bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supportive and nonsupportive qualities of child health nurses' contacts with strained infant mothers
Authors: Arborelius Elisabeth U. , Bremberg Sven G. 
Published: May 2003

Aim. To examine how strained mothers perceive the support they receive from Swedish child health nurse. Population and methods. Twenty‐four consecutive strained, infant mothers at nine child health centres were invited to participate. The mothers were interviewed when the child was 8 months of age. The mothers also reported their perceptions of their parenting competence by means of a questionnaire. Results. Five components of the nurses' support were discerned: positive emotional support, positive informational support, support of the parental role which was either positive or negative, and pressure to accept social norms on child care. A third of the mothers reported strong positive support, decreasing depressive symptoms and favourable perceptions of their own parenting ability. Another third of the mothers reported negative contacts with the nurses, persisting depressive symptoms, and unfavourable perceptions of their parenting competence. The nurses' pressure for the mothers to adapt to certain social norms of child care seemed to affect the latter group of mothers negatively. Conclusion. In order to support strained mothers effectively it is necessary to clarify and resolve conflicts between different programme objectives.
In Silico Identification of Putative Regulatory Sequence Elements in the 5′-Untranslated Region of Genes That Are Expressed during Male Gametogenesis
Authors: Hulzink Raymond Jozef Maurinus , Weerdesteyn Han , Croes Anton Felix , Gerats Tom , van Herpen Marinus Maria Antonius , van Helden Jacques 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
During pollen development, transcription of a large number of genes results in the appearance of distinct sets of transcripts. Similar mRNA sets are present in pollen of both mono- and dicotyledonous plant species, which indicates an evolutionary conservation of genetic programs that determine pollen gene expression. In pollen, regulation of gene expression occurs at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. The 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of several pollen transcripts has been shown to be important for regulation of pollen gene expression. The important regulatory role of 5′-UTR sequences and the evolutionary conservation of genetic programs in pollen led to the hypothesis that the 5′-UTRs of pollen-expressed genes share regulatory sequence elements. In an attempt to identify these pollen 5′-UTR elements, a statistical analysis was performed using 5′-UTR sequences of pollen- and sporophytic-expressed genes. The analysis revealed the presence of several pollen-specific 5′-UTR sequence elements. Assembly of the pollen 5′-UTR elements led to the identification of various consensus sequences, including those that previously have been demonstrated to play a role in the regulation of pollen gene expression. Several pollen 5′-UTR elements were found to be preferentially associated to genes from dicots, wet-type stigma plants, or plants containing bicellular pollen. Moreover, three sequence elements exhibited a preferential association to the 5′-UTR of pollen-expressed genes from Arabidopsis andBrassica napus. Functional implications of these observations are discussed.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen Prolongs the Life Span of Primary Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Watanabe Takahiro , Sugaya Makoto , Atkins April M. , Aquilino Elisabeth A. , Yang Aparche , Borris Debra L. , Brady John , Blauvelt Andrew 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

Tumor spindle cells in all clinical types of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Although KSHV contains more than 80 genes, only a few are expressed in tumor spindle cells, including latency-associated nuclear antigen (
LANA
) and k-cyclin (
kCYC
). To assess the oncogenic potential of
LANA
and
kCYC
, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and murine NIH 3T3 cells were stably transduced by using recombinant retroviruses expressing these genes or the known viral oncogene simian virus 40 large T antigen (
LTAg
). Interestingly,
LANA
-transduced HUVEC proliferated faster and demonstrated a greatly prolonged life span (mean ± standard deviation, 38.3 ± 11.0 passages) than untransduced cells and vector-transduced cells (<20 passages). By contrast,
kCYC
-transduced HUVEC did not proliferate faster or live longer than control cells.
LANA
- and
kCYC
-transduced HUVEC, but not
LTAg
-transduced HUVEC, retained the ability to form normal vessel-like structures in an in vitro model of angiogenesis. In cellular assays of transformation,
LANA
- and
kCYC
-transduced NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated minimal or no anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and no tumorigenicity when injected into nude mice, unlike
LTAg
-transduced NIH 3T3 cells. Lastly, gene expression profiling revealed down-regulation, or silencing, of a number of genes within
LANA
-transduced HUVEC. Taken together, these results suggest that KSHV
LANA
is capable of inducing prolonged life span, but not transformation, in primary human cells. These findings may explain why
LANA
-expressing spindle cells proliferate within KS tumors, yet most often do not demonstrate biologic characteristics of transformation or true malignant conversion.
Absence of
p53
Complements Defects in Abelson Murine Leukemia Virus Signaling
Authors: Unnikrishnan Indira , Rosenberg Naomi 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

