bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diet induced weight loss accelerates onset of negative alliesthesia in obese women
Authors: Frankham Patrick , Gosselin Caroline , Cabanac Michel
Published: October 2005

Background

The physiological and behavioral responses to hypocaloric diet are to increase energy intake to defend a steady body weight. We utilized the method of "negative alliesthesia" for measuring the hedonic reponse to sweet stimulus before (Initial session) and 3 months after entering a weight loss program. The negative alliesthesia test is known by physiologists but few clinical data exist. It is based on the observation that repeated pleasant gustatory stimuli turn into unpleasantness in the process of alliesthesia. At first visit participants repeatedly ingested sweet stimuli until they found them unpleasant and rated quantitatively on a linear analogue scale their hedonic experience. This procedure was repeated every 3 min until participants felt displeasure to end the session. The same protocol was followed after three months of following a weight loss diet. Dieting energy intake was from 1400 – 2000 kcal/d for 8 wk. Energy composition was 50% carb:25% prot: 25% lipid. After 8 wk caloric intake increased by 50 kcal/wk, to reach daily intake of 1800 – 2400 kcal/d. Energy composition was 50% carb:22% prot: 27% lipid. We report results on the effect of slow weight loss on negative alliesthesia in ten obese female participants enrolled in a commercial diet program based on Canada's Food Guide (Mincavi®).

Results

Results showed that diet lowered the mean BMI (Initial session 36.8 +/- 1.8 vs. 3 mo 34.9 +/- 1.8 kg/m2). At 3 mo the onset of negative alliesthesia, time to abandon experimental session, was shortened (Initial session 33 vs. 3 mo 24 min). The same trend was observed in the time to reach indifference (Initial session 21.9 +/- 3.8 vs. 3 mo 16.2 +/-2.4 min). There was no observed difference in maximum (Initial session +79.5 +/- 11.7; 3 mo +94.5 +/- 9.9 mm) and minimum (Initial session -90.0 +/- 14.4; 3 mo -106 +/- 11.1 mm) hedonic rating.

Conclusion

Earlier onset of negative alliesthesia, as seen in our participants, is not consistent with previous hedonic studies that showed delayed or absent negative alliesthesia in participants when below their initial body weight. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the accelerated onset of negative alliesthesia observed in our obese participants after weight loss is suggestive of a lowered body weight set-point. Factors inherent to the weight loss diet studied here, such as mild energetic restriction, lowered palatability, and diet composition, may have played a role in this experimental outcome.
Mistreatment of university students most common during medical studies
Authors: Rautio Arja , Sunnari Vappu , Nuutinen Matti , Laitala Marja
Published: October 2005

Background

This study concerns the occurrence of various forms of mistreatment by staff and fellow students experienced by students in the Faculty of Medicine and the other four faculties of the University of Oulu, Finland.

Methods

A questionnaire with 51 questions on various forms of physical and psychological mistreatment was distributed to 665 students (451 females) after lectures or examinations and filled in and returned. The results were analysed by gender and faculty. The differences between the males and females were assessed statistically using a test for the equality of two proportions. An exact two-sided P value was calculated using a mid-P approach to Fisher's exact test (the null hypothesis being that there is no difference between the two proportions).

Results

About half of the students answering the questionnaire had experienced some form of mistreatment by staff during their university studies, most commonly humiliation and contempt (40%), negative or disparaging remarks (34%), yelling and shouting (23%), sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based mistreatment (17%) and tasks assigned as punishment (13%). The students in the Faculty of Medicine reported every form of mistreatment more commonly than those in the Faculties of Humanities, Education, Science and Technology. Experiences of mistreatment varied, but clear messages regarding its patterns were to be found in each faculty. Female students reported more instances of mistreatment than males and were more disturbed by them. Professors, lecturers and other staff in particular mistreated female students more than they mistreated males. About half of the respondents reported some form of mistreatment by their fellow students.

Conclusion

Students in the Faculty of Medicine reported the greatest amount of mistreatment. If a faculty mistreats its students, its success in the main tasks of universities, research, teaching and learning, will be threatened. The results challenge university teachers, especially in faculties of medicine, to evaluate their ability to create a safe environment conducive to learning.
A suite of methods for representing activity space in a healthcare accessibility study
Authors: Sherman Jill E , Spencer John , Preisser John S , Gesler Wilbert M , Arcury Thomas A
Published: October 2005

Background

"Activity space" has been used to examine how people's habitual movements interact with their environment, and can be used to examine accessibility to healthcare opportunities. Traditionally, the standard deviational ellipse (SDE), a Euclidean measure, has been used to represent activity space. We describe the construction and application of the SDE at one and two standard deviations, and three additional network-based measures of activity space using common tools in GIS: the road network buffer (RNB), the 30-minute standard travel time polygon (STT), and the relative travel time polygon (RTT). We compare the theoretical and methodological assumptions of each measure, and evaluate the measures by examining access to primary care services, using data from western North Carolina.

