bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperfibrinogenemia and Functional Outcome From Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: del Zoppo Gregory J. , Levy David E. , Wasiewski Warren W. , Pancioli Arthur M. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Trammel James , Demaerschalk Bart M. , Kaste Markku , Albers Gregory W. , Ringelstein Eric B.
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

Epidemiological studies have found strong correlations between elevated plasma fibrinogen levels and both ischemic stroke incidence and stroke mortality. Little is known about the influence of fibrinogen levels on functional stroke outcome.

Methods—

Placebo data from the Stroke Treatment with Ancrod Trial (STAT) and European Stroke Treatment with Ancrod Trial (ESTAT) were analyzed. Fibrinogen levels were determined within 3 hours (STAT) or 6 hours (ESTAT) of stroke onset and at preset intervals throughout 5 days of intravenous infusions. Barthel Index scores at 90 days quantified functional outcomes. The association between initial fibrinogen levels and functional outcomes was evaluated using a multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results—

Fibrinogen levels increased gradually over the first 24 hours from a pretreatment median value of 340 mg/dL to a 24-hour median value of 376 mg/dL. In a univariate analysis, the proportion of patients with good functional outcome decreased with increasing quartiles of initial fibrinogen levels in both STAT (36.0% to 26.2%) and ESTAT (53.8% to 24.8%). In a multifactorial analysis, the same trend was observed. Patients with initial fibrinogen levels <450 mg/dL had better outcomes in both studies; the difference (42.0% versus 21.6%) was significant in ESTAT (
P
=0.0006), even when corrected for age and initial stroke severity.

Conclusion—

The independent association of higher initial fibrinogen levels with poor outcome needs to be verified using a larger acute stroke dataset. Even in the present small populations, the apparent association of these 2 variables suggests that treatments designed to reduce fibrinogen levels could potentially be important in treating acute ischemic stroke.
Regional Implementation of the Stroke Systems of Care Model
Authors: Gropen Toby , Magdon-Ismail Zainab , Day David , Melluzzo Shannon , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

The Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium was established to examine regional disparities and recommend strategies to improve stroke care based on the Stroke Systems of Care Model.

Methods—

An annual summit was first held in 2006, bringing together public health officials, researchers, physicians, nurses, health professionals, state legislators, and advocacy organizations. Best practices and evidence-based interventions within each of the Stroke Systems of Care Model components were presented. Six writing groups were tasked with cataloging each state’s current activities and identifying goals for the region.

Results—

There were significant variations in the delivery of stroke care, particularly in urban versus rural areas, as evidenced by the availability of designated stroke centers and neurologists, and stroke-related death rates. Recommendations to address variations in care delivery included the use of a common stroke data collection system, unified community education criteria, improvements to emergency medical services dispatch and training, adoption of prehospital care measures, creation of a web-based central repository of acute stroke protocols and order sets, a regional atlas of stroke resources and capabilities, a stroke patient “report card” to promote adherence to secondary prevention strategies, and explicit standards for rehabilitation services.

Conclusions—

Significant disparities in the delivery of stroke care across the 8 state-region have been identified. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium demonstrates that multistate regional collaboration is a viable process for developing specific regional recommendations to address those disparities. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium is assessing the usefulness of the Stroke Systems of Care Model as a framework for implementing a regional approach to stroke across the continuum of care.
Serum Cholesterol LDL and 90-Day Mortality in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Ramírez-Moreno José María , Casado-Naranjo Ignacio , Portilla Juan Carlos , Calle María Luisa , Tena David , Falcón Alfonso , Serrano Ana
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

Prognostic significance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the association between LDL-C and mortality in ICH.

Methods—

Consecutive patients (n=88) presenting with ICH were included in the study. Lipid profile was obtained during the first hours after admission. We analyzed the impact of LDL-C on 90-day mortality using the Hazard Rate (HR) crude, analysis crude for trend by Mantel–Haenszel Test, Multiple Cox Proportional Hazards model, and analysis of survival curves. Association between LDL-C and severity markers of ICH were explored using Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results—

Low LDL-C levels were independently associated with death after intracranial hemorrhage (HR=3.07 (95% CI:1.04 to 9.02;
P
=0.042) in multivariable analysis after controlling for confounding factors. Analysis for trend showed a significant association (Xt=−2.144;
P
=0.032) by Mantel-Haenszel Test. Spearman analysis showed no correlation between LDL-C and variables that are markers of ICH severity: NIH score (
r
=−0.091;
P
=0.400), GCS score (
r
=0.136;
P
=0.207), ICH volume (
r
=0.140;
P
=0.192), and length of stay (
r
=−0.111;
P
=0.308).

