bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does functional strength training of the leg in subacute stroke improve physical performance? A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bale Marte , Inger Strand Liv
Published: October 2008

Objective: To examine the effect of functional strength training in subacute stroke.

Design: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Two rehabilitation units.

Subjects: Eighteen patients in the subacute phase post stroke, randomly allocated to a functional strength training (intervention) group (n = 8) and a training-as-usual (comparison) group (n = 10).

Intervention: The functional strength training group participated in functional progressive strength training of the affected lower extremity. The training-as-usual group had traditional training, excessive muscle power being avoided to prevent associated reactions. All trained 50 minutes five days a week for four weeks.

Main measures: Maximum weight-bearing in standing (primary outcome), isometric muscle strength, gait speed and items of Motor Assessment Scale.

Results: Maximum weight-bearing on the affected leg improved more in the functional strength training group (mean 17.4% of body weight) than in the training-as-usual group (mean 5.6% of body weight), but taking test data at inclusion into consideration, the difference in change was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). More patients in the functional strength training group (57%) could weight-bear on the affected leg while stepping forward, than in the training-as-usual group (17%). Improvement was clinically significant in 7 of 9 outcome measures in the functional strength training group (effect size ≥0.80, large), but in only 3 of 9 in the training-as-usual group. All patients in the functional strength training group and 70% of the patients in the training-as-usual group rated their overall status as `much' or `very much' improved.

Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that functional strength training of lower extremities improves physical performance more than traditional training.
Effects of inspiratory muscle training in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review
Authors: Reid W. Darlene , Geddes E. Lynne , O'Brien Kelly , Brooks Dina , Crowe Jean
Published: October 2008

Objective: We performed a systematic review to determine the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, dyspnoea and quality of life for adolescents and adults living with cystic fibrosis.

Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL electronic databases were searched up to January 2008.

Review methods: We performed a systematic review using the methodology outlined in the Cochrane Collaboration protocol. Articles were included if: (1) participants were adolescents or adults with cystic fibrosis (>13 years of age); (2) an IMT group was compared to a sham IMT, no intervention or other intervention group; (3) the study used a randomized controlled trial or cross-over design; and (4) it was published in English. Data were abstracted and methodological quality was assessed independently by two reviewers.

Results: The search strategy yielded 36 articles, of which two met the inclusion criteria. Both studies used a targeted or threshold device for IMT. Meta-analyses were limited to forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), which showed no difference in effect between the IMT group and the sham and/or control group. Individual study results were inconclusive for improvement in inspiratory muscle strength. One study demonstrated improvement in inspiratory muscle endurance.

Conclusion: The benefit of IMT in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis for outcomes of inspiratory muscle function is supported by weak evidence. Its impact on exercise capacity, dyspnoea and quality of life is not clear. Future research should investigate the characteristics of the subgroup of people with cystic fibrosis that might benefit most from IMT.
Wearable systems for monitoring mobility-related activities in older people: a systematic review
Authors: de Bruin Eling D , Hartmann Antonia , Uebelhart Daniel , Murer Kurt , Zijlstra Wiebren
Published: October 2008

Objective: The use of wearable motion-sensing technology offers important advantages over conventional methods for obtaining measures of physical activity and/or physical functioning in aged individuals. This review aims to identify the actual state of applying wearable systems for monitoring mobility-related activity in older populations. In this review we focus on technologies and applications, research designs, feasibility and adherence aspects, and clinical relevance of wearable motion-sensing technology.

Data sources: PubMed (MEDLINE since 1990), Ovid (BIOSIS, CINAHL), and Cochrane (Central) and reference lists of all relevant articles were searched.

Review methods: Two authors independently reviewed randomized and non-randomized trials on people above 65 years systematically. Quality of selected articles was scored and study results were summarised and discussed.

Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven abstracts were considered. After application of inclusion criteria and full text reading, 42 articles were taken into account in a full text review. Twenty of these papers evaluated walking with step counters, other papers used varying accelerometry approaches for obtaining overall activity measures (n = 16), or for monitoring changes in body postures and activity patterns (n = 17). Seven studies explicitly mentioned feasibility and/or adherence aspects. Eight studies presented outcome evaluations of interventions. Eight articles were representing descriptive research designs, three articles were using mixed descriptive and exploratory research designs, 23 articles used exploratory research-type designs, and eight articles used experimental research designs.

Conclusion: Although feasible methods for monitoring human mobility are available, evidence-based clinical applications of these methods in older populations are in need of further development.
The effect of aquatic therapy on postural balance and muscle strength in stroke survivors — a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Dong Koog Noh  , Lim Jae-Young , Shin Hyung-Ik , Paik Nam-Jong
Published: October 2008

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an aquatic therapy programme designed to increase balance in stroke survivors.

Design: A randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Rehabilitation department of a university hospital.

Subjects: Ambulatory chronic stroke patients (n = 25):13 in an aquatic therapy group and 12 in a conventional therapy group.

