bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with Daily Occupations: Construct validity and test–retest reliability of a screening tool for people with mental health disorders
Authors: Eklund Mona , Gunnarsson A. Birgitta 
Published: July 2006

Background/Aim:  In occupational therapy research and in clinical practice there is a need for valid, reliable and easily administered measures. For research and screening purposes, the Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) instrument was developed. It addresses work, leisure, domestic tasks and self‐care and generates a satisfaction and an activity level score. This study investigated its construct validity, internal consistency and test–retest reliability in 55 clients visiting occupational therapists in outpatient mental health care. Methods:  The SDO was administered on two occasions with a 1‐week interval, and data on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), psychosocial functioning and self‐rated health were collected on the first of these occasions. Results:  In contrast to what was expected, the relationships between the SDO scores and the COPM scores were low. The strongest relationship between the SDO satisfaction score and any other variable was to psychosocial functioning. These variables shared 23% of the variance. Internal consistency for the satisfaction score was acceptable, alpha = 0.75 on the second occasion, and the test–retest reliability was good; rs = 0.84 for the satisfaction score and rs = 0.92 for the activity level.Conclusions:  The results indicated that the SDO has satisfactory reliability. The instrument targets a specific construct, as compared to the COPM and the measurements of self‐rated health and psychosocial functioning. Thus, the SDO and the COPM satisfaction scale seem to assess different phenomena, probably because the SDO has predefined items, not specifically targeting a certain client's problematic occupations, whereas the COPM is based on self‐defined problems. The instruments may therefore supplement each other.
Quality and quantity of paediatric research: An analysis of the OTseeker database
Authors: Hoffmann Tammy , McKenna Kryss , Hadi Tahnya , Bennett Sally , McCluskey Annie , Tooth Leigh 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  This study aimed to analyse the quantity and quality of paediatric research evidence contained in the OTseeker database and to compare the findings with surveys of paediatric occupational therapy practice. Methods:  In June 2005, systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials contained in OTseeker were analysed according to year of publication and the client diagnostic groups and interventions addressed. The internal validity scores of the trials were determined (according to the PEDro scale (partitioned)) and the outcome measures used extracted. Results:  Of 3294 papers contained in OTseeker, 372 (11.3%) were related to paediatrics. The mean internal validity score of the trials was 2.5/8. The five most frequently studied diagnostic groups were mental health/psychosocial issues, neurology, learning disabilities, developmental delay and ‘other’. There was much variation in the outcome measures used, with a large number of outcome measures used in only one or a few studies. The five most frequently studied interventions were behavioural interventions, consumer education, psychosocial techniques, interventions for carers/parents and developmental therapy. Conclusion:  OTseeker contains a considerable amount of research relevant to paediatric occupational therapy practice. There was some congruence between the papers and practice surveys regarding client diagnostic groups and interventions, but little between the outcome measures used in research and those used in clinical practice.
Attitudes of entry level occupational therapy doctoral students towards inclusion for students with disabilities
Authors: Mu Keli , Gabriel Franck Linda , Konz Christina 
Published: July 2006

Background/Aims:  The increasing popularity of inclusive education for students with disabilities and the attitudes towards it inevitably affect school‐based occupational therapy practice. This survey study investigated the attitudes of entry‐level occupational therapy doctoral (EOTD) students towards inclusive education and the effect of professional education on their perception. Methods:  A total of 62 EOTD students responded to a self‐developed questionnaire, Attitudes and Inclusive Education Survey, yielding a response rate of 91.2%.Results:  Results of the study revealed that entry level occupational therapy doctoral students have positive attitudes towards inclusive education and believe that the inclusion movement has an inevitable impact on school‐based occupational therapy practice. Professional education in occupational therapy might positively affect students’ attitudes. Conclusion:  Given the close association between one's attitude and behaviour, the findings of the study are particularly encouraging. Future research needs to further examine school‐based occupational therapy practice in inclusive environments.
