bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory support for speech in multiple sclerosis
Authors: BRADLEY KIM
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The dysarthria of multiple sclerosis (MS) is known to worsen as the disease progresses (Darley, Brown & Goldstein, 1972). Thus, as an MS sufferer's activities of daily life and opportunities for activity are curtailed by increasing disability, the capacity of their respiratory system is also diminished both by disease and lack of demand on the system (Olgiati, Hofstetter & Bailey, 1988). It may be that disuse creates a discrepancy between the functional ability that is neurologically available and that which is characteristically used. It is this functional overlay that may be the target of speech therapy (Farmakides & Boone, 1969). Five patients with MS and dysarthria affecting intelligibility were involved in a multiple baseline therapy study to establish the efficacy of respiratory exercises in improving functional speech performance. Intervention effects were demonstrated by introducing the therapy to different patients at successive points in time. Speech therapy exercises targeted the respiratory system alone with no phonatory or articulatory components. Intelligibility was chosen as a global and objective repeat measure of functional speech performance and was established for each patient by use of the Yorkston‐Beukelman Assessment of the Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech (Yorkston & Beukelman, 1981). Findings cautiously suggest that with certain patients respiratory exercises can improve speech performance as measured by intellligibility. Thus, a component of the dysarthria of MS may not be neuromotor dysfunction, but atrophy based on fatigue and disuse — and may be reversible. Conclusions on appropriate subject selection are made. The experience of the study with objective measures of intelligibility and the use of the multiple baseline across subject experimental format are also presented. A wider distribution in intelligibility scores generated by multiple listeners than that reported by Yorkston and Beukelman (1981) generated the necessity of a single listener for all tests. Wide variation in subjects' baseline speech performance despite stringent controls on factors known to affect intelligibility demonstrates the futility of single ‘before and after’ treatment measures with MS sufferers. Also, the limitations of the research format, especially the long basline phase for later subjects, are discussed.
Oral‐motor dysfunction in children who are failing to thrive
Authors: REILLY S , SKUSE D , STEVENSON J , WOLKE D , MATHISEN B
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  A whole population prospective survey of inner‐city infants (N=2510), aged from birth to 15 months, found the prevalence of failure to thrive (FTT), unassociated with any medical aetiology, to be 3.3%. A speech therapist, blind to case status, used the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment (SOMA) to rate abilities across a range of food textures and fluids. One in four FTT cases, but only 11% of comparisons, obtained dysfunction scores outside the normal range. Most difficulty was observed with purees, least with liquids. Oral‐motor dysfunction did not simply reflect developmental delay. SOMA scores did not correlate with either the mental or psychomotor index of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), but did correlate negatively with birth weight (r=−0.3, p<0.01); weight at 3 months (r=−0.28, p<0.003); 6 months (r=−0.3, p<0.01); and 9 months (r=−0.28, p<0.02), but not with weight at follow up. Children with the highest dysfunction scores weighed least at all ages and had smaller head circumferences. High oral‐motor dysfunction scores were not linked to overt feeding difficulties, by maternal report. It was hypothesised that the disorder reflects the influence of early post‐natal growth failure (presumably due to undernutrition) upon developing brain structures, rather than a congenital abnormality.
Caring in Calcutta — utlising resources in the developing world
Authors: MORRIS TOM
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  This paper presents an outline of the role of a visiting speech and language therapist with children with special needs in a developing country. Observations on the teachers' current practice with children in an educational environment are discussed before describing the aims of a voluntary worker running subsequent courses in communication skills for staff and parents. The results from a follow‐up study on the skills attained during the courses are presented, with implications for the future role of voluntary workers.