Interventions: The aquatic therapy group participated in a programme consisting of Ai Chi and Halliwick methods, which focused on balance and weight-bearing exercises. The conventional therapy group performed gym exercises. In both groups, the interventions occurred for 1 hour, three times per week, for eight weeks.

Main measures: The primary outcome measures were Berg Balance Scale score and weight-bearing ability, as measured by vertical ground reaction force during four standing tasks (rising from a chair and weight-shifting forward, backward and laterally). Secondary measures were muscle strength and gait.

Results: Compared with the conventional therapy group, the aquatic therapy group attained significant improvements in Berg Balance Scale scores, forward and backward weight-bearing abilities of the affected limbs, and knee flexor strength (P<0.05), with effect sizes of 1.03, 1.14, 0.72 and 1.13 standard deviation units and powers of 75, 81, 70 and 26%, respectively. There were no significant changes in the other measures between the two groups.

Conclusions: Postural balance and knee flexor strength were improved after aquatic therapy based on the Halliwick and Ai Chi methods in stroke survivors. Because of limited power and a small population base, further studies with larger sample sizes are required.
Home-centred physical fitness programme in morbidly obese individuals: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tumiati Riccardo , Mazzoni Gianni , Crisafulli Ernesto , Serri Barbara , Beneventi Claudio , Lorenzi Cristina M , Grazzi Giovanni , Prato Francesco , Conconi Francesco , Fabbri Leonardo M , Clini Enrico M
Published: October 2008

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of domiciliary physical fitness programmes in obese individuals.

Design: Nine-month randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Home-based intervention with outpatient visits.

Subjects: Morbidly obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) ≥30) aged 25—65 years suitable for physical activities at home.

Intervention: At the end of a preliminary one-month in-hospital rehabilitation programme (baseline), 52 patients were randomly assigned either to a structured educational programme (intervention group) of daily incremental physical activity at home (walking and skeletal muscle resistance training, with booklets and written instructions) or to a programme of general advice (control group) regarding exercise and long-term fitness.

Main measures: Both groups were evaluated at baseline and every three months for: (1) time, metabolic equivalents (METs), and heart rate reserve (HRR) during a standardized 2-km walking test (2kmWT); (2) anthropometric measures (body weight, BMI, abdominal and neck circumference); (3) the Polar Fitness Test index (PFTI), and (4) time to exhaustion while sustaining consecutive isoload extensions in the dominant leg (isoload LE). Time during 2kmWT was the study primary outcome.

Results: Body weight, BMI and abdominal circumference improved significantly (P<0.05) over time in the intervention group. The cardiopulmonary fitness variables changed significantly (P<0.05) over time in both study groups. However, all variables improved in the intervention patients, while some worsened or remained stable in the controls. Thus, the mean group difference in changes was significant (P<0.05) for 2kmWT time (—77.4 seconds), HRR (11.7%), and PFTI (5.4 points).

Conclusion: This structured domiciliary fitness programme is feasible and provides sustained anthropometric and physiological benefits in some morbidly obese individuals.
Immediate effect of treadmill walking practice versus overground walking practice on overground walking pattern in ambulatory stroke patients: an experimental study
Authors: Kuys Suzanne S , Brauer Sandra G , Ada Louise , Russell Trevor G
Published: October 2008

Objective: To determine whether 10 minutes of treadmill walking had a different effect on overground walking pattern compared with 10 minutes of overground walking in newly ambulatory stroke patients. Are any changes influenced by walking ability?

Design: A within-participant, repeated measures experimental study was conducted. Each participant carried out 10 minutes of overground walking practice followed by 10 minutes of treadmill walking practice at matched heart rate on separate days. Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Subjects: Twenty-one participants receiving inpatient rehabilitation following stroke.

Measures: Overground walking pattern was measured as linear and angular kinematics using GAITRite and a two-dimensional webcam application respectively.

Results: Following treadmill walking practice, there was 6 degrees (95% confidence interval (CI) 2 to 10) more knee extension at heel strike during overground walking than following overground walking practice. Poorer walkers increased non-paretic limb step length following treadmill walking practice more than those with better walking ability (mean difference 2.2 cm, 95% CI 0 to 5).

