bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Holistic Approach to Establishing an Effective Learning Environment for Psychology
Authors: Cohen Lynne , Chang Paul , Pooley Julie Ann , Pike Lisbeth
Published: November 2010

The impetus for the Enhancing Quality and Learning (EQUAL) programme evolved out of concerns held by the staff in the School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University (ECU) regarding the difficulties encountered by first year psychology students and the subsequent low retention rate of these students in the psychology course. The EQUAL programme focused on easing the transition of high school students into university studies by enhancing the social support networks of commencing students. The programme was designed to be an holistic approach to enhancing a sense of belonging to the School of Psychology and comprised seven components. These are peer mentoring, the formation of learning communities, curriculum reforms, tutor training, orientation, the development of student portfolios and school liaison. EQUAL is now an integral part of the learning experience for all psychology students at ECU. Evaluations of the EQUAL programme indicate greater student satisfaction with the psychology course and increased retention rates.
The Reported Rewards of Part-Time Study
Authors: Harrop Alex , Tattersall Andy , Goody Adam
Published: November 2010

A questionnaire was administered to part and full-time students of psychology at Liverpool John Moores University in order to determine the extent to which the part-time students appreciated the course. The results showed the part-time students reported themselves as having gained more from the programme than the full-time students, in terms of support and relationship with tutors, satisfaction with teaching and interest in various aspects of the programme. In terms of perceived changes in skill levels, however, there were no large differences between the two groups.
Peer Mentoring: The Students' Perspective
Authors: Page Deaglan , Hanna Donncha
Published: November 2010

Although it has been demonstrated that mentoring can be important for first-year students there has been, to date, relatively little published on the perceptions of peer mentoring by mentees. This report assessed students' views on how they utilised the mentoring process and what structure they feel would be most appropriate. Research has consistently shown that such schemes have beneficial effects for not only both participants but also the university itself. With the increased attention on issues of retention, the experience of first-year students was the particular focus of this report. The majority of students communicated via email, texts or phone calls. The academic related topics that the students most frequently discussed appeared to be issues relating to lecture notes, essay planning and essay writing. By contrast, a third of the students discussed socialising, talked about finding their way around the university campus and talked about adjusting to living away from their family home. The majority of students agreed that they would prefer an online forum where they could meet fellow students. When asked if they would prefer to select their mentor, as opposed to a randomised process of allocation, less than a fifth of respondents expressed a preference for selection. This report suggests that provision of an online forum along with random allocation of mentors to mentees could provide an acceptable, efficient and cost-effective means to provide such a scheme.
Assessing Statistics at Postgraduate Level: The Statistics Chapter Assignment
Authors: Bourne Victoria J.
Published: November 2010

Statistics is perhaps one of the most challenging areas within the teaching and assessment of psychology. While a fair amount of attention has been given to this area within the context of undergraduate studies, rather less has been given to the ways in which these challenges may differ when teaching postgraduate students. This report describes an assignment that has now been used over a number of years within a postgraduate statistics module: the Statistics Chapter. For this assignment, students are required to write a statistics chapter aimed at second-year undergraduate psychology students. As part of this they must design their own data set, discuss the theoretical background behind their chosen method of analysis, explain how to run the analysis in SPSS and how to interpret and write up the results. The Statistics Chapter appears to provide an approachable method for assessing postgraduate statistical abilities.
Psychology Students' Experiences of Academic Peer Mentoring at the London Metropolitan University Writing Centre
Authors: Bakhshi Savita , Harrington Kathy , O'Neill Peter
Published: November 2010

The London Metropolitan University Writing Centre has developed the Student Writing Mentor Scheme which involves undergraduate and postgraduate students providing writing support for other students. The scheme is collaborative, nondirective and nonhierarchical in approach and its purpose is to enable students to become confident and competent academic writers in their disciplines. The aim of this study was to investigate psychology students' experiences of using the Writing Centre during the first year and a half of its operation. Using an online questionnaire, we found that students came to the Centre for a variety of reasons, including wanting to talk to someone about their assignments and wanting assurance that they were on the right track. We also found evidence of psychology students wanting a mentor from the same discipline, and high levels of student satisfaction with tutorials and the Centre overall. Our evaluation suggests that peer mentoring schemes that focus on writing can be a useful aid in supporting students' development as academic writers. Future research should concentrate on the relationship between participation in the Student Writing Mentor Scheme and student achievement and progression –for both mentors and students.
Career Planning and Awareness in Psychology Undergraduates
Authors: Brewer Gayle
Published: November 2010

