bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viewing acquired aphasia through the professional journal: 1935–1965
Authors: ARMSTRONG LINDA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The profession has published its own journal continuously since 1935, with four different titles. A historical view of professional and client‐group issues can inform current practice by indicating change and development as well as reminding us that some of the live issues from years past are still pertinent and under discussion today. This paper arises from this interest in history which led to a content analysis of the first 30 years of the professional journal. One branch of the profession (British Society of Speech Therapists) arose from work with clients who had communication disorders acquired through war injury, so adult‐acquired aphasia was an early client group. How was this disorder represented in the journal, especially during the Second World War years and immediately afterwards? Has clinical practice changed or do speech and language therapists today follow the same principles as the early clinicians? All 40 issues of Speech and later Speech Pathology and Therapy underwent content analysis (for a full description of methodology see Armstrong and Stansfield (1996). Two periods were delineated: 1935–1945 and 1946–1965. A total of 24 papers were identified in which the main topic was acquired aphasia. Papers which dealt with a range of disorders (but including aphasia) were excluded from this count. While during the early years, the topic of 4.5% of the papers was aphasia, this proportion rose to 12% during the later period. The papers were not evenly distributed throughout the period, nor was there significant interest in the immediate post‐war years. The year 1964 featured six papers, but these were reprints from lectures given on a refresher course. The papers were grouped into four categories: descriptions of types of aphasia/classification; assessment; therapy and the team approach. Papers on acquired aphasia were not as prevalent as expected, but were mostly written by people whose names are still familiar today (e.g. MacDonald Critchley, Kingdon Ward, Edna Butfield). The multidisciplinary team approach to rehabilitation is not as recent a concept as was presumed — it appears in a 1947 paper. Therapists will still recognise the tasks proposed for assessing aphasia in 1952, and the person with aphasia who is anxious to comply with therapeutic suggestions. Although the profession may now use different terminology and have available a wider range of strategies and therapeutic approaches, the basis for practice was laid down in the early years of the profession.
The assessment of aphasia: a review of aphasia assessments, batteries, evaluations and procedures 1886–1996
Authors: WHURR RENATA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Over 50 aphasia test batteries have been published since 1886. A review of these tests provides interesting insights into the changing theoretical issues concerning the investigation of aphasia, as well as the indications of change in the management of patients with aphasia. The study demonstrates several important landmarks in both theory and practice. Assessment of the patient with aphasia make be conducted by the speech and language therapist, clinical psychologist, clinical linguist, neurologist or physician. Approaches differ according to the purpose of the assessment. Methods of assessment have ranged from the original neurological ‘checklist’ to the more recent detailed investigations of linguistic processes by sophisticated hypothesis testing systems. Although the advantages and disadvantages of the division of aphasia into modality‐based syndromes has been argued for a century, most published test batteries for the diagnosis of aphasia are based on the modality skills framework, i.e. oral and written speech/language production and auditory and reading comprehension. The notable exceptions to this pattern demonstrate dissatisfaction by clinicians with the traditional approach. These divergences have resulted in new and innovative techniques of investigation. Unresolved conflicts in clinical practice remain. The clinical dilemma, in 1996, is the same as it was in 1886. The question that needs to be addressed is ‘Can the clinician justify extensive and time‐consuming, but illuminating investigations of each patient, or shall we implement a short “screen” functional treatment plan and prognostic indicators in less than 30 minutes as our NHS auditors demand?’ Although this paper intends to raise the issues it may not solve the problems. The presentation will be accompanied by a detailed reference list of published aphasia test batteries.
Functional video assessment — an alternative to the Cinderella story for use with dysphasic individuals
Authors: MORTLEY JANE
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The Cinderella story is often used clinically in order to measure the effects of therapy with dysphasic patients. The language sample elicited is closely related to conversational speech thus making this task valuable for measuring generalisation effects of intervention. There are, however, often problems in administering the Cinderella story because: (1) It frequently elicits a small sample making analysis difficulty (Nickels et al., 1991); (2) It relies on the patient's ability to remember the story, which may be difficult without prompting (Byng et al., 1994); (3) The story targets low‐frequency words (prince, glass slipper, castle) which are rarely used in everyday conversation; (4) Dysphasic people often find this task difficult and thus stressful (Nickels et al., 1991); (5) There are suspected cultural influences. There is, therefore, a clinical need for an assessment similar to the Cinderella story, but is easier to administer and thus overcome the difficulties highlighted above. The Functional Video Assessment (FVA) was developed to meet this need. The FVA is a video recording of a person engaging in activities based on events that commonly occur in everyday life. Ten elderly retired non‐dysphasic subjects were interviewed to find out how they spent their time. From their replies, six topics for the video were chosen, ranging from ‘getting dressed’ to ‘buying plants at a garden centre’. The FVA has been administered to six dysphasic individuals. The language elicited by the FVA has been compared to that elicited from the following assessments: (1) Picture‐naming; (2) SVO picture description; (3) ‘Cookie Theft’ picture description; (4) the Cinderella story; (5) Conversational speech for each subject. The FVA has been evaluated in terms of the size of the language sample, how closely it related to conversational speech, how enjoyable the task is, and whether there are any memory constraints. The results of administering the assessment showed that, for each subject: (1) The FVA elicited the largest sample compared to the other assessments; (2) The FVA produced a language sample most closely related to speech in conversation; (3) The FVA was not stressful, on the contrary, subjects commented on how much they enjoyed the assessment; (4) There were no memory problems associated with the FVA since subjects could relate to it as common events in their own life. The FVA could be a useful alternative to use of the Cinderella story in order to elicit a large language sample which has been shown to be closely related to language used in conversation and therefore measures the effect of therapy intervention.
Is the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia an appropriate tool in the assessment of language impairment in closed head injury
Authors: SPEER ANGELA , SKINNER CHRISTINE