Conclusions: Ten minutes of treadmill walking practice resulted in a similar overground walking pattern compared with overground walking practice in newly ambulatory stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, regardless of walking ability.
Cigarette craving increases after a psychosocial stress test and is related to cortisol stress response but not to dependence scores in daily smokers
Authors: Buchmann AF , Laucht M. , Schmid B. , Wiedemann K. , Mann K. , Zimmermann US
Published: October 2008

Stress is known to induce cigarette craving in smokers, but the underlying mechanisms are widely unknown. We investigated how dependence severity, smoking habits and stress-induced cortisol secretion are associated with increased cigarette craving after a standardised laboratory stressor. Hundred and six healthy participants (50 men, age 18—19 years) underwent a standardised public speaking stress task. In all, 35 smoked daily (DS), 13 smoked occasionally (OS), and 58 never smoked (NS). Smoking was unrestricted until 2 h before stress onset. Plasma cortisol was measured before and up to 95 min after the stressor. All current smokers rated intensity of cigarette craving immediately before and immediately after the stressor using the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (BQSU). Cortisol levels significantly increased in response to stress in all groups. The magnitude of this stress response was significantly lower in DS compared with OS and NS but did not differ between OS and NS. Baseline BQSU scores were significantly higher in DS than OS. BQSU scores increased significantly during the stress period and were positively correlated to the cortisol response in the DS but were unrelated to their nicotine dependence scores. In OS, no change in cigarette craving could be observed. In daily smokers, cigarette craving is increased after compared with before stress exposure and is related to the magnitude of cortisol stress response rather than to severity of nicotine dependence. This result supports, but does not prove, the concept that hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal stimulation is one of the mechanisms how stress can elicit cigarette craving.
Don't Throw Out the Baby With the Bathwater
Authors: Saber Jane Lee , Johnson Richard D.
Published: October 2008

The effectiveness of using verbal repetition and first-letter acronyms to teach a common marketing framework was examined in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 345 undergraduate students were exposed to the framework using one of four conditions: control, verbal repetition, acronym, and verbal repetition plus acronym in a traditional learning setting. Students were tested for unaided recall of the concepts as well as concept application and analysis. Results indicate that using acronyms increased student scores at 2 weeks and 3 months for both unaided recall and analysis, but verbal repetition had no significant effect, either alone or in conjunction with the acronym. Experiment 2 tested the impact of acronym use in an active learning setting. Here, 129 undergraduate students were exposed to the framework using only an active learning method or the active learning method plus an acronym. Students were tested for unaided recall and concept application and analysis at 2 weeks and 3 months after exposure. Use of the acronym increased scores for both unaided recall and concept application and analysis compared to the active learning method alone. Implications for teaching strategies are discussed.
Modeling Loose Joints in Elastic Structures-Variable Structure Motion Model Development
Authors: Barhorst Alan A.
Published: October 2008

In this article, a hybrid parameter multiple body system (HPMBS) methodology is utilized to model the frictional contact/impact of a loose bolted joint between two sections of a cantilever beam undergoing planar slewing motion. In this preliminary model, a "rigid" joint is utilized which allows the members of the joint to be rigid, each attached to the elastic beam sections. Frictional contact/impact is modeled at four contact points. The contact constraints and momentum transfer are modeled on a basis of instantly applied nonholonomic constraints. The theoretical model of the variable structure dynamic system is developed in this article, while the momentum transfer equations (utilizing the concept of instantly applied nonholonomic constraints), numerical solution scheme, and experimental comparisons are presented in companion articles. The underlying theme of this work is to produce low order models of complicated nonlinear structural dynamics, specifically, frictional contact and impact in joints with clearance, based on first principles.
Better design quality of public toilets for visually impaired persons: an all-round concept in design for the promotion of health
Authors: Michael Kin Wai
Published: October 2008

According to United Nations statistics, about one-thirtieth of the world's population is visually impaired. These visually impaired persons (VIPs) face a variety of difficulties in their daily lives. This is the case not only in countries with a shortage of resources or with relatively low living standards, but also in developed countries. Most of the time, such difficulties in daily life come from the misunderstanding of VIPs' wants and needs and in turn poor design quality. To enhance equal opportunities in society, promote public health and improve the design quality of the public environment and facilities, a project on how VIPs access public toilets has been under way since 2004. To maintain better design quality in public toilets, the FISH concept has been initiated. This design concept includes the design considerations of friendly, informative, safe, and hygienic. This paper reviews the wants and needs of VIPs that should be considered in using public toilets, and the help that they need to be given. Based on the findings of the project, this paper then discusses how better quality designs for public toilets to promote public health can be obtained by implementing FISH.
Health and social care regulation in Wales: an integrated system of political, corporate and professional governance for improving public health
Authors: Jewell Tony , Wilkinson Jane
Published: October 2008

Wales is developing a unique integrated system of governance to improve public health, which is diverging from some recent developments in the rest of the UK but shares many common features. There is a focus on strengthening collaborative working and co-ordination between bodies inspecting, regulating and auditing health and social care. Systems are being developed that are proportionate to the level of risk, eliminate unnecessary burdens of external review and support the improvement of services for patients, service users and carers. This is consistent with the Assembly Government's aim to improve the way that public services are delivered in Wales, including strengthening input from the public in the planning, delivery and reporting of regulation and inspection work. The test in the future will be how far we can demonstrate quantitatively and qualitatively the added value from our uniquely Welsh approach, built as it is on devolution and the aspirations for small-country governance.
Reconciling access, quality and cost
Authors: Ashton John
Published: October 2008

