bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activities of daily living in persons with intellectual disability: Strengths and limitations in specific motor and process skills
Authors: Kottorp Anders , Bernspång Birgitta , Fisher Anne G. 
Published: December 2004

As there is a wide range of abilities among clients with intellectual disability, occupational therapists should use assessments of activities of daily living that specify clients’ strengths and limitations to guide and target interventions. The aim of the present study was to examine if activities of daily living performance skills differ between adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability. Three hundred and forty‐eight participants with either mild intellectual disability (n = 178) or moderate intellectual disability (n = 170) were assessed using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills to examine the quality of their activities of daily living skills. The overall activities of daily living motor and activities of daily living process hierarchies of skill item difficulties remained stable between groups. Although participants with moderate intellectual disability had more difficulty overall with activities of daily living motor and activities of daily living process skills, they were able to carry out some of these activities equally as well as participants with mild intellectual disability. The findings are discussed in relation to the planning of specific interventions to improve the ability of clients with intellectual disability to carry out activities of daily living.
Surgical masks: operative field contamination following visor‐to‐visor contact
Authors: Cocciolone Raymond Alexander , Tristram Steven , Hewitt Peter Mac Donald 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Clashing of surgical visor masks frequently occurs when two surgeons bend over an operative field simultaneously; however, it is unknown whether this results in contamination. The purpose of the present study was to determine the potential for operative field contamination following surgical visor‐mask clashes. The nature of bacterial contamination was also assessed.Methods:  Thirty sham operative procedures were performed under normal operating conditions for a specified time period. The number of surgical visor mask clashes during each procedure was determined by randomization (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 clashes). All procedures were performed over a standard blood agar plate array. The degree of bacterial contamination was assessed by counting c.f.u. that developed after 24 h of incubation. Bacterial types were also determined.Results:  Surgical visor mask clashes resulted in increased contamination of the operative field; however, this was found to be independent of the number of clashes. 95% of pathogens were coagulase negative Staphylococcus species. Other bacteria included Micrococcus species, Bacillus species, Corynebacterium species, various Gram negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus (< 1%).Conclusion:  Surgical visor mask clashes increase the risk of bacterial contamination of the operative field.
Mitochondria, reactive oxygen species and longevity: some lessons from the Barja group
Authors: Skulachev Vladimir P. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryTo demonstrate that an uncoupling of respiration and phosphorylation, measured in vitro, reflects an in vivo situation, we badly need in vivo measurements of some uncoupling‐linked parameters. The importance of this assertion is illustrated by studies of Barja and co‐workers. A lower rate of H2O2 production by mitochondria isolated from long‐lived birds compared with short‐lived mammals of the same body weight (see publications by Barja's and Sohal's groups) could be explained by (i) an in vivo difference or (ii) an in vitro artefact. In both cases, the reason for lower H2O2 production may well be the same, i.e. a mild uncoupling of respiration in avian mitochondria showing lowered respiratory control. Again, this should be due to an in vivo operation of some bird‐specific natural uncouplers (the first case) or stronger in vitro damage to the avian mitochondria during their isolation and incubation (the second). The latter possibility seemed more probable when Barja and co‐workers revealed that the level of antioxidants in birds is lower than in mammals. However, further studies by the same group showed that the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in birds is lower than in mammals, indicating a greater resistance of avian mitochondria to oxidative damage in vitro. Indeed, it was found that lipid peroxidation in isolated avian mitochondria occurs at a much lower rate than in mammals. More importantly, the in vivo level of peroxidation of lipids and proteins appears to be lower in birds than in mammals. Thus, it seems probable that longer lifespan of birds really does correlate with a slower rate of production of H2O2 by mitochondria in vivo.
Mitochondrial influence on aging rate in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Anson R. Michael , Hansford Richard G. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryVirtually every model of mitochondrial involvement in aging shares the underlying proposition that mitochondrial dysfunction will accelerate the rate of aging. Caenorhabditis elegans is a post‐mitotic organism with limited capacity for replacement and repair, and there is a great deal of evidence that interventions which decrease the induction of damage extend lifespan in this model. However, decreased availability of ubiquinone in adulthood has also been found to promote longevity and stress resistance, and evidence tentatively supports decreased mitochondrial function under these conditions. In addition, gene silencing experiments and mutations that target mitochondrial electron transport have also been found to increase lifespan and stress resistance in C. elegans, as has treatment with the mitochondrial inhibitor antimycin A. The involvement of damage by reactive oxygen species has been suggested, and yet many of these manipulations would be expected to increase the production of reactive oxygen species. The extension of lifespan by these interventions seems paradoxical and the mechanism, when it is elucidated, promises to have far‐reaching significance.