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  There is, at present, no formal standardised assessment for closed head injury (CHI), and a general feeling of dissatisfaction by speech and language therapists with the current use of assessments available has been reported over recent years in the literature. Assessments used in CHI have traditionally been those used in the assessment of aphasia, as the language of CHI was thought to be ‘sub‐clinical’ aphasia. However, it is now widely acknowledged that the diffuse neuronal damage caused by a CHI results in cognitive deficits which lead to disorders of learning, memory, perception, complex information processing and communication. It is now suggested, as a result, that the communication problems of CHI may be more similar to those associated with dementia rather than cerebrovascular disease, and that comparisons should be drawn with dementia, rather than aphasia. It is hypothesised that the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD) (Bayles & Tomoeda, 1993) is an appropriate assessment tool for the language of CHI. Eight young British adults undergoing rehabilitation for a CHI in a neurological rehabilitation unit were assessed on the ABCD and also the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) (Kertesz, 1982). Five of the subjects were able to be re‐tested on both assessments approximately three months later. The hypothesis was supported by significant statistics showing that although the subjects suffered initial problems with linguistic comprehension and expression, the greater and more permanent deficits were of attention and concentration, memory, orientation, perception, judgement and self‐awareness. It is suggested that the ABCD is a useful assessment for the CHI population.
Using the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia in the UK
Authors: ARMSTRONG LINDA , BORTHWICK SHEENA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Appropriate and dedicated communication assessments for people with dementia are still limited. The Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD) (Bayles & Tomoeda, 1993) was until recently the only formal and standardised battery available to clinicians. It is conceptually strong and clinically appropriate in its primary aim to quantify the linguistic communication deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, its standardisation data were gathered using American subjects. The study reported here was undertaken to answer two main questions. Do older people in the UK (with and without dementia) achieve scores similar to those gained by the American subjects? Are the test items appropriate for an elderly UK population? A subsidiary question considered whether young people in the UK produced similar scores to those produced by the young standardisation sample in the USA. Nineteen young people, 20 normal old people and 13 older people with moderate Alzheimer's disease were given the ABCD. Modifications were made to the wording but not the sense of test instructions and three changes in vocabulary in the story retelling test were made. None of the written word or picture stimuli was changed. A series of independent tests were performed on the raw score data by use of MANOVA. Only four from 51 pairings of UK/USA subjects' performance on ABCD subjects showed significant difference in mean score. Three groups of UK subjects produced raw score profiles very similar to those of the standardisation sample of the test. There is anecdotal evidence that some of the word and picture stimuli were confusing to the UK subjects. However, since these did not seem to influence performance adversely, no major changes to the published version are indicated. The very low mean scores produced by the moderate Alzheimer's disease subjects (typical of the client with Alzheimer's disease referred for speech and language therapy assessment here) suggests that the ABCD demonstrates their deficits rather than their assets. The Functional Linguistic Communication Inventory (Bayles & Tomoeda, 1994) is likely to be the test of choice for this group.
Judging appropriacy: the implication of inter‐observer variance
Authors: WALKER SANDRA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Four observers, two speech and language therapists and two others, were asked to judge a corpus of utterances obtained from a test of verbal expression in context (The Story Completion Test). The sample came from a group of people suffering from memory‐related communication problems. Five hundred and sixty utterances were judged and reported: (1) Using a formula for criteria of appropriacy, utterances were compared with the target construction; (2) Overall agreement score was calculated against the clinical judgement of the assessing therapist; (3) Inter‐observer variance resulted. The influence of several factors, including the manner of presentation, tester bias, shared knowledge, bridging inference and situation, are discussed. The implication of appropriate judgements in clinical contexts is considered and the question raised as to whether variance, judged more on extra‐linguistic inappropriacy, can mask linguistic adequacy. The potential of bridging inference in interpreting the expressive speech, in particular in patients with dementia, is proposed.
A preliminary comparison of videofluoroscopy of swallow and pulse oximetry in the identification of aspiration in dysphagic patients
Authors: SELLARS CAMERON , DUNNET CATHERINE , CARTER ROGER
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Pulse oximetry has recently received attention in the dysphagia literature on account of its possible contribution to the management of neurogenic dysphagia. The present study was devised to examine whether pulse oximetry could be exploited to determine episodes of aspiration in patients with known dysphagia of neurological origin. To this end, pulse oximetry was undertaken in six patients undergoing videofluoroscopic study of swallow. Normal controls also underwent pulse oximetry during feeding. The results indicate that there is no clear‐cut relationship between changes in arterial oxygenation and aspiration. Some support, however, is found for altered arterial oxygenation being associated with oral feeding in dysphagic individuals. Further research in both normal subjects and compromised individuals is required.
Future directions of speech and language therapy worldwide
Authors: DE MONTFORT SUPPLE MARIE
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  This paper describes the International Association of Logopaedics and Phoniatrics, its aims and objectives. It highlights the links between that Association and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. An attempt is made to focus on a worldwide perspective, indicating the relatively small position of the world's communicatively handicapped population who have access to speech and language therapy services. Education, research and service delivery are considered, both from the perspective of the developed and developing world, including ways in which the underserved areas could receive help and support in the development of services.
Efficacy of speech and language therapy for fluency disorders: adults who stammer
Authors: STEWART TRUDY
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The treatment of adults who stammer is an area which has been the focus of much critical investigation both within and outside the speech and language therapy profession for several decades. This paper charts the progress in efficacy in this area over time, including the state of the art in 1945 when the College of Speech and Language Therapists was established. Changes in subsequent decades are also outlined and placed within the context of medical and psychological developments and the social history of the time. In recent years there have been a number of attempts to define efficacy. Various models and goals of therapy have been put forward and these are reviewed critically. Finally, it is argued that the current views tend to regard efficacy from a limited perspective and, in order to improve our approaches and outcomes, additional factors should be taken into consideration. Some suggestions for extending efficacy consideration to encompass client, clinician and wider perspectives are presented.
Group therapy for dysfluent children with coexisting language difficulties
