bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong association between insulin resistance in liver and skeletal muscle in non‐diabetic subjects
Authors: Abdul‐Ghani M. A. , Matsuda M. , DeFronzo R. A.
Published: October 2008

Objective  To examine the association between insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and liver in non‐diabetic subjects.

Research design and methods  A total of 182 Mexican American subjects without Type 2 diabetes underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp performed with 3[H]glucose. Insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle was measured as the insulin‐stimulated rate of total glucose disposal during the insulin clamp divided by steady‐state plasma insulin concentration (TGD/SSPI). Hepatic insulin resistance was measured as the product of basal hepatic glucose production and fasting plasma insulin concentration (HGP × FPI).

Results  Hepatic insulin resistance was strongly correlated (r = 0.68, P < 0.0001) with skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Thirty‐eight per cent of subjects had increased insulin resistance in both liver and skeletal muscle, while 39% were insulin sensitive in both skeletal muscle and liver. Twenty‐three per cent of subjects were discordant for muscle and hepatic insulin resistance (P < 0.0001). Subjects with increased skeletal muscle insulin resistance had a higher 2‐h plasma glucose concentration, greater incremental area under the plasma glucose concentration curve, lower fasting plasma insulin concentration and lower rate of basal hepatic glucose production compared with subjects with increased insulin resistance in liver.

Conclusion  In non‐diabetic subjects, insulin resistance in skeletal muscle is an important determinant of the fasting and 2‐h plasma glucose concentrations and strongly correlates with hepatic insulin resistance.
ANTHROPOMETRIC TRENDS IN SOUTHERN CHINA, 1830–1864
Authors: Baten Joerg , Hira Sandew
Published: October 2008

Anthropometric indicators can shed light on the ‘Great Divergence’ debate on the timing of the welfare development in China and Europe. We mobilise two new datasets of some 13,000 Southern Chinese contract migrants who were sent to Suriname and Indonesia, and thus supplement the limited existing evidence on early to mid‐nineteenth century China. The Southern Chinese were about as tall as Southern Europeans during the early and mid‐nineteenth century, but notably shorter than Northwestern Europeans. Height development was stagnant or slightly downward over the period studied, which fits into the pattern of real wage developments at that time.
Recouping and rethinking the effects of summer vacation on reading achievement
Authors: Helf Shawnna , Konrad Moira , Algozzine Bob
Published: October 2008

Vacations may have detrimental effects on maths and spelling performance, but the findings for reading are less conclusive. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of summer vacation on early literacy skills of young children. Participants included rising first and second‐graders, most of whom were at‐risk, struggling readers. No evidence of summer setback was evident for this sample of children; in fact, gains in reading (or, recoupment of any losses) were more common in children performing at lower levels than for those with higher scores at the end of the school year. Our outcomes are different from those reported by other researchers. We explain this with attention to the content of our comparisons, the grade levels investigated and measures used to assess performance, and discuss implications for future research based on our findings.
Understanding of the alphabetic principle through invented spelling among hearing‐impaired children learning to read and write: experimentation with a pedagogical approach
Authors: Sirois Pauline , Boisclair Andrée , Giasson Jocelyne
Published: October 2008

Given the problems experienced by hearing‐impaired individuals in learning the written language, a pedagogical approach was tested. The study examined the links between the development of representations of alphabetic system and the results in reading and writing of first graders. In the study, there were 31 hearing‐impaired children and 25 hearing ones. Invented spelling was measured three times during the school year. Reading and writing tests were given at the end of the year. The results obtained revealed a similarity between the learning profile of the hearing‐impaired children and that of the hearing children. It also demonstrated the importance of the work done through invented spelling, among the hearing‐impaired children. Thus, like their hearing peers, hearing‐impaired children are able to use procedures to process the written word based on the alphabetic principle, but continuous support‐implying invented spelling constantly adjusted to the progression of their representations must be provided.
Cat in the hat or cat in the cap? An investigation of the developmental trajectories of phonological awareness for Korean children
Authors: Kim Young‐Suk
Published: October 2008

This study investigated trajectories of Korean children's growth in the awareness of four phonological units –syllable, body, rime and phoneme– over time, by following a sample of 215 children over a period of 15 months, beginning at their first year of preschool and collecting four waves of data. Much of the existing research suggests that children who speak European languages tend to find subsyllabic phonological units, onset and rime, salient. In contrast, the results revealed that Korean children tended to find body and coda more accessible, and that the growth trajectories for body and rime awareness differed. Korean children had a higher awareness of the body unit than the rime unit at the beginning of the study, and their body awareness grew at a much faster rate than did their rime awareness. These findings support the emerging evidence that young Korean children find body–coda more accessible than onset–rime.
Hypertext fiction reading: haptics and immersion
Authors: Mangen Anne
Published: October 2008

