bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A community‐based long‐term follow up of women undergoing obstetric fistula repair in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Nielsen HS , Lindberg L , Nygaard U , Aytenfisu H , Johnston OL , Sørensen B , Rudnicki M , Crangle M , Lawson R , Duffy S
Published: May 2009

Objectives  To assess urinary and reproductive health and quality of life following surgical repair of obstetric fistula.

Design  Follow‐up study.

Setting  A newly established fistula clinic (2004) at Gimbie Adventist Hospital, a 71‐bedded district general hospital in West Wollega Zone, in rural Western Ethiopia.

Population  Thirty‐eight women (86%) of 44 who had undergone fistula repair were identified in their community.

Methods  Community‐based structured interviews 14–28 months following fistula repair, using a customised questionnaire addressing urinary health, reproductive health and quality of life.

Main outcome measures  Urinary health at follow up was assessed as completely dry, stress or urge incontinence, or fistula. King’s Health Questionnaire was modified and used for the quality‐of‐life assessment.

Results  At follow up, 21 women (57%) were completely dry, 13 (35%) suffered from stress or urge incontinence and three (8%) had a persistent fistula. Surgery improved quality of life and facilitated social reintegration to a level comparable to that experienced before fistula development for both women who were dry and those with residual incontinence (P = 0.001). For women still suffering from fistula no change was seen (P = 0.1). Four women became pregnant following their surgery, among which there was one maternal death, three stillbirths and one re‐occurrence of fistula.

Conclusion  Community‐based, long‐term follow up after fistula repair succeeded in Western rural Ethiopia. Despite one‐third still suffering stress or urge incontinence, the women reported improved quality of life and social reintegration after fistula closure.
Pulmonary morbidity of diaphragmatic surgery for stage III/IV ovarian cancer
Authors: Chéreau E , Ballester M , Selle F , Cortez A , Pomel C , Darai E , Rouzier R
Published: May 2009

Objective  To determine the morbidity of diaphragmatic peritonectomy.

Design  Prospective cohort study.

Setting  A Gynecology Department of a University Hospital.

Population  From 2005 to 2007, thirty‐seven consecutive patients underwent surgery for stage IIIC or IV ovarian cancer.

Methods  Patients were separated into a diaphragmatic surgery group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 19). Diaphragmatic surgery may consist of coagulation, stripping or muscle resection.

Main outcome measures  Postoperative course and outcome were analysed.

Results  Patients in group 1 (diaphragmatic surgery) underwent more intestinal resection (89% versus 37%, P = 0.01) and pelvic (94% versus 63%, P = 0.02) or para‐aortic lymphadenectomy (94% versus 53%, P = 0.04). Neither the mean estimated blood loss (960 ml versus 909 ml) nor the rates of intra‐operative blood transfusion (11 versus 9) were significantly different between the two groups. The mean operative time was higher in group 1 (480 minutes versus 316 minutes, P < 0.05). There were thirteen postoperative complications in group 1 and eight in group 2 (P = 0.065). In group 1, the main complication was pleural effusion (seven cases): four patients required secondary pleural drainage, two required only pleural puncture and one had both procedures. There were more complete cytoreduction in group 1 than in group 2 (89% versus 63%, P = 0.068).

Conclusions  Diaphragm peritonectomies and resections are an effective way to cytoreduce diaphragm carcinomatosis and increase the rate of optimal debulking surgery. Such procedures frequently result in pleural effusion, but with no long‐term morbidity.
Is exercise associated with primary dysmenorrhoea in young women?
Authors: Blakey H , Chisholm C , Dear F , Harris B , Hartwell R , Daley AJ , Jolly K
Published: May 2009

Please cite this paper as: Blakey H, Chisholm C, Dear F, Harris B, Hartwell R, Daley A, Jolly K. Is exercise associated with primary dysmenorrhoea in young women? BJOG 2010;117:222–224.

Anecdotal beliefs that exercise is an effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea have prevailed for many years although evidence is contradictory. Previous studies have also contained a number of methodological inadequacies. A questionnaire that assessed menstrual pain and levels of exercise was administered to 654 university students. Attempts were made to blind the purpose of the study. A response rate of 91.3% (597/654) was obtained. Analyses showed no association between participation in exercise and primary dysmenorrhoea. Prospective studies would be useful in further research.
Sterile water injection for labour pain: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Hutton EK , Kasperink M , Rutten M , Reitsma A , Wainman B
Published: May 2009

Background  Up to one‐third of labouring women will experience painful ‘back labour’. Sterile water injected lateral to the lumbosacral spine is a simple and well‐researched approach to this pain.

Objective  To determine if sterile water injection for low back pain compared to placebo or alternative therapy increased or decreased the rate of Caesarean section.

Search strategy  We performed a literature search with no language restriction in four databases: the Cochrane library, EMBASE (1980–2009), Ovid Medline (1950–2009) and CINAHL (1982–2009).

Selection criteria  We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of sterile water injection for labour pain that included outcomes of interest and original data.