Murine mesenchymal stem cells isolated by low density primary culture system
Authors: Eslaminejad Mohamadreza Baghaban , Nikmahzar Aghbibi , Taghiyar Leila , Nadri Samad , Massumi Mohamad 
Published: July 2006

Murine mesenchymal stem cells (mMSC) and the difficult task of isolation and purification of them have been the subject of rather extensive investigation. The present study sought to isolate these cells from two different mouse strains, one outbred and the other inbred, primarily through a relatively simple but novel approach, the most important feature of which was the low density primary culture of bone marrow cells. For this purpose, mononuclear cells from either NMRI or BALB/c bone marrow were plated at about 500 cells per well of 24‐well plates and incubated for 7 days. At this point, the fibroblastic clones that had emerged were pooled together and expanded through several subcultures. To investigate the mesenchymal nature, we differentiated the cells into the osteoblastic, chondrocytic and adipocytic lineages in different subcultures up to passage 10. According to the results, 1 week after culture initiation, several clones each comprising several fibroblastic cells appeared in each plate. The cells from different passages were capable of differentiating into corresponding skeletal tissues. In the present investigation, the best culture condition for maximum proliferation and also the expression of certain surface marker on isolated cells were examined. In this term the two murine strains showed some differences.
Study on ASTM E399 and ASTM E1921 standards
Authors: SAID G. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTCosts of ASTM E399 and ASTM E1921 tests, which were developed to determine the fracture toughness (KIc) and the ductile–brittle transition temperature of ferritic steels, respectively, are considered high and the procedures are also very complicated. In this study, a method, which is more cost‐effective and easier to carry out, is proposed.
Demonstration and Characterization of Mutations Induced by Helicobacter pylori Organisms in Gastric Epithelial Cells
Authors: Yao Yuan , Tao Hong , Park Dong Il , Sepulveda Jorge L. , Sepulveda Antonia R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori gastritis increases gastric cancer risk. Microsatellite instability‐type mutations are secondary to deficient DNA mismatch repair. H. pylori gastritis is more frequent in patients with microsatellite instability‐positive gastric cancers, and H. pylori organisms independently of inflammation can reduce DNA mismatch repair protein levels, raising the hypothesis that H. pylori organisms might lead to mutagenesis during infection.Materials and Methods:  Mutations were detected using a green fluorescent protein reporter vector (pEGFP‐CA13). Gastric cancer AGS cells transfected with pEGFP‐CA13 were cocultured with H. pylori or Escherichia coli. The numbers of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐positive cells were determined, and GFP, hMSH2, and hMLH1 protein levels were measured by Western blot. The effect of H. pylori on CpG methylation status of hMLH1 was determined by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction.Results:  GFP levels and GFP‐positive cell numbers in AGS cells cocultured with H. pylori significantly increased, as the levels of hMLH1 and hMSH2 dropped. H. pylori cocultures induced low‐level CpG methylation of the hMLH1 promoter. Sequence analysis of cells cocultured with H. pylori showed an increased number of frameshift mutations and point mutations as compared to cells not cocultured with H. pylori (p = .03 and p = .001, respectively).Conclusions:  This is the first report showing that H. pylori bacteria may lead to accumulation of genomic mutations, independently of underlying inflammation. This is associated with reduced DNA mismatch repair, and is at least in part associated with CpG methylation of the hMLH1 promoter. These data support the notion that H. pylori‐induced mutations and epigenetic alterations in gastric epithelial cells during chronic gastritis may contribute to an increased risk of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori infection.
Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Peripheral Blood is Increased in Individuals with Helicobacter pylori Infection and Decreased after its Eradication
Authors: Mashimo Masayuki , Nishikawa Manabu , Higuchi Kazuhide , Hirose Masaki , Wei Qian , Haque Anwarul , Sasaki Eiji , Shiba Masatsugu , Tominaga Kazunari , Watanabe Toshio , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Arakawa Tetsuo , Inoue Masayasu 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to cause gastroduodenal ulcer, mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. Recent studies have suggested that H. pylori infection may also associate with other diseases, including hematologic and dermatologic disorders, and cardiovascular injury, by unknown mechanisms.Methods:  Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined in peripheral blood samples from 86 patients (34 H. pylori‐negative and 52 H. pylori‐positive subjects) using a highly sensitive chemiluminescence probe, L‐012 (8‐amino‐5‐chloro‐7‐phenylpyrido(3,4‐d) pyridazine‐1 and 4 (2H, 3H) dione). Eleven H. pylori‐positive individuals were also analyzed their ROS production in peripheral blood after H. pylori eradication.Results:  ROS production was significantly higher in individuals with H. pylori infection than in those without infection. Enhanced production of ROS was decreased significantly after eradication of H. pylori. No correlation was found between the extent of ROS production and sex, age, smoking status, alcohol ingestion, use of medications, or serum level of C‐reactive protein.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that ROS production was enhanced in peripheral blood by H. pylori infection. Chemiluminescence analysis of blood samples using L‐012 permits evaluation of systemic oxidative stress in patients with H. pylori infection.
Gastric Epithelial Expression of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor is not Altered by Helicobacter pylori Infection in Humans
Authors: Lebiedz Pia , Heidemann Jan , Lugering Andreas , Riedel Susanne , Herbst Hermann , Domschke Wolfram , Kucharzik Torsten , Maaser Christian 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Recent reports have shown an upregulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) during gastric ulcer development in a rat model and elevated counts of MIF‐positive cells in biopsies from Helicobacter pylori‐infected patients. H. pylori infection is a proven cofactor in humans causing gastritis and gastric ulcers. The aim of this study was to characterize MIF expression in human gastric epithelial cells in response to H. pylori.Methods:  MIF mRNA and MIF protein expression was detected in human gastric epithelial cell lines after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines or infection with H. pylori (cagA+/vacA+) using real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Interleukin‐8 secretion was measured as positive control. MIF mRNA and MIF protein expression was assessed in H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative human gastric biopsy samples.Results:  While interleukin‐8 mRNA expression and interleukin‐8 secretion were upregulated in gastric epithelial cells in vitro after H. pylori infection, no changes in MIF mRNA expression and MIF secretion could be detected. We found no significant differences in MIF expression in total RNA extracted from gastric biopsy tissue when comparing H. pylori‐positive to control patients. Likewise, MIF protein expression in gastric epithelium was unaffected by H. pylori infection as compared to uninfected tissue.Conclusions:  While an increased MIF expression and positive effects of MIF blockade in ulcer healing have been shown in a rodent model and elevated numbers of MIF‐positive cells have been found in H. pylori‐infected human tissue, we herein could not confirm any differences in human gastric epithelial MIF expression and secretion after H. pylori infection in vitro and in vivo.
A Prospective Study for the Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection to a Multidimensional Measure for Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children
Authors: Malaty Hoda M. , Abudayyeh Suhaib , Graham David Y. , Gilger Mark A. , Rabeneck Linda , O'Malley Kimberly 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  There is a controversial association between Helicobacter pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in childhood and inconsistent information on specific symptomatology of the infection.Aims:  To examine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children with RAP compared to asymptomatic children.Methods:  Two prospective studies were conducted. The first study enrolled 223 children diagnosed with RAP from two pediatric gastroenterology clinics in Houston, Texas. Children were qualified if they were identified by their physician as having RAP. A new multidimensional measure for RAP (MM‐RAP) consisting of four scales (pain intensity scale, symptoms scale, disability scale, and satisfaction scale) was administered to each child/parent. The second study enrolled 330 asymptomatic children from the same community who did not have any upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptomatic and asymptomatic children underwent 13C‐urea breath testing.Results:  In the first study, the prevalence of H. pylori in children with RAP was 11% and fell with age from 20% at age ≤ 5 years to 7% for children > 10 years (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 0.7–11.2). There was no association between the mother's educational level and H. pylori prevalence; (12% among children whose mothers completed college versus 11% among those who had elementary school, p = .8). No relationship was found between H. pylori and mean scores of the RAP scales. In the second study, the prevalence of H. pylori in asymptomatic children was 17% and increased with age from 11% for children ≤ 5 years to 40% for children > 10 years (OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.0–13.8). The mother's educational level was inversely correlated with H. pylori (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 2.2–6.1, p < .01).Conclusions:  The epidemiologic patterns of H. pylori infection differed significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic children. Younger children suffering from RAP are more likely to be infected with H. pylori than older children with the same complaint, suggesting that early acquisition may manifest in symptoms that lead to clinic visits.