The relationship between higher education and the labour market has been emphasised throughout educational policy and pedagogic literature. However, the labour market has become increasingly competitive, highlighting the importance of effective career planning. Perceptions of the labour market and career service usage were investigated in psychology undergraduates at one post 1992 English university. There was a low level of career service usage amongst undergraduates, and a considerable number of students were unaware of the facilities available. Degree route (generalised or specialised psychology) and year of study were not related to perceptions of the labour market or career service usage.
How Can Psychology Tutors Help Their Students Write More Effectively?
Authors: Hartley James
Published: November 2010

This essay is written in several parts. First I ponder about whether or not it is really possible to do much these days to help students to write effectively. Next I nonetheless give some examples of how colleagues can (and have) set about the task. These examples come in two sets: traditional things we must stop doing, and new things that we might do. Finally, I conclude, somewhat pessimistically, that while these activities may help, they might not make a lot of difference. Writing well – like any skill – requires practice, and most students do not have the necessary time and inclination.
Accessing and Understanding the Tacit Dimensions of Assessment
Authors: Hugh-Jones Siobhan , Waterman Mitch , Wilson Inga
Published: November 2010

Despite the pervasive use of marking criteria across higher education, their clarity, precision and objectivity are arguably spurious and context bound, with a concern that many assessors may be marking for elements not represented in the marking criteria. The existence and nature of such implicit, or tacit, influences on assessment were explored in this small study, through an initial online questionnaire (N = 20) followed by a verbal protocol with eight psychology assessors. The protocol involved thinking aloud whilst marking and providing feedback on an undergraduate essay. Assessors' articulated thoughts were recorded, transcribed and subjected to detailed coding. Findings indicated that novice and experienced markers attended to similar features in the essay and that these features were identifiable in published marking criteria. However, there was considerable variation in the marks awarded (from 55 to 65). The paper discusses possible explanations for how marks are formulated and considers the implications for processes of calibration and benchmarking amongst novice markers.
Perceived Improvements in Service User Involvement in Two Clinical Psychology Training Courses
Authors: Holttum Sue , Hayward Mark
Published: November 2010

In line with current developments in mental health training, the doctoral courses in clinical psychology at two UK universities, Canterbury Christ Church and Surrey, have been working together to increase service user and carer involvement. A questionnaire was constructed and sent out at two time-points, one year apart, to examine staff and trainee ratings of service user and carer involvement, the friendliness of the course towards service user and carer experiences, and barriers and opportunities in relation to involvement. Initial validation work on the questionnaire is briefly presented, along with the final questionnaire subscales and items used. There were eight subscales, of which seven had reasonable internal consistency. Response rates from staff and trainee samples on each occasion ranged between 35% and 48%. The number of trainees responding to both surveys was 44, and staff 81. Ratings of service user and carer involvement improved significantly between the two time-points. However, there was no overall change in ratings of courses' friendliness towards service user and carer experiences, or of barriers and opportunities in relation to service user involvement. Trainees rated barriers to involvement lower than did staff at both times. The questionnaire may be useful for other courses in assessing staff and trainee perceptions of service user and carer involvement.
Use of Popular Television to Enhance Students' Understanding of Operant Conditioning
Authors: Poonati Supriya , Amadio Dean M.
Published: November 2010

Students typically struggle to understand operant conditioning concepts. However, no well-designed experimental research exists examining the efficacy of popular media in teaching these concepts. The present randomised, double-blind experiment examined the impact of using exemplars of operant conditioning concepts (positive and negative reinforcement and positive and negative punishment) from popular television on learning operant conditioning concepts in a group of 171 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory psychology classes. The experimental group indicated more enjoyment of the educational session but scored only marginally higher on a learning assessment of basic operant conditioning concepts.
Creative Approaches to Training Budding Clinical Psychologists
Authors: May Rufus
Published: November 2010

I have taught on many courses over the last 10 years. This article will look at areas I think are worth investing in that will contribute to producing confident well-rounded psychologists. The following subjects will be considered: Personal awareness: A good psychologist needs to be self-aware, to be able to look after oneself at the same time as listening empathically and creatively to clients and colleagues. The role of mindfulness, and finding unpressured ways for trainees to discuss personal narratives, thoughts and feelings, will be discussed. Experiential teaching: Role plays, focusing techniques and relaxation exercises all increase confidence in relating to one's own inner world and the inner world of the client. Spirituality: Spirituality can be defined as the search for meaning, and transcends traditional religious boundaries. How can we give trainees resources for becoming comfortable discussing spirituality in the context of the ‘scientist practitioner’ role? Group work: Group work allows people to learn from peers and brings out strengths that can be invisible in one-to-one work. I will suggest that there needs to a greater emphasis on teaching group work skills and outline what these might be. Service user involvement: Service user involvement needs to be done creatively and include reflective spaces for trainees. Teaching settings can be intimidating. Bringing trainees into the voluntary sector for such training may help. Working within challenging systems: It needs to be openly addressed that taking psychological ideas into medically dominated settings has its challenges. How can trainees negotiate with other models without losing the psychological perspective? Clinical psychology in society: Psychology has a political impact on the life of the community. We should consider how we both support the individual to change and address wider systemic dynamics and encourage the growth of healthier communities.
Renal Tumors in Children Aged 10–16 Years: A Report from the United Kingdom Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
Authors: Popov Sergey D. , Sebire Neil J. , Pritchard-Jones Kathy , Vujanić Gordan M.
Published: November 2010

