bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community study of knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in Nigeria
Authors: Gureje Oye , Lasebikan Victor O. , Ephraim-Oluwanuga Olusola , Olley Benjamin O. , Kola Lola 
Published: April 2005

BackgroundThe improvement of community tolerance of people with mental illness is important for their integration. Little is known about the knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa.AimsTo determine the knowledge and attitudes of a representative community sample in Nigeria.MethodA multistage, clustered sample of household respondents was studied in three states in the Yoruba-speaking parts of Nigeria (representing 22% of the national population). A total of 2040 individuals participated (response rate 74.2%).ResultsPoor knowledge of causation was common. Negative views of mental illness were widespread, with as many as 96.5% (s.d.=0.5) believing that people with mental illness are dangerous because of their violent behaviour. Most would not tolerate even basic social contacts with a mentally ill person: 82.7% (s.e.=1.3) would be afraid to have a conversation with a mentally ill person and only 16.9% (s.e.=0.9) would consider marrying one. Socio-demographic predictors of both poor knowledge and intolerant attitude were generally very few.ConclusionsThere is widespread stigmatisation of mental illness in the Nigerian community. Negative attitudes to mental illness may be fuelled by notions of causation that suggest that affected people are in some way responsible for their illness, and by fear.
A study of family contact with clients and staff of community mental health teams
Authors: Krupnik Yael , Pilling Steve , Killaspy Helen , Dalton Joy 
Published: April 2005

Aims and MethodDespite good evidence for their effectiveness in the treatment of schizophrenia, family interventions are difficult to implement. Prior to a local trust-wide programme to encourage their use, we carried out a case note review of family contact with clients and staff of community mental health teams (CMHTs). A 10% sample of CMHT clients was included.ResultsThe majority (81%) of clients had been in contact with family or carers in the preceding year. In 88% of case files the carers were relatives. In 37% of cases care coordinators were in recent contact with carers, primarily by telephone. Evidence of any family intervention was recorded in 5% of case files and carers' assessments in 7%.Clinical ImplicationsThe majority of CMHT clients have some form of contact with their families, and care coordinators make informal links with these families. This contact could be reframed to encourage more formal family interventions.
A survey of specialist perinatal mental health services in England
Authors: Oluwatayo Olufemi , Friedman Trevor 
Published: April 2005

Aims and MethodTo survey current specialist perinatal psychiatric provisions and opinion about these services in England. A brief semi-structured confidential questionnaire was circulated to the lead clinician or manager responsible for perinatal services of the 78 mental health trusts in England.ResultsFifty-seven trusts (73%) responded. In 26 trusts (46%), availability of either specialist in-patient facilities and/or intensive home treatment facilities were reported. In only 13 trusts (23%) was there evidence of provision of services covering both in-patient and community components. The number of mother and baby units or their equivalents has reduced in the past decade. The services were generally considered to be inadequate nationwide and opinion remains divided about the best approach for providing them.Clinical ImplicationsThere is a need for a recommendation of a national standard provision of perinatal services by mental health trusts.
Managing clozapine-induced neutropenia with lithium
Authors: Paton Carol , Esop Raadiyya 
Published: April 2005

Aims and MethodTo review the efficacy and safety of lithium augmentation for the management of clozapine-induced neutropenia. Medline search January 1966 to March 2004.ResultsThe ability of lithium to increase the white cell count (WBC) is well documented. A small number of published case reports of the successful treatment of clozapine-induced neutropenia with lithium were identified. Lithium does not protect against agranulocytosis.Clinical ImplicationsLithium may be useful in raising the WBC in patients whose baseline count is too low to allow treatment with clozapine to start and to protect against clozapine-induced neutropenia, thus allowing more patients to benefit from treatment with clozapine. It does not protect against agranulocytosis. There is no way of identifying patients whose neutropenia will progress to agranulocytosis. Careful monitoring is essential. Lithium is not licensed to increase WBC. Psychiatrists should be aware of the medicolegal implications of prescribing off-label.