John Ashton brings a public health perspective to the regulation of health and social care
Bronchial Boogie
Authors: Andrew Wendy
Published: October 2008

Wendy Andrew, Special Projects Co-ordinator at Oldham Music Service, on how music is helping to tackle asthma
Public health — feel that quality
Authors: Maryon-Davis Alan
Published: October 2008

Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, Inaugural Chair of the Royal Society for Public Health and President of the Faculty of Public Health, explains why a more coherent approach to quality assurance in public health is needed
Will new regulations reverse the `drop' in homeopathy?
Authors: Hay Lizzy
Published: October 2008

The use and regulation of homeopathy has long been the focus of debate, lacking as it does in scientific evidence of its clinical effectiveness. Claimed to be `harmless', it is often argued that there is no reason for it not to be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, and that there is the possibility that it may be beneficial. Lizzy Hay discusses whether in fact patients are at risk from this `harmless'treatment if their confidence stretches to using homeopathy solely as an alternative treatment when really only `a spoonful' should be taken to help the conventional medicine go down.
In Practice
Authors: Donaldson Caitlyn
Published: October 2008

The number of people buying medicines online is increasing, and the reasons aren't too hard to comprehend. The internet provides an often cheap, convenient and embarrassment-free means to purchase drugs. Caitlyn Donaldson looks at how consumers can be sure they're safe and how pharmacists can show they're reputable.
Essential Steps to Safe, Clean Care: The process of managing change
Authors: Hanson Yvonne , Honey Stephanie
Published: October 2008

Healthcare associated infections cost the National Health Service around £1 billion each year and cause pain and reduced quality of life. Essential Steps to Safe, Clean Care was introduced by the Department of Health in 2006 and was aimed at organisations that provide and commission health and social services in community and non-acute settings. The engagement and empowerment of frontline clinical staff, especially the infection, prevention and control linkworkers, was central to the programme. This article describes the process by which Essential Steps was introduced and implemented in a teaching primary care trust and how the changes required were managed.
Integrated care pathway for Clostridium difficile helps patient management
Authors: MacLean Alison , Fuller Rachel M , Jaffrey Elizabeth G , Hay Andrew J , Ho-Yen Darrel O
Published: October 2008

A pilot study using an integrated care pathway (ICP) when caring for patients suffering from Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) was undertaken over a six-month period within six wards in two hospitals. The aim was to standardise practice and improve communications for this group of patients. There was increased staff knowledge and understanding with 91% of nursing staff reporting that the use of a CDAD ICP had improved patient care and treatment. Seventy-seven per cent of staff expressed that communications had improved since using the ICP and 77% felt that accessibility of patient information had improved. Lastly 86% of the staff felt better equipped to nurse patients with CDAD. A literature review yielded no other documented evidence of the use of an ICP for this patient group.
When is the whole bigger than the sum of its parts? Bundling knowledge stocks for innovative success
Authors: Tzabbar Daniel , Aharonson Barak S. , Amburgey Terry L. , Al-Laham Andreas
Published: October 2008

As firms engage in building different R&D capabilities, they confront a crucial question: what configuration of knowledge stocks is most likely to increase innovative success? This article argues that the impact of one knowledge stock may depend not just on its level but also on the level of other stocks; furthermore, the interdependencies of firms' existing knowledge stocks might explain performance differences.The authors measure the effects of three pairwise combinations of knowledge stocks on firm innovative success, and find, using an event-history analysis of 843 dedicated biotechnology firms during 1973—99, that one pair is complementary (i.e. intellectual and collaborative capital) and two pairs are substitutive (i.e. human and intellectual and human and collaborative capital).Viewing knowledge complementarities through such a lens gives rise to systems effects and explains when the whole is bigger (or smaller) than the sum of its parts.
The Usefulness of Cube Copying for Evaluating Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Palmqvist Sebastian , Hansson Oskar , Minthon Lennart , Londos Elisabet
Published: October 2008

Aims: Cube copying measures visuospatial ability, which is often impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cube copying was examined as an evaluation of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment in AD. Methods: Eighty-five ChEI-treated AD patients were included. Cube drawings made at prebaseline, baseline, 6 months, and 12 months were assessed. Cube drawings from 56 healthy individuals were also examined. Results : The healthy individuals remained stable in cube copying, whereas untreated AD patients deteriorated during a median period of 6 months. When treatment was given, the deterioration was interrupted. After 12 months, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) had deteriorated compared with baseline whereas cube copying was unchanged.