Wilms tumor is the most common renal tumor of childhood. However, other epithelial, mesenchymal, and neuroectodermal neoplasms may also arise in the kidney during childhood, several of which show specific age distributions; in the 1st year of life, mesoblastic nephroma and rhabdoid tumor are more common, whereas renal cell carcinoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and anaplastic Wilms tumors are relatively more frequent in older children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to describe the spectrum of renal tumors in children aged 10–16 years using data from 1492 patients registered in the UK Wilms Tumour 3 Trial (1991–2001) and International Society of Paediatric Oncology Wilms Tumour Trial 2001 (2002–2008) clinical trials of renal tumors in childhood. There were 67 (4.6%) tumors in children aged 10–16 years: 50 Wilms tumors (74.6%), 10 (14.9%) renal cell carcinomas, 3 (4.5%) renal medullary carcinomas, 2 (3%) primitive neuroectodermal tumors, 1 clear cell sarcoma of kidney, and 1 desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Fourteen percent of the Wilms tumors in this age group had diffuse anaplasia. Among the 10 renal cell carcinomas, 4 were associated with t(Xp-11.2), 3 were of papillary type II, 1 was papillary type I, 1 was clear cell type, and 1 was unclassified. Five-year overall survival for Wilms tumor was 63% (43% for anaplastic tumors), significantly lower than reported overall survival for all pediatric Wilms tumors. Only 40% of patients with renal cell carcinoma survived, and all patients with other tumors died.
Distinction of Gem Spinels from the Himalayan Mountain Belt
Authors: Malsy Anna , Klemm Leonhard
Published: November 2010

Gem spinel deposits in Myanmar, Vietnam and Tajikistan have their formation in association with Himalayan orogenesis. Gem-quality orange, pink, red and purple spinels from deposits at Mogok (Myanmar), Luc Yen (Vietnam), and Kuh-i-Lal (Tajikistan) have been investigated by 'standard'
gemological testing and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Microscopic examination yielded apatite and calcite inclusions together with octahedral negative crystals to be most frequently present in Mogok spinels. The presence of dislocation systems and
titanite inclusions are indicative inclusion features for spinels from Luc Yen. Trace elements such as Ti, Fe, Ni, Zn, Zr and Sn differ slightly in spinels from the sources investigated. A distinction of spinels from these deposits is therefore possible by trace element chemistry. This is
especially helpful for gem spinels, which often show few inclusions or completely lack inclusion features.
Human Health Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in Water: Issues and Challenges Ahead
Authors: Kumar Arun , Chang Biao , Xagoraraki Irene
Published: November 2010

This study identified existing issues related to quantitative pharmaceutical risk assessment (QPhRA, hereafter) for pharmaceuticals in water and proposed possible solutions by analyzing methodologies and findings of different published QPhRA studies. Retrospective site-specific QPhRA studies from different parts of the world (U.S.A., United Kingdom, Europe, India, etc.) were reviewed in a structured manner to understand different assumptions, outcomes obtained and issues, identified/addressed/raised by the different QPhRA studies. Till date, most of the published studies have concluded that there is no appreciable risk to human health during environmental exposures of pharmaceuticals; however, attention is still required to following identified issues: (1) Use of measured versus predicted pharmaceutical concentration, (2) Identification of pharmaceuticals-of-concern and compounds needing special considerations, (3) Use of source water versus finished drinking water-related exposure scenarios, (4) Selection of representative exposure routes, (5) Valuation of uncertainty factors, and (6) Risk assessment for mixture of chemicals. To close the existing data and methodology gaps, this study proposed possible ways to address and/or incorporation these considerations within the QPhRA framework; however, more research work is still required to address issues, such as incorporation of short-term to long-term extrapolation and mixture effects in the QPhRA framework. Specifically, this study proposed a development of a new “mixture effects-related uncertainty factor” for mixture of chemicals (i.e., mixUFcomposite), similar to an uncertainty factor of a single chemical, within the QPhRA framework. In addition to all five traditionally used uncertainty factors, this uncertainty factor is also proposed to include concentration effects due to presence of different range of concentration levels of pharmaceuticals in a mixture. However, further work is required to determine values of all six uncertainty factors and incorporate them to use during estimation of point-of-departure values within the QPhRA framework.
Marine Bacterial Sialyltransferases
Authors: Yamamoto Takeshi
Published: November 2010