Results

Individual accessibility is defined as the availability of healthcare opportunities within that individual's activity space. Access is influenced by the shape and area of an individual's activity space, the spatial distribution of opportunities, and by the spatial structures that constrain and direct movement through space; the shape and area of the activity space is partly a product of how it is conceptualized and measured. Network-derived measures improve upon the SDE by incorporating the spatial structures (roads) that channel movement. The area of the STT is primarily influenced by the location of a respondent's residence within the road network hierarchy, with residents living near primary roads having the largest activity spaces. The RNB was most descriptive of actual opportunities and can be used to examine bypassing. The area of the RTT had the strongest correlation with a healthcare destination being located inside the activity space.

Conclusion

The availability of geospatial technologies and data create multiple options for representing and operationalizing the construct of activity space. Each approach has its strengths and limitations, and presents a different view of accessibility. While the choice of method ultimately lies in the research question, interpretation of results must consider the interrelated issues of method, representation, and application. Triangulation aids this interpretation and provides a more complete and nuanced understanding of accessibility.
Differential effect sizes of growth hormone replacement on quality of life, well-being and health status in growth hormone deficient patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Deijen Jan Berend , Arwert Lucia I , Witlox Joost , Drent Madeleine L
Published: October 2005

Background

Patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) frequently report to suffer from an impaired Quality of Life (QoL) and growth hormone (GH) substitution is found to improve this. However, the same test may be used for measuring QoL, well-being or health status in different studies. QoL has been defined as the subjective appraisal of one's current life based primarily on psychological function. The most important in the appraisal of well-being is mental function and concerning health status patients evaluate physical function as most important. To differentiate the effects of GH replacement on psychological variables in patients with GHD we carried out a number of meta-analyses, classifying questionnaires into instruments measuring QoL, psychological well-being and health status.

Methods

We searched the electronic databases PUBMED and PiCarta from 1985 to 2004. Studies were included that evaluated the effect of GH on patient-reported outcomes in adults with GHD (aged 18 years and above). According to generally accepted definitions we classified the questionnaires as instruments measuring QoL, well-being and health status. By means of meta-analyses the average effect size (d) for QoL, well-being and health status was calculated.

Results and Discussion

Based on open studies GH replacement is found to improve QoL with a small effect size (d = 0.18), well-being with a medium effect size (d = 0.47) and health status with a small effect size (d = 0.26). As the effect size of well-being is most pronounced the generally reported effects of GH replacement on QoL may be overestimated and actually reflect the effect on well-being.

Conclusion

To get more insight in the specific psychological effects of GH treatment it is recommended that instruments selected for these studies should be more consistently classified as instruments measuring QoL, well-being or health status.
Injection of colorectal cancer cells in mesenteric and antimesenteric sides of the colon results in different patterns of metastatic diffusion: An experimental study in rats
Authors: Boni Luigi , Benevento Angelo , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Rovera Francesca , Diurni Mario , Dionigi Renzo
Published: October 2005

Background

This experimental study was designed to investigate the differences in pattern of local growth and diffusion of colorectal cancer cells injected into either mesenteric (M) or antimesenteric (AM) sides of the colon.

Methods

A total of 1 × 106 colonic adenocarcinoma cells (line DHD/K12-TRb) were injected into the cecal wall of BDIX syngeneic male rats at an M or AM site of the colon. At six weeks after injection, all animals were sacrificed and the presence or absence of tumor in the cecum as well as regional metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis were determined.

Results

Six weeks after injection, macroscopic tumor growth was observed in 27/37 (72%) animals in group M and 21/32 (65%) in group AM (P = 0.98). In group AM, diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis was present in 19/21 rats (90.4%) versus 3/27 rats (11%) in group M; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025). Regional mesenteric lymph nodes were the only location in which tumor was detected in 23/27 rats (85%) in group M versus 2/21 (9.5%) in group AM; this difference too was statistically significant (P = 0.031)

Conclusion

The patterns of diffusion of tumors implanted in mesenteric and antimesenteric sites of the colon appear to be different, although the reason for this is not clear.
The natural history of EGFR and EGFRvIII in glioblastoma patients
Authors: Heimberger Amy B , Suki Dima , Yang David , Shi Weiming , Aldape Kenneth
Published: October 2005

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is over expressed in approximately 50–60% of glioblastoma (GBM) tumors, and the most common EGFR mutant, EGFRvIII, is expressed in 24–67% of cases. This study was designed to address whether over expressed EGFR or EGFRvIII is an actual independent prognostic indicator of overall survival in a uniform body of patients in whom gross total surgical resection (GTR; ≥ 95% resection) was not attempted or achieved.

Methods

Biopsed or partially/subtotally resected GBM patients (N = 54) underwent adjuvant conformal radiation and chemotherapy. Their EGFR and EGFRvIII status was determined by immunohistochemistry and Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival were obtained.

