bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis developed in early middle age
Authors: BYUN Ji‐Yeon , DO Mi‐Ok , KIM Seong‐Hyun , CHOI Hae‐Young , MYUNG Ki‐Bum , CHOI You‐Won 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTPseudoxanthoma elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis is a rare acquired elastolytic disorder characterized by papules that resemble pseudoxanthoma elasticum, and it typically affects elderly women. Histopathological examination shows atrophic epidermis and band‐like loss of elastic tissue in the papillary dermis. The pathogenesis is assumed to be related to intrinsic aging because it affects elderly people and shows the loss of elastic tissue. We report a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis in early middle age presenting typical clinical and histopathological findings. The patient was a 41‐year‐old woman who had had her lesions for 10 years. We propose that younger patients, hitherto unknown, can be affected by this disorder and suggest that mechanisms other than intrinsic aging are involved in its pathogenesis.
Structural changes and airway remodelling in occupational asthma at a mean interval of 14 years after cessation of exposure
Authors: Sumi Y. , Foley S. , Daigle S. , L'Archevêque J. , Olivenstein R. , Letuvé S. , Malo J.‐L. , Hamid Q. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground
Occupational asthma (OA) may cause alterations of airways with inflammation and remodelling after cessation of exposure. Although the long‐term clinical, functional and induced sputum sequelae have been examined in workers removed from exposure, the long‐term pathological outcomes are unknown.Objective
We aimed to investigate whether airway inflammation and remodelling were present in bronchial biopsies of subjects with prior OA but without evidence of persisting asthma at a mean interval of 14 years after cessation of exposure.Methods
Ten clinically and functionally asymptomatic subjects with a prior diagnosis of OA were recruited and underwent bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy. Comparisons were made with biopsies from normal control subjects. Epithelial detachment, epithelial metaplasia, mucous gland and airway smooth muscle (ASM) areas as well as the distance between the epithelium and ASM were measured by image analysis. The amount of collagen present was assessed by van Gieson staining. The numbers of TGF‐β1‐ and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)‐positive cells were evaluated by specific immunostaining.Results
Statistically significant increases were found in the numbers of TGF‐β1‐ and ECP‐positive cells and in the amount of subepithelial fibrosis present in the biopsies of subjects with prior OA compared with control biopsies. The distance between the epithelium and ASM was significantly reduced in the OA group. Increases in epithelial metaplasia, ASM mass, mucous gland numbers, collagen deposition and eosinophilia in the OA group were not statistically significant. There was no evidence of ongoing inflammation in the group with prior OA as assessed by the number of T lymphocytes present.Conclusion
Some aspects of airway inflammation and remodelling persist in subjects with prior OA long after cessation of exposure even in the absence of clinical, sputum and functional abnormalities. These findings are relevant to the assessment of long‐term sequelae in subjects with OA when reviewed after cessation of exposure.
Migration is associated with lower total, but not free testosterone levels in South Asian men
Authors: Heald A. H. , Patel J. , Anderson S. G. , Vyas A. , Rudenski A. , Hughes E. , Panja N. C. , Ullah A. , Prabhakaran D. , Reddy S. , Durrington P. , Gibson J. M. , Laing I. , Bhatnagar D. , Cruickshank J. K. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryObjective  Serum testosterone measurement is an integral part of the endocrine assessment of men. Little is known about its variation in relation to migration. We examined within a South Asian group the effect of migration to the UK on androgen levels.Design  Circulating testosterone and SHBG concentrations were measured in 97 Gujarati men resident in India and in 79 men from the same villages of origin living in Birmingham, UK. Free testosterone was calculated by Vermeulen's method. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐S) was determined from paired fasting plasma intact insulin and glucose values.Results  Circulating testosterone was significantly lower in UK Gujarati men (17·2 nmol/l [15·7–18·7]) vs. Indian Gujarati men (21·7 [20·0–23·5]) (P = 0·0002) (age‐adjusted median [95% CI]). There was no difference by migration status in circulating free testosterone. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were lower in UK migrants (16·8 nmol/l [15·5–18·1]) than in nonmigrants (21·9 nmol/l [20·5–23·3]) (P < 0·0001). Testosterone level correlated positively with insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐S) (ρ 0·16, P = 0·04). In multivariate analysis, total testosterone was independently and positively associated with logSHBG (normalized beta (β) = 0·29, P = 0·002) and independently and negatively with waist circumference (β = –0·19, P = 0·04), in a model also including height, age, migration status, leptin and fasting insulin.Conclusion  Lower circulating testosterone in UK Gujarati men and its association with markers of insulin sensitivity suggest a profound influence of body composition change with migration on testosterone levels. The lower SHBG in this group restores parity in free testosterone. Account should be taken of SHBG in interpreting testosterone levels in men, as well as in women.