Is Helicobacter pylori a True Microaerophile?
Authors: Bury‐Moné Stephanie , Kaakoush Nadeem O. , Asencio Corinne , Mégraud Francis , Thibonnier Marie , De Reuse Hilde , Mendz George L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  There is no general consensus about the specific oxygen and carbon dioxide requirements of the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is considered a microaerophile and consequently, it is grown under atmospheres at oxygen tensions 5–19% and carbon dioxide tensions 5–10%, both for clinical and basic and applied research purposes. The current study compared the growth of H. pylori in vitro, under various gas atmospheres, and determined some specific changes in the physiology of bacteria grown under different oxygen partial pressures.Methods:  Measurements of bacterial growth under various conditions were carried out employing classical solid and liquid culture techniques. Enzymatic activities were measured using spectrophotometric assays.Results:  H. pylori and all the other Helicobacter spp. tested had an absolute requirement for elevated carbon dioxide concentrations in the growth atmosphere. In contrast with other Helicobacter spp., H. pylori can tolerate elevated oxygen tensions when grown at high bacterial concentrations. Under 5% CO2, the bacterium showed similar growth in liquid cultures under oxygen tensions from microaerobic (< 5%) to fully aerobic (21%) at cell densities higher than 5 × 105 cfu/ml for media supplemented with horse serum and 5 × 107 cfu/ml for media supplemented with β‐cyclodextrin. Evidence that changes occurred in the physiology of H. pylori was obtained by comparing the activities of ferredoxin:NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) oxidoreductases of bacteria grown under microaerobic and aerobic atmospheres.Conclusions:  H. pylori is a capnophile able to grow equally well in vitro under microaerobic or aerobic conditions at high bacterial concentrations, and behaved like oxygen‐sensitive microaerophiles at low cell densities. Some characteristics of H. pylori cells grown in vitro under microaerobic conditions appeared to mimic better the physiology of organisms grown in their natural niche in the human stomach.
Primary Levofloxacin Resistance and gyrA/B Mutations Among Helicobacter pylori in Japan
Authors: Miyachi Hideyuki , Miki Ikuya , Aoyama Nobuo , Shirasaka Daisuke , Matsumoto Yuko , Toyoda Masanori , Mitani Toshifumi , Morita Yoshinori , Tamura Takao , Kinoshita Shohiro , Okano Yoshie , Kumagai Shunichi , Kasuga Masato 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Recent years have witnessed a decrease in the rate of Helicobacter pylori eradication due to antimicrobial resistance, clarithromycin or metronidazole resistance in particular. As one of the alternatives to the standard regimens, levofloxacin‐containing therapy has been considered a promising regimen. Nevertheless, there is a little information concerning the prevalence of levofloxacin resistance and this resistance mechanism.Materials and Methods:  Levofloxacin susceptibility was examined using E‐test in 507 H. pylori strains clinically isolated in Japan from 2001 to 2004. Mutation patterns in the quinolone resistance‐determining regions of the gyrA and gyrB genes were evaluated, performing direct sequencing of 68 levofloxacin‐resistant and 50 susceptible strains.Results:  Primary levofloxacin resistance was found in 76 (15.0%) strains. Fifty‐seven (83.8%) of 68 levofloxacin‐resistant strains analyzed had point mutations in gyrA at Asn‐87 or Asp‐91, while seven (14.0%) of 50 susceptible strains had gyrA mutations. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of gyrA mutations between levofloxacin‐resistant and ‐susceptible strains (p < .001). In levofloxacin‐resistant strains, the occurrence of gyrA mutations at Asn‐87 was most common regardless of minimal inhibitory concentration levels, and that of gyrA mutations at Asp‐91 tended to be associated with low‐level resistance. A double gyrA mutation at Asn‐87 and Asp‐91 might have an additional impact. As for gyrB, three (4.4%) of 68 levofloxacin‐resistant strains with no susceptible strains had mutations.Conclusions:  Primary levofloxacin resistance was common in Japan and primarily related to gyrA mutations at Asn‐87 and Asp‐91.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy on Histologic Change in the Distal Esophagus
