are poorer than previously assumed. This study explores determinants of the quality and quantity of social activity.Methods:  Seventy‐seven subjects with BP completed self‐report and observer‐rated questionnaires assessing demographic and clinical factors, personality and social functioning.Results:  Quality of functioning and spectrum of activity were found to be independent. The best determinants of the quality of functioning, accounting for 33% of the variance, were premorbid neuroticism and the current level of depressive symptoms. Only 30% of subjects were active in all social domains, and the quantity of social activity was largely explained by social circumstances, namely, living with someone else and later age of illness onset.Conclusions:  The implications of these findings are discussed in this paper. We suggest that future studies need to differentiate between factors associated with the quality of functioning as compared with the quantity of social activity.
Neuropsychological deficits and functional impairment in bipolar depression, hypomania and euthymia
Authors: Malhi Gin S , Ivanovski Belinda , Hadzi‐Pavlovic Dusan , Mitchell Philip B , Vieta Eduard , Sachdev Perminder 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  To examine whether patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have subtle neuropsychological deficits that manifest clinically as cognitive and functional compromise, and this study attempted to determine the pattern of such cognitive deficits and their functional impact across all three phases of BD. We hypothesised that euthymia does not equate with normal neuropsychological function and that each phase has a characteristic pattern of deficits, with disturbance in attention and memory being common across all phases of the illness: (i) bipolar depression – psychomotor slowing and impairment of memory; (ii) hypomania by frontal‐executive deficits and (iii) euthymia – a mild disturbance of attention, memory and executive function.Methods:  Twenty‐five patients with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder underwent neuropsychological testing over a period of 30 months in the natural course of their illness while hypomanic and/or depressed and/or euthymic. The results from these assessments were compared with findings from neuropsychological tests conducted on 25 healthy controls matched for age, sex, education and handedness.Results:  Initial analyses revealed modest impairment in executive functioning, memory and attention in both hypomanic and depressed bipolar patients, with additional fine motor skills impairment in the latter. Memory deficits, also noted in euthymic patients, were non‐significant after controlling for confounding variables, although bipolar depressed patients remained significantly impaired on tests of verbal recall. Bipolar depressed and hypomanic patients differed with respect to the nature of their memory impairment. Depressed patients were more impaired as compared with euthymic patients on tests of verbal recall and fine motor skills. Psychosocial functioning was impaired across all three patient groups, but only in depressed and hypomanic patients did this correlate significantly with neuropsychological performance.Conclusions:  The mood‐state‐related cognitive deficits in both bipolar depression and hypomania compromise psychosocial function when patients are unwell. In euthymic patients, subtle impairments in attention and memory suggest that an absence of symptoms does not necessarily equate to ‘recovery’. The possibility of persistent cognitive deficits in BD is an issue of profound clinical and research interest that warrants further investigation; however, future research needs to adopt more sophisticated neuropsychological probes that are able to better define state and trait deficits and determine their functional impact.
Disability associated with mood states and comparator conditions: application of the Life Skills Profile measure of disability
Authors: Parker Gordon , Rosen Alan , Trauer Tom , Hadzi‐Pavlovic Dusan 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  To quantify the comparative level of disability experienced by those with mania and depression by contrasting against levels of disability experienced by those with schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and drug and alcohol dependence.Methods:  Disability data, measured by use of an abbreviated version of the Life Skills Profile, were collected from an Australian national survey assessing more than 20,000 episodes of care, involving in‐patients and out‐patients.Results:  Those with a diagnosis of mania rated as having higher levels of disability than those with depression and somewhat lower levels of disability than those with schizophrenia in the 3 months prior to assessment.Discussion:  Such data from a large national survey underline the increasingly recognized reality that those experiencing manic episodes have high levels of associated disability, and that management interventions are required that address the impact of impaired functioning as well as acute episodes.
