bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells have characteristics of multipotent stem cells
Authors: Kim J. , Lee Y. , Kim H. , Hwang K. J. , Kwon H. C. , Kim S. K. , Cho D. J. , Kang S. G. , You J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: To characterize mesenchymal stem cell‐like cells isolated from human amniotic fluid for a new source of therapeutic cells. Materials: Fibroblastoid‐type cells obtained from amniotic fluid at the time of birth. Methods: The ability of ex vivo expansion was investigated until senescence, and stem cell‐like characteristics were analyzed by examining differentiation potential, messenger RNA expression and immunophenotypes. Results and Conclusions: A morphologically homogenous population of fibroblastoid‐type (HAFFTs) cells, similar to mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM‐MSCs), was obtained at the third passage. The cells became senescent after 27 passages over a period of 8 months while undergoing 66 population doublings. Under appropriate culture conditions, by the 8th passage they differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neuronal cells, as revealed by oil red O, von Kossa, Alcian blue and anti‐NeuN antibody staining, respectively. Immunophenotype analyses at the 17th passage demonstrated the presence of TRA‐1–60; SSEA‐3 and‐4; collagen types I, II, III, IV and XII; fibronectin; α‐SMA; vimentin; desmin; CK18; CD44; CD54; CD106; FSP; vWF; CD31; and HLA ABC. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis of the HAFFTs from passages 6–20 showed consistent expression of Rex‐1, SCF, GATA‐4, vimentin, CK18, FGF‐5 and HLA ABC genes. Oct‐4 gene expression was observed up to the 19th passage but not at the 20th passage. HAFFTs showed telomerase activity at the 5th passage with a decreased level by the 21st passage. Interestingly, BMP‐4, AFP, nestin and HNF‐4α genes showed differential gene expression during ex vivo expansion. Taken together, these observations suggest that HAFFTs are pluripotent stem cells that are less differentiated than BM‐MSCs, and that their gene expression profiles vary with passage number during ex vivo expansion.
Nicotine‐induced proliferation of isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells: effect on cell signalling and function
Authors: Chowdhury P. , Bose C. , Udupa K. B. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether nicotine treatment would induce the proliferation of isolated rat primary pancreatic acinar cells in culture by activating mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling and exocrine secretion. Materials and Methods: A nicotine dose‐ and time‐response curve was initially developed to determine the optimal dose and time used for all subsequent studies. Proliferation studies were conducted by cell counting and confirmed further by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and flow cytometry assays. MAPK signalling studies were conducted by Western blot analysis. Localization of ERK1/2 signals, with or without nicotine and the MAPK inhibitor, was visualized by immunofluorescence. Results: Nicotine treatment caused dose‐dependent activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2), the maxima occurring at 100 µm and at 3 min after treatment; the response was suppressed by the ERK1/2 inhibitor. Maximal nicotine‐induced cell proliferation occurred at 24 h, and UO126‐treatment significantly reduced this response. Exposure of cells to 100 µm nicotine for 6 min significantly enhanced both baseline and cholecystokinin‐stimulated cell function, and these effects were not affected by treatment with the inhibitor of ERK1/2 but were suppressed by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist. Conclusions: Our results suggest that nicotine treatment induced cell proliferation of isolated pancreatic acinar cells and that this is coupled with the activation of MAPK signalling with no effect on its function. Hence, in primary cells, the mechanism of induction and regulation of these two processes, cell proliferation and cell function, by nicotine treatment are independent of each other.