Data collection and analysis  We compared Caesarean section rates among women who received sterile water injection in labour with those who received either placebo treatment or another non‐pharmacological treatment modality. Other outcomes included pain scores, use of regional analgesia and women’s assessment of treatment. We used Revman 5 for the meta‐analysis. Data were entered by one reviewer and independently cross‐checked. Pooled outcomes were reported as Relative Risk (RR) or Weighted Mean Difference using Mantel–Haenszel fixed‐effects model except when the I2 value >50% indicated significant heterogeneity in which case random‐effects model was used.

Main results  We included eight RCTs. The Caesarean section rate was 4.6% in the sterile water injection group and 9.9% in the comparison group (n = 828) (RR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.87).

Conclusion  We believe that a large RCT should be mounted to validate our findings regarding the impact of sterile water injections on mode of delivery.
Manual vacuum aspiration: a safe alternative for the surgical management of early pregnancy loss
Authors: Milingos DS , Mathur M , Smith NC , Ashok PW
Published: May 2009

Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is an alternative to the standard surgical curettage, performed under local anaesthetic in the setting of a treatment room. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of MVA in the management of first trimester early fetal demise and first‐ and mid‐trimester incomplete miscarriage. This was a retrospective study of 246 patients who were scheduled to undergo MVA for first trimester early fetal demise and first‐ and mid‐trimester incomplete miscarriage. One woman was excluded in the analysis because of the procedure being abandoned prior to MVA. Efficacy of the procedure was 94.7% (232/245). Incomplete uterine evacuation was seen in 5.3% (13/245) patients. Although not widely used in the UK, MVA could be considered routinely, thus avoiding general anaesthesia and the need for access to theatre.
The Incentive Value of Inventory and Cross‐training in Modern Manufacturing
Authors: NAGAR VENKY , RAJAN MADHAV V. , SAOUMA RICHARD
Published: May 2009

This paper shows that major components of modern manufacturing processes, such as inventory management and cross‐training, play a significant control role. In our model, workers possess information that is critical to efficient ongoing operations. An organizational design that motivates workers to optimally apply this information leverages both the production schedule and worker–management communication. Management's use of these controls results in work‐in‐process (WIP) inventory that appears excessive from a pure job‐scheduling perspective, but is optimal when control issues are considered. Empirical work testing pure job‐scheduling theories of modern manufacturing practices has yielded mixed results. We provide control‐related interpretations for these empirical findings, and also provide novel predictions regarding the link between inventory levels and the nature of operational information asymmetries. Overall, our model highlights the importance of recognizing both control and scheduling issues when analyzing production processes.
Hidden costs to an invasive intraguild predator from chemically defended native prey
Authors: Sloggett John J. , Haynes Kenneth F. , Obrycki John J.
Published: May 2009

Studies of invasive species tend to concentrate on the reasons for their success, rather than on the potential costs that they face. Invasive predators are potentially vulnerable to chemical defences of native prey that they have not previously encountered, and evolved to tolerate, within their natural range. While novel chemical defences have been cited as a factor facilitating invasion by exotic prey, the potential costs of chemical novelty to invasive predators have been ignored or remained hidden. We here consider one such example. Although a dominant intraguild predator in interactions with native ladybird beetles, the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis finds the defensive alkaloids of certain native ladybirds either distasteful or toxic, although laboratory and field evidence suggests it readily attacks these prey; these natives appear to possess novel alkaloids not previously encountered by H. axyridis. This effect has hitherto remained hidden, due to the methodological approaches used in earlier studies.
The importance of dispersal related and local factors in shaping the taxonomic structure of diatom metacommunities
Authors: Verleyen Elie , Vyverman Wim , Sterken Mieke , Hodgson Dominic A. , De Wever Aaike , Juggins Steve , Van de Vijver Bart , Jones Vivienne J. , Vanormelingen Pieter , Roberts Donna , Flower Roger , Kilroy Cathy , Souffreau Caroline , Sabbe Koen
Published: May 2009

To date, little is known about the relative importance of dispersal related versus local factors in shaping microbial metacommunities. A common criticism regarding existing datasets is that the level of taxonomic resolution might be too coarse to reliably assess microbial community structure and study biogeographical patterns. Moreover, few studies have assessed the importance of geographic distance between habitats, which may influence metacommunity dynamics through its effect on dispersal rates. We applied variation partitioning analyses to 15 separate regional datasets on diatoms found in lakes in Eurasia, Africa and Antarctica. These analyses quantified the relative contributions of dispersal related and local factors in determining patterns of taxonomic turnover at the species and at the genus level. In general, results were similar at both taxonomic levels. Local environmental factors accounted for most of the explained variation (median=21%), whereas dispersal related factors were much less important (median of significant fractions=5.5% variation explained) and failed to significantly explain any variation, independent of the environmental variables, in the majority of the datasets. However, the amount of variation explained by dispersal related factors increased with increasing geographic distance and increasing taxonomic resolution. We extrapolated our regional scale observations to the global scale by combining the regional datasets into a global dataset comprising 1039 freshwater lakes from both hemispheres and spanning a geographic distance of over 19 000 km. At this global scale, taxonomic turnover was lowest in highly connected habitats, once environmental factors were partialled out. In common with many other studies of macro‐organisms, these analyses showed that both dispersal related and local variables significantly contribute to the structure of global lacustrine diatom communities.
The interplay between species’ positive and negative interactions shapes the community biomass–species richness relationship
Authors: Xiao Sa , Michalet Richard , Wang Gang , Chen Shu‐Yan
Published: May 2009