Conclusions—

Low levels of LDL-C are independently associated with an increased risk of death in patients with brain hemorrhage. We have not found evidences that the levels of LDL-C can act as a biological marker of severity.
Results of the MRI Substudy of the Intravenous Magnesium Efficacy in Stroke Trial
Authors: Kidwell Chelsea S. , Lees Kennedy R. , Muir Keith W. , Chen Christopher , Davis Stephen M. , De Silva Deidre A. , Weir Christopher J. , Starkman Sidney , Alger Jeffry R. , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

Although magnesium is neuroprotective in animal stroke models, no clinical benefit was confirmed in the Intravenous Magnesium Efficacy in Stroke (IMAGES) trial of acute stroke patients. The Magnetic Resonance in IMAGES (MR IMAGES) substudy investigated the effects of magnesium on the imaging surrogate outcome of infarct growth.

Methods—

IMAGES trial patients in participating centers were randomized to receive either intravenous magnesium or placebo within 12 hours of stroke onset. Infarct growth was defined as volume difference between baseline diffusion-weighted imaging and day 90 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image lesions. Patients who died were imputed the largest infarct growth observed.

Results—

Among the 90 patients included in the primary analysis, there was no difference in infarct growth (median absolute growth,
P
=0.639; median percentage growth,
P
=0.616; proportion with any growth,
P
=0.212) between the 46 treated with magnesium and 44 with placebo. Infarct growth correlated with NIHSS score change from baseline to day 90. There was a trend showing baseline serum glucose correlated with infarct growth with magnesium treatment, but not in the placebo group. The mismatch frequency was reduced from 73% to 47% by increasing the mismatch threshold from >20% to >100% of core volume.

Conclusions—

Infarct growth, confirmed here as a surrogate for clinical progression, was similar between magnesium and placebo treatment, paralleling the main IMAGES trial clinical outcomes. Glucose was a covariate for infarct growth with magnesium treatment. A more stringent mismatch threshold to define penumbra more appropriately would have excluded half of the patients in this 12-hour time window stroke study.
Sequencing of TGF-β Pathway Genes in Familial Cases of Intracranial Aneurysm
Authors: Santiago-Sim Teresa , Mathew-Joseph Sumy , Pannu Hariyadarshi , Milewicz Dianna M. , Seidman Christine E. , Seidman J.G. , Kim Dong H.
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

Familial aggregation of intracranial aneurysms (IA) strongly suggests a genetic contribution to pathogenesis. However, genetic risk factors have yet to be defined. For families affected by aortic aneurysms, specific gene variants have been identified, many affecting the receptors to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). In recent work, we found that aortic and intracranial aneurysms may share a common genetic basis in some families. We hypothesized, therefore, that mutations in TGF-β receptors might also play a role in IA pathogenesis.

Methods—

To identify genetic variants in TGF-β and its receptors,
TGFB1
,
TGFBR1
,
TGFBR2
,
ACVR1
,
TGFBR3
, and
ENG
were directly sequenced in 44 unrelated patients with familial IA. Novel variants were confirmed by restriction digestion analyses, and allele frequencies were analyzed in cases versus individuals without known intracranial disease. Similarly, allele frequencies of a subset of known SNPs in each gene were also analyzed for association with IA.

Results—

No mutations were found in
TGFB1
,
TGFBR1
,
TGFBR2
, or
ACVR1
. Novel variants identified in
ENG
(p.A60E) and
TGFBR3
(p.W112R) were not detected in at least 892 reference chromosomes.
ENG
p.A60E showed significant association with familial IA in case-control studies (
P
=0.0080). No association with IA could be found for any of the known polymorphisms tested.

Conclusions—

Mutations in TGF-β receptor genes are not a major cause of IA. However, we identified rare variants in
ENG
and
TGFBR3
that may be important for IA pathogenesis in a subset of families.
Methazolamide and Melatonin Inhibit Mitochondrial Cytochrome C Release and Are Neuroprotective in Experimental Models of Ischemic Injury
Authors: Wang Xin , Figueroa Bryan E. , Stavrovskaya Irina G. , Zhang Yi , Sirianni Ana C. , Zhu Shan , Day Arthur L. , Kristal Bruce S. , Friedlander Robert M.
Published: March 2009

Background and Purpose—

The identification of a neuroprotective drug for stroke remains elusive. Given that mitochondria play a key role both in maintaining cellular energetic homeostasis and in triggering the activation of cell death pathways, we evaluated the efficacy of newly identified inhibitors of cytochrome c release in hypoxia/ischemia induced cell death. We demonstrate that methazolamide and melatonin are protective in cellular and in vivo models of neuronal hypoxia.

Methods—

The effects of methazolamide and melatonin were tested in oxygen/glucose deprivation–induced death of primary cerebrocortical neurons. Mitochondrial membrane potential, release of apoptogenic mitochondrial factors, pro–IL-1β processing, and activation of caspase -1 and -3 were evaluated. Methazolamide and melatonin were also studied in a middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse model. Infarct volume, neurological function, and biochemical events were examined in the absence or presence of the 2 drugs.