In November 1993, the charitable organisation, Action Health, began a three‐year project in Calcutta, India, based at a school for children with special needs. The aim of the project is to provide support in developing the expertise of teachers of children with special needs in communication skills. Training as trainers is also provided for selected staff so that they may facilitate future courses for organisations in and around Calcutta. Although speech and language therapy is continually developing in India, there are still an estimated 12 million children with physical or mental disability — with only 60,000 children enrolled in general or special schools, and only c. 800 practising speech and hearing pathologists in the whole subcontinent. Existing educational services reach only 4% of the physically disabled and 0.2% of the developmentally delayed. Any resources available require careful distribution in order to make them as effective and productive as possible. The most important beneficiaries of the Action Health/REACH project will be the children attending both special schools and outreach centres in and around Calcutta. In order to establish and maintain such a service, the development of varied and innovative teaching methods among the staff is required. This calls for a recognition of the existing skills among the teachers and social workers involved, and how these may be used to good effect. The extent to which this can be achieved will act as an important guideline for the future involvement of visiting speech and language therapists in developing countries — not only in what they can offer to new projects but also how they can utilise what is already in operation. This creates an opportunity for reciprocal exchange of ideas, giving the visiting therapists a chance to learn how to adapt their own skills to meet the diverse and complex needs of a different culture within strict financial, social and geographical constraints. This will have valuable benefits for the therapists on their return, for their future invovlement in meeting the needs of their own community in the UK.
Pragmatic impairment: a case study
Authors: LEINONEN EEVA , LETTS CAROLYN
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The question of why a child may be diagnosed as having pragmatic difficulties or pragmatic impairment is one which is currently being asked by researchers and other speech and language professionals. The identifiying criteria for such a diagnosis remain unclear. This paper reports on a detailed case study of a child, Sarah (aged 9;8–10;3), who was reported to have pragmatic impairment as her primary difficulty by her speech and language therapist. The child attends a language unit within a mainstream school in the UK. A number of language (including narrative) and non‐verbal tasks have been carried out with the child over a seven‐month period, and spontaneous conversational data has also been obtained. The data is explored from grammatical, lexical and pragmatic perspectives. This child's performance is also compared with that of two groups of normal children, 6‐year‐olds and 8‐year‐olds. It is argued that Sarah has demonstrable pragmatic impairments, especially with inferencing skills, and that these impairments represent more than a developmental delay. It is also argued that these impairments cannot be explained by other linguistic difficulties that she may have. Sarah's difficulties are discussed in terms of problems building up a ‘mental model’ (Johnson‐Laird, 1983) of situations in order to be able to make effective inferences. It is hope to carry out a further study with children who have a range of specific language impairments to see to what extent such problems are restricted to the pragmatic domain, or influenced by deficits at other levels.
Auditory hallucinations and the language disorder in schizophrenic patients
Authors: NHCSS SARAH KRAMER
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The paper describes the language disorder in patients with schizophrenia by analysing natural language samples according to a theoretical model of discourse analysis. This is followed by an outline of a proposed therapy programme. The above constitutes part of a PhD study in progress. Patients with schizophrenia frequently present with ‘incoherent’ and ‘bizarre’ speech, leading to difficulties in communicating with other people. The language disorder has been described as including deficits such as reduced syntactic complexity (Morrice & Ingram, 1982; Fraser et al., 1986) and reduced numbers of ideas for the number of words spoken (Allen, 1983), but its exact nature remains elusive. Discourse analysis allows the determination of where language processing breaks down for purposes of assessment and diagnosis. This enables hypothesis‐driven therapy to target the exact level of difficulty that the subjects experience in their discourse (Lesser & Milroy, 1993). This also offers the ***possibiity of therapy evaluation studies. They could form a valuable addition to the presently small amount of evidence providing empirical support for clinical observations of the value of language therapy in schizophrenia (Gravell & France, 1991). Procedural, narrative and conversational discourse samples are currently being obtained from 12 patients with schizophrenia within the same total environment. A clinically usable prototype for discourse analysis will be presented. The application of this prototype will be discussed and interim results will be presented.
Language disorder in schizophrenic patients
Authors: KRAMER SARAH
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Patients with schizophrenia frequently present with ‘incoherent’ and ‘bizarre’ speech, leading to difficulties in communicating with other people. Discourse analysis allows the determination of where language processing breaks down for purposes of assessment and diagnosis. Procedural, narrative and conversational discourse samples are currently being obtained from 12 schizophrenic subjects within the same total environment. The application of a protocol to three discourse samples of one schizophrenic subject will be discussed.
The role of the speech and language therapist in the education of children with special educational needs
Authors: REID JENNIFER , MILLAR SALLY , DONALDSON MORAG L , GRIEVE ROBERT , TAIT LOUISE , THOMPSON GEORGE O. B. , DEAN ELIZABETH C
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  An overall aim of the study is to identify effective forms of collaboration between speech and language therapists, teachers and parents in Scotland. The study seeks to define and clarify the roles and responsibilities of speech and language therapists, teaching staff and parents in facilitating the development of speech, language and communication in children and young people with language and communication difficulties. In particular, the contribution of speech and language therapists to educational programmes is investigated. The focus is on children with significant levels of need but not exclusively those with a Record of Needs. The project employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Visits have been made to a variety of educational locations and in‐depth interviews were carried out with speech and language therapists and teaching staff. National surveys were conducted through postal questionnaires to speech and language therapists, speech and language therapy managers, teachers, advisers in special educational needs, educational psychologists, and parents. Different questionnaires were designed to elicit information specific to each group. Questionnaire returns were received from: 381 (>80%) of speech and language therapists with children on their caseload; 41 speech and language therapy managers (two outstanding); over 800 teachers from 415 schools (mainstream and special); 17 advisers in special educational needs (11 outstanding; and 11 principal educational psychologists (21 outstanding). However, since the analysis of the data is in process, this paper will focus on data collected from 47 interviews carried out during the Autumn term 1994 in five special schools and five mainstream schools located in six Scottish regions. Intervews have allowed the identification of certain elements that may enable effective speech and language therapist/teacher collaboration, these include: working together with individuals or groups of children; joint planning of classroom activities; speech and language therapist input to educational programmes; curricular influences on speech and language therapy programmes; time spent in sharing information, planning and assessment; speech and language therapists and teachers attending training sessions jointly; share framework for the integration of language and communication into the curriculum; formal remit for speech and language therapists to work within the context of educational programmes. At this stage in our research, we are not able to draw the full implications for policy development. However, we shall discuss those strategies which are being employed successfully to promote collaboration and its effectiveness in these 10 schools. The project is commissioned and funded by the Scottish Office Education Department
Undiagnosed language impairment in children with complex epilepsy as a primary disorder
Authors: PARKINSON GILLIAN M
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  As part of a larger study to examine the language abilities of children with complex epilepsy as a primary disorder, a survey was carried out to ascertain the percentage of subjects with previously undiagnosed language impairment on admission to the Children's Epilepsy Assessment Unit at the Centre. Subjects were from a nationwide catchment, and all socio‐economic groupings were represented. The age range of subjects was 5–18 years. Assessment procedures included formal and informal testing. Some subjects also had simultaneous ambulatory EEG monitoring to check for possible subclinical effects on test performance. Results of the investigations indicated that nearly 50% of subjects had undiagnosed language impairments prior to CEAU entry. Language impairment is still a concept that is often misunderstood, particularly when the symptoms are subtle, and when the subject may still be in receipt of mainstream schooling. These figures demonstrate the importance of routine assessment of children's language and communication abilities alongside other procedures, when examining the needs of the child with complex epilepsy.
Multimedia assessment and training for literacy skills
Authors: DRAFFAN E A B
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  With reference to 71 educational and specialist establishments in the USA, this paper examines how various aspects of multimedia computer technology can help and encourage those with specific learning disabilities. Research into the assessment of differing learning styles is beginning to result in specialist software and an awareness that training for the use of this technology is essential. The use of various software programs, speech to text, text to speech and the Internet are also discussed.
Increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure in anesthetized dogs affected with X‐linked muscular dystrophy after cisatracurium administration: a retrospective study
Authors: Staffieri Francesco , Sleeper Margaret , Larenza Maria Paula
Published: April 2011

