bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities: a combined randomized controlled trial and qualitative study of two community‐based interventions
Authors: Dowling S. , Hubert J. , White S. , Hollins S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground  Bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities are known to experience prolonged and atypical grief which is often unrecognized. The aim of this project was to find an effective way to improve mental health and behavioural outcomes.Methods  Subjects were randomized to two different therapeutic interventions: traditional counselling by volunteer bereavement counsellors, and an integrated intervention delivered by carers which offered bereavement specific support. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine their effectiveness and efficacy.Results  The counselling intervention resulted in measurable gains both clinically and in terms of quality of life; the second intervention proved impracticable in most settings and no improvement in mental health or behaviour resulted.Conclusions  Despite small numbers, the quantitative findings were highly significant, were supported by the qualitative data, and were of practical relevance to primary care practitioners and specialist mental health and intellectual disability staff.
What am I doing in Timbuktu: person–environment picture recognition for persons with intellectual disability
Authors: Danielsson H. , Rönnberg J. , Andersson J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground  The aim of this study was to examine the effects of familiarity of depicted persons and environments in recognition of photographs for pupils with different degrees of intellectual disability (ID).Method  Forty‐five pupils with ID participated.Results  An interaction effect between the two variables, person and environment, was found in addition to main effects for both the variables. Pictures of the test person himself or herself in familiar environments were easier to recognize than in unfamiliar environments, whereas the opposite was found for pictures of other familiar persons. No interaction effects of degree of ID were found.Conclusions  The interaction pattern is explained in terms of absent, present or implausible semantic associations between the person and the environmental context. The results are discussed in relation to augmentative and alternative communication with photographs.
Verbal communication outcomes in children with autism after in‐home father training
Authors: Seung H. K. , Ashwell S. , Elder J. H. , Valcante G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground  This retrospective study examined the efficacy of in‐home father training on the communicative outcomes of children with autism. The in‐home training consisted of two components: (1) expectant waiting; and (2) imitation with animation.Methods  Efficacy of parent training was examined by measuring the ratio of utterances produced by the parents to the utterances produced by the children and the number of verbal imitation by the parents. Outcomes of the children's verbal production were examined by measuring the number of (1) single word utterances; (2) different words produced; and (3) verbal response to questions.Results  Following training there was a decrease in the ratio of parent to child utterances and an increase in (1) the use of imitation by the parents; and (2) the number of single words and different words produced by the children.Discussion  Results of this study suggested that the parents had learned to wait for their children to communicate verbally during communicative interactions and to interact more efficiently with their children by using verbal imitation. Overall, the results of this study support the efficacy of parent training that focuses on promotion of social reciprocity, and have important implications for clinicians and future research.
Smad Proteins are Targets of Transforming Growth Factor β1 in Immortalised Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Releasing Neurones
Authors: Galbiati M. , Saredi S. , Romanò N. , Martini L. , Motta M. , Melcangi R. C. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTransforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is one of the growth factors involved in the neuroendocrine control of the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones. It is produced and released by the astrocytes surrounding GnRH neurones and directly controls their secretory activity. TGFβ signalling is based on a complex of two receptors that transduces the signal through peculiar intracellular substrates, the Smad proteins, which, upon activation, move into the nucleus, and modify the transcription of TGFβ responsive genes. The present study aimed to verify whether TGFβ1 is able to regulate the Smad pathway in GT1‐1 cells (i.e. an immortalised neuronal cell line releasing GnRH). We show that: (i) GT1‐1 cells express Smad 2, 3, 4, and 7; (ii) TGFβ1 enhances the phosphorylation of Smad 2 and 3 at short times of exposure (15–30 min); (iii) TGFβ1 induces the synthesis of the inhibitory Smad 7 at longer times (60–120–240 min); (iv) the conditioned medium of type 1 astrocytes enhances the phosphorylation of Smad 2 and 3 in GT1‐1 cells and a TGFβ1 neutralising antibody counteracts this effect. The results indicate that Smads are targets of TGFβ1 and that astrocytes are able to modulate Smads proteins in GT1‐1 cells through the release of TGFβ1. Taken together, the data provide new evidence that glial cells are important regulators of the GnRH neuronal activity.