Reading is a multi‐sensory activity, entailing perceptual, cognitive and motor interactions with whatever is being read. With digital technology, reading manifests itself as being extensively multi‐sensory – both in more explicit and more complex ways than ever before. In different ways from traditional reading technologies such as the codex, digital technology illustrates how the act of reading is intimately connected with and intricately dependent on the fact that we are both body and mind – a fact carrying important implications for even such an apparently intellectual activity as reading, whether recreational, educational or occupational. This article addresses some important and hitherto neglected issues concerning digital reading, with special emphasis on the vital role of our bodies, and in particular our fingers and hands, for the immersive fiction reading experience.
Does Performance Pay Increase Job Satisfaction?
Authors: GREEN COLIN , HEYWOOD JOHN S.
Published: October 2008

This paper investigates the influence of performance‐related pay on several dimensions of job satisfaction. In cross‐sectional estimates performance‐related pay is associated with increased overall satisfaction, satisfaction with pay, satisfaction with job security and satisfaction with hours. It appears to be negatively associated with satisfaction with the work itself; yet, after accounting for worker fixed effects the positive associations remain and the negative association vanishes. These results appear robust to a variety of alternative specifications and support the notion that performance‐related pay allows increased opportunities for worker optimization and does not generally demotivate workers or crowd out intrinsic motivation.
Agriculture, Diffusion and Development: Ripple Effects of the Neolithic Revolution
Authors: PUTTERMAN LOUIS
Published: October 2008

Are the effects of the Neolithic revolution still impacting on incomes across the world today? I find strong support for this proposition using new, country‐specific estimates of the timing of the agricultural transition and provide evidence that the differences are due to how technological diffusion is accounted for. A correction for world migrations since 1500 significantly improves the fit. Transition year also helps to explain income in 1500 itself, and an alternative measure of pre‐modern development, state history, has similar ability to predict income in 1500 and 1997.
The Benefits of Being Economics Professor A (rather than Z)
Authors: VAN PRAAG C. MIRJAM , VAN PRAAG BERNARD M.S.
Published: October 2008

Alphabetical name ordering on multi‐authored academic papers, which is the convention in economics and various other disciplines, is to the advantage of people whose last name initials are placed early in the alphabet. Professor A, who has been a first author more often than Professor Z, will have published more articles and experienced a faster productivity rate over the course of her career as a result of reputation and visibility. Authors know that name ordering matters and take ordering seriously. Several characteristics of an author‐group composition determine the decision to deviate from the default alphabetical name order to a significant extent.
AIDS‐associated cryptococcosis: a comparison of epidemiology, clinical features and outcome in the pre‐ and post‐HAART eras. Experience of a single centre in Italy
Authors: Antinori S , Ridolfo AL , Fasan M , Magni C , Galimberti L , Milazzo L , Sollima S , Adorni F , Giuliani G , Galli M , Corbellino M , Parravicini C
Published: October 2008

Objectives

To assess the prevalence, clinical and immunological characteristics, risk factors and survival of patients with AIDS‐related cryptococcosis in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods

All newly diagnosed cryptococcosis cases identified retrospectively from among a series of AIDS patients hospitalized consecutively at a single institution in Italy in 1985–1996 (pre‐HAART period, n=165) and 1997–2006 (post‐HAART period, n=40) were analysed comparatively.

Results

The prevalence of cryptococcosis decreased from 4.7% (165/3543) to 2.2% (40/1805) between the pre‐ and post‐HAART periods (P=0.0001). There were no differences in the clinical features or immunological status of the patients between the two cohorts. The variables associated with the occurrence of cryptococcosis in the post‐HAART era were older age (P<0.001), no previous diagnosis of HIV infection (P<0.001) and infection in homosexual males (P=0.004). During the post‐HAART period, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with cryptococcosis was observed in five patients (19.3%) a median of 15 weeks after the start of HAART. Thirty‐day survival (P=0.045) and overall survival (P=0.0001) were significantly better among patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis in the post‐HAART compared to those diagnosed in the pre‐HAART era.

Conclusions

The AIDS‐associated cryptococcosis observed in Western countries in the HAART era has similar clinical and immunological characteristics to that observed in the pre‐HAART era, but a significantly better outcome.
Factors Contributing to Stress in Parents of Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Tehee Erin , Honan Rita , Hevey David
Published: October 2008

Background  The study explores the experiences of parents of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs), and examines the influences of parent gender and child age on perceived stress, stress and coping, child‐rearing involvement, support and information/education accessed.

Methods and Materials  Questionnaires assessed general perceived stress, involvement, stress and coping related to caregiving, social support, and amount of information/education accessed in 23 mothers and 19 fathers of 3‐ to 18‐year‐old individuals with ASDs.

Results  When compared with fathers, mothers were significantly more stressed, more involved, and reported higher levels of stress and coping related to caregiving. Differences were found according to child age, regarding helpfulness of support and access to information/education. Parent gender and child age moderated correlations between some variables. Content analyses identified factors contributing to parental stress and its alleviation.

