bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Increased Risk of Prediabetes in the Uremic Patient
Authors: Shehab Eldin Walid , Ragheb Ahmed , Klassen Judy , Shoker Ahmed
Published: December 2007

A prediabetic state is defined as a higher than normal blood glucose level but not yet high enough to meet the diagnosis of overt diabetes mellitus. While patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy are vulnerable to hypoglycemia, we believe that there is sufficient evidence that uremic nondiabetic patients are susceptible to hyperglycemia, which calls for more attention that uremia is a prediabetic state. It is, therefore, intriguing to identify these uremic factors which lead to prediabetes. Such a study may have significance to improve uremic patients’ outcomes. To raise the awareness of the uremic prediabetic state, this review will, therefore, elaborate on the analysis of factors important in the development of prediabetes in uremia and will delineate whether their modification leads to an improved patient outcome.
Prevalence of Cognitive and Functional Impairment in a Community Sample from São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Hototian Sergio R. , Lopes Marcos A. , Azevedo Dionisio , Tatsch Mariana , Bazzarella Mario C. , Bustamante Sonia E.Z. , Litvoc Julio , Bottino Cássio M.C.
Published: December 2007

Aims: To present the prevalence of cognitive and functional impairment (CFI) in community-dwelling elderly subjects from the city of São Paulo. Methods: The population was aged 60 years and older (n = 1,563; 68.7% women and 31.3% men) and lived in different socioeconomic areas. The following instruments were administered to the elderly: the Mini Mental State Examination and the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation. The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and the Bayer-Activities of Daily Living scale were administered to an informant. Results: The prevalence of CFI (n = 250) was 16% (95% confidence interval, CI: 14.2–17.8%) or 15.8% (95% CI: 13.8–17.8%). In regression models, the increase in the odds ratio (OR) of CFI was associated with age, for elderly individuals aged 75 years or older, illiterates or with 1–4 years of schooling, and with a history of stroke and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, for subjects with a tumor history, the OR of CFI was significantly reduced. Conclusion: CFI was high and increased at older ages and in subjects with low education. Potentially changeable factors were identified (stroke and diabetes), and the possible ‘protective effect’ of tumor/cancer against CFI should be further investigated by longitudinal studies.
Cerebrospinal Fluid/Serum IgG Index Is Correlated with Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuko , Yanase Daisuke , Noguchi-Shinohara Moeko , Ono Kenjiro , Yoshita Mitsuhiro , Yamada Masahito
Published: December 2007

Background/Aim: Intrathecal inflammation has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there is little clinical evidence in support of this hypothesis in AD patients. We previously reported that the blood-brain barrier permeability represented by the cerebrospinal fluid/serum albumin ratio correlates with medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) in AD.The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between intrathecal inflammation and the severity of AD. Methods: We investigated the correlations between the cerebrospinal fluid/serum IgG index and the indices of AD severity, including Clinical Dementia Rating and Mini-Mental State Examination, and MTA on magnetic resonance imaging in 42 AD patients. Further, the number of apolipoprotein E isoforms and the blood-brain barrier permeability were also examined for the correlation with the IgG index. Results: The IgG index showed a positive correlation with the severity of MTA but not with the other parameters examined. Conclusion: Our results suggest that intrathecal inflammation increases in association with the severity of MTA in AD.
Perceptions and Beliefs concerning Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Physicians and Patients Disagree
Authors: Reimer Christina , Bytzer Peter
Published: December 2007

Background/Aim: There is insufficient evidence to support an association between lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Furthermore, perceptions concerning the impact of GERD on lifestyle are largely unknown. We aimed at investigating physicians’ perceptions about GERD and lifestyle and at evaluating physician-patient agreement concerning the impact of GERD on the quality of life. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all Danish primary care physicians (n = 3,603, response rate 36%) and to all Danish gastroenterologists (n = 624, response rate 50%). Another questionnaire was completed by 176 GERD patients on medical therapy (84% on proton pump inhibitors). Results: 35% of the physicians believe GERD is predominantly caused by lifestyle and 51% always recommend lifestyle modifications. According to the physicians, the three most frequently affected aspects of quality of life were sleep disturbances (24%), limitations in physical activities (22%) and tiredness (18%). However, according to the patients, the three most frequently reported aspects were dietary restrictions (63%), tiredness/lack of energy (49%) and health concerns (44%). 70% of the physicians considered complete absence of symptoms as a useful goal for therapy. 72% of the patients reported recent symptoms, despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions. Conclusions: Physicians and GERD patients disagree on impairments of quality of life. Many patients reported frequent symptoms despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions.
Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (Caelyx®) in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Community-Based Observation Study
Authors: Salzberg Marc , Thürlimann Beat , Hasler Ursula , Delmore Geoffrey , von Rohr Albert , Thürlimann Annatina , Ruhstaller Thomas , Stopatschinskaja Shanna , von Moos Roger
Published: December 2007

