bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of social support and hardiness with mental health among mothers of adult children with intellectual disability
Authors: Ben‐Zur H. , Duvdevany I. , Lury L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground The study was conducted with mothers of adult children with developmental disabilities and had two aims: (1) to examine the mental health, resources and stress among mothers who keep their adult child at home vs. those who choose placement in a community arrangement; and (2) to assess the associations of mothers’ resources and stress with mental health.Method A sample of 100 mothers (mean age 60.67 years) of adult children with intellectual disability, 50% of whom had been placed in a community arrangement were asked to complete questionnaires measuring mental health, stress, hardiness and social support.Results The comparisons between mothers who had placed their adult child in a community arrangement and those who had kept their child at home showed no significant differences for most indicators. Mental health, stress, hardiness and social support were highly intercorrelated, as expected, and hierarchical regression analyses indicated independent effects of stress, hardiness and out‐of‐home placement on mental health.Conclusions The findings suggest that strengthening personal and social resources of mothers of adult children with developmental disabilities may be beneficial for their mental health.
Treatment and management of challenging behaviours in congregate and noncongregate community‐based supported accommodation
Authors: Robertson J. , Emerson E. , Pinkney L. , Caesar E. , Felce D. , Meek A. , Carr D. , Lowe K. , Knapp M. , Hallam A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjectives  To compare the nature and prevalence of use of procedures employed to treat and manage challenging behaviours across two approaches to providing community‐based supported accommodation for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and severe challenging behaviour: noncongregate settings where the minority of residents have challenging behaviour, and congregate settings where the majority of residents have challenging behaviour.Setting  Community‐based supported accommodation for people with ID and challenging behaviour.Design  Longitudinal matched groups design.Main outcome measures  The nature and prevalence of use of procedures employed to treat and manage challenging behaviours. Observed and reported severity of challenging behaviours.Results  Both types of settings were associated with low prevalence of use of behavioural technologies for the reduction of challenging behaviour (less than 15% of participants). In contrast, high proportions of participant received antipsychotic medication in both noncongregate (56%) and congregate (80%) settings. Congregate settings were associated with the increased use of physical restraint as a reactive management strategy, with over half of participants being in receipt of physical restraint by two or more members of staff.Discussion  Changes in reported and observed challenging behaviour over a 10‐month period were slight. The use of evidence‐based behavioural technologies for the reduction of challenging behaviour may have led to better outcomes.
Staff judgements of responsibility for the challenging behaviour of adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Dagnan D. , Cairns M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  This study examines the importance of staff judgements of responsibility for challenging behaviour in predicting their emotional and intended helping responses.Methods  Sixty‐two carers completed questionnaires rating attributions of internality, stability and controllability, emotions of sympathy and anger, judgements of responsibility for the development of challenging behaviour and for its resolution and intended effort in helping in response to a scenario describing an aggressive behaviour.Results  Results showed significant correlations between judgements of responsibility and attributions, emotions and intended effort in helping. Regression analysis showed that the best predictor of intended helping is the emotion of sympathy and that sympathy is best predicted by the attribution of internality, the judgement that people are not responsible for the development of challenging behaviour and the judgement that they are responsible for the resolution of the behaviour.Conclusions  Judgements of responsibility predict emotional and intended behavioural responses of carers of people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour. The results are discussed in relation to previous work on carer attributions in response to challenging behaviour. Implications for clinical work with carers are considered.
