bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies of the Localisation of Kisspeptin Within the Pituitary of the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) and the Effect of Kisspeptin on the Release of Non‐Gonadotropic Pituitary Hormones
Authors: Ramaswamy S. , Gibbs R. B. , Plant T. M.
Published: July 2009

Kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus play a pivotal role in the regulation of hypothalamic gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in higher primates. To examine whether kisspeptin also influences the function of the primate pituitary directly, two experiments were performed in adult male rhesus monkeys. First, the distribution of kisspeptin‐containing cells in the pituitary was described using fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Second, the secretion of non‐gonadotrophin adenohypophysial hormones [growth hormone (GH), prolactin and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)] and cortisol in response to i.v. kisspeptin administration was examined. Eight animals were deeply anaesthetised and transcardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was performed on 25‐μm thick free‐floating pituitary sections to localise immunopositive kisspeptin cells and to examine their relationship with immunostaining for luteinising hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone, GH, prolactin, α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (MSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and GnRH. Kisspeptin cells were found in the intermediate lobe of all animals and, in four monkeys, this neuropeptide was also observed in cells scattered in the periphery of the anterior lobe. Kisspeptin colocalised with α‐MSH‐immunopositive cells in the intermediate lobe and, in 50% of the monkeys, with ACTH‐immuunopositive cells in the periphery of the adenohypophysis. There was no evidence for colocalisation of kisspeptin with gonadotrophs, somatotrophs or lactotrophs. Beaded kisspeptin axons were observed in the neural lobe. In addition, assay of plasma samples that had been collected for a previous study documenting kisspeptin‐10‐induced LH release in male monkeys revealed that kisspeptin administration failed to influence circulating concentrations of GH, prolactin, TSH and cortisol. Release of all four of these non‐gonadotrophic hormones, however, was stimulated markedly by NMDA, which is considered to act centrally. Although the morphological findings obtained in the present study are consistent with the notion that kisspeptin may act directly at the level of the pituitary, the nature of such an action remains to be defined.
Assessing substitution patterns, rates and homoplasy at HVRI of Steller sea lions, Eumetopias jubatus
Authors: PHILLIPS C. D. , TRUJILLO R. G. , GELATT T. S. , SMOLEN M. J. , MATSON C. W. , HONEYCUTT R. L. , PATTON J. C. , BICKHAM J. W.
Published: July 2009

Despite the widely recognized incidence of homoplasy characterizing this region, the hypervariable region I (HVRI) of the mitochondrial control region is one of the most frequently used genetic markers for population genetic and phylogeographic studies. We present an evolutionary analysis of HVRI and cytochrome b sequences from a range‐wide survey of 1031 Steller sea lions, Eumetopias jubatus, to quantify homoplasy and substitution rate at HVRI. Variation in HVRI was distributed across 41 variable sites in the 238‐bp segment examined. All variants at HVR1 were found to be transitions. However, our analyses suggest that a minimum of 101 changes have actually occurred within HVRI with as many as 18 substitutions occurring at a single site. By including this hidden variation into our analyses, several instances of apparent long‐range dispersal were resolved to be homoplasies and 8.5–12% of observed HVRI haplotypes were found to have geographic distributions descriptive of convergent molecular evolution rather than identity by descent. We estimate the rate of substitution at HVRI in Steller sea lions to be ∼24 times that of cytochrome b with an absolute rate of HVRI substitution estimated at 27.45% per million years. These findings have direct implications regarding the utility of HVRI data to generate a variety of evolutionary genetic hypotheses.
Mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers reveal a Balkan origin for the highly invasive horse‐chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae)
Authors: VALADE R. , KENIS M. , HERNANDEZ‐LOPEZ A. , AUGUSTIN S. , MARI MENA N. , MAGNOUX E. , ROUGERIE R. , LAKATOS F. , ROQUES A. , LOPEZ‐VAAMONDE C.
Published: July 2009

Biological invasions usually start with a small number of founder individuals. These founders are likely to represent a small fraction of the total genetic diversity found in the source population. Our study set out to trace genetically the geographical origin of the horse‐chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella, an invasive microlepidopteran whose area of origin is still unkown. Since its discovery in Macedonia 25 years ago, this insect has experienced an explosive westward range expansion, progressively colonizing all of Central and Western Europe. We used cytochrome oxidase I sequences (DNA barcode fragment) and a set of six polymorphic microsatellites to assess the genetic variability of C. ohridella populations, and to test the hypothesis that C. ohridella derives from the southern Balkans (Albania, Macedonia and Greece). Analysis of mtDNA of 486 individuals from 88 localities allowed us to identify 25 geographically structured haplotypes. In addition, 480 individuals from 16 populations from Europe and the southern Balkans were genotyped for 6 polymorphic microsatellite loci. High haplotype diversity and low measures of nucleotide diversities including a significantly negative Tajima’s D indicate that C. ohridella has experienced rapid population expansion during its dispersal across Europe. Both mtDNA and microsatellites show a reduction in genetic diversity of C. ohridella populations sampled from artificial habitats (e.g. planted trees in public parks, gardens, along roads in urban or sub‐urban areas) across Europe compared with C. ohridella sampled in natural stands of horse‐chestnuts in the southern Balkans. These findings suggest that European populations of C. ohridella may indeed derive from the southern Balkans.
Drought stress effects on photosystem I content and photosystem II thermotolerance analyzed using Chlafluorescence kinetics in barley varieties differing in their drought tolerance
Authors: Oukarroum Abdallah , Schansker Gert , Strasser Reto J.
Published: July 2009