Sialyltransferases transfer N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) from the common donor substrate of these enzymes, cytidine 5’-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-Neu5Ac), to acceptor substrates. The enzymatic reaction products including sialyl‑glycoproteins, sialyl-glycolipids and sialyl-oligosaccharides are important molecules in various biological and physiological processes, such as cell-cell recognition, cancer metastasis, and virus infection. Thus, sialyltransferases are thought to be important enzymes in the field of glycobiology. To date, many sialyltransferases and the genes encoding them have been obtained from various sources including mammalian, bacterial and viral sources. During the course of our research, we have detected over 20 bacteria that produce sialyltransferases. Many of the bacteria we isolated from marine environments are classified in the genus Photobacterium or the closely related genus Vibrio. The paper reviews the sialyltransferases obtained mainly from marine bacteria.
Genetics of Dothistromin Biosynthesis of Dothistroma septosporum: An Update
Authors: Schwelm Arne , Bradshaw Rosie E.
Published: November 2010

Dothistroma needle blight is one of the most devastating fungal pine diseases worldwide. The disease is characterized by accumulation in pine needles of a red toxin, dothistromin, that is chemically related to aflatoxin (AF) and sterigmatocystin (ST). This review updates current knowledge of the genetics of dothistromin biosynthesis by the Dothistroma septosporum pathogen and highlights differences in gene organization and regulation that have been discovered between the dothistromin and AF/ST systems. Some previously reported genes are promoted or demoted as ‘dothistromin genes’ based on recent research. A new dothistromin gene, norB, is reported, and evidence of dothistromin gene homologs in other Dothideomycete fungi is presented. A hypothesis for the biological role of dothistromin is outlined. Finally, the impact that the availability of the D. septosporum genome sequence will have on dothistromin research is discussed.
Inhibition of the Type I Interferon Antiviral Response During Arenavirus Infection
Authors: Borrow Persephone , Martínez-Sobrido Luis , De la Torre Juan Carlos
Published: November 2010

Arenaviruses merit interest both as tractable experimental model systems to study acute and persistent viral infections, and as clinically-important human pathogens. Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans. In addition, evidence indicates that the globally-distributed prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a human pathogen of clinical significance in congenital infections, and also poses a great danger to immunosuppressed individuals. Arenavirus persistence and pathogenesis are facilitated by their ability to overcome the host innate immune response. Mammalian hosts have developed both membrane toll-like receptors (TLR) and cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), resulting in activation of the transcription factors IRF3 or IRF7, or both, which together with NF-κB and ATF-2/c-JUN induce production of type I interferon (IFN-I). IFN-I plays a key role in host anti-microbial defense by mediating direct antiviral effects via up-regulation of IFN-I stimulated genes (ISGs), activating dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells, and promoting the induction of adaptive responses. Accordingly, viruses have developed a plethora of strategies to disrupt the IFN-I mediated antiviral defenses of the host, and the viral gene products responsible for these disruptions are often major virulence determinants.IRF3- and IRF7-dependent induction of host innate immune responses is frequently targeted by viruses. Thus, the arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) was shown to inhibit the IFN‑I response by interfering with the activation of IRF3. This NP anti-IFN activity, together with alterations in the number and function of DCs observed in mice chronically infected with LCMV, likely play an important role in LCMV persistence in its murine host. In this review we will discuss current knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which arenaviruses can subvert the host innate immune response and their implications for understanding HF arenaviral disease as well as arenavirus persistence in their natural hosts.
Storytelling Effectively Translates TeamSTEPPS Skills into Practice
Authors: Rabinowitz Myrta , Johnson Lynn E. , Mazzapica Denise , O’Leary Jayne
Published: November 2010

This column shares the
lived experiences
of four Master Trainers who used storytelling as the methodology for teaching TeamSTEPPS to interprofessional staff members of a large health system. TeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based program that focuses on skills and behaviors that improve teamwork and communication, which are key to preventing medical errors.
Effect of a Preceptor Education Workshop: Part 1. Quantitative Results of a Hospital-Wide Study
Authors: Sandau Kristin E. , Cheng L. Grace , Pan Zhenyu , Gaillard Philippe R. , Hammer LeAnne
Published: November 2010

Background:

This study examined the hospital-wide effect of a mandatory 8-hour preceptor workshop on preceptors and orientees.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach (QUAN + qual) with a quasi-experimental design was used to test nurse preceptors' self-reported confidence and comfort (pre- to post-workshop) in five specific roles in addition to the frequency of coaching critical thinking and providing formal feedback. Additionally, survey items compared cross-sectional cohorts of preceptors and orientees pre- to postworkshop. Orientee retention rates were compared for 1 year before and 1 year after the workshop.

