bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical research in systems engineering: challenges and opportunities of a new frontier
Authors: Valerdi Ricardo , Davidz Heidi L.
Published: September 2008

This paper aims to advance the pedagogy of systems engineering by identifying opportunities and challenges in empirical research in the field. After an introduction to how empirical research could be further utilized in systems engineering, this paper discusses challenges faced when conducting empirical research in the field, threats to validity associated with systems engineering data collection, and considerations for empirical mixed‐methods research. Two recently completed systems engineering empirical studies are used to illustrate specific examples. Finally, suggestions are given on how a professional society might provide additional support for researchers completing empirical research in systems engineering. The overarching goal of this paper is to describe how the increased use of empirical methods can be used to enrich the quality of research results which will in turn enhance the position of systems engineering as a widely recognized academic field. It is proposed that utilizing well‐grounded, valid theory will improve understanding of systems engineering phenomena and advance the maturity of the field. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Conflict Resolution: Practical Principles for Surgeons
Authors: Lee Liz , Berger David H. , Awad Samir S. , Brandt Mary L. , Martinez George , Brunicardi F. Charles
Published: September 2008

Historically, surgeons have had little formal training in conflict resolution; however, there has been an increasing body of evidence that poor conflict resolution skills may have an adverse impact on patient outcomes and career advancement. Furthermore, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has recognized the importance of conflict resolution skills in resident training by mandating the training of communication skills and professionalism. These skills have often been taught in other professions, and surgeons may need to acquaint themselves with the literature from those fields. Conflict resolution techniques such as the 7‐step model or principle‐based conflict resolution can be applied to conflict in the operating room, wards, and among colleagues. We propose a model for conflict resolution by using the basic tools of the history and physical exam, a process well known to all physicians.
Comparison of Naproxen with Placebo for the Management of Noncyclical Breast Pain: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Kaviani A. , Mehrdad N. , Najafi M. , Hashemi E. S. , Yunesian M. , Ebrahimi M. , Hooshmand H. , Izadi S.
Published: September 2008

Background

Breast pain is a common symptom in patients attending breast clinics. Although most patients experience mastalgia of mild to moderate severity, approximately 15% of patients suffer from severe pain that causes significant distress and some disturbance in their daily life that lead them to seek treatment. Despite a considerable number of drugs suggested for decreasing the severity of mastalgia, there is no standard treatment for the complaint. In this study, we investigated the effect of naproxen on reducing the complaint of breast pain compared with placebo.

Methods

Eighty‐one women suffering from noncyclic breast pain were recruited to a randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial between January 2002 and September 2004. All patients were suffering from this complaint for at least 3 months before the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the case group received naproxen 250 mg BD. Patients in the placebo group took placebo in a similar manner. The intensity of mastalgia was assessed before and twice after intervention by using a Visual Analogue Scale.

Results

Forty‐two of 81 patients were recruited randomly as cases and the remaining 39 were assigned placebo. Of these 24 and 22 patients fulfilled the study protocol respectively. The mean age of patients was 35 (SD = 7.5; range, 19–55) years. The mean pain severity at the beginning of the study was 5.8 and 6.1 in naproxen and placebo groups, respectively. The severity of pain was decreased significantly at the end of the study in both groups (3.9 in patients and 3.7 in controls (P = 0.005 and 0.0001)). Although the decrease in pain severity in each individual group was statistically significant, it was not significant compared with one another (P = 0.64).

Conclusions

Breast pain is a complex symptom that can be relieved significantly with reassurance. According to the result of this study, naproxen has no superiority over placebo in reducing noncyclic breast pain.
Preventive Antireflux Surgery in Patients with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Chamond Caroline , Morineau Marianne , Gouizi Ghania , Bargy Frederic , Beaudoin Sylvie
Published: September 2008

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and the optimal management in these patients is not well established. The aim of this study was to assess whether a preventive fundoplication performed during the first surgery will improve GER and nutritional morbidity in patients with a left CDH.

Methods

Thus we studied one group of 17 patients treated with a one‐step antireflux procedure (group A) and a group of 19 patients with only initial diaphragmatic repair (group B) between January 1994 and December 2004. The patients were classified in three stages, mild intermediate and severe form, based on anatomic criteria (liver position and patch requirement). Most of the patients with the severe form of disease were in group A. Clinical charts were compared between the two groups with a mean follow‐up of 3 years.