Results—

Methazolamide and melatonin inhibit oxygen/glucose deprivation–induced cell death, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of mitochondrial factors, pro–IL-1β processing, and activation of caspase-1 and -3 in primary cerebrocortical neurons. Furthermore, they decrease infarct size and improve neurological scores after middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice.

Conclusions—

We demonstrate that methazolamide and melatonin are neuroprotective against cerebral ischemia and provide evidence of the effectiveness of a mitochondrial-based drug screen in identifying neuroprotective drugs. Given the proven human safety of melatonin and methazolamide, and their ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier, these drugs are attractive as potential novel therapies for ischemic injury.
Towards Safer Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Macdonald Sumaira , Lee Robert , Williams Robin , Stansby Gerry
Published: March 2009

Backgrounds and Purpose—

To develop a scoring system to facilitate case selection for carotid artery stenting based on anatomic features.

Methods—

Twelve experts comprising a multinational and multispecialty panel were convened. Delphi consensus methodology was applied over 4 “rounds” involving emailed questionnaires, private decision-making, structured interaction and explicit aggregation. In round 1 panelists proposed individual anatomic features that were considered relevant during carotid artery stenting. In round 2 each criterion was scored from 1 (straightforward) to 9 (difficult). Round 3 involved removing some factors based on individual scores to reduce the number of subsequent combination anatomies. The final round involved scoring 96 combination anatomies (representing a “full factorial” design) plus a dichotomous response, ie, whether carotid artery stenting should or should not be advised for a “novice.”

Results—

There were 1164 responses, providing a score for 12 individual anatomic features and for 96 combinations anatomies with good level of agreement between panelists. After derivation of mean (and standard deviation) of the cutting scores for 1152 yes/no responses a scoring system for combination anatomy was produced, comprising broad agreement bands presented as traffic light colors: red for particularly difficult anatomy, amber for moderate difficulty and green for lesser difficulty.

Conclusion—

A scoring system has been developed, based on objective expert consensus, which can be used to categorise expected difficulty of carotid artery stenting and aid case selection.
Auditory Spatial and Object Processing in the Human Planum Temporale: No Evidence for Selectivity
Authors: Smith Kevin R. , Hsieh I-Hui , Saberi Kourosh , Hickok Gregory
Published: March 2009

Although it is generally acknowledged that at least two processing streams exist in the primate cortical auditory system, the function of the posterior dorsal stream is a topic of much debate. Recent studies have reported selective activation to auditory spatial change in portions of the human planum temporale (PT) relative to nonspatial stimuli such as pitch changes or complex acoustic patterns. However, previous work has suggested that the PT may be sensitive to another kind of nonspatial variable, namely, the number of auditory objects simultaneously presented in the acoustic signal. The goal of the present fMRI experiment was to assess whether any portion of the PT showed spatial selectivity relative to manipulations of the number of auditory objects presented. Spatially sensitive regions in the PT were defined by comparing activity associated with listening to an auditory object (speech from a single talker) that changed location with one that remained stationary. Activity within these regions was then examined during a nonspatial manipulation: increasing the number of objects (talkers) from one to three. The nonspatial manipulation modulated activity within the “spatial” PT regions. No region within the PT was found to be selective for spatial or object processing. We suggest that previously documented spatial sensitivity in the PT reflects auditory source separation using spatial cues rather than spatial processing per se.
Going Their Separate Ways: Dissociation of Hippocampal and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Activation during Episodic Retrieval and Post-retrieval Processing
Authors: Israel Sarah L. , Seibert Tyler M. , Black Michelle L. , Brewer James B.
Published: March 2009

Hippocampal activity is modulated during episodic memory retrieval. Most consistently, a relative increase in activity during confident retrieval is observed. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is also activated during retrieval, but may be more generally activated during cognitive-control processes. The “default network,” regions activated during rest or internally focused tasks, includes the hippocampus, but not DLPFC. Therefore, DLPFC and the hippocampus should diverge during difficult tasks suppressing the default network. It is unclear, however, whether a difficult episodic memory retrieval task would suppress the default network due to difficulty or activate it due to internally directed attention. We hypothesized that a task requiring episodic retrieval followed by rumination on the retrieved item would increase DLPFC activity, but paradoxically reduce hippocampal activity due to concomitant suppression of the default network. In the present study, blocked and event-related fMRI were used to examine hippocampal activity during episodic memory recollection and postretrieval processing of paired associates. Subjects were asked to make living/nonliving judgments about items visually presented (classify) or items retrieved from memory (recall–classify). Active and passive baselines were used to differentiate task-related activity from default-network activity. During the “recall–classify” task, anterior hippocampal activity was selectively reduced relative to “classify” and baseline tasks, and this activity was inversely correlated with DLPFC. Reaction time was positively correlated with DLPFC activation and default-network/hippocampal suppression. The findings demonstrate that frontal and hippocampal activity are dissociated during difficult episodic retrieval tasks and reveal important considerations for interpreting hippocampal activity associated with successful episodic retrieval.
The First Does the Work, But the Third Time's the Charm: The Effects of Massed Repetition on Episodic Encoding of Multimodal Face–Name Associations
Authors: Mangels Jennifer A. , Manzi Alberto , Summerfield Christopher
Published: March 2009