Drought stress has multiple effects on the photosynthetic system. Here, we show that a decrease of the relative contribution of the I‐P phase, ΔVIP= −VI= (FM−FI)/(FM− Fo), to the fluorescence transient OJIP is observed in 10 drought‐stressed barley and 9 chickpea varieties. The extent of the I‐P loss in the barley varieties depended on their drought tolerance. The relative loss of the I‐P phase seems to be related to a loss of photosystem (PS) I reaction centers as determined by 820‐nm transmission measurements. In the second part of this study, the interaction of drought and heat stress in two barley varieties (the drought tolerant variety A¨t Baha and the drought sensitive variety Lannaceur) was studied using a new approach. Heat stress was induced by exposing the plant leaves to temperatures of 25–45°C and the inactivation of the O2‐evolving complex (OEC) was followed measuring chlorophylla(Chla) fluorescence using a protocol consisting of two 5‐ms pulses spaced 2.3 ms apart. In active reaction centers, the dark interval is long enough to allow the OEC to recover from the first pulse; whereas in heat‐inactivated reaction centers it is not. In the latter category of reaction centers, no further fluorescence rise is induced by the second pulse. Lannaceur, under well‐watered conditions, was more heat tolerant than Aït Baha. However, this difference was lost following drought stress. Drought stress considerably increased the thermostability of PS II of both varieties.
Race specific resistance to powdery mildew in Scandinavian wheat cultivars, breeding lines and introduced genotypes with partial resistance
Authors: Lillemo M. , Skinnes H. , Brown J. K. M.
Published: July 2009

With 4 tables

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is an important bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) disease that is favoured by the temperate Scandinavian climate. A total of 38 lines, comprising the current spring and winter wheat cultivars in Norway, various breeding lines and introduced sources of partial resistance were evaluated for race‐specific resistance at the seedling stage. Various resistance genes were postulated from the reaction patterns of lines with known genes tested against 20 differential isolates in detached leaf assays. Detection of the Pm8 gene and alleles at the Pm3 locus were further aided by specific PCR primers. The most frequently present resistance genes were Pm8, followed by Pm5a, Pm3d, Pm3f, Pm3b and Pm2. Several lines were susceptible to all isolates at the seedling stage, but were known to possess high levels of partial resistance in the field; these included the German spring wheats ‘Naxos’ and ‘Paros’ and the Swedish winter wheats ‘Folke’ and ‘Mjølner’. These lines represent highly valuable sources of partial and potentially durable resistance to powdery mildew.
The establishment of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network
Authors: Donoghue Deborah A , Henderson‐Smart David J
Published: July 2009

The Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network was established in 1994 to monitor high‐risk newborns admitted for care. Uniquely, all units in both countries have participated since inception, making it integral to the care of babies. The network's objectives include auditing care, publishing aggregated results annually, providing feedback to units, monitoring technologies and developing clinical indicators. Networking provides a forum for clinicians and a consortium of knowledge and advice. It facilitates collaborative research and clinical groups, producing projects from observational studies to randomised controlled trials. Members take a major role in reviewing the evidence for care and ensuring its effective use in clinical practice.
A comparison of sleeping problems in school‐age children between rural and urban communities in China
Authors: Yang Qiao‐Zhi , Bu Yue‐Qing , Dong Sheng‐Ying , Fan Shu‐Shan , Wang Le‐Xin
Published: July 2009

Aim:  To investigate differences in sleeping behaviours in school‐age children between urban and rural Chinese communities.

Methods:  Children aged between 6 and 12 years old were selected from rural (n= 472) and urban communities (n= 576). Children's sleep habits questionnaire was completed by the parents to assess sleep patterns and sleep problems of the children.

Results:  In the 6–8 and 9–12 years groups, the average sleep time in urban children was shorter than in the children from rural areas (9.0 ± 1.1 vs. 11.3 ± 1.1 h, and 9.2 ± 1.0 vs. 10.2 ± 0.9 h, respectively, all P < 0.01). The rate of abnormal sleep behaviour in the urban and rural cohort was 82.8 and 70.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of sleep delays in the 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children from urban areas was higher than in the rural areas (60.3 vs. 40.3%, P < 0.01). In the urban 9–12 years group, the rate of day‐time sleepiness was higher than in the rural group (52.6 vs. 26.8%, P < 0.01), whereas the night waking rate was lower (43.8 vs. 58.6%, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the location of the residence, mother's age, parent's sleep habits and education levels predict the sleeping problems in these children.