Social functioning in bipolar patients: the perception and perspective of patients, relatives and advocacy organizations – a review
Authors: Elgie Rodney , Morselli Paolo Lucio 
Published: February 2007

Objective:  Recent evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) may alter social functioning in stabilized bipolar patients. We reviewed the available published material on the ‘perception and perspective’ of bipolar patients, relatives and advocacy organizations concerning the impact of BD on their lifestyle and social functioning. This review seeks to highlight some of the key issues from the patient's perspective.Methods:  A systematic, computer‐assisted, literature search (MEDLINE, Medscape, Cochrane Library, PubMed) was performed. Seventeen relevant reports were found providing examples of how BD patients and their relatives perceive the impact of the disorder on social functioning and previous and current lifestyles. The data reported were analysed and discussed.Results:  The negative impact of BD on a patient's life is high. The relationship with the family appears to be severely and adversely affected in most cases. Stigmatization and rejection within the family appear as important problems. The family's hostile attitude is often due to misinformation and a lack of understanding about the condition. Well‐informed relatives, openly supportive, may play a significant role in the recovery process. The presence of stigma, delay in correct diagnosis and high levels of unemployment or frequent problems in retaining employment are reported by a large majority of respondents.Conclusions:  There is a real need for an enhanced education, information and awareness program aimed at BD patients, physicians, family members and the public. This will aid diagnosis, reduce current levels of stigmatization and prejudice surrounding the condition while assisting the reintegration of former and present patients back into the community.
Social adjustment based on reported behaviour in bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Morriss Richard , Scott Jan , Paykel Eugene , Bentall Richard , Hayhurst Hazel , Johnson Tony 
Published: February 2007

Objectives:  To determine the effects of mood and additional clinical variables on different domains of current interviewer‐rated social adjustment reflecting the reported behaviour of patients with bipolar disorder (BD).Method:  Multi‐center cross‐sectional study employing multiple linear regression to investigate whether mood and other clinical features, previously linked to self‐rated social adjustment, were associated with eight domains of interviewer‐rated social adjustment in 253 BD patients. Baseline variables were entered sequentially in blocks representing current mood, demographic, current other psychiatric, past psychiatric and current treatment variables.Results:  Mood episode or symptoms together with five other variables (borderline/antisocial personality disorder, male gender, living alone, hypnotic drug and drugs for physical illness) were associated with impairment on two or more domains of interviewer‐rated social adjustment. They explained up to 31% of the variance in social adjustment, although friction, dependence and overactivity were associated with a different pattern of variables. Hypomanic symptoms were associated with increased friction and worse social adjustment with the extended family in the whole sample but improved performance and social and leisure activities in patients who were not in acute bipolar episode.Conclusion:  Clinicians may determine up to about 30% of outcome in current social adjustment in BD patients from the patient's current mood episode or symptoms and a small number of other clinical or demographic variables. Hypomanic episodes and symptoms usually worsen friction and overall social adjustment, but in patients who are not in acute episode, hypomanic symptoms can increase performance and social and leisure activities.
Association of cognitive deficits with elevated homocysteine levels in euthymic bipolar patients and its impact on psychosocial functioning: preliminary results
Authors: Dittmann S , Seemüller F , Schwarz MJ , Kleindienst N , Stampfer R , Zach J , Born C , Bernhard B , Fast K , Grunze H , Engel RR , Severus E 
Published: February 2007

Objectives:  Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been demonstrated to have a negative impact on cognitive functioning in healthy elderly people. Further studies suggest that they are an independent risk factor for dementia, in particular for Alzheimer's disease. Bipolar disorder is also associated with cognitive impairment. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of these deficits have not been elucidated yet. This study examines the role of Hcy on cognition and its impact on psychosocial functioning in euthymic bipolar patients.Methods:  A total of 55 euthymic bipolar patients and 17 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Neuropsychological assessments consisted of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd edition (WAIS‐III) subtest Letter–Number Sequencing Test (LNST) and the HAWIE‐R (German version of the WAIS‐R) subtest Information. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Social Adjustment Scale (SAS). To obtain plasma levels of Hcy, blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes, immediately put on ice, centrifuged within 15 min and stored at −80°C. Total Hcy concentration was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography.Results:  In the neuropsychological tests, patients differed significantly from healthy controls on the TMT B and the RBANS composite indices Language, Attention and Total Score. No differences were found on the HAWIE‐R subtest Information, the TMT A, LNST or the RBANS composite indices Immediate Memory, Visuospatial/Constructional Abilities and Delayed Memory. Mean Hcy levels were 9.8 ± 3.2 μm/L in the patient group and 7.8 ± 2.1 μm/L in the control group, respectively (p = 0.012). In the patient group Hcy levels significantly correlated with gender, diagnosis and RBANS index scores for Immediate Memory, Language, Attention and Total Score. Linear regression analyses revealed a significant and independent association of Hcy levels with Immediate Memory and TMT B scores in the patient group. Homocysteine levels did not correlate with any measure in the control group. Spearman's correlations indicated that psychosocial functioning in bipolar patients is not associated with clinical variables apart from time in remission. However, it correlated significantly with working memory measures (LNST). No relationship could be determined between psychosocial functioning and Hcy plasma levels.Conclusions:  Elevated Hcy levels seem to be associated with cognitive impairment in euthymic bipolar patients, but not with psychosocial functioning. More studies are needed to clarify the role of Hcy in cognition in bipolar disorder.