In social interactions, it is often necessary to rapidly encode the association between visually presented faces and auditorily presented names. The present study used event-related potentials to examine the neural correlates of associative encoding for multimodal face–name pairs. We assessed study-phase processes leading to high-confidence recognition of correct pairs (and consistent rejection of recombined foils) as compared to lower-confidence recognition of correct pairs (with inconsistent rejection of recombined foils) and recognition failures (misses). Both high- and low-confidence retrieval of face–name pairs were associated with study-phase activity suggestive of item-specific processing of the face (posterior inferior temporal negativity) and name (fronto-central negativity). However, only those pairs later retrieved with high confidence recruited a sustained centro-parietal positivity that an ancillary localizer task suggested may index an association-unique process. Additionally, we examined how these processes were influenced by massed repetition, a mnemonic strategy commonly employed in everyday situations to improve face–name memory. Differences in subsequent memory effects across repetitions suggested that associative encoding was strongest at the initial presentation, and thus, that the initial presentation has the greatest impact on memory formation. Yet, exploratory analyses suggested that the third presentation may have benefited later memory by providing an opportunity for extended processing of the name. Thus, although encoding of the initial presentation was critical for establishing a strong association, the extent to which processing was sustained across subsequent immediate (massed) presentations may provide additional encoding support that serves to differentiate face–name pairs from similar (recombined) pairs by providing additional encoding opportunities for the less dominant stimulus dimension (i.e., name).
Memory Repression: Brain Mechanisms underlying Dissociative Amnesia
Authors: Kikuchi Hirokazu , Fujii Toshikatsu , Abe Nobuhito , Suzuki Maki , Takagi Masahito , Mugikura Shunji , Takahashi Shoki , Mori Etsuro
Published: March 2009

Dissociative amnesia usually follows a stressful event and cannot be attributable to explicit brain damage. It is thought to reflect a reversible deficit in memory retrieval probably due to memory repression. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this condition are not clear. We used fMRI to investigate neural activity associated with memory retrieval in two patients with dissociative amnesia. For each patient, three categories of face photographs and three categories of people's names corresponding to the photographs were prepared: those of “recognizable” high school friends who were acquainted with and recognizable to the patients, those of “unrecognizable” colleagues who were actually acquainted with but unrecognizable to the patients due to their memory impairments, and “control” distracters who were unacquainted with the patients. During fMRI, the patients were visually presented with these stimuli and asked to indicate whether they were personally acquainted with them. In the comparison of the unrecognizable condition with the recognizable condition, we found increased activity in the pFC and decreased activity in the hippocampus in both patients. After treatment for retrograde amnesia, the altered pattern of brain activation disappeared in one patient whose retrograde memories were recovered, whereas it remained unchanged in the other patient whose retrograde memories were not recovered. Our findings provide direct evidence that memory repression in dissociative amnesia is associated with an altered pattern of neural activity, and they suggest the possibility that the pFC has an important role in inhibiting the activity of the hippocampus in memory repression.
Rapid Detection of Emotion from Human Vocalizations
Authors: Sauter Disa Anna , Eimer Martin
Published: March 2009

The rapid detection of affective signals from conspecifics is crucial for the survival of humans and other animals; if those around you are scared, there is reason for you to be alert and to prepare for impending danger. Previous research has shown that the human brain detects emotional faces within 150 msec of exposure, indicating a rapid differentiation of visual social signals based on emotional content. Here we use event-related brain potential (ERP) measures to show for the first time that this mechanism extends to the auditory domain, using human nonverbal vocalizations, such as screams. An early fronto-central positivity to fearful vocalizations compared with spectrally rotated and thus acoustically matched versions of the same sounds started 150 msec after stimulus onset. This effect was also observed for other vocalized emotions (achievement and disgust), but not for affectively neutral vocalizations, and was linked to the perceived arousal of an emotion category. That the timing, polarity, and scalp distribution of this new ERP correlate are similar to ERP markers of emotional face processing suggests that common supramodal brain mechanisms may be involved in the rapid detection of affectively relevant visual and auditory signals.
Time Bomb?
Authors: Bruter Michael
Published: March 2009