Conclusions  The positive relationships between the amount of information accessed and the quality of support received by parents, and between parental stress and involvement vary according to the life stage of the child. Mothers experienced a greater caregiving burden when compared with fathers.
Developing Measures of Job Performance for Support Staff in Housing Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hatton Chris , Wigham Sarah , Craig Jaime
Published: October 2008

Background  There is an absence of research concerning the assessment of housing support worker job performance, particularly in the development of job performance measures that reflect the priorities of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Method  A worker‐oriented job analysis method was used to develop four short job performance measures for direct housing support staff, from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities (n = 82), family members (n = 38), support staff (n = 122) and service managers (n = 115).

Results  All four job performance measures showed adequate internal and test–retest reliability and showed very few associations with staff and resident characteristics, although there were no associations between the job performance measures. The service user and manager‐rated job performance measures showed the widest range of associations with aspects of staff well‐being, service quality and service user choice and satisfaction with life, and show the most promise as short, practical measures of the job performance of direct housing support workers.

Conclusions  These methods of developing job performance measures show promise, and further investigation of user‐defined staff competencies is warranted.
Attribution Model of Stigma towards Children with Autism in Hong Kong
Authors: Ling Candy Y. M. , Mak Winnie W. S. , Cheng Janice N. S.
Published: October 2008

Background  Accounting for the effects of knowledge of and experience with autism, the relationships of cognitive attribution (perceived controllability), emotions (anger and sympathy), as well as helping and punitive behavioural intentions towards children with autism were examined. Based on the attribution model, mediating effects of anger and sympathy on cognitive attributions and behavioural intentions were tested.

Materials and Methods  123 frontline staff in educational settings completed a modified version of the Attribution Questionnaire after reading a hypothetical vignette and completing a quiz on autism.

Results  Knowledge and experience were only significantly related to punitive behavioural intention towards children with autism. Anger and sympathy mediated the effect between perceived controllability on both helping and punitive behavioural intentions.

Conclusions  The intentional responses towards children with autism were strongly related to their emotional reactions. Thus, in addition to educating frontline staff about autism, training them on emotion regulation is equally important in autism stigma reduction.
Restricted ranging behaviour in a high‐density population of urban badgers
Authors: Davison J. , Huck M. , Delahay R. J. , Roper T. J.
Published: October 2008

By studying the responses of different species to urbanization, it is possible to understand the impact of this type of habitat modification and to explore, more generally, the link between variations in the environment and changes in behaviour. We radio collared 17 badgers Meles meles from six social groups in a 1 km2 urban study area in Brighton, UK, where local badger population density was high, and collected data on their ranging behaviour between 2005 and 2007. We aimed to determine how badgers adapt their behaviour to an urban environment and to assess the generality of previously reported differences in the ranging and territorial behaviour of urban and rural badgers. Analysis of habitat preferences and movement patterns suggested that garden habitat was principally used for foraging, while scrub and allotment habitats were important in allowing animals to travel from one part of their range to another. Group and individual home ranges were the smallest so far recorded for badgers (mean 100% minimum convex polygons=9.26 and 4.91 ha, respectively). Individual range size was negatively correlated with the availability of garden habitat, suggesting that the rich food resources provided by gardens enabled ranges to be small. Group ranges were mostly non‐contiguous and there was no evidence of territorial scent marking; rather, activity was mainly restricted to areas in the vicinity of main setts. It is clear that badgers can adapt successfully to urban habitats and that this process affects various aspects of their behaviour. However, our high‐density population of urban badgers displayed patterns of behaviour that differed not only from those of typical rural badgers, but also in some respects from those of a previously studied low‐density urban population. We conclude that generalizations about the effects of urbanization must be made with caution.
Socio‐spatial organization of urban stone martens
Authors: Herr J. , Schley L. , Roper T. J.
Published: October 2008

Stone martens Martes foina are common occupants of urban environments across continental Europe. We predicted that like other ‘urban adapters’, urban stone martens should exhibit smaller home ranges, more extensive home‐range overlap and higher population densities than their rural counterparts. We radio‐tracked 13 stone martens (10 females, three males) in two towns in southern Luxembourg during a 2‐year period, in order to investigate nocturnal ranging behaviour. All martens maintained stable, year‐round territories almost wholly within the urban perimeter of the respective study towns. Socio‐spatial organization was based on intra‐sexual territoriality. Territories (100% minimum convex polygon) were small in size (males: 112.6±24.8 ha; females: 37.0±22.2 ha) and population densities moderately high (4.7–5.8 adults km−2) by comparison with previous studies of rural populations. We conclude that although stone martens are clearly well adapted to urban conditions, urbanization has surprisingly little impact on their socio‐spatial organization by comparison with its effects on other mesocarnivores. This apparent inflexibility in the spacing patterns of stone martens lends support to the view that spacing in martens (Martes spp.) is a predominantly phylogenetic trait that is under limited environmental influence.
Ecomorphological correlates of craniodental variation in bears and paleobiological implications for extinct taxa: an approach based on geometric morphometrics
Authors: Figueirido B. , Palmqvist P. , Pérez‐Claros J. A.
Published: October 2008