Is defective electron transport at the hub of aging?
Authors: Maklashina Elena , Ackrell Brian A. C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe bulwark of the mitochondrial theory of aging is that a defective respiratory chain initiates the death cascade. The increased production of superoxide is suggested to result in progressive oxidant damage to cellular components and particularly to mtDNA that encodes subunits assembled in respiratory complexes. Earlier studies of respiration in muscle mitochondria obtained from large cohorts of patients supported this notion by showing that either singly or in combinations, the respiratory complexes exhibited decreased activity in the elderly. The following critique of the most cited publications over the past decade points out the systematic errors that put earlier work at odds with recent findings. These later investigations indicate that aging has no overt effect on either the electron transport system or oxidative phosphorylation.
Shifting nonbreeding distributions of migratory fauna in relation to climatic change
Authors: Austin Graham E. , Rehfisch Mark M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe distributions of eight out of nine common species of waders (Charadrii) overwintering on UK estuaries have changed in association with recent climate change. These birds represent a high proportion of various populations from breeding grounds as far apart as Greenland to the west to high‐arctic Russia to the east. During warmer winters, smaller proportions of seven species wintered in south‐west Britain. The distributions of the smaller species show the greatest temperature dependence. The opposite was found for the largest species and no relationship was found for a particularly site‐faithful species.In north‐west Europe, the winter isotherms have a broadly north to south alignment, with the east being colder than the west. The average minimum winter temperatures across the UK having increased by about 1.5°C since the mid‐1980s, the temperatures on the east coast during recent winters have been similar to those of the west coast during the mid‐1980s. On average, estuaries on the east and south coasts of Britain have muddier sediments than those on the west coast and thus support a higher biomass of the invertebrate prey of waders. We suggest that, with global climatic change, the advantage gained by waders wintering in the milder west to avoid cold weather‐induced mortality is diminished. Consequently, more choose to winter in the east and thus benefit from better foraging opportunities. The implications of these results are considered in terms of a site‐based approach to wildlife protection used in Europe and elsewhere.
Laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascular membrane associated with optic disc drusen
Authors: Delyfer Marie N. , Rougier Marie B. , Fourmaux Eric , Cousin Philippe , Korobelnik Jean‐François 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To report two cases of choroidal neovascular membrane associated with optic disc drusen which were successfully treated using argon laser photocoagulation.Methods:  Choroidal neovascular complications of optic disc drusen were diagnosed in two of our patients, a 36‐year‐old woman and a 14‐year‐old girl. In both cases visual acuity was 20/100 in the affected eye. Fundus examination and angiography revealed a choroidal neovascular membrane. Computer tomography identified bilateral calcified drusen of the optic discs. Photocoagulation of neovascular tissues was immediately performed.Results:  Visual acuity improved progressively, reaching 20/20 10 months after treatment in one case and 20/30 in the other. No recurrence was observed during follow‐up.Conclusion:  Early diagnosis and immediate laser photocoagulation of vision‐threatening choroidal neovascular membranes associated with optic disc drusen helps stop progression towards the macula and improves longterm visual acuity.
Evaluation of surgical performance with intracameral mydriatics in phacoemulsification surgery
Authors: Behndig Anders , Eriksson Anders 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate surgical performance using intracameral mydriatics (ICM) in phacoemulsification surgery in a series of consecutive cases.Methods:  In a series of 198 consecutive procedures 50−200 µl of cyclopentolate 0.1%, phenylephrine 1.5% and lidocaine 1% was given intracamerally for mydriasis and anaesthesia. The previous 198 cases, dilated with topical mydriatics, were studied for comparison. Several pre‐ intra‐ and postoperative parameters were registered, and the subjective surgical performance was graded after each procedure. In 41 consecutive cases, the change in pulse and oxygen saturation induced by the ICM injection was registered.Results:  No increase in operation time or complication rates was seen with ICM, compared to when standard topical mydriatics were used. The subjective surgical performance was ranked as equally good for both groups.Conclusion:  From this clinical evaluation, our impression is that ICM performs well in routine phacoemulsification surgery.
Primary corneal myxoma
Authors: Hansen Louise Hillerup , Prause Jan Ulrik , Ehlers Niels , Heegaard Steffen 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To present the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a corneal myxoma. Methods:  A 36‐year‐old, white woman presented with blurred vision and a whitish opacity on the left cornea. Clinical examination revealed a whitish, non‐tender, 5 × 9 mm superficial tumour on the cornea. The tumour was excised and examined microscopically. Results:  The tumour was composed of spindle‐shaped cells in a myxomatous ground substance. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for vimentin, muscle‐specific antigen and smooth muscle antigen. The tumour was classified as a myxoma of the cornea. The origin of the tumour is discussed. Conclusion:  This is the second reported case of a corneal myxoma without prior corneal disease.
