bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The general picture of supportive health environments for persons with intellectual disabilities among 121 disability welfare institutions in Taiwan
Authors: Lin J.‐D. , Yen C.‐F. , Loh C.‐H. , Chwo M.‐J. , Lee J.‐T. , Wu J.‐L. , Chu C. M. , Tang C.‐C. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Little information is available on the provision of supportive health environments for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) in institutions. The aim of this study was to present an overview of supportive environments for health in institutions in Taiwan.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey was conducted to examine the perceptions of 121 Taiwanese Institutional Directors on their setting's implementation of supportive healthy physical, social, and economic environments.Results  Analyses showed that first‐aid kits (97.5%) and medicine cabinets (85.5%) were the most common health facilities in institutions. Seventy‐three per cent of institutions had set up specific areas to be used for rehabilitation practice, while only 43.1% thought their rehabilitation equipment/devices adequate for their real needs. Eighty‐eight per cent of institutions implemented health promotion plans for people with ID, while 76.6% had appropriated specific health promotion plans. Sixty‐three institutions (52.1%) reported employment of skilled nurses to serve people with ID, and these institutions showed statistically significant differences in implementation of each health facility.Conclusions  The present paper is the first to analyze supportive environments for health in disability institutions in Taiwan. An important focus of future research will be the extension of the present findings to consider the appropriateness of each area of supportive environments for improving the quality of institutional care for people with ID.
Quantitative analysis of keratin filament networks in scanning electron microscopy images of cancer cells
Authors: BEIL M. , BRAXMEIER H. , FLEISCHER F. , SCHMIDT V. , WALTHER P. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe keratin filament network is an important part of the cytoskeleton. It is involved in the regulation of shape and viscoelasticity of epithelial cells. The morphology of keratin networks depends on post‐translational modifications of keratin monomers. In‐vitro studies indicated that network characteristics, such as filament crosslink density, determines the biophysical properties of the filament network. This report presents a quantitative method for the morphological analysis of keratin filament networks. Visualization of filaments was based on prefixation extraction of epithelial cells and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images were processed by a skeletonization algorithm to obtain a graph structure that represents individual filaments as well as their connections. This method was applied to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor α (TGFα) on the morphology of keratin networks in pancreatic cancer cells. TGFα contributes to pancreatic cancer progression and activates signalling pathways phosphorylating keratin monomers. Using this new method, a significant alteration to the keratin network morphology could be detected in response to TGFα.
Atomic force microscopic analysis of hydrogen peroxide bleached kraft northern black spruce fibres
Authors: POGGI M. A. , MANCOSKY D. G. , BOTTOMLEY L. A. , LUCIA L. A. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryHydrogen peroxide is a potent, relatively inexpensive oxidant that chemically degrades chromophoric components in pulps and textiles. Oxidation of cellulose is a byproduct of this process step that decreases the tensile strength of individual fibres. The residence time of pulp in the bleaching reactor must be optimized to achieve the desired brightness and minimizing fibre degradation. To evaluate the impact of peroxide bleaching at the microfibrillar level, a single black spruce tree was chosen and kraft pulped. Peroxide bleaching was conducted via benchtop polyethylene bag bleaching in a temperature‐controlled waterbath. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topographical images acquired before and after the bleaching step show dramatic changes in fibre structure consistent with delignification and defects in the surface topography. This was further verified by X‐ray work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY, U.S.A.
Acute Effects of Aldosterone on the Autonomic Nervous System and the Baroreflex Function in Healthy Humans
Authors: Heindl S. , Holzschneider J. , Hinz A. , Sayk F. , Fehm H. L. , Dodt C. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAldosterone has been reported to impair the baroreflex response in animal models. The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of aldosterone on the autonomic nervous system and the baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and heart rate in healthy humans. Nine healthy subjects were examined in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study design, receiving either i.v. aldosterone (100 µg) or placebo on the experimental day. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at rest, whereas blood pressure, heart rate and MSNA (assessed by microneurography from the peroneal nerve) were monitored both at rest and during baroreflex tests. Baroreceptor stimulation and deactivation was induced by i.v. infusion of incremental doses of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside. HRV indices at rest were specifically changed by aldosterone with a significant increase in standard deviation of RR intervals and total power, and a trend towards increased time domain parameters indicating parasympathetic predominance in heart rate regulation. Basal MSNA, blood pressure and heart rate remained unaffected by aldosterone administration. Sodium nitroprusside decreased diastolic blood pressure and increased MSNA as well as heart rate in both the aldosterone and placebo experiments. However, the tachycardic response to arterial baroreceptor deactivation was more pronounced in the aldosterone experiments. By contrast, baroreflex control of MSNA and heart rate during phenylephrine infusion was not affected by aldosterone. Thus, our study demonstrates that, in healthy humans, aldosterone tends to increase cardiac vagal activity and enhances the heart rate response to nitroprusside whereas MSNA remains unaffected.