Varying responses of human cells with discrepant p53 activity to ionizing radiation and heat shock exposure
Authors: Tokalov S. V. , Pieck S. , Gutzeit H. O. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract. Objectives: Both heat shock (HS) and ionizing radiation have an impact on the cell cycle and may induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Mutations of thep53gene are observed at a high frequency in human tumours and are recognized in about half of all human cancers. Sensitivity to radiation, heat and anticancer agents has been observed inp53+/+cells, but not in mutated orp53‐deficient cells. Moreover, enhancement of radiosensitivity by HS has been observed in wild‐typep53cells but not inp53‐deficient cells. The molecular mechanism of the differential cell response to HS or ionizing radiation is not yet understood.Materials and Methods: Differences in cellular response to radiation (200 kV X‐ray, 1, 2, 5 Gy) and HS (39 °C, 41 °C and 43 °C for 30 min) on cell cycle progression of cultures of humanp53mutant cells were investigated by flow cytometry. In addition, the effects of stressors used on the expression of several heat shock genes (HSP27,HSP60,HSP70,HSC70,HSP75,HSP78,HSP90) were studied by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.Results and Conclusions: Yet, with respect toHSPgene expression, different stressors produced similar effects. Combination of HS and radiation treatment significantly induced the transcription of theHSP70gene above the level induced by each stressor alone. Cell cycle analysis, however, revealed striking differences in prolonged dynamics of cell division in response to each stressor. Thus,p53status could be a useful indicator in predictive assays for hyperthermia cancer treatment in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Towards integrated paediatric services in the Netherlands: a survey of views and policies on collaboration in the care for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Nijhuis B. J. G. , Reinders‐Messelink H. A. , De Blécourt A. C. E. , Olijve W. G. , Haga N. , Groothoff J. W. , Nakken H. , Postema K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAim  Worldwide, family‐centred and co‐ordinated care are seen as the two most desirable and effective methods of paediatric care delivery. This study outlines current views on how team collaboration comprising professionals in paediatric rehabilitation and special education and the parents of children with disabilities should be organized, and analyses the policies of five paediatric rehabilitation settings associated with the care of 44 children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Netherlands.Methods  For an overview of current ideas on collaboration, written statements of professional associations in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation were examined. The policy statements of the five participating settings were derived from their institutional files. Documents detailing the collaborative arrangements involving the various professionals and parents were evaluated at the institutional level and at the child level. Involvement of the stakeholders was analysed based on team conferences.Results  Also in the Netherlands collaboration between rehabilitation and education professionals and parents is endorsed as the key principle in paediatric rehabilitation, with at its core the team conference in which the various priorities and goals are formulated and integrated into a personalized treatment plan. As to their collaborative approaches between rehabilitation centre and school, the five paediatric settings rarely differed, but at the child level approaches varied. Teams were large (averaging 10.5 members), and all three stakeholder groups were represented, but involvement differed per setting, as did the roles and contributions of the individual team members.Conclusion  Collaboration between rehabilitation and education professionals and parents is supported and encouraged nationwide. Views on collaboration have been formulated, and general guidelines on family‐centred and co‐ordinated care are available. Yet, collaborative practices in Dutch paediatric care are still developing. Protocols that carefully delineate the commitments to collaborate and that translate the policies into practical, detailed guidelines are needed, as they are a prerequisite for successful teamwork.
Caregiver experiences, contextualizations and understandings of the burn injury to their child. Accounts from low‐income settings in South Africa
Authors: Van Niekerk A. , Seedat M. , Menckel E. , Laflamme L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Childhood burn injury is a widespread phenomenon with a disproportionate concentration in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Burn injuries may have far‐reaching and traumatic interpersonal, social and occupational effects for young children. There has been scant attention to the caregiver's experience of these events. This study sought to explore the caregiver's understanding of the injury to their children, the injury causes and its preventability.Methods  The study is based on interviews with 13 caregivers. All informants were the female parents or grandparent of children who had sustained a moderate to severe burn injury and presented at a children's hospital in Cape Town. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a synthesis of the grounded theory approach with core content analytic steps.Results  Analysis of data indicates that information related to the injury event can be separated into the child's activities, the activity undertaken by the caregiver at the time of the event and the environmental hazards coming into play. The remote factors associated with the event were related to the individual caregiver, family circumstances, the area's living conditions and the cultural context. The caregivers' suggestions for the future focused on the isolation of heat sources, caregiver supervision and environmental renovations.Conclusions  Caregivers emphasized the multifactorial nature of the burn injury event and highlighted the adverse environmental, domestic and personal circumstances to their child's burn injury. Their recommendations for burn prevention avoidance and control are consistent with their understanding of the injury aetiology and demonstrate a synergy with public health recommendations for environmental and technological interventions.
Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence‐based parenting interventions
Authors: Sanders M. R. , Markie‐Dadds C. , Rinaldis M. , Firman David , Baig Natalie 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  This study used household survey data on the prevalence of child, parent and family variables to establish potential targets for a population‐level intervention to strengthen parenting skills in the community. The goals of the intervention include decreasing child conduct problems, increasing parental self‐efficacy, use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing coercive parenting and increasing help‐seeking, social support and participation in positive parenting programmes.Methods  A total of 4010 parents with a child under the age of 12 years completed a statewide telephone survey on parenting.Results  One in three parents reported that their child had a behavioural or emotional problem in the previous 6 months. Furthermore, 9% of children aged 2–12 years meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder. Parents who reported their child's behaviour to be difficult were more likely to perceive parenting as a negative experience (i.e. demanding, stressful and depressing). Parents with greatest difficulties were mothers without partners and who had low levels of confidence in their parenting roles. About 20% of parents reported being stressed and 5% reported being depressed in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Parents with personal adjustment problems had lower levels of parenting confidence and their child was more difficult to manage. Only one in four parents had participated in a parent education programme.Conclusions  Implications for the setting of population‐level goals and targets for strengthening parenting skills are discussed.