Background:  Most patients affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) present with arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. Drugs which potentially may induce tachycardia or hypertension could precipitate acute cardiac failure in these patients and should be avoided.

Methods:  Thirty anesthesia records of five experimental male golden retriever cross‐bred dogs affected with X‐linked muscular dystrophy (GRDM), a model of DMD, were retrospectively reviewed (DMD group). Anesthesia records were compared with those of 10 golden retriever dogs not affected with muscular dystrophy (control group). Records were excluded if dogs received anticholinergics or vasoactive amines. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl followed by propofol, both intravenously. After orotracheal intubation, all dogs’ lungs were mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with infusion of fentanyl and propofol (DMD group) or isoflurane in oxygen (control group). Pure O2 was provided to the DMD group. Cisatracurium (0.1 mg·kg−1) was administered intravenously to all dogs. Five‐min interval recordings of HR and systolic blood pressures (SAP) were obtained.

Results:  Immediately after the administration of cisatracurium, absolute values for HR and SAP significantly increased by 78.3 ± 37.0 b·min−1 (115.4 ± 64.9%) and 33.0 ± 28.3 mmHg (33.5 ± 31.2%), respectively, in all DMD dogs and remained significantly increased for 10 and 30 min, respectively. Dogs in the control group did not show significant increases in HR or SAP after cisatracurium administration. All dogs recovered from anesthesia without complications.

Conclusion:  In this report, increases in HR and SAP could be associated with the administration of cisatracurium in individuals affected with X‐linked muscular dystrophy. These cardiovascular changes deserve further investigation.
Gains in fluid intelligence after training non‐verbal reasoning in 4‐year‐old children: a controlled, randomized study
Authors: Bergman Nutley Sissela , Söderqvist Stina , Bryde Sara , Thorell Lisa B. , Humphreys Keith , Klingberg Torkel
Published: April 2011

Fluid intelligence (Gf) predicts performance on a wide range of cognitive activities, and children with impaired Gf often experience academic difficulties. Previous attempts to improve Gf have been hampered by poor control conditions and single outcome measures. It is thus still an open question whether Gf can be improved by training. This study included 4‐year‐old children (N = 101) who performed computerized training (15 min/day for 25 days) of either non‐verbal reasoning, working memory, a combination of both, or a placebo version of the combined training. Compared to the placebo group, the non‐verbal reasoning training group improved significantly on Gf when analysed as a latent variable of several reasoning tasks. Smaller gains on problem solving tests were seen in the combination training group. The group training working memory improved on measures of working memory, but not on problem solving tests. This study shows that it is possible to improve Gf with training, which could have implications for early interventions in children.
Socioeconomic aspects of rice‐fish farming in Bangladesh: opportunities, challenges and production efficiency*
Authors: Ahmed Nesar , Zander Kerstin K. , Garnett Stephen T.
Published: April 2011