Based on a three-wave, six-country comparative panel study experiment with 1,197 participants, this article shows how in the long term, political institutions and the media can affect the European identity of citizens. It shows not only that exposure to good or bad news on Europe and to symbols of the European Union has an effect on European identity but also that news works as a powerful time bomb. It suggests that whereas increasingly cynical European citizens first resist perceived attempts of political manipulation, the effect of news ultimately kicks in and so influences citizens’ European identity with remarkable efficiency in the long term. The 2.5-year study demonstrates this time bomb effect of news, as well as an immediate but growing effect of political symbols on citizens’ identity.
Rigid Response in an Age of Accountability
Authors: Daly Alan J.
Published: March 2009

Purpose: The No Child Left Behind Act laudably brings social justice and equity issues to the forefront; however, the act's threat- and sanction-driven methods are not only increasing stress levels but potentially causing a rigid response, especially in the growing population of schools labeled program improvement (PI). Specifically, threat—rigid responses tend to limit options and information flow, constrain decision making, and increase stress. The question then becomes, what can mitigate the organizational effects of perceived threat? This study hypothesizes the following: Trust and leadership dimensions that support empowerment and involvement will predict an educational organization's ability to minimize a threat—rigid response and flexibly negotiate new demands. Research Methods: This study utilized original instruments to measure threat—rigidity, trust, and leadership. Specifically, teachers and site administrators were surveyed in four districts representing eight schools in PI and six schools in non-PI, to test the hypothesis that the multifaceted construct of trust and leadership has a predictive relationship with threat—rigid response. Data were also collected from focus groups of teachers and from interviews with principals from two schools in PI. Findings: Findings of multiple linear regression models, focus groups, and interviews indicate that the presence of trust and leadership approaches that are participative and inclusive predicted lower levels of threat—rigid response by teachers and administrators in PI schools. Implications for Research and Practice: Results suggest that when predictive factors such as trust, empowerment, and involvement are present, teachers and administrators perceive a less rigid response in schools under sanction from PI. This finding suggests the expanding role of trust as a resource for schools and districts that are negotiating accountability demands. Policy makers may well consider initiatives that move beyond compliance to the building of organizational capacity.
Fostering Teacher Professionalism in Schools
Authors: Tschannen-Moran Megan
Published: March 2009

Purpose: Schools necessarily employ elements of a bureaucratic structure to organize the complex task of educating large and diverse groups of students— elements such as a hierarchy of authority, a division of labor, policies, rules, and regulations. Although such a structure is useful, there is a danger that school leaders will overemphasize these elements and so adopt a bureaucratic orientation at the expense of cultivating professionalism in schools. The hypothesis that guided this study was that the degree of teacher professionalism in a school would be related to (a) the professional orientation of principals in their exercise of administrative authority—especially, the extending of adaptive discretion to teachers in the conduct of their work—and (b) the trust evident among various actors in the school community. Research Methods: Data on the five variables under study were gathered via surveys completed by teachers in 80 middle schools in a mid-Atlantic state. Teacher professionalism was assessed using a subscale of the School Climate Index. Four dependent variables were included: the professional orientation of principals and the trust of faculty—namely, in their principals, their colleagues, and their clients (parents and students). The professional orientation of principals was assessed using the Enabling Structure Scale, a scale of teachers' perceptions of how administrative authority is exercised by school leaders; faculty trust was assessed using the Faculty Trust Scales. Findings: The evidence supports the hypothesis positing that degree of teacher professionalism is related not only to the professional orientation of school leaders but also to faculty trust. Faculty perceptions of their colleagues' professionalism were found to be strongly related to a professional orientation in the exercise of authority by administrators, as well as to faculty trust in the principal. In a multiple regression analysis, a professional orientation by the principal and faculty trust in colleagues were each found to make an independent contribution to explaining teacher professionalism, whereas faculty trust in the principal and faculty trust in students and parents were found to play a moderating role. Implications for Research and Practice: For schools to foster greater teacher professionalism, school leaders would do well to resist adopting a bureaucratic orientation, with its implicit distrust. They would be better served by exercising their administrative authority with a professional orientation, extending adaptive discretion to teachers in the conduct of their work, and adopting practices that lead to strong trust among school leaders, teachers, students, and parents.
From Calculation Through Courtship to Contribution
Authors: Owens Michael A. , Johnson Bob L.
Published: March 2009