Pituitary‐Adrenal Responses to Cholinergic Stimulation and Acute Mild Stress are Differentially Elevated in Male and Female M2Muscarinic Receptor Knockout Mice
Authors: Rhodes M. E. , Billings T. E. , Czambel R. K. , Rubin R. T. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAdrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone responses to cholinergic stimulation are greater in male rats and mice than in females. To explore the role of M2muscarinic receptors in this sex difference, we administered the nonselective muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine, and saline (a mild stressor) to male and female M2receptor knockout (KO) and wild‐type (WT) mice of the same genetic background. Because M2receptors function primarily as presynaptic autoreceptors, we hypothesized that their absence in M2KO mice would increase the sensitivity of hormone responses to cholinergic stimulation in these groups. Both male and female M2KO mice were significantly more responsive to the stress of saline injection than were their WT counterparts. Oxotremorine and physostigmine increased ACTH and corticosterone in all four groups, but to a significantly greater degree in KO males compared to WT males, KO females, and WT females. The increase in ACTH also was significantly greater in WT males compared to WT females. By contrast, the increase in corticosterone was significantly more in females compared to males, independent of genotype. Following pretreatment with the nonselective muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, ACTH and corticosterone responses to oxotremorine and to saline in the M2KO mice were comparable with those of their WT counterparts. These findings suggest that the M2muscarinic receptor subtype influences male and female pituitary‐adrenal responses following stimulation by both mild stress and cholinergic drugs. The M2receptor appears to regulate ACTH responses to cholinergic stimulation in males but not in females; however, other muscarinic receptors may be involved because corticosterone responses were higher in females compared to males. Because ACTH and corticosterone responses were greater in male and female M2KO mice, the M2receptor appears to dampen the stress response.
Requirements for chemotaxis protein localization in Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Wadhams George H. , Martin Angela C. , Warren Anna V. , Armitage Judith P. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryMany proteins have recently been shown to localize to different regions of the bacterial cell. This is most striking in the case of the Escherichia coli chemotaxis pathway in which the components localize at the cell poles. Rhodobacter sphaeroides has a more complex chemotaxis system with two complete pathways, each localizing to different positions, one pathway at the pole and one at a discrete cluster within the cytoplasm of the bacterium. Using genomic replacement of the wild‐type chemotaxis genes in R. sphaeroides with their corresponding fluorescent protein fusions in conjunction with in frame deletions of other chemotaxis genes, we have investigated which proteins are required for the formation of the polar and cytoplasmic chemotaxis protein clusters. As in E. coli, the polarly targeted CheA and CheW homologues are required for the formation of the polar cluster. However, the formation of the cytoplasmic cluster requires the cytoplasmic chemoreceptors and CheW but not the CheAs. Interestingly, even when deletion of a component resulted in the chemotaxis proteins of one pathway becoming delocalized and diffuse in the cytoplasm, in no case were any chemotaxis proteins seen to localize to the other signalling cluster.
AIP56, a novel plasmid‐encoded virulence factor of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida with apoptogenic activity against sea bass macrophages and neutrophils
Authors: do Vale Ana , Silva Manuel T. , dos Santos Nuno M. S. , Nascimento Diana S. , Reis‐Rodrigues Pedro , Costa‐Ramos Carolina , Ellis Anthony E. , Azevedo Jorge E. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA strategy used by extracellular pathogens to evade phagocytosis is the utilization of exotoxins that kill host phagocytes. We have recently shown that one major pathogenicity strategy of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp), the agent of the widespread fish pasteurellosis, is the induction of extensive apoptosis of sea bass macrophages and neutrophils that results in lysis of these phagocytes by post‐apoptotic secondary necrosis. Here we show that this unique process is mediated by a novel plasmid‐encoded apoptosis inducing protein of 56 kDa (AIP56), an exotoxin abundantly secreted by all virulent, but not avirulent, Phdp strains tested. AIP56 is related to an unknown protein of the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and NleC, a Citrobacter rodentium type III secreted effector of unknown function. Passive immunization of sea bass with a rabbit anti‐AIP56 serum conferred protection against Phdp challenge, indicating that AIP56 represents a key virulence factor of that pathogen and is a candidate for the design of an anti‐pasteurellosis vaccine.