Antigen receptor V‐segment usage in mucosal T cells
Authors: Edwards A. G. , Weale A. R. , Denny A. J. , Edwards K. J. , Helps C. R. , Lear P. A. , Bailey M. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryIn the accepted model of lymphocyte intestinal homing, naïve T cells recirculate via organized lymphoid tissues, whilst induced effector/memory cells home to the intestinal mucosa. In order to assess the T‐cell‐receptor repertoire in the intestine and gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), spectratyping was performed on the proximal and the distal intestine, spleen and mesenteric lymph node tissue from six PVG rats. The products were analysed with an automated sequencer and statistical analyses were performed with hierarchical cluster analysis. This demonstrated the presence of a restricted T‐cell repertoire in the small intestine compared with that in the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. It also demonstrated marked differences in repertoire between individual, fully inbred rats maintained under apparently identical conditions in the same cage and fed identical diets. In addition, this work demonstrated marked differences between repertoires in the proximal and the distal intestine. Such marked differences are likely to reflect the end result of increasing divergence over time produced by relatively subtle effects of environment and antigenic load. Equally, marked differences in repertoire between small intestinal segments within individual rats indicate selective recruitment or retention of specific clones, presumably antigen‐driven.
Novel infection strategies of Colletotrichum acutatum on ripe blueberry fruit
Authors: Wharton P. S. , Schilder A. C. 
Published: September 2007

The infection and colonization process of Colletotrichum acutatum on ripe blueberry fruit from two cultivars with different susceptibility to anthracnose were examined using light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Ripe fruit from susceptible cv. Jersey and resistant cv. Elliott were drop‐inoculated with a conidial suspension of C. acutatum, and epidermal peels were evaluated at selected times after inoculation and incubation. Results from pre‐penetration studies demonstrated that there were significant differences in the rate of formation of melanized appressoria between the two cultivars, with the rate of formation being faster in the susceptible one. In both cultivars, penetration by the pathogen occurred via appressoria 48 h post‐inoculation (hpi). However, in the susceptible cv. Jersey, C. acutatum then adopted an intracellular hemibiotrophic‐like infection strategy, whereas in the resistant cv. Elliott subcuticular intramural‐like infection occurred. In cv. Jersey by 108 hpi, intracellular growth of the pathogen led to the formation of numerous acervuli, with orange conidial masses. By 120 hpi, the conidial masses had coalesced covering the entire inoculated area. In cv. Elliott, acervuli were not seen until 144 hpi and contained few conidia. These results demonstrate for the first time the ability of C. acutatum to adopt a different infection and colonization strategy depending on the susceptibility of the host tissue being colonized.
Isozyme analysis of Plasmopara halstedii using cellulose‐acetate gel electrophoresis
Authors: Komjáti H. , Bakonyi J. , Spring O. , Virányi F. 