Expression of the Mature Luteinizing Hormone Receptor in Rodent Urogenital and Adrenal Tissues Is Developmentally Regulated at a Posttranslational Level
Authors: Apaja Pirjo M. , Aatsinki Jyrki T. , Rajaniemi Hannu J. , Petäjä-Repo Ulla E. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe LH receptor (LHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor involved in the regulation of ovarian and testicular functions. In this study we demonstrate novel and unexpected patterns of receptor expression and regulation in fetal and adult rodent urogenital and adrenal tissues. Two rat LHR promoter fragments (∼2 and 4 kb) were shown to direct expression of the lacZ reporter in transgenic mice to gonads, adrenal glands, and kidneys, starting at 14.5 d post coitum, and to genital tubercles, starting at 11.5 d post coitum. These tissues were also found to express the full-length LHR mRNA and protein during rat fetal development, but, importantly, only immature receptors carrying unprocessed N-linked glycans were detected. After birth, the receptor gene activity ceased, except in the gonads, which started to express the mature receptor carrying fully processed N-linked glycans. Surprisingly, both LHR mRNA and mature protein levels were up-regulated substantially in pregnant female adrenal glands and kidneys at a time that coincides with differentiation of fetal urogenital tissues. Taken together, these results indicate that the LHR protein is expressed constitutively in gonadal and nongonadal urogenital tissues as well in adrenal glands, but its final functional maturation at the posttranslational level appears to be developmentally and physiologically regulated.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Allopregnanolone Directly Stimulate Catecholamine Production via Induction of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Secretion by Affecting Actin Polymerization
Authors: Charalampopoulos I. , Dermitzaki Ε. , Vardouli L. , Tsatsanis C. , Stournaras C. , Margioris Α. Ν. , Gravanis Α. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAdrenal cortical cells of zona reticularis produce the neuroactive steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate ester dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and allopregnanolone (ALLO). An interaction between zona reticularis and adrenal medulla has been postulated based on their close proximity and their interwoven borders. The aim of this paper was to examine in vitro the possible paracrine effects of these steroids on catecholamine production from adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, using an established in vitro model of chromaffin cells, the PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cell line. We have found the following: 1) DHEA, DHEAS, and ALLO increased acutely (peak effect between 10–30 min) and dose-dependently (EC50 in the nanomolar range) catecholamine levels (norepinephrine and dopamine). 2) It appears that the acute effect of these steroids involved actin depolymerization/actin filament disassembly, a fast-response cellular system regulating trafficking of catecholamine vesicles. Specifically, 10−6m phallacidin, an actin filament stabilizer, completely prevented steroid-induced catecholamine secretion. 3) DHEAS and ALLO, but not DHEA, also affected catecholamine synthesis. Indeed, DHEAS and ALLO increased catecholamine levels at 24 h, an effect blocked by l-2-methyl-3-(-4hydroxyphenyl)alanine and 3-(hydrazinomethyl)phenol hydrochloride, inhibitors of tyrosine hydroxylase and l-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, respectively, suggesting that this effect involved catecholamine synthesis. The latter hypothesis was confirmed by finding that DHEAS and ALLO increased both the mRNA and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase. In conclusion, our findings suggest that neuroactive steroids exert a direct tonic effect on adrenal catecholamine synthesis and secretion. These data associate the adrenomedullary malfunction observed in old age and neuroactive steroids.