Purpose: By examining data from interviews with students in the Upward Bound (UB) Program (a federally sponsored program that provides academic support to students at risk preparing for college entrance), this study seeks to strengthen understanding of the stages of trust in educational organizations that serve urban youth and in so doing provoke further thought regarding our collective understanding of trusting dispositions and behaviors in educational organizations. Research Design: This qualitative piece uses data from a study of student participation in leadership and interviews, observations, and document analysis of participants and informants to build conceptual understanding of the stages of interpersonal trust in educational organizations. Participants included 20 recent high school graduates enrolled in the summer Bridge Program of the UB Program at a university in a midsized city. Findings: Better understanding of the stages of trust came from examining the concept in an educational organization that serves urban youth. Students described their move from calculation, to courtship, and finally to contribution in terms of taking and giving behaviors as they interacted with UB staff and administrators. Conclusions: This study highlights the following as implications and areas for future research and practice: First, study participants provided information that complicates the concept of trust in educational organizations that serve urban youth. Second, study data highlight how trusting relationships develop as individuals test others' capacity to act for their benefit. Further studies that explore these relationships are encouraged. Third, study data imply that educational organizations play the initial role as giver in give-and-take relationships that characterize trust among urban youth. Further research is needed to understand whether and why this is so. Finally, issues of gender and race were not explored at length in this study. Deeper examination of the interplay of trust, gender, and race may help explain this study's findings and provide insight into trusting dispositions and behaviors among urban youth.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated With Pregabalin in Family Medicine Settings: Its Effect on Pain Alleviation and Cost Reduction
Authors: Pérez Concepción , Saldaña María T. , Navarro Ana , Martínez Silvia , Rejas Javier
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of pregabalin (PGB) on pain alleviation, use of health care and non—health care resources, and associated costs in patients with trigeminal neuralgia under usual clinical practice in primary care settings. Sixty‐five PGB‐naïve patients receiving PGB as monotherapy (n = 36, 55%) or combined with other drugs (n = 29, 45%) fulfill criteria for inclusion in a secondary analysis from a 12‐week, multicenter, observational prospective study aimed to ascertain the cost of illness in subjects with neuropathic pain. Pain is evaluated using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Use of health care and non—health care resources and lost workdays equivalents (LWDEs) are also recorded. PGB significantly reduces pain scores, use of health care resources (ancillary tests and unscheduled medical visits), and number of LWDEs. Additional cost of PGB treatment (+€174 ± 106) is broadly compensated for by a reduction in both health care costs (−€621 ± 1211, P < .001) and indirect costs (−€1210 ± 1141, P < .001). It is concluded that PGB as monotherapy or combined with other drugs is effective in pain management in patients with trigeminal neuralgia and reduces the cost of illness.
College Hopping
Authors: Bahr Peter Riley
Published: March 2009

Lateral transfer (between community colleges) is second only to upward transfer (to a 4-year institution) among community college students' most common patterns of transfer. Yet, upward transfer is the focus of innumerable studies, while lateral transfer has received very little empirical attention. This study explores the occurrence and frequency of lateral transfer in California and its consequences for the measurement of one particular outcome, namely, completion of a credential. The results indicate that students transfer laterally quite frequently, leading to substantial undercounts in rates of credential completion when measured from the standpoint of a single community college or single district. Furthermore, the frequency of lateral transfer varies systematically with a number of student characteristics of recurrent interest in the literature, leading to exaggerated differences in the likelihood of credential completion between some groups of students and inaccurately attenuated differences between other groups, when measured under the single-college and single-district analytical frameworks.
Review of Family-centered Interventions to Enhance the Health Outcomes of Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: McBroom Leesa A. , Enriquez Maithe
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic literature review was to examine family-centered interventions that enhance the health outcomes of children with type 1 diabetes. The review summarizes the interventions and outcome measures that consisted of A1Cs, family relationships, and family conflict.

Methods

Multiple electronic databases were searched from their start date to September 2008 for reports of studies that examined family-centered interventions among children with type 1 diabetes.

Results

Nine publications, all randomized controlled trials, were located that investigated the effectiveness of family-centered interventions. Findings indicated that family-centered interventions significantly improved A1Cs, enhanced family dynamics, and decreased family conflict.

Conclusions

Family-centered interventions targeting children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes appear to be effective in enhancing health outcomes. These interventions focused on traditional 2-parent families, and many did not report race or ethnicity. Given the increasing number of single-parent households and divorced parents, a need exists to explore and develop family-centered interventions that target nontraditional family structures as well as addressing cultural differences.
Moving the Nest
Authors: Bures Regina M.
Published: March 2009

Using data from the 1992-2000 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, this article examines the relationship between the presence and age of children in the home and parental mobility in midlife. Although a substantial literature evaluates the factors affecting the timing of children leaving (and returning) home, less attention has been paid to the residential changes that parents may experience during this stage of the family life cycle. As young adults leave home, family ties that keep their parents in a place may weaken, precipitating residential change. Results indicate that parents with no children or adult children at home are more likely to move, and move further, than those with children younger than 18 at home. These findings are discussed in the context of a life course view of family migration behavior that suggests that as children age and their potential for independent living increases, parental mobility may increase.
Towards a Code of Practice for Effective Communication With People With Dementing Illnesses
Authors: Young Tony , Manthorp Christopher
Published: March 2009