Results

For patients with intra‐abdominal liver and direct diaphragmatic closure, the duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in group A than in group B (p = 0.08). The incidence of GER was significantly lower in group A (17.6%) than in group B (52.6%) at 1‐year follow‐up (p < 0.5). In the last group, 30% required a fundoplication before 6 months. Seven patients (19%) required intermittent nutritional supplementation via nasogastric tube feeding; for these patients there was no difference between the two groups. A gastrostomy was performed in only one patient. Twelve percent of patients had growth retardation during most of their first year, again with no difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Based on the published data, recommendations can be made regarding the efficacy of adding an antireflux surgery procedure to left CDH repair in only patients with intrathoracic liver and/or patch requirement.
Routine Suction of Intercostal Drains Is Not Necessary After Lobectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Prokakis Christos , Koletsis Efstratios N. , Apostolakis Efstratios , Panagopoulos Nikolaos , Kouki Hellen Stamou , Sakellaropoulos George C. , Filos Kriton , Dougenis Dimitrios V.
Published: September 2008

Background

The decision to proceed to simple underwater seal drainage or apply active suction to the underwater seal after lung resection is mostly based on surgeon preference. The purpose of this study was to test whether routine application of active suction is necessary after lobectomy.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted in the Patras University Hospital. Ninety‐one patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy for lung cancer and met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. Group I included 47 patients and group II had 44 patients. The two groups were comparable. At the end of surgical procedure patients were randomly assigned to receive −15 to −20 cm H2O active suction applied to the underwater seal drainage (group I) or simple underwater seal drainage (group II). The primary end point was the time elapsed between placement and removal of drains.

Results

No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time elapsed between the removal of chest drains, mortality, morbidity, adequacy of drainage system, and postoperative hospital stay. Suction applied to the underwater seal to re‐expand the lung succeeded in 3 of 10 cases of persistent pneumothorax in group II. Discontinuing suction in 7 patients with persistent air leak in group I resulted in leak resolution in 4 patients.

Conclusions

Routine application of active drain suction to the underwater seal is not necessary after lobectomy. However, it could be useful in persistent pneumothorax with sufficient air entry in the lung and clear airways. It is of no help in persistent air leaks when the lung is expanded.
Foamability of Detergent Solutions Prepared with Different Types of Surfactants and Waters
Authors: Amaral Maria Helena , das Neves José , Oliveira Ângela Z. , Bahia M. Fernanda
Published: September 2008

In the development of new detergent products, it is important to test the foaming behavior of different types of surfactants. Different types and concentrations of surfactant solutions prepared with three types of water are expected to present differences in their foamability. In this study, foam volumes produced by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB; C19H42BrN), Tween 80® (T80; C64H124O26) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS; C12H25NaO4S) aqueous solutions (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%, w/v) were compared using a stirring system, rotating at 8,000, 9,500 and 13,500 rpm. The foamability produced by CTAB, SDS and T80 solutions, in a concentration range between 0.2 and 1.0% (w/v), prepared using deionized, hard and hypersaline water were also compared. Foam volumes were higher at a stirring speed of 9,500 rpm than at 8,000 rpm. However, the results obtained at 9,500 and 13,500 rpm were not significantly different. In general, SDS solutions produced higher foam volumes than CTAB and T80 solutions. Water characteristics did not seem to influence significantly the foamability of the three types of surfactants in the studied concentrations. These studies related with foaming behavior appear to be an important step in the pre‐formulation of detergent products, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceutics.
CCN3: Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde
Authors: Perbal Bernard
Published: September 2008

CCN proteins are key regulators of signaling pathways that are essential for the control of normal life, from birth to death. As such, they make use of their unique mosaic structure to interact with several other regulatory proteins and ligands that control the fate of living cells. The various functions attributed to the CCN proteins may sometimes appear contradictory, but this situation reflects the complexity of the multimolecular scaffolds in which CCN proteins are engaged and the critical impact of the microenvironment that dictates the bioavailability of the elementary building blocks. CCN3 is one of the best examples of a CCN protein showing biological properties which may at first glance appear opposite or contradictory. Indeed, CCN3 acts both as a tumor suppressor and is associated with higher metastatic potential. Furthermore, the physical interaction of CCN3 with VEGF and its potential antiangionenic activity in glioma cells are in apparent contradiction with its proangiogenic activity in rabbit cornea. In this communication, I am revisiting the observations that led us to these apparent contradictions. After pointing out how the methodologies that were employed might have contributed to the confusion, I briefly discuss the dual biological activities of CCN3 in the context of tumor cell engineering and survival prognosis.
Enhanced negative feedback sensitivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic myogenous facial pain⋆
Authors: Galli Ursula , Gaab Jens , Ettlin Dominik A. , Ruggia Fidel , Ehlert Ulrike , Palla Sandro
Published: September 2008