Authors: Toyoda Masanori , Shirasaka Daisuke , Aoyama Nobuo , Watanabe Yoshinori , Miki Ikuya , Morita Yoshinori , Matsumoto Yuko , Mitani Toshifumi , Miyachi Hideyuki , Tamura Takao , Kasuga Masato 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Although cases of reflux esophagitis (RE) developing after treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori have been discussed in some detail, no reports are available concerning the histologic examination of RE both before and after eradication therapy.Materials and methods:  Sixty‐one patients and 111 specimens were investigated using endoscopic and histologic techniques. The histologic findings including basal zone height, papillar height, Ki‐67 labeling index, and COX‐2 expression before and after treatment for H. pylori infection were compared with those in normal controls and patients with endoscopic RE.Results:  Twelve months after eradication therapy, the incidence of newly developed endoscopic RE was 20% (5/25). Basal zone height and papillar height had increased at 1 month, but had returned to pretreatment levels after 12 months of eradication therapy. The Ki‐67 labeling index was significantly increased 1 and 12 months after eradication therapy compared to values before treatment. COX‐2 expression gradually increased after the treatment. The phenomena linked to esophagitis appeared after eradication therapy. However, the severity and extent of these signs were not so high after the treatment of H. pylori than those in patients with overt reflux esophagitis. Focusing on the patients with hiatal hernia, papillar height and Ki‐67 labeling index increased significantly after eradication therapy, values being almost the same as those in the patients with endoscopic RE.Conclusions:  Hiatal hernia plays an important role in the possible occurrence of hidden RE after treatment for a H. pylori infection.
Effective Suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 through a Combination of Short- or Long-Hairpin RNAs Targeting Essential Sequences for Retroviral Integration
Authors: Nishitsuji Hironori , Kohara Michinori , Kannagi Mari , Masuda Takao 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTSmall interfering RNA (siRNA) could provide a new therapeutic approach to treating human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. For long-term suppression of HIV-1, emergence of siRNA escape variants must be controlled. Here, we constructed lentiviral vectors encoding short-hairpin RNAs (shRNA) corresponding to conserved target sequences within the integrase (int) and the attachment site (att) genes, both of which are essential for HIV-1 integration. Compared to shRNA targeting of the HIV-1 transcription factortat(shTat), shRNA againstint(shIN) or the U3 region ofatt(shU3) showed a more potent inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication in human CD4+T cells. Infection with a high dose of HIV-1 resulted in the emergence of escape mutants during long-term culture. Of note, limited genetic variation was observed in the viruses resistant to shIN. A combination of shINs against wild-type and escape mutant sequences had a negative effect on their antiviral activities, indicating a potentially detrimental effect when administering multiple shRNA targeting the same region to combat HIV-1 variants. The combination of shIN and shU3attexhibited the strongest anti-HIV-1 activity, as seen by complete abrogation of viral DNA synthesis and viral integration. In addition, a modified long-hairpin RNA spanning the 50 nucleotides in the shIN target region effectively suppressed wild-type and shIN-resistant mutant HIV-1. These results suggest that targeting of incoming viral RNA before proviral DNA formation occurs through the use of nonoverlapping multiple siRNAs is a potent approach to achieving sustained, efficient suppression of highly mutable viruses, such as HIV-1.