bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immediate hypersensitivity to leaf extracts of Callisia fragrans (inch plant) in a dog
Authors: LEE SUSAN E. , MASON KENNETH V. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract  Contact with members of the plant family Commelinaceae, which includes wandering jew (Commelina spp. formerly called Tradescantia spp.) and inch plant (Callisia fragrans), can cause cell‐mediated contact dermatitis in dogs. However, reports of canine IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity to these plants have not been published. The purpose of this study was to discover whether IgE antibodies specific for extractable components of C. fragrans could be identified in serum from a dog that had anaphylactic shock after exposure to the plant and after skin patch testing with the sap from a leaf of C. fragrans. Separate aqueous extracts of leaves and flowers of C. fragrans were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and Western blotting. Serum from a dog with no history or symptoms of any allergies showed no specific IgE antibodies against the leaf extract. Serum from a dog with clinical symptoms of delayed, but not immediate hypersensitivity to leaf sap from C. fragrans, showed only minor IgE recognition of a single 65 k component in sap extracted from leaves harvested in summer but not in winter. However, IgE antibodies to a serum dilution of 1:200 specific for several components of the leaf extract were seen in serum from the dog that had anaphylactic shock after exposure to sap. The molecular weights of these molecules were in the range 51 k to 83 k. The bands on the immunoblots did not match with prominently stained protein bands in the gel, but instead identified molecules in a lightly stained area of the gel with diffuse bands. Testing for glycans indicated that the carbohydrate side chains of glycoproteins contributed significantly to the immunoreactivity of the putative allergens. All three dog sera failed to show any immunoreactivity against the extract from the flowers of C. fragrans.
A retrospective study of cutaneous equine sarcoidosis and its potential infectious aetiological agents
Authors: SPIEGEL IAN B. , WHITE STEPHEN D. , FOLEY JANET E. , DRAZENOVICH NICOLE L. , IHRKE PETER J. , AFFOLTER VERENA K. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract Nine horses from ages 5 to 21 years were diagnosed with cutaneous equine sarcoidosis (ES) over an 18‐year period. In addition to skin, the lungs were frequently involved, with other organ systems affected less commonly. A predisposition for thoroughbreds and geldings was noted. Cutaneous lesions and signs included crusts, scales, alopecia and pruritus. These were found at various sites, particularly the legs/thighs/elbows, thorax, neck, face and ventral abdomen. Three horses were euthanized shortly after hospitalization; others survived as long as 12 years. Histopathologic stains, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction assays on paraffin‐embedded cutaneous specimens from eight horses forMycobacteriumspp.,Coccidioides immitis,Cryptococcus neoformans,Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, andBorrelia burgdorferiwere all negative. The aetiology of ES is unlikely microbial and continues to be a diagnosis of exclusion. ES, when limited to the skin, is associated with a good prognosis, with either partial or complete response to glucocorticoid therapy in all the surviving horses.
Pilot investigation of a model for canine atopic dermatitis: environmental house dust mite challenge of high‐IgE–producing beagles, mite hypersensitive dogs with atopic dermatitis and normal dogs
Authors: MARSELLA ROSANNA , OLIVRY THIERRY , NICKLIN CONNIE , LOPEZ JENNIFER 
Published: January 2006