Dysregulations of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, as a physiological substrate of stress, have been observed in patients with different stress‐related and chronic pain disorders. In this study, we investigated possible dysregulations of the HPA axis in patients with masticatory muscles pain. In 20 patients with myogenous facial pain and 20 healthy controls, awakening cortisol responses, i.e. cortisol rise in the first hour after awakening, as well as a short circadian free cortisol profile, i.e. four cortisol samples over 12h during the day, were assessed before and after administration of 0.5mg dexamethasone. Results: In comparison to controls, chronic myogenous facial pain patients showed enhanced and prolonged suppression of cortisol after the administration of 0.5mg dexamethasone. Unstimulated cortisol response (before dexamethasone‐intake) to awakening and cortisol levels during the day did not differ between the groups. Dysregulation in terms of enhanced negative feedback suppression exists in chronic myogenous facial pain. These results are in line with a multifactorial etiology of chronic facial pain, shifting the perspective away from a local towards a more central etiology with dysregulations in the stress and pain modulating system.
Scintigraphic findings in 120 hyperthyroid cats
Authors: Harvey Andrea M. , Hibbert Angie , Barrett Esther L. , Day Michael J. , Quiggin Anna V. , Brannan Rachael M. , Caney Sarah M.A.
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to characterise the scintigraphic findings in a large population of hyperthyroid cats in order to determine the location of thyroid pathology in newly diagnosed hyperthyroid cats and those that had previously undergone thyroidectomy. A specific aim was to identify the proportion of cats with ectopic hyperfunctional thyroid tissue and characterise the scintigraphic and clinical features of this subset of cats. Nearly one in five hyperthyroid cats was identified to have multiple areas of hyperfunctional thyroid tissue and/or intrathoracic hyperfunctional thyroid tissue where surgical thyroidectomy would not be curative. In addition, this study demonstrated that scintigraphy cannot reliably distinguish between thyroid carcinoma and adenoma. Owners should always be warned about the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue before thyroidectomy is performed. In this study, intrathoracic hyperfunctional thyroid tissue and multiple areas of increased radionuclide uptake (IRU) were a common feature of benign thyroid disease and responded well to treatment with low dose radioiodine.
Oxidative stress and innate immunity in feline patients with diabetes mellitus: The role of nutrition
Authors: Webb Craig B. , Falkowski Lauren
Published: September 2008

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress is increased and neutrophil function is decreased in cats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Measures of oxidative stress and neutrophil function were evaluated in 20 control and 15 diabetic cats. Cats were then fed a diet designed specifically for feline diabetics (Purina DM Dietetic Management Feline Formula) for 8 weeks, after which all assays were repeated. Cats with DM had significantly less plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) than control cats, consistent with a greater degree of oxidative stress in the DM group. Following 8 weeks of consuming a diabetes-specific diet glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme increased significantly in both groups. Other parameters of oxidative stress, as well as neutrophil function, were similar between groups and did not change following dietary intervention. The DM cats were significantly older and heavier than the control cats, which may have contributed to differences in parameters of oxidative stress and levels of antioxidant enzymes between these groups, but the decreased level of SOD enzyme in the diabetic group would appear to support the continued development of targeted antioxidant supplementation for this cats with this disease.
Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies
Authors: Carney A. Simon , Timms Michael S. , Marnane Connor N. , Krishnan Suren , Rees Guy , Mirza Showkat
Published: September 2008

Objective

To review the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of upper aero‐digestive tract malignancies and to compare length of procedures using coblation with CO2 laser surgery.

Study Design and Setting

A retrospective case‐note review of 40 adult patients with endoscopically treated mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 20 having undergone resection using radiofrequency coblation and being case‐matched to 20 treated with CO2 laser.

Results

Coblation proved to be an effective method for resection of selected head and neck malignancies. It allows for much faster resection times than the CO2 laser (P = 0.017) especially in the oropharynx (P = 0.007), but the large probes currently available can cause problems in assessment of adequate resection margins.

Conclusions

Although current probe design limits the potential for resection of some tumors, radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive evolving technique for the endoscopic resection of selected upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.
Does the surgical approach in cochlear implantation influence the occurrence of postoperative vertigo?
Authors: Todt Ingo , Basta Dietmar , Ernst Arne
Published: September 2008

Objective

To investigate the impact of different cochleostomy techniques on vestibular receptor integrity and vertigo after cochlear implantation.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Subjects

A total of 62 patients (17 to 84 years of age) underwent implantation via an anterior or round window insertion approach.

Methods

Two groups of cochlear implant patients were compared with respect to their pre‐ and postoperative vestibular function and the occurrence of postoperative vertigo. The data were related to the different cochleostomy techniques. The patients were tested by a questionnaire (dizziness handicap inventory, DIH), caloric irrigation (vestibulo‐ocular reflex, VOR) for the function of the lateral SCC and by vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) recordings for saccular function. RESULTS: Significant differences of postoperative VEMP responses (50% vs 13%) and electromystagmography (ENG) results (42.9% vs 9.4%) were found with respect to the 2 different insertion techniques. The number of patients with vertigo after the surgery as evidenced by DHI (23% vs 12.5%) was significantly different.

Conclusion

The used round window approach for electrode insertion should be preferred to decrease the risk of loss of vestibular function and the occurrence of vertigo.
Esophagopharyngeal reflux
Authors: Belafsky Peter C. , Rees Catherine J. , Rodriguez Kimsey , Pryor Jan S. , Katz Philip O.
Published: September 2008

Objective

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is the disorder caused by the regurgitation of gastric contents into the laryngopharynx. Many persons diagnosed with LPR who fail medical therapy regurgitate contents from the proximal esophagus into the laryngopharynx (esophagopharyngeal reflux or EPR) on cinefluoroscopy.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Subjects and Methods

The charts of consecutive adult patients with findings of EPR on cinefluoroscopy were reviewed.

Results

Twenty patients met the diagnostic criteria for EPR (mean age, 50 years of age; 60% female). Most common symptoms were cough (40%), dysphagia (35%), dysphonia (25%), and chronic throat clearing (25%). Eighty‐five percent had a prior diagnosis of acid reflux disease (LPR or GER) and were unsuccessfully treated with proton pump inhibitors and/or anti‐reflux surgery; 15% had fluoroscopic oropharyngeal abnormalities; all patients had fluoroscopic esophageal abnormalities.