Relative warp analyses of landmarks describing cranial and mandibular shape are used for investigating patterns of morphological variation among extant bears (Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae) indicative of diet and feeding behavior. These patterns are used for deriving inferences about the autecology of two extinct species previously assumed to have had different dietary preferences, the North American giant, short‐faced bear Arctodus simus and the Eurasian cave bear Ursus spelaeus. Results reveal a set of shared craniodental traits among the herbivorous bears, including short and vaulted skulls with well‐developed zygomatic arches, lateralized orbits and small canines, concave jaws with a highly positioned condyle, large moment arms for the temporalis and masseter muscles, and long cheek teeth. In contrast, those bears that consume animal resources have long skulls with small zygomatic arches, frontalized orbits and well‐developed canines, and long jaws with a deep mandibular symphysis, low muscle leverages, a condyle situated at the level of the tooth row and reduced cheek teeth. The craniodental morphology of omnivorous bears is intermediate between those of faunivores and herbivores. This is also the case of the short‐faced bear and the cave bear, which suggests that previous reconstructions of the feeding ecology of these extinct species (highly carnivorous for A. simus and herbivorous for U. spelaeus) should be revised.
Effect of maltodextrin addition on moisture sorption properties of khoa
Authors: AHMAD NADEEM , SINGH R R B , SINGH A K , PATEL A A , PATIL G R
Published: October 2008

Khoa is a popular traditional Indian milk product. It is used as the base material for preparation of variety of popular sweetmeats. The shelf life of this product is limited due to its high water activity (> 0.96). In the present investigation, an attempt was made to lower the aw of khoa (25.62% moisture, 31.25% fat, 18.21% protein, 3.65% total ash and 21.29% lactose) by using maltodextrin (DE‐16) as a humectant (concentration: 0, 2, 5 and 10%; wt/wt). It was observed that the desorption curves of the product exhibited a sigmoid shape corresponding to type II, typical of many foods. At higher concentrations of maltodextrin, the isotherms shifted to the left compared to control. Among the several models chosen to test the fitness of sorption data, Guggenheim, Anderson and De Boer (GAB) and modified Mizrahi models showed the best fit as indicated by the smallest percentage root mean square values. The monolayer moisture content increased with increasing maltodextrin level, the range being 2.85–3.29 and 3.03–3.81 g/100 g solids for the two models, respectively. Caurie's slope also increased from 0.38 to 0.44, whereas nonfreezable water decreased from 4.98 to 4.01% as the maltodextrin level increased from 2 to 10%. Other critical water sorption parameters such as number of adsorbed monolayers, density of sorbed water and surface area of sorption were also obtained.
When is a search not a search? A comparison of searching the amed complementary health database via EBSCOhost, OVID and DIALOG
Authors: Younger Paula , Boddy Kate
Published: October 2008

Background:  The researchers involved in this study work at Exeter Health library and at the Complementary Medicine Unit, Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD). Within this collaborative environment it is possible to access the electronic resources of three institutions. This includes access to amed and other databases using different interfaces.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether searching different interfaces to the amed allied health and complementary medicine database produced the same results when using identical search terms.

Methods:  The following Internet‐based amed interfaces were searched: DIALOG DataStar; EBSCOhost and OVID SP_UI01.00.02. Search results from all three databases were saved in an endnote database to facilitate analysis. A checklist was also compiled comparing interface features.

Results:  In our initial search, DIALOG returned 29 hits, OVID 14 and Ebsco 8. If we assume that DIALOG returned 100% of potential hits, OVID initially returned only 48% of hits and EBSCOhost only 28%. In our search, a researcher using the Ebsco interface to carry out a simple search on amed would miss over 70% of possible search hits. Subsequent EBSCOhost searches on different subjects failed to find between 21 and 86% of the hits retrieved using the same keywords via DIALOG DataStar. In two cases, the simple EBSCOhost search failed to find any of the results found via DIALOG DataStar.

Conclusions:  Depending on the interface, the number of hits retrieved from the same database with the same simple search can vary dramatically. Some simple searches fail to retrieve a substantial percentage of citations. This may result in an uninformed literature review, research funding application or treatment intervention. In addition to ensuring that keywords, spelling and medical subject headings (MeSH) accurately reflect the nature of the search, database users should include wildcards and truncation and adapt their search strategy substantially to retrieve the maximum number of appropriate citations possible.