Results:

Findings from the QUAN portion of the study are presented. Paired
t
tests showed that preceptors (
n
= 131) reported significantly improved results for confidence and comfort in all five specific preceptor roles measured 3 to 6 months after workshop attendance; coaching of critical thinking was increased, whereas provision of formal feedback was not. Preceptor-reported comfort and confidence were not significantly greater in the cohort who participated in the workshop compared with the noninterventional cohort (
n
= 74). Among orientees, satisfaction with preceptors was not significantly improved for the cohort whose preceptors had attended training (
n
= 53) versus the previous cohort (
n
= 39). Among orientee cohorts, greater confidence in critical thinking skills on completion of orientation occurred only among experienced transfer nurses. Orientees who had three to four preceptors reported the highest composite satisfaction. One year postintervention, significantly more orientees were retained (125 of 132) than in the previous year (82 of 94) (chi-square,
p
< .05).

Conclusion:

Preceptor workshops are effective in preparing experienced nurses to precept new nurses, as measured by self-reported development of preceptors and retention of orientees.

J Contin Educ Nurs
2011;42(3):117–126.
Computerized Decision Support for Delirium Superimposed on Dementia in Older Adults
Authors: Fick Donna M. , Steis Melinda R. , Mion Lorraine C. , Walls Joyce L.
Published: November 2010

Delirium is common, deadly, and costly in people with dementia. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of the computerized decision support component of an intervention strategy—Early Nurse Detection of Delirium Superimposed on Dementia—designed to improve nurse assessment and detection of delirium superimposed on dementia. This pilot study enrolled and followed 15 individuals with dementia (mean age = 83, mean admission Mini-Mental State Examination score = 14.8) and their caregivers daily for the duration of their hospitalization. Results indicated 100% adherence by nursing staff on the delirium assessment decision support screens and 75% adherence on the management screens. Despite the prevalence and severity of delirium in people with dementia, there are currently no published reports of the use of the electronic medical record in delirium detection and management. Success of this effort may encourage similar use of information technology in other settings.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults with Venous Leg Ulcer Pain
Authors: Tobón Jeniffer
Published: November 2010

Chronic pain management is an important, and often under-addressed, component in the care of older adults with venous leg ulcers (VLUs). Clinicians caring for older adults with VLUs must consider and address both the physiological and psychosocial aspects of chronic pain. Traditional pharmacological approaches to pain management are only part of the solution. One strategy is to adopt a more holistic approach to chronic pain management that includes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of CAM research that focuses on the pain management of older adults with VLUs. Despite these limitations, pain management that includes discussion of relevant CAM modalities must be a priority for clinicians caring for older adults living with VLUs.
Digital Templating in Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Levine Brett , Fabi David , Deirmengian Carl
Published: November 2010

The use of digital radiography is becoming more prevalent in orthopedics. This transition impacts the ability to preoperatively plan for implants in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This article reports on the clinical success of digital templating using the Advanced Case Plan (Stryker Imaging, Flower Mound, Texas) system in primary THA and TKA.

Digital radiographs of 269 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA (93 cases) or TKA (176 cases) were templated using the Advanced Case Plan digital software package. A 25.4-mm metallic sphere was used as a calibrating marker. Anteroposterior hip and lateral knee radiographs were digitally templated preoperatively and compared to the actual size of the implants at the time of surgery. The accuracy of calibrating images using the metallic sphere was validated by measuring the diameter of femoral heads on 25 postoperative hip radiographs. Digital templating was accurate in predicting the correct implant size in 58.5% of THAs and 66% of TKAs. In 93% of THAs and 98.5% of TKAs, preoperative templating was within 1 size of the final implant. There were no cases in which the predicted implant size varied from the final components by >2 sizes. Calibrating the image using the metallic sphere marker was found to be highly accurate, predicting the correct femoral head size within 1.5 mm in all 25 cases (7 hemiarthroplasties and 18 THAs).