Conclusion

EPR is characterized by regurgitation of proximal esophageal contents into the laryngopharynx. The symptoms are similar to LPR. EPR appears to be caused by a disorder of volume clearance and esophageal dysmotility not acid and peptic injury.
Preoperative FDG‐PET imaging to assess the malignant potential of follicular neoplasms of the thyroid
Authors: Smith Russell B. , Robinson Robert A. , Hoffman Henry T. , Graham Michael M.
Published: September 2008

Objective

When a fine needle aspiration biopsy of a thyroid nodule suggests follicular neoplasm, surgery is required for diagnosis. Establishing the diagnosis preoperatively would allow the patient to undergo the appropriate initial thyroidectomy. Preoper‐ative [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) imaging may be able to determine malignancy in follicular neoplasms.

Study Design

Prospective cases series.

Subjects and Methods

Twenty‐three patients with a diagnosis of follicular neoplasm underwent presurgical FDG‐PET at 60, 90, and 120 minutes after injection of fluorodeoxyglucose (F18). Thyroidectomy was performed with comparison of the histopathologic results with the FDG‐PET results.

Results

There were 5 malignant conditions and 18 benign conditions identified with the standard uptake valve (SUV) ranging from 0.9 to 44.8. The follicular thyroid cancers that exhibited only capsular invasion had an average SUV of 3.1, whereas those with vascular invasion had an average SUV of 39.9. The SUV increased in 80% of the malignant cases but in only 50% of the benign cases.

Conclusion

Despite certain patterns being suggestive of malignancy, FDG‐PET can not consistently predict the malignant potential of a follicular neoplasm.
Hypothyroidism following partial thyroidectomy
Authors: Vaiman Michael , Nagibin Andrey , Hagag Philippe , Kessler Alex , Gavriel Haim
Published: September 2008

Objective

To compare rates of hypothyroidism following three types of partial thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter.

Study Design and Methods

All cases of partial thy‐roidectomies (hemi‐, near‐total, or subtotal) carried out at one Israeli and one Russian medical center (1990–2006) were retrospectively studied to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism after each procedure.

Results

There were 881 near‐total, 1538 subtotal, and 1051 hemithyroidectomies (total 3470). Postoperative follow‐up was 2 to 15 years. Twenty‐eight percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered permanent hypothyroidism compared to 100% of the near‐total and 87% of the subtotal patients. Forty‐six percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered temporary hypothyroid‐ism compared to 100% of the near‐total and 93% of the subtotal patients.

Conclusion

Subtotal and near‐total thyroidectomies produced a rate of hypothyroidism close to that of total thyroidectomy compared to 28% after hemithyroidectomy.

Significance

Partial thyroidectomies provide no decisive advantage over total thyroidectomies in terms of subsequent requirements of supplemental hormone therapy.
Medical decision analysis: Indications for tympanostomy tubes in RAOM by age at first episode
Authors: Higgins Thomas S. , McCabe Steven J. , Bumpous Jeffrey M. , Martinez Serge
Published: September 2008

Objective

To compare utility estimates between tympanostomy tubes (TT) and short‐courses of antibiotics in children with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) stratified by age at first episode.

Study Design and Setting

Formal decision analysis.

Results

The model recommended TT sooner in children with a history of a first episode of AOM occurring early in life. In children over 12 months old at onset, TT were recommended with seven episodes in 24 months, five episodes in 12 months, and three episodes in six months. In children under six months old at onset, TT were recommended with three episodes in 24 months and two episodes in a six‐month or 12‐month time span.

Conclusions

Earlier TT may be indicated in children who developed a first episode of AOM at a very young age because of the higher risk of AOM recurrence.

Significance

This study is the first formal decision analysis to compare tympanostomy tubes and short‐courses of antibiotics stratified by age at onset of the first AOM episode.
Radiation carotid blowout syndrome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Angiographic features and endovascular management
Authors: Luo Chao‐Bao , Teng Michael Mu‐Huo , Chang Feng‐Chi , Chang Cheng‐Yen , Guo Wan‐You
Published: September 2008

Objective

To report clinical manifestations, angiographic features, and outcomes of endovascular management in 14 patients with 15 radiation carotid blowout syndromes of nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

Study Design and Subjects

Retrospective chart review of 14 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas (mean age 49 years) with 15 radiation carotid blowout syndromes who had undergone endovascular embolization to manage oronasal bleeding in the past 10 years.

Results

Average radiation dose to affected carotid artery was 73 gray units (latent period: 33 months). Radiation carotid blowout syndrome was detected in internal (n = 10), external (n = 4), or common carotid artery (n = 1). Detachable balloons were used in 11 affecting arteries for vascular occlusion; 4 were treated by liquid adhesives or coil. Endovascular treatment was successful in all 15 radiation carotid blowout syndromes with cessation of hemorrhage. One patient had hemiparesis after embolization. Mean clinical follow‐up was 21 months.