One‐year stability of the Measure of Processes of Care
Authors: Siebes R. C. , Wijnroks L. , Ketelaar M. , Van Schie P. E. M. , Vermeer A. , Gorter J. W. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a 56‐item self‐administered measure designed to examine what parents of a child with a chronic health problem think of the services they and their child receive, and to measure the extent to which these services are family‐centred. Reliability and validity of the MPOC were established in prior studies. The aim of the present study was to assess the 1‐year stability of the MPOC to justify its use as an evaluative tool.Methods  Nine paediatric rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands participated in this short longitudinal survey study. Subjects were 205 parents (response rate 74.8%) of children aged 1–18 years who received care in one of the participating paediatric rehabilitation centres. All subjects filled out two MPOCs with a 1‐year interval.Results  All correlations between the scale scores of the MPOC at the first and second administration were relatively high and significant (range: 0.443–0.609, all P < 0.001), demonstrating high inter‐individual stability. However, all mean scale scores, except for Providing General Information, significantly reduced after 1 year.Conclusions  The MPOC has a moderate 1‐year stability. However, because of its tendency to score lower when repeated after 1 year, its use as an evaluative follow‐up instrument to assess the effectiveness of a programme intervention is restricted.
Neuropsychological profile of pre‐schoolers with metaphonological difficulties: results from a non‐clinical sample
Authors: Termine C. , Stella G. , Capsoni C. , Rosso E. , Binda A. , Pirola A. , Conti C. , Gruppi E. , Lanzi G. , Salini S. , Tognatti C. , Zoppello M. , Balottin U. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  The level of language development reached in pre‐school age is considered the most reliable predictor of reading acquisition. In normally developing children, learning to read is strongly related to early language skills, and in particular to phonological processing abilities. In dyslexic children, reading abilities seem to show a correlation with phonological awareness.Methods  A group of 65 children (aged 5–6 years) were recruited and submitted to an in‐depth neuropsychological assessment [i.e. metaphonological skills, intelligence, verbal short‐term memory (VSTM) and other aspects of receptive and expressive language]. We were able to identify 14 children with significant metaphonological difficulties (MD): 11 children with exclusively MD, and the other three children with specific language impairment. This study compares the neuropsychological profile obtained from children with MD with that of a peer group without any language impairment (N).Results  The performances of the MD were within the normal ability range in almost all the administered tests but significantly lower compared with those of their peers without language impairment (N) in some items of the intelligence scale (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) and in the tests of VSTM and of receptive/expressive language. Nevertheless, there were not statistically significant differences between MD and N in output phonology.Conclusions  In pre‐school age, in a group of non‐clinical children, with a range of abilities, those with MD appear to be at the lower end of the normal range in many other verbal skills. These children could be considered at‐risk for possible subsequent difficulties learning to read and thus need to be identified and to warrant prompt treatment.
Parents' use and views of the national standard Personal Child Health Record: a survey in two primary care trusts
Authors: Walton S. , Bedford H. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  The Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) is a booklet given to parents in the UK, following the birth of a child, to be used as the main record of their growth, development and uptake of preventative health services. The national standard PCHR has been available since April 2004. The aim of this survey was to explore parental views of the ‘new’ PCHR, their experiences in receiving it, and its subsequent use, focusing on specific issues of current debate among health professionals.Methods  A parental questionnaire (n = 89) was administered in July 2004, in 10 child health clinics located in two primary care trusts; one in central London and the other in Buckinghamshire.Results  Nearly all parents (98%) reported that they used the PCHR as a record of their child's health and development and 92% reported that they ‘always’ took it with them when seeing healthcare staff about their child. Some parents (22%) indicated that they had not been given a satisfactory explanation as to how to use the PCHR, at the time it was issued to them. Parents reported that health visitors were more likely than other health professionals to use the PCHR both to obtain information about their child and to record information. The majority of respondents (78%) were happy for the level of maternal education to be documented in their child's PCHR.Conclusions  Parents used, appreciated and liked the design of the national standard PCHR. Health visitors and primary care staff used the PCHR more than secondary care staff. The potential benefits of the PCHR will only be maximized if other healthcare professionals respond by using it.
