bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for people with learning disabilities: a critical overview
Authors: Willner P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractHistorically, people with learning disabilities have had little or no access to psychotherapeutic interventions, although there are signs that, over the past decade, this situation has seen some gradual improvement. This paper provides an overview of the evidence for the effectiveness of psychodynamic, cognitive‐behavioural and cognitive therapies in this client group. The available data support the position that all three approaches can be effective in people with mild learning disabilities and in a proportion of people with more severe conditions. However, the literature reporting outcomes of psychotherapeutic interventions in people with learning disabilities is extremely limited, and there is a conspicuous and unjustified poverty of randomized controlled trials. There is also very little evidence regarding either the importance of specific components of therapeutic packages, or the optimal manner of delivering these interventions to people with learning disabilities.
Emotional and behavioural needs of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in an urban conurbation
Authors: Emerson E. , Robertson J. , Wood J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Over the past decade, increased attention has been paid to identifying and responding to the emotional and behavioural needs of children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). The aims of the present study were to add to this body of knowledge by identifying factors associated with emotional and behavioural needs among a sample of children with ID drawn from a large urban conurbation.Method  Information was collected by postal questionnaire (or interview for family carers who did not have English as their first language) from teachers and from family carers of 615 children administratively identified as having ID (47% of all children with ID).Results  Results indicated that: (1) the administrative prevalence of moderate but not severe ID was associated with social deprivation whereas the prevalence of severe but not moderate ID appeared to be associated with ethnicity; (2) 54% of children scored above the threshold on the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC)–primary family carer, and 37% of children scored above the threshold on the DBC‐teacher; (3) social deprivation, male gender, less severe ID and having fewer physical or sensory impairments were associated with antisocial and disruptive behaviour; and (4) more severe ID and additional impairments were associated with anxiety, communication disturbance, social relating and self‐absorbed behaviours.Conclusions  These results identify a range of risk factors associated with behavioural and emotional problems experienced by children with ID.
Psychiatric symptoms of children and adolescents with juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
Authors: Bäckman M. L. , Santavuori P. R. , Åberg L. E. , Aronen E. T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in childhood and adolescence. The clinical picture includes diverse and complex psychiatric symptoms that are difficult to treat. Only symptomatic treatment is available. To improve symptomatic therapy, it is important to recognize the symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify predominant psychiatric symptoms in patients with JNCL.Methods  The study included 27 patients with JNCL with and without psychotropic treatment. The mean age was 15.2 (range 9–21) years. Characteristic psychiatric symptoms in this patient group were clarified by using the following standardized questionnaires filled in by parents, teachers and the patients themselves: Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher Report Form (TRF) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The symptoms were recorded for the entire study group and compared between patients with and without psychotropic treatment and between genders.Results  The patients had a large number of psychiatric symptoms according to the CBCL and TRF. The most commonly reported symptoms were social, thought, attention problems, somatic complaints and aggressive behaviour. Patients receiving psychotropic medication had more psychiatric symptoms according to the CBCL and TRF. Moreover, female patients had more problems than male patients according to the CBCL. The total psychiatric symptom score was at clinical or borderline range for psychiatric disturbance in 74% of patients. The number of depressive symptoms reported by the patients themselves was low.Conclusions  JNCL patients suffer from a multitude of psychiatric symptoms. To improve drug choice and dosage, a thorough evaluation of these symptoms by standardized methods is needed before initiating treatment. Progress and possible adverse effects of treatment should be monitored on a regular basis.