Growth patterns and implications of complex dendrites in calcite travertines from Lýsuhóll, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Authors: JONES BRIAN , RENAUT ROBIN W. , BERNHART OWEN R. , TORFASON HELGI 
Published: September 2005

AbstractCalcite dendrite crystals are important but poorly understood components of calcite travertine that forms around many hot springs. The Lýsuhóll hot‐spring deposits, located in western Iceland, are formed primarily of siliceous sinters that were precipitated around numerous springs that are now inactive. Calcite travertine formed around the vent and on the discharge apron of one of the springs at the northern edge of the area. The travertine is formed largely of two types (I and II) of complex calcite dendrite crystals, up to 1 cm high, that grew through the gradual addition of trilete sub‐crystals. The morphology of the dendrite crystals was controlled by flow direction and the competition for growth space with neighbouring crystals. Densely crowded dendrites with limited branching characterize the rimstone dams whereas widely spaced dendrites with open branching are found in the pools. Many dendrite bushes in the pools nucleated around plant stems. Growth of the dendrite crystals was seasonal and incremental. Calcite precipitation was driven by rapid CO2 degassing of CO2‐rich spring waters during the spring and summer. During winter, when snow covered the ground and temperatures were low, opal‐A precipitated on the exposed surfaces of the dendrites. Segmentation of dendrite branches by discontinuities coated with opal‐A and overgrowth development around sub‐crystals resulted from this seasonal growth cycle. The calcite dendrite crystals in the Lýsuhóll travertine differ in morphology from those at other hot springs, such as those at Lake Bogoria, Kenya, and Waikite in New Zealand. Comparison with the calcite dendrite crystals found at those sites shows that dendrite morphology is site‐specific and probably controlled by carbonate saturation levels that, in turn, are controlled by the rate of CO2 degassing and location in the spring outflow system.
Identification of a new HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*4443†, in a German family
Authors: Thude H. , Hardt C. , Schorner U. , Ferencik S. , Helfricht C. , Barz D. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B allele is described. The allele was identified in a German blood donor of Caucasian origin. Because high‐resolution HLA‐typing using sequence‐specific primers gave inconclusive results, sequence‐based typing was performed. Nucleotide sequences of exons 2 and 3 most closely match with HLA‐B*4417 and HLA‐B*440301 (99.5% identity). The predicted protein sequence revealed a single amino acid substitution (D156L) compared with the HLA‐B*4417 allele but two substitutions (Y113H, D116S) compared with the HLA‐B*440301 allele. Therefore, the novel allele has been officially assigned HLA‐B*4443 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee. The HLA‐B*4443 allele was found with the A*2301, Cw*0401, B*4443, DRB1*0701, DRB4*0107, and DQB1*0202 haplotype.
Comparison of BSE Prevalence Estimates from EU Countries for the Period July to December 2001 to the OIE and EU GBR Classifications
Authors: Giovannini A. , Savini L. , Conte A. , Fiore G. L. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryConsequent upon the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis, the European Union (EU) Commission enacted various decisions, which demanded that all bovine animals over 30 months of age should be examined by one of the approved rapid tests when slaughtered for human consumption. All cattle over 24 months of age subject to ‘special emergency slaughtering’ or died on the farm or in transit or suspect of BSE infection should also be examined by one of the approved rapid tests. According to a specific commission decision, Sweden and Finland were to test only a sample of bovine animals over 30 months of age subject to normal slaughter. Testing commenced on 1 January 2001. The authors evaluate the results of more than 5 million tests performed in the second semester 2001 from across the EU. The prevalence of BSE in the risk categories considered (emergency slaughter, fallen stock and healthy slaughtered), and the probability distribution of true‐positive, false‐positive and false‐negative results are estimated by second‐order Bayesian analysis. The results of the validation of tests performed in the EU are also considered by estimation of the probability distribution of their sensitivity and specificity. The prevalence of infection estimated in the cattle population of each EU country is compared against the criteria given in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and is also used to evaluate the consistency of the results of EU Geographical BSE Risk with the actual infection levels in the countries. Finally, the capability of the two current approaches to BSE surveillance (i.e. the testing of all slaughtered and dead cattle as applied in the EU and a surveillance system targeted at animals in risk categories only) to detect the infection in a given population are discussed.