Conclusions: The results indicate that cube copying can be used to evaluate ChEI treatment. It might also show a more long-lasting response to treatment than MMSE. Cube copying only measures a narrow cognitive function and can preferably be used with MMSE, which evaluates visuospatial ability poorly.
Multidyad Memory Notebook Intervention for Very Mild Dementia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schmitter-Edgecombe Maureen , Howard Joni T. , Pavawalla Shital P. , Howell Lisa , Rueda Alicia
Published: October 2008

This pilot study examines the efficacy of a group memory notebook intervention. Five individuals with very mild dementia and 4 spouses who served as coaches attended 14 group treatment sessions. Therapists use educational strategies and learning activities packets to teach memory notebook use. At posttreatment, coaches report fewer symptoms of depression, and participants with very mild dementia report greater confidence in ability to obtain support. Modified laboratory memory testing reveals that participants with dementia demonstrate improved posttreatment memory scores because of increased note-taking behavior and more frequent referencing of notes. Although more frequent everyday memory strategies use is reported at posttreatment, this does not translate into reports of fewer everyday memory failures or greater everyday independence for the participants with dementia. This study demonstrates that a multidyad group intervention can successfully be used to teach patients with very mild dementia to use a memory notebook, with beneficial effects for both members of the care dyad.
Geographical Differences in the Occurrence of Alzheimer's Disease Mortality: United States Versus Puerto Rico
Authors: Figueroa Raul , Steenland Kyle , MacNeil Jessica R. , Levey Allan I. , Vega Irving E.
Published: October 2008

Since the implementation of the 10th International Classification of Disease in 1999, the trend in Alzheimer's disease mortality rate has not been reported. Here, the age-adjusted Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in Puerto Rico and United States from 1999 to 2004 was analyzed. The results showed an increasing trend in Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in both the United States and Puerto Rico. However in Puerto Rico, the Alzheimer's disease mortality rate (32.4/100 000) was higher than that observed in United States (20.9/100 000). Interestingly, the Alzheimer's disease mortality rate of Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico is much higher than Puerto Ricans living in the United States. The higher occurrence of Alzheimer's disease mortality in Puerto Rico versus the United States could be explained by factors such as coding practices, genetics, socioeconomics, and health care. These results highlight the need for comprehensive studies on factors that may influence diagnosis, death certificate coding practices, and development of Alzheimer's disease pathology in different geographical regions.
Association Between Progranulin and β-Amyloid in Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Authors: Revuelta Gonzalo J. , Rosso Andrea , Lippa Carol F.
Published: October 2008

Recent studies demonstrated that progranulin plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of frontotemporal dementia. To begin to explore the role of progranulin in dementia with Lewy bodies, we investigate its association with pathologic proteins that characterize this disease. We assessed immunoreactivity for progranulin in medial temporal lobe structures of 12 cases of dementia with Lewy bodies. Similar data were collected for β-amyloid burden, and α-synuclein pathology. Blinded investigators used a 0-3—point scale to quantify progranulin burden. Double labeling for progranulin and β-amyloid was also performed. We were able to demonstrate progranulin immunoreactivity throughout the medial temporal lobe in all dementia with Lewy body cases. We identified a significant positive correlation (r = 0.606; P = .037) between β-amyloid burden and progranulin. There was no significant correlation between α-synuclein pathology or Braak stage and progranulin. Progranulin and β-amyloid co-localized in plaques in dementia with Lewy bodies, suggesting that there is likely a biological association between these 2 aggregated proteins.
Our Lady Hates Viscose: The Role of the Customer Image in High Street Fashion Production
Authors: Schulz Susanne
Published: October 2008

This article seeks to lift the lid on the `black box' of fashion production by exploring the role of the customer image within the working practices of UK high street womenswear retailers. Following production of culture and symbolic interactionist approaches to the culture industries, the author suggests that the customer images — that is, practitioners' notions of the likes and dislikes of target customers — facilitate teamwork by smoothing conflicts that arise through the division of labour between designers, buyers and merchandizers. The customer image serves as an ordering principle that helps fashion workers to narrow down the wealth of competing ideas and generally guides their decision-making processes. The creation of colour palettes and `storyboards', as well as the selection and modification of sample garments, will be used as examples of how the ordering principle is applied by designers, buyers and merchandizers throughout the production process.
Information-based methods for predicting gene function from systematic gene knock-downs
Authors: Weirauch Matthew T , Wong Christopher K , Byrne Alexandra B , Stuart Joshua M
Published: October 2008

Background

The rapid annotation of genes on a genome-wide scale is now possible for several organisms using high-throughput RNA interference assays to knock down the expression of a specific gene. To date, dozens of RNA interference phenotypes have been recorded for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Although previous studies have demonstrated the merit of using knock-down phenotypes to predict gene function, it is unclear how the data can be used most effectively. An open question is how to optimally make use of phenotypic observations, possibly in combination with other functional genomics datasets, to identify genes that share a common role.