Authors: FRY JANE , NICHOLAS ALISON
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Three dysfluent children, aged 5;4–6;6, presenting with coexisting language or phonological difficulties were treated on a weekly group basis. Identified language difficulties included, reduced word‐retrieval skills, delay in vocabulary and syntax development, and poor phonological awareness. Therapy targeting these aspects along with direct fluency training was implemented. A simultaneous parents' group examined issues relevant to general management. Treatment took place over six weeks. Sessions lasted IV2 hours and there have been three subsequent follow‐up meetings at six‐week intervals. Assessment results support the view that enhancing language skills may be instrumental in increasing the capacity for fluency.
The validation of a treatment method for language delay in the first year of life
Authors: WARD SALLY
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The author has developed a screening test which proved concurrently and predictively valid and accurate in detecting linguistic delay in infants under one year of age. The screen further identified those infants in whom linguistic delay was associated with generalised listening difficulties (Ward, 1992. In the study to be reported here, a sample of infants detected by the screen and showing linguistic delay with associated listening difficulties (N=100, mean age 9;4) was divided into matched experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated at that stage by a novel methodology, and both experimental and control groups followed up for two years. In their fourth year of life, the experimental group children all showed normal or accelerated language development, whereas most of the control group continue to show serious linguistic delay. The implications in terms of service delivery are also discussed.
Language impaired teenagers' comprehension of pragmatic meaning: a focus on ambiguity, implications for practice
Authors: RINALDI WENDY
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  In her work as a speech and language therapist with secondary school‐aged pupils, the author became increasingly aware that aspects concerned with the pragmatic domain of language were particularly difficult for this group of youngsters. These aspects concerned not only the use of language but also the comprehension of meaning implied by context (pragmatic meaning). In her PhD research study, currently supervised by the London University Institute of Education, the author set out to explore how well secondary school students with specific developmental language disorders are able to use a pragmatic, contextual strategy to resolve ambiguous communication. She compared this group of youngsters with chronologically aged‐matched and language age‐matched control groups. The two types of ambiguity explored in this study are: (1) Inconsistent messages of emotion (for example, ‘I'm perfectly happy thank you’, said with a facial expression and the voice to convey anger); (2) Multiple meanings in context (for example, ‘I'm sorry I'm late, the road was jammed solid this morning’). Over a two‐year period, 207 youngsters were assessed, by use of new procedures involving audio‐ and videotaped samples and requiring picture selection responses. The results of the pilot study and a preliminary view of the main study data indicated that the language‐disordered youngsters, as a group, have particular difficulty in using meaning conveyed by context to help them resolve ambiguous communication. Statistical analysis applied to the pilot study data (Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance) revealed a significantly greater difference comparing the language‐disordered group with both control groups (p>0.01). Observing the types of responses made, there were a number of very interesting findings. For example, there were several instances where language‐impaired youngsters understood the two possible alternative meanings, but were not able to use a pragmatic strategy to ascertain which was the speaker's intended meaning, given the context. The results of this study and the presenter's review of the literature will be used as a basis for discussing the following: (1) What is meant by the term ‘pragmatics’ and ‘pragmatic language disorder’; (2) The notion of pragmatic language ‘at the interface of linguistic, social and cognitive development’; (3) The validity of the semantic‐pragmatic distinction; (4) The usefulness of the term ‘pragmatic language disorder’ as an alternative or an addition to the terms ‘high level autism’/‘autism at the upper end of the continuum’ and ‘Asperger's syndrome’.
Self‐help groups
Authors: MAY MANDY LE
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  In 1993 the author initiated a self‐help group for people with aphasia, the project was awarded a National Arjo Therapy Weekly prize for good practice. This model of support in the community has been subsequently taken up by a number of other services in the UK. The paper will discuss why the group was felt to be an important development in the provision of the aphasia service. The concept of self‐help will be explained and argued to be an integral component of aphasia rehabilitation. The paper will describe how the self help group was facilitated, giving practical suggestions to clinicians who may wish to pursue this model of psychosocial support for people with aphasia. Finally, the outcome of the project will be presented and discussion will focus on lessons learned by the clinician for future aphasia service planning and the clinical management of people with aphasia.
The issue of directiveness in therapy
Authors: DREW AURIOL
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  This paper discusses speech and language therapy with pre‐schoolers, focusing on the ‘directive’ versus the ‘non‐directive’ construct. Which factors in clinical practice promote development? Could they sometimes be obstructive or incidental? To the extent that we may misrepresent what we are doing, we may mislead ourselves, and possibly parents or students, into practices which are not as effective as they could be, or at worst may be more definitely unhelpful. Widely accepted defining characteristics of play (Garvey, 1977) indicate why play might be central to therapy, as it is in psychotherapeutic play therapy (Axline, 1989). Play therapy techniques have been adapted to speech and language therapy, for example, in the form of ‘non‐directive therapy’ (NDT) (Tierney & Cogher, 1994). The author compares play therapy and NDT in terms of the goals, assumptions and procedures in each approach, finding significant differences. Additions to NDT from the developmental psycholinguistic literature bear on these differences. Bruner's (1983) ideas on ‘joint attention’; Vygotsky's concept of ‘scaffolding’ (for example, Zukow, 1986) and the research of Harris (1992) on early language development: all have major implications for clinical practice, which may not necessarily fall under the non‐directive end of the directiveness construct. Support for this view is drawn from the multiple‐factors model of Snow, Perlmann and Nathan (1987) apropos the match or mis‐match between learning style and teaching style in child‐led or adult‐led interactions. Directiveness may vary according to contextual factors, such as culture, child or adult styles, and clinical goals. In autistic spectrum learning disorders, the goal of establishing better behaviours may be obstructed by a lack of adult direction. No technique can have universal application. Therapeutic variables may have no inherent good or bad quality; what matters is the skill, flexibility and appropriacy with which any variable is wielded. Therapy is the art of judging the needs and contexts of children, expertly formulating clinical goals and reaching those goals by discerning use of a wide range of techniques.
Nasal foreign bodies in children: considerations for the anesthesiologist
Authors: Yasny Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2011