The v-Abl protein encoded by Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) induces transformation of pre-B cells via a two-stage process. An initial proliferative phase during which cells with limited tumorigenic potential expand is followed by a crisis period marked by high levels of apoptosis and erratic growth. Transformants that survive this phase emerge as fully malignant cells and usually contain mutations that disable the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Consistent with the importance of p53 in this process, pre-B cells from
p53
null animals bypass crisis. Thus, the transformation process reflects a balance between signals from the v-Abl protein that drive transformation and those coming from the cellular response to inappropriate growth. One prediction of this hypothesis is that Ab-MLV mutants that are compromised in their ability to transform cells may be less equipped to overcome the effects of p53. To test this idea, we examined the ability of the P120/R273K mutant to transform pre-B cells from wild-type,
p53
null, and
Ink4a/Arf
null mice. The SH2 domain of the v-Abl protein encoded by this mutant contains a substitution that affects the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket, and this mutant is compromised in its ability to transform NIH 3T3 and pre-B cells, especially at 39.5°C. Our data reveal that loss of
p53
or
Ink4a/Arf
locus products complements the transforming defect of the P120/R273K mutant, but it does not completely restore wild-type function. These results indicate that one important transforming function of v-Abl proteins is overcoming the effects of a functional p53 pathway.
Synergistic antileukemic interactions between 17-AAG and UCN-01 involve interruption of RAF/MEK- and AKT-related pathways
Authors: Jia Wentao , Yu Chunrong , Rahmani Mohamed , Krystal Geoffrey , Sausville Edward A. , Dent Paul , Grant Steven 
Published: May 2003