Results

In our study of GBM patients with less than GTR, 42.6% (n = 23) failed to express EGFR, 25.9% (n = 14) had over expression of the wild-type EGFR only and 31.5 % (n = 17) expressed the EGFRvIII. Patients within groups expressing the EGFR, EGFRvIII, or lacking EGFR expression did not differ in age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, extent of tumor resection. They all had received postoperative radiation and chemotherapy. The median overall survival times for patients with tumors having no EGFR expression, over expressed EGFR only, or EGFRvIII were 12.3 (95% CI, 8.04–16.56), 11.03 (95% CI, 10.18–11.89) and 14.07 (95% CI, 7.39–20.74) months, respectively, log rank test p > 0.05). Patients with tumors that over expressed the EGFR and EGFRvIII were more likely to present with ependymal spread, 21.4% and 35.3% respectively, compared to those patients whose GBM failed to express either marker, 13.0%, although the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in multifocal disease or gliomatosis cerebri among EGFR expression groups.

Conclusion

The over expressed wild-type EGFR and EGFRvIII are not independent predictors of median overall survival in the cohort of patients who did not undergo extensive tumor resection.
Modeling the signaling endosome hypothesis: Why a drive to the nucleus is better than a (random) walk
Authors: Howe Charles L
Published: October 2005

Background

Information transfer from the plasma membrane to the nucleus is a universal cell biological property. Such information is generally encoded in the form of post-translationally modified protein messengers. Textbook signaling models typically depend upon the diffusion of molecular signals from the site of initiation at the plasma membrane to the site of effector function within the nucleus. However, such models fail to consider several critical constraints placed upon diffusion by the cellular milieu, including the likelihood of signal termination by dephosphorylation. In contrast, signaling associated with retrogradely transported membrane-bounded organelles such as endosomes provides a dephosphorylation-resistant mechanism for the vectorial transmission of molecular signals. We explore the relative efficiencies of signal diffusion versus retrograde transport of signaling endosomes.

Results

Using large-scale Monte Carlo simulations of diffusing STAT-3 molecules coupled with probabilistic modeling of dephosphorylation kinetics we found that predicted theoretical measures of STAT-3 diffusion likely overestimate the effective range of this signal. Compared to the inherently nucleus-directed movement of retrogradely transported signaling endosomes, diffusion of STAT-3 becomes less efficient at information transfer in spatial domains greater than 200 nanometers from the plasma membrane.

Conclusion

Our model suggests that cells might utilize two distinct information transmission paradigms: 1) fast local signaling via diffusion over spatial domains on the order of less than 200 nanometers; 2) long-distance signaling via information packets associated with the cytoskeletal transport apparatus. Our model supports previous observations suggesting that the signaling endosome hypothesis is a subset of a more general hypothesis that the most efficient mechanism for intracellular signaling-at-a-distance involves the association of signaling molecules with molecular motors that move along the cytoskeleton. Importantly, however, cytoskeletal association of membrane-bounded complexes containing ligand-occupied transmembrane receptors and downstream effector molecules provides the ability to regenerate signals at any point along the transmission path. We conclude that signaling endosomes provide unique information transmission properties relevant to all cell architectures, and we propose that the majority of relevant information transmitted from the plasma membrane to the nucleus will be found in association with organelles of endocytic origin.
Prevalence, predisposition and prevention of type II diabetes
Authors: Cheng Dong
Published: October 2005

In 2000, more than 151 million people in the world are diabetic. It is predicted that by 2010, 221 million people and by 2025, 324 million will be diabetic. In the U.S., for the population born in 2000, the estimated lifetime risk for diabetes is more than 1 in 3. The economic and human cost of this disease is devastating. The current cost of diabetes in the U.S. is estimated to be at $132 billion, which includes $92 billion of direct medical costs and $40 billion of indirect costs such as disability, work loss and premature mortality. The outbreak of the current diabetic epidemic has been accompanied by a similarly drastic increase in obesity. The relation between the two is a matter of debate but presumably both are caused by changes in dietary habits and an increasingly sedentary modern lifestyle. Compelling scientific evidence indicates that lifestyle modification effectively prevents or delays the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Recent clinical trials also demonstrate that success in the treatment of obesity, either surgically or pharmacologically, leads to the prevention of type 2 diabetes among the obese. Clinical data have also revealed that the insulin sensitizing agent troglitazone is efficacious in both β-cell preservation and delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. Future safe and more effective anti-obesity medicines and insulin sensitizing agents that help to preserve β-cell function, in addition to efforts of lifestyle modification, thus hold promise for the overweight population with potential for reduction in the development of diabetics.
COMT genetic variation confers risk for psychotic and affective disorders: a case control study
Authors: Funke Birgit , Malhotra Anil K , Finn Christine T , Plocik Alex M , Lake Stephen L , Lencz Todd , DeRosse Pamela , Kane John M , Kucherlapati Raju
Published: October 2005

Background

Variation in the COMT gene has been implicated in a number of psychiatric disorders, including psychotic, affective and anxiety disorders. The majority of these studies have focused on the functional Val108/158Met polymorphism and yielded conflicting results, with limited studies examining the relationship between other polymorphisms, or haplotypes, and psychiatric illness. We hypothesized that COMT variation may confer a general risk for psychiatric disorders and have genotyped four COMT variants (Val158Met, rs737865, rs165599, and a SNP in the P2 promoter [-278A/G; rs2097603]) in 394 Caucasian cases and 467 controls. Cases included patients with schizophrenia (n = 196), schizoaffective disorder (n = 62), bipolar disorder (n = 82), major depression (n = 30), and patients diagnosed with either psychotic disorder NOS or depressive disorder NOS (n = 24).