The combination of a curious young child exploring his/her nasal cavities, with the abundance of small inert and natural objects in our society, culminates in a significant number of nasal foreign bodies (NFBs). Usually NFBs are benign entities, yielding relatively simple resolutions and mild morbidities. However, their presence can lead to much more serious consequences if they are inserted unwitnessed, grow asymptomatically for several months or years, and significantly affect surrounding tissues. Moreover, if these substances become displaced posteriorly and enter the lower respiratory tract, dire circumstances may occur. This article discusses the different types of NFBs, various clinical presentations, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and pertinent considerations for the anesthesia care provider. Increasing one’s awareness of the implications of NFBs, can optimize the safe treatment of patients harboring this development.
A Stochastic Model for AssessingChlamydia TrachomatisTransmission Risk by Using Longitudinal Observational Data
Authors: Tu Wanzhu , Ghosh Pulak , Katz Barry P.
Published: April 2011

Bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis causes genital chlamydia infection. Yet little is known about the efficiency of transmission of this organism. Ethical constraint against exposing healthy subjects to infected partners precludes the possibility of quantifying the risk of transmission through controlled experiments. This research proposes an alternative strategy that relies on observational data. Specifically, we present a stochastic model that treats longitudinally observed states of infection in a group of young women as a Markov process. The model proposed explicitly accommodates the parameters of Chlamydia trachomatis transmission, including per-encounter sexually transmitted infection acquisition risks, with and without condom protection, and the probability of antibiotic treatment failure. The male-to-female transmission probability of Chlamydia trachomatis is then estimated by combining the per-encounter disease acquisition risk and the organism’s prevalence in the male partner population. The model proposed is fitted in a Bayesian computational framework.
Phonotactic constraint violations in German grammar are detected automatically in auditory speech processing: A human event‐related potentials study
Authors: Steinberg Johanna , Truckenbrodt Hubert , Jacobsen Thomas
Published: April 2011