Pinealectomy Reduces Optic Nerve But Not Intergeniculate Leaflet Input to the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus at Night
Authors: González J. A. , Dyball R. E. J. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus regulates circadian rhythms in mammals. It receives, among others, direct inputs from the retina and from the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet (IGL). The former sends photic signals to the SCN, whereas the latter probably integrates photic and nonphotic information. To characterise these inputs in vivo, extracellular single‐unit recordings were made from the SCN of rats under urethane anaesthesia during electrical stimulation of the optic nerve (OptN) or the IGL region. Cell responses were evaluated by creating peri‐stimulus time histograms. Because humoral signals such as melatonin might modulate the activity of the SCN in addition to neural inputs, recordings were also made using pinealectomised (Px) rats to test for a possible role of this hormone in regulating inputs to the SCN. A significantly greater number of cells responded to IGL (60 of 90, 67%) than to OptN (35 of 75, 47%) stimulation in intact animals (χ2 = 5.905, P = 0.015). The same was true when Px animals were tested (IGL, 82 of 131, 63%; OptN, 31 of 111, 28%; χ2 = 27.637, P < 0.001). In intact animals, the proportion of cells responsive to IGL stimulation during the day and during the night was not significantly different from the proportion responsive in Px animals. The same was true for OptN stimulation during the day. However, during the night, the proportion of cells responsive to OptN stimulation in intact animals was significantly greater than the proportion responsive in Px animals (χ2 = 7.127, P = 0.008). Our findings suggest that a lack of melatonin modulates OptN but not IGL inputs to the SCN.
Experiences of female general practice registrars: Are rural attachments encouraging them to stay?
Authors: Charles Donnetta M. , Ward Alison M. , Lopez Derrick G. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjective:  To establish whether a six‐month rural attachment influenced female GP registrars’ future plans to work in a rural area. Secondary aims include establishing the adequacy of postgraduate training in preparing the registrars for the attachment, opinions regarding rural practice and suggestions to improve the attachment. Design:  A six‐page questionnaire was sent to eligible participants via state branches of General Practice Education Australia. Subjects:  Female GP registrars who undertook a six‐month rural attachment during 2002. Main outcome measure:  Whether the six‐month rural attachment influenced female registrars to practise in the country. Results:  The rural attachment was a positive experience for 82% of participants. One‐third were more likely, as a result of the attachment, to practise rurally in the future. In total, 14% were influenced against working rurally as a result of the attachment. Those who had previously resided or studied in a rural area were more likely to plan to work rurally. Level of vocational preparation was adequate for the majority with notable deficits in obstetrics and gynaecological procedural skills. Main negatives associated with the attachment included working long hours and social isolation. Recommendations for change focused on amending these issues along with improved child‐care facilities and improved remuneration. Conclusion:  The rural attachment is a predominantly positive experience for female registrars with the exception of professional and personal hardships associated with relocating to rural practice. The attachment dissuades only a small proportion of its female counterparts, which is promising considering the increasing role of female practitioners in the workforce.
Incidence of disability in housebound elderly people in a rural community in Japan
Authors: Kawamura Keiko , Watanabe Misuzu , Watanabe Takemasa , Tanimoto Yoshimi , Matsuura Takamaro , Kono Koichi 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Although being housebound is acknowledged conceptually as a risk factor for disability and social isolation, there has been little epidemiologic research on housebound status. This study aimed to explore whether being housebound is a risk factor for disability and whether a low level of social contact increases that risk in elderly persons.Methods:  A questionnaire pertaining to demographic characteristics was administered to 2932 community‐dwelling elderly persons (aged 65 years and older) in October 2000. There were 2459 responses, and 2180 respondents were independently performing activities of daily living. Of these, 2046 were followed up until March 2003. These 2046 people became the subjects of our analysis. At the end of the follow‐up period, the 2046 subjects were assessed for disability.Results:  Overall, 7.5% of the subjects were housebound at baseline, and about half of these were able to leave the house unassisted, seldom did so but had social contact. At the end of the follow‐up period, 12.7% of subjects were identified as disabled. The incidence of disability was higher in housebound than in non‐housebound subjects aged less than 85 years but did not differ significantly among subjects aged more than 85 years. Levels of disability were higher in all housebound subjects groups than in non‐housebound subjects. Subjects without social contact exhibited a higher incidence of disability than others, although the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:  Being housebound appears to be a risk factor for disability in community‐dwelling individuals aged 65–85 years who are living independently, but a low level of social contact was not proved to be an additional risk factor for disability among housebound elderly persons.