The impact of bipolar disorder upon work functioning: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Michalak Erin E , Yatham Lakshmi N , Maxwell Victoria , Hale Sandra , Lam Raymond W 
Published: February 2007

Objectives: One important but sometimes poorly‐captured area of functioning concerns an individual's ability to work. Several quantitative studies have now indicated that bipolar disorder (BD) can have a severe, and often enduring, negative impact upon occupational functioning. While this data indicates that employment rates are relatively low in this patient population, it throws little light on the specific ways in which this complex psychiatric condition can affect work, or upon how these effects are subjectively interpreted by individuals with BD. In order to further elucidate the relationship between BD and work, we report here on a series of exploratory qualitative interviews undertaken to develop a disease‐specific measure of quality of life in BD.Methods: We conducted 52 interviews with people with BD (n = 35), their caregivers (n = 5) and healthcare professionals (n = 12) identified by both convenience and purposive sampling. The affected sample came from a variety of employment situations, ranging between people with no employment history through to those in highly skilled, stable professional positions. Interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Results: Respondents described the different ways in which the symptoms of depression and hypo/mania presented in the workplace. Five main themes emerged from the data: lack of continuity in work history, loss, illness management strategies in the workplace, stigma and disclosure in the workplace, and interpersonal problems at work.Conclusions: Patient outcome in BD has traditionally been determined by the assessment of clinical characteristics such as rates of relapse, hospitalization, or degree of symptom reduction. More recently, however, there has been increasing interest in expanding the assessment of outcome to include the measurement of indices such as functioning, a key facet of which relates to an individual's ability to work. The qualitative data obtained here highlights the often complex, varied and intermittent effects of an episodic condition such as BD upon work functioning, and points to the importance of developing more sophisticated and precise measures of occupational functioning for this population.
DNA polymorphism of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 gene and its association with birth weight and body weight in cattle
Authors: Choudhary V. , Kumar P. , Bhattacharya T.K. , Bhushan B. , Sharma A. , Shukla A. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryInsulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is a protein that binds the majority of insulin‐like growth factors in circulation for regulation of its action on growth and metabolism of the animals. Animals belonging to Hariana, Holstein‐Friesian (HF) and their crossbreds (HF × Hariana) were studied using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and nucleotide sequencing of the IGFBP‐3 gene. A 651‐bp fragment of the IGFBP‐3 gene spanning over a part of exon 2, complete intron 2, exon 3 and a part of intron 3 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in HF and crossbred cattle revealing polymorphism in both the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.65, 0.32 and 0.03 in crossbreds and 0.29, 0.65 and 0.06 in HF respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.81 and 0.19 in crossbreds and 0.62 and 0.38 in HF cattle respectively. Only one restriction pattern (AA genotype) was observed in all the animals of Hariana breed of Bos indicus showing the absence of polymorphism. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C → A mutation in the intron 2 region of the IGFBP‐3 gene as the cause of the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of genotypes on birth weight and body weight (weight at 12, 18 and 24 months of age) of the animals. Animals of AB genotype showed higher birth weight and body weight than the animals possessing AA genotype.