In spite of the potential for rice‐fish farming in Bangladesh, it has been adopted by relatively few farmers because of socioeconomic, environmental, technological and institutional constraints. Rice monoculture remains the main farming system in Bangladesh even though integrated rice‐fish farming is the best farming system in terms of resource utilisation, diversity, productivity, production efficiency and food supply. Only a small number of farmers involve in integrated rice‐fish farming. This study concludes that rice‐fish farming is as production efficient as rice monoculture and that integrated performs better in terms of cost and technical efficiency compared with alternate rice‐fish farming. Integrated rice‐fish farming can help Bangladesh keep pace with the current demand for food through rice and fish production. However, a lack of technical knowledge of farmers, high production costs and risks associated with flood and drought are inhibiting more widespread adoption of the practice.
Religion, Risk and Legal Culture: Balancing Human Rights against a ‘War on Terror’
Authors: Miller William L.
Published: April 2011

‘Legal cultures’ in European countries have been under the twin pressures of moves towards ‘European and international standards’ on the one hand, and the ‘war on terror’ on the other—the first exerting pressure in a liberal direction, the second exerting pressure in an authoritarian direction. Data from focus groups and interviews with the general public and Muslim minorities provide insight into how the public in general, and Muslims in particular, have responded to the pressure of terrorism and the ‘war on terror’ in a spectrum of five countries ranging across Europe. Muslims have very different attitudes towards paying the price of the so-called ‘war on terror’, but our study suggests that attitudes towards that price are directly influenced more by ‘risk assessment’ than by religion.
On the Potential of Being a Village Boy: An Argument for Local Rural Ethnography
Authors: Heley Jesse
Published: April 2011

This article explores the significance of researcher's positionality for the interpretation of local cultures of rurality. Drawing on personal experience of studying the apparent emergence of a new squirearchy in an English village, it argues that backyard ethnographies, in which researchers study worlds with which they are already familiar if not intimate, can offer valuable insights into cultures of rurality by facilitating particular forms of disclosure and understanding. While the potential value of insider status, and indeed participant observation, has become increasingly debated in rural research, the implications of being local have been largely neglected. The article discusses the significance of being local in terms of privileged access to elite cultures in rural space, focusing on how it assists enquiry in terms of acceptance, observation and interpretation. At the same time, it highlights some of the challenges to this mode of investigation. The article draws on material from a locality based study of the so‐called new squirearchy in England.
Forensic identification: the island problem and its generalisations
Authors: Slooten Klaas , Meester Ronald
Published: April 2011

In forensics it is a classical problem to determine, when a suspect S shares a property Γ with a criminal C, the probability that S = C. In this article we give a detailed account of this problem in various degrees of generality. We start with the classical case where the probability of having Γ, as well as the a priori probability of being the criminal, is the same for all individuals. We then generalize the solution to deal with heterogeneous populations, biased search procedures for the suspect, Γ‐correlations, uncertainty about the subpopulation of the criminal and the suspect, and uncertainty about theΓ‐frequencies. We also consider the effect of the way the search for S is conducted, in particular when this is done by a database search. A returning theme is that we show that conditioning is of importance when one wants to quantify the ‘weight’ of the evidence by a likelihood ratio. Apart from these mathematical issues, we also discuss the practical problems in applying these issues to the legal process. The posterior probabilities of C = S are typically the same for all reasonable choices of the hypotheses, but this is not the whole story. The legal process might force one to dismiss certain hypotheses, for instance when the relevant likelihood ratio depends on prior probabilities. We discuss this and related issues as well. As such, the article is relevant both from a theoretical and from an applied point of view.
Returns to Type or Tenure?
Authors: Amann Roland A. , Klein Tobias J.
Published: April 2011

A regression of wages on firm tenure is likely to yield biased estimates of the returns to tenure because tenure and wages are confounded by unobserved attributes of the job and the unobserved quality of the match between the firm and the employee. Previously, the within-job variation in tenure has been used as an instrument to estimate the average returns to tenure. We propose to use instead an easy-to-implement control function estimator for the returns to tenure and their dependence on unobserved heterogeneity. The results obtained for Germany indicate that there is a substantial amount of unobserved heterogeneity in the returns to tenure and that good job matches are characterized by higher returns to tenure in the first 5 years and lower returns thereafter.
Investigating the Behavioural Characteristics of Lottery Players by Using a Combination Preference Model for Conscious Selection
Authors: Baker Rose , McHale Ian G.
Published: April 2011

Conscious selection describes the process by which lottery players choose numbers non-randomly on their tickets. The only theoretical model that has been produced to date models conscious selection as number preference; for example players may tend to choose ‘lucky’ numbers. This model, however, does not fit the observed distributions of the numbers of winners of prizes well. We present a theoretical model in which clusters of similar number combinations are preferentially chosen. This three-parameter model gives a convincing visual fit to the long-tailed distributions of numbers of winners and accurately reproduces the correlations between the numbers of winners of the various tiers of prize. Our model is fitted to lottery data and the fit is compared with those of previous models that have been employed for conscious selection. We then use the model to contrast features of lottery player behaviour in two of the biggest lotteries in the world: the UK National Lottery game, lotto, and Spain’s El Gordo de la Primitiva. Finally, we use the model to detect any changes in UK player behaviour over time.
2,3‐Dimercaptopropanol, a thiol chelator, alleviates gastroduodenal ulcers in rats
Authors: Al Moutaery Meshal , Al Rayes Hannan , Al Swailam Ramaiz , Elfaki Ibrahim , Khan Haseeb Ahmad , Alhomida Abdullah Saleh , Arshaduddin Mohammad , Tariq Mohammad
Published: April 2011