Conclusion

Radiation carotid blowout syndrome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma may occur in various periods or arteries. Endovascular embolization provides both safe and effective management.
Socioeconomic factors in the diagnosis of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Wise Sarah K. , Ghegan Mark D. , Gorham Edward , Schlosser Rodney J.
Published: September 2008

Objectives

1) To investigate socioeconomic and demographic factors differentiating allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) from other chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) diagnostic groups. 2) To consider the potential impact of epidemiological differences on AFRS disease course.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Study Methods

Retrospective review of AFRS patients, CRS patients with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) without AFRS, and CRS patients without polyps (CRSsNP). Analysis of group differences was performed for age at presentation, gender, ethnicity, insurance status, and socioeconomic measures with the use of medical records and a South Carolina demographic database.

Results

AFRS presentation age was lower than CRSwNP and CRSsNP (P < 0.001). The AFRS group had more African Americans (P < 0.001) and uninsured or Medicaid patients (P < 0.001) than expected. AFRS patients resided in counties with higher poverty percentage (P = 0.011), lower median income (P = 0.048), and more African American residents (P = 0.020) than CRSsNP patients. No group differences existed for gender or physicians per 1000 county residents.

Conclusion

Demographic and socioeconomic factors may affect AFRS presentation and treatment.
Etoricoxib for pain management during thyroid surgery–a prospective, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Smirnov Grigori , Terävä Markku , Tuomilehto Henri , Hujala Kimmo , Seppänen Marjatta , Kokki Hannu
Published: September 2008

Objective

To assess the efficacy of etoricoxib in pain treatment during thyroid surgery.

Design

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial.

Setting

A secondary‐level central hospital in Finland.

Patients

Sixty‐nine consecutive patients (59 women) aged 18 to 70 years who underwent thyroid surgery.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to receive etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 34) or placebo (n = 35) by mouth 60 minutes before surgery. After surgery oxycodone 2 mg administered intravenously was provided for rescue analgesia.

Main Outcome Measures

Oxycodone consumption during the first 6 (primary) and the 7 to 24 hours (secondary) after surgery.

Results

During the first 6 hours, all patients in the placebo group and 31 of 34 patients in the etoricoxib group were given oxycodone for rescue analgesia (P = 0.072). In the 7 to 24 postsurgical hours, 25 of 35 patients in the placebo group versus 16 of 34 patients in the etoricoxib group needed rescue analgesics (mean difference 24%, 95% CI −1 to 47%, P = 0.039).

Conclusion

Etoricoxib 120 mg reduced pain in the 7 to 24 postsurgical time period but did not have opioid‐sparing effect during the first 6 hours after surgery.
Appreciation of David Southgate
Authors: Cummings John H
Published: September 2008

David Southgate will always be known for his work on the composition of foods and the compilation of food tables, and for his innovation in the field of dietary carbohydrate analysis, especially dietary fibre, in which he was the natural heir to McCance and Widdowson, with whom he worked in his early years.
Strange brew: Global, regional and local factors behind the 1690 prohibition of Christian practice in Nguyễn Cochinchina
Authors: Cooke Nola
Published: September 2008

In 1690, the previously sympathetic Nguyễn ruler of Cochinchina (located in south-central modern Vietnam) prohibited Christian religious practice in his state. Uniquely in the history of Catholicism in early modern Vietnam, however, the ban did not lead to a persecution of believers. The following article, based extensively on archival materials from the Missions-Étrangères of Paris, historicises this event and the steps leading up to it in 1688–89. It argues that to understand what was happening on the ground in Cochinchina, and why, we need to analyse the way global and regional factors intersected with local, and even personal, ones to cause a prohibition of Christian practice in early 1690, an event for which internal Catholic dissention was almost entirely responsible.
Contextualising fisheries policy in the Lower Mekong Basin
Authors: Bush Simon R.
Published: September 2008

Development policies for fishery resources within the Mekong River Basin are increasingly divided between aquaculture and capture fisheries. The modern production orientation of aquaculture has been adopted by government and NGOs and justified by the rhetoric of poverty alleviation and rural development. In contrast, capture fisheries has been subjugated as an activity that reaffirms the dependency of the rural poor on natural resources. This paper critically analyses the division between aquaculture and capture fisheries in Cambodia, Thailand and Lao PDR by tracing the emergence and influence of ‘development narratives’ used to justify contemporary policy and practice.
Reconfiguring rural spaces and remaking rural lives in central Thailand
Authors: Rigg Jonathan , Veeravongs Suriya , Veeravongs Lalida , Rohitarachoon Piyawadee
Published: September 2008

Drawing on fieldwork in the central plains of Thailand, the paper traces the transformation of the study villages from agricultural communities, to divided and often fractious dormitory settlements. Agriculture has been largely squeezed out of the local economy and local livelihoods by a raft of economic, environmental and social changes. At the same time, the rural spaces of Thailand have been infiltrated by a range of non-agricultural activities – in this instance, reflected in the arrival of an industrial park – and villagers as well as migrant sojourners from other parts of Thailand have taken up these new opportunities in the non-farm economy. The net result of these processes of agrarian transformation has been that the village, as a community, a unit of production, a site of identity, and a place with a common history, is evaporating.
How the parts relate to the whole: Frequency effects on children's interpretations of novel compounds
Authors: KROTT ANDREA , GAGNÉ CHRISTINA L. , NICOLADIS ELENA
Published: September 2008