Assessment of diastolic function in elderly patients with aortic stenosis. Evaluation of flow propagation velocity using color M‐mode Doppler technique
Authors: Nobuoka Sachihiko , Suzuki Kengo , Imai Yukiko , Adachi Hisanobu , Shibamoto Masaaki , Yoshida Akihiro , Miyake Fumihiko , Nakamura Toshio 
Published: November 2005

Background:  The purpose of this study was to assess the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in elderly patients with aortic stenosis (AS).Methods:  The subjects included 11 consecutive elderly patients with AS (AS group), and 17 elderly patients with hypertensive LV hypertrophy (HT group), all were more than 70 years of age. Echocardiographic and Doppler examinations were performed, and the data was analyzed to determine the LV end‐diastolic dimension (LVDd), the LV mass index (LVMI), fractional fiber shortening (FS), the aortic valve resistance (AVR), peak aortic flow velocity (peak V), and the maximal early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E). The flow propagation velocity (FPV) was measured during early LV filling phase using a color M‐mode Doppler method. Then, (i) FPV/E were compared between the two groups; and (ii) correlations between FPV/E and LVMI, LVDd, AVR, and FS/peak V were assessed in the AS group.Results:  FPV/E was significantly lower in the AS group than in the HT group (P < 0.01). There were significant negative correlations between FPV/E and LVMI (r =−0.728, P < 0.001), and FPV/E and LVDd (r =−0.642, P < 0.01) in the AS group. There were no significant correlations between FPV/E and AVR, and FPV/E and FS/peak V.Conclusion:  We considered that in elderly patients with AS, diastolic dysfunction was more severe than that of hypertensive heart disease even if the LV hypertrophy is equivalent, and diastolic dysfunction was more severe in cases having a larger LVDd and a larger LVMI, and could not be related to hemodynamic severity of AS.
Effects of group work programs on community‐dwelling elderly people with age‐associated cognitive decline and/or mild depressive moods: A Kahoku Longitudinal Aging Study
Authors: Okumiya Kiyohito , Morita Yukari , Nishinaga Masanori , Osaki Yasushi , Doi Yoshinori , Ishine Masayuki , Wada Taizo , Ozawa Toshio , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Age‐associated cognitive decline (AACD) is a predictor of dementia and highly prevalent among elderly people. Many elderly people with AACD also suffer from depressive moods. We studied, the effect of group work programs on the cognitive function and quality of life (QOL) of community‐dwelling elderly people with AACD and/or mild depressive moods.Methods:  Thirty‐six subjects, with a mean age of 79.8 years, were included in this study. Twenty‐one suffered from both AACD and mild depressive moods, nine suffered from mild depressive moods and six from AACD. Subjects were required to participate in a number of group work programs, such as music therapy, handicrafts and so on. They were assigned to one of two groups, and each participated in two 4‐month sessions. In the first session, group 1 participated in the group work programs, while group 2 did not (control). In the second session, group 2 participated while group 1 did not. The effect of group work on elderly people with AACD (n = 27) and depressive moods (n = 31), was evaluated separately.Results:  Improvement was observed in depressive moods and QOL (visual analogue scale of family relation, friendship and happiness, life satisfaction index) in subjects with cognitive impairment and depressive moods. The effect on cognitive function was shown only in elderly individuals suffering from depressive moods. The improvement in depressive moods and QOL seemed to be accompanied by an improvement in cognitive function but did not continue after completion of the group work program.Conclusion:  Group work was shown to improve depressive moods, QOL and cognitive function; however, long‐term effects require further examination.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: VI. Maubin in Myanmar
Authors: Wada Taizo , Okumiya Kiyohito , Suzuki Kentaro , Roriz‐Cruz Matheus , Ishine Masayuki , Sakagami Teiji , Kita Toru , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: November 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments of community‐dwelling elderly in Maubin township, Myanmar with those in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, study was undertaken of community‐dwelling people aged 60 years and over who were living in downtown Maubin and two rural villages near Maubin city, and 411 people aged 65 years and over who were living in Sonobe, Kyoto, Japan. They were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool, which included interviews regarding activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale. Anthropometric, neurobehavioral and blood chemical examinations were also conducted. Using anova and Post Hoc Scheffe's F‐test, findings from the three groups were compared.Results:  Scores of basic ADL, instrumental self‐maintenance, intellectual activities, social roles, QOL, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, body mass index, total cholesterol levels, blood hemoglobin levels and HDL levels were lower in Myanmar's elderly subjects than in Japanese ones. There was no significant difference in prevalence of depression. Mean blood pressure measurements and rates of subjects with systolic pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg and prevalence of stroke were higher in downtown Maubin than in Japan. The atherogenic index was higher in Myanmar's elderly than in Japanese.Conclusion:  In Myanmar subjects had lower ADL and QOL scores than Japanese elderly. Of particular note is the higher prevalence of anemia and subjects with history of stroke in Myanmar than in Japan. Further study is needed to detect the cause of high prevalence of stroke in Myanmar.