Inverse changes in fetal insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and IGF binding protein‐1 in association with higher birth weight in maternal diabetes
Authors: Lindsay Robert S. , Westgate J. A. , Beattie J. , Pattison N.S. , Gamble G. , Mildenhall L. F. J. , Breier B. H. , Johnstone Frank D. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryObjective  The insulin like growth factor (IGF) system plays a key role in regulating fetal growth, is metabolically regulated, and may influence development of increased birth weight in offspring of mothers with diabetes. We examined IGF‐1 and IGF binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) concentrations in cord blood samples from offspring of mothers with gestational and type 2 diabetes.Design and patients  Case‐control study of Maori and Pacific Island mothers recruited prospectively at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland, New Zealand.Measurements  Cord blood (for insulin, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1) was taken from umbilical vein at birth from singleton babies born after 32 weeks of gestation from138 mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM), 39 mothers with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 95 control mothers.Results  Babies born to mothers with both GDM and T2DM had significantly increased birth weight (Z‐score birth weight mean ± SD: GDM 0·94 ± 1·31, T2DM 0·53 ± 1·1) compared to controls (Z‐score birth weight −0·08 ± 1·10). IGFBP‐1 was significantly reduced in both diabetic groups (median interquartile range: GDM 67(31–137) ng/ml, T2DM 59(29–105) ng/ml, control 114(56–249) ng/ml). Cord IGF‐1 was significantly increased in cord blood of infants of mothers with GDM (42·2 ± 16·3 ng/ml vs. control 34·7 ± 18·5 ng/ml) but not T2DM (38·7 ± 17·4 ng/ml). In all offspring, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were positively and negatively correlated with birth weight, respectively.Conclusions  Maternal diabetes results in inverse changes of circulating fetal IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 at birth. A decrease in circulating IGFBP‐1 and to a lesser extent an increase in circulating IGF‐1 may present an important mechanism that contributes to increased birth weight in diabetic pregnancies.
Dehydroepiandrosterone substitution in female adrenal failure: no impact on endothelial function and cardiovascular parameters despite normalization of androgen status
Authors: Christiansen Jens Juel , Andersen Niels Holmark , Sørensen Keld E. , Pedersen Erik Morre , Bennett Paul , Andersen Marianne , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Gravholt Claus Højbjerg 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground  Female adrenal insufficiency implicates reduced production of the adrenal androgen precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and low androgen levels. Oral DHEA restores androgen deficit but the clinical implications and safety of substitution therapy is uncertain. A putative DHEA receptor in vascular endothelium has been described and in vitro studies have shown involvement of DHEA in NO dependent pathways.Aim  To evaluate effects of DHEA substitution on cardiovascular parameters.Design  Six months randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study. Treatment consisted of DHEA 50‐mg or placebo. Each treatment period was followed by a 2‐month washout period.Material and methods  Ten females with documented adrenal failure were included. Androgen levels were measured. Cardiovascular evaluation was performed before and after every treatment period. Two patients left the study because of skin side effects and anxiety, respectively. All patients had low circulating androgens baseline and normal range androgens during DHEA treatment. We examined patients with noninvasive endothelial cell function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based cardiac output, echocardiography, ambulatory 24‐h blood pressure and maximal oxygen consumption.Results  DHEA treatment normalized androgen status to levels seen in healthy women. DHEA and placebo treatment had no effect on echocardiographic parameters of myocardial dimensions or systolic and diastolic function, noninvasive endothelial cell function at the level of the brachial artery, 24‐h blood pressure and heart rate, cardiac output and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise cycle testing. Remarkably, all participants had evidence of concentric left ventricular remodelling by echocardiography.Conclusion  Restoration of physiological androgen levels using 6 months of DHEA replacement in this pilot study did not affect cardiovascular parameters and endothelial function in female adrenal insufficiency.
Macroprolactinomas and epilepsy
Authors: Deepak Doddabele , Daousi Christina , Javadpour Mohsen , MacFarlane Ian A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryObjective  To assess the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with macroprolactinomas. Secondly, to report the response to dopamine agonist (DA) therapy.Patients  A case note analysis of all patients with a diagnosis of macroprolactinoma attending a neuroendocrine clinic between 1996 and 2006. Those with epilepsy at diagnosis of macroprolactinoma were examined in detail.Results  There were 64 patients with macroprolactinoma and 29 of these had tumours with suprasellar extension compressing/invading the optic apparatus and/or surrounding brain structures. Six of these 29 patients (four men), had a history of seizures at the time of diagnosis, five of whom had features suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy. None of the other 35 patients had epilepsy. All six patients with epilepsy had invasive prolactinomas on cranial imaging and marked hyperprolactinaemia (median prolactin 369 000 mU/l, range 28 000 to > 750 000). Seizures had been present for a median of 2 years (range 1–23 years) before the diagnosis of macroprolactinoma. A rapid reduction in seizure frequency occurred in all patients with initiation of DA therapy. Four have been seizure‐free between 18 months to 15 years despite only small reductions in tumour size.Conclusions  Invasive macroprolactinomas can commonly be associated with epilepsy, particularly of temporal lobe origin. It is essential to enquire about epileptic symptoms, as the seizure disorder may have been undiagnosed/untreated for years. DA therapy can reduce ictal frequency and the doses of anti‐epileptic drugs. Complete freedom from epilepsy can also occur.