Conclusion:  Children from urban communities appear to have sleeping problems than children from a rural setting. A parent's sleep habits, education levels and the location of children's residence have significant impact on the children's sleep behaviour and habits.
Do Kawasaki disease patients without coronary artery abnormalities need a long‐term follow‐up? A myocardial single‐photon emission computed tomography pilot study
Authors: Zanon Giulia , Zucchetta Pietro , Varnier Maurizio , Vittadello Fabio , Milanesi Ornella , Zulian Francesco
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To determine the frequency and risk factors for long‐term myocardial perfusion scintigraphy abnormalities in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods:  A cohort of patients with KD at least 3 years after disease onset and with persistent coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) (group 1) or without CAA (group 2) underwent stress–rest myocardial single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Clinical and laboratory parameters at disease onset were considered to assess their predictive value for the development of myocardial perfusion abnormalities.

Results:  Forty patients, 20 in group 1 and 20 in group 2, entered the study. The two groups turned out to be comparable for demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics. Five patients (12.5%), two in group 1 and three in group 2, had abnormal myocardial perfusion assessed by SPECT. Neither the presence of CAA nor the overall cardiac involvement at the disease onset significantly increased the risk for these abnormalities.

Conclusion:  Cardiac SPECT abnormalities are not unusual in KD and can be found in patients with or without CAA. If confirmed in a larger cohort of patients, these preliminary data indicate that careful long‐term cardiac follow‐up should be considered, regardless of the presence of CAA.
Hip surveillance in Tasmanian children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Connelly Annette , Flett Peter , Graham H Kerr , Oates Janene
Published: July 2009

Background:  Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of hip subluxation. Over time, subluxation can lead to dislocation, deformity and pain. Hip surveillance in the form of an X‐ray and clinical examination of this ‘at risk group’ can identify early subluxation. Early subluxation can be treated, preventing hip dislocation in many cases. Hip surveillance in CP commenced in Tasmania in 1992.

Aims:  To audit the hip surveillance data to date, perform a literature review to understand the emerging evidence for prevention and management of hip subluxation in CP and update hip surveillance guidelines.

Methods:  New guidelines were written and distributed, and an audit of the previous 12 years performed by review of medical files and X‐rays.

Results:  Two hundred and eighteen children had been involved in the hip surveillance programme. Fifteen cases of dislocation were recorded in this time. The incidence of subluxation and surgery, as well as the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level, was recorded.

Conclusion:  Data from Tasmania showed a similar incidence of hip subluxation according to GMFCS level, and frequency of different surgical interventions as other recent audits. Some children with minor subluxation improved without orthopaedic intervention once weight bearing occurred, which had not before been appreciated. Migration percentage alone is not adequate to fully describe the outcome of hip subluxation. More appropriate measures of outcome in terms of quality of life for children with CP need to be developed.
Assessment of portable continuous wave Doppler ultrasound (ultrasonic cardiac output monitor) for cardiac output measurements in neonates
Authors: Meyer Sascha , Todd David , Shadboldt Bruce
Published: July 2009

Background and study purpose:  The ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring (USCOM, USCOM Pty Ltd, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia) device provides a new method of non‐invasively assessing cardiac output (CO). It has been successfully used in adults, but there have been few studies in neonates.

Aims:  To study the inter‐operator reliability, and to compare the aortic (systemic) CO and pulmonary CO in a neonatal population.

Patient and methods:  In a study using the USCOM device, we have determined: (i) the inter‐operator (rater) agreement for aortic (left ventricular output) and pulmonary (right ventricular output) CO; and (ii) by combining the measurements of aortic and pulmonary CO from each operator to obtain average aortic and pulmonary CO in neonates admitted to the neonatal unit during the first 8 days of life. Neonates with congenital heart disease were excluded from the study.

Results:  Twelve neonates were enrolled in the study, and their mean gestational age was 34.1 ± 3.7 weeks, mean birth weight 2.268 ± 0.872 kg with eight boys and four girls. There was no significant difference in CO measurements between the two operators (inter‐rater correlation = 0.93 (0.86–0.97 (95% CI), P < 0.0001). However, the mean aortic CO was significantly lower than the mean pulmonary CO (228 mL/kg/min (202–254 (95% CI)) versus 282 mL/kg/min (256–309 (95% CI), P= 0.006).

Conclusions:  Although there was a good correlation between operators, further investigations are required to study the discrepancy between aortic (systemic)/pulmonary CO in this population. Other than this discrepancy, the validity of this technique in neonates requires further detailed studies as it uses continuous wave Doppler for the measurements.
Disputes over Great Moravia: chiefdom or state? the Morava or the Tisza River?
Authors: Macháček Jiří
Published: July 2009

Great Moravia existed in central Europe from the ninth to the early tenth century and left behind a lasting legacy in central and eastern Europe. However, the interpretation of the early medieval history of the region has always been a delicate matter. The written sources concerning Moravia do not lend themselves easily to historical interpretation. As a consequence, they have often been invoked not just for academic, but also for political debates. For modern state ideologies to effectively exploit the historical heritage of Great Moravia, two conditions must be met. First, there should be absolutely no doubt as to whether Great Moravia encompassed precisely those territories now within the borders of the states claiming to be its direct heirs. Second, firm evidence of politically advanced structures of power is required in order to justify both the name of ‘state’ and continuity to the modern age. The goal of this paper is to prove these premises on the basis of the archaeological evidence.
The significance of the Sirmian and apostolic tradition in shaping Moravian episcopal organization
Authors: Kalhous David
Published: July 2009