Earlier studies have implicated reactive oxygen species and transitional metals in the pathogenesis of gastric lesions. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of 2,3‐dimercaptopropanol (DMP), a thiol compound and metal chelator, on chemically induced gastroduodenal ulcers in rats. Acid secretion studies were undertaken using pylorus‐ligated rats pretreated with DMP (3–100 mg/kg, i.p.). The effect of orally administered DMP on cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcers and ethanol‐induced gastric ulcers was also tested. The level of nonprotein sulfhydryls (NP‐SH) and gastric wall mucus was measured in the glandular stomach of rats treated with ethanol. None of the dose of DMP affected the volume or acidity of gastric secretion. Low doses of DMP (3 and 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcers, whereas the high doses (30 and 100 mg/kg) were ineffective in this model. All the doses of DMP significantly and dose dependently attenuated ethanol‐induced gastric lesions. The adverse effects of ethanol on gastric wall mucus and NP‐SH were significantly and dose dependently reversed by DMP. In conclusion, the protective effects of DMP appear to be independent of gastric acid secretion and may be associated with counteracting the oxidative stress by replenishing glutathione and reducing the pool of transition metals.
Labour In and Out of Government: Political Ideas, Political Practice and the British Political Tradition
Authors: Blunkett David , Richards David
Published: April 2011

This article is a commentary-style piece on the last Labour administration, reflecting on the relationship between ideas, actors, structures and events in shaping political practice. It is organised around two core but not mutually exclusive themes: the translation of ideas into political practice and the role of the British political tradition in shaping this process. The view offered within is that the British political tradition provides a useful analytical framework to help explain the gap between the devolution-ideational aspirations of New Labour's Third Way and the empirical reality of a centralised public policy programme pursued between 1997 and 2010. It concludes by considering the relationship between the British political tradition and the Big Society programme currently being rolled out by the coalition government.
Pigment‐dispersing factor affects circadian molecular oscillations in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: HASSANEEN Ehab , SALLAM Alaa El‐Din , ABO‐GHALIA Ahmad , MORIYAMA Yoshiyuki , TOMIOKA Kenji
Published: April 2011

Pigment‐dispersing factor (PDF) is an important neurotransmitter in insect circadian systems. In the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, it affects nocturnal activity, the free‐running period and photic entrainment. In this study, to investigate whether these effects of PDF occur through a circadian molecular machinery, we measured mRNA levels of clock genes period (per) and timeless (tim) in crickets with pdf expression knocked‐down by pdf RNAi. The pdf RNAi decreased per and tim mRNA levels during the night to reduce the amplitude of their oscillation. The phase of the rhythm advanced by about 4 h in terms of trough and/or peak phases. On the other hand, pdf mRNA levels were little affected by per and tim RNAi treatment. These results suggest that PDF affects the circadian rhythm at least in part through the circadian molecular oscillation while the circadian clock has little effect on the pdf expression.
Life‐history traits related to diapause in univoltine and bivoltine populations of Ypthima multistriata (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) inhabiting similar latitudes
Authors: NORIYUKI Suzuki , AKIYAMA Koji , NISHIDA Takayoshi
Published: April 2011

In most temperate insects, diapause strategies and voltinism generally exhibit latitudinal clines, supporting the concept that they represent adaptations to climate. In contrast, in the satyrine butterfly Ypthima multistriata Butler, local populations with different voltinism patterns are geographically intermingled, suggesting that life‐history traits related to diapause may differ even between geographically and phylogenetically close populations. In this study, we experimentally examined the critical photoperiod for diapause induction and the larval developmental period in two univoltine and two bivoltine populations of Y. multistriata, all of which inhabit virtually the same latitude (34.652–34.750°N). We found that the critical photoperiod for diapause induction was longer in the univoltine populations than in the bivoltine populations. Moreover, the larval period under the long day length treatment was different among populations in both sexes, although significant differences were also detected between populations with the same voltinism. These results indicate that in Y. multistriata, life‐history traits related to diapause can not be attributed merely to climatic conditions such as temperature or day length, which depend largely on latitude. Therefore, we suggest that biotic elements, such as leaf toughness, as well as abiotic elements should be taken into account in attempts to explain the enigmatic pattern of geographic variation in the diapause strategies of Y. multistriata.
Individual feeding specialisation of a naïve vs. veteran predators
Authors: Knudsen Rune , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Rikardsen Audun H
Published: April 2011