Digital templating is an effective means for predicting the size of THA and TKA components, thus remaining a viable option as we transition into the modern era of digital radiography. Future studies will evaluate interobserver reliability and the impact of level of training on templating accuracy.
The Lived Experience of Students in an Accelerated Nursing Program: Intersecting Factors that Influence Experiential Learning
Authors: McNiesh Susan G.
Published: November 2010

The goal of this interpretive research study was to articulate the lived experience of students in an accelerated master’s of nursing entry program learning the practice of nursing within a clinical setting. Specific questions included: How did previous life experiences, education, and career choices influence the experience of second-degree students? What were the potential effects on learning of condensing and accelerating the curriculum as is requisite in second-degree programs? Data from small group and individual interviews were collected and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological methods. Akin to the experience of tourists or new immigrants, students were confronted with new physical demands, new equipment, new time patterns, and most importantly, new ways of relating to people, all within a condensed time frame. What stood out most in these students’ accounts was the ubiquitous context of inpatient nursing care in which lives were at stake.
Assessment for and Response to Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Waite Roberta , Gerrity Patricia , Arango Roxana
Published: November 2010

Literature strongly suggests that early exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) disrupts crucial normal stages of childhood development and predisposes these individuals to subsequent psychiatric sequelae. Even with these data, little is found in nursing literature that discusses ACEs and their impact on adult mental health. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to address how nurses approach communication with clients about and assess for traumatic life experiences. In addition, screening measures for ACEs will be presented, along with discussion about ethical responsibilities of health professionals and researchers in asking about abuse.
Ultra-Wide–Field and Autofluorescence Imaging of Choroidal Dystrophies
Authors: Yuan Alex , Kaines Andrew , Jain Atul , Reddy Shantan , Schwartz Steven D. , Sarraf David
Published: November 2010

The authors retrospectively identified 2 cases of gyrate atrophy, 3 cases of choroideremia, and 1 case of the carrier state of choroideremia who underwent ultra-wide–field fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. The findings were studied and compared to standard fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Gyrate atrophy demonstrated a diffuse confluent extent of chorioretinal atrophy extending from the anterior to the posterior pole to the periphery. Choroideremia demonstrated a patchy irregular pattern of chorioretinal atrophy extending from the posterior pole to the periphery. Peripheral reticular degeneration without chorioretinal atrophy was appreciated in the carrier state. Ultra-wide–field imaging of these choroidal dystrophies demonstrated distinctive patterns that may aid in their identification and diagnosis.
Pilot Study of a Nonpharmacological Intervention for Delirium Superimposed on Dementia
Authors: Kolanowski Ann M. , Fick Donna M. , Clare Linda , Steis Melinda , Boustani Malaz , Litaker Mark
Published: November 2010

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome that occurs most frequently in older adults with dementia and is referred to as
delirium superimposed on dementia
(DSD). Our aim in this pilot project was to demonstrate that implementation of cognitively stimulating activities is clinically feasible and has potential to reduce delirium severity and duration and functional loss in post-acute care settings. We randomized newly admitted participants with DSD to treatment (
n
= 11) and control (
n
= 5) conditions and conducted daily blinded assessments of delirium, delirium severity, and functional status for up to 30 days. The control group had a significantly greater decrease in physical function and mental status over time compared with the intervention group. Delirium, severity of delirium, and attention approached significance, and improvement over time favored the intervention group. Although not statistically significant, a difference in mean (7.0 versus 3.27) and median (7.0 versus 3.0) days with delirium was found, with the control group having more days of delirium.
New Dimensions in Teaching Digital Electronics: A Multimode Laboratory Utilizing NI ELVIS IITM, LabVIEW and NI Multisim
Authors: Mwikirize Cosmas , Tumusiime Arthur Asiimwe , Musasizi Paul Isaac , Tickodri-Togboa Sandy Stevens , Katumba Andrew , Butime Julius
Published: November 2010

Over the years, conventional Laboratories in African Universities have been hampered by inadequate resources in terms of the required hardware, space and skilled personnel to administer them. This paper describes a multi-dimensional approach to experimentation, developed by the Makerere University iLabs Project Team, hereafter referred to as iLABS@MAK. The two dimensional approach involves both Virtual Labs and Online Laboratories designed to address laboratory deficiencies in Digital Electronics, encompassing five courses in the curricula of the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Computer, Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering Programs. A digital Online Laboratory, the Makerere University Digital iLab (MDEi) supporting experiments in the fields of combinational logic circuits and asynchronous sequential logic circuits has been developed. The laboratory utilizes the National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS IIâ?¢) platform, the Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) graphical programming environment and NI Multisim. Typical experiment setups supported by the MDEi are presented
Intertextuality: On the use of the Bible in mystical texts
Authors: Waaijman Kees
Published: November 2010