Librarians should be aware of these differences when making purchasing decisions, carrying out literature searches and planning user education.
Treatment of Ischemic Pain in Patients Suffering from Peripheral Vasculopathy with Transdermal Buprenorphine Plus Epidural Morphine with Ropivacaine vs. Epidural Morphine with Ropivacaine
Authors: Aurilio Caterina , Pace Maria Caterina , Passavanti Maria Beatrice , Paladini Antonella , Maisto Massimo , Iannotti Mario , Pota Vincenzo , D’amora Eleonora , Sansone Pasquale , Barbarisi Manlio
Published: October 2008

Aim:  This study compared the efficacy and safety of buprenorphine transdermal delivery system with peridural infusion of morphine and ropivacaine to peridural infusion alone for the control of ischemic pain in patients suffering from peripheral vasculopathy.

Methods:  Eighty‐six patients were randomized into two groups. In the first group, a buprenorphine patch 35 µg/hour TTDS (transtec transdermal device plus ropivacaine and morphine) was applied, and a peridural infusion of ropivacaine/morphine (200 mg + 2 mg) was established. In the second group, ropivacaine and morphine analgesia was obtained using a peridural infusion and a placebo patch. The primary efficacy parameter was the visual analog scale score for pain. Secondary parameters of efficacy were the short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire scores and a score for pain interference with sleep obtained from patient diaries evaluated every week for a period of 4 weeks.

Results:  Subjects in the TTDS group reported a reduction in pain, increased sleep, and a lower incidence of side effects compared with the control group.

Conclusion:  Transdermal buprenorphine use resulted in significant pain relief with excellent patient satisfaction, which may translate into improvement in mood and quality of life.
Evidence‐Based Outcomes in Pain Research and Clinical Practice
Authors: Gatchel Robert J. , Theodore Brian R.
Published: October 2008

The growing emphasis on evidence‐based medicine dictates that reliable, evidence‐based outcomes be utilized in documenting response to treatment, as well as determining the treatment efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of different treatment modalities. The biopsychosocial model conceptualizes pain as a complex multifactorial interaction of biological, psychological, and social components that play a role in the development, exacerbation, and perpetuation of pain. As a result, outcomes relevant to pain management are necessarily complex and multifactorial in nature. Two broad categories of evidence‐based outcomes relevant to pain management are discussed: patient‐reported outcomes and objective outcomes. Patient‐reported outcomes are discussed within the context of pain measures, health‐related quality of life, and psychological constructs. Objective outcomes are discussed within the context of healthcare utilization and occupational status. The discussion within each section highlights the unique constructs measured by each category of outcome measure and highlights their consistency with current evidence‐based guidelines and knowledge from pain research.
Management and Interpretation of Data Obtained from Clinical Trials in Pain Management
Authors: Theodore Brian R. , Gatchel Robert J.
Published: October 2008

Conducting a clinical trial involves various stages of planning and implementation. The three major components involved in clinical trials are the management of data, the quality control to ensure data integrity, and the interpretation of the data at the conclusion of the trial. Although each process is distinct and involves different levels of effort and knowledge to implement, all processes are intimately linked. Data management techniques include the process of data entry and the implementation of an organized, comprehensive approach to quality control. Some guidelines for quality control screening are recommended to address various common issues related to clinical data, such as missing data, invalid cases, subject “outliers,” and violation of distributional assumptions relevant to statistical analyses. In order to aid in interpreting the data, conditions that need to be met to make causal inferences are discussed. Taking into account baseline characteristics of the patient sample is also discussed as an extension to maintaining the internal validity of the study. Additionally, some common threats to statistical conclusion validity, including Type I error inflation and the problem of overpowered tests, are highlighted. Finally, the concept of the effect size as an important complement to statistical significance and how the various types of effect size measures can be interpreted within the context of a clinical trial are discussed.
Vasovagal Reactions and Other Complications of Cervical vs. Lumbar Translaminar Epidural Steroid Injections
Authors: Trentman Terrence L. , Rosenfeld David M. , Seamans David P. , Hentz Joseph G. , Stanek James P.
Published: October 2008

Objective:  To document the per patient rate of vasovagal reactions and other complications of cervical vs. lumbar translaminar epidural steroid injections.

Background:  Anecdotal observations at our institution suggested that vasovagal reactions are much more common during cervical epidural steroid injections than lumbar injections, and more frequent than previously reported.

Methods:  Records of 249 patients undergoing their first cervical epidural steroid injection were reviewed for vasovagal reactions and other adverse events. For comparison, a first lumbar epidural steroid injection performed by the same staff physician was matched to each cervical procedure and reviewed for complications.

Results:  The incidence of vasovagal reaction was 7 points more common (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.12) in the cervical group (8%) than in the lumbar group (1%). This correlates to an additional vasovagal reaction for every 14 patients who were treated with cervical injection in comparison with those treated with lumbar injection.