Based on an analysis of papal documents as well as the Vita Methodii, this work examines shifts in Methodius's status. The text analyses the significance of his titulature by a comparison with other eighth‐ and ninth‐century missionaries, and examines the way his new diocese was legitimized through legal and historical fictions dealing with the restoration of a long‐lost see and its apostolic origins. Finally, the article draws a comparison between the situation in Moravia and the importance of apostolic tradition in Rome, Constantinople, Metz, Compostela and Venice.
Archeology and written sources on eighth‐ to tenth‐century Bohemia
Authors: Profantová Naď'a
Published: July 2009

This article examines the contribution of archaeology to our understanding of the history of Bohemia in the early Middle Ages. In a period for which only scarce information is available from written sources, archaeology is able to verify information from legend and confirm the scanty written evidence. The results of archaeological research, however, also strongly suggest that relations between Bohemians and Magyars were much more complex than the evidence of the written sources has until now led many to believe.
Impact of seizures on morbidity and mortality after stroke: a Canadian multi‐centre cohort study
Authors: Burneo J. G. , Fang J. , Saposnik G. ,   for the Investigators of the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network
Published: July 2009

Introduction:  Limited information is available about the impact of seizures on stroke outcome, health care delivery and resource utilization.

Objective:  To determine whether the presence of seizures after stroke increases disability, mortality and health care utilization (length of hospital stay, ICU admission, consults, discharge to a long‐term care facility).

Methods:  This cohort study included consecutive patients with acute stroke between July 2003 and June 2005 from the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network (RCSN), the largest clinical database of patients in Canada with acute stroke seen at selected acute care hospitals. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes amongst patients experiencing stroke without and with seizures occurring during inpatient stay. Main outcome measures included: case‐fatality, disability at discharge, length‐of‐stay, and discharge disposition. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether the presence of seizures was associated with poor stroke outcomes.

Results:  Amongst 5027 patients included in the study; seizures occurred in 138 (2.7%) patients with stroke. Patients with seizures had a higher mortality at 30‐day (36.2% vs. 16.8%, P < 0.0001) and at 1‐year post‐stroke (48.6% vs. 27.7%, P < 0.001), longer hospitalization, and greater disability at discharge (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that stroke severity, hemorrhagic stroke, and presence of neglect were associated to occurrence of seizures after stroke.

Conclusions:  The presence of seizures after stroke was associated with increased resources utilization, length of hospital stay, whilst decreasing both 30‐day and 1‐year survival. Quality improvement strategies targeting patients with seizures may help optimize the management of this subgroup of more disabled patients.
Expression of platelet glycoprotein VI is associated with transient ischemic attack and stroke
Authors: Bigalke B. , Stellos K. , Geisler T. , Kremmer E. , Seizer P. , May A. E. , Lindemann S. , Melms A. , Luft A. , Gawaz M.
Published: July 2009

Background and purpose:  Platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) contributes significantly to platelet adhesion and thrombus formation. We aimed to investigate GPVI in patients presenting with symptoms of acute cerebrovascular disease and to define GPVI as biomarker for acute stroke.

Methods:  We consecutively evaluated 205 patients, who admitted the stroke unit with symptoms for stroke. Surface expression of the platelet activation markers (GPVI, CD62P, GPIb) was determined by two‐color whole blood flow cytometry.

Results:  Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) (n = 18; 8.8%) as well as with stroke (n = 133; 64.9%) showed a significantly enhanced GPVI expression (mean fluorescence intensity ± SD) on admission compared to patients with non‐ischemic (NI) events (n = 54; 26.3%) (TIA: 20.9 ± 7.1 vs. NI: 16.2 ± 3.9; P = 0.002; stroke: 20.4 ± 5.7 vs. NI; P = 0.002). Neither CD62P nor GPIb surface expression showed a significant difference. Logistic regression analysis revealed that on admission GPVI was associated with stroke independent of conventional laboratory markers such as C‐reactive protein, blood glucose, and creatine kinase. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve on GPVI, we have determined the cut off value of 18.2 for stroke. Thus, patients with enhanced GPVI expression levels (≥18.2) had a 2.4‐fold relative risk for stroke. Patients with elevated platelet GPVI expression level had a poorer clinical outcome in cumulative event‐free survival for stroke, myocardial infarction, and cerebro‐/cardiovascular death at 3‐month follow‐up (log rank; P = 0.045).