Gene Regulatory Potential of Nonsteroidal Vitamin D Receptor Ligands
Authors: Peräkylä Mikael , Malinen Marjo , Herzig Karl-Heinz , Carlberg Carsten 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
The seco-steroid 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] is a promising drug candidate due to its pleiotropic function including the regulation of calcium homeostasis, bone mineralization and cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We report here a novel class of nonsteroidal compounds, represented by the bis-aromatic molecules CD4409, CD4420, and CD4528, as ligands of the 1α,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR). Taking the known diphenylmethane derivative LG190178 as a reference, this study provides molecular evaluation of the interaction of nonsteroidal ligands with the VDR. All four nonsteroidal compounds were shown to induce VDR-retinoid X receptor heterodimer complex formation on a 1α,25(OH)2D3 response element, stabilize the agonistic conformation of the VDR ligand-binding domain, enable the interaction of VDR with coactivator proteins and contact with their three hydroxyl groups the same residues within the ligand-binding pocket of the VDR as 1α,25(OH)2D3. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that all four nonsteroidal ligands take a shape within the ligand-binding pocket of the VDR that is very similar to that of the natural ligand. CD4528 is mimicking the natural hormone best and was found to be in vitro at least five times more potent than LG190178. In living cells, CD4528 was only two times less potent than 1α,25(OH)2D3 and induced mRNA expression of the VDR target gene CYP24 in a comparable fashion. At a noncalcemic dose of 150 μg/kg, CD4528 showed in vivo a clear induction of CYP24 expression and therefore may be used as a lead compound for the development of therapeutics against psoriasis, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Assay to Detect the Actinospore and Myxospore Stages of Proliferative Gill Disease in Oligochaetes and Pond Water
Authors: Whitaker Julia W , Pote Linda M W , Hanson Larry A 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
With the use of a polymerase chain reaction assay previously developed for Henneguya ictaluri, the myxozoan parasite associated with proliferative gill disease (PGD), a new technique was developed to detect the actinospore stages in pond water samples and in the aquatic oligochaete host Dero digitata. Samples of water and aquatic oligochaetes were collected from 40 commercial ponds containing channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Using a previously reported technique to detect H. ictaluri-infected gills and this new technique, we found 35 out of the 40 ponds had H. ictaluri-positive oligochaetes, 32 ponds had H. ictaluri-positive fish, and 25 ponds had water testing positive for H. ictaluri actinospores. This new technique is not only less time-consuming and labor-intensive than current methods, it is also sensitive enough to detect the stages of this parasite in oligochaetes or in the water before channel catfish are infected. A detection method such as this one could be used to determine the time to stock ponds or restock ponds after a PGD outbreak has occurred.
Optimal Feeding for Shrimp Culture in the South of Iran
Authors: Esmaeili Abdoulkarim 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Shrimp culture is a relatively new segment of the economy in Iran. Farming of Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus has exhibited rapid growth during the last decade. Owing to high feeding costs, the rate of feeding per day is a decisive factor for shrimp farmers. Although many biological studies have been carried out to determine the optimal feeding level, few bioeconomic studies have been conducted with respect to this issue. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal feeding level for Iranian shrimp culture. I found that optimal feeding was higher than actual feeding during the middle of the culture period but lower at the end of the period. The shrimp price, feed price, and interest rate elasticities of feeding were calculated to be 1, −0.4, and −0.035%, respectively. These results indicate that optimal feeding may be adjusted during and between seasons based on physiological, environmental, and economic conditions.
Histologic Evaluation of the Safety of Copper Sulfate to Channel Catfish
Authors: Darwish Ahmed M , Straus David L , Griffin Billy R 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
A histological study was done to evaluate the effect of waterborne exposures of copper sulfate (CuSO4) on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Channel catfish were exposed daily for 11 consecutive days to three concentrations of CuSO4 representing one, three, and five times the recommended therapeutic level based on the total alkalinity. Fish were treated with CuSO4 in water flow-through tanks at a flow rate of 0.633 L/min. More than half the Cu was flushed in 1 h, which is similar to the elimination rates in ponds (due to the rapid uptake of Cu by aquatic plants or algae and the binding to organic and inorganic material). All fish were clinically normal and no fish died during the experiment. All examined tissues were grossly and histologically normal as well. The absence of histological lesions was attributed to the brief daily exposure to copper and to moderate total alkalinity and total hardness of the well water used. The results of this study suggest that CuSO4 is safe for channel catfish provided that the treatment applied is considered in relation to the total alkalinity of the water. Our study followed a protocol developed in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, and was designed to support the data package required for the approval of CuSO4 as an aquaculture therapeutant.