Health, healthcare utilization and psychiatric disorder in people with intellectual disability in Taiwan
Authors: Lin J. D. , Yen C. F. , Li C. W. , Wu J. L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjectives  The aims of the present study were to examine health characteristics and healthcare utilization in relation to people with intellectual disability (ID) having psychiatric disorders in Taiwan.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was employed; study subjects were recruited from the National Disability Registration Database. Taiwan, stratified by administrative geographical area for the study. Statistical analysis of 1026 carers for people with ID was made to examine the health status and healthcare utilization of individuals with ID having psychiatric disorders.Results  Approximately 12.1% of people with ID had psychiatric disorders. These individuals were more likely to be poorer in health condition and consuming more medical services (in the outpatient, inpatient and emergency care areas), than those individuals without psychiatric disorders. These individuals with psychiatric disorders were also taking medicines regularly at a far greater percentage than did those without psychiatric disorders.Conclusions  Given the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among individuals with ID, the healthcare system should take further steps to develop an appropriate health status monitoring system and community‐based and easily accessible mental health services for them.
The auxin transport inhibitor response 3 (tir3) allele of BIG and auxin transport inhibitors affect the gibberellin status of Arabidopsis
Authors: Desgagné‐Penix Isabel , Eakanunkul Suntara , Coles Jeremy P. , Phillips Andrew L. , Hedden Peter , Sponsel Valerie M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe Arabidopsis gene BIG (formerly DOC1/TIR3/UMB1/ASA1) is known to encode a huge calossin‐like protein that is required for polar auxin transport (PAT). Mutations at this locus, in addition to reducing PAT, can alter the sensitivity of plants to several hormones and light. The tir3‐1 allele of BIG reduces the response of plants to application of the gibberellin (GA) precursors ent‐kaurenoic acid and GA12 and its semidwarf phenotype is partially reversed by C19‐GAs. The effects of auxin transport inhibitors (ATIs) on GA 20‐oxidation was examined in wild‐type and tir3‐1 seedlings. 1‐N‐naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and triiodobenzoic acid lead to overexpression of the GA‐biosynthetic gene AtGA20ox1 comparable in magnitude to the overexpression observed in seedlings treated with paclobutrazol, a GA biosynthesis inhibitor. In contrast to that of AtGA20ox1, overexpression of AtGA20ox2 is pronounced only in paclobutrazol‐treated Col and Ler, and is less in tir3‐1 and in all NPA‐treated seedlings. Thus the effects of BIG and ATIs on the expression of genes encoding GA 20‐oxidases are complex, and suggest that at least in some tissues ATIs, directly or indirectly, may reduce the level of bioactive GA and/or alter GA signal transduction.
The receptor‐like MLO protein and the RAC/ROP family G‐protein RACB modulate actin reorganization in barley attacked by the biotrophic powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei
Authors: Opalski Krystina S. , Schultheiss Holger , Kogel Karl‐Heinz , Hückelhoven Ralph 
Published: December 2004

SummaryCytoskeleton remodelling is a crucial process in determining the polarity of dividing and growing plant cells, as well as during interactions with the environment. Nothing is currently known about the proteins, which regulate actin remodelling during interactions with invading pathogens. The biotrophic powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei (Bgh) invades susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by penetrating epidermal cells, which remain intact during fungal development. In contrast, resistant host plants prevent infection by inhibiting penetration through apoplastic mechanisms, which require focusing defence reactions on the site of attack. We stained actin filaments in a susceptible Mlo‐genotype and a near‐isogenic race‐non‐specifically resistant barley mlo5‐mutant genotype using fluorescence‐labelled phalloidin after chemical fixation. This revealed that the actin cytoskeleton is differentially reorganized in susceptible and resistant hosts challenged by Bgh. Actin filaments were polarized towards the sites of attempted penetration in the resistant host, whereas when susceptible hosts were penetrated, a more subtle reorganization took place around fungal haustoria. Strong actin filament focusing towards sites of fungal attack was closely associated with successful prevention of penetration. Actin focusing was less frequent and seemingly delayed in susceptible wild‐type barley expressing the susceptibility factor MLO. Additionally, single cell overexpression of a constitutively activated RAC/ROP G‐protein, CA RACB, another potential host susceptibility factor and hypothetical actin cytoskeleton regulator, partly inhibited actin reorganization when under attack from Bgh, whereas knockdown of RACB promoted actin focusing. We conclude that RACB and, potentially, MLO are host proteins involved in the modulation of actin reorganization and cell polarity in the interaction of barley with Bgh.