This study explores different frequency effects on children's interpretations of novel noun–noun compounds (e.g.egg bagas ‘bag FOR eggs’). We investigated whether four- to five-year-olds and adults use their knowledge of related compounds and their modifier–head relations (e.g.sandwich bag (FOR) oregg white (PART-OF)) when explaining the meaning of novel compounds and/or whether they are affected by overall frequency of modifier–head relations in their vocabulary. Children's interpretations were affected by their experience with relations in compounds with the same head, but not by overall relation frequency. Adults' interpretations were affected by their experience with relations in compounds with the same modifier, suggesting that children and adults use similar but different knowledge to interpret compounds. Furthermore, only children's interpretations revealed an overuse of visually perceivable relations.
Impact of Giardia Intestinalis on Vitamin A Status in Schoolchildren from Northwest Mexico
Authors: Quihui-Cota  , Astiazarán-García  , Valencia  , Morales-Figueroa  , Lopez-Mata  , Vazquez Ortiz
Published: September 2008

We conducted a cross-sectional study in northwest Mexico in order to investigate the association between giardiasis and serum vitamin A in 40 Giardia-infected and 70 Giardia-free schoolchildren who were covered by a regional school breakfast program. There were no significant differences in age, Z-scores for nutritional indices of height for age, weight for age, or weight for height, socioeconomic conditions (employment and education of the parents, household conditions, sanitation facilities, type of drinking water, and family income), and mean daily intakes of vitamin A in the Giardia-free (899 ± 887 μg) and the Giardia-infected (711 ± 433 μg) groups. A higher concentration of serum retinol was found in the Giardia-free group than in the Giardia-infected group (0.75 μmol/L versus 0.61 μmol/L, respectively; p < 0.0001). Giardia-infected children were more likely to be vitamin A-deficient than the Giardia-free children (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.2–8.5). Although 95% of the children met the daily-recommended intakes of vitamin A, half of them showed subclinical vitamin A deficiency. It is recognized that vitamin A deficiency is multifactorial and giardiasis was a factor significantly associated with this deficiency in this study. Mexican program developers and policymakers should be aware about the distinction between dietary deficiencies and deficiency diseases when current national program strategies for parasitic control and vitamin A supplementation are redesigned.
Vitamin B6 Deficiency can Reduce Fuel Storage and Utilization in Physically Trained Rats
Authors: Choi  , Cho
Published: September 2008

This study investigated the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the utilization and recuperation of stored fuel in physically trained rats. 48 rats were given either vitamin B6-deficient (B6–) diet or control (B6+) diet for 4 weeks and were trained on treadmill for 30 minutes daily. All animals were then subdivided into 3 groups: before-exercise (BE); during-exercise (DE); after-exercise (AE). The DE group was exercised on treadmill for 1 hour just before being sacrificed. Animals in the AE group were allowed to take a rest for 2 hours after being exercised like the DE group. Glucose and free fatty acids were compared in plasma. Glycogen and triglyceride were compared in liver and skeletal muscle. Protein levels were compared in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle. Compared with the B6+ group, plasma glucose levels of the B6– group were significantly lower before and after exercise. Muscle glycogen levels of the B6– group were significantly lower than those of the B6+ group regardless of exercise. The liver glycogen level of the B6– group was also significantly lower than that of B6+ group during and after exercise. Before exercise, plasma free fatty acid levels were not significantly different between the B6+ and B6– groups, and plasma free fatty acid levels of the B6– group were significantly lower during and after exercise. The muscle triglyceride level of the B6– group was significantly lower than that of the B6+ group before exercise, and there were no differences between B6+ and B6– groups during and after exercise. Liver triglyceride levels were not significantly different between B6+ and B6– groups. Plasma protein levels of the B6– group were lower than those of B6+ before and after exercise. Muscle protein levels of the B6– group were not significantly different from those of the B6+ group. Liver protein levels of the B6– group were significantly lower than that of the B6+ group after exercise. Liver protein levels of both B6+ and B6– groups were not significantly changed, regardless of exercise. Thus, it is suggested that vitamin B6 deficiency may reduce fuel storage and utilization with exercise in physically trained rats.
Bakterielle Arthritis? Gonokokken-Infektion trotz negativen Kulturen
Authors: Saur M. , Distler O. , Müller N.
Published: September 2008