Results

SNP rs2097603, the Val/Met variant and SNP rs165599 were significantly associated (p = 0.004; p = 0.05; p = 0.035) with a broad "all affected" diagnosis. Haplotype analysis revealed a potentially protective G-A-A-A haplotype haplotype (-278A/G; rs737865; Val108/158Met; rs165599), which was significantly underrepresented in this group (p = 0.0033) and contained the opposite alleles of the risk haplotype previously described by Shifman et al. Analysis of diagnostic subgroups within the "all affecteds group" showed an association of COMT in patients with psychotic disorders as well as in cases with affective illness although the associated variants differed. The protective haplotype remained significantly underrepresented in most of these subgroups.

Conclusion

Our results support the view that COMT variation provides a weak general predisposition to neuropsychiatric disease including psychotic and affective disorders.
No effect of omeprazole on pH of exhaled breath condensate in cough associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux
Authors: Torrego Alfonso , Cimbollek Stefan , Hew Mark , Chung Kian Fan
Published: October 2005

Background

Endogenous airway acidification evaluated as pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been described in patients with chronic cough. Proton pump inhibitors improve gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR)-associated cough.

Methods

We examined pH levels in EBC and capsaicin cough response in 13 patients with chronic cough (mean age 41 years, SD 9) associated with GOR before and after omeprazole treatment (40 mg/day for 14 days) and its relationship with clinical response.

Results

Omeprazole abolished symptoms associated with GOR. Patients with chronic cough had an EBC pH of 8.28 (SD 0.13) prior to treatment but this did not change with omeprazole treatment. There was a significant improvement in the Leicester Cough Questionnaire symptom scores from 80.8 points (SD 13.2) to 95.1 (SD 17) (p = 0.02) and in a 6-point scale of cough scores, but there was no change in capsaicin cough response.

Conclusion

An improvement in GOR-associated cough was not associated with changes in EBC pH or capsaicin cough response. These parameters are not useful markers of therapeutic response.
Expression analysis of candidate breast tumour suppressor genes on chromosome 16q
Authors: van Wezel Tom , Lombaerts Marcel , van Roon Eddy H , Philippo Katja , Baelde Hans J , Szuhai Karoly , Cornelisse Cees J , Cleton-Jansen Anne-Marie
Published: October 2005

Introduction

Chromosome arm 16q is the second most frequent target of loss of heterozygosity in breast cancer and is, therefore, a candidate to contain one or more classic tumour suppressor genes (TSGs). E-cadherin at 16q22 was identified as a TSG in lobular breast cancer, but TSGs in ductal breast cancer remain elusive. Several genes have been suggested as potential candidates (e.g. CBFA2T3, CTCF and WWOX) but no inactivating mutations could be identified in these genes and they thus fail to fit the classic two-hit model for a TSG. With the completion of the human transcriptome, new candidate genes can be distinguished. Besides mutational inactivation, a TSG could, at least in a subset of the tumours, be transcriptionally suppressed or even inactivated. Studying candidate genes for expression and somatic mutations could thus identify the TSGs.

Methods

Possible candidates CBFA2T3, TERF2 and TERF2IP, FBXL8 and LRRC29 and FANCA were studied for insertion and deletion mutations and for expression differences using quantitative RT-PCR in a panel of tumour cell lines and primary tumours with and without loss of 16q.

Results

None of the genes showed mutations or obvious expression differences. FANCA expression increased with tumour grade.

Conclusion

Apparently, the underlying genetics at chromosome 16q are complex or the TSGs remain to be identified. Multiple mechanisms, such as mutations, promoter hypermethylation or haploinsufficiency, might lead to the inactivation of a TSG.
Tezosentan reduces the microvascular filtration coefficient in isolated lungs from rats subjected to cecum ligation and puncture
Authors: Kuklin Vladimir , Sovershaev Mikhail , Andreasen Thomas , Skogen Vegard , Ytrehus Kirsti , Bjertnaes Lars
Published: October 2005

Introduction

We recently demonstrated that the non-selective endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor blocker tezosentan antagonizes ovine acute lung injury (ALI) following infusion of endotoxin or ET-1 by reducing the enhanced lung microvascular pressure, although we could not exclude the possibility of a simultaneous decline in microvascular permeability. In the present study, our aim was to find out if tezosentan reverses the rise in microvascular filtration coefficient (Kfc) in rat lungs that have been isolated and perfused 12 h after cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) or infusion of ET-1.