In this human ERP study, effects of language‐specific phonotactic restrictions on automatic auditory speech processing were investigated by means of the dorsal fricative assimilation (DFA) that is obligatory in German grammar. Using a multiple passive oddball paradigm, we studied the deviance‐related processing of phonotactically ill‐formed strings violating DFA. Eight VC‐syllables were created by exhaustively combining the vowels and the dorsal fricatives
, resulting in four well‐formed and four ill‐formed stimuli that were contrasted in oddball blocks with changing probabilities of occurrence. Only the ill‐formed deviants elicited a negative ERP deflection maximal at about 100 msec after the onset of the fricative. This negativity is considered to reflect a phonotactic evaluation process requiring the activation of implicit phonotactic knowledge from long‐term memory and resulting in the automatic detection of a DFA violation.
Some statistical characteristics of special education for children with disabilities in North‐East India
Authors: Kalita Jumi , Sarmah Pranita
Published: April 2011

It is estimated that of approximately 150–250 million children with disabilities across the world, a large number have difficulties related to problems in the central nervous system (CNS). This paper considers school dropout rates of children with special educational needs associated with CNS problems from a study of educational institutions in North‐East India.

Statistical methods, namely the Kaplan–Meier estimator (Product–Limit estimator) for survival probability and the Nelson–Aalen estimator for cumulative hazard rates, were used to identify potential school continuation or dropout probabilities (survival probabilities), along with cumulative hazard rates (dropout rates) for children with a range of disabilities from different training institutions within the sample area.

The research found an increasing likelihood of increased dropout rates in relation to the age of the children within the study sample. This indicates that special education is yet to produce satisfactory results for these children.
Extraosseous uptake with DPD (Teceos®)
Authors: Bach‐Gansmo Tore , Bogsrud Trond V. , Holmboe Laila , Pedersen Elisabeth L. , Müller Carl
Published: April 2011

Objective:  During a short period of 10 days, four patients presented with intense extraosseous uptake of a technetium‐labelled bone‐seeking agent, three in the heart and one in the liver at our hospital. During the next 6 weeks, identical heart uptake was found in another two patients. Two patients were re‐examined, with identical uptake on the second occasion. A search for a possible cause was initiated.

Methods:  Bone scintigraphy with Teceos® was performed after labelling the kit as described in the Summary of Product Characteristics [IBA, http://www.iba‐molecular.com/sites/default/files/spcT1901E.pdf (in french, 29/3/2011)]. On two occasions, the kit used was retrospectively analysed, without any apparent abnormality. Two patients were re‐examined 1 month later, with identical cardiac and liver uptake on repeat examination. Contact with referring physicians and blood test screening did not show any consistent reason for these extraosseous uptakes. Additionally, five cases at other hospitals in Norway have been brought to our attention.

Results:  In at least ten patients, intense cardiac uptake has been recorded, all in relatively old patients, and one young patient had massive liver uptake. No abnormalities in labelling or composition of 3,3‐diphospho‐1,2‐propanedicarboxylic acid were found.