Roles of the CBF2 and ZAT12 transcription factors in configuring the low temperature transcriptome of Arabidopsis
Authors: Vogel Jonathan T. , Zarka Daniel G. , Van Buskirk Heather A. , Fowler Sarah G. , Thomashow Michael F. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe CBF cold response pathway has a prominent role in cold acclimation. The pathway includes action of three transcription factors, CBF1, 2 and 3 (also known as DREB1b, c and a, respectively), that are rapidly induced in response to low temperature followed by expression of the CBF‐targeted genes (the CBF regulon) that act in concert to increase plant‐freezing tolerance. The results of transcriptome profiling and mutagenesis experiments, however, indicate that additional cold response pathways exist and may have important roles in life at low temperature. To further understand the roles that the CBF proteins play in configuring the low temperature transcriptome and to identify additional transcription factors with roles in cold acclimation, we used the Affymetrix GeneChip® containing probe sets for approximately 24 000 Arabidopsis genes to define a core set of cold‐responsive genes and to determine which genes were targets of CBF2 and 6 other transcription factors that appeared to be coordinately regulated with CBF2. A total of 514 genes were placed in the core set of cold‐responsive genes, 302 of which were upregulated and 212 downregulated. Hierarchical clustering and bioinformatic analysis indicated that the 514 cold‐responsive transcripts could be assigned to one of seven distinct expression classes and identified multiple potential novel cis‐acting cold‐regulatory elements. Eighty‐five cold‐induced genes and eight cold‐repressed genes were assigned to the CBF2 regulon. An additional nine cold‐induced genes and 15 cold‐repressed genes were assigned to a regulon controlled by ZAT12. Of the 25 core cold‐induced genes that were most highly upregulated (induced over 15‐fold), 19 genes (84%) were induced by CBF2 and another two genes (8%) were regulated by both CBF2 and ZAT12. Thus, the large majority (92%) of the most highly induced genes belong to the CBF and ZAT12 regulons. Constitutive expression of ZAT12 in Arabidopsis caused a small, but reproducible, increase in freezing tolerance, indicating a role for the ZAT12 regulon in cold acclimation. In addition, ZAT12 downregulated the expression of the CBF genes indicating a role for ZAT12 in a negative regulatory circuit that dampens expression of the CBF cold response pathway.
Expression of GFP‐fusions in Arabidopsis companion cells reveals non‐specific protein trafficking into sieve elements and identifies a novel post‐phloem domain in roots
Authors: Stadler Ruth , Wright Kathryn M. , Lauterbach Christian , Amon Gabi , Gahrtz Manfred , Feuerstein Andrea , Oparka Karl J. , Sauer Norbert 
Published: December 2004

SummaryTransgenic Arabidopsis plants were constructed to express a range of GFP‐fusion proteins (36–67 kDa) under the companion cell (CC)‐specific AtSUC2 promoter. These plants were used to monitor the trafficking of these GFP‐fusion proteins from the CCs into the sieve elements (SEs) and their subsequent translocation within and out of the phloem. The results revealed a large size exclusion limit (SEL) (>67 kDa) for the plasmodesmata connecting SEs and CCs in the loading phloem. Membrane‐anchored GFP‐fusions and a GFP variant targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remained inside the CCs and were used as ‘zero trafficking’ controls. In contrast, free GFP and all soluble GFP‐fusions, moved from the CCs into the SEs and were subsequently translocated through the phloem. Phloem unloading and post‐phloem transport of these mobile GFP‐fusions were studied in root tips, where post‐phloem transport occurred only for the free form of GFP. All of the other soluble GFP‐fusion variants were unloaded and restricted to a narrow zone of cells immediately adjacent to the mature protophloem. It appears that this domain of cells, which has a peripheral SEL of about 27–36 kDa, allows protein exchange between protophloem SEs and surrounding cells, but restricts general access of large proteins into the root tip. The presented data provide additional information on phloem development in Arabidopsis in relation to the formation of symplasmic domains.
The impact of pancreas transplantation on patient employment opportunities
Authors: Knight Richard J , Daly Lisa 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Background: A questionnaire study was designed to determine whether the quality of life benefit provided by receiving a kidney–pancreas (KP) transplant increased the incentive to return to work, compared with patients receiving a kidney alone (KA) transplant.Methods: A confidential questionnaire was sent to 58 patients with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus who had functioning grafts at least 6 months post‐transplant. Thirty‐eight patients had received a KP transplant and 20 patients, a KA transplant.Results: Eighty‐three percent of patients returned the questionnaire (87% of KP and 75% of KA patients [p: non‐significant (ns)]. The pre‐transplant demographic variables of age, gender, educational status, and need for dialysis, were equivalent between the KP and KA groups, respectively (p: ns). At the time of transplantation 39% of KP patients and 33% of KA patients were employed at least 20 h/wk (p: ns). However, post‐transplant significantly more KP patients (73%) were working compared with KA patients (27%, p: 0.04). Additionally, pre‐transplant employment was independently associated with post‐transplant work status (p: 0.01).Conclusion: These data suggest that the improvement in quality of life associated with pancreas transplantation provide an added incentive for diabetics with renal insufficiency to seek employment.