Amiodarone and optic neuropathy
Authors: Domingues M. F. , Barros H. , Falcão‐Reis F. M. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the clinical, perimetric, contrast sensitivity and visual evoked potentials findings in patients on longterm treatment with amiodarone.Methods:  We enrolled 14 patients (age range 47–78 years, mean age 62.7 years) on chronic amiodarone therapy (mean cumulative dose of 519 g), and 14 age‐matched control subjects. Participants were submitted to ophthalmological examination, kinetic visual field testing (Goldmann), standard achromatic automated perimetry (central 30–2, Humphrey), computerized isoluminant chromatic contrast sensitivity (CCS) and pattern visual evoked potentials evaluation (VEP). Data from baseline, 6‐month and 1‐year follow‐up examinations were analysed. The main outcome measures were: initial and final corrected visual acuity; corneal, optic disc and fundus abnormalities; mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) central 30–2 perimetry parameters; visual field loss on kinetic perimetry; indices of CCS (tritan, protan and deutan axes), and pattern VEP latency (L‐VEP) and VEP amplitude (a‐VEP).Results:  We found a statistically significant difference between the patients and controls' baseline L‐VEP and a‐VEP measurements (p < 0.001). We found no significant correlation between prolonged L‐VEP and duration of amiodarone use (r = 0.07). After a 1‐year follow‐up, we evidenced an average increment in L‐VEP of 1.96 ms and a‐VEP measurements showed a decline of 0.69 µV. In cumulative dose‐specific analyses, mean differences between baseline and 12‐month L‐VEP measurements were more evident in those taking higher than 200 g cumulative amiodarone doses (p = 0.03). We found abnormal tritan CCS results in 19 eyes (68%). Of these, four eyes belonged to patients with no ocular disease (diabetes, cataracts). No significant differences were observed between the baseline and 12‐month clinical eye examinations, central 30–2 perimetry and CCS results.Conclusion:  We found a significant prolongation in pattern L‐VEP and a significant reduction in pattern a‐VEP in patients on longterm treatment with amiodarone compared to control subjects. Nevertheless, current data are insufficient to recommend appropriate methods of visual screening.
Relapsing polychondritis: a rare disease with varying symptoms
Authors: Peebo Beatrice Bourghardt , Peebo Markus , Frennesson Christina 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare systemic disease affecting primarily cartilaginous and proteoglycan‐rich structures. It is a potentially fatal disease with unknown aetiology. There are no specific tests for RPC. The diagnosis is dependant on clinical criteria, which include chondritis of both auricles, non‐erosive inflammatory polyarthritis, nasal chondritis, ocular inflammation, respiratory tract chondritis and cochlear and/or vestibular damage. Ocular symptoms will occur in approximately 60% of RPC patients. As an example, a patient with signs of RPC is described. Methods/Result:  A 30‐year‐old woman was referred to our department for evaluation of a central corneal ulcer in the left eye. She had a history of recurrent pain in both her auricles and was also found to have a nasal septum perforation. Relapsing polychondritis was suspected. Conclusion:  Non‐healing corneal ulcers should alert the ophthalmologist to look for unusual reasons for this condition. RPC is one possible cause.
Psychodynamic personality profile in first‐episode severe mental disorders
Authors: Heikkilä J. , Karlsson H. , Taiminen T. , Lauerma H. , Ilonen T. , Leinonen K.‐M. , Wallenius E. , Virtanen H. , Heinimaa M. , Kaljonen A. , Salokangas R. K. R. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  The aim of this study was to relate measures of psychoanalytically derived personality traits to descriptive diagnosis and psychopathology in severe mental disorders.Method:  Sixty‐one consecutive first‐episode patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe major depression were interviewed. Personality traits were assessed with the Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile (KAPP) and compared with the DSM‐IV diagnosis and symptom clusters derived from the BPRS.Results:  There were no marked differences in personality traits between the three diagnostic groups, between schizophrenia and affective disorders or between psychotic and non‐psychotic illness. However, personality traits had significant associations with symptoms, especially with the emotional retardation cluster.Conclusion:  Our findings do not support the hypothesis that severe mental disorders would differ from each other in terms of long‐standing psychodynamic personality profiles. Certain dysfunctional personality traits may predict especially negative emotional symptoms and possibly also predispose a person to them.
