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Results for “global functioning”

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PubMed1978

Biochemical effects on radioprotective agents on the liver microsomal hydroxylating system: in vitro studies.

The action of two radioprotectors--cysteamine and cystamine--on the liver microsomal multi-enzyme hydroxylating system, a key stem in drug and biological compounds metabolism, has been studied. Their effects have been systematically analysed at the level of individual enzyme activities and global functions. The two compounds are quite inactive on NADPH and NADH cytochrome c reductase activities, but slightly denature the cytochrome P450 into cytochrome P420. Furthermore, they do inhibit to some extent (30 per cent at 10(-2) M) the rate of codeine hydroxylation and totally suppress ((at 10(-2) M) the NADPH-induced lipid peroxidation which occurs during enzymatic functioning. These results are discussed in the light of the toxicity of radioprotectors.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Prediction of mean circulation velocity in oxidation ditch.

In wastewater treatment, oxidation ditches are used for the removal of carbon and nitrogen of activated sludge. The control of the single-phase flow is essential to the optimisation of the whole process. Among the two global functioning parameters (mean liquid velocity Uc, power dissipated per unit of volume P/V), the mean circulation velocity can be recommended. Indeed, the values of the power dissipated per unit of volume P/V obtained in different scale plant show that the industrial criterion on P/V leads to an overdesign of channel. Therefore a mean liquid circulation velocity Uc created by horizontal impellers must be maintained inside the ditch. In order to predict the velocity Uc, a model has been proposed based on the Equations of the continuity and motion and using a few simple parameters. Experiments were carried out on pilot plant (1 m3) and full scale ditches (860, 1400 and 2800 m3) in which the characteristics of the mixing system and the dimensions of channels were varied. A good agreement was observed between the model predictions and experimental data for the mean circulation velocity Uc.

Models, Theoretical↗

PubMed2003

Spatial learning deficits induced by muscimol and CL218,872: lack of effect of prenatal malnutrition.

The sensitivity of prenatal protein malnourished rats to the amnestic properties of the direct GABAA receptor agonist muscimol and the selective benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor agonist, CL218,872, was studied in the male offspring of rats provided with a protein deficient diet (6% casein) for 5 weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. At postnatal day 90, rats were tested during acquisition of the submerged platform version of the Morris water maze task using four systemic doses of muscimol (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 and 1.8 mg/kg i.p.) or three systemic doses of CL218,872 (1.0, 3.2, and 5.6 mg/kg i.p.). In a dose dependent manner both drugs impaired acquisition of the task and impaired accuracy of the search pattern on the probe trial (platform removed). However, neither drug dissociated the performance of the two nutritional groups. These data are important in light of previous findings of differential behavioral effects of the non-specific BZ agonist, chlordiazepoxide (CDP), on spatial learning and on drug discrimination in prenatally malnourished rats and in the context of previous findings of reduced sensitivity to the anxiolytic effects of non-specific BZ receptor agonists across a wide variety of models of malnutrition. The present findings also support the concept that prenatal malnutrition does not affect the global functioning of the GABAA receptor, but fundamentally alters the way in which a subset of GABAA receptors (i.e. those containing the alpha2, alpha3 and/or the alpha5 but not the alpha1 subunit) is modulated by BZs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Coping strategies and recovery in patients with a severe eating disorder.

A longitudinal prospective design was used to investigate whether recovery from a severe eating disorder is associated with differences in coping strategies and whether coping strategies predict recovery. Subjects were 146 patients who had received intensive day or inpatient treatment. Recovery is associated with less Avoiding, less Passive Reacting, more Active Tackling, and more Seeking of Social Support. Passive Reacting emerged as a robust predictor of recovery. Seeking Social Support predicted bulimic symptomatology and global functioning. Building coping skills in eating disorder patients may start early in treatment and may make patients less vulnerable for relapse.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

ALSFRS-R.

The ALSFRS-R is an attractive primary outcome measure in clinical trials of ALS because it is validated, easy to administer, minimizes dropout, reduces cost, and correlates with survival. Unlike the other standard outcome measures currently employed, the ALSFRS-R is also a measure of global function.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

14-3-3 transits to the nucleus and participates in dynamic nucleocytoplasmic transport.

14-3-3 proteins regulate the cell cycle and prevent apoptosis by controlling the nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of signaling molecules with which they interact. Although the majority of 14-3-3 molecules are present in the cytoplasm, we show here that in the absence of bound ligands 14-3-3 homes to the nucleus. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of one important 14-3-3 binding molecule, the transcription factor FKHRL1, at the 14-3-3 binding site occurs within the nucleus immediately before FKHRL1 relocalization to the cytoplasm. We show that the leucine-rich region within the COOH-terminal alpha-helix of 14-3-3, which had been proposed to function as a nuclear export signal (NES), instead functions globally in ligand binding and does not directly mediate nuclear transport. Efficient nuclear export of FKHRL1 requires both intrinsic NES sequences within FKHRL1 and phosphorylation/14-3-3 binding. Finally, we present evidence that phosphorylation/14-3-3 binding may also prevent FKHRL1 nuclear reimport. These results indicate that 14-3-3 can mediate the relocalization of nuclear ligands by several mechanisms that ensure complete sequestration of the bound 14-3-3 complex in the cytoplasm.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Field-by-field evaluation of intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography interpretative skills.