An Arabidopsis NPR1‐like gene, NPR4, is required for disease resistance
Authors: Liu Guosheng , Holub Eric B. , Alonso Jose M. , Ecker Joseph R. , Fobert Pierre R. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe Arabidopsis genome contains six NPR1‐related genes. Given the pivotal role played by NPR1 in controlling salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated gene expression and disease resistance, functional characterization of other family members appears to be justified. Reverse genetics was used to analyze the role of one NPR1‐like gene, which we called NPR4. The NPR4 protein shares 36% identity with NPR1 and interacts with the same spectrum of TGA transcription factors in yeast two‐hybrid assays. Plants with T‐DNA insertions in NPR4 are more susceptible to the virulent bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato DC3000. This phenotype is complemented by expression of the wild type NPR4 coding region. As determined by the parasite reproduction, the npr4‐1 mutant is more susceptible to the fungal pathogen Erysiphe cichoracearum, but does not differ markedly from wild type in its interaction with virulent and avirulent strains of the oomycete Peronospora parasitica. In leaves of wild‐type plants, NPR4 mRNA levels increase following pathogen challenge or SA treatment, and decrease rapidly following methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA) treatment. Transcripts of the pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes PR‐1, PR‐2, and PR‐5 are only marginally reduced in the npr4‐1 mutant following pathogen challenge or SA treatment. This reduction of PR gene expression is more pronounced when leaves are challenged with the bacterial pathogen following SA treatment. Expression of the jasmonic acid‐dependent pathway marker gene PDF1.2 is compromised in npr4‐1 leaves following application of MeJA or a combination of SA and MeJA. These results indicate that NPR4 is required for basal defense against pathogens, and that it may be implicated in the cross‐talk between the SA‐ and JA‐dependent signaling pathways.
Genomic changes in synthetic Arabidopsis polyploids
Authors: Madlung Andreas , Tyagi Anand P. , Watson Brian , Jiang Hongmei , Kagochi Trevor , Doerge Rebecca W. , Martienssen Robert , Comai Luca 
Published: December 2004

SummaryPolyploids are common and arise frequently by genome duplication (autopolyploids) or interspecific hybridization (allopolyploids). Neoallopolyploids display sterility, lethality, phenotypic instability, gene silencing and epigenetic changes. Little is known about the molecular basis of these phenomena, and how much genomic remodeling happens upon allopolyploidization. Extensive genomic remodeling has been documented in wheat, but little remodeling occurs in cotton. Newly synthesized Arabidopsis allopolyploids, which display phenotypic instability and low fertility, displayed several, possibly related mechanisms that can remodel genomes. We detected transcriptional activity of several transposons although their transposition was limited. One represents a new family of conditionally active En‐Spm‐like transposons of Arabidopsis thaliana, which underwent remodeling of CG methylation upon allopolyploidization. A random amplified fragment length polymorphism survey suggested remodeling at few, specific loci. Meiotic analyses revealed the appearance of chromosomal fragments in a substantial fraction of anther meiocytes. In several individuals produced by hybrids between the synthetic and a natural allopolyploid pollen viability inversely correlated with meiotic instability. Activity of selected DNA transposons and the possibly related chromosomal breaks could cause changes by inducing translocations and rearrangements.