Discussion:  The risk of vasovagal reaction is significantly higher for cervical translaminar epidural steroid injections than for lumbar injections. The risk of vasovagal reaction remained higher for cervical injection even when adjusting for differences between the two populations. The higher rate of cervical vasovagal reactions may result from a combination of anxiety, the prone position with neck flexed, head drapes, and stimulus from a neck procedure.

Conclusion:  Increased vigilance for patients undergoing translaminar cervical epidural steroid injections may be warranted. Clinicians may choose to consider these results when counseling patients regarding risk and the need for conscious sedation during the procedure.
Tramadol Added to Bupivacaine Does Not Prolong Analgesia of Continuous Psoas Compartment Block
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Batra Yatindra Kumar , Panda Nidhi Bidyut , Rajeev Subramanyam , Nagi Onkar Nath
Published: October 2008

The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the quality and duration of analgesia when tramadol was added to 0.25% bupivacaine for continuous psoas compartment block (CPCB) using visual analog pain scores. Thirty patients were prospectively randomized into two equal groups (n = 15). Visual analog scale pain score was not significantly different between the groups during the 48‐hour follow‐up period. Rescue analgesic consumption, nausea and vomiting, and the satisfaction scores were comparable between the groups (P > 0.05). Success with catheter placement adjacent to the lumbar plexus was 100%, and none of the patients developed any catheter‐related complications. In conclusion, tramadol does not provide a clinically significant analgesic action as an adjunct to 0.25% bupivacaine for CPCB.
Gender in Job Negotiations: A Two‐Level Game
Authors: Bowles Hannah Riley , McGinn Kathleen L.
Published: October 2008

We propose taking a two‐level‐game perspective on gender in job negotiations. At Level One, candidates negotiate with employers. At Level Two, candidates negotiate with household members. In order to illuminate the interplay between these two levels, we review research from two separate bodies of literature. Research in psychology and organizational behavior on candidate–employer negotiations sheds light on the effects of gender on Level One negotiations. Research from economics and sociology on intrahousehold bargaining elucidates how negotiations over the allocation of domestic labor at Level Two influence labor force participation at Level One. In conclusion, we integrate practical implications from these two bodies of literature to propose a set of prescriptive suggestions for candidates to approach job negotiations as a two‐level game and to minimize the disadvantageous effects of gender on job negotiation outcomes.
Groups Work for Women: Gender and Group Identity in Social Dilemmas
Authors: Croson Rachel , Marks Melanie , Snyder Jessica
Published: October 2008

Behavior in social‐dilemma (mixed‐motive) situations has been of great interest to economists, psychologists, and negotiation scholars. In this study, we used a threshold social‐dilemma game to examine factors that have not yet been investigated and that may have an impact on behavior in these settings: gender and group identity. We found that, for women, interacting with members of a naturally occurring group increased coordination and efficiency, while for men, interacting with members of a naturally occurring group decreased coordination and efficiency. Psychological literature on gender differences and group interdependence explains these differences. We conclude by discussing the implications of these results for gender differences in negotiation behavior.
Gender and Negotiation in the Small: Are Women (Perceived to Be) More Cooperative than Men?
Authors: Eckel Catherine , De Oliveira Angela C. M. , Grossman Philip J.
Published: October 2008

We surveyed research by experimental economists that examines gender differences in negotiation in the context of two simple, two‐player games. Our purpose is to uncover empirical regularities in the results that might be useful to teachers or practitioners of negotiation. In the dictator game, one player unilaterally determines the division of a fixed amount of money. In the ultimatum game, one player offers a division and the other must accept or reject that offer; if rejected, both players receive a zero payoff. The results have shown that, on balance, women tend to be more egalitarian than men, to expect and ask for less in the negotiation. Women also seem to be more responsive to the context of a negotiation and are less likely to fail to reach an agreement than men. These differences are small, however, in comparison with differences in expectations about what women and men will do. We conclude that stereotyping is alive and well in negotiations and that this can help or hinder negotiation outcomes, depending on the context.
Gender Differences in Competition
Authors: Niederle Muriel , Vesterlund Lise
Published: October 2008

Negotiating in a highly competitive environment may prove particularly challenging for women. We describe three experimental studies that investigated and documented differences in the competitive behaviors of men and women. The first study examined gender differences in competitive performances. In a setting in which men and women performed at similar levels in single‐sex competitions, men were found to outperform women in mixed‐sex competitions. The second study focused on the decision of men and women to enter a competition. In a mixed‐sex setting in which we found no gender differences in performance, many more men than women chose a compensation scheme in which they had to compete against others. Finally, we report the results of a recent study that examined an institutional intervention that may encourage more women to compete. Specifically, we found that a quota‐like affirmative action environment in which women must be equally represented encourages many more women to compete. This response was greater than one would predict based solely on the increase in one's chances of winning and can be partially explained by the fact that the affirmative action competition was more gender specific.
Propensity to Negotiate and Career Advancement: Evidence from an Investment Bank that Women Are on a “Slow Elevator”
Authors: Greig Fiona
Published: October 2008