Results

We compared several methods for detecting gene-gene functional similarity from phenotypic knock-down profiles. We found that information-based measures, which explicitly incorporate a phenotype's genomic frequency when calculating gene-gene similarity, outperform non-information-based methods. We report the presence of newly predicted modules identified from an integrated functional network containing phenotypic congruency links derived from an information-based measure. One such module is a set of genes predicted to play a role in regulating body morphology based on their multiply-supported interactions with members of the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Information-based metrics significantly improve the comparison of phenotypic knock-down profiles, based upon their ability to enhance gene function prediction and identify novel functional modules.
The role of the t-SNARE SNAP-25 in action potential-dependent calcium signaling and expression in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons
Authors: Tafoya Lawrence CR , Shuttleworth C William , Yanagawa Yuchio , Obata Kunihiko , Wilson Michael C
Published: October 2008

Background

The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, comprised of SNAP-25, syntaxin 1A, and VAMP-2, has been shown to be responsible for action potential (AP)-dependent, calcium-triggered release of several neurotransmitters. However, this basic fusogenic protein complex may be further specialized to suit the requirements for different neurotransmitter systems, as exemplified by neurons and neuroendocrine cells. In this study, we investigate the effects of SNAP-25 ablation on spontaneous neuronal activity and the expression of functionally distinct isoforms of this t-SNARE in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons of the adult brain.

Results

We found that neurons cultured from Snap25 homozygous null mutant (Snap25
-/-) mice failed to develop synchronous network activity seen as spontaneous AP-dependent calcium oscillations and were unable to trigger glial transients following depolarization. Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) mediated calcium transients evoked by depolarization, nevertheless, did not differ between soma of SNAP-25 deficient and control neurons. Furthermore, we observed that although the expression of SNAP-25 RNA transcripts varied among neuronal populations in adult brain, the relative ratio of the transcripts encoding alternatively spliced SNAP-25 variant isoforms was not different in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons.

Conclusion

We propose that the SNAP-25b isoform is predominantly expressed by both mature glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and serves as a fundamental component of SNARE complex used for fast synaptic communication in excitatory and inhibitory circuits required for brain function. Moreover, SNAP-25 is required for neurons to establish AP-evoked synchronous network activity, as measured by calcium transients, whereas the loss of this t-SNARE does not affect voltage-dependent calcium entry.
Is Diazepam an Antidepressant?
Authors: Tiller John , Schweitzer Isaac , Maguire Kay , Davies Brian
Published: October 2008

In double-blind sequential study, diazepam was compared with the proven antidepressant moclobemide, in patients with atypical depression. Both agents significantly improved depression ratings over eight weeks of treatment. Diazepam was a significantly better antidepressant than moclobemide at four weeks, although not at eight weeks. All patients ceased diazepam within one year and none reported withdrawal reactions. These data suggest the need to reconsider that benzodiazepines may be antidepressants and to study their possible antidepressant actions.
Prodromes of Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Murphy Jane M. , Sobol Arthur M. , Olivier Donald C. , Monson Richard R. , Leighton Alexander H. , Pratt Lisa A.
Published: October 2008

A longitudinal investigation of psychiatric epidemiology in a general population (the Stirling County study) has indicated that the incidence of depression and anxiety disorders is low relative to prevalence, because these disorders have long durations. In an average year approximately nine adults among 1000 experience a first-ever episode of one of these disorders. Incident cases over the course of a 16-year follow-up were more likely to have had premonitory symptoms than to have been asymptomatic at the beginning of the study. Among the relatively small number of people who exhibited the clearest prodromal manifestations, incidence was 20 per 1000 annually. It might be possible to intervene before such disorders become fully formed and persistent if the precursors are given attention.
Role of Modelling in In-Patient Suicide: a Lack of Supporting Evidence
Authors: Modestin Jiří , Würmle Othmar
Published: October 2008

An analysis of the temporal distribution of 115 in-patient suicides that occurred in two Swiss psychiatric hospitals in the years 1977–86 failed to reveal any statistically significant clustering of suicides. Thus, the modelling effect does not generally play a decisive role in psychiatric in-patient suicide.
Familial Association of Albinism and Schizophrenia
Authors: Clarke David J. , Buckley Mary E.
Published: October 2008

Of three siblings in a family, one brother and one sister have both tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism and a psychotic disorder indistinguishable from schizophrenia. The two disorders may associate within families through genetic linkage or a failure of neurotransmitter homoeostasis.
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Presenting as Schizophreniform Psychosis
Authors: Duncalf C. M. , Kent J. N. G. , Harbord M. , Hicks E. P.
Published: October 2008

A case of a 21-year-old woman with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis presenting with paranoid schizophreniform symptoms is presented. The relationship between viral encephalitis and psychiatric symptoms is briefly considered.
Heavy Drinking as a Risk Factor for Depression and Dementia in Elderly Men
Authors: Saunders Paul A. , Copeland John R. M. , Dewey Michael E. , Davidson Ian A. , Mcwilliam Christopher , Sharma Vimal , Sullivan Caroline
Published: October 2008