A quality assurance system is essential for the credibility and structured growth of anaesthesiology-based transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) programmes. We have developed software (Q/A Kappa), involving a 400-line source code, capable of directly reporting kappa correlation coefficient values, using external reviewer interpretations as the 'gold standard', and thereby allowing systematic assessment of the validity of intraoperative echocardiographic interpretation. This paper presents assessment of the validity of 240 intraoperative anaesthesiologists' echocardiographic interpretations, and, in addition, the results of field testing of this prototypical software. Data, derived from consecutive cardiac surgery patients, consisted of standardized two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic, colour flow and Doppler imaging sequences. Intraoperative and off-line 'gold standard' TEE interpretations were compared for 19 fields or variables using the Q/A Kappa program. The kappa correlation coefficients were highly variable and dependent on the examination field, ranging from 0.08 for apical regional wall motion scores to 1.00 for tricuspid regurgitation grade, left atrial measurement, aortic valve anatomy and left ventricular long axis and short axis global function. The correlation coefficients were also operator dependent. These data (480 interpretations) were also manually integrated into the equation required for calculation of values of the variable kappa correlation coefficient. The relationship between Q/A Kappa-derived values and manually calculated values was highly significant (p < 0.001; r = 1.0). The implications and possible explanations of the results for particular examination fields are discussed. This study also demonstrates successful seamless functioning of this software program from data entry, segmentation into tables and valid statistical analysis. These findings suggest that it is practical to provide sophisticated continuous quality improvement TEE data on a routine basis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Bioinformation within the biofield: beyond bioelectromagnetics.

This review article extends previous scientific definitions of the biofield (endogenous energy fields of the body) to include nonclassical and quantum energy fields. The biofield is defined further in terms of its functional property to act as a resonance target for external forms of energy used as treatment modalities in energy medicine. The functional role of the biofield in the body's innate self-healing mechanisms is hypothesized, based on the concept of bioinformation which, mediated by consciousness, functions globally at the quantum level to supply coherence, phase, spin, and pattern information to regulate and heal all physiologic processes. This model is used to explain a wide variety of anomalies reported in the scientific literature, which can not be explained by traditional biophysics and bioelectromagnetics.

Consciousness↗

PubMed1997

Buspirone treatment of psychiatrically hospitalized prepubertal children with symptoms of anxiety and moderately severe aggression.

Open-label buspirone was studied in 25 prepubertal psychiatric inpatients (age 8.0 +/- 1.8 years, 76% boys) presenting with anxiety symptoms and moderately aggressive behavior. Patients with severe aggression, requiring rapid treatment with mood stabilizers or neuroleptics, were excluded. A 3-week titration (maximum 50 mg daily) preceded a 6-week maintenance phase at optimal dose. Buspirone was discontinued in 6 children (25%): 4 developed increased aggression and agitation, and 2 developed euphoric mania. For the 19 patients who completed the study, mean optimal dose was 28 mg daily. Among completers, depressive symptoms were reduced 52% by Week 6 on Children's Depression Inventory (p < or = 0.001). Decreased aggressivity was reflected in a 29% reduction on Measure of Aggression, Violence, and Rage in Children [MAVRIC] ratings (p < or = 0.02) and in 86% less time in seclusion or physical restraints (p < or = 0.02). Clinical Global Assessment scores improved (CGAS 41 vs. 54, p < or = 0.01). Only 3 children improved sufficiently to continue buspirone after the study. Residual aggressivity and global functioning remained problematic. Buspirone may pose behavioral risks in treating moderate aggressivity in 24% of children with anxiety; in the others, the therapeutic effects on aggression, anxiety, and depression were limited but significant.

Aggression↗

PubMed2006

A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of olanzapine in childhood/adolescent pervasive developmental disorder.