Methods

Wistar rats (n = 42) were subjected to CLP. Postoperatively, rats were randomized to a CLP group (n = 7) and a CLP + tezosentan group (n = 7); the latter received tezosentan 30 mg/kg. A sham-operated group (n = 5) underwent laparotomy without CLP. Twelve hours postoperatively, the lungs were isolated and perfused with blood from similarly treated rats that also were used to assess plasma concentration of ET-1 and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) in lung tissue. Additionally, isolated blood perfused lungs from healthy rats were randomized to a control group (n = 8), an ET-1 group (n = 7) subjected to pulmonary arterial injection of ET-1 10 nM, and an ET-1 + tezosentan group (n = 7) that received tezosentan 30 mg/kg. All lung preparations received papaverine 0.1 μg/kg added to the perfusate for vasoplegia. Pulmonary hemodynamic variables, Kfc and lung compliance (CL) were assessed.

Results

After CLP, the plasma concentration of ET-1 increased. Papaverine abolished the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 and the pulmonary vascular pressures remained close to baseline throughout the experiments. Both CLP and injection of ET-1 caused significant changes in Kfc and CL that were prevented in tezosentan-treated rats. Compared to sham-operated animals, CLP increased the content of PKCα by 50% and 70% in the cytosolic and the membrane fractions of lung tissue homogenates, respectively. Tezosentan prevented the upregulation of PKCα in the membrane fraction.

Conclusion

In rat lungs isolated and perfused after CLP, tezosentan precludes both the increase in Kfc and the upregulation of PKCα in the membrane fraction of lung tissue.
Do universal codon-usage patterns minimize the effects of mutation and translation error?
Authors: Marquez Roberto , Smit Sandra , Knight Rob
Published: October 2005

Background

Do species use codons that reduce the impact of errors in translation or replication? The genetic code is arranged in a way that minimizes errors, defined as the sum of the differences in amino-acid properties caused by single-base changes from each codon to each other codon. However, the extent to which organisms optimize the genetic messages written in this code has been far less studied. We tested whether codon and amino-acid usages from 457 bacteria, 264 eukaryotes, and 33 archaea minimize errors compared to random usages, and whether changes in genome G+C content influence these error values.

Results

We tested the hypotheses that organisms choose their codon usage to minimize errors, and that the large observed variation in G+C content in coding sequences, but the low variation in G+U or G+A content, is due to differences in the effects of variation along these axes on the error value. Surprisingly, the biological distribution of error values has far lower variance than randomized error values, but error values of actual codon and amino-acid usages are actually greater than would be expected by chance.

Conclusion

These unexpected findings suggest that selection against translation error has not produced codon or amino-acid usages that minimize the effects of errors, and that even messages with very different nucleotide compositions somehow maintain a relatively constant error value. They raise the question: why do all known organisms use highly error-minimizing genetic codes, but fail to minimize the errors in the mRNA messages they encode?
ChIPOTle: a user-friendly tool for the analysis of ChIP-chip data
Authors: Buck Michael J , Nobel Andrew B , Lieb Jason D
Published: October 2005

ChIPOTle (Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation On Tiled arrays) takes advantage of two unique properties of ChIP-chip data: the single-tailed nature of the data, caused by specific enrichment but not specific depletion of genomic fragments; and the predictable enrichment of DNA fragments adjacent to sites of direct protein-DNA interaction. Implemented as a Microsoft Excel macro written in Visual Basic, ChIPOTle uses a sliding window approach that yields improvements in the identification of bona fide sites of protein-DNA interaction.
In their own words—former SEG presidents reflect on their terms
Authors:   SEG
Published: October 2005

There is no way that all significant events in SEG's 75-year history could be highlighted, or even pointed out, in this special publication. Therefore, in an attempt to cover as many major developments as possible (and perhaps to uncover some that had been overlooked), SEG's former presidents were asked to briefly summarize the major decisions taken or the industry trends that dominated during their term of office. The replies, which cover slightly more than the final third of SEG's story, follow. Bill French summarized the events of his own presidential year (1991–92) and the previous year when he was president-elect on the executive committee led by the late Bud Grant.
SEG finances over the past 75 years—the real story
Authors: Sumner John R.
Published: October 2005

Why are SEG finances of interest and why should anyone care about them? Even more to the point, why should you or any SEG member care about the history of SEG finances?
Near-surface geophysics: 75 years of progress
Authors: Steeples Don W.
Published: October 2005

Near-surface geophysics is applied to a broad spectrum of problems, and new application areas continue to arise. The noninvasive tools used to examine near-surface earth materials employ electrical, electromagnetic, or mechanical energy sources, along with passive techniques that measure the physical parameters of the earth. Most advances over the past 75 years have emerged from instrument evolution and computer-processing techniques. Societal needs, such as detecting unexploded ordnance following military operations, have driven research efforts. Other compelling factors, such as the need for potable groundwater, the enactment of laws that have spurred geophysical surveying for archaeological purposes, and the necessity for better soil-physics information in geotechnical engineering and agriculture, are present worldwide.
Globalization at SEG: A history of sorts
Authors: Burianyk Michael
Published: October 2005