A random community sample of subjects aged 65 and over was re-interviewed after three years by psychiatrists using the GMS and HAS. The relationship between drinking history and current psychiatric morbidity was examined. Men with a history of heavy drinking for five years or more at some time in their lives were found to have a greater than fivefold risk of suffering from a psychiatric disorder at the time of the interview. Among this group past alcohol consumption was significantly higher for those with a current psychiatric diagnosis compared with those who were well. This association between heavy alcohol consumption in earlier years and psychiatric morbidity in later life is not explained by current drinking habits.
Social Adjustment of Remitted Bipolar and Unipolar Out-patients
Authors: Bauwens F. , Tracy A. , Pardoen D. , Elst M. Vander , Mendlewicz J.
Published: October 2008

Various areas of social adjustment were compared using the Social Adjustment Scale in 27 remitted bipolars, 24 remitted unipolars and 25 normal controls matched for age and sex. Scores for global adjustment and for social and leisure activities were significantly worse in patients than in controls. The maladjustment in social and leisure activities appeared only in ‘contact with friends' for bipolar patients and ‘diminished social interactions' for unipolar patients. Unipolar patients differed significantly from controls on the items investigating sexual adjustment. In unipolars, social maladjustment seemed to be independent of the course of the disease; in bipolars, it was partly related to the mean number of lifetime episodes and current residual symptoms.
Neuroendocrine Challenge Studies in Puerperal Psychoses
Authors: Paykel E. S. , Del Campo A. Martin , White W. , Horton R.
Published: October 2008

Subjects admitted to hospital with post-partum psychoses were compared with matched normal postpartum controls using two neuroendocrine challenge tests: dexamethasone suppression of Cortisol and TRH stimulation of TSH. Post-dexamethasone Cortisol levels were significantly elevated. There were less-clear hints of blunting of TSH response. In the small samples there was no obvious association of abnormalities with any particular diagnoses within the range of mania, psychotic depression and schizoaffective disorders.
Combinatorial interaction between CCM pathway genes precipitates hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Gore Aniket V. , Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Dye Louis , Dejana Elisabetta , Weinstein Brant M.
Published: October 2008

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a particularly severe form of stroke whose etiology remains poorly understood, with a highly variable appearance and onset of the disease (Felbor et al., 2006; Frizzell, 2005; Lucas et al., 2003). In humans, mutations in any one of three CCM genes causes an autosomal dominant genetic ICH disorder characterized by cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). Recent evidence highlighting multiple interactions between the three CCM gene products and other proteins regulating endothelial junctional integrity suggests that minor deficits in these other proteins could potentially predispose to, or help to initiate, CCM, and that combinations of otherwise silent genetic deficits in both the CCM and interacting proteins might explain some of the variability in penetrance and expressivity of human ICH disorders. Here, we test this idea by combined knockdown of CCM pathway genes in zebrafish. Reducing the function of rap1b, which encodes a Ras GTPase effector protein for CCM1/Krit1, disrupts endothelial junctions in vivo and in vitro, showing it is a crucial player in the CCM pathway. Importantly, a minor reduction of Rap1b in combination with similar reductions in the products of other CCM pathway genes results in a high incidence of ICH. These findings support the idea that minor polygenic deficits in the CCM pathway can strongly synergize to initiate ICH.
Novel One-pot Sol–Gel Preparation of Amino-functionalized Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Song , Osaka Akiyoshi , Hayakawa Satoshi , Tsuru Kanji , Fujii Eiji , Kawabata Koji
Published: October 2008

Amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm in diameter were directly prepared from precursor mixtures of tetraethoxysilane and aminopropyltriethoxysilane in ethanol/water solutions via a novel one-pot sol–gel procedure.
Accurate Measurement of Vicinal Carbon–Hydrogen Coupling Constants via Ammonium Nitrogen Based on HMBC Experiments
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshiyuki , Maruyoshi Keisuke , Matsumori Nobuaki , Murata Michio
Published: October 2008

Vicinal spin–spin coupling constants frequently used for conformation analysis were determined for ammonium-containing 13C–N–C–1H systems by using HMBC. 1-Deoxynojirimycin hydrochloride provided an appropriate system for measuring the antiperiplanar and gauche interactions, which were determined to be 7.3 and 1.6 Hz, respectively.
Learning Through Rare Events: Significant Interruptions at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
Authors: Christianson Marlys K. , Farkas Maria T. , Sutcliffe Kathleen M. , Weick Karl E.
Published: October 2008

The collapse of the roof of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum Roundhouse onto its collections during a snowstorm in 2003 provides a starting point for our exploration of the link between learning and rare events. The collapse occurred as the museum was preparing for another rare event: the Fair of the Iron Horse, an event planned to celebrate the 175th anniversary of American railroading. Our analysis of these rare events, grounded in data collected through interviews and archival materials, reveals that the issue is not so much what organizations learn “from” rare events but what they learn “through” rare events. Rare events are interruptions that trigger learning because they expose weaknesses and reveal unrealized behavioral potential. Moreover, we find that three organizing routines—interpreting, relating, and re-structuring—are strengthened and broadened across a series of interruptions. These organizing routines are critical to both learning and responding because they update understanding and reduce the ambiguity generated during a rare event. Ultimately, rare events provoke a reconsideration of organizational identity as the organization learns what it knows and who it is when it sees what it can do. In the case of the B&O Railroad Museum, we find that the roof collapse offered an opportunity for the organization to transform its identity from that of a museum to that of an attraction.
Laboratory testing in clinical trials under consideration of the ICH-GCP guideline1
Authors: Nordmann Stephan , Wieland Eberhard
Published: October 2008