Long‐term outcome of liver transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Vogel Arndt , Heinrich Eyk , Bahr Matthias J , Rifai Kinan , Flemming Peer , Melter Michael , Klempnauer Juergen , Nashan Björn , Manns Michael P , Strassburg Christian P 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Background:  Liver transplantation is the final therapeutic option for about 10% of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) who do not respond to medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term outcome in serologically defined subgroups of AIH after transplantation.Methods:  Pre‐ and post‐transplantation data of 28 patients with AIH transplanted between 1987 and 1999 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 24 patients, who underwent liver transplantation because of Wilson's disease and glycogen storage disease type 1.Results:  Serological analyses identified patients with AIH type 1 (n = 13), type 2 (n = 5), and type 3 (n = 10). The 5‐yr patient survival rate after liver transplantation was 78.2%, which was not significantly different from the control group. Six AIH patients and four control patients required re‐transplantation because of initial non‐function, chronic rejection or AIH recurrence. Patients transplanted for AIH (88%) had more episodes of acute rejection when compared with patients transplanted for genetic liver diseases (50%). Clinical and histological features of chronic rejection were present in four patients, which did not differ significantly from the controls. Recurrence of AIH was diagnosed in nine patients (32%) based upon the presence of autoantibodies, increased γ‐globulins, steroid dependency, and histological evidence of chronic hepatitis. These combined features were not found in any of the controls.Conclusions:  Our data do not suggest that AIH subtypes influence prognosis after liver transplantation. Despite a high frequency of acute cellular rejection episodes and disease recurrence, transplantation for AIH has a 5‐yr survival rate, which does not differ from that observed in patients transplanted for genetic liver diseases.
Solution Conformation of the Pseudomonas Syringae Pv. Syringae Phytotoxic Lipodepsipeptide Syringopeptin 25‐A
Authors: Ballio Alessandro , Bossa Francesco , Di Giorgio Domenico , Di Nola Alfredo , Manetti Cesare , Paci Maurizio , Scaloni Andrea , Segre Anna Laura 
Published: December 2004

Syringopeptin 25‐A is a phytotoxic amphiphilic lipodepsipeptide containing 25 amino acid residues, produced by some isolates of the plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Previous papers have reported its covalent structure and some of its biological properties. Attention has now been directed to define its conformation in solution, a structural feature regarded as important for understanding its possible role in the bacterial colonization of host plants, and its toxic action on the plant cell.Here we report the stereochemistry of its amino acid components, the complete interpretation of the two‐dimensional NMR spectra and NOE data, and finally the structure obtained by computer simulations applying distance geometry and molecular dynamics procedures.The conformation of syringopeptin 25‐A in aqueous solution includes three different structured regions interrupted by rigid 2,3‐dehydro‐2‐aminobutyric acid residues: a loop from residue 2 to 6, a helicoidal zone from 8 to 15, and the lactone ring from 18 to 25. The three‐dimensional structure of the lactone moiety is very similar to that of two previously studied bioactive lipodepsinonapeptides. Preliminary circular dichroism evidence of conformational variations in solution of trifluoroethanol, which simulates a membrane‐like environment, are also reported.