Objectives: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has improved therapy options significantly, as it causes less myelosuppression, nausea, vomiting, and alopecia than conventional doxorubicin, while maintaining efficacy. The goal of this survey was to determine whether the use of PLD in a community-based patient group is comparable regarding chemotherapeutic doses and side effects to preselected study patients. Methods: 100 questionnaires were randomly sent to Swiss oncologists in private practices, general hospitals and university hospitals. Results: The patient cohort was heterogeneous with respect to prior treatments. PLD was an active agent in metastatic breast cancer and was well tolerated by the majority of patients. The most common non-hematological side effects were hand-foot syndrome (HFS) and mucositis while only patients receiving a dose of 50 mg/m2 (recommended dose) experienced grade 4 HFS. The reported mean dose of PLD was 38.5 mg/m2. Conclusions: This community-based observational study supports previous reports indicating that PLD at a median dose of ≤40 mg/m2 every 4 weeks is an active, well-tolerated agent in non-selected, pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Total Plasma Homocysteine in Hospitalized Elderly: Associations with Vitamin Status and Renal Function
Authors: Ramel Alfons , Jonsson Palmi V. , Bjornsson Sigurbjorn , Thorsdottir Inga
Published: December 2007

Aims: To describe the prevalence of hyperhomocystein- emia (>15 µmol/l) in hospitalized elderly and to investigate whether nutrition status and other factors are related to total plasma homocysteine (tHcy). Methods: Sixty hospitalized elderly patients (age 83.0 ± 7.9 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood was drawn in fasting state and analyzed for albumin, prealbumin, lymphocytes, tHcy, cystatin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12. The nutritional status was assessed. Statistical analyses included multivariate regression. Results: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 31.7%, increased cystatin C was observed in 38.3% of the subjects. tHcy correlated positively with cystatin C, but negatively with vitamin B12 and folic acid. Neither age nor nutritional status were related to tHcy. In multivariate analysis, folic acid and cystatin C remained significant predictors of tHcy (adjusted R2 = 60.6%). According to the regression model, serum folic acid concentrations >30.3 nmol/l are required to achieve a mean tHcy <15.0 µmol/l in patients with reduced renal function. Conclusions: Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequent in hospitalized elderly. Cystatin C and folic acid explain most of the tHcy variance. Higher folic acid levels within the normal range might further decrease tHcy. The current lower folic acid cutoff value (7 nmol/l) might not be sufficient in preventing homocysteinemia in hospitalized elderly with reduced renal function.
Prognostic Factors in Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Lin Yu-Lin , Chung Chih-Yuan , Chang Cheng-Shyong , Wu Jia-Shing , Kuo Kuan-Ting , Kuo Sung-Hsin , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: December 2007

Background: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. The clinicopathological features of EPSCC remain poorly defined. Patients and Methods: Patients with the clinicopathological features of EPSCC, treated at three major medical centers in Taiwan, were included. Histologic and clinical diagnoses, smoking history, staging, clinical course and treatment outcome were reviewed and analyzed. Results: A total of 90 patients, treated between 1995 and 2005, were eligible for analysis. Forty-nine patients had limited disease and 41 extensive disease. Ten, 18, 17 and 45 patients received no treatment, local treatment, chemotherapy alone or combined modality treatment, respectively; the median survival for these four groups was 1.1, 13.8, 6.7 and 24.9 months. The origin of cancer was head and neck in 17, gastrointestinal in 27, genitourinary in 10, gynecologic in 27 and unknown in 9 patients; the median survival time was 34.2, 6.4, 9.1, 23.7 and 9.2 months, respectively. Ten out of 90 patients were long-term survivors, and 9 of them had tumors of head-and-neck and gynecologic origin. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between smokers and non-smokers. Factors associated with survival in univariate analysis included age ≤60, female gender, limited disease, head-and-neck and gynecologic origin, as well as combined modality treatment. However, in multivariate analysis, only female gender, limited disease and combined modality treatment were independent predictors of survival. Conclusions: Female gender, limited disease and combined modality treatment are favorable prognostic factors for patients with EPSCC. Prolonged survival is more likely in patients with tumors of head-and-neck and gynecologic origin.
Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy with Epirubicin in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis
Authors: Ikeda Masafumi , Okusaka Takuji , Ueno Hideki , Morizane Chigusa , Iwasa Satoru , Hagihara Atsushi , Kojima Yasushi
Published: December 2007