End‐stage renal failure and cardiac mortality after heart transplantation
Authors: Sénéchal Mario , Dorent Richard , Montcel Sophie Tézénas du , Ghossoub Jean‐Jacques , Pavie Alain , Petitclerc Thierry , Dubois Michelle , Isnard Richard , Gandjbakhch Iradj 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality after the first year of heart transplantation. End‐stage renal failure (ESRF) is more frequent because of long‐term survival. Impact of ESRF on cardiac mortality in heart transplant patients is unappreciated. The hypothesis of accelerated CAD in uremic patients has been suggested.Methods: In Pitié La Salpêtrière hospital, 1211 heart transplants have been performed between 1982 and 2001. Thirty‐three patients have reached ESRF. A case–control study was performed to identify risk factors responsible for ESRF and to appreciate the impact of ESRF on cardiac mortality.Results: In cases at 6 months, serum creatinine tended to be higher (159 ± 31 μmol/L vs. 141 ± 44 μmol/L, p = 0.06) and cyclosporine (CSA) dosage (mg/kg) was significantly lower (5.4 ± 1.8 mg/kg vs. 7.7 ± 2.7 mg/kg, p = 0.002). Mean triglyceride level after transplantation until dialysis was significantly lower in cases (2.18 ± 0.82 mmol/L vs. 1.48 ± 0.62 mmol/L, p = 0.002). In cases and controls, cardiac mortality was responsible for 67% (10 of 15) and 38% (three of eight) of all deaths, respectively. High triglyceride level (2 mmol/L) was associated with cardiac mortality [p < 0.03, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.89]. Kaplan–Meier cardiac free survival rates were significantly lower in cases than in controls (p < 0.03).Conclusion: These data suggest that CSA nephrotoxicity could result from individually determined susceptibility and that hypertriglyceridemia may have a negative impact on renal function and cardiac mortality. The risk of cardiac mortality is increased in heart transplant patients with ESRF. The hypothesis of accelerated atherosclerosis in ESRF patients after heart transplantation leading to higher cardiac mortality incidence needs further study.
Observations regarding the use of sirolimus and tacrolimus in high‐risk cadaveric renal transplantation
Authors: Lo Agnes , Egidi Maria Francesca , Gaber Lillian W , Hosein Shokouh‐Amiri M , Nazakatgoo Nosratollah , Fisher Jonathan S , Osama Gaber A 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Background:  Balancing the risk of acute rejection (AR) with drug‐induced toxicities complicates the selection of the optimal immunosuppressive regimen, especially in the high‐risk renal transplant recipient. This study was designed to determine the optimal dosage combinations of tacrolimus and sirolimus in a high‐risk cadaveric renal transplant population.Methods:  Primary cadaveric renal transplant recipients were randomly assigned to receive either standard tacrolimus (trough levels of 10–15 ng/mL) plus reduced sirolimus (trough levels of 5–10 ng/mL) (Group I) or to receive reduced tacrolimus (trough levels of 5–10 ng/mL) plus standard sirolimus (trough levels of 10–15 ng/mL) (Group II). All patients received Thymoglobulin induction and steroids.Results: Thirty‐nine (16 in Group I and 23 in Group II) high‐risk renal transplant recipients (100% cadaveric donors, 79% African‐American recipients, and 59% delayed graft function) are the subjects of this report. At 6 months, the patient survival rate was 94 and 100% and the graft survival rate was 94 and 83% in Groups I and II, respectively. The incidence of biopsy‐proven AR was 6 and 5% in Groups I and II, respectively. Eight patients (50%) in Group I required discontinuation of tacrolimus, seven because of biopsy‐proven tacrolimus nephrotoxicity and one secondarily to interstitial pneumonitis. Wound complications were the most frequent adverse event reported in both groups.Conclusions:  The combination of tacrolimus and sirolimus was associated with a low risk of AR in this cohort of high‐risk renal transplant recipients. However, 50% of patients who received standard tacrolimus and reduced sirolimus combination had to be discontinued from the regimen because of biopsy‐proven nephrotoxicity. These preliminary results provide evidence that sirolimus should not be added to tacrolimus without dosage adjustments. We have discontinued recruitment of patients to the standard tacrolimus and reduced sirolimus combination and we have tightened our criteria for selection of marginal donor kidneys with our high‐risk renal transplant recipients.