Die klinischen Zeichen einer Arthritis erlauben keine sichere Diagnose. Deshalb sollte ein akut schmerzhaftes Gelenk mit unklarem Erguss immer mittels Punktion abgeklärt werden. Ein entzündlicher Gelenkserguss lässt sich in die Kategorien Kristallarthropathie, rheumatologische Erkrankung und septische Arthritis unterteilen. Eine bakterielle Infektion muss aktiv gesucht werden und lässt sich nicht immer zuverlässig mittels Blut-, Punktatkultur und Gram-Präparat diagnostizieren. Bei Infektionen durch Gonokokken, Mykobakterien und Borrelien oder bei einer mit Antibiotika anbehandelten Nicht-Gonokokken-Arthritis kann eine gezielte Suche mittels DNA-Amplifikation hilfreich sein. Bei einer klinischen Präsentation mit Tendovaginitis, Polyarthralgien und kleinen Hautläsionen an den Extremitäten muss differentialdiagnostisch an eine disseminierte Gonokokken-Infektion (DGI) gedacht werden. Anhand eines Fallbeispieles wird das klinische Bild, die Abklärung und die Therapie der disseminierten Gonokokken-Infektion besprochen.
«Ein jeder ist sein eigener Gesundheitsmanager!» – Der Risikodiskurs in der HIV/Aids-Prävention der BRD
Authors: Küppers C.
Published: September 2008

Vorgestellt werden einige Ergebnisse einer Wissenssoziologischen Diskursanalyse der HIV/Aids-Prävention der BRD, die im Rahmen einer Magisterarbeit im Fach Historische Anthropologie durchgeführt wurde. Im Zentrum des Artikels steht der Risikodiskurs, der sich in den Präventionsbotschaften von DAH und BZgA manifestiert. Hierbei wird die Darstellung von Risikosituationen in Abgrenzung zur Konstruktion von Risikogruppen anhand der Präventionsbotschaften nachvollzogen. Ferner wird betrachtet, wie sich die Präventionsstrategien bezüglich des Umgangs mit Risikosituationen im Laufe von 25 Jahren Präventionsarbeit verändert haben.
Arzneitherapie bei älteren Menschen
Authors: Hach I. , Kirch W.
Published: September 2008

Welche grundsätzlichen Veränderungen der Pharmakokinetik sind bei alten Menschen zu beachten? Warum gestaltet sich die Dosisanpassung bei älteren Menschen oft schwierig? Warum ist die Durchführung klinischer Studien zur Erprobung von Medikamenten bei alten Menschen notwendig? Warum ist das anticholinerge Syndrom für ältere Menschen besonders gefährlich? Welche Arzneimittel bzw. Medikamentengruppen sollten im Alter nach Möglichkeit nicht verordnet werden? Nach welchen Grundregeln sollte die Arzneitherapie im Alter erfolgen?
Gesunde Skepsis tut Not oder: wenn das Spiral-CT in falscher Sicherheit wiegt...
Authors: Hurni E. , Bürgi U. , Oestmann A.
Published: September 2008

Wir beschreiben den Fall einer 72-jährigen Patientin mit einer zunehmenden Anstrengungsdyspnoe und thorakalen Druckschmerzen bei bekanntem metastasierendem Mammakarzinom. Die Diagnose multipler Lungenembolien konnte bei mittlerer Vortestwahrscheinlichkeit (Wells-Score) nach sowohl negativer Spiral-Computertomographie als auch negativer Duplexsonographie der Beinvenen mittels Lungenszintigraphie gestellt werden. Dieser Fall macht deutlich, dass ein diagnostisches Vorgehen selbst nach Anwendung verbreiteter Algorithmen nicht immer zur richtigen Diagnose führt und bei erhöhter Vortestwahrscheinlichkeit im Zweifelsfalle weitere Abklärungen folgen sollten.
Outcome Monitoring in Preterm Populations
Authors: Johnson Samantha , Wolke Dieter , Marlow Neil
Published: September 2008

Routine neurodevelopmental follow-up is crucial in high-risk populations, such as those born very preterm. Even in the absence of severe neurosensory impairment, very preterm children are at risk for a range of long-term cognitive, motor, and learning deficits. Infant developmental assessments are typically carried out at 2 years of age for both clinical and research purposes, and they are crucial for outcome monitoring. We review psychometric tests of infant developmental functioning most widely used as outcome measures for very preterm infants and other high-risk populations. We also consider parent-based assessments and methodological issues pertaining to the use of these tools in large-scale research studies and in outcome monitoring in this population.
Human Motor Behavior
Authors: Einspieler Christa , Marschik Peter B. , Prechtl Heinz F.R.
Published: September 2008

The spontaneous movements of the newborn infant have a long prenatal history. From 8 weeks postmenstrual age onward the fetus moves in distinct motor patterns. There is no period of amorphic and random movements. The patterns are easily recognizable, as all of them can be seen after birth. The human neonate demonstrates a continuum of motor patterns from prenatal to early postnatal life. Around the 3rd month a major transformation of motor and sensory patterns occurs. This makes the infant more fit to meet the requirements of the extra-uterine environment. The developmental course of spontaneous movements during the first 20 weeks postterm age shows the emergence and disappearance of various movement patterns. The so-called general movements deserve special interest as they are in their altered quality a most reliable indicator of brain (dys)function with a specific prediction of later developing cerebral palsy.
The ET 6–6
Authors: Macha Thorsten , Petermann Franz
Published: September 2008