Published: September 2007

Isozyme analysis by cellulose‐acetate gel electrophoresis was used for the first time on Plasmopara halstedii, the causal agent of sunflower downy mildew. Forty‐five isolates originating from sunflower, cocklebur and Helianthus × laetiflorus were used, comprising 10 field isolates and 35 single‐spore lines of an additional 30 field isolates representing 10 different virulence phenotypes. Sixteen isozyme systems were analysed, of which three, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase, resulted in clear, reproducible banding patterns and revealed some polymorphism among the isolates. Phosphoglucomutase differentiated two groups among the isolates collected from cultivated sunflower, while the other enzymes were polymorphic between isolates from the different hosts. Polymorphisms were not related to virulence phenotype.
Estimating the germination dynamics of Plasmopara viticola oospores using hydro‐thermal time
Authors: Rossi V. , Caffi T. , Bugiani R. , Spanna F. , Valle D. Della 
Published: September 2007

The effects of environmental conditions on the variability in germination dynamics of Plasmopara viticola oospores were studied from 1999 to 2003. The germination course was determined indirectly as the relative infection incidence (RII) occurring on grape leaf discs kept in contact with oospores sampled from a vineyard between March and July. The time elapsed between 1 January and the infection occurrence was expressed as physiological time, using four methods: (i) sums of daily temperatures > 8°C; (ii) hourly temperatures > 10°C; (iii) sums of hourly rates from a temperature‐dependent function; or (iv) sums of these rates in hours with a rain or vapour pressure deficit ≤ 4·5 hPa (hydro‐thermal time, HT). An equation of Gompertz in the form RII = exp[−a · exp(−b · HT)] produced an accurate fit for both separate years (R2 = 0·97 to 0·99) and pooled data (R2 = 0·89), as well as a good accuracy in cross‐estimating new data (r between observed and cross‐estimated data were between 0·93 and 0·99, P < 0·0001). It also accounted for a great part of the variability in oospore germination between years and both between and within sampling periods. Therefore, the equation of Gompertz (with a = 15·9 ± 2·63 and b = 0·653 ± 0·034) calculated over hydro‐thermal time, a physiological time accounting for the effects of both temperature and moisture, produced a consistent modelling of the general relationships between the germination dynamics of a population of P. viticola oospores and weather conditions. It represents the relative density of the seasonal oospores that should have produced sporangia when they have experienced favourable conditions for germination.
Seventeen novel alleles add to the already extensive KIR3DL3 diversity
Authors: Hou L. , Chen M. , Steiner N. K. , Belle I. , Turino C. , Ng J. , Hurley C. K. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractExons 2–9 of KIR3DL3 alleles were characterized by genomic DNA sequencing in two families and in 78 bone marrow transplant samples. Several strategies were used to isolate single alleles for characterization and to resolve alternative allele combinations. We describe 17 novel 3DL3 alleles carried by 30 individuals. Compared with the most closely matched alleles, the new alleles differ by from one to three nucleotides and from zero to three amino acids. The majority of the substitutions were shared with other 3DL3 alleles although three novel polymorphic codons, 151 (exon 4), 327 (exon 7) and 352 (exon 9), are described. Of the 36 different 3DL3 alleles detected in the transplant population, the three most common alleles accounting for 47% of the total were KIR3DL3*00101 (13.5%), KIR3DL3*003 (21.2%) and KIR3DL3*00901 (12.2%).
Influence of seasonal timing on thermal ecology and thermal reaction norm evolution in Wyeomyia smithii
Authors: RAGLAND G. J. , KINGSOLVER J. G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractEvolutionary changes in the seasonal timing of life‐history events can alter a population's exposure to seasonally variable environmental factors. We illustrate this principle in Wyeomyia smithii by showing that: (1) geographic divergence in diapause timing reduces differences among populations in the thermal habitat experienced by nondiapause stages; and (2) the thermal habitat of the growing season is more divergent at high compared with low temperatures with respect to daily mean temperatures. Geographic variation in thermal reaction norms for development time was greater in a warm compared with a cool rearing treatment, mirroring the geographic trend in daily mean temperature. Geographic variation in body size was unrelated to geographic temperature variation, but was also unrelated to development time or fecundity. Our results suggest that proper interpretation of geographic trends may often require detailed knowledge of life‐history timing.