Conclusions:  These findings indicate that platelet GPVI surface expression is significantly enhanced in patients with TIA and stroke compared to patients with NI events. Determination of platelet‐specific GPVI may be useful as an early biomarker for cerebral ischemia.
Restoring a keystone predator may endanger a prey species in a human‐altered ecosystem: the return of the snow leopard to Sagarmatha National Park
Authors: Lovari S. , Boesi R. , Minder I. , Mucci N. , Randi E. , Dematteis A. , Ale S. B.
Published: July 2009

Twenty‐five years ago, the snow leopardUncia uncia, an endangered large cat, was eliminated from what is now Sagarmatha National Park (SNP). Heavy hunting pressure depleted that area of most medium–large mammals, before it became a park. After three decades of protection, the cessation of hunting and the recovery of wild ungulate populations, snow leopards have recently returned (four individuals). We have documented the effects of the return of the snow leopard on the population of its main wild prey, the Himalayan tahrHemitragus jemlahicus, a ‘near‐threatened’ caprin. Signs of snow leopard presence were recorded and scats were collected along a fixed trail (130 km) to assess the presence and food habits of the snow leopard in the Park, from 2004 to 2006. Himalayan tahr, the staple of the diet, had a relative occurrence of 48% in summer and 37% in autumn, compared with the next most frequent prey, musk deerMoschus chrysogaster(summer: 20%; autumn: 15%) and cattle (summer: 15%; autumn: 27%). In early summer, the birth rate of tahr (young‐to‐female ratio: 0.8–0.9) was high. The decrease of this ratio to 0.1–0.2 in autumn implied that summer predation concentrated on young tahr, eventually altering the population by removing the kid cohort. Small populations of wildCaprinae, for example the Himalayan tahr population in SNP, are sensitive to stochastic predation events and may be led to almost local extinction. If predation on livestock keeps growing, together with the decrease of Himalayan tahr, retaliatory killing of snow leopards by local people may be expected, and the snow leopard could again be at risk of local extinction. Restoration of biodiversity through the return of a large predator has to be monitored carefully, especially in areas affected by humans, where the lack of important environmental components, for example key prey species, may make the return of a predator a challenging event.
Linkages between household wealth, bushmeat and other animal protein consumption are not invariant: evidence from Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea
Authors: Fa J. E. , Albrechtsen L. , Johnson P. J. , Macdonald D. W.
Published: July 2009

Bushmeat consumption is affected by household wealth. However, how household wealth impacts bushmeat eaten in different environmental and social settings (i.e. whether urban, rural, coastal or forest) is poorly understood. In this study, we sampled households in six contrasting localities in Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea, in coastal (Bata, Cogo), central (Niefang, Evinayong) and eastern parts of the territory (Ebebiyin, Nsork). On average, 32.3 g of bushmeat per adult male equivalent per day were consumed, though this varied widely between sites and most households ate no bushmeat on the survey day. Fish was the most frequently recorded source of protein and in a coastal site, Cogo, significantly more fish was consumed than in the other localities. Overall, average protein consumption was correlated with household wealth, but the strength of this effect varied among sites. At the site where average wealth was highest (Bata, the most urban site), bushmeat was more expensive, and wealthier households ate more of it. Elsewhere bushmeat consumption was not associated with wealth, and the cost of bushmeat was a higher proportion of household wealth. In Bata, wealthier households reported consumption of more than one meat type (most frequently bushmeat and either domestic meat or fish), and diversity of dietary items also increased with wealth. In all sites, wealthier households ate less fish. We demonstrate distinct differences in relationships between urban versus rural areas, and between coastal versus inland sites. We therefore caution that general patterns of wealth–wild meat consumption must be evaluated taking account the circumstances of wild meat consumers.
Adolescent attitudes toward psychiatric medication: the utility of the Drug Attitude Inventory
Authors: Townsend Lisa , Floersch Jerry , Findling Robert L.
Published: July 2009

Background:  Despite the effectiveness of psychotropic treatment for alleviating symptoms of psychiatric disorders, youth adherence to psychotropic medication regimens is low. Adolescent adherence rates range from 10–80% (Swanson, 2003; Cromer & Tarnowski, 1989; Lloyd et al., 1998; Brown, Borden, and Clingerman, 1985; Sleator, 1985) depending on the population and medication studied. Youth with serious mental illness face increased potential for substance abuse, legal problems, suicide attempts, and completed suicide (Birmaher & Axelson, 2006). Nonadherence may increase the potential for negative outcomes. The Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) was created to measure attitudes toward neuroleptics and to predict adherence in adults (Hogan, Awad, & Eastwood, 1983). No studies have been identified that have used this instrument in adolescent psychiatric populations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of the DAI for measuring medication attitudes and predicting adherence in adolescents diagnosed with mental health disorders.

Method:  Structural equation modeling was used to compare the factor structure of the DAI in adults with its factor structure in adolescents. The relationship between adolescent DAI scores and adherence was examined also.

Results:  The adult factor structure demonstrated only “fair” fit to the adolescent data (RMSEA = .061). Results indicated a low, but significant positive correlation (r = .205, p < .05) between DAI scores and adherence.

Conclusions:  Lack of optimal model fit suggests that DAI items may require alteration to reflect adolescent experiences with psychiatric medication more accurately. Differences between adolescents and adults in developmental stage, symptom chronicity, diagnosis, and medication class may explain why the adult model demonstrated only “fair fit” to the adolescent data and why the correlation between DAI scores and adherence was low. The DAI may be improved for use with adolescents by creating items reflecting autonomy concerns, diagnostic characteristics, treatment length, and side effect profiles relevant to adolescent experiences.
Disregard for rules: the early development and predictors of a specific dimension of disruptive behavior disorders
Authors: Petitclerc Amélie , Boivin Michel , Dionne Ginette , Zoccolillo Mark , Tremblay Richard E.
Published: July 2009

Background:  Disregard for rules, an important dimension of oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, is frequent during early childhood, but the development of its chronic form has not been studied during this key socialization period. This study aimed to describe the developmental trajectories of disregard for rules during early childhood and identify prenatal and postnatal predictors for a high trajectory.