We used an individual‐based spatially‐explicit model to assess the role of facilitation and plant strategies in shaping the ‘community biomass–species richness’ relationship. Facilitation had few impacts on community's richness under both the most benign (high community biomass) and the most severe (low community biomass) environments where its intensity was weak. From medium to high environmental severity, facilitation increased community richness, because all plant strategies were facilitated. In contrast, from low to medium environmental severity facilitation decreased community richness, because only the most competitive species were facilitated, which induced a decrease in the richness of the stress‐tolerant species overwhelming the increase in richness of the competitive species. Above all, our simulations show how ‘strategy‐dependent’ interactions among species combine to shape the humped‐back biomass–species richness relationship. It also demonstrates that facilitative effects might have long‐term negative effects on species richness, which result is not included in current facilitation models.
Topical treatment of erectile dysfunction with prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester
Authors: Schanz Stefan , Hauck Ekkehard W. , Schmelz Hans U. , Weidner Wolfgang , Fierlbeck Gerhard
Published: May 2009

Background: Prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester (PGE1‐EE) is a prodrug of prostaglandin E1 but with much improved transdermal penetration.

Patients and Methods: We performed a randomized, double‐blind, controlled study in 34 patients to assess the safety and efficacy of transdermally applied PGE1‐EE for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In a first single‐blinded titration period the most appropriate PGE1‐EE dose (maximum 1000 μg) was determined. PGE1‐EE was applied to the shaft of the penis using an adhesive foil patch which contained the drug. For home use, the patients were provided with 4 patches with the appropriate dose and 2 patches with placebo containing a small dose of 5 μg PGE1‐EE to use randomly prior to sexual intercourse, waiting three days between each use.

Results: The median rigidity score as the primary outcome variable was significantly higher after verum versus placebo applications. Also, concerning the secondary outcome variable satisfactory sexual activity, superiority was shown for verum versus placebo. Although penetrating intercourse could not be performed significantly more frequently, 50 % of patients considered the treatment successful. It was well‐tolerated and local side effects were generally mild.

Conclusions: PGE1‐EE could be a promising drug formulation in local penile therapy of ED. In further studies higher doses should be investigated in order to potentially achieve a higher level of efficacy.
QTL for traits related to humoral immune response estimated from data of a porcine F2 resource population
Authors: Wimmers K. , Murani E. , Schellander K. , Ponsuksili S.
Published: May 2009

This study aimed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits related to humoral innate immune defence. Therefore, haemolytic complement activity in the alternative and the classical pathway, serum concentration of C3c and of haptoglobin (HP) were measured in blood samples obtained from F2 piglets (n = 457) of a porcine F2 resource population before and afterMycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Aujeszky's disease virus (Suid herpesvirus I, SuHVI) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccination at 6, 14 and 16 weeks of age. Animals were genotyped at 88 autosomal markers. QTL analysis was performed under the line cross and the half sib. Phenotypic data were adjusted for systematic effects by mixed models with and without repeated measures statement. In total, 46 and 21 estimated QTL positions were detected with genome‐wide significance at the 0.05 and 0.01 level, respectively. The proximal region of SSC2 (orthologous to HSA11 0–70 Mb), the distal region of SSC4 (HSA1 95–155 Mb), and the intermediate region of SSC16 (HSA5 0–73 Mb and 150–174 Mb) showed a clustering of estimated QTL positions for complement activity based on the different models. A common genetic background, i.e. a single true QTL, might underlie these QTL positions for related traits. In addition, QTL for antibody titres were detected on SSC1, 2, 6 and 7. With regard to number and magnitude of their impact, QTL for humoral innate immune traits behave like those for other quantitative traits. Discovery of such QTL facilitates the identification of candidate genes for disease resistance and immune competence that are applicable in selective breeding and further research towards improving therapeutic and prophylactic measures.
HLA genes in Uros from Titikaka Lake, Peru: origin and relationship with other Amerindians and worldwide populations
Authors: Arnaiz‐Villena A. , Gonzalez‐Alcos V. , Serrano‐Vela J. I. , Reguera R. , Barbolla L. , Parga‐Lozano C. , Gómez‐Prieto P. , Abd‐El‐Fatah‐Khalil S. , Moscoso J.
Published: May 2009