Atypical antipsychotics have been shown to improve disruptive and repetitive behaviors in pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), but they require assessment of potential side effects. This is the first placebo-controlled trial of olanzapine in the treatment of children and adolescents with PDD. Eleven patients with a diagnosis of either autism, Asperger's syndrome, or PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and aged 6-14 years were randomized into an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel treatment study with olanzapine. There was a significant linear trend x group interaction on the Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) and 50% on olanzapine versus 20% on placebo were responders. Olanzapine was associated with significant weight gain (7.5 +/- 4.8 lbs vs. 1.5 +/- 1.5 lbs on placebo). Olanzapine may be a promising treatment for improving global functioning of PDDs, but the risk of significant weight gain remains a concern. Additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of olanzapine in the treatment of children with PDD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The identification of pats1, a novel gene locus required for cytokinesis in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Here, we describe the identification and characterization of the cytokinesis-deficient mutant cell line 17HG5, which was generated in a restriction enzyme-mediated integration mutagenesis screen designed to isolate genes required for cytokinesis in Dictyostelium discoideum. Phenotypic characterization of the 17HG5 cell line revealed no apparent defects in the global functionality of the actomyosin cytoskeleton except for the observed cytokinesis defect when grown in suspension culture. Plasmid rescue was used to identify the disrupted gene locus (pats1; protein associated with the transduction of signal 1). that caused the cytokinesis defect. Disruption of the pats1 locus was recreated through homologous recombination in several independent cell lines, each recapitulating the cytokinesis-defective phenotype and thereby confirming that this gene locus is important for proper cytokinesis. Sequence data obtained by analysis of the genomic region flanking the inserted restriction enzyme-mediated integration plasmid revealed an 8892-bp genomic open reading frame encoding a 2964-amino-acid protein. The putative pats1 protein contains 3 regulatory domains (RI-phosphatase, RII-GTP-binding, R-III protein kinase), 13 leucine-rich repeats, and 8 WD-40 repeats. These regulatory domains coupled with the protein-protein interacting domains suggest that pats1 is involved in signal transduction during cytokinesis in Dictyostelium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Eligibility criteria for elderly mentally ill continuing-care National Health Service patients: are they being met and do they need revision?

BACKGROUND: in 1996, the British government directed health authorities to draw up local eligibility criteria for National Health Service continuing health care. OBJECTIVES: to examine whether elderly mentally ill continuing-care National Health Service patients fulfilled a variety of eligibility criteria for their placement, and to identify the characteristics of patients who met local eligibility criteria. DESIGN: descriptive study. SETTING: four continuing-care units for elderly mentally ill patients in and around London. SUBJECTS: 67 continuing-care inpatients. METHODS: interview with nurse carer and, where possible, the patient with the use of standard global, functional, behavioural and cognitive rating scales. We determined fulfillment of Royal College of Psychiatrists' guideline criteria and three local eligibility criteria for elderly mentally ill continuing care. We identified clinical differences between those eligible and ineligible. RESULTS: although there were wide variations between local eligibility criteria, their effects were the same. In total, 58% of patients fulfilled all local eligibility criteria; 42% fulfilled none. Patients who fulfilled local eligibility criteria scored much higher on ratings of aggression, activity disturbance (wandering, and purposeless and inappropriate activity) and paranoid and delusional ideation. Ten percent of patients fulfilled Royal College of Psychiatrists' criteria but not local eligibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: comprehensive and unambiguous national eligibility criteria should be introduced to reflect clinical needs and provide equity of access.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Treatment of ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction with milrinone or dobutamine administered during coronary artery stenosis in the presence of beta blockade in pigs.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the effects of phosphodiesterase type III (PDEIII) inhibition vs beta stimulation on global function of the left ventricle (LV) and systemic haemodynamics in a porcine model of acute coronary stenosis with beta blockade. METHODS: A total of 18 adult swine were anaesthetized. Micromanometer-tipped catheters were placed in the ascending aorta and LV. Two pairs of ultrasonic dimension transducers were placed in the subendocardium on the short axis proximal to a left anterior descending (LAD) artery occluder and the long axis of the LV. Before ischaemia, i.v. esmolol was infused to decrease baseline heart rate (HR) by approximately 25%, and all animals received an esmolol infusion (150 microg kg(-1) min(-1)). Ischaemia was produced by reducing the flow in the LAD artery by approximately 80%, from 17(4) to 3(2) ml min(-1). Animals were randomized to receive (after esmolol) one of the following: no drug, sham only (Group 1, n=6), control (C); 50 microg kg(-1) i.v. milrinone (Group 2, n=6) followed by 0.375 microg kg(-1) min(-1) (M); or incremental doses of dobutamine (Group 3, n=6) every 10 min (5, 10 and 20 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) (D). Left ventricular function data obtained included HR, arterial and LV pressures, cardiac output (CO), Emax and dP/dT. Measurements were taken during five time periods: before ischaemia (at baseline, after esmolol) and every 10 min during ischaemia (at 10, 20 and 30 min). RESULTS: The effects of beta blockade and ischaemia had a significant impact on contractility (Emax) in Group M and myocardial performance (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, LVEDP) in all groups. Left ventricular function (Emax, CO, LVEDP and SVR) was better preserved when milrinone was added in Group M. A moderate dose of dobutamine (10 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) increased CO. Only the high dose (20 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) improved contractility (Emax), but at the expense of increased SVR. Also, LVEDP with either dose of dobutamine remained high and unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: From our limited findings, it would appear that there may, theoretically, be some benefit for using milrinone in preference to other inotropic drugs in the presence of beta blockade. Milrinone administration should be considered in patients with acute ischaemic LV dysfunction and preexisting beta blockade before using other inotropic drugs such as beta stimulants.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed2001