Methods:  Participants were involved in a longitudinal study of a birth cohort followed yearly from 5 to 74 months of age (N = 1,942). Prenatal and postnatal predictors were measured by parental report at the beginning of the study, and parents reported child disregard for rules at five time points from 29 to 74 months of age.

Results:  Four groups of children followed distinct and stable trajectories of mother‐rated disregard for rules: Very Low (approximately 9.1%), Low (56.9%), Moderate (29.7%) and Chronic (4.3%). As expected, male sex was a significant predictor of the chronic trajectory (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.09–2.83). Mothers’ history of antisocial behavior (OR = 1.72, CI = 1.02–2.91), and postnatal depressive symptoms experienced by the mother (OR = 1.71, CI = 1.03–2.84) and the father (OR = 2.02, CI = 1.10–3.71) were also important independent predictors. However, contrary to expectations, children’s difficult temperament and parenting at 5 months did not predict chronic disregard for rules beyond other risk factors.

Conclusions:  High disregard for rules is fairly stable during early childhood and is associated with risk factors identifiable before and shortly after birth which may be used for targeted prevention.
The relationship between language development and behaviour problems in children with hearing loss
Authors: Stevenson Jim , McCann Donna , Watkin Peter , Worsfold Sarah , Kennedy Colin ,   on behalf of the Hearing Outcomes Study Team
Published: July 2009

Background:  There are well‐replicated findings that link poor development on a range of communication skills with increased behavioural problems. This paper examines this relationship in children with hearing loss.

Method:  One hundred and twenty children with hearing loss (67 boys, 53 girls) and 63 hearing children (37 boys, 26 girls) with a mean age of 8 years from eight districts in Southern England were assessed for receptive and expressive language skills. The relationships between these measures and an aggregate of parent‐ and teacher‐reported behaviour problems in the children were investigated.

Results:  Children with hearing loss had higher levels of behaviour problems compared to hearing children. Once the language abilities of children with hearing loss are taken into account, the negative effects of hearing loss on behaviour disappear.

Conclusions:  Behaviour problems are found more commonly in children with hearing loss and the level of behaviour problems is highest amongst those children with hearing loss with the least developed language capabilities.
Family Ties: The Political Genealogy of Shining Path's Comrade Norah
Authors: HEILMAN JAYMIE PATRICIA
Published: July 2009

Family was central to the political life of Augusta La Torre (or Comrade Norah), the second‐in‐command of the Peruvian Communist Party‐Shining Path (PCP‐SL). La Torre was the daughter of a Communist Party militant and the granddaughter of a prominent provincial political figure. She was also the wife of Shining Path founder Abimael Guzmán. La Torre's familial history demonstrates the importance of parental and grandparental contributions to Senderistas' political formation, and suggests that parents and children were sometimes united in their support for the Shining Path. La Torre's family ties, however, have also led numerous observers to question her revolutionary credentials.
Exposure to an enriched environment selectively increases the functional response of the pre‐synaptic NMDA receptors which modulate noradrenaline release in mouse hippocampus
Authors: Grilli Massimo , Zappettini Stefania , Zanardi Alessio , Lagomarsino Federica , Pittaluga Anna , Zoli Michele , Marchi Mario
Published: July 2009

We evaluated the impact of environmental training on the functions of pre‐synaptic glutamatergic NMDA and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate (AMPA) and nicotinic receptors expressed by hippocampal noradrenergic nerve terminals. Synaptosomes isolated from the hippocampi of mice housed in enriched (EE) or standard (SE) environment were labeled with [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and tritium release was monitored during exposure in superfusion to NMDA, AMPA, epibatidine or high K+. NMDA ‐evoked [3H]NA release from EE hippocampal synaptosomes was significantly higher than that from SE synaptosomes, while the [3H]NA overflow elicited by 100 μM AMPA, 1 μM epibatidine or (9, 15, 25 mM) KCl was unchanged. In EE mice, the apparent affinity of NMDA or glycine was unmodified, while the efficacy was significantly augmented. Sensitivity to non‐selective or subtype‐selective NMDA receptor antagonists (MK‐801, ifenprodil and Zn2+ions) was not modified in EE. Finally, the analysis of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in noradrenergic cell bodies of the locus coeruleus showed that NR1, NR2A, NR2B and NR2D subunits were unchanged, while NR2C decreased significantly in EE mice as compared to SE mice. Functional up‐regulation of the pre‐synaptic NMDA receptors modulating NA release might contribute to the improved learning and memory found in animals exposed to an EE.
The metabolic syndrome in overweight epileptic patients treated with valproic acid
Authors: Verrotti Alberto , Manco Rossella , Agostinelli Sergio , Coppola Giangennaro , Chiarelli Francesco
Published: July 2009

Purpose:  To evaluate the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents treated with valproate (VPA).