Women are underrepresented at senior levels in most companies. This article examines whether gender differences in the propensity to negotiate contribute to this pattern. Based on a behavioral experiment run in a major investment bank in the United States, I found that fewer women than men are willing to negotiate, but employees who have a propensity to negotiate are promoted on average seventeen months more quickly than those who do not. Women advance more slowly than men, which accounts for the underrepresentation of women in senior positions. I conclude that gender differences in the propensity to negotiate partially explains why women are on a “slow elevator” to the top.
Incidence of social phobia and identification of its risk indicators: a model for prevention
Authors: Acarturk C. , Smit F. , De Graaf R. , Van Straten A. , Ten Have M. , Cuijpers P.
Published: October 2008

Objective:  This study seeks to examine the incidence of social phobia in the general population and to establish a number of risk indicators.

Method:  Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS) which is a population based prospective study (n = 7076). A sample of adults aged 18–64 years (n = 5618) were re‐interviewed 1 year later using Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

Results:  The 12‐month incidence of DSM‐III‐R social phobia was 1.0%. Low education, low mastery, low self‐esteem, emotional neglect in childhood and ongoing difficulties were found to be risk indicators. After including other mental disorders as risk indicators in the model, the incidence was found to be more common among those with low mastery, major depression, subthreshold social phobia, emotional neglect, negative life events, and low education.

Conclusion:  The incidence of social phobia can be predicted relatively well with psychosocial variables and comorbidity.
Bone formation at recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2‐coated titanium implants in the posterior mandible (Type II bone) in dogs
Authors: Wikesjö Ulf M. E. , Xiropaidis Andreas V. , Qahash Mohammed , Lim Won Hee , Sorensen Rachel G. , Rohrer Michael D. , Wozney John M. , Hall Jan
Published: October 2008

Background: Conventional oral/maxillofacial implants reach osseointegration over several months during which the titanium fixtures interact with alveolar bone. The objective of this study was to determine if adsorbing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) onto a titanium porous oxide (TPO) implant surface might enhance or accelerate local bone formation and support osseointegration in a large animal oral/maxillofacial orthotopic model.

Material and Methods: Endosseous implants with a TPO surface were installed into the edentulated posterior mandible in eight adult Hound Labrador mongrel dogs. The implant surface had been adsorbed with rhBMP‐2 at 0.2 or 4.0 mg/ml. TPO implants without rhBMP‐2 served as control. Treatments were randomized between jaw quadrants. Mucosal flaps were advanced and sutured leaving the implants submerged. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were made immediately post‐surgery, at day 10 (suture removal), and week 4 and 8 post‐surgery. The animals received fluorescent bone markers at week 3, 4, and at week 8 post‐surgery, when they were euthanized for histologic analysis.

Results: TPO implants coated with rhBMP‐2 exhibited dose‐dependent bone remodelling including immediate resorption and formation of implant adjacent bone, and early establishment of clinically relevant osseointegration. The resulting bone–implant contact, although clinically respectable, appeared significantly lower for rhBMP‐2‐coated implants compared with the control [rhBMP‐2 (0.2 mg/ml) 43.3±10.8%versus 71.7±7.8%, p<0.02; rhBMP‐2 (4.0 mg/ml) 35.4±10.6%versus 68.2±11.0%, p<0.03].

Conclusions: rhBMP‐2 adsorbed onto TPO implant surfaces initiates dose‐dependent peri‐implant bone re‐modelling resulting in the formation of normal, physiologic bone and clinically relevant osseointegration within 8 weeks.
Is there equity in oral healthcare utilization: experience after achieving Universal Coverage
Authors: Somkotra Tewarit , Detsomboonrat Palinee
Published: October 2008

Abstract –  Objectives:  To assess the socioeconomic‐related (in)equality and horizontal (in)equity in oral healthcare utilization among Thai adults after Universal Coverage (UC) policy implemented nationwide, and to decompose the source of inequality in utilization. Further, to identify the determinants that effect to out‐of‐pocket payments for oral healthcare.

Methods:  Using the data of 32748, Thai adults aged 15 years and over from nationally representative Health and Welfare Survey and Socio‐Economic Survey in 2006. This study employs concentration index (CI) and horizontal inequity index (HI) to measure the socioeconomic‐related inequality and horizontal inequity in oral healthcare utilization, respectively. Further, employing decomposition method to identify the sources of inequality comprising of a contribution of income, need determinants (i.e. self‐assessed oral health, demographic characteristics), non‐need determinants (i.e.working status, educational level attainment, type of insurance entitlement, geographic characteristics and marital status) and residual term. Two‐part model is used to determine the factors effect to out‐of‐pocket payments for oral healthcare.