AbstractInteractions between the protein kinase C (PKC) and Chk1 inhibitor UCN-01 and the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) antagonist 17-AAG have been examined in human leukemia cells in relation to effects on signal transduction pathways and apoptosis. Simultaneous exposure (30 hours) of U937 monocytic leukemia cells to minimally toxic concentrations of 17-AAG (eg, 400 nM) and UCN-01 (eg, 75 nM) triggered a pronounced increase in mitochondrial injury (ie, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential [Δψm]; cytosolic release of cytochrome c), caspase activation, and apoptosis. Synergistic induction of apoptosis was also observed in other human leukemia cell types (eg, Jurkat, NB4). Coexposure of human leukemia cells to 17-AAG and the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (GFX) did not result in enhanced lethality, arguing against the possibility that the PKC inhibitory actions of UCN-01 are responsible for synergistic interactions. The enhanced cytotoxicity of this combination was associated with diminished Akt activation and marked down-regulation of Raf-1, MEK1/2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Coadministration of 17-AAG and UCN-01 did not modify expression of Hsp90, Hsp27, phospho-JNK, or phospho-p38 MAPK, but was associated with further p34cdc2 dephosphorylation and diminished expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and XIAP. In addition, inducible expression of both a constitutively active MEK1/2 or myristolated Akt construct, which overcame inhibition of ERK and Akt activation, respectively, significantly attenuated 17-AAG/UCN-01–mediated lethality. Together, these findings indicate that the Hsp90 antagonist 17-AAG potentiates UCN-01 cytotoxicity in a variety of human leukemia cell types and suggest that interference with both the Akt and Raf-1/MEK/MAP kinase cytoprotective signaling pathways contribute to this phenomenon.
A phase 2 trial of CHOP chemotherapy followed by tositumomab/iodine I 131 tositumomab for previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Southwest Oncology Group Protocol S9911
Authors: Press Oliver W. , Unger Joseph M. , Braziel Rita M. , Maloney David G. , Miller Thomas P. , LeBlanc Michael , Gaynor Ellen R. , Rivkin Saul E. , Fisher Richard I. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractAdvanced follicular lymphoma is incurable with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) conducted a phase 2 trial (S9911) of a novel regimen consisting of 6 cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) chemotherapy followed 4 to 8 weeks later by tositumomab/iodine I 131 tositumomab (anti-CD20 antibody) in 90 eligible patients with previously untreated, advanced stage follicular lymphoma. Treatment was well tolerated. Reversible myelosuppression was the main adverse event and was more severe during CHOP chemotherapy than following radioimmunotherapy. The overall response rate to the entire treatment regimen was 90%, including 67% complete remissions (CRs plus unconfirmed CRs [CRu's]) and 23% partial remissions (PRs). Twenty-seven (57%) of the 47 fully evaluable patients who achieved less than a CR with CHOP improved their remission status after tositumomab/iodine I 131 tositumomab. With a median follow-up of 2.3 years, the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated to be 81%, with a 2-year overall survival of 97%. This study has established the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of this regimen for patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. This novel treatment appears promising compared with the SWOG's historical experience using CHOP alone and is currently being compared with CHOP plus rituximab in a randomized phase 3 trial (S0016).
The contribution of glycoprotein VI to stable platelet adhesion and thrombus formation illustrated by targeted gene deletion
Authors: Kato Kazunobu , Kanaji Taisuke , Russell Susan , Kunicki Thomas J. , Furihata Kenichi , Kanaji Sachiko , Marchese Patrizia , Reininger Armin , Ruggeri Zaverio M. , Ware Jerry 
Published: May 2003

AbstractPlatelet interaction with exposed adhesive ligands at sites of vascular injury is required to initiate a normal hemostatic response and may become a pathogenic factor in arterial diseases leading to thrombosis. We report a targeted disruption in a key receptor for collagen-induced platelet activation, glycoprotein (GP) VI. The breeding of mice with heterozygous GP VI alleles produced the expected frequency of wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous genotypes, indicating that these animals had no reproductive problems and normal viability. GP VInull platelets failed to aggregate in response to type I fibrillar collagen or convulxin, a snake venom protein and known platelet agonist of GP VI. Nevertheless, tail bleeding time measurements revealed no severe bleeding tendency as a consequence of GP VI deficiency. Ex vivo platelet thrombus formation on type I collagen fibrils was abolished using blood from either GP VInull or FcR-γnull animals. Reflection interference contrast microscopy revealed that the lack of thrombus formation by GP VInull platelets could be linked to a defective platelet activation following normal initial tethering to the surface, visualized as lack of spreading and less stable adhesion. These results illustrate the role of GP VI in postadhesion events leading to the development of platelet thrombi on collagen fibrils.
An experimental controlled study on postural sway and therapeutic exercise in subjects with low back pain
Authors: Kuukkanen Tiina M , Mälkiä Esko A 
Published: May 2003