Methods:  One hundred fourteen patients (54 male and 60 female) were studied. These patients were followed from the beginning of therapy for at least 24 months; at the end of follow‐up, 46 patients (40.4%) had a considerable increase in body weight, whereas the other patients (59.6%) remained with the same weight. The MS was defined as having at least three of the following: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension.

Results:  Forty‐six patients developed obesity; 20 (43.5%) of 46 patients developed MS. Abnormal glucose homeostasis was identified in 45% of patients. High total serum cholesterol concentrations were noted in 10 (50%), high serum triglyceride concentrations in 7 (35%), and low high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) in 15 (75%) of the 20 subjects with MS. However, there were no significant differences in the features of MS between boys and girls with MS.

Conclusions:  Patients who gain weight during VPA therapy can develop MS with a possible risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cost Analysis of the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders Care Management Intervention
Authors: Counsell Steven R. , Callahan Christopher M. , Tu Wanzhu , Stump Timothy E. , Arling Gregory W.
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVES: To provide, from the healthcare delivery system perspective, a cost analysis of the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) intervention, which is effective in improving quality of care and outcomes.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with physicians as the unit of randomization.

SETTING: Community‐based primary care health centers.

PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred fifty‐one low‐income seniors aged 65 and older; 474 participated in the intervention and 477 in usual care.

INTERVENTION: Home‐based care management for 2 years by a nurse practitioner and social worker who collaborated with the primary care physician and a geriatrics interdisciplinary team and were guided by 12 care protocols for common geriatric conditions.

MEASUREMENTS: Chronic and preventive care costs, acute care costs, and total costs in the full sample (n=951) and predefined high‐risk (n=226) and low‐risk (n=725) groups.

RESULTS: Mean 2‐year total costs for intervention patients were not significantly different from those for usual care patients in the full sample ($14,348 vs $11,834; P=.20) and high‐risk group ($17,713 vs $18,776; P=.38). In the high‐risk group, increases in chronic and preventive care costs were offset by reductions in acute care costs, and the intervention was cost saving during the postintervention, or third, year ($5,088 vs $6,575; P<.001). Mean 2‐year total costs were higher in the low‐risk group ($13,307 vs $9,654; P=.01).

CONCLUSION: In patients at high risk of hospitalization, the GRACE intervention is cost neutral from the healthcare delivery system perspective. A cost‐effectiveness analysis is needed to guide decisions about implementation in low‐risk patients.
Allostatic Load and Frailty in Older Adults
Authors: Gruenewald Tara L. , Seeman Teresa E. , Karlamangla Arun S. , Sarkisian Catherine A.
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between allostatic load (AL), an index of multisystem physiological dysregulation, and frailty development over a 3‐year follow‐up in a sample of older adults.

DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING: Community.

PARTICIPANTS: High‐functioning men and women aged 70 to 79 at study entry.

MEASUREMENTS: Multisystem physiological dysregulation, or AL, was assessed according to 13 biomarkers of cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and metabolic function. An AL score was computed as the total number of biomarkers for which participant values fell into high‐risk biomarker quartiles. Frailty status (not frail, intermediate frail, frail) was determined according to the total number of five indicators of frailty: weight loss, exhaustion, weak grip, slow gait, and low physical activity. The association between level of AL at baseline and frailty status 3 years later was examined using ordinal logistic regression in 803 participants not frail at baseline.

RESULTS: In a multivariable model adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and behavioral characteristics, each 1‐unit increase in AL at baseline was associated with a 10% greater likelihood of frailty at the 3‐year follow‐up (cumulative adjusted odds ratio=1.10, 95% confidence interval=1.03–1.19).

CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that dysregulation across multiple physiological systems is associated with greater risk of frailty. Greater levels of multisystem physiological dysregulation may serve as a warning sign of frailty development in later life.
High Oxidative Stress Is Correlated with Frailty in Elderly Chinese
Authors: Wu I‐Chien , Shiesh Shu‐Chu , Kuo Po‐Hsiu , Lin Xi‐Zhang
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and frailty in elderly people.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.

SETTING: Community and hospital‐based outpatient clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: Ninety participants aged 65 and older.

MEASUREMENTS: Frailty status was determined according to the presence of weak handgrip strength, weight loss, slow walking speed, exhaustion, and low activity level and was classified as frail (≥3 criteria), prefrail (1 or 2 criteria), or robust (0 criteria). An oxidative stress marker (serum 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine, 8‐OHdG), metabolic markers (body mass index, waist–hip ratio, serum lipids, glucose, and albumin), an inflammatory marker (serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, hs‐CRP), demographic information, and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, overweight or obesity, impaired fasting plasma glucose, renal insufficiency, and depression) were assessed.