Discussion:  Liver and cardiac uptakes of bone‐seeking agents have been described in amyloidosis, and for the heart, after myocardial infarction. We have ruled out any possible contamination by interfering radiopharmaceuticals and cannot find any reason for these findings. Eleven patients with amyloidosis seem one of several hypotheses that is highly improbable.
Theorising Cameronism
Authors: Kerr Peter , Byrne Christopher , Foster Emma
Published: April 2011

This article represents an early and, largely speculative, attempt to make sense of Cameronism as a distinctive political project. Herein, we present three separate, but potentially overlapping, narratives that could be employed to locate the significance of Cameronism within broader trends in British and global party politics. In this respect, we view Cameronism as: a continuation of Thatcherism; a development in the unfolding of forms of neo-liberal governmentality, linked to the process of depoliticisation; and as a movement towards the cartelisation of political parties. We conclude the article by arguing that these three potential interpretations of Cameronism are compatible with one another and, taken in combination, can provide a starting point towards a more holistic understanding of the type of politics characteristic of David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative party.
Mating behavior and contact pheromones of Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: LUO Sen‐Lin , ZHUGE Piao‐Piao , WANG Man‐Qun
Published: April 2011

The mating behavior of Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) was observed in the laboratory. The results showed that copulation of this longhorned beetle consisted of three phases: (i) encountering and pair‐bonding; (ii) mating attempt and ejaculation; and (iii) post‐copulatory guarding. Frozen females, with cuticular hydrocarbons stripped by hexane extraction, showed no attraction for males. Reapplying the solvent extract of frozen females to both washed dead males and females caused mating attempts by males, confirming that cuticular hydrocarbons (contact sex pheromones) played an important role in recognition of females by male B. horsfieldi.
Emotions, Trust, and Perceived Risk: Affective and Cognitive Routes to Flood Preparedness Behavior
Authors: Terpstra Teun
Published: April 2011

Despite the prognoses of the effects of global warming (e.g., rising sea levels, increasing river discharges), few international studies have addressed how flood preparedness should be stimulated among private citizens. This article aims to predict Dutch citizens’ flood preparedness intentions by testing a path model, including previous flood hazard experiences, trust in public flood protection, and flood risk perceptions (both affective and cognitive components). Data were collected through questionnaire surveys in two coastal communities (n= 169, n= 244) and in one river area community (n= 658). Causal relations were tested by means of structural equation modeling (SEM). Overall, the results indicate that both cognitive and affective mechanisms influence citizens’ preparedness intentions. First, a higher level of trust reduces citizens’ perceptions of flood likelihood, which in turn hampers their flood preparedness intentions (cognitive route). Second, trust also lessens the amount of dread evoked by flood risk, which in turn impedes flood preparedness intentions (affective route). Moreover, the affective route showed that levels of dread were especially influenced by citizens’ negative and positive emotions related to their previous flood hazard experiences. Negative emotions most often reflected fear and powerlessness, while positive emotions most frequently reflected feelings of solidarity. The results are consistent with the affect heuristic and the historical context of Dutch flood risk management. The great challenge for flood risk management is the accommodation of both cognitive and affective mechanisms in risk communications, especially when most people lack an emotional basis stemming from previous flood hazard events.
Training alters the skeletal muscle antioxidative capacity in non‐insulin‐dependent type 2 diabetic men
Authors: Brinkmann C. , Chung N. , Schmidt U. , Kreutz T. , Lenzen E. , Schiffer T. , Geisler S. , Graf C. , Montiel‐Garcia G. , Renner R. , Bloch W. , Brixius K.
Published: April 2011

The present study analyzes the oxidative stress situation in the skeletal muscle of overweight/obese men suffering from non‐insulin‐dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM, n=16, years=61±7, body mass index (BMI)=31±4 kg/m2] and BMI‐matched non‐diabetic male control subjects (CON, n=7, years=53±6, BMI=30±4 kg/m2). Furthermore, it investigates whether physical training can alter the skeletal muscle antioxidative capacity of T2DM patients at rest. Molecule content analyses (immunohistochemical stainings) of 8‐iso‐prostaglandin‐F2α (8‐Iso‐PGF), superoxide dismutase‐2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase‐1 (GPX1), peroxiredoxin isoforms (PRDX 1–6) and heat‐shock‐protein‐70 (HSP70) were performed in biopsies taken from the vastus lateralis muscle. Under basal conditions, 8‐Iso‐PGF was significantly decreased in T2DM patients (−35.7%), whereas PRDX2 and PRDX6 were significantly increased relative to CON (+82.6%; +82.3%). Differences were neither observed in SOD2 nor in GPX1 or PRDX1, 3, 4, 5 density. Regular physical activity (moderate endurance or resistance training twice a week for 3 months) did not alter PRDX1, 2, 3, 4, 6 in the skeletal muscle of T2DM patients, but significantly increased SOD2 (+65.9%), GPX1 (+62.4%), PRDX5 (+37.5%), and HSP70 (+48.5%). Overweight/obese men with non‐insulin‐dependent T2DM exhibit up‐regulated cytosolic peroxiredoxin contents relative to BMI‐matched controls. Regular training further up‐regulates cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidative enzymes in T2DM patients and improves their cellular protection systems. This may contribute to a retardation of the disease's progression.
The Regulation of Endosome‐to‐Golgi Retrograde Transport by Tethers and Scaffolds
Authors: Chia Pei Zhi Cheryl , Gleeson Paul A.
Published: April 2011