Results:  There are the pro‐rich inequality and inequity in oral healthcare utilization among Thais as indicated by significantly positive values of CI (=0.199) and HI (=0.206). The poor are more likely to access and utilize services at subsidized public facility particularly community hospital, as opposed to the better‐off who tend to utilize services at private facility. Income and non‐need determinants principally contribute to the pro‐poor in public sector utilization, unlike pro‐rich in private sector utilization. Need factors account for most of the pro‐poor utilization. Type of treatment obtained and insurance used in the last visit are the substantial determinants effect to incurring out‐of‐pocket payments for oral healthcare.

Conclusion:  Notwithstanding the UC policy implementation made impressive strides toward improving of welfare coverage and an increase in accessibility of health services among Thais, inequality and inequity in oral healthcare utilization persist even when the country achieved universal coverage. Decomposition analyses demonstrate the association of each determinant to inequality in utilization which provides information for policy amendment to achieve the goal of equity in healthcare system.
Sequential effects of photodynamic treatment of basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Prignano Francesca , Lotti Torello , Spallanzani Adelina , Berti Samantha , De Giorgi Vincenzo , Moretti Silvia
Published: October 2008

Background:  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC) acts as a biological response modifier or killing target cells, but sequential biological effects have not been reported in depth in humans.

Methods:  In 15 patients with SBCC treated with aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐PDT, inflammatory infiltrate, apoptosis phenomena and tumor‐derived molecules were investigated on biopsies at baseline, and after 15 min and 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure.

Results:  Early apoptosis of keratinocytes was already observed at 15 min, while late apoptotic markers were maximally found at 24 h. Baseline mast cells tended to slightly increase up to 72 h; polymorphonuclear phagocytes significantly increased at 4 h but decreased at 24/48/72 h; on the contrary, lymphocytes and macrophages gradually increased starting at baseline. At baseline, SBCC cells expressed stem cell factor in all cases, and granulocyte‐monocyte colony‐stimulating factor, basic fibroblastic growth factor, interleukin (IL)‐8 and vascular endothelial growth factor in most cases. IL‐6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 were poorly expressed, and transforming growth factor‐beta was absent.

Conclusions:  We show a clear time‐dependent profile of apoptotic markers and inflammatory infiltrate composition in SBCC after ALA‐PDT. SBCC cells express cytokines and chemotactic molecules that are likely related to the recruitment of inflammatory cells.
Epithelial sheath neuroma: be aware of benign perineural invasion!
Authors: Husain Ehab A. , Al‐Daraji Wael I.
Published: October 2008

Perineural involvement by epithelial cells is usually considered as a sign of malignancy and is seen in a variety of malignant skin neoplasms. However, there are other benign conditions characterized by the presence of perineural involvement by epithelial cells. We present a case of epithelial sheath neuroma in a 43‐year‐old male. The clinicopathological features of this newly described entity are discussed together with the differential diagnosis and the different hypotheses of pathogenesis. Both pathologists and dermatologists should be aware of this entity to avoid misdiagnosis of malignancy.
Concordant overexpression of phosphorylated ATF2 and STAT3 in extramammary Paget’s disease
Authors: Chen Si‐Yuan , Takeuchi Satoshi , Moroi Yoichi , Hayashida Sayaka , Kido Makiko , Tomoeda Hiroto , Uenotsuchi Takeshi , Tu Ya‐Ting , Furue Masutaka , Urabe Kazunori
Published: October 2008

Background:  Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) play important roles in the pathogenesis of various tumors, but ATF2 expression/activation and the relationship with STAT3 activation have not yet been investigated in extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD).

Objective:  To investigate potential contributions of ATF2 and STAT3 pathways to the pathogenesis of EMPD.

Method:  Paraffin‐embedded 45 EMPD specimens (43 primary EMPD and 2 nodal metastases) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for ATF2, phosphorylated (p)‐ATF2 and p‐STAT3.

Results:  P‐ATF2 expression in advanced EMPD, non‐invasive EMPD and normal skin (NS) controls were 97.9 ± 1.8%, 82.0 ± 23.4% and 45.8 ± 3.2%, respectively, and p‐STAT3 expression in advanced EMPD, non‐invasive EMPD and NS were 97.0 ± 2.9%, 83.2 ± 23.3% and 50.1 ± 6.7%, respectively. P‐ATF2 and p‐STAT3 expressions in EMPD were significantly higher than those in NS, indicating a possible contribution of these pathways to the tumor development. P‐ATF2 and p‐STAT3 expressions in advanced EMPD were significantly higher than those in non‐invasive EMPD, possibly indicating that these pathways might also contribute to the tumor invasion and/or metastasis. We also found an exceptionally high positive correlation between p‐ATF2 and p‐STAT3 expressions in EMPD.

Conclusions:  P‐ATF2 and p‐STAT3 are concordantly overexpressed in EMPD and their expressions may possibly be associated with the tumor stage.