Uros population from the Titikaka Lake live in about 42 floating reed (‘totora’) islands in front of Puno City (Peru) at a 4000 m high altiplano. They present both an mtDNA and a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) profile different from the surrounding populations: mtDNA A2 haplogroup is common to Uros and Amazon forest lowland Amerindians. HLA genetic distances between populations have been calculated and neighbour‐joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses were carried out. Approximately 15 006 HLA chromosomes from worldwide populations have been used for comparisons. Only eight HLA‐A alleles have been found, three of them accounting for most of the frequencies. The same phenomenon is seen for HLA‐B, HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 alleles: a few alleles (3, 4 and 3, respectively) are present in most individuals. The presence of HLA‐B*4801 and HLA‐DRB1*0901 alleles in a relatively high frequency (although not the most frequent alleles found) is a characteristic shared with Asians and some populations from the Andean altiplano. Three specific Uros haplotypes have been found among the most frequent ones: HLA‐A*680102‐B*3505‐DRB1*0403‐DQB1*0302; HLA‐A*2402‐B*1504‐DRB1*1402‐DQB1*0301; and HLA‐A*2402‐B*4801‐DRB1*0403‐DQB1*0302. The present study suggests that Uros may have been one of the first populations from the shores of the Titikaka Lake coming from the Amazonian forest, which might have given rise to other later differentiated ethnic group (i.e. Aymaras). Uros HLA profile is also useful to study genetic epidemiology of diseases linked to HLA and to construct a future transplant waiting list by adding up regional lists in order to get a bigger pool for transplanting with better HLA matching.
High‐yield timothy (Phleum pratense L.) strains developed by ‘clone and strain synthesis’, a method for breeding perennial and self‐incompatible crops
Authors: Tamaki Hiroyuki , Sato Koichi , Ashikaga Kazunori , Tanaka Tsuneki , Yoshizawa Akira , Fujii Hiroki
Published: May 2009

While breeding methods to exploit only general combining ability (GCA) have been widely adopted in perennial and self‐incompatible forage crops, maize breeders have had great success in improving maize yield by developing hybrid breeding, whereby not only GCA but also specific combining ability (SCA) can be effectively exploited. A number of trials to apply hybrid breeding to such crops have not been successful because of severe inbreeding depression and/or ineffectiveness in commercial seed production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of ‘clone and strain synthesis’ (CSS), a method in which both GCA and SCA can be exploited effectively to breed perennial and self‐incompatible crops. CSS consists of two procedures: (i) harvest of syn‐1 seeds from two seed parental clones after mating of each clone with a pollen parental strain under separate, isolated conditions; and (ii) even mixing of the syn‐1 seeds to produce subsequent generations, as is done to develop conventional synthetic strains from a number of parental clones. Therefore, the yield of a strain developed by CSS depends partly on combining ability, including SCA, among the three parental materials. Fifteen timothy (Phleum pratense L.) strains were developed by CSS for verification. The productivity test results indicated that four strains in the syn‐2 had significantly higher yield levels than the commercial variety adopted as their pollen parent, suggesting the potential of CSS to breed high‐yield varieties for forage, biofuel, or other uses. Yield of the strains was applied to a diallel analysis to evaluate the relative importance of SCA toward GCA; the results suggested that SCA was important in determining yield level.
Biting strategy of sheep in grazing grass leaf blades
Authors: Devee Enkhee , Aro Aro Juan Marcos , Toukura Yuji , Hirata Masahiro , Hongo Akio
Published: May 2009

The biomechanical characteristics of leaf blades of diploid and tetraploid cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and these effects on biting behavior of sheep were investigated using 3‐D loadcell in order to clarify biting strategy of sheep and the effect of biting forces on dry matter (DM) intake. Ten, 20, 30 and 40 leaf blade segments per loadcell were offered to sheep. Sheep usually grazed leaves with low biting forces (3.5–22.1 N). The number of bites per point, number of grazed leaf blades per bite and DM weight per bite increased with increasing leaf densities. Sheep used more bites in grazing leaf blades of tetraploid Prospero than those of diploid Aurora. In contrast, the number of grazed leaves per bite was lower in grazing leaf blades of Prospero than those of Aurora. The grand means of duration time per bite and time up to a peak biting force were 0.169 ± 0.005 and 0.061 ± 0.003 s, respectively. Intake efficiency (DM weight per mean biting force) as an indicator of benefit/cost ratio was not significantly different among any treatments and the grand mean was 14.4 ± 1.0 mg DM N−1. There was an apparent correlation between bending moment and mean shearing strength, suggesting that sheep may recognize biomechanical characteristics of all leaf blades prior to prehension through sensing bending strength and decide the level of creative biting force. From the number of grazed leaf blades per bite and mean shearing strength of a single leaf, mean biting forces were estimated (5.1 N in Aurora and 4.3 N in Prospero), compared with mean biting forces (5.5 ± 0.5 N in Aurora and 6.5 ± 0.4 N in Prospero) observed in grazing trial. These results suggest that sheep may break leaf blades mainly by shearing force.
Soil carbon stock in typical grasslands in Japan
Authors: Nakagami Koji , Hojito Masayuki , Itano Shiro , Kohyama Kazunori , Miyaji Tomoko , Nishiwaki Aya , Matsuura Shoji , Tsutsumi Michio , Kano Shunpei
Published: May 2009