Abstract – We explored the incidence of individual feeding specialisation among a naïve predator (non‐native rainbow trout postsmolts) and two native experienced predators (sea‐run Arctic charr and sea‐trout) in a subarctic Norwegian fjord. Interindividual foraging niche stability was obtained by combining information on stomach contents (recent dietary niche) with trophically transmitted parasite infestation (time‐integrated historical dietary niche) of individual predators. Individual fish showed a high degree of resource specialisation as prey items such as gammarids and small fish (both potential intermediate host of parasites) rarely co‐occurred in stomachs. In both naïve and veteran predators, positive associations between the intensity of a specific parasite species and the occurrence of their respective intermediate host (gammarids or fish) in the stomachs of individual predators demonstrated temporally interindividual feeding specialisations. Several behavioural phenotypes clearly co‐existed in both naïve and veteran predator populations, including gammaridivore (benthic feeders), piscivore (pelagic feeders) or insectivore (pleuston feeders) individuals. The likely mechanism of this observed interindividual resource specialisation in the non‐native naïve predators involves a behavioural component of which rapid learning seems to be a key factor.
Chronic suppurative otitis media in children of Luanda, Angola
Authors: Taipale Anni , Pelkonen Tuula , Taipale Marko , Bernardino Luis , Peltola Heikki , Pitkäranta Anne
Published: April 2011

Aim:  Evaluation of clinical characteristics, bacteriology and hearing in paediatric patients with and without chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in Luanda, Angola.

Methods:  Interview, clinical examination, ear‐discharge culture, open air pure‐tone audiometry and brainstem auditory‐evoked potentials of 23 outpatients with CSOM and 23 controls in a paediatric hospital.

Results:  Of the CSOM vs. control children, 35% vs. 26% had running water, 70% vs. 70% electricity, 64% vs. 0% HIV (p < 0.0001) and 36% vs. 0% tuberculosis in history (p = 0.002). Ten (43%) children had bilateral CSOM. The major ear‐discharge pathogens were Proteus spp. (44%) and Pseudomonas (22%). Hearing impairment of >25 dB was present in 52% of CSOM‐affected ears and bilateral hearing loss in 7 (30%) CSOM children vs. zero control child (p = 0.009). Only one hearing‐impaired child’s family had previously detected the handicap.

Conclusion:  CSOM occurred in children with high co‐morbidity. Persistent otorrhoea was usually caused by Proteus spp. or Pseudomonas, and often suggestive of either HIV or hearing impairment. In the developing countries, prompt diagnosis and treatment of CSOM would enhance the children’s linguistic and academic development.
Role of a Novel Tetrodotoxin-Resistant Sodium Channel in the Nitrergic Relaxation of Corpus Cavernosum from the South American Rattlesnake Crotalus Durissus Terrificus
Authors: Capel Rodrigo O. , Mónica Fabíola Z. , Porto Marcovan , Barillas Samuel , Muscará Marcelo Nicolás , Teixeira Simone Aparecida , Arruda André Moreira Martins , Pissinatti Lorenzo , Pissinatti Alcides , Schenka André A. , Antunes Edson , Nahoum César , Cogo José Carlos , de Oliveira Marco Antonio , De Nucci Gilberto
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Coitus in snakes may last up to 28 hours; however, the mechanisms involved are unknown.

Aim

To evaluate the relevance of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) system in snake corpus cavernosum reactivity.

Methods

Hemipenes were removed from anesthetized South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) and studied by light and scanning electronic microscopy. Isolated Crotalus corpora cavernosa (CCC) were dissected from the non-spiny region of the hemipenises, and tissue reactivity was assessed in organ baths.

Main Outcome Measures

Cumulative concentration-response curves were constructed for acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 5-cyclopropyl-2-[1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-yl]pyrimidin-4-ylamine (BAY 41-2272), and tadalafil in CCC precontracted with phenylephrine. Relaxation induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was also done in the absence and presence of Nω nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 µM), 1H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 µM) and tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1 µM).

Results

The hemipenes consisted of two functionally concentric corpora cavernosa, one of them containing radiating bundles of smooth muscle fibers (confirmed by α-actin immunostaining). Endothelial and neural nitric oxide synthases were present in the endothelium and neural structures, respectively; whereas soluble guanylate cyclase and PDE5 were expressed in trabecular smooth muscle. ACh and SNP relaxed isolated CCC, with the relaxations being markedly reduced by L-NAME and ODQ, respectively. BAY 41-2272 and tadalafil caused sustained relaxations with potency (pEC50) values of 5.84 ± 0.17 and 5.10 ± 0.08 (N=3–4), respectively. In precontracted CCC, EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxations that lasted three times longer than those in mammalian CC. Although these relaxations were almost abolished by either L-NAME or ODQ, they were unaffected by TTX. In contrast, EFS-induced relaxations in marmoset CC were abolished by TTX.