Thiopurine methyltransferase and 6‐thioguanine nucleotide measurement: early experience of use in clinical practice
Authors: Gearry R. B. , Barclay M. L. , Roberts R. L. , Harraway J. , Zhang M. , Pike L. S. , George P. M. , Florkowski C. M. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract Background:  Azathioprine and 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) are well established for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Assessing thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) status has been recommended to reduce the risk of serious toxicity. Measuring red blood cell (RBC) 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) concentrations has been recommended for dose adjustment.Aim:  To describe the results of measuring TPMT activity and genotype, and 6‐TGN concentration in New Zealand.Methods:  Canterbury Health Laboratories provided these analyses for New Zealand. Those with low TPMT activity also underwent genotyping. All results were collated and analysed descriptively. 6‐TGN concentrations were correlated with the dose of thiopurine when known.Results:  TPMT enzyme activity (range 1–22 U/mL) from 574 patients showed a trimodal distribution. Genotyping results matched this distribution with only mild overlap between *1/*1 homozygote and *1/*3 heterozygote groups. One patient without TPMT measurement before therapy had life‐threatening neutropenia and was later found to have *3/*3 genotype. TPMT analysis probably prevented two further such cases. Of 884 6‐TGN concentrations (range 0–1434 pmol/108 RBC), 41, 39 and 20% were within, below, and above the therapeutic range of 235–450 pmol/108 RBC, respectively. Leucopenia was seen in some patients with high 6‐TGN. 6‐MMP concentrations in 177 patients with low 6‐TGN suggested non‐compliance in 31, underdosing in 130, and preferential metabolism of 6‐MP to 6‐methylmercaptopurine in 16. There was poor correlation between azathioprine dose and 6‐TGN concentration (r2 = 0.002), supporting 6‐TGN monitoring.Conclusions:  Measurement of TPMT enzyme activity and 6‐TGN concentration has been well‐integrated into clinical practice. These tests should reduce the risk of toxicity and improve efficacy with thiopurines in patients with IBD. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 580–585)
Near‐death experience in a boy undergoing uneventful elective surgery under general anesthesia
Authors: LOPEZ URSULA , FORSTER ALAIN , ANNONI JEAN‐MARIE , HABRE WALID , ISELIN‐ CHAVES IRÈNE A. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryNear‐death experience (NDE) is a complex subjective experience, which may include affective elements such as a sense of peacefulness, paranormal components such as a sensation of floating out of the body, and a perception of being in a dark tunnel and seeing a brilliant light. It is usually reported to occur in association with a wide range of life‐threatening situations, as for instance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We report on an episode of NDE that occurred in a 12‐year‐old boy who underwent a general anesthesia for an elective uncomplicated surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of NDE in a child that has been reported in this context.
Fatal marrow emboli in a pediatric patient having posterior spinal instrumentation for scoliosis repair
Authors: JOFFE DENISE , ELREFAI AHMED , THOMAS MICHAEL 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThis report describes the intraoperative course of a pediatric patient with neuromuscular scoliosis who died of massive fat and marrow emboli during posterior instrumentation for scoliosis surgery. In addition, the report describes the incidence and consequences of embolic events during spine surgery as well as the most common clinical sequelae. This patient's unique presentation is highlighted.