To evaluate the carbon (C) sequestration function of grassland soils in Japan, soil C stocks were measured in 24 grasslands (3–43‐year‐old pastures) across 14 livestock farms nationwide. Soil C stocks varied among soil types, and the values in the upper 25 and 50 cm were higher in Andosols (mean, 12.4 and 19.3 kg m−2, respectively) than in Brown Forest soils (7.5 and 13.7 kg m−2) and other soil types (5.5 and 7.5 kg m−2). At the same time, C stocks varied among pastures within each soil type. Compared to data from the published work on the C content shortly after pasture establishment, aged pastures had decreasing C concentrations as the soil depth increased, suggesting substantial C accumulation in the top soil layers during pasture aging. This C accumulation caused grassland soils to store as much C as adjacent forest soils. Although the C stocks in the grassland soils were not statistically different from those in the adjacent native forest soils, some grassland areas stored greater amounts of C than the forests, indicating a possibility of increasing soil C stocks through improved grassland management.
Definitive Sun-as-a-star p-mode frequencies: 23 years of BiSON observations
Authors: Broomhall A.-M. , Chaplin W. J. , Davies G. R. , Elsworth Y. , Fletcher S. T. , Hale S. J. , Miller B. , New R.
Published: May 2009

We present a list of ‘best possible’ estimates of low-degree p-mode frequencies from 8640 days of observations made by the Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON). This is the longest stretch of helioseismic data ever used for this purpose, giving exquisite precision in the estimated frequencies. Every effort has been made in the analysis to ensure that the frequency estimates are also accurate. In addition to presenting the raw best-fitting frequencies from our ‘peak-bagging’ analysis, we also provide tables of corrected frequencies pertinent to the quiet-Sun and an intermediate level of solar activity.
A Robed Revolution: The Contemporary Buddhist Nun's (Bhikṣuṇ?) Movement
Authors: Mrozik Susanne
Published: May 2009

Women's access to full ordination as Buddhist nuns (bhikṣuṇ?) is one of the most hotly contested issues in the Buddhist world today. Focusing on Sri Lanka and the Tibetan exile community in India, this article outlines the central issues of the debate, which range from the minutiae of Buddhist monastic regulations to the politics of national and ethnic identity. Topics addressed include Sakyadhita, ordination lineage (vinaya), alternative forms of female renunciation (e.g., maechee), feminism, and tensions between local and international visions of the Buddhist monastic community, which lie at the heart of the current debate.
The development of the Recovery and Prevention of Psychosis Service in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Murphy Brendan P. , Simms Carolyn , Dowling Rose‐Mary , Graham Annette , Doherty Anne , Meadows Graham N.
Published: May 2009

Aim: To describe the establishment of a multicomponent, phase‐specific, early intervention service for young people experiencing psychosis.

Methods: The Recovery and Prevention of Psychosis Service commenced streamed clinical service delivery in November 2004, providing comprehensive case management for up to 3 years within Victoria's largest metropolitan health service. It delivers phase‐oriented treatment focusing on early detection, recovery and relapse prevention, and minimizing disability and secondary comorbidity. The combined programme covers training and professional development, data collection and evaluation, specialist intervention services, group programme work and community development.

Results: Of the first 151 clients, 70.2% were male, the average age at first presentation was 20.9 years, 15% were under 18 at first contact and 67% required inpatient admission at least once. Mean age at first contact was 20.84 years for those requiring inpatient services and 70% admitted were male. The average length of stay was 25.69 days and 23% were secluded, with an average of 2.1 seclusions. A large percentage of Recovery and Prevention of Psychosis Service clients (81%) required involuntary treatment, a significantly greater proportion of admitted patients were on Community Treatment Orders compared to those never admitted (22.5% cf. 4.1%; P = 0.04) and 92% of those admitted subsequently relapsed compared to 8% of those not admitted (P = 0.02).

Conclusions: Recovery and Prevention of Psychosis Service is successfully developing a fully integrated first episode service. Recent developments include expanding the period of care up to 5 years for selected patients, the recruitment of a health promotions officer and planning for the development of a youth inpatient unit.
Intervention to improve level of overall functioning and mental condition of adolescents at high risk of developing first‐episode psychosis in Finland
Authors: Granö Niklas , Karjalainen Marjaana , Anto Jukka , Itkonen Arja , Edlund Virve , Roine Mikko
Published: May 2009

Aim: Being at high risk of developing psychosis has been suggested to be a result of a combination of acute life stressors and trait‐like vulnerability to psychosis. Reducing levels of stress could support overall functioning and mental condition in those at risk.

Methods: The Jorvi Early Psychosis Recognition and Intervention (JERI) project at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Jorvi Hospital, Finland, is an early intervention team for adolescents at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis. The project is based on the idea of multiprofessional, community, home, family and network‐oriented, stress‐reducing, overall functioning‐supporting, low‐threshold care. The JERI team meets multiprofessionally with adolescents in their natural surroundings, for example, at school or at home, together with their parents, network and community co‐worker, who has originally contacted the JERI team because of unclear mental health problems. Subjects were assessed with the PROD‐prodromal screen to identify those at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis.

Results: Statistically significant difference between baseline and follow‐up measures was found in at risk subjects (n = 28) in scales of overall functioning (P = 0.000), depression (P = 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.001), quality of life (QOL) and pre‐psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions: JERI‐type intervention may improve level of overall functioning and support mental condition in adolescents at risk of developing first‐episode psychosis, even though further study with larger numbers of subjects, with a control group and with a longer follow‐up time, is needed.
Early psychosis intervention service for children and youth: a retrospective chart review of the first four years
Authors: Morris Ashley , Nixon Mary K. , Keyes Randy , Ashmore Douglas
Published: May 2009

Aims: There are at present no published reports of outpatient Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) service designed for children aged 16 years and under. The objectives of this study are to describe aspects of an outpatient paediatric EPI programme from the time period after the initial pilot and during its first 4 years of service with dedicated staffing.