Conclusions

Rattlesnake CC relaxation is mediated by the NO-cGMP-PDE5 pathway in a manner similar to mammals. The novel TTX-resistant Na channel identified here may be responsible for the slow response of smooth muscle following nerve stimulation and could explain the extraordinary duration of snake coitus.
Distinctive Features of Female-to-Male Transsexualism and Prevalence of Gender Identity Disorder in Japan
Authors: Baba Tsuyoshi , Endo Toshiaki , Ikeda Keiko , Shimizu Ayumi , Honnma Hiroyuki , Ikeda Hiroshi , Masumori Naoya , Ohmura Tousei , Kiya Tamotsu , Fujimoto Takashi , Koizumi Motoiki , Saito Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2011

Introduction

The prevalence of transsexualism is thought to differ among socio-geographic backgrounds, and little is known about its prevalence in Japan. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is known to be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, is often seen in female-to-male (FTM) transsexual patients. Consequently, detection of PCOS is an important part of health care for these individuals.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of transsexuality in Japan, as well as the incidences of PCOS and insulin resistance among Japanese FTM transsexual patients.

Methods

One hundred four male-to-female (MTF) and 238 FTM Japanese transsexual patients were studied. Medical histories, including histories of menstrual cycling and hormone treatment, were taken. To exclude other diseases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hormone-secreting tumors, thorough medical assessments, including transvaginal or transrectal ultrasonography and measurement of serum hormone levels and insulin resistance indexes, were performed.

Main Outcome Measures

The diagnosis of PCOS was based on the Rotterdam 2003 criteria.

Results

Based on demographic statistics, the prevalences of MTF and FTM transsexuality are about 3.97 and 8.20 per 100,000 people, respectively, making the MTF-to-FTM ratio about 1:2. Of the FTM transsexual patients studied, 128 had not taken hormones before their initial assessment (untreated group); the remaining 50 self-administered androgen. Among the untreated group, 32.0% were diagnosed with PCOS, 30.1% were insulin-resistant, and 31.1% showed hypoadiponectinemia.

Conclusions

The sex ratio among Japanese transsexuals is different than among Caucasians. PCOS and insulin resistance are common findings in FTM transsexual patients at initial presentation.
Shelf Life Study of Fresh Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Grown under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Treatments
Authors: Rizzo Valeria , Muratore Giuseppe , Russo Marco Antonio , Belligno Adalgisa
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  Nitrogen fertilization is useful for obtaining higher growth and quality of productions, and the use of nitrogen fertilization is widespread. To evaluate the influence of nitrogen‐rich fertilizers on quality characteristics of celery, shelf life tests of celery grown with 2 levels of nitrogen and 2 different nitrogen fertilizers were performed. The treatments of the celery samples were identified as follows: T1, mineral nitrogen (80 kg ha−1); T2, mineral nitrogen (120 kg ha−1); T3, organic nitrogen (80 kg ha−1); T4, organic nitrogen (120 kg ha−1); R4, residual organic nitrogen (120 kg ha−1); and C, untreated control. Celery plants were selected and packaged in either of the following 2 plastic films: antifog polyolefin (AFP) film or microperforated polypropylene (MPP) film. The nitrate contents, weight loss, hardness, changes in color parameters, and total phenols were studied for both packaging types during storage. The results demonstrated that celery fertilized with organic nitrogen and packaged in AFP film reached a shelf life of 37 d. The control sample packaged in MPP film was not marketable after 20 d, but the same untreated sample packaged in AFP film reached a shelf life of 30 d.