Addition of clonidine and fentanyl: comparison between three different regional anesthetic techniques in circumcision
Authors: NAJA ZOUHER A , ZIADE FOUAD M , AL‐TANNIR MOHAMAD A , ABI MANSOUR ROLA M , EL‐RAJAB MARIAM A 
Published: September 2005

SummaryBackground : Several techniques have been used for alleviating postcircumcision pain with regional anesthetics being more effective than systemic opioids. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of dorsal penile block, ring block (RB) and dorsal penile block associated with RB in reducing postcircumcision pain in children.Methods : We conducted a prospective randomized double‐blind clinical trial on 100 boys aged between 1 month and 5 years undergoing elective circumcision. Each 20 ml of local anesthetic mixture contained 9 ml lidocaine 1% without epinephrine, 9 ml bupivacaine 0.5%, 1 ml fentanyl (50 μg·ml−1) and 1 ml clonidine (75 μg·ml−1).They were allocated to one of three groups: 33 boys were given a RB with 1–1.5 ml (group 1), 32 had a dorsal penile block with 1.5–4 ml (group 2) and 35 had a combined ring and dorsal penile block with 2.5–5 ml of anesthetic mixture based on the child's age.Results : Ninety‐one children (91%) completed the clinical trial (three failed blocks and six follow‐up losses). The groups were similar with regard to age, weight, height, duration of surgery and hemodynamic status. The average pain scores were significantly higher with a RB compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05) for the first postoperative day. RB children and dorsal penile block children consumed significantly more analgesics for the first six postoperative hours (P < 0.05). The surgeon's satisfaction was significantly higher with the ring + dorsal penile block group (100%) compared with the other two groups (P = 0.032).Conclusion : Dorsal penile block plus RB technique is superior to dorsal penile block alone and RB alone in reducing postcircumcision pain in children.
Area, isolation and body size evolution in insular carnivores
Authors: Meiri Shai , Dayan Tamar , Simberloff Daniel 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBody sizes of insular mammals often differ strikingly from those of their mainland conspecifics. Small islands have reduced numbers of competitor and predator species, and more limited resources. Such reductions are believed to select for predictable changes in body sizes, with large mammals growing progressively smaller as island area decreases, while small ones grow progressively larger. Medium‐sized mammals are thought to be largest on intermediate‐sized islands. Increased isolation is seen as promoting insular gigantism. We searched for such patterns using a large database of insular carnivore specimens. Neither small nor large carnivores show a consistent area/body size relationship. Medium‐sized carnivores are no more likely to attain large size on medium‐sized islands then they are to be small there. We found no consistent patterns of body size variation in relation to isolation.
Metformin revisited: re‐evaluation of its properties and role in the pharmacopoeia of modern antidiabetic agents
Authors: Goodarzi Mark O. , Bryer‐Ash Michael 
Published: October 2005

Background: The usefulness of metformin as an oral antidiabetic agent is widely accepted. However, several other classes of oral antidiabetic agents have been recently introduced, raising the need to evaluate the role of metformin as initial therapy and in combination with these newer drugs for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods: Synthesis of information was preceded by a comprehensive review of the English language literature using Medline. We also reviewed bibliographies of relevant articles. The studies most pertinent to the mechanism of action, efficacy, toxicity and administration of metformin were selected for citation in this review.Results: Metformin acts by increasing tissue sensitivity to insulin, principally in the liver. Beneficial properties of metformin include weight reduction, favourable effects on the lipid profile and the fibrinolytic pathway, and improvement of ovarian function in some insulin‐resistant women. It does not cause hyperinsulinaemia or hypoglycaemia. Metformin is effective as monotherapy and, in combination with both insulin secretagogues and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), may obviate the need for insulin treatment. Several fixed‐dose combination pills containing metformin and other agents are available. A protocol for the initiation of therapy with contemporary oral agents for type 2 DM is presented, with emphasis on the continuing central role of metformin.Conclusions: Metformin remains a safe and effective agent for the therapy of patients with type 2 DM. It is useful as monotherapy or in combination regimens with the newer insulin secretagogues, TZDs or insulin. It is still in most circumstances the agent of choice for initial therapy of the typical obese patient with type 2 DM and mild to moderate hyperglycaemia.