Isolation and Structural Characterization of N‐Acetyl‐ and N‐Glycolylneuraminic‐Acid‐Containing GalNAc‐GD1a Isomers, IV4GalNAcIV3Neu5AcII3Neu5GcGgOse4Cer and IV4GalNAcIV3Neu5AcII3Neu5AcGgOse4Cer, from Bovine Brain
Authors: Casellato Riccardo , Brocca Paola , Li Su‐Chen , Li Yu‐Teh , Sonnino Sandro 
Published: December 2004

A ganglioside preparation containing two structurally related minor gangliosides (Gg 1+2) was isolated from bovine brain ganglioside mixture and characterized. Treatment of 50 g ganglioside mixture with Clostridium perfrigens sialidase, followed by chromatography on DEAE‐Sepharose and silica gel columns, yielded 20 mg Gg 1+2.By chemical analyses, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy, enzymic hydrolyses using human β‐hexosaminidase A and clostridial sialidase, and TLC overlay with the conjugated cholera toxin B subunit, the two novel gangliosides Gg 1 and Gg 2 were identified to be: Gg 1, GalNAc‐GD1a(Neu5Ac/Neu5Gc), β‐GalNAc‐(1–4)‐[α‐Neu5Ac‐(2–3)]‐β‐Gal‐(1–3)‐β‐GalNAc‐(1–4)‐[α‐Neu5Gc‐(2–3)]‐β‐Gal‐(1–4)‐β‐Glc‐(1–1)‐Cer: Gg 2, GalNAc‐GD1a(Neu5Gc/Neu5Ac), β‐GalNAc‐(1–4)‐[α‐Neu5Gc‐(2–3)]‐β‐Gal‐(1–3)‐β‐GalNAc‐(1–4)‐[α‐Neu5Ac‐(2–3) ‐β‐Gal‐(1–4)‐β‐Glc‐(1–1)‐Cer. These two gangliosides contain the identical pentasaccharide backbone except that the substitution of the two sialic acids, Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc, are in the reversed position of the external and the internal Gal residues. Our analyses showed that the content of Gg 1 and Gg 2 were approximately 0.12% and 0.08%1, respectively, of the total brain ganglioside mixture.
Anti‐oxidant status in relation to lipoproteins, leptin and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in children with steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: ECE AYDIN , ATAMER YILDIZ , GÜRKAN FUAT , BILICI MEKI , KOÇYIĞIT YÜKSEL 
Published: December 2004

SUMMARY:Background:  Reactive oxygen species and cytokines are reported to play a role in the proteinuria of nephrotic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate indirect evidence of oxidant activity together with leptin, lipoproteins and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in children with steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome.Methods:  A total of 40 children with steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome (20 with newly onset or relapse comprised group I and 20 in remission while receiving steroids comprised group II) and 20 sex and age matched healthy control children were included. The following indirect parameters of oxidant activity were determined: serum malondialdehyde, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase and whole‐blood‐reduced glutathione. Serum leptin, lipids and lipoproteins were also determined.Results:  Similar glutathione, increased malondialdehyde levels and decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were observed in group I patients compared with controls. There was no significant difference in these variables between group I and group II (P > 0.05). Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐6 concentrations were similar in patients and controls. Concentrations of interleukin‐1beta and interleukin‐8 were higher in the active phase of nephrotics compared with controls (P < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between malondialdehyde and interleukin‐1beta, interleukin‐6, leptin and lipoprotein (a) (P < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between anti‐oxidants and leptin, lipoprotein (a) and several cytokines (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Changes in the concentrations of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione are compatible with increased amounts of oxidation in steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Leptin and pro‐inflammatory cytokines may be related to excessive protein permeability in nephrotic syndrome.
Process for improving the integration of care across the primary and acute care settings in rural South Australia: asthma as a case study
Authors: Laurence Caroline Olivia Mary , Beilby Justin , Campbell Sharon , Campbell John , Ponte Lorenzo , Woodward Glenda 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective:  To develop a process for improving the integration of care across the rural acute and primary care settings using asthma as a case study. Methods:  Development of the process on the analysis of case note audit, survey, interviews and a workshop. Setting:  A rural region of South Australia. Results:  A work plan for improving general practitioner (GP)–hospital integration was developed that resulted from analysis of the defined problem, GPs and stakeholder involvement, communication between all stakeholders, provision of an incentive to bring all the stakeholders together, and identification of evidence‐based solutions. Conclusions:  Managing chronic disease in a community requires the integration of care across the primary and acute care setting. To be successful, GP–hospital integration initiatives require stakeholder involvement, locally developed solutions, engagement of GPs, communication and a well‐developed plan. This project provides a process for achieving this. What this paper adds:  The present study outlines a process to improve the management of asthma for a specific community group in a rural region. It also provides a process to improve GP–hospital integration, which can be applied to a range of settings and health conditions to improve patient care.