Retrograde transport between endosomes and the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) is essential for the recycling of membrane proteins which are involved in a range of biological processes. A variety of machinery components have been identified at the TGN which regulate endosome‐to‐TGN transport, including small G proteins, SNAREs, tethering factors and scaffold molecules. The challenge is to understand how these regulatory components orchestrate not only the specific docking and fusion of retrograde membrane carriers with the TGN, but also maintain the integrity of this highly dynamic compartment to ensure efficient delivery and export of cargo. Here we review recent advances in defining the form and function of tethers and scaffolds in the regulation of the retrograde transport pathways.
Edaravone Ameliorates Diabetes-Induced Dysfunction of NO-Induced Relaxation in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle in the Rat
Authors: Ohmasa Fumiya , Saito Motoaki , Tsounapi Panagiota , Dimitriadis Fotios , Inoue Seiya , Shomori Kohei , Shimizu Shogo , Kinoshita Yukako , Satoh Keisuke
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). Although the etiology of diabetes-induced ED is multifactorial and still unknown, reactive oxygen species are thought to be one of the key factors.

Aim

The aim of this article is to investigate whether administration of edaravone, a free radical scavenger, could prevent type 1 diabetes-induced dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO)-induced relaxation in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in the rat.

Methods

Six-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. One group was treated with citrate-phosphate buffer plus normal saline (group Cont), whereas in the other two groups, diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally [i.p.]). Subsequently, the diabetic rats were treated for 4 weeks either with edaravone (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.; group DM+E) or with normal saline (group DM).

Main Outcome Measures

Serum glucose and malondialdehyde levels as well as penile cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations were determined, and penile function was estimated by organ bath studies with norepinephrine-mediated contractions and acetylcholine-mediated relaxations. The participation mRNA levels of muscarinic M3 receptors, neuronal nitrous oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS), and participation protein levels of nNOS, eNOS, phosphorylated nNOS, and phosphorylated eNOS were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoblot analysis, respectively.

Results

Treatment with edaravone prevented partially but significantly the decreased body and penile weight induced by diabetes. Treatment with edaravone significantly improved the increased diabetes-induced malondialdehyde levels, the decreased penile cGMP concentrations, the increased diabetes-induced norepinephrine-mediated contractions, and the decreased acetylcholine-mediated relaxation. Although there were no significant differences in expression levels of mRNAs in nNOS, diabetes-induced upregulation of muscarinic M3 receptor and iNOS mRNAs as well as diabetes-induced downregulations of eNOS, phosphorylated nNOS, and phosphorylated eNOS were significantly prevented by edaravone.

Conclusions

Edaravone decreases the oxidative insult in the penile corpus cavernosum by ameliorating the NO–NOS system and thus preventing partially the developing ED in DM in the rat.
Interstitial Cystitis is Associated with Vulvodynia and Sexual Dysfunction—A Case-Control Study
Authors: Gardella Barbara , Porru Daniele , Nappi Rossella E. , Daccò Maria Diletta , Chiesa Alessia , Spinillo Arsenio
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction are common in women with urological disorders. The study of comorbidity between interstitial cystitis (IC) and vulvodynia seems to be relevant to understand the mechanism generating pain in these conditions.

Aim

To conduct a case-control study for evaluating vulvodynia and sexual dysfunction in women with IC.

Methods

Forty-seven women with new diagnosis (National Institutes of Health [NIH]/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK] Criteria) of IC were compared with 188 age-matched, negative controls. Each woman completed a semi-structured interview and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A gynecological examination to assess vulvodynia (cotton swab testing) and genital health (vulvoscopy, Pap smear, culture, and vaginal health index score [VHIS]) was performed.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence of vulvodynia, sexual function, and sociodemographic/gynecological variables significantly associated with IC.

Results

Spontaneous or provoked vulvodynia was reported by 23.4% and 74.5% of IC cases, respectively. Sexual function was significantly impaired (median total FSFI score: IC cases 16.85 ± 8.73 vs. controls 27.34 ± 6.41; P <0.0001) in sexually active women, and 23.4% of IC cases as compared to 9% of controls reported no sexual activity in the year preceding the study (χ2 for trend=38.2, P <0.0001). VHIS was highly impaired in women with IC in comparison with controls (P <0.0001). Variables significantly associated with IC were a diagnosis of menopause (odds ratio [OR]=31.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]=8.1–120.5), past (OR=4.6, 95% CI=1.74–12.1) or current (OR=6.9, 95% CI=2.1–22.1) oral contraceptive use, and a histologically confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.1–12.7).