New-onset incontinence and markers of frailty: data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence in older adults has many distinct etiologies and is associated with lower self-reported health. However, it is unclear whether the new onset of urinary incontinence marks newly emergent frailty. METHODS: Using a longitudinal population-based survey of older Mexican Americans (N = 2660) across five south-western states, this study compared the strength of association between markers of physical frailty such as activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and performance (timed walk, timed chair rise, and tandem balance) with baseline incontinence (prevalent disease) and new-onset incontinence (incident disease). RESULTS: We found that 14.1% of the participants (n = 329) were incontinent at baseline (prevalent cases) and 11.6% (n = 208) were newly incontinent 2 years later (incident cases). Controlling for other covariates, prevalent incontinence was only associated with a 60% increased risk of having difficulty walking 8 ft. Incident incontinence was associated with a twofold increased risk of impairment in ADLs and IADLs, and poor performance on all three physical measures. CONCLUSIONS: Incident incontinence is associated with an increased risk of more global functional impairment. Thus, incident disease may be an important early marker for signaling the onset of frailty among persons who become incontinent after the age of 65 years.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed1995

Reminiscence: a continuity theory framework.

The goal of this article is to provide theoretical underpinnings for reminiscence by reviewing and evaluating previous research, and integrating it within a theoretical framework. Using a continuity theory perspective (Atchley, 1989), propositions are generated which may facilitate reminiscence research across the life span. Three global functions of reminiscence are derived from continuity theory (private, social, and cognitive functions) and are used as a foundation for the creation of seven propositions.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Brief report: family-based group intervention for young siblings of children with chronic illness and developmental disability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a family-based group intervention for young siblings of children with chronic illness and developmental disability (CI/DD). METHODS: Forty-three healthy siblings (ages 4-7 years) of children with CI/DD and their parents participated in an intervention designed to address sibling challenges that cut across types of diagnostic conditions. The intervention consisted of six sessions of collateral and integrated sibling-parent groups. Measures of sibling knowledge, sibling sense of connectedness with other children in similar family circumstances, and sibling global functioning were collected before and after intervention. A subsample of 17 families completed a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Siblings' knowledge of the child's disorder and sibling connectedness increased significantly from pre- to posttreatment for both boys and girls, regardless of the nature of the brother or sister's condition. Sibling perceptions of self-competence increased from pre- to posttreatment, whereas parent reports of sibling behavioral functioning remained within the normal range. Improvements in sibling knowledge and connectedness maintained at follow-up. Parent satisfaction with the program was high. CONCLUSIONS: Results support more controlled evaluations of family-based intervention to improve young sibling adaptation to CI/DD.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

What is schizophrenic in acute and transient psychotic disorder?

Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) is supposed to differ from schizophrenia, but little research has been done on the subject. In a prospective longitudinal case control study we compared all inpatients with ATPD (ICD-10 F23) treated at Halle University Hospital during a 5-year period with matched controls with "positive" schizophrenia (PS) and with mentally healthy controls. Followup investigations were performed at a mean of 2.2 years after the index episode or 8.2 years after the first episode. Female preponderance in ATPD was marked (78.6%). ATPD and PS patients were similar to each other (but different from healthy controls) in the prevalence of a "broken home" situation and a family history for mental disorders. Compared with PS patients, ATPD patients showed better premorbid social adaptation, and they more often displayed rapidly changing symptoms in the index episode and a negative life event preceding the episode. Despite comparable relapse rates, at followup ATPD patients showed better social adaptation, less psychological impairment, and better global functioning than PS patients. These data support the delineation of ATPD from schizophrenia.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

Improved alignment of weakly homologous protein sequences using structural information.

Protein sequence alignments can be improved when at least one of the proteins to be aligned has a known 3-D structure. In this work, geometrical constraints extracted from the target fold are evaluated in independent units that deal with complementary structural features. This information is used to set up mutation tables specific to the locally observed structural environments. The resulting partial evaluations are then combined linearly into a global function which is optimized by dynamic programming. Eventually, a score based on tertiary interactions can be used as a selection criterion to discriminate among a set of suboptimal alignments. The relevance of the scores given by each unit is tested on a representative set of protein families. Finally, a method for combining the different scores is described and its efficiency is evaluated on a few pairs of weakly homologous proteins.

Algorithms↗