Clinical trials are a prerequisite for the launch and registration of new drugs. During recent years the regulations have become more strict worldwide including Germany. The German law governing the manufacture and prescription of drugs (German Drugs Act, AMG) has adopted the contents of the guideline for Good Clinical Practice (GCP) which was harmonised by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and makes binding recommendations with respect to ethics and quality of clinical trials. Since laboratory investigations form an integral part of most clinical trials it is beyond doubt that these recommendations and laws do also apply to laboratory testing. In consideration of these rules it is a demand that laboratories and laboratory physicians be involved early in the planning of clinical trials. In addition, laboratories must be informed of ongoing trials before they are initiated in a trial site of a hospital. Optimally, a separate laboratory contract has been signed and laboratory testing is reimbursed according to the German fee regulations for physicians (GOÄ). In the authors' opinion, the dissemination of proficiency testing documents and reference values to the sponsor after a trial has been completed is insufficient to fulfil legal requirements and to comprehensively exclude legal liability of the laboratory personnel.
Firing-Pattern-Dependent Specificity of Cortical Excitatory Feed-Forward Subnetworks
Authors: Otsuka Takeshi , Kawaguchi Yasuo
Published: October 2008

The cortical circuit includes networks of highly interconnected pyramidal neurons. Here, we investigated whether pyramidal cells form subnetworks depending on pyramidal subtypes. We classified layer V (L5) pyramidal cells in rat frontal cortex into three physiological subtypes based on the presence (SA-d type) or absence (SA type) of an initial burst in neurons displaying slowly adapting spike trains, or fast spike frequency adaptation (FA type) against current pulse injections. Pyramidal cells projecting to the particular subcortical areas were correlated with the physiological subtypes. Focal glutamate stimulation of a L2/3 pyramidal cell induced EPSCs in SA and SA-d cells more frequently than in FA cells. FA cells in upper L5 received more inputs from the upper L2/3, and those in lower L5 received inputs from cells in lower L2/3, suggesting topographic interlaminar projections to FA cells. Dual recordings from L5 pyramidal cells revealed that common input probability that two L5 cells share inputs from a L2/3 cell was high in cell pairs of the same subtypes, compared with those in different subtype pairs. Furthermore, the common input probability was highly selective when cell pairs of the same subtypes, but not different subtypes, had connections between them. Our results suggest that L2/3 pyramidal cells selectively innervate L5 cells, depending on their firing subtypes.
Requirement of 3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinase-1 for BDNF-Mediated Neuronal Survival
Authors: Kharebava Giorgi , Makonchuk Denys , Kalita Katarzyna B. , Zheng Jing-Juan , Hetman Michal
Published: October 2008

Although PDK1 regulates several signaling pathways that respond to neurotrophins, direct evidence for its involvement in neurotrophin-mediated survival has not yet been reported. Here we show high neuronal expression of active PDK1 in the rat cortex and hippocampus at the developmental stages with pronounced dependence on extracellular survival signals. Also, in cultured cortical neurons from newborn rats, BDNF resulted in PDK1- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated activation of their direct target, the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1/2 (RSK1/2). In trophic-deprived cortical neurons, knockdown of endogenous PDK1 attenuated the antiapoptotic survival response to 10 ng/ml BDNF, whereas an overexpressed active mutant form of PDK1 reduced apoptosis. The neuroprotection by BDNF or active PDK1 required RSK1/2. Conversely, PDK1 knockdown reversed the survival effects of combining the overexpressed RSK1 with a low, subprotective BDNF concentration of 2 ng/ml. Likewise, the protection by the overexpressed, active PDK1 was enhanced by coexpression of an active RSK1 mutant. Consistent with the observations that in BDNF-stimulated neurons RSK1/2 activation required both PDK1 and ERK1/2, ERK1/2 knockdown removed BDNF-mediated survival. Selective activation of ERK1/2 with an overexpressed active mutant form of MKK1 resulted in RSK1/2- and PDK1-dependent neuroprotection. Finally, at subprotective plasmid DNA dosage, overexpression of the active MKK1 and PDK1 mutants produced synergistic effect on survival. Our findings indicate a critical role for PDK1-RSK1/2 signaling in BDNF-mediated neuronal survival. Thus, the PDK1 is indispensable for the antiapoptotic effects of the ERK1/2 pathway offering previously unrecognized layer of survival signal processing and integration.