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antitumor, survival, and adverse effects of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using epirubicin in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombosis. Methods: The study population comprised 45 consecutive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma associated with tumor thrombosis in the main and/or first portal vein. A dose of 50–60 mg/m2 epirubicin was administered from the proper, right, or left hepatic artery. Treatment was repeated every 4–12 weeks if there was no evidence of tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Of the 45 treated patients, 4 (9%) achieved a partial response, 12 (27%) had no change, and 29 (64%) showed progressive disease. The median survival time, 1-year survival rate and median time to progression were 6.0 months, 20.0%, and 1.1 months for all patients, respectively. The main grade 3 and 4 toxicities were leukopenia (27%), neutropenia (47%), thrombocytopenia (9%), and elevation of aspartate (36%) and alanine aminotransferases (13%). Febrile neutropenia was observed in 2 patients (4%). Conclusion: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with epirubicin is well tolerated, but appears to have little activity as a single agent in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombosis.
Nocturnal Hypertension Is Associated with an Exacerbation of the Endothelial Damage in Preeclampsia
Authors: Bouchlariotou Sofia , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Dovas Spiros , Giannopoulou Myrto , Kiropoulos Theodoros , Zarogiannis Sotirios , Gatselos Georgios , Zachopoulos Thomas , Kyriakou Despina S. , Kallitsaris Athanasios , Messinis Ioannis , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: December 2007

Background: Non-dipping pattern of circadian blood pressure in preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The pathogenetic mechanisms of this relationship are still unclear. We investigated whether non-dipping in preeclampsia could relate to endothelial activation or damage. Methods: Participants, 20 women with normal pregnancy (mean age 29.9 ± 5.7 years) and 31 women with preeclampsia (mean age 29.1 ± 5.1 years), un- derwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf), marker of endothelial damage and of soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1), and markers of endothelial activation were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays. Results: Based on whether the nocturnal mean arterial pressure (MAP) relative to the daytime MAP declined by less than 10%, 21 women with preeclampsia were categorized as non-dippers. Compared to healthy pregnant women, patients with preeclampsia showed significantly enhanced levels of vWf (206.9 ± 40.6 vs. 123 ± 24 IU/dl;p<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (2,269 ± 426 vs.1,159.8 ± 340 ng/ml; p < 0.01). In addition, significantly higher levels of vWf (224.5 ± 34.9 vs. 170 ± 23 IU/dl; p < 0.01) and sVCAM-1 (2,405 ± 421.4 vs. 1,983 ± 276.7 ng/ml; p = 0.007) were determined, when women with preeclampsia and nocturnal hypertension (non-dippers) were compared to dippers. The results were similar even after adjustment for severity of preeclampsia. In contrast, neither preeclampsia nor dipping status had an effect on sICAM-1 levels. Conclusion: Nocturnal hypertension in preeclampsia is associated with elevated levels of molecules related to endothelial damage. Endothelial damage is a recognized pathogenetic factor for atherosclerosis and history of preeclampsia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this context, possible clinical im-plications of our findings deserve further investigation.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protein Expression in a Renal Ablation Rabbit Model under Prolonged Warm and Cold Ischemia
Authors: Constantinides Constantinos A. , Tyritzis Stavros I. , Evangelou Constantinos , Kyroudi Aspasia , Liatsikos Evangelos , Karamessinis Panagiotis , Zervas Anastasios , Pavlakis Kitty
Published: December 2007

Background/Aims: To establish a potential correlation between renal and systemic production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein after prolonged ischemia in a renal ablation model under normothermic and hypothermic conditions. Methods: 38 uninephrectomized New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups. The rabbits of each group underwent partial nephrectomy under 90 and 60 min of warm and 90 and 120 min of cold ischemia, except for the sham group (S), which served as control. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood-urea-nitrogen (BUN) levels were assessed. On the 15th postoperative day (POD), the animals were euthanized and the remaining kidneys were evaluated. VEGF immunohistochemistry and serum Western blot analysis were performed. Results: In comparison to the control group, groups 60W, 90C and 120C showed 1.6-, 1.14- and 1.75-fold decreases, respectively, while the production of VEGF was significantly declined by 7.4-fold in group 90W (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed prominent VEGF staining in the above-mentioned three groups, while in group 90W staining was negative. Serum biochemistry and microscopic evaluation verified the same differentiation. Conclusion: Renal and serum VEGF seem to have an analogous expression under conditions of prolonged ischemia. VEGF is overexpressed in hypothermic conditions compared to warm ischemia exceeding 60 min. Hypothermia can be more advantageous in a procedure applying prolonged ischemia.
Bali's Tourism Interests: Local Responses To Suharto's Globalization Policies
Authors: Ostrom Richard
Published: December 2007