Female mate choice across mating stages and between sequential mates in flour beetles
Authors: FEDINA T. Y. , LEWIS S. M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractFew studies have examined how female premating choice correlates with the outcome of copulatory and post‐copulatory processes. It has been shown that polyandrous Tribolium castaneum females discriminate among males before mating based on olfactory cues, and also exert cryptic choice during mating through several mechanisms. This study tested whether a male’s relative attractiveness predicted his insemination success during copulation. Bioassays with male olfactory cues were used to rank two males as more and less attractive to females; each female was then mated to either her more attractive male followed by less attractive male, or vice versa. Dissections immediately after second copulations revealed a significantly higher percent of successful inseminations for females that remated with more attractive males compared with those that remated with less attractive males. These results indicate that cryptic female choice during copulation reinforces precopulatory female choice in T. castaneum, and suggest that females could use cryptic choice to trade up to more attractive males, possibly gaining better phenotypic or genetic quality of sires.
Language, identity and representation: Occupation and occupational therapy in acute settings
Authors: Wilding Clare , Whiteford Gail 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  This article presents findings from a participatory action research study into the experience and use of occupation, theory and evidence in the everyday practice of a group of occupational therapists working in a large metropolitan hospital delivering a range of acute services, in Melbourne, Australia. Methods and findings:  Narrative data gathered from 11 individual interviews and 10 group discussions were analysed through numerous iterative cycles to explore research issues and evaluate research actions. This article discusses why the participating occupational therapists chose to change the language they used to describe their practice from a focus on ‘function’ to a focus on ‘occupation’. This change improved the therapists’ levels of confidence, strengthened their professional identities and provided for a sense of renewed empowerment within the organisation. Conclusions:  The findings suggest that occupational therapists in acute settings can utilise language more effectively to augment their ability to promote the vital and unique contribution that occupational therapy has to make. Such small, yet powerful changes can empower occupational therapists to address long‐standing dilemmas of representation and enable transformative practices.
The development of expertise in paediatric rehabilitation therapists: The roles of motivation, openness to experience, and types of caseload experience
Authors: King Gillian , Currie Melissa , Bartlett Doreen J. , Strachan Deborah , Tucker Mary Ann , Willoughby Colleen 
Published: September 2007

Background/aim:  A transdisciplinary approach was taken to study the nature of variables associated with the development of expertise in 71 paediatric rehabilitation therapists (i.e. physical, occupational, speech, behavioural, and recreational therapists). Methods:  Six groups of practising therapists were identified based on expertise status (novice, intermediate, and expert, as determined by a multifaceted assessment battery), and their level of clinical experience (10 years or less, more than 10 years). Scores for these six therapist groups were examined on three variables generally considered to be associated with the development of expertise — motivation, openness to experience (as defined by the critical‐thinking dispositions of truth‐seeking, open‐mindedness, and cognitive maturity), and features of their clinical caseload experience (i.e. breadth of experience as measured by number of different client age groups worked with, the complexity of clients’ needs, and experience in delivering services to adolescents, school‐age children, preschoolers, and infants). Results:  Low‐experience experts (‘young stars’) had the highest motivation, truth‐seeking, and open‐mindedness scores of all groups, the highest percentage of clients with complex service needs, and were more likely to work with adolescents. Conclusions:  The major differences between therapists who attain expertise quickly versus those who remain novices after many years of experience appear to be motivation and complexity of work experiences. Implications for supporting the development of expertise in practising therapists are discussed.
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Making sense of results from randomised controlled trials
Authors: Lannin Natasha , Webster Beverley 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Reading and interpreting results from research can be challenging. Many therapists read the abstract and discussion but confess to bypassing the results section of journal articles.Methods:  This paper discusses necessary steps to reading the results section of a published randomised controlled trial. Recent clinical trials are used as examples.Results:  An ability to read and interpret the results section of a paper requires the therapist to consider whether the tests conducted are appropriate, the results reported are accurate and the conclusions drawn by the authors are appropriate. Estimates of treatment effect sizes can be calculated by the therapist and used to determine if the effect of treatment is likely to be large enough to be “clinically worthwhile”.Conclusions:  The ability to extract meaningful statistical information from clinical trials is a fundamental skill that will enhance therapists’ knowledge and understanding of evidence‐based practice.
Predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visits: Towards an evidence base
Authors: Harris Sally , James Erica , Snow Pamela 
Published: September 2007

Background/aim:  Predischarge home assessment visits are a commonly accepted, but little researched, aspect of occupational therapy practice. The aim of this research was to systematically investigate current predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices in a rehabilitation ward of a regional Australian hospital. Methods:  A retrospective chart audit was conducted over a 7‐month time period and included 227 patients discharged from the inpatient rehabilitation ward at the study hospital. Results:  Fifty‐five per cent of patients in the study sample received home assessment visits. At least one recommendation for change was made as a result of the visit for 99% of those patients receiving visits. A total of 139 visits were completed and resulted in 1179 recommendations for change. The median number of recommendations made for the home assessment visits was 10 (range 0–33). The most common types of recommendations, timing of visits, persons present during the visit and documentation of visits were also investigated. Conclusion:  Although occupational therapy home assessment visits are routinely completed, there is limited research available to provide evidence‐based guidelines relating to predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices. Recommendations for future practice and areas for further research into occupational therapy home assessment visits are discussed.
Development of the Activity Card Sort — Australia
Authors: Packer Tanya L. , Boshoff Kobie , DeJonge Desleigh 
Published: September 2007

Aims:  To develop the Activity Card Sort (ACS) — Australia as a tool to measure participation in activities of daily living for older adults. Methods:  Secondary data analysis of activity diaries of older Australians in Brisbane and Adelaide were utilised for item generation. Survey of older adults and cluster analysis was used for item selection and determination of domains for the ACS‐Australia. Results:  The final ACS‐Australia is comprised of 82 activity items, falling under the three domains of household activities, social/educational activities and leisure activities. Conclusions:  The ACS‐Australia has robust properties, wide application and provides a culturally relevant tool to measure participation of older Australians, thus will facilitate rigorous clinical and population‐based research.
Recent trends in patient characteristics and therapeutic choices for interstitial cystitis: Analysis of 282 Japanese patients
Authors: Ito Takaaki , Ueda Tomohiro , Honma Yukio , Takei Mineo 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  We investigated the characteristics of recent male and female patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC), then investigated which therapy was chosen by the attending urologist.Methods:  Materials were 282 IC patients diagnosed and treated during the past 3 years (sampling from Japanese IC database). Gender, age, medical history and predominant symptoms were investigated. In addition, we investigated the interval before a diagnosis was established. In laboratory findings, we investigated voided volume, urinalysis findings and cystoscopic findings. Regarding therapy, we investigated which therapy was chosen as the first line.Results:  The gender ratio was about 1.0:5.6 (male : female). Regarding age distribution, patients in their 60s were the most frequent (65 cases, 31.3%). The interval before diagnosis of IC was 36.5 months on average (1–360 months). Regarding medical history, intrapelvic surgery was the most common and repeated urinary tract infection was next. The most frequent symptom was urinary frequency (295 cases, 98.3%). Urinary urgency was noted in 186 cases (62%) and supra‐pubic pain was noted in 125 cases (41.6%). The once voided volume was 104.3 mL on average (50–200 mL). The most common cystoscopic finding was glomerulation (158 cases). Ulcer was present in only 19 cases. The most widely carried out therapy was hydrodistension (208 cases, 67.9%). Oral suplatast tosilate (197 cases, 65.6%), antihistamine (77 cases, 25.6%) and intravesical dimethylsulfoxide (69 cases, 23%) followed.Conclusions:  Regarding characteristics, the age distribution was older than other countries. The most frequent symptom was urinary frequency. Oral suplatast tosilate was one of the popular therapies in Japan.