In this article, the authors highlight the need for a Code of Practice (CoP) to address the communicative needs of people with dementia and their formal and informal carers. The authors also detail a proposed CoP, as well as an innovative and inclusive consultation process through which the authors and other stakeholders will produce a complete final working version. The authors produced a three level framework for a proposed CoP. Level 1 is a statement of beliefs and principles underlying a person-centred and empowering approach to effective communication with people with dementia. Based on this, Level 2 consists of components of communication strategies and considerations for effective communication. The authors have produced three examples of level 2 components, and these are detailed here. Level 3 of the proposed CoP will consist of practical and individualized advice on actual communication with people at various stages of dementia. The authors also outline a regime for empirically testing the efficacy of the CoP in different contexts, and discuss implications for research and for communication practices in health care contexts.
Drug Offenders’ Perceptions of Motivation
Authors: Gideon Lior
Published: March 2009

This article presents a qualitative analysis of participants’ perceptions of the importance of motivation in the detoxification and rehabilitation process. As part of an outcome evaluation of recovering drug addicts who participated in a prison-based therapeutic community, 39 participants (a nonrandomized subsample) are interviewed regarding their rehabilitation and reintegration experiences. Although many studies show that participation in prison-based drug treatment programs reduces the likelihood of recidivism, clients in this study suggest that other factors might be equally important, and in particular clients’ own motivation to change their lives. This study raises some questions about the true ability of drug treatment programs to treat and rehabilitate drug-abusing offenders, diverting the emphasis from the treatment program itself to the participants’ motivation to change. Findings are discussed in regard to prison-based drug treatment programs, after-release impediments encountered by inmates, and inmates’ expectations of successful reintegration into the normative noncriminal society.
Delirium in Children With HIV/AIDS
Authors: Hatherill Sean , Flisher Alan
Published: March 2009

Delirium in children has received little attention from researchers until very recently, despite being a frequently encountered clinical problem, particularly in the context of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). In this article, we report 3 cases of severe hyperactive delirium occurring in children with advanced HIV/AIDS in the context of probable underlying HIV encephalopathy and complex drug—drug interactions. We also present a hypothesis in relation to HIV-associated delirium as a potential neuropsychiatric manifestation of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in children commenced on highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Due to Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Loop: A Case Report
Authors: Koul Roshan , Alfutaisi Amna , Jain Rajeev , Alzri Faisal
Published: March 2009

Trigeminal neuralgia is uncommon in children. Idiopathic type is less often seen than the secondary or symptomatic type. We report a 6-year-old girl with trigeminal neuralgia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an arterial loop at the exit of the trigeminal nerve.
Predicting Stages of Change in Battered Women
Authors: Alexander Pamela C. , Tracy Allison , Radek Megan , Koverola Catherine
Published: March 2009

Battered women’s stages of change (SOCs) are examined in this study. First, confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis were conducted on 754 battered women’s responses on the Problems in Relationship Scale (Brown, 1998). Factor loadings were strong, and latent variable mixture modeling produces a two-class solution. Second, comparisons of women (including a subset of 276) suggest that they were relatively advanced in SOC. SOC was unrelated to intimate partner violence experiences, but an earlier stage was associated with ethnicity, economic and emotional dependence, preoccupied attachment, satisfaction with social supports, and women’s use of aggression. Implications for interventions and future research are described.
Interventional Case Series: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACE-I)–Induced Cough: Is Rechallenge With a Second ACE-I Worthwhile?
Authors: Herner Sheryl J. , Kinikar Shilpa A. , Miyashiro Lori A. , Billups Sarah J. , Tofade Toyin S.
Published: March 2009

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) are a cornerstone of therapy with proven morbidity and mortality benefit in many disease states. The unpredictable, bothersome cough that occurs in 15% to 41% of patients oftentimes leads to noncompliance or discontinuation. Management of ACE-I-induced cough remains controversial. The authors’ objective was to determine whether patients experiencing an ACE-I-induced cough could be successfully switched to a different ACE-I without recurrent cough. A total of 10 participants deemed to have ACE-I-induced cough were enrolled in an interventional case series to assess whether they could tolerate rechallenge with an alternative ACE-I. During phase 1, ACE-I therapy was stopped for up to 4 weeks to allow the cough to resolve. During phase 2, participants were rechallenged with an alternative ACE-I and followed for 4 months. Of the 10 participants who consented to enroll, 6 were rechallenged with a second ACE-I. Cough recurred in 4 of these within 1 week (5-7 days), whereas 2 participants continued ACE-I therapy cough-free. Results suggest that a small percentage of patients with ACE-I-induced cough tolerate an alternative ACE-I. For patients with a true ACE-I-induced cough who are motivated to continue an ACE-I, a trial of a second ACE-I may be worthwhile.
The Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Pain
Authors: Monroe Carolyn Magdalen
Published: March 2009