The ET 6–6 presents a procedure for the assessment of a developmental status in children from 6 months to 6 years of age that uses experimentally based test tasks for a great variety of developmental skills. The results are shown in a multidimensional and age-specific profile. The instrument has been standardized by testing 950 children.
Associations Between Key Language-Related Measures in Typically Developing School-Age Children
Authors: Archibald Lisa M.D. , Joanisse Marc F. , Shepherd Melany
Published: September 2008

Three measures have been found to be predictive of developmental language impairment: nonword repetition, the production of English past tense, and categorical speech perception. Despite this, direct comparisons of these tasks have been limited. The present study explored the associations between these measures and other language and cognitive skills in an unselected group of 100 children aged 6 to 11 years. The children completed standardized tests of nonverbal ability, receptive language, and reading, as well as nonword repetition, past tense production, and categorical speech perception tasks. Nonword repetition and past tense were highly correlated. Variance in nonword repetition was explained additionally by digit recall, whereas receptive language, age, and digit recall accounted for significant portions of variance in past tense production. Categorical speech perception was not associated with any of the measures in the study. The extent to which common and distinct factors underlie the key language-related measures is discussed.
Comparisons of the BASIC-Memory and Learning Test and the WISC-IV Under Developmental Aspects
Authors: Lepach Anja C. , Petermann Franz , Schmidt Sören
Published: September 2008

This study compares results of a new children memory and learning test, the BASIC-MLT and the latest Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth edition (WISC-IV) in a nonclinical German sample (N = 103). All participants were assessed with both instruments (order balanced). Pearson correlations were computed between subtest, scale and IQ scores from the intelligence scales and the scores from the BASIC-MLT separate for three defined age groups (Group 1: 6 to < 10 years, Group 2: 10 to < 13 years, Group 3: 13 to 16 years). Moderate to high correlations were found between Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and BASIC-MLT’s memory quotient (MQ). Referring to Siegler’s (1998 , 2004 ) memory theories the relations of reasoning (Matrix Reasoning), semantic knowledge (Vocabulary), working memory (Letter-Number Sequencing) and processing speed (Symbol Search) were focused for further investigation. Significant correlations can be found for Matrix Reasoning and MQ in Group 1 only. For Vocabulary significant correlations can be found in Group 2 (p < .05) and Group 3 (p < .01). Letter-Number Sequencing has significant correlations with MQ in all age groups and Symbol Search in none. Comparisons of t-mean deviations in scales and subtests showed no significant differences in Group 1 and only few significant differences for Group 2 and Group 3. Results of children above 10 years of age are influenced by school type.
Assessment of Migrant and Minority Children
Authors: Schölmerich Axel , Leyendecker Birgit , Citlak Banu , Caspar Ulrike , Jäkel Julia
Published: September 2008

Testing children with minority status or migration background poses particular challenges for educators and researchers. More obvious are language barriers, but there may also be more complex limitations based on cultural or contextual differences. The literature on testing migrant and minority children is summarized in a brief historical perspective, focusing on the use of standardized tests. Potential biases in testing minority and migrant children are discussed, and empirical results of testing two groups of preschool age children of nonmigrant (N = 50) and migrant status (N = 35) with the ET 6–6 in Germany are presented. Results indicate significant group differences to the disadvantage of the migrant children in some scales, however, both groups scored within the normal range of one standard deviation around the test norm. The migrant group children were tested in their dominant language, and they used more time to complete the test. Interpretation of test results should use caution, particularly when using tests to support placement in educational settings.
Bioinformatic approaches for the genetic and phenotypic characterization of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast collection
Authors: Franco-Duarte Ricardo , Umek Lan , Zupan Blaz , Schuller Dorit
Published: September 2008

The objective of the present study was to compare genetic and phenotypic variation of 103 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from winemaking environments. We used bioinformatics approaches to identify genetically similary strains with specific phenotypes and to estimate a strain's biotechnological potential. A S. cerevisiae collection, comprising 440 strains that were obtained from winemaking environments in Portugal has been constituted during the last years. All strains were genetically characterized by a set of eleven highly polymorphic microsatellites and showed unique allelic combinations. Using neural networks, a subset of 103 genetically most diverse strains was chosen for phenotypic analysis, that included growth in synthetic must media at various temperatures, utilization of carbon sources (glucose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, saccharose, galactose, rafinose, maltose, glycerol, potassium acetate and pyruvic acid), growth in ethanol containing media, evaluation of osmotic and oxidative stress resistance, H2S production and utilization of different nitrogen sources. Using supervised data mining approaches we have found that genotype represented with presence/absence of eleven microsatellites relates well with geographical location (performance evaluation using leave-out-out technique resulted in high performance scores; e.g., area under ROC curve was above 0.8 for a number of standard machine learning approaches tested). To find relations between phenotypes and genotypes, we used a two-step approach which first hierarchically clusters the strains according to their phenotype, and then tests if the resulting sub-clusters are identifiable using strain’s genetic data. Several groups of strains with similar phenotype profiles and common features in genotype were identified this way, and they are subject to further investigations. Financially supported by the programs POCI 2010 (FEDER/FCT, POCTI/AGR/56102/2004) and AGRO (ENOSAFE, Nº 762).