Method: This study employed a retrospective chart review model in which variables were operationalized and then extracted from existing patient medical records spanning a 4‐year time period. Data were then analysed for frequency, mean and range values.

Results: Demographic characteristics and service profiles for 56 patients were collected. The majority were male (64.3%) and the mean age was 14.8 years (range: 9–17 years). The average number of days from referral to first in‐person contact was 7.3 days. The most common discharge diagnosis was Bipolar Disorder (38.7%) followed by Psychosis Not Otherwise Specified (25.8%) in those with psychosis, whereas an anxiety disorder was the most common diagnosis in those who were not psychotic. The majority of discharged patients were able to be followed up by community‐based services. Readmission and hospitalization rates for this EPI service were low.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that an EPI model of care extended to a younger age group can be implemented to provide early intervention to youth with a range of psychiatric disorders that present with psychotic symptoms.
Stigma in families of individuals in early stages of psychotic illness: family stigma and early psychosis
Authors: Wong Celine , Davidson Larry , Anglin Deirdre , Link Bruce , Gerson Ruth , Malaspina Dolores , McGlashan Thomas , Corcoran Cheryl
Published: May 2009

Aim: Stigma is pervasive among families of individuals with psychotic disorders and includes both general and ‘associative’ stigma – that is, the process by which a person is stigmatized by virtue of association with another stigmatized individual. These forms of stigma may present a barrier to help seeking. However, little is known about stigma in the early stages of evolving psychotic disorder.

Methods: Family members of 11 individuals at clinical high risk and of nine patients with recent‐onset psychosis were evaluated for generalized and associative stigma using the Opinions about Mental Illness (modified) and the Family Experiences Interview Schedule.

Results: In this small study, the level of stigma was low, as families endorsed many supportive statements, forexample, patients should be encouraged to vote, patients want to work, mental illness should be protected legally as a disability and parity should exist in insurance coverage. Families also endorsed that both talking and a belief in God and prayer can help someone get better. Only ethnic minority families of individuals with recent‐onset psychosis endorsed a sense of shame and need to conceal the patient's illness.

Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that family stigma is low in the early stages of psychotic disorder, a finding that requires further investigation in a larger and more representative sample. This may be an opportune time to engage young people and families, so as to reduce duration of untreated illness. Ethnic differences in stigma, if replicated, highlight the need for cultural sensitivity in engaging individuals and their families in treatment.
Application of the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) to the Japanese population: reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the CAARMS
Authors: Miyakoshi Tetsuo , Matsumoto Kazunori , Ito Fumiaki , Ohmuro Noriyuki , Matsuoka Hiroo
Published: May 2009

Aim: The putative prodromal state of schizophrenia has been conceptualized as an at‐risk mental state (ARMS), which is identified on the basis of ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) criteria, and the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) has been developed as a specific instrument. However, the generalizability of CAARMS and the concept of ARMS have not been established. In this study, we tested the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of CAARMS (CAARMS‐J).

Methods: The participants were recruited from a specialized clinic for ARMS. The inter‐rater reliability of CAARMS‐J was examined. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) subscale scores and the basic symptoms of the CAARMS‐J‐defined UHR‐positive group were compared with those of first‐episode psychosis (FEP) and UHR‐negative groups. The predictive validity was examined by following up the UHR‐positive individuals. The 12‐month transition rate to psychosis and the antipsychotics prescription rate were calculated.

Results: The CAARMS‐J showed good inter‐rater reliability. The PANSS‐positive symptoms subscale scores of the UHR‐positive group were intermediate between the FEP and the UHR‐negative groups, and the UHR‐positive group scored higher than the UHR‐negative group in some basic symptoms. The positive and negative symptoms scores of the CAARMS‐J significantly correlated with the corresponding scores of the PANSS. After 12 months, 3 out of 28 (10.7%) UHR‐positive cases had transitioned to psychosis and 11 (39.2%) individuals were prescribed antipsychotics.

Conclusions: The CAARMS‐J is a reliable and valid tool for assessing and detecting ARMS in Japanese clinical settings, suggesting that the concept of ARMS is applicable in Japan.
Duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care in patients with first‐episode psychosis in Iran
Authors: Sharifi Vandad , Kermani‐Ranjbar Tahereh , Amini Homayoun , Alaghband‐rad Javad , Salesian Niloofar , Seddigh Arshia
Published: May 2009

Aim: This is the first study on the duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care among patients with first‐episode psychosis in Iran as a developing country.

Methods: Ninety‐one patients with a first episode of non‐organic psychosis admitted to a university‐affiliated psychiatric hospital in Iran were assessed for duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), pathways to care and mode of onset.