Conclusion

We found an increased prevalence of vulvodynia among women with recently diagnosed IC; both conditions seem to have profound consequences on women's sexual function. A potential role for sex hormone-dependent mechanisms into the comorbidity of vulvar and bladder pain is proposed, but further research is warranted.
Use of the resiliency model of family stress, adjustment and adaptation in the analysis of family caregiver reaction among families of older people with congestive heart failure
Authors: Yeh Pi‐Ming , Bull Margaret
Published: April 2011

Yeh P.‐M. & Bull M. (2012) Use of the resiliency model of family stress, adjustment and adaptation in the analysis of family caregiver reaction among families of older people with congestive heart failure. International Journal of Older People Nursing7, 117–126 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00275.x

Background.  Little attention has been given to the resiliency process of family caregivers for older people hospitalized with congestive heart failure.

Aims.  The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of older peoples’ activities of daily living dependency, family caregivers’ spiritual well‐being, quality of relationship, family support, coping and care continuity on the burden of family caregivers of hospitalized older people with congestive heart failure using the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation.

Design and sample.  A descriptive, correlational research design was used. There were 50 family caregivers and 50 older people diagnosed with congestive heart failure recruited from medical and surgical units of two Midwest medical centres.

Methods.  Data on activities of daily living dependence of older people, family caregiver burden, spiritual well‐being, coping strategies, quality of older people–caregiver relationship and care continuity were collected using structured questionnaires.

Results.  The findings indicated that there were significant positive associations between patients’ activities of daily living dependence and family caregiver burden and between lack of family support and family caregiver burden. There were significant negative associations between quality of relationship and family caregiver burden, between care continuity and family caregiver burden, between coping and family caregiver burden and between spiritual well‐being and burden. In hierarchical multiple regression, the model variables accounted for 66% of the variance in family caregiver burden. Patients’ activities of daily living dependence, quality of relationship and lack of family support are significant predictors of family caregiver burden.

Conclusions.  The best predictors of family caregiver burden, using the resiliency model, were the older persons’ activities of daily living dependence, family support, quality of relationship, care continuity, coping strategies and spiritual well‐being.

Implications for practice.  It is vital for nurses to assess family caregivers’ needs and resources and the quality of the older person–family caregiver relationship in developing a plan of care that reduces family caregiver burden.
Nurse champions of older people: a national audit and critical review
Authors: Manthorpe Jill
Published: April 2011

manthorpe j. (2011) Nurse champions of older people: a national audit and critical review. International Journal of Older People Nursing7, 200–207   doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00276.x

Aims.  This paper aims to equip nurses working with older people with an understanding of the roles and activities of Champions for Older People.

Background.  The position of Older People’s Champion was established in England to help implement the National Service Framework for Older People at local level.

Methods.  This paper reports on the findings of a national survey of older people’s Champions. It sets this in the context of developments around health polices for older people.

Findings.  Forty‐three of the 209 Champions who participated in this study were nurses. Nurses were the most commonly appointed clinical Champions in National Health Service Trusts responding to the survey; they used this position to promote changes within their organisation and locality. While focusing on the implementation of National Service Framework for Older People targets and requirements, some used their position to work with organisations of local older people and advocated for older patients’ interests.

Conclusion.  Nurses conceived their position as clinical Champions broadly and reported that they used this role to promote service improvements for older people. Those who established networks with other Champions and older people’s groups found this useful. Their role as Champions appeared to encourage a proactive and outward‐looking perspective and provides evidence of the workings of one model of Championship.

Implications for practice.  Embedding championing roles within organisations may be one way of bringing about change in the way that services to older people are developed.
Estimating abundance from presence/absence maps
Authors: Hwang Wen‐Han , He Fangliang
Published: April 2011

1. An important question in macroecology is: Can we estimate a species’ abundance from its occurrence on landscape? Answers to this question are useful for estimating population size from more easily acquired distribution data and for understanding the macroecological occupancy–abundance relationship.

2. Several methods have recently been developed to address this question, but no method is general enough to provide a common solution to all species because of the wide variation in spatial distribution of species.

3. In this study, we developed a mixed Gamma‐Poisson model that generalizes the negative binomial model and can characterize spatial dependence in the abundance distribution across cells. Under this framework, without any extra information, the clumping parameter and species abundance can be estimated using a map aggregation technique. This model was tested using a set of empirical census data consisting of 299 tree species from a 50‐ha stem‐mapped plot of Panama.

4. A comparison showed that the new method outperformed the previous methods to an appreciable degree. Particularly for abundant species in a finely gridded map (5 × 5 m), its bias is very small and the method can also reduce the root mean square error up to 30%. Like for previous methods, however, the new method’s performance decreases with the increase in cell size.

5. As a by‐product, the new method provides an approach to estimate spatial autocorrelation of species distribution which is otherwise difficult to estimate for presence/absence map.