Abstract  Although canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is common, few models are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate high‐IgE beagles epicutaneously sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) as a possible model for cAD. Six high‐IgE beagles were environmentally challenged with HDM using various doses and protocols. Similar challenge protocols were used in positive and negative control dogs: three dogs with naturally occurring cAD and positive intradermal skin test (IDT) to HDM and three normal dogs without history of skin disease and negative IDT to HDM. All high‐IgE beagles and all atopic dogs developed severe cutaneous lesions and pruritus after challenge. Lesions were erythematous papules and macules in contact areas such as face, ears, ventral abdomen, groin, axillae and feet. They were first visible after 6 h and increased in severity over time. No normal dog developed pruritus or lesions. Biopsies of representative lesions in the high‐IgE beagles were taken for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. There was superficial perivascular dermatitis with mononuclear infiltrates and spongiosis. Lymphocytes and eosinophils accumulated in small epidermal micro‐abscesses with hyperplasia of epidermal IgE‐bearing dendritic cells. These findings suggest that this colony of high‐IgE beagles develops a dermatitis that clinically, histopathologically and immunologically resembles the naturally occurring canine disease. It is also concluded that this modality of challenge is not irritating to normal dogs but induces flare‐ups in hypersensitive atopic dogs.
Mouse epidermal development: effects of retinoic acid exposure in utero
Authors: GARCÍA‐FERNÁNDEZ ROSA A. , PÉREZ‐MARTÍNEZ CLAUDIA , ÁLVAREZ JAVIER ESPINOSA , NAVARRETE ALEX J. DURÁN , GARCÍA‐IGLESIAS MARIA J. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract  Epidermal morphogenesis was studied in vivo following prenatal exposure to retinoic acid (RA). In pregnant mice, a single oral dose of RA on day 11.5 of gestation failed to induce histological changes in fetal epidermal development except in epidermal thickness. Epidermal thickness increased from 16.5 days post‐coitum (dpc) onwards, and temporal and spatial epidermal modifications in keratins K5 and K14 related to proliferative activity of keratinocytes were observed. An RA effect on cell proliferation was supported by a statistically significant increase in the number of epidermal S‐phase cells, containing BrdU–incorporated DNA in RA‐exposed mice compared with nonexposed animals. The prolonged in utero action of RA on epidermal proliferative activity in fetuses and newborns suggests a long‐term RA effect that may play a role on the development and evolution of diseases in adult skin.
Normal C1 inhibitor mRNA expression level in type I hereditary angioedema patients: newly found C1 inhibitor gene mutations
Authors: Kang H. R. , Yim E. Y. , Oh S. Y. , Chang Y. S. , Kim Y. K. , Cho S. H. , Min K. U. , Kim Y. Y. 
Published: January 2006

Background:  C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) plays a key role in the classical pathway of the complement cascade. Mutations in this gene cause a decreased level of antigenic (type I hereditary angioedema, HAE) or functional (type II HAE) C1INH.Objective:  To find novel mutations in C1INH and evaluate the expression of C1INH gene in HAE patients.Methods:  Direct sequencing mutation analysis was performed for genomic DNA from three unrelated families (14 HAE patients and 18 family members). Genomic DNA from one family was also analyzed for larger genomic rearrangements, using Southern blotting analysis. We used real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate C1INH mRNA expression level.Results:  Four mutations in exons (2311 T→C, 14 034 G→A, 16 830 G→A, and 16 979–16 980 G insertion) and four in introns (738 G→A, 8531 A→G, 14 254 A→G, and 14 337–14 378 TT deletion) were found. Interestingly, all of the nine patients in one family share the same mutation of Gly345Arg (14 034 G→A) in the seventh exon. In another family, a single base mutation near the splice site (14 254 A→G) was found in all of the three patients. In the last family, although a significant mutation was not found by direct sequencing, patients showed an abnormal 16 kb fragment in addition to the normal allele (21 kb Bcl I fragment). The C1INH mRNA expression of HAE patients in two families was not significantly different compared with that of normal controls.Conclusion:  The two novel exonal mutations (G→A and A→G) and one large gene deletion were associated with the clinical phenotypes of HAE. Considering the normal C1INH mRNA levels but below normal protein levels in two families, their phenotypes would be associated with the post‐translational defect.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of adjunctive donepezil in treatment‐resistant mania
Authors: Eden Evins A. , Demopulos Christina , Nierenberg Andrew , Culhane Melissa A. , Eisner Lori , Sachs Gary 
Published: January 2006