Objectives: To describe postural sway and its associations to background factors, low back pain and functional capacity. To evaluate the changes in postural sway after three months of therapeutic exercise in the gym or at home. Design: A one-year randomized experimental trial evaluated postural sway in three study groups: intensive training, home exercise and control group. Setting: Subjects were recruited from seven local occupational health care centres in Central Finland and were examined at Central Finland Hospital by medical doctors. Measurements and therapeutic exercise programmes were carried out in the Research Laboratory of Sport and Health Sciences at Jyväskylä University. Subjects: Initially, 49 male and 41 female subjects (aged 20–55 years) with nonspecific and subacute low back pain were examined. Main outcome measures: Postural sway using a force platform, the Oswestry Index, as well as a measure of low back pain intensity were measured at the initial stage of the study, directly after interventions, as well as at three and nine months after the interventions. Results: The background variables were not strongly correlated with postural sway. No changes occurred in the amplitude of sway during the study, but the sway velocity of the home exercise group increased. Conclusions: Postural sway measurements with a force platform may be suitable for detecting impairments of balance performance among subjects with pronounced functional or activity limitations and severe low back pain problems. In order to enhance balance performance, specific and customized exercise programmes are required.
Ealuation of the benefits of monitoring fluid thickness in the dietary management of dysphagic stroke patients
Authors: Goulding R , Bakheit A MO 
Published: May 2003

Objective: Safe swallowing may be achieved in most patients with neurogenic dysphagia by manipulating the viscosity of ingested fluids. However, in clinical practice fluids are thickened using subjective judgement. This may lead to errors in the preparation of drinks to the prescribed viscosity. The aim of the present study is to examine whether the use of a viscometer improves the dietary management of dysphagic stroke patients. Study design: A randomized controlled study design was used. The speech and language therapist determined the optimal fluid thickness for each patient. The prescribed fluid viscosity for the study group was obtained using a viscometer. Patients in the control group received fluids prepared according to current practice, i.e. the amount of thickener required to produce the prescribed viscosity was judged subjectively by the nursing staff. The two methods of fluid thickening were used for seven consecutive days. Assessment was made blind to randomization. Main outcome measure: Pulmonary aspiration, assessed clinically and with pulse oximetry. If the patient did not drink all the fluid that was offered the residue was measured. Results: Ten patients in the study group ( n = 23) and nine in the control group ( n = 23) aspirated. The mean viscosity of fluids offered to patients in the control group was significantly higher than that of the study patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between the viscosity and the residual volume of fluid (Pearson's test: r = 0.7, p <0.02). The findings of the study suggest that fluids prepared by subjectively assessing the amount of thickener required to produce a given consistency tend to have a higher viscosity than those prepared using the viscometer. However, the higher viscosity does not appear to protect against pulmonary aspiration and may lead to a reduced fluid intake. Conclusion: Manipulation of fluid thickness using objective measurements with a viscometer may improve the dietary management of dysphagic stroke patients.
The efficacy of Le Bon Départ and Sensory Integration treatment for children with developmental coordination disorder: a randomized study with six single cases
Authors: Leemrijse Chantal , Meijer Onno G , Vermeer Adri , Adèr Herman J , Diemel Sandra 
Published: May 2003

Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy of Le Bon Départ (LBD) treatment and Sensory Integration (SI) treatment on motor performance of children with developmental coordination disorder. Design: A single subject design with multiple baseline and alternating treatments. Order of treatment and length of phase were randomized. Measurements were blinded. Setting: Department of Occupational Therapy at the Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Subjects: Five boys and one girl with developmental coordination disorder (age: 6.0–8.1 years). Interventions: Baseline condition, Le Bon Départ treatment and Sensory Integration treatment. Main outcome measures: The Movement ABC, Praxis Tests, a rhythm test and visual analogue scales. With the exception of the Praxis Tests, lower scores indicate better performance. Results: During both treatments, the performance on the Movement ABC (x̄ = 7.21) and the scores on the visual analogue scales (x̄ = 46.64) were significantly better than in the baseline (Movement ABCbaseline: x̄ = 17.38; visual analogue scalesbaseline: x̄= 68.18). After treatment 2, performance on the Praxis Tests and scores on the visual analogue scales were significantly better than after treatment 1 (Praxis Tests: 113.54 versus 104.68; visual analogue scales: 34.74 versus 58.54). All six children performed better on the Movement ABC during treatment as compared to the baseline. Le Bon Départ led to significant improvement on all dependent variables, Sensory Integration on the visual analogue scales only. The improvements after Le Bon Départ were larger than the improvements after Sensory Integration treatment. On the rhythm test this difference was significant: LBD led to an improvement of 43.01 points, while the improvement after SI was 17.59 points (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Motor performance of children with developmental coordination disorder improved significantly on all dependent variables after the combination of treatments. Le Bon Départ led to more improvement than Sensory Integration. LBD appears to be a valuable treatment method for children with developmental coordination disorder.
Relationship between timed ‘up and go’ and gait time in an elderly orthopaedic rehabilitation population
Authors: Freter Susan H , Fruchter Nadine 
Published: May 2003