This article discussed the use of the Bible in mystical texts by focusing on intertextuality as a literary approach which analyses the intersection of texts. It investigated how mystical texts, as phenotexts, relate to the Bible as archetext: firstly, the intertextual relations affect the surface of the text in a mono-causal way and secondly, they govern the production of meaning reciprocally. The article also discussed forms of intersection (quotations, collage, allusions and reproduction) before it analysed the three intertextual strategies producing meaning: participation, detachment and change or rearrangement. Finally, six functions and dimensions of meaning were delineated in the intertextual dynamic between the Bible and the mystical texts. In these the Bible serves as an authoritative framework for argumentation, as a guide and blueprint of the mystical way, as a vocabulary of mystical experience, as an initiation into the divine infinity, as the place of mystical transformation in love and as the articulation of transformation in glory.
Brief Review of Vorinostat
Authors: McGuire Colin , Lee Jin
Published: November 2010

The histone tails of histone octamers play an intricate role in transcription, and aid the histone interaction and binding with the negatively charged DNA phosphate backbone. Histone acetyl transferases and histone deacetylase inhibitors respectively accomplish acetylation and deacetylation of the lysine residue of the histone tail. Vorinostat is the first and only histone deacetylase inhibitor with activity in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CTCL refers to a diverse group of disorders, including the most common mycosis fungoides, and the less common but more aggressive Sézary syndrome. The exact mechanism of action of vorinostat is unknown; however, it involves the up- and down-regulation of multiple cell cycle pathways. Vorinostat exhibits better efficacy in hematologic malignancies than in solid tumors. Numerous clinical trials involving vorinostat alone and in combination with other agents in multiple malignancies and solid tumors have reported patient clinical benefit. Overall, the adverse-effect profile of vorinostat is very favorable, and the product is a good candidate for single-agent use as well as for combination therapy.
Pharmacotherapy Update: Daptomycin in the Management of Complicated Skin and Soft-tissue Infections
Authors: Nannini Esteban C. , Stryjewski Martin E.
Published: November 2010

Because of the dramatic increase in severe infections caused methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including skin and skin structure infections (SSSI), and reports of vancomycin failures in the treatment of these infections, agents with better activity against MRSA are clearly needed. Daptomycin, the first cyclic lipopeptide, exerts its concentration dependent bactericidal activity against S. aureus through a calcium dependent formation of channels leading to disruption of the bacterial cell membrane potential. Daptomycin is 90% protein bound, has a half-life of 8–9 h, is eliminated through renal excretion, and has a good penetration into inflammatory skin blisters. This compound was shown to be non-inferior to the comparator in two double-blind randomized phase III studies including patients with complicated SSSI, using a dose of 4 mg/kg/day. In these studies, cure rates in the clinical and microbiology evaluable populations were 83.4% and 84.2% (95% CI, -4 to 5.6), and 84.7% and 85.9% (95% CI, -3.8 to 6.3) for daptomycin and comparator, respectively. Daptomycin also showed efficacy in prospective studies in patients with infective cellulitis or erysipelas, necrotizing soft tissue infection, and infected diabetic foot ulcers. Even though the standard dose of 4 mg/kg/day is considered appropriate for most SSSI, higher doses (e.g. 6 to 10 mg/kg/day) are currently suggested for patients with sepsis, necrotizing infection, prior glycopeptide failure, infections caused by vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strains, renal insufficiency, burns, and in intravenous drug users. Overall, daptomycin is considered a well tolerated antibiotic. In clinical trials, drug discontinuation rate has been similar in patients receiving daptomycin compared with those treated with the comparators; however, muscular damage associated with increased serum creatine phopshokinase levels occurs in about 3% and 7% of the patients treated with 4 and 6 mg/kg/day, respectively. This reversible muscle toxicity appears to correlate with the daptomycin trough concentration and time of exposure.
The Impact of COMT-inhibition on Gastrointestinal Levodopa Absorption in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Müller Thomas
Published: November 2010

The drug Levodopa (LD) is an efficient compound for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Its short half life generates plasma behaviour of LD with peaks and troughs. Therefore, following the LD transport into the brain and the conversion to dopamine, an alternating stimulation of nigrostriatal postsynaptic dopamine receptors takes place. In the long term these fluctuations of dopamine concentrations supports onset of motor complications (MC) in PD patients. General opinion is that loss of central compensatory mechanisms of dopamine metabolism is responsible for the development of MC. However, in the periphery, LD troughs are preponderantly associated with the MC wearing off, which is the reappearance of motor symptoms with decreasing drug effect. Addition of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor Entacapone (EN) to LD/carbidopa (CD) improved wearing off, since EN prolongs LD half life and avoids troughs. Plasma LD peaks are mostly related to the clinical manifestation of the MC dyskinesia, which appear as involuntary movements. One time addition of EN to a LD/CD formulation showed no increase of peripheral maximum LD concentration. But repeat combination of EN to each LD/CD intake elevated plasma LD bioavailability and peaks. Therefore switch from a LD/CD–-to a LD/CD/EN regime may also ask for reduction of LD/CD dosing or delay of the next LD/CD intake, to avoid onset of the most common peak dose dyskinesia. In conclusion, pharmacokinetic studies on peripheral LD metabolism and mode of intake underline their importance as peripheral components for MC manifestations in PD patients.
Pharmacotherapy of Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Authors: Borggraefe Ingo , Noachtar Soheyl
Published: November 2010