Practical Application:  We consider the opportunity to apply a new packaging solution that could increase the shelf life of the product having highest interest on the markets. The positive effect of the organic nitrogen fertilization supply together with the packaging solutions a possible increasing in shelf life, reducing almost completely weight loss, and guaranteeing better hygiene and conservation. The organic nitrogen fertilization and the packaging solution could achieve the best result for the environment and for the economic management of agricultural cooperative.
Potassium Acetate and Potassium Lactate Enhance the Microbiological and Physical Properties of Marinated Catfish Fillets
Authors: Kin Sovann , Schilling M. Wes , Smith Brian S. , Silva Juan L. , Kim Taejo , Pham Alessandra J. , Campano Stephen G.
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  Sodium or potassium salts such as lactate and acetate can be used to inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria and food‐borne pathogens, and thereby prolong the shelf‐life of refrigerated seafood. However, minimal information is available regarding the combined effects of potassium salts (acetate and lactate) with an agglomerated phosphate blend on the quality and safety of refrigerated catfish fillets. The objective of this study was to determine the microbiological and quality characteristics of marinated catfish fillets treated with organic acid salts. Catfish fillets were vacuum‐tumbled with a brine solution with and without the added organic acid salts, at 10% over initial, raw weight prior to tray‐packing and storage at 4 °C for 14 d. Fillets were evaluated for yields, color, pH, tenderness, consumer acceptability, and shelf‐life. No differences (P > 0.05) existed among the treated and untreated fillets with regards to solution pick‐up and pH, but all treated fillets increased (P < 0.05) cooking yields and Intl. Commission on Illumination (CIE) a* values, and decreased (P < 0.05) CIE L* and b* values in the catfish fillets when compared to the untreated fillets. The fillets treated with a combination of potassium acetate and potassium lactate had lower (P < 0.05) psychrotrophic plate counts and lower spoilage scores than the control treatments on days 7, 10, and 14. In addition, consumers preferred (P < 0.05) treated catfish fillets (fried) with respect to appearance, flavor, and overall acceptability over the negative control. In conclusion, the combination of potassium acetate and potassium lactate enhanced sensory quality and extended the shelf‐life of refrigerated catfish fillets.
Mineral Oil–Chitosan Emulsion Coatings Affect Quality and Shelf‐Life of Coated Eggs during Refrigerated and Room Temperature Storage
Authors: Torrico Damir D. , No Hong Kyoon , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Janes Marlene , Corredor José A.H. , Osorio Luis F.
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  Effects of mineral oil (MO) and 4 emulsions (prepared with different emulsifier types) of MO and chitosan solution (CH) at a fixed ratio of MO:CH = 25:75 as coating materials in preserving the internal quality of eggs were evaluated during 5 wk at 25 °C and 20 wk at 4 °C. Generally, as storage time increased, Haugh unit and yolk index values decreased whereas weight loss increased. However, MO and/or 4 emulsion coatings minimized the weight loss (<1.5%) and preserved the albumen and yolk quality of eggs (with the final B grade) for at least 3 wk longer than those observed for noncoated eggs at 25 °C. At 4 °C, all coated eggs changed from AA to A grade after 5 wk and they maintained this grade for 10 wk (5 wk longer than that of noncoated eggs). Although refrigeration (4 °C) alone could maintain the B grade of noncoated eggs for up to 20 wk, coating treatments were necessary to keep the weight loss below 2%. Compared with 4 °C, the increasing weight loss showed stronger negative correlation (P < 0.01) with the decreasing Haugh unit (–0.46 to –0.89) and yolk index (–0.36 to –0.89) at 25 °C. The emulsifier type used in this study generally did not affect the internal quality of eggs. Salmonella spp. detection was negative for all coated and noncoated eggs. This study demonstrated that MO and MO:CH emulsion coatings preserved the internal quality, prolonged the shelf‐life, and minimized weight loss (<2%) of eggs.

Practical Application:  Eggs are highly susceptible to internal quality deterioration. The most profound factor that affects quality deterioration rate of eggs is storage temperature. Nevertheless, in some developing regions of the world where refrigeration of eggs is seldom practiced, surface coating is an alternative method to preserve the internal quality of eggs and to prevent microbial contamination. This study demonstrated that MO:CH emulsion coatings could preserve the internal quality, prolong the shelf‐life, and minimize weight loss of eggs during storage.
Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Fesoterodine in Asian Patients with Overactive Bladder
Authors: YAMAGUCHI Osamu , NISHIZAWA Osamu , TAKEDA Masayuki , YOSHIDA Masaki , CHOO Myung‐Soo , GU LEE Jeong , TONG‐LONG LIN Alex , LIN Ho‐Hsiung , ANDREW YIP Wai‐chun , ISOWA Hitoshi , HIRO Shintaro
Published: April 2011

Objectives: To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg once daily (QD) compared with placebo in Asian subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) after 12 weeks of treatment.

Methods: This phase II, dose‐finding study consisted of a 2‐week placebo run‐in period followed by a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, treatment period. Eligible subjects were aged ≥20 years with ≥8 micturitions per 24 h and ≥1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes per 24 h reported in a 3‐day diary. The subjects were randomized to receive placebo, fesoterodine 4 mg, or fesoterodine 8 mg QD for 12 weeks.

Results: Of 1232 subjects who entered the placebo run‐in period, 951 received double‐blind treatment. The mean number of UUI episodes per 24 h at baseline was 2.2 among the three treatment groups. The two fesoterodine groups showed statistically significant decreases from baseline in the mean number of UUI episodes per 24 h at week 12 (primary endpoint) compared with placebo. Most all‐causality adverse events (e.g. dry mouth and constipation) were mild or moderate. The percentage of subjects with severe adverse events was low and similar among the treatment groups (placebo, 1.3%; fesoterodine 4 mg, 1.9%; fesoterodine 8 mg, 1.0%).

Conclusion: Fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg QD were significantly better than placebo in improving OAB symptoms. Overall, the two fesoterodine dosing regimens were well tolerated. These results suggest that fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg QD are effective and well‐tolerated treatments for OAB in Asian subjects.
Role of surgery for stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Jun
Published: April 2011

Perhaps no topic other than stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small‐cell lung cancer management is as controversial among surgeons, radiologists and medical oncologists. Much of the debate relates to the choice between surgical resection and radiation as the local control modality. Although limited, available evidence from randomized controlled trails raised concerns about the role of surgical resection. However, there is no perfect study, and the results should not be over‐interpreted. This mini review will scrutinize these trials, focusing on the study design, results and, most importantly, limitations, and will explore the possible role of surgery for stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small‐cell lung cancer.