Introduction:  Because there is a high rate of partial response to standard thymoleptic medication, novel augmentation strategies for treatment‐resistant bipolar disorder are needed. In an open trial, donepezil augmentation was associated with improvement in manic symptoms in 9 of 11 subjects.Method:  We conducted a 6‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of donepezil for treatment‐resistant bipolar mania. Eligible subjects had a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of at least 15 despite two or more weeks of proven therapeutic levels of lithium or valproate. Subjects who completed the trial were eligible for an 8‐week open trial of donepezil. Subjects were started on donepezil 5 mg/day and were eligible for dose increase to 10 mg/day after 4 weeks.Results:  Twelve subjects were enrolled. Eleven subjects received at least 1 week of study medication and were included in the analysis. No subjects in the donepezil group (0/6) and 60% (3/5) in the placebo group met response criteria of >30% reduction in YMRS score (Fisher's Exact p = 0.061). YMRS scores were higher at trial endpoint in the donepezil group 20.17 (3.66) compared with the placebo group [11.20 (4.60), Z = −2.476, p = 0.01]. There were no differences at trial endpoint in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D) or Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores in either the intent‐to‐treat or the completer analyses.Conclusions:  Donepezil does not appear to be an effective adjunctive treatment for refractory manic symptoms. The strength of the conclusion of this trial is limited by the possibility of a false‐negative result due to the small sample.
Stability of estimated IQ across mood state in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Lebowitz Brian K , Shear Paula K , Steed Marc A , Strakowski Stephen M 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  The goal of this study was to assess the impact of mania symptoms on the stability of the American version of the National Adult Reading Test (ANART), a measure that provides a putative estimate of premorbid intellectual functioning.Methods:  The ANART was administered to a sample of 10 inpatients with bipolar disorder who were experiencing an acute episode of mania. During a subsequent follow‐up visit during which these individuals exhibited at most minimal mood symptoms, the ANART was re‐administered.Results:  ANART estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) scores during mania and affective stability were assessed in the 10 patients using a paired sample t‐test. Within‐subject performance across the two mood states did not significantly differ [t(9) = −1.24, p = 0.25]. Additionally, the greatest individual difference across mood states was only 3.68 points, and the average estimated IQ difference across mood states was 1.66.Conclusions:  While the results are preliminary and based on a small sample, the highly consistent scores achieved across mood states in this study suggest that the ANART is a reliable indicator of premorbid IQ.
Regional cerebral cortical thinning in bipolar disorder
Authors: Lyoo In Kyoon , Sung Young Hoon , Dager Stephen R , Friedman Seth D , Lee Jun‐Young , Kim Seog Ju , Kim Namkug , Dunner David L , Renshaw Perry F 
Published: January 2006