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy starting in early childhood consisting of the triad of cognitive impairment, multiple seizures types and slow spike-wave complexes in the electroencephalogram. Global developmental delay is usually evident before the onset in patients with symptomatic LGS whereas children with cryptogenic LGS might have a normal history of cognitive development before onset of the seizures. The seizure types most commonly associated with LGS are tonic seizures, myoclonic, dialeptic (absence) and astatic seizures. The seizures usually respond poorly to antiepileptic drugs. Cognitive deterioration occurs even in individuals who developed normally before onset of the encephalopathy. In this review, we will focus on the medical, dietary and surgical treatment of seizures associated with this syndrome. The treatment options for LGS have gained recently by emerging randomized controlled trials of new antiepileptic drugs and the introduction of vagal nerve stimulation.
Emerging Treatment Options for Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Oritavancin
Authors: Townsend Mary L. , Wilson Dustin , Pound Melanie , Drew Richard
Published: November 2010

Oritavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with in vitro activity against a variety of aerobic Gram-positive pathogens (including drug-resistant forms of staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci) and select anaerobic organisms. Available published clinical efficacy and safety studies in humans to date focus primarily in the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. While oritavancin doses in these studies varied, single daily doses of 200 mg (300 mg in patients > 100 kg) for 3–7 days have demonstrated efficacy similar to comparators (such as vancomycin followed by cephalexin). The most frequent adverse events reported to date include gastrointestinal complaints, insomnia, dizziness, itching, and rash. Further safety and efficacy data are needed to better define its potential place in therapy.
Pegaptanib Sodium in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Querques Giuseppe
Published: November 2010

Pegaptanib sodium is a polyethylene-glycolated, 28-nucleotide RNA aptamer that binds selectively to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165 but not smaller isoforms. Preclinical studies identified VEGF165 as an especially potent promoter of ocular neovascularization and inflammation. Following the pivotal clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of intravitreal pegaptanib in treating all angiographic subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD), pegaptanib became the first anti-VEGF therapy to receive regulatory approval for this condition. In view of the importance of VEGF in a variety of tissues, including the cardiovascular system and the retina, concerns have been raised as to the risks that might accompany VEGF inhibition. It is thus of particular note that pegaptanib has proved to have a favorable safety record in treating NV-AMD, with no ocular or systemic safety signals having emerged over more than 4 years of clinical studies. Accordingly, in addition to its use as a single agent, pegaptanib has demonstrated promise in combinatorial regimens that employ nonselective anti-VEGF agents as an initial treatment followed by maintenance therapy with pegaptanib. Pegaptanib has also shown encouraging preliminary results in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema secondary to retinal venous occlusive conditions.
Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with BCR/ABL Inhibitors: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Valent Peter
Published: November 2010

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and the BCR/ABL oncoprotein. In chronic phase (CP) CML, leukemic cells display multilineage differentiation and maturation capacity. The BCR/ABL inhibitor imatinib exerts profound antileukemic effects in these patients and is considered standard frontline therapy. However, not all patients show a long-lasting response to this drug. Rather, resistance to imatinib has been recognized as an emerging clinical problem in CML. While CML stem cells exhibit intrinsic resistance against imatinib and thus survive therapy, one or more stem cell-derived subclones may acquire additional hits over time, so that an overt relapse occurs. A major triggering hit in such subclones are BCR/ABL mutations. For these patients, novel multikinase inhibitors targeting BCR/ABL such as nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, bafetinib, as well as Aurora kinase inhibitors have been developed and shown to exert antileukemic effects in imatinib-resistant CML. In addition, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains an important treatment option for drug-resistant patients. The decision concerning second- or third line therapy, selection of drugs, and HSCT, is usually based on the presence and type of BCR/ABL mutation(s), phase of disease, other disease-related factors, and patient-related variables including age and co-morbidity. The current article provides an overview on current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with drug-naïve and drug-resistant CML.