Results: Median DUP was 11 weeks (mean = 52.3 weeks). Following the onset of psychosis, most patients were first seen by a psychiatrist (n = 23, 25.3%), a traditional healer (n = 21, 23.1%) or a general practitioner (n = 16, 17.6%). Most referrals to the psychiatric hospital were made by the family (n = 30, 33.1%), or health professionals (n = 29, 31.9%). Acute onset and rural place of residence were associated with shorter DUP in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: Median DUP was not long in an inpatient sample with first‐episode psychosis, which may be due to the preponderance of affective and acute psychoses in this sample and some help‐seeking or service variables.
Prodromal unfolding: the validation of the Schizotypic Syndrome Questionnaire model in a sample of first‐episode schizophrenic patients
Authors: Van Kampen Dirk , Maurer Kurt , An Der Heiden Wolfram , Häfner Heinz
Published: May 2009

Aim: Validation of Van Kampen's Schizotypic Syndrome Questionnaire (SSQ) model of schizophrenic prodromal unfolding. The SSQ model comprises 12 negative, asocial and psychotic‐like symptoms that are hypothesized to determine each other in terms of cause and effect.

Method: Use was made of the Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia (IRAOS)‐dependent retrospective data assembled in the Mannheim Age–Beginning–Course Study sample of first‐episode schizophrenic patients to measure the SSQ symptoms. Both the mean positions of the IRAOS‐assessed symptoms on a continuum representing the proportion of total time of pre‐psychotic disturbance and the outcome of a series of LISREL analyses conducted on the IRAOS‐dependent data were addressed.

Results: Both kinds of data supported the validity of the SSQ model; however, this was after introducing some (relatively minor or demonstrable ineffective) changes in the model as the ‘translation’ of the SSQ symptoms by means of the IRAOS was not always easy, or proved even impossible in the case of one symptom.

Conclusions: The conclusion seems warranted that the present investigation supports the validity of the SSQ model as a model of pre‐psychotic and prodromal unfolding in patients diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. From a theoretical perspective, arguments are presented to interpret the SSQ model as a model of the core or principal symptoms of schizophrenia, including their temporal unfolding.
Cognitive deterioration and duration of untreated psychosis
Authors: Gaynor Keith , Dooley Barbara , Lawlor Elizabeth , Lawoyin L. Richard , O'Callaghan Eadbhard
Published: May 2009

Aim: To examine the relationship between cognitive deterioration and the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in a first‐episode psychosis sample.

Method: We assessed a consecutive sample of first‐episode psychosis participants (N = 50) with measures of cognitive deterioration and DUP.

Results: Using correlations and stepwise linear regressions, we found strong relationships between DUP and measures of cognitive deterioration.

Conclusions: The length of DUP predicted cognitive deterioration. These results highlight a potential DUP grace period (>6 months) in which significant cognitive deterioration may be averted.
A Year‐Round Professional Development Model for World Language Educators
Authors: Steele Tracy M. , Peterson Margaret D. , Silva Duarte M. , Padilla Amado M.
Published: May 2009

Abstract: The Bay Area Foreign Language Program (BAFLP), one of nine regional sites of the California Foreign Language Project, offers ongoing, year‐round professional development programs for world language educators. In addition, its leadership program prepares selected educators to assume leadership positions at their school sites, building capacity for sustainable change. Demographic data from the program reveal increased opportunities for educators to strengthen their standards‐based instructional practices. Findings also indicate that the leadership program is successful in terms of participant experience, allowing educators to gain leadership skills and lend their expertise back to improving the program. Aligned to the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, BAFLP's model can offer guidance to school districts in crafting effective and sustainable professional development programs.
Got Film? Is It a Readily Accessible Window to the Target Language and Culture for Your Students?
Authors: Bueno Kathleen A.
Published: May 2009

Abstract: This article reviews what we know about integrating film into our foreign language classes and addresses the aspects of film and the media literacy issues that impact deeper understanding of the target language and culture. In addition, I illustrate the interplay of these factors in planning instruction that integrates film in the third and fourth year of university study. Finally, I describe a classroom application: the delivery of the feature film Yerma (Távora, 1998) via a course management system for an advanced Spanish conversation and composition class and the strategies and techniques employed to promote translingual and transcultural competence.
Online Extensive Reading for Advanced Foreign Language Learners: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Arnold Nike
Published: May 2009

Abstract: The following article reports the findings of a qualitative evaluation of an online extensive reading program in German as a foreign language. Designed for advanced learners, it differs from traditional extensive reading programs in two important aspects: students read online instead of printed materials, and there was no teacher preselection to ensure that learners were reading at the i minus 1 level. Data from reflections and questionnaires indicate that learners experienced a variety of affective and linguistic benefits. Interestingly, some learners purposely sought out more difficult texts to challenge themselves. While this violates a key principle of extensive reading, it is indicative of learners' growing motivation and self‐confidence. There is also evidence that they developed into skilled second language readers, making conscious decisions about reading strategy and dictionary use.
Speech Processing Prerequisites or L1 Transfer? Evidence From English and French L2 Learners of Arabic
Authors: Alhawary Mohammad T.
Published: May 2009