Comparison of Sutures Used for Wound Closure in Sturgeon following a Gonad Biopsy
Authors: Chapman Frank A , Park Chulhong 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Suture materials play an important role in sturgeon husbandry of domestic stocks and in management of wild stocks. Sturgeons have no apparent external sex characteristics; therefore, males and females are usually identified by direct examination of their gonads through an abdominal incision. The suture material provides tissue support for healing of the wound. Many types of suture materials are available for wound repair. Using Gulf of Mexico sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus de sotoi, we evaluated the absorbable Vicryl, PDS II, and Panacryl materials and the nonabsorbable Ethibond sutures to close abdominal skin incisions after gonad tissue biopsies. Both the absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures effectively sew the skin after the gonad biopsy. All sturgeons survived the surgery and incisions healed after 30 d of the intervention. Vicryl appears to be the most appropriate suture material for closure of sturgeon gonad biopsy wounds because it did not require removal and reduced prolonged skin irritation. The material was easy to work with and was broken within 30 d of application.
Production of Triploid Lake Trout by Means of Pressure Treatment
Authors: Kozfkay Joseph R , Wagner Eric J , Aplanalp Dwight 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
To induce triploidy in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, we treated a production-sized group at Story State Fish Hatchery, Wyoming, with 65,500 kPa at 300 degree-minutes (°C·min) for 5 min and investigated four different pressure treatments (62,053 kPa at 300°C·min for 5 min; 65,500 kPa at 200, 300, or 400°C·min for 5 min) at Saratoga National Fish Hatchery, Wyoming. For the production group, eggs hatched and survived at a higher rate when held in chilled water (10.6°C) than ambient water (11.5°C). For the experimental groups, mean survival of pressure-treated groups to the eyed egg, hatching, and feeding fry stages was at least 15% lower than that of the control group. However, due to high variability, there was no statistical difference in survival among the experimental groups. All fry (n = 178) sampled from the four experimental treatments and the single production group were triploid.
A mathematical model for regulating monomer composition of the microbially synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers
Authors: Xu Jun , Guo Baohua , Zhang Zengmin , Wu Qiong , Zhou Quan , Chen Jinchun , Chen Guoqiang , Li Guodong 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA mathematical model is proposed for predicting the copolymer composition of the microbially synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers. Based on the biochemical reactions involved in the precursor formation and polymerization pathways, the model correlates the copolymer composition with the cultivation conditions, the enzyme levels and selectivity, and the metabolic pathways. It suggests the following points: (1) in the case of a sole carbon source, the copolymer composition depends mainly on the topology of the metabolic pathways and the selectivity of both the enzymes involved in the precursor formation and the polymerization route; (2) the copolymer composition can be varied in a wide range via alteration of the flux ratio of different types of monomers channeled from two or more independent and simultaneous pathways; (3) the enzymes which should be over‐expressed or inhibited to obtain the desired copolymer composition can be predicted. For example, inhibition of the β‐oxidation pathway will increase the content of the monomer units with longer chain length. To test the model, various experiments were envisaged by varying cultivation time, concentration and chain length of the sole carbon source, and molar ratio of the cosubstrates. The predictions from the model agree well with the experimental results. Therefore, the proposed model will be useful in predicting the PHA copolymer composition under different biochemical reaction conditions. In other words, it can provide a guide for the synthesis of desired PHA copolymers. © 2005 Wiley‐Periodicals, Inc.