RESULTS: Of the 90 participants, 21 (23.3%) were frail, 56 (62.2%) were prefrail, and 13 (14.4%) were robust. Frail subjects had higher median (range) serum 8‐OHdG (2.5 ng/mL (1.5–6.2 ng/mL) vs 2.3 ng/mL (0.5–8.1 ng/mL) and 1.0 ng/mL (0.5–5.3 ng/mL)) and serum hs‐CRP (2.5 mg/L (0.3–32.1 mg/L) vs 1.8 mg/L (0.3–50.5 mg/L) and 1.7 mg/L (0.3–4.0 mg/L)) levels, lower mean±standard deviation serum albumin levels (4.1±0.4 g/dL vs 4.4±0.4 g/dL and 4.6±0.2 g/dL) and higher mean waist–hip ratios (0.96±0.11 vs 0.91±0.07 and 0.89±0.05)) than prefrail and robust subjects, respectively (P<.05 for all). In multivariable regression analysis, high serum 8‐OHdG level was still significantly associated with frailty after adjusting for age, smoking status, comorbidities, waist–hip ratio, serum albumin level, and hs‐CRP level.

CONCLUSION: High oxidative stress, characterized by high serum 8‐OHdG level, was independently associated with frailty in the selected sample of elderly Chinese.
Use of the Late‐Life Function and Disability Instrument to Assess Disability in Major Depression
Authors: Karp Jordan F. , Skidmore Elizabeth , Lotz Meredith , Lenze Eric , Dew Mary Amanda , Reynolds Charles F.
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there was greater disability in subjects with depression than in those without, the correlation between disability and depression severity and quality of life, and whether improvement in disability after antidepressant pharmacotherapy was greater in those who responded to antidepressant treatment.

DESIGN: Disability in subjects with and without depression from two different studies was compared for 22 weeks. Correlations were performed for the subjects with depression between disability and depression, anxiety, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and medical comorbidity. T‐tests were used to compare disability between subjects who did and did not respond to antidepressant treatment and change in disability after pharmacotherapy.

SETTING: Late‐life depression research clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: The 313 subjects were recruited from primary care and the community and were aged 60 and older; 244 subjects were participants in a depression treatment protocol, and 69 subjects without depression participated in a separate longitudinal observational study of the mental and cognitive health of depression‐free older adults.

MEASUREMENTS: The Late‐Life Function and Disability Instrument (LL‐FDI), a measure of instrumental activity of daily living, personal role, and social role functioning.

RESULTS: Subjects with depression scored lower than controls for domains measuring limitation (can do) and frequency (does do) of activities. Both disability domains correlated with depression severity, anxiety, HRQOL, and cognition. Disability improved with antidepressant treatment; for partial responders who continued to receive higher‐dose antidepressant treatment out to 22 weeks, there was continued improvement, although not to the level of comparison subjects without depression.

CONCLUSION: The LL‐FDI appears to discriminate subjects with depression from those without, correlates with depression severity, and demonstrates sensitivity to antidepressant treatment response. We recommend further investigation of the LL‐FDI and similar disability instruments for assessing depression‐related disability.
Assurance of Learning in the MIS Program
Authors: Harper Jeffrey S. , Harder Joseph T.
Published: July 2009

This article describes the development of a systematic and practical methodology for assessing program effectiveness and monitoring student development in undergraduate decision sciences programs. The model we present is based on a student's progression through learning stages associated with four key competencies: technical, analytical, communicative, and managerial. Key learning activities are embedded in major courses, resulting in clear and documented demonstrated abilities from the student. The work is based upon what is formally known about student outcomes assessment and input from our own Management Information Systems (MIS) program stakeholders and accrediting bodies. The results of the assurance of learning model can be, in turn, used to refine curriculum and to meet accreditation standards.
Why Don't More Students Major in IS?
Authors: Kuechler William L. , McLeod Alexander , Simkin Mark G.
Published: July 2009

The large increases in the number of information systems (IS) majors about 10 years ago have been matched by equally large decreases in IS enrollments over the last few years. This article addresses the question of why students choose any major in general, and why students no longer choose to become an IS major in particular. We used a validated survey instrument and the responses from 163 students to examine this question in detail. Not surprisingly, we found that “genuine interest” in the subject was the most salient factor affecting the decision to major in IS. More surprising were what factors did not appear to influence this decision—for example, the promise of good job salaries, job security, the advice of others, or even the image of those who become IS professionals. Students seem aware that information technology employment opportunities exist; if job and salary issues contribute to choosing majors other than IS, it is due to the perception of an unfavorable work/salary ratio for our field rather than one of job security or availability. That is, the amount of work to get an IS degree (the perception of harder‐than‐average courses) combined with (for many students) the perception of an undesirable amount of continuous training to keep an IS career just do not seem to balance with salary levels. These findings have important implications for the recruiting efforts of IS faculty seeking to attract more IS majors.
Thermal Stability of Al3BC3
Authors: Lee Sea‐Hoon , Tanaka Hidehiko
Published: July 2009

The thermal stability of Al3BC3 powder was analyzed. Nearly X‐ray‐pure Al3BC3 powder was obtained through the calcination of the aluminum, B4C, and carbon mixture at 1800°C in Ar. In contrast to the former investigations, which reported the melting of so called “Al8B4C7” at 1800°C, Al3BC3 did not melt up to 2100°C. Instead, it decomposed by the vaporization of aluminum. The decomposition occurred distinctly at 1400° and 1900°C in flowing Ar and a sealed carbon crucible, respectively. The results indicated that the decomposition temperature depended on the partial pressure of aluminum vapour in the atmosphere.