I've been charged with writing a “history of the globalization of SEG.” This is a tall order. The written history is sparse and scattered and while many who have been involved in this process are still young and virile, their vigor means they're too busy to respond at any length with their memoirs. Still, there is some information available and I'll make the attempt to synthesize it here.
Minority recruitment to the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)
Authors: Cook Elise D , Moody-Thomas Sarah , Anderson Karen B , Campbell Russell , Hamilton Sandra J , Harrington Joseph M , Lippman Scott M , Minasian Lori M , Paskett Electra D , Craine Stephen , Arnold Kathryn B , Probstfield Jeffrey L
Published: October 2005

Background Previous large chemoprevention studies have not recruited significant numbers of minorities. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) is a large phase III study evaluating the impact of selenium and vitamin E on the clinical incidence of prostate cancer. Over 400 SELECT study sites in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico recruited men to this trial. The SELECT recruitment goal was 24% minorities, with 20% black, 3% Hispanic, and 1% Asian participants. The goal for black participants was set at 20% because of their proportion in the United States population and their prevalence of prostate cancer.

Methods The minority recruitment strategies in SELECT were to: 1) consider minority recruitment during site selection; 2) expand the eligibility criteria by lowering the age criterion for black men and including men with controlled co-morbid illnesses; 3) develop a national infrastructure; 4) give additional funds to sites with the potential to increase black enrollment; and 5) provide resources to maximize free media opportunities to promote SELECT.

Results SELECT recruitment began in August 2001 and was intended to last five years, but concluded two years ahead of schedule in June 2004. Of the 35 534 participants enrolled, 21% were minorities, with 15% black, 5% Hispanic, and 1% Asian.

Conclusions Careful planning, recruitment of large numbers of clinical centers and adequate resources accomplished by the combined efforts of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), SELECT Recruitment and Adherence Committee (RAC), SELECT Minority and Medically Underserved Subcommittee (MMUS), and the local SELECT sites resulted in attainment of the estimated sample size ahead of schedule and recruitment of the largest percentage of black participants ever randomized to a cancer prevention trial.
Power and sample size for clinical trials when efficacy is required in multiple endpoints: application to an Alzheimer's treatment trial
Authors: Xiong Chengjie , Yu Kai , Gao Feng , Yan Yan , Zhang Zhengjun
Published: October 2005

Background When the efficacy of a treatment in a randomized controlled trial is required for multiple primary endpoints, trial design and analysis differ from trial requiring efficacy in only one of the multiple endpoints.

Methods We consider a two-arm clinical trial requiring efficacy analysis for multiple primary endpoints, formulating the appropriate null and alternative hypotheses for the test of treatment efficacy. We study the significance level/statistical power of an intersection-union test (IUT) in this situation. We compare IUT with the intuitive approach (selecting the maximum sample size over those obtained from testing individual primary endpoints one by one) for determination of sample size.

Results The proposed IUT reserves the same Type I error rate as shared by all endpoint-specific tests. The statistical power of the proposed IUT is no more than the minimum from the individual tests. The maximum sample size from multiple endpoint-specific tests is often inadequate for the test of treatment efficacy, especially when the standardized effect sizes are similar. Finally, the IUT can be applied to Alzheimer's disease treatment trials in which two primary endpoints are typically used.

Conclusions The IUT is a valid method for use in the design and analysis of clinical trials requiring efficacy at multiple primary endpoints.
Reasons for high retention in pediatric clinical trials: comparison of participant and staff responses in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial
Authors: Dias Lynette , Schoenfeld Elinor , Thomas Jennifer , Baldwin Catherine , Mcleod Jennifer , Smith Justin , Owens Robert , Hyman Leslie
Published: October 2005

Background The Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET), a randomized, multicenter clinical trial of myopia progression in children, had an exceptionally high retention rate of 98.5% (462/469) at three years of follow-up. The present investigation was designed to evaluate and compare the reasons for COMET's high retention rate according to participating families and clinical center staff.

Methods Families ( n = 411) and staff ( n = 35) completed a confidential 19-item questionnaire by indicating families' levels of preference for each item, and rating its importance in keeping families in the study. The questionnaire evaluated study features in four categories: staff characteristics, operational aspects, specific study elements, and incentives.

Results Results showed that most families viewed the study very favorably. Features that appealed to 90% or more families and promoted continued study participation included staff attributes such as friendliness, responsiveness and encouragement, and aspects pertaining to standard of care such as completeness of eye exam, quality of eye care and free eyeglasses. Compared to families, staff tended to underestimate the importance of the following features for retention: seeing the same staff at each visit, appointment reminders, center location, newsletters, commitment to the study, being part of a nationwide study, length of the study, association with a college of optometry, completeness of eye exam, and eye drops ( p < 0.05 by chi-square analyses). However, staff responses also revealed less preferred components of the study protocol (e.g., eye drops), to which families might have been reluctant to respond unfavorably.

Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of intangible factors such as staff attributes and participants' study commitment in maintaining high retention rates, and the usefulness of surveying both families and staff.
Maximum information designs
Authors: Lachin John M
Published: October 2005

Background Expressions to determine the sample size N needed to provide power 1 to detect a difference between groups, say, involve other nuisance parameters, such as the variance of the observations for a test or means, or the control group probability for a test of proportions or the control group hazard rate for a logrank test of event-times. Designs where N is fixed are called maximum N or duration designs because the sample size and required duration of the study can be fixed, or estimated. However, such designs are expected, but not guaranteed, to provide the desired level of power to detect the specified difference - at the study end because the true or estimated values of the nuisance parameters are unknown. Thus, the actual information to be accrued and the associated level of power are random variables with sample variation.

Methods Expressions are developed to determine the amount of information needed to provide the desired level of power, regardless of the values of the nuisance parameters.

Results The amount of information ( I) in the observed data is readily quantified and can often be expressed as the inverse of the variance of the test statistic. Also, the total amount of information required to provide the desired level of power 1 to detect a difference - with a test at level - is readily determined, designated as I, Under a maximum information design, the study is continued until the required total amount of information is accrued, or I I, In this case, the sample size or duration are random variables, but each can be estimated under various projections about the underlying parameters (variance, probability, hazard) in advance. The implementation of a maximum information design for two and multiple group trials is described for a test of means, proportions and event-times using the logrank test. Application to other methods of analysis is described.

Conclusions A maximum information design provides greater assurance that the desired level of power will be attained. However, the exact study duration is unknown. Issues related to the implementation of such a design are discussed.
Design of the VA/NIH Acute Renal Failure Trial Network (ATN) study: intensive versus conventional renal support in acute renal failure
Authors: Palevsky Paul M , O'Connor Theresa , Zhang Jane Hongyuan , Star Robert A , Smith Mark W
Published: October 2005

The optimal management of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in acute renal failure (ARF) is uncertain. The VA/NIH Acute Renal Failure Trail Network Study (ATN Study) tests the hypothesis that a strategy of intensive RRT will decrease 60-day all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with ARF. Dose separation between the two treatment arms is achieved by increasing the frequency of intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and sustained low efficiency dialysis (SLED) treatments from three times per week to six times per week, and by increasing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) effluent volume from 20 mL/kg/hr to 35 mL/kg/hr. In both treatment arms, subjects convert between IHD and CVVHDF or SLED as hemodynamic status changes over time. This strategy attempts to replicate the conversion between modalities of RRT that occurs in clinical practice. However, in order to implement this strategy, flexible criteria needed to be developed to provide a balance between the need for uniformity of treatment between groups and practitioner discretion regarding modality of RRT to maintain patient safety. In order to address safety and ethical issues similar to those raised by the Office of Human Research Protections in its review of the ARDS Network studies, a survey of practitioner practices was performed and observational data on the management of RRT in comparable critically ill patients with ARF managed outside of the research context is being collected prospectively. These data will help inform the study's DSMB and site IRB's of the relationship between the study's treatment arms and concurrent clinical practice.
Direct likelihood analysis versus simple forms of imputation for missing data in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Beunckens Caroline , Molenberghs Geert , Kenward Michael G
Published: October 2005

Background In many clinical trials, data are collected longitudinally over time. In such studies, missingness, in particular dropout, is an often encountered phenomenon.

Methods We discuss commonly used but often problematic methods such as complete case analysis and last observation carried forward and contrast them with broadly valid and easy to implement direct-likelihood methods. We comment on alternatives such as multiple imputation and the expectation-maximization algorithm.

Results We apply these methods in particular to data from a study with continuous outcomes. The outcomes are modelled using a general linear mixed-effects model. The bias with CC and LOCF is established in the case study and the advantages of the direct-likelihood approach shown.

Conclusions We have established formal but easy to understand arguments for a shift towards a direct-likelihood paradigm when analysing incomplete data from longitudinal clinical trials, necessitating neither imputation nor deletion.
Affirming Psychological Science—For Students, Teachers, and the Larger World: An Interview with David G. Myers
Authors: Miller Harold L.
Published: October 2005

David G. Myers received a BA in chemistry, magna cum laude from Whitworth College and an MA and PhD in psychology from the University of Iowa. Since 1982 he has been the John Dirk Werkman Professor of Psychology at Hope College. He is best known for his authorship of Psychology (2004), now in its 7th edition, and Social Psychology (2005a), now in its 8th edition. He is also the author of The Pursuit of Happiness: Who Is Happy—and Why (1992), Intuition (2002), and What God Has Joined Together: A Christian Case for Gay Marriage (2005b). With his wife Carol, he endowed the American Psychological Society Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science.