Removal of Toluene, Chlorobenzene, and Benzene by a Needle‐to‐Net Corona Discharge Reactor
Authors: Sano N. , Muneyasu Y. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA corona discharge reactor consisting of a hollow needle cathode and a net anode was used to remove benzene, toluene, and chlorobenzene in a synthetic air stream. Two gas flow directions were adopted to examine the contributions of the separated reaction zones, a high‐energy corona zone at the needle cathode tip and a relatively large zone outside it. The target gas was fed in the corona zone through the needle cathode and exhausted through the net anode. Inversely, the gas was fed in through the net anode and exhausted through the needle cathode. It was observed that the removal efficiency of these components did not depend on the gas flow directions, indicating that the spatial distribution of the reactivity was not influential on the removal efficiency of the three target gas species. This means that the high electric field zone around the needle cathode tip would overwhelm the surrounding low‐energy zone. In addition, the contribution of ozone reaction was observed as insignificant. Considering a reported ozone distribution, this result also indicates that the main reactive zone is the corona zone at the cathode tip.
Affinity Interactions between Phenylboronic Acid‐Carrying Self‐Assembled Monolayers and Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide or Horseradish Peroxidase
Authors: Liu Songqin , Wollenberger Ulla , Halámek Jan , Leupold Eik , Stöcklein Walter , Warsinke Axel , Scheller Frieder W. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA method is provided for the recognition of glycated molecules based on their binding affinities to boronate‐carrying monolayers. The affinity interaction of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with phenylboronic acid monolayers on gold was investigated by using voltammetric and microgravimetric methods. Conjugates of 3‐aminophenylboronic acid and 3,3′‐dithiodipropionic acid di(N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester) or 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid were prepared and self‐assembled on gold surfaces to generate monolayers. FAD is bound to this modified surface and recognized by a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential of −0.433 V in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution, pH 6.5. Upon addition of a sugar to the buffer, the bound FAD could be replaced, indicating that the binding is reversible. Voltammetric, mass measurements, and photometric activity assays show that the HRP can also be bound to the interface. This binding is reversible, and HRP can be replaced by sorbitol or removed in acidic solution. The effects of pH, incubation time, and concentration of H2O2 were studied by comparing the catalytic reduction of H2O2 in the presence of the electron‐donor thionine. The catalytic current of the HRP‐loaded electrode was proportional to HRP concentrations in the incubation solution in the range between 5 μg mL−1 and 0.1 mg mL−1 with a linear slope of 3.34 μA mL mg−1 and a correlation coefficient of 0.9945.
Temozolomide plus thalidomide in patients with brain metastases from melanoma
Authors: Hwu Wen‐Jen , Lis Eric , Menell Jennifer H. , Panageas Katherine S. , Lamb Lynne A. , Merrell Janene , Williams Linda J. , Krown Susan E. , Chapman Paul B. , Livingston Philip O. , Wolchok Jedd D. , Houghton Alan N. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDTemozolomide plus thalidomide is a promising oral combination regimen for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. The current Phase II study examined the efficacy and safety of this combination in chemotherapy‐naive patients with brain metastases.METHODSPatients with histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma and measurable brain metastases received temozolomide (75 mg/m2 per day for 6 weeks with a 2‐week break between cycles) plus concomitant thalidomide (200 mg/day escalating to 400 mg/day for patients < 70 years or 100 mg/day escalating to 250 mg/day for patients ≥ 70 years). The primary end point was tumor response in the brain assessed every 8 weeks.RESULTSTwenty‐six patients with a median age of 60 years were treated. All patients had progressive brain metastases: 16 were symptomatic and 25 had extensive extracranial metastases. Eight patients had received whole‐brain radiotherapy, 4 had received stereotactic radiotherapy, and 8 had received craniotomy with resection of hemorrhagic lesions. Fifteen patients completed ≥ 1 cycle (median, 1 cycle; range, 0–4 cycles), and 11 discontinued treatment before completing 1 cycle (7 for intracranial hemorrhage, 2 for pulmonary embolism, 1 for deep vein thrombosis, and 1 for Grade 3 rash). Of 15 patients assessable for response, 3 had a complete or partial response (12% intent to treat) and 7 had minor response or stable disease in the brain. However, 5 of these 10 patients had disease progression at extracranial sites. The median survival period was 5 months for all 26 patients and 6 months for the 15 assessable patients.CONCLUSIONSTemozolomide plus thalidomide was an active oral regimen for patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.