Purpose: To better understand how Therapeutic Touch can be used in today's health care arena, this integrative literature review will examine current research that will help answer the question, Does Therapeutic Touch reduce pain? Method: An extensive search was conducted of the online databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsychLIT, and PubMed to retrieve research articles published from 1997 to 2007. Findings: Seven studies that were conducted between 1997 and 2004 were found and only five of the seven were included as pertinent evidence to answer the question. All of the research that was reviewed to answer whether Therapeutic Touch could significantly reduce pain revealed a majority of statistically significant positive results for implementing this intervention. Conclusion: Because there are no identified risks to Therapeutic Touch as a pain relief measure, it is safe to recommend despite the limitations of current research. Implications: Therapeutic Touch should be considered among the many possible nursing interventions for the treatment of pain.
The Role of Leadership in the Success of Participatory Planning Processes
Authors: Gedikli Bahar
Published: March 2009

The literature discusses how successful results in a participatory planning process can be achieved in localities with qualified social capital; that is, civil organizations and relationships built up within a community. Nevertheless, despite low-profile development figures and an inadequate number of civic associations (social capital),the Provincial Development Planning Process in Şanlıurfa (Turkey) was achieved by local stakeholders, who shared their views on the problems and potentials of the province and established a vision for the future. This study aims to examine the factors which lay behind the success of the participatory planning process in Şanlıurfa despite the lack of social capital.The leadership undertaken by powerful actors in the public sector can be said to have played the main role. The Provincial Development Planning Process was initiated and coordinated by the highest planning organization in the country, the State Planning Organization. In the case of Şanlıurfa, the planning process was coordinated jointly by a strong central-level public administration (South Eastern Anatolia Regional Development Administration) and the Şanlıurfa Governorship. This article claims that a participatory planning process can be realized in settlements with immature social capital, as in Şanlıurfa, if guided intensely by powerful institutions. However,this does not weaken the significance of social capital, as the participation of stakeholders in the planning process does not guarantee a successful implementation of the plan.The tradition of collective action (mature social capital) plays a crucial role in implementation. Moreover, for `bottom-up' processes (i.e. voluntary local development projects) social capital comes to the forefront as a significant factor.
Formal and Informal Employment in Europe
Authors: Williams Colin C.
Published: March 2009

This article reveals that formal labour markets in the European Union are not always quite as pure, wholesome and legitimate as might be supposed. Until now, it has been commonly assumed that the formal economy is separate and discrete from the informal economy. To contribute to the emerging literature showing that this is not always the case and that the formal economy can be permeated by informal practices, a so far little discussed employment arrangement is here brought to the fore in which formal employers pay their formal employees two wages, one declared and the other an undeclared (`envelope') wage. Reporting a 2007 survey composed of 26,659 face-to-face interviews in the 27 EU member states, the finding is that some 5 percent of all formal employees receive such undeclared wages from their formal employers which amount on average to two-fifths of their wage packet. However, this employment practice is not evenly distributed across the EU. Such quasi-formal employment is markedly more prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where the undeclared wage is more likely to be paid for regular employment hours, while in Continental Europe and Nordic countries undeclared wages are less common and are received mostly for overtime or extra work conducted. Given the prevalence in the EU of this hybrid employment practice which is neither purely formal nor informal, the article concludes by calling for greater recognition of how formal and informal employment are sometimes intimately interlocked and entwined rather than separate and discrete spheres.
Cross-Border Regions and Territorial Restructuring in Central Europe
Authors: Johnson Corey M.
Published: March 2009

As the world's `first postmodern political form', Europe provides an excellent laboratory for exploring how border regions offer new spaces of/for governance, cultural interaction, and economic development. With the backdrop of dynamic transboundary regionalization in Europe, this article has two goals: the first is to provide a critical review of some recent literature on territorial restructuring whose spatial ambit curiously omits transboundary space. Second, the article follows in the tradition of recent literature on regionalism in geography by exploring competing visions of the scales which are appropriate for organizing particular political and economic activities, in order to call for more engagement with transboundary regionalism.A case-study from Saxony (Germany) shows that the functional utilitarianism — and resulting short half life — of some European transboundary regions is a factor inhibiting the emergence of coherent regions.This notwithstanding, evidence also suggests that cross-border cooperation is becoming a key tool as localities and other territories strive to become `global'. The tangled map of current regional initiatives within the European Union (EU) reflects the temporal emergence and disappearance of cross-border regions in response to changing political priorities and shifting macro-institutional funding sources. The article shows that transboundary regions play an important role in territorial restructuring in Central Europe, but not necessarily in the way EU regional policy intends.