Objective:  This study was conducted to explore differences in cortical thickness between subjects with bipolar disorder and healthy comparison subjects using cortical surface‐based analysis.Methods:  Brain magnetic resonance images were acquired from 25 subjects with bipolar disorder and 21 healthy comparison subjects. Cortical surface‐based analysis was conducted using the Freesurfer application. Group differences in cortical thickness, defined by the distance from gray/white boundary to the pial surface, were assessed using statistical difference maps.Results:  Subjects with bipolar disorder exhibited significantly decreased cortical thickness in left cingulate cortex, left middle frontal cortex, left middle occipital cortex, right medial frontal cortex, right angular cortex, right fusiform cortex and bilateral postcentral cortices, relative to healthy comparison subjects (all p < 0.001). Duration of illness in bipolar subjects was inversely correlated with the cortical thickness of the left middle frontal cortex.Conclusions:  Cortical thinning was present in multiple prefrontal cortices in bipolar disorder. There was also cortical thinning in sensory and sensory association cortices, which has not been reported in previous studies using region‐of‐interest or voxel‐based morphometry methods. Cortical thinning observed in the current study may be related to impairment of emotional, cognitive, and sensory processing in bipolar disorder but longitudinal studies will be necessary to test this hypothesis.
Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds
Authors: Møller A. P. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Evolutionary theories of senescence suggest that aging evolves as a consequence of early reproduction imposing later viability costs, or as a consequence of weak selection against mutations that act late in life. In addition, highly social species that live in sites that are protected from extrinsic mortality due to predation should senesce at a slower rate than solitary species. Therefore, species that start reproducing late in life should senesce at a slower rate than species that start reproducing early. In addition, social species should senesce more slowly than solitary species. Here I investigate the rate of senescence using an extensive data set on longevity records under natural field conditions to test predictions about the evolution of senescence among 271 species of birds. Longevity records increased with sampling effort and body mass, but once these confounding variables were controlled statistically, there was a strongly positive relationship between relative longevity and relative adult survival rate. Relative longevity after controlling statistically for sampling effort, body mass and adult survival rate, increased with age at first reproduction, but not with degree of breeding sociality. These findings suggest that the evolution of senescence is related to timing of first reproduction, but that the evolution of breeding sociality has played a negligible role in the evolution of senescence.
Anti‐Predator Benefits of Mixed‐Species Groups of Cowtail Stingrays (Pastinachus sephen) and Whiprays (Himantura uarnak) at Rest
Authors: Semeniuk Christina A. D. , Dill Lawrence M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractHeterospecific grouping can sometimes provide greater antipredator benefits to individuals than grouping with conspecifics. We explored the potential benefits of mixed‐species group resting in the cowtail stingray, Pastinachus sephen, and the reticulate whipray, Himantura uarnak, in Shark Bay, Western Australia. From focal follow data on individual resting choice, we first ascertained that cowtails preferred to rest with heterospecifics, as they chose to settle next to whiprays more often than to pass them (with the opposite trend observed for conspecifics). In addition, we determined from filmed boat transects that cowtails formed larger hetero‐ than monospecific groups despite the low density of whiprays. Possible benefits accrued by the cowtail were investigated in terms of predator protection. Whiprays responded earlier than cowtails to a mock predator (boat), and were most frequently the first to respond when in a mixed group. Thus, cowtails may benefit from grouping with heterospecifics by receiving earlier warning of a predator's approach. A decoy experiment using model whiprays demonstrated that cowtails were more willing to rest with models with relatively longer tails (controlled for body size). Ray tails, which are equipped with a mechanoreceptor capable of detecting predators, may constitute an important secondary means of predator detection aside from early warning. This contention is supported by the observation that stingrays mainly form resting groups when their visual ability is likely to be impaired by environmental conditions, and that tail length is negatively allometric with body size, suggesting its importance in vulnerable early life stages. If the efficacy of the mechanoreceptor increases with tail length, then cowtails may have further improved their likelihood of detecting predators by grouping with longer‐tailed heterospecifics.
True Hermaphroditism in Six Female Littermates After Administration of Synthetic Androgens to a Pregnant Bitch
Authors: de Rooster H , Vercauteren G , Görtz K , Saunders J , Polis I , Rijsselaere T 
Published: January 2006

ContentsA pregnant bitch was treated with a synthetic testosterone mixture on approximately day 40. The female offspring (six pups) showed an increased anogenital distance, vaginal enlargement and a variable amount of vaginal discharge. The urinary orifice was found dorsally in the vestibulum, stooled on a protruding phallus‐like structure. All six pups underwent a laparotomy and subsequent spaying and a modified ventral episioplasty technique to lift up the labia to a more vertical position in order to prevent urine accumulation. Histopathological examination of the genital tracts demonstrated the presence of bilateral ovotestis and remnants of the Wolffian duct system in all cases. The finding of true hermaphroditism of the offspring after exogenous androgen administration during gestation of the bitch has not yet been reported elsewhere.
Children walking to school: Parent perceptions of environmental and psychosocial influences
Authors: Ziviani Jenny , Kopeshke Raymond , Wadley David 
Published: January 2006