Objective: To analyse the relationship between the timed ‘up and go’ (TUG) and gait time in an elderly orthopaedic population, in order to determine whether additional useful information is obtained by measuring both. Design: Observational study. Setting: Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Quebec. Subjects: Seventy-nine consecutive inpatients in the orthopaedic programme with a primary admitting diagnosis of either total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR), or hip fracture repair. Outcome measures: Timed ‘up and go’ and time to walk 10 metres. Results: The admission correlation between gait time and TUG was r = 0.745. The correlation at discharge ( r = 0.816) was higher than that seen on admission. The relationship between gait time and TUG was linear both at admission and discharge. The correlation between gait time and TUG was strong for patients with TKR at admission ( r = 0.868) and discharge ( r = 0.878), and for patients with THR, both at admission ( r = 0.809) and discharge ( r = 0.879). However, the correlation on admission was weaker for patients with hip fracture ( r = 0.497). For slow walkers (people with a gait speed below 0.5 m/s) on admission, the correlation was moderate ( r = 0.649). However, for those with gait speeds faster than or equal to 0.5 m/s, the correlation was weaker ( r = 0.484). This discrepancy was no longer evident on discharge. Likewise, for patients with a fast TUG score (< 30 seconds) on admission, there was virtually no relationship between TUG and gait time ( r = 0.084), although a good correlation was present for those with ‘up and go’ times longer than 30 seconds ( r = 0.634). As with gait speed, this difference disappeared by discharge. Conclusions: The relationship between gait time and TUG in an elderly orthopaedic rehabilitation population is good, and its strength varies by specific diagnosis, mobility, and time point in the course of therapy. The two measures are not redundant in this population.
Measuring the impact of multiple sclerosis on psychosocial functioning: the development of a new self-efficacy scale
Authors: Airlie J , Baker G A , Smith S J , Young C A 
Published: May 2003

Objective: To develop a scale to measure self-efficacy in neurologically impaired patients with multiple sclerosis and to assess the scale' s psychometric properties. Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire study in a clinical setting, the retest questionnaire returned by mail after completion at home. Setting: Regional multiple sclerosis (MS) outpatient clinic or the Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at a large neuroscience centre in the UK. Subjects: One hundred persons with MS attending the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral, as outpatients. Methods: Cognitively impaired patients were excluded at an initial clinic assessment. Patients were asked to provide demographic data and complete the self-efficacy scale along with the following validated scales: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Impact, Stigma and Mastery and Rankin Scales. The Rankin Scale and Barthel Index were also assessed by the physician. Results: A new 11-item self-efficacy scale was constructed consisting of two domains of control and personal agency. The validity of the scale was confirmed using Cronbach' s alpha analysis of internal consistency (α = 0.81). The test–retest reliability of the scale over two weeks was acceptable with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.79. Construct validity was investigated using Pearson' s product moment correlation coefficient resulting in significant correlations with depression (r = –0.52) anxiety (r = –0.50) and mastery (r = 0.73). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that these factors accounted for 70% of the variance of scores on the self-efficacy scale, with scores on mastery, anxiety and perceived disability being independently significant. Conclusion: Assessment of the psychometric properties of this new selfefficacy scale suggest that it possesses good validity and reliability in patients with multiple sclerosis. Address for correspondence: SJ Smith, Astley Ainslie Hospital, 133 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2HL, Scotland, UK.