Eversion thromboendovenectomy in organized portal vein thrombosis during liver transplantation
Authors: Robles Ricardo , Fernández Juan Ángel , Hernández Quiteria , Marín Caridad , Ramírez Pablo , Bueno Francisco Sánchez , Luján Juan Antonio , Rodríguez José Manuel , Acosta Francisco , Parrilla Pascual 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:Portal thrombosis is no longer considered a contraindication for transplantation because of the technical experience acquired in the field of liver transplantation and the development of various surgical techniques. All the same, the results obtained in portal thrombosis patients are at times suboptimal, and the surgical technique used (thromboendovenectomy or veno‐venous bypass) is also controversial.Between May 1988 and December 2001, 455 liver transplants were performed, of which 32 (7%) presented portal vein thrombosis. Of these, eight belonged to the first 227 transplants (group I), and 24 to the other 228 (group II). Of the 32 cases with portal thrombosis, 20 (62%) were type Ib, seven (22%) type II/III and five (16%) type IV. Twenty‐two were males (69%), with a mean age of 50 yr (range: 30–70 yr); the thrombosis in all cases developed over a cirrhotic liver: 15 cases of an ethanolic origin, 11 because of hepatitis C virus, two cases of autoimmune aetiology, one case of primary biliary cirrhosis, one case because of hepatitis B virus and two cases of a cryptogenic origin. Five cases had a history of surgical treatment for portal hypertension. The surgical method in all cases consisted of an eversion thromboendovenectomy (ETEV) under direct visual guidance, with occlusion of the portal flow using a Fogarty balloon. Once re‐canalization was achieved, we performed local heparinization and end‐to‐end portal anastomosis. In no case was systemic post‐operative heparinization performed.In the 32 cases in which thrombectomy was attempted it was achieved in 31 of them (96%), failing only in a case of type IV thrombosis, which was resolved by portal arterialization. Of the 31 successful cases, only one with type IV thrombosis re‐thrombosed. The 5‐yr survival rate of the patients in the series was 69%, with 10 patients dying, of whom only two from causes related to the thrombosis and the thrombosis treatment, both with type IV thrombosis.The ideal treatment for portal thrombosis during liver transplantation is controversial and depends on its extension and the experience of the surgeon. In our experience, ETEV resolves most thromboses (types I, II and III), but management of type IV, which occasionally can be treated with this technique, may require more complex procedures such as bypass, portal arterialization or cavoportal haemitransposition.
Kinetic Studies of a Soluble αβ Complex of Nitrate Reductase A from Escherichia Coli
Authors: Buc Jean , Santini Claire‐Lise , Blasco Francis , Giordani Roger , Cárdenas María Luz , Chippaux Marc , Cornish‐Bowden Athel , Giordano Gérard 
Published: December 2004

A soluble αβ complex of nitrate reductase can be obtained from a strain of Escherichia coli that lacks the narI gene and expresses only the α and β subunits. The β subunit contains four Fe‐S centres and the α subunit contains the molybdenum cofactor, which is the site at which nitrate is reduced. Despite the lack of the γ subunit of the complete enzyme, this complex can still catalyse the reduction of nitrate with artificial electron donors such as benzyl viologen, so that it is suitable for studying the transfer of electrons between these two types of redox centre.To examine whether the electrons from reduced benzyl viologen are initially delivered to the Fe‐S centres, or directly to the molybdenum cofactor, or both, we have studied the steady‐state kinetics and the binding of benzyl viologen to the αβ complex and mutants αβ* with altered β subunits.Reduction of the enzyme by reduced benzyl viologen in the absence of nitrate showed that all four Fe‐S centres and the molybdenum cofactor could be reduced. Two classes of site with different equilibrium constants could be distinguished.The kinetic results suggest that benzyl viologen supplies its electrons directly to the molybdenum cofactor, at a rate showing a hyperbolic dependence on the square of the concentration of the electron donor. A reaction mechanism is proposed for the reduction of nitrate catalysed by the αβ complex of nitrate reductase with artificial electron donors.