Musculoskeletal disorders among rural Australian nursing students
Authors: Smith Derek R. , Leggat Peter A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among rural Australian nursing students and compare the results with other international studies. Method and analysis:  A self‐reporting questionnaire adapted from previous research, was administered to 260 students from all three grades of a major nursing school in regional north Queensland, Australia. Results:  A high proportion of students reported an MSD at some body site (80.0%), with low back pain being the most common condition (59.2%). This was followed by MSD of the neck (34.6%), knee (25.0%), shoulder (23.8%), feet (16.5%), wrist (12.7%) and legs (11.9%). MSD of the shoulder was slightly more common among males when compared to females (39.3% vs 22.0%, P = 0.0424). Previous paid employment as a nurse or nursing assistant was found to increase the risk of upper arm MSD by a factor of 10.8 (odds ratio 10.8, 95% confidence interval 1.9–205.8, P = 0.0276).Conclusion:  Overall, this investigation suggests that MSD is more frequent among rural Australian nursing students, when compared to their counterparts around the world. Their high rate of MSD is also comparable to that reported by hospital nurses in other countries. What is already known and why the study was done:  Although musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are known to affect nursing students at reasonably high rates, few studies have been undertaken in rural Australia. Therefore, it was considered necessary to investigate MSD among a complete cross‐section of rural Australian nursing students, using a questionnaire adapted from previous research. Findings were then compared with similar international studies. What this study adds to the published literature:  A high proportion of students reported an MSD at some body site, with low back pain being the most common condition. Overall, this investigation suggests that MSD is more frequent among rural Australian nursing students, when compared to their counterparts around the world. Their high rate of MSD is also comparable to that reported by hospital nurses in other countries.
Invasive pneumococcal disease in the Kimberley, 1995–2001
Authors: Mak Donna B. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective:  To describe the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the Kimberley and examine whether cases could have been prevented by vaccination. Design:  Prospective case series of IPD cases from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2001. Setting:  The Kimberley region of far north‐western Australia. Subjects:  Seventy IPD cases in 37 men and 33 women aged 5 months to 90 years. Aboriginal people comprised 90% (63/70) of cases. Main outcome measures:  Demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of IPD cases. Proportion of cases caused by vaccine‐preventable serotypes. IPD incidence in the Kimberley. Results:  Pneumonia and bacteraemia were the commonest clinical presentations. Of IPD cases, 15% (children) and 67% (adults) had a risk factor for IPD. The case fatality rate was 13%. Of cases, 46% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35–58%) were caused by serotypes covered by an age‐appropriate vaccine. Of the 26 cases eligible for pneumococcal vaccination, only 4 (16%) had been appropriately vaccinated. IPD incidence in Aboriginal people aged 15 years and over declined from 97.8/100 000 person years (95% CI 56.5–139.1) in 1997 to 38.1/100 000 person years (95% CI 22.5–53.9) in 2001. Conclusions:  The significant proportion of cases caused by vaccine‐preventable serotypes and that was, therefore, preventable underscores the importance of pneumococcal vaccination. What this paper adds:  What is already known? IPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and especially in Indigenous Australian populations; however, there is little published information about the epidemiology of this illness in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, which has a large Indigenous population. What does this study add? Many Kimberley IPD cases are caused by vaccine‐preventable serotypes and are, therefore, potentially preventable. Following the introduction of an adult pnuemococcal vaccination program in 1996, IPD incidence in Kimberley Aboriginal adults fell significantly.