Background and Aims:  Children's declining physical activity has attracted attention from those concerned with the health and well‐being of the young. The present study aims to determine if the extent of walking to and from a school with an active participation program differed from that in another school without a program. Method and Results:  Data from 21 parents of Grade 7 children from School A, sourced from a previous study, were compared with data from parents of Grade 7 children in School B, collected using the same questionnaire. No significant difference in the mean number of days walked to (t= 0.098, P= 0.92) or from school (t= 0.251, P= 0.80) was identified.Conclusions:  This small‐scale project suggests that a mélange of variables has the potential to influence children's incidental activity levels.
The effects of contextual relevance and ownership on a reaching and placing task
Authors: Holubar Michelle N. , Rice Martin S. 
Published: January 2006

Aim: This study investigated whether a more familiar environment and object ownership would result in enhanced motor performance.Methods: Thirty‐two women from the community aged 30 to 60 years lifted and placed their mug and a second mug they did not own in their home kitchen and in a laboratory.Results: Although no differences were found on the factor of location, participants were more efficient (i.e. less movement time) when reaching for their own mug. Additionally, there were fewer movement units with their own mug in the lab than when at home.Conclusions: Implications are that perceived compatibility between context and ownership may influence the quality of movement. Further research is needed to investigate the role these factors have in the formation of meaning.
Job satisfaction in occupational therapy: a qualitative investigation in urban Australia
Authors: Moore Katherine , Cruickshank Mary , Haas Marion 
Published: January 2006

Background:  Job satisfaction has been shown to affect levels of staff retention and work productivity, but few studies have been conducted with occupational therapists in an Australian setting. Methods:  Using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach, the findings from a study examining the factors that contribute to job satisfaction in occupational therapists working in Australia, are reported. Results:  Job satisfaction in occupational therapy was derived from the sense of achievement felt when providing effective clinical care. Job dissatisfaction stemmed from the poor profile and status of the profession. Conclusions:  Based on the study findings, there is an imperative that the profession of occupational therapy continue to use research findings to support clinicians in providing effective health care, and improve the community understanding of occupational therapy.
Conducting case study research in occupational therapy
Authors: Salminen Anna‐Liisa , Harra Toini , Lautamo Tiina 
Published: January 2006

Background:  Case study research has been used increasingly in psychology and sociology in recent years. It provides researchers with an opportunity to explore a situation involving one individual or several individuals over time from multiple points of view. Methods:  This literature review explains case study research as a method and summerises its scientific merit, also providing an example of its use. Results:  Case study research offers occupational therapists a scientific methodology that can be used to understand and develop occupational therapy practice. Conclusion:  This paper argues that case study research should be used more extensively by occupational therapists as the method respects the basic principles of occupational therapy.
Proteomic study of plasma proteins in pregnant women with asthma
Authors: MURPHY Vanessa E. , JOHNSON Renee F. , WANG Yung‐Chih , AKINSANYA Karen , GIBSON Peter G. , SMITH Roger , CLIFTON Vicki L. 
Published: January 2006

Objective and background:  The course of asthma may be altered during pregnancy with at least one‐third of women experiencing a worsening of asthma and 20% having an exacerbation during pregnancy. This study used the novel proteomic technique, surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry to determine if the presence of asthma during pregnancy was associated with alterations in plasma proteins.Methods:  Plasma collected from healthy (n = 23) and asthmatic (n = 27) pregnant women at 18 and 30 weeks gestation was applied to strong anion exchange (SAX2), weak cation exchange (WCX2) and immobilized metal affinity capture (IMAC‐Cu2+) chips. Mass analysis was conducted using Ciphergen Protein Biology System IIc and significant differences in individual peak intensities between groups determined.Results:  At 18 weeks gestation, 91 peaks were significantly different between pregnant women with and without asthma, representing 28% of the total peaks identified. At 30 weeks gestation, 51 peaks were significantly different. There were two peaks that were significantly different between groups at both 18 and 30 weeks gestation and expressed at a similar level at both time points. One was increased in asthmatics (MW = 6444 Da) whereas the other decreased in asthmatics compared with non‐asthmatic women (MW = 1846 Da).Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that there are differences in protein patterns between pregnant women with and without asthma. Other techniques are needed to define the molecular species and classify pathophysiological significance. Surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry has potential as a tool to monitor disease progression in situations such as pregnancy.