Harold L. Miller, Jr. received a BS degree in psychology from Arizona State University and a PhD in experimental psychology from Harvard University. He joined the psychology faculty at Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1975, where he is professor of psychology and associate chair. He has served as dean of General and Honors education at BYU and is an associate editor of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
Annotated Bibliography on the Teaching of Psychology: 2004
Authors: Johnson David E. , Kirkbride Abby L. , Schroder Simone I.
Published: October 2005

This bibliography is a continuation of those previously published in Teaching of Psychology (e.g., Berry & Daniel, 1984; Fulkerson & Wise, 1987; Johnson & Schroder, 1997; Wise & Fulkerson, 1996). We maintained similar search methods and criteria for inclusion that were used in previous bibliographies. We also continued the cumulative numbering of the items.

To help the reader locate relevant articles, we arranged items into a small number of subject categories. Generally, if fewer than three items fell into a specific subject category they were relegated to a category labeled miscellaneous.
Poetry: It's Not Just for English Class Anymore
Authors: Connor-Greene Patricia A. , Murdoch Janice W. , Young Art , Paul Catherine
Published: October 2005

Higher level thought involves both critical and creative thinking skills. Although the psychological literature is rich with research on teaching critical thinking, relatively little published work addresses ways of promoting creative thinking. In this article we describe the use of poetry writing in an abnormal psychology class to encourage creative exploration and informed empathy. Content analyses suggested that the majority of students' poems communicated both accurate information and empathy. Furthermore, most students described the poetry assignment as a positive learning experience. Two examples demonstrate creative ways students' poems can distill and communicate information.
Microendoscopic Discectomy Compared with Standard Microsurgical Discectomy for Treatment of Uncontained or Large Contained Disc Herniations
Authors: Schizas Constantin , Tsiridis Elefterios , Saksena Joyti
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

Minimally invasive spinal techniques have been developed for years in an attempt to minimize trauma. However, most endoscopic techniques have been unable to address uncontained or large contained disc herniations. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the results of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and microsurgical discectomy in the treatment of patients with uncontained or large contained disc herniations.

METHODS:

An independent observer reviewed the treatment of 28 patients. The study group included 14 consecutive patients who underwent MED and 14 consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical discectomy for radicular pain secondary to uncontained or large contained disc herniations during the same period. Patients were followed up for an average of 12 months. They were assessed by use of Oswestry disability questionnaire and low back pain outcome score.

RESULTS:

The average outcome score improvement was of clinical significance in both patient groups. No difference in the scores was found between the two groups. Patients in the MED group required less postoperative analgesia during their stay. One patient in the MED group had a dural tear.

CONCLUSION:

MED is at least as effective as microsurgical discectomy for treatment of uncontained or large contained disc herniations, although the advantages over the open technique are short lived and did not reach significance. Nonetheless, for the surgeon accustomed to endoscopic techniques, MED seems to be a safe procedure.
The Mini-open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Mummaneni Praveen V. , Rodts Gerald E.
Published: October 2005

THE MINI-OPEN APPROACH for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is described in detail. Operating room setup and surgical positioning are demonstrated. Our methods of retractor placement and techniques for optimal surgical exposure are discussed. The surgical technique used for decompression and fusion is presented in detail. The surgical pearls and pitfalls of the mini-open TLIF are described and illustrated.
Novel Dural Closure Technique Using Polyglactin Acid Sheet Prevents Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage after Spinal Surgery
Authors: Sugawara Taku , Itoh Yasunobu , Hirano Yoshitaka , Higashiyama Naoki , Shimada Yoichi , Kinouchi Hiroyuki , Mizoi Kazuo
Published: October 2005

OBJECTIVE:

Extradural or subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a common complication after spinal surgery and is associated with the risks of poor wound healing, meningitis, and pseudomeningocele. Numerous methods to prevent postoperative CSF leakage are available, but pressure-tight dural closure remains difficult, especially with synthetic surgical membranes. The efficacy of a novel dural closure technique was assessed by detecting extradural or subcutaneous CSF leakage on magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODS:

The novel dural closure technique using absorbable polyglactin acid sheet and fibrin glue and the conventional procedure using only fibrin glue were evaluated retrospectively by identifying extradural or subcutaneous CSF leakage on magnetic resonance imaging scans in the acute (2–7 d) and chronic (3–6 mo) postoperative stages after spinal intradural surgery in 53 patients.

RESULTS:

The incidence of extradural and subcutaneous CSF leakage was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the acute (20%) and chronic (0%) stages using polyglactin acid sheet and fibrin glue in 15 patients compared with that in the acute (81%) and chronic (24%) stages using only fibrin glue in 38 patients. One patient in the fibrin glue-only group required repair surgery for cutaneous CSF leakage.

CONCLUSION:

The combination of polyglactin acid sheet and fibrin glue can achieve water-tight closure after spinal intradural surgery and can minimize the risk of intractable postoperative CSF leakage. This simple, economical technique is recommended for dural closure after spinal intradural surgery.