Abstract:The article aims at investigating speech processing prerequisite claims made by Pienemann's Processability Theory (1998). Longitudinal data from eight English L1 and one French L1 speaker learning Arabic as an L2 were used to investigate the emergence/processing of demonstrative‐predicate gender agreement and verbal agreement structures hypothesized to be processable at the same stage: Stage 4. The findings show that both forms were not processable by the English L1 participants at the same stage, as the participants seemed to encounter more problems with demonstrative‐predicate agreement than with verbal agreement. The findings are further supported by cross‐sectional data of 53 English and French L2 learners of Arabic, where between‐group effects were found with respect to demonstrative‐predicate agreement. It is concluded that this is likely due to L1 transfer—a factor not accounted for by Processability Theory.
The Tail of Integrins, Talin, and Kindlins
Authors: Moser Markus , Legate Kyle R. , Zent Roy , Fässler Reinhard
Published: May 2009

Tales of Talin, Kindlin, and Integrin

The integrins are receptors on the surface of animal cells that mediate attachment to the extracellular matrix. Integrins also act as signaling molecules, activating signaling pathways when they bind to their ligands in the matrix. Furthermore, integrins can communicate signals from the inside to the outside of the cell when signals within the cell alter the affinity of integrins for their extracellular ligands.

Moser
et al.

(p.
895
) review recent advances in understanding the roles of the proteins talin and kindlin in such bidirectional signaling and how they influence the function of integrins in health and disease.
Fictive Reward Signals in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Hayden Benjamin Y. , Pearson John M. , Platt Michael L.
Published: May 2009

The Path Not Taken

People readily recognize that unchosen actions have consequences and adjust their behavior accordingly. The ability to recognize fictive outcomes is thought to be a necessary component of regret, and disruptions in this ability may cause anxiety and problem gambling. Do animals engage in this same process?

Hayden
et al.

(p.
948
) provided monkeys with information about what rewards unchosen options would have given. The monkeys' behavior depended strongly on these fictive outcomes. Responses of single neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex, which monitors outcomes of rewarding decisions and guides subsequent changes in behavior, were recorded while monkeys performed the task. Nearly half the neurons in the sample responded to both experienced and fictive outcomes. Thus, the anterior cingulate cortex does not simply monitor the consequences of actions, but represents outcomes in a more abstract manner that incorporates both real and fictive information.
Direct Detection of Abortive RNA Transcripts in Vivo
Authors: Goldman Seth R. , Ebright Richard H. , Nickels Bryce E.
Published: May 2009

Identifying Abortive Initiation

During transcription initiation in vitro, the RNA polymerase enzyme typically engages in cycles of synthesis and release of short RNA transcripts (“abortive initiation”) before breaking interactions with promoter DNA and beginning transcription elongation. Using hybridization methods developed to detect microRNAs,

Goldman
et al.

(p.
927
) directly detected products of abortive initiation in bacterial cells in vivo. Abortive initiation increased when interactions between RNA polymerase and the promoter were strengthened or when transcription was prevented. Thus, products of abortive initiation may help to regulate gene expression.
A Key Role for Similarity in Vicarious Reward
Authors: Mobbs Dean , Yu Rongjun , Meyer Marcel , Passamonti Luca , Seymour Ben , Calder Andrew J. , Schweizer Susanne , Frith Chris D. , Dalgleish Tim
Published: May 2009

A functional magnetic resonance imaging study reveals the interactions within the brain that modulate feelings of reward on seeing a similar person win a contest.
MAPK3/1 (ERK1/2) in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Are Essential for Female Fertility
Authors: Fan Heng-Yu , Liu Zhilin , Shimada Masayuki , Sterneck Esta , Johnson Peter F. , Hedrick Stephen M. , Richards JoAnne S.
Published: May 2009

Regulating Oocyte Maturation

Understanding exactly how ovarian follicles mature to generate fertile eggs is key to many aspects of fertility treatment. When the pituitary surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) binds to its receptor on granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles, a cascade of signaling events triggers granulosa cells to become luteal cells and the oocyte to resume meiosis.

Fan
et al.

(p.
938
; see the Perspective by

Duggavathi and Murphy

), using the mouse as a model system, targeted disruption of the kinases ERK1 and ERK2 selectively in granulosa cells. The kinases were essential in vivo mediators of LH induction of ovulation and luteinization.
Observing the Quantization of Zero Mass Carriers in Graphene
Authors: Miller David L. , Kubista Kevin D. , Rutter Gregory M. , Ruan Ming , de Heer Walt A. , First Phillip N. , Stroscio Joseph A.
Published: May 2009

Resolving Landau Levels in Graphene

The charge carriers in a two-dimensional conductor, when placed in a magnetic field, can develop an additional set of quantized energy levels. These Landau levels correspond to the carriers now moving in cyclotron orbits. In graphene, which consists of single-atom-thick sheets of graphite, an unusual set of Landau levels with nonequal energy spacing can develop in graphene layers that have undergone symmetry breaking caused by rotation between adjacent layers.

Miller
et al.

(p.
924
) used scanning tunneling microscopy at cryogenic temperatures to map out Landau levels in graphene grown on silicon carbide with high energy and momentum resolution, including the characteristic level in graphene that can occur at zero energy.