Distribution of acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyl‐transferase activities in the human pulmonary vessels of younger and older adults
Authors: Cavallotti Carlo , D’Andrea Vito , Cavallotti Chiara , Cameroni Mauro 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Age‐related changes were studied in younger and older humans, by staining of acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyl‐transferase activities on autopsy samples of pulmonary vessels (arteries, veins and micro‐vessels).Methods:  Samples of human pulmonary vessels were harvested and exposed to the enzymatic staining for acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyltransferase, two enzymes linked to the metabolism of acetylcholine. The morphological data were subjected to the quantitative analysis of images and to the statistical analysis of data.Results:  Both acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyl‐transferase activities are localized in the pulmonary vessels of younger and older humans. Staining of these two enzymes shows strong age‐related changes. Structures resembling cholinergic nerve fibers are located in pulmonary vessels both in the extra‐parenchymal and intraparenchymal branches, organized in two plexuses. The quantitative analysis of images and the statistical analysis of data demonstrate that the cholinergic innervation of pulmonary vessels (especially the extra‐parenchymal branches) strongly decreases with age.Conclusion:  Our opinion is that the extra and intrapulmonary branches of the artery and veins of the human lung are provided with cholinergic nerve fibers, which could control the afferent pathways of the pulmonary vascular tree. These cholinergic nerve fibers are particularly sensitive to age‐related changes.
Incidence of adverse drug reactions in geriatric units of university hospitals
Authors: Arai Hidenori , Akishita Masahiro , Teramoto Shinji , Arai Hiroyuki , Mizukami Katsuyoshi , Morimoto Shigeto , Toba Kenji 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Adverse drug reactions (ADR) in elderly people are often attributed to functional decline and polypharmacy.Methods:  In this study, a multi‐institutional retrospective survey was undertaken to investigate the current status of ADR in geriatric units of university hospitals. The inpatient databases from 2000 to 2002 for five university hospitals were studied, and a total of 1289 patients were analyzed.Results:  The incidence of ADR, as determined by attending physicians, was 9.2% on average, but varied from 6.3 to 15.8% among the institutions. Factors significantly related to ADR were the number of diagnoses, the number of geriatric syndromes, the number of prescribed drugs, an increase of two or more drugs during hospitalization, longer hospital stay, emergency admission, depression and apathy.Conclusion:  These results are mostly consistent with previous reports and provide important information on drug treatment in elderly people.
Cognitive function among physically independent very old people in an urban Japanese community
Authors: Iwasa Hajime , Gondo Yasuyuki , Furuna Taketo , Kobayashi Erika , Inagaki Hiroki , Sugiura Miho , Masui Yukie , Abe Tsutomu , Imuta Hiromi , Homma Akira , Suzuki Takao 
Published: November 2005

Background:  A study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of cognitive function among physically independent very old people dwelling in an urban community in Japan.Methods:  Five hundred and thirteen old‐old (aged 75–84 years) and 168 oldest‐old (aged 85–100 years) adults participated. We carried out the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) for measuring cognitive functions in the elderly. Age‐related differences in the total score and subscale scores of the MMSE were analyzed by sex using ancova, controlling for education, vision and hearing problems.Results:  Mean MMSE scores for old‐old and oldest‐old men were 27.5 and 25.9, respectively, and those for old‐old and oldest‐old women were 27.8 and 25.0, respectively. Age‐related differences in the MMSE total score between the old‐old and oldest‐old were observed in both sexes, suggesting that overall cognitive functions continue to decline over time in very old age. Age‐related differences between the old‐old and oldest‐old in items measuring, registration, calculation and delayed recall were observed in both sexes, and also in those assessing time orientation, place orientation, delayed recognition, writing sentences, and copying figures were observed in women.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that the faculties are those most sensitive to normal aging among very old individuals. There were no age group differences in five items: reverse spelling, naming objects, repeating a sentence, listening and obeying, and reading and obeying.