Poor maternal care and high maternal body mass index in pregnancy as a risk factor for schizophrenia in offspring
Authors: Kawai M. , Minabe Y. , Takagai S. , Ogai M. , Matsumoto H. , Mori N. , Takei N. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  We investigated whether antenatal factors in mothers would increase the risk of schizophrenia in the offspring, and also examined any relationship between these factors and histories of obstetric complications (OCs).Method:  Using the Mother and Child Health Handbooks of 52 patients with schizophrenia and 284 healthy subjects, we evaluated the risk‐increasing effects of the frequency of antenatal care visits and mothers’ body mass index (BMI) at both early and late pregnancy.Results:  In logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association between the number of antenatal care visits and the risk of the disorder; an increase in a unit of visits corresponds to a reduction of the risk by 12%. We also found a 24% increase in the risk with a one‐unit increase of BMI at the early pregnancy, and a 19% increase at the late pregnancy. These antenatal factors were found to contribute, in part, to an excess of OCs in individuals with schizophrenia.Conclusion:  Poor maternal care during pregnancy and comparatively high maternal BMI especially at early pregnancy may cause a predisposition to schizophrenia in the offspring.
INTEGRATED UNSUPERVISED AND ERROR-DRIVEN LEARNING FOR INCREMENTAL PROCESS IDENTIFICATION WITH NEURAL SINGLETON MODELS
Authors: VACHKOV GANCHO 
Published: December 2004

In the paper a special incremental identification procedure for learning a Neural Singleton (NS) Model, as a simplification of the RBFNN model is proposed. At each epoch of this incremental procedure a special integrated learning algorithm for the neuron centers and then a supervised learning for the singletons are performed. As a result, the approximation error of the NS model is gradually decreased with the increment of the neurons at each learning epoch.The newly proposed integrated unsupervised and Error-Driven learning algorithm is the main part of the incremental identification procedure. It is a modified version of the Neural-Gas learning algorithm, which uses the normalised evaluation error as feedback information. Thus the integrated learning algorithm is able to drive the neurons to the "more interesting" areas in the input space, where bigger evaluation errors exist, instead of just locating them in the areas of higher data density. The final result is an incremental growing type of NS model that gradually improves its approximation accuracy at each learning epoch.A detailed test example is shown in the paper in order to evaluate the performance and to show the important features of the whole incremental identification procedure, including the integrated learning algorithm. Comparison results with the conventional (one-epoch and non-incremental) model are also given.
Seasonal and Diurnal Fluxes of Radiation, Heat, Water Vapor, and Carbon Dioxide over a Suburban Area
Authors: Moriwaki R. , Kanda M. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Based on 1 yr of field measurements, the diurnal, seasonal, and annual fluxes of energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) at a residential area of Tokyo, Japan, are described. The major findings are as follows. 1) The storage heat flux G in the daytime had little seasonal variation, irrespective of significant seasonal change of net all-wave radiation Rn. 2) The latent heat flux in the summer daytime was large despite the small areal fraction of natural coverage (trees and bare soil). The estimated local latent heat flux per unit natural coverage was 2 times the available energy (Rn − G), which indicates that the “oasis effect” was significant. 3) The CO2 flux was always upward throughout the year and the magnitude was larger in winter, mainly because of an increase of fossil fuel consumption. The annual total CO2 flux was 6 times the downward CO2 flux at a typical temperate deciduous forest.
Comparison of Vertical Soundings and Sidewall Air Temperature Measurements in a Small Alpine Basin
Authors: Whiteman C. David , Eisenbach Stefan , Pospichal Bernhard , Steinacker Reinhold 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTethered balloon soundings from two sites on the floor of a 1-km-diameter limestone sinkhole in the eastern Alps are compared with pseudovertical temperature “soundings” from three lines of temperature dataloggers on the basin's northwest, southwest, and southeast sidewalls. Under stable nighttime conditions with low background winds, the pseudovertical profiles from all three lines were good proxies for free air temperature soundings over the basin center, with a mean nighttime cold temperature bias of about 0.4°C and a standard deviation of 0.4°C. Cold biases were highest in the upper basin where relatively warm air subsides to replace air that spills out of the basin through the lowest-altitude saddle. On a windy night, standard deviations increased to 1°–2°C. After sunrise, the varying exposures of the dataloggers to sunlight made the pseudovertical profiles less useful as proxies for free air soundings. The good correspondence between sidewall and free air temperatures during high-static-stability conditions suggests that sidewall soundings can be used to monitor temperatures, temperature gradients, and temperature inversion evolution in the sinkhole. Sidewall soundings can produce more frequent profiles at lower cost than can tethersondes or rawinsondes, and extension of these findings to other enclosed or semienclosed topographies may enhance future basic meteorological research or support applications studies in agriculture, forestry, air pollution, and land use planning.