During the Suharto regime many decisions were made unilaterally, and often profits from various endeavours outside of Java were redirected back to the capital. This article discusses how some Balinese political cartoonists reacted to the inequality and exploitation they felt characterized tourism related developments on their heavily visited island. Some of their work, which was done just as the New Order was coming to a close, is displayed and analysed here.
Concentration‐QT Relationships Play a Key Role in the Evaluation of Proarrhythmic Risk During Regulatory Review
Authors: Garnett Christin E. , Beasley Nhi , Bhattaram V. Atul , Jadhav Pravi R. , Madabushi Rajanikanth , Stockbridge Norman , Tornøe Christoffe W. , Wang Yaning , Zhu Hao , Gobburu Jogara V.
Published: December 2007

The criterion for assessing whether a drug prolongs QT as described in the International Conference on Harmonization topic E14 guideline does not explicitly account for individual drug concentrations. The authors’ experience with reviewing QT studies indicates that understanding the relationship, if any, between individual drug concentration and QT change provides important additional information to support regulatory decision making. Therefore, regulatory reviews of “thorough QT” studies routinely include a characterization of the concentration‐QT relationship. The authors provide examples to illustrate how the concentration‐QT relationship has been used to plan and interpret the thorough QT study, to evaluate QT risk for drugs that have no thorough QT studies, to assess QT risk in subpopulations, to make dose adjustments, and to write informative drug labels.
Effect of Rifampin, an Inducer of CYP3A and P‐glycoprotein, on the Pharmacokinetics of Risperidone
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Ah , Park Pil‐Whan , Liu Kwang‐Hyeon , Kim Kwon‐Bok , Lee Heon‐Jeong , Shin Jae‐Gook , Park Ji‐Young
Published: December 2007

The authors studied the effect of rifampin, a dual inducer of CYP3A and P‐glycoprotein, on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of risperidone in humans. Ten healthy male subjects were treated daily for 7 days with 600 mg rifampin or with placebo. On day 6, a single dose of 1 mg risperidone was administered. Plasma risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone concentrations were measured. Rifampin significantly decreased the mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve by 51% for risperidone, by 43% for 9‐hydroxyrisperidone, and by 45% for the active moieties (risperidone + 9‐hydroxyrisperidone). Rifampin also decreased the peak plasma concentration of risperidone by 38%, 9‐hydroxyrisperidone by 46%, and the active moieties by 41%. The apparent oral clearance of risperidone approximately doubled after rifampin treatment. Thus, rifampin reduced the exposure to risperidone, probably because of a decrease in its bioavailability through the induction of CYP3A and probably P‐glycoprotein.
Organizing homeless people: Exploring the emergence of a user organization in Denmark
Authors: Anker Jørgen
Published: December 2007

People who are homeless belong to some of the most vulnerable, dispersed and disorganized groups in welfare societies. Yet in 2001, a national interest organization of homeless people was formed for the first time in Denmark. This article identifies the processes that facilitated the formation of the organization. It focuses on the importance of ideological and institutional conditions and changes, and it stresses the importance of alliances between progressive actors in the field and in the political-administrative system, in addition to the presence of dedicated activists among people who are or have been homeless. The analysis may thus serve as a case of inspiration for activists and professionals who want to improve homeless people's opportunities for participation in other national settings.
Neo-coporatist governance of homeless services in Dublin: Reconceptualization, incorporation and exlusion
Authors: Phelan Elaine , Norris Michelle
Published: December 2007

This article examines neo-corporatist arrangements for governance of homeless services in Dublin, which are modelled on parallel arrangements for the negotiation of economic and social policy nationally. It reveals that these two policy making structures have achieved similar outcomes - policies which are neo-liberal in orientation, but not entirely so. Achieving the aims of this unusual marriage of corporatism and neo-liberalism necessitated the redefinition of the causes of and solutions to homelessness from the structuralist to the individualist and the incorporation of formerly independent third sector service providers into the influence of the state. This process has been opposed by some third sector groups but supported by others who see opportunities in these reforms for their organizations. The outcomes of this process have been largely positive - levels of homelessness have fallen for instance - but not entirely so. Lack of attention to tackling the structural causes of homelessness has led to under provision of long-term accommodation for homeless people, while overemphasis on its individual causes and consequently on controlling the behaviour of service users has excluded some `challenging' clients from access to services.
Participation in the Environmental Movement
Authors: Gillham Patrick F.
Published: December 2007

The article establishes which determinants contribute to involvement in the European environmental movement, whether participants in the movement are unique from participants in other new social movements (NSMs), and the effects of biographical availability and national social structure on environmental activism. Relevant questions include the way values, education and income, family responsibilities, national economic development and population density influence differential participation in the movement across nations. This study relies on data from Eurobarometer 25, a biannual questionnaire administered across 12 European Union nations to examine the influence of individual factors, and data from Eurostat to test the influence of national social structural factors on participation. Participation is measured by whether respondents contributed money to environmental organizations and/or participated in environmental associations, local restoration projects or demonstrations to protect the environment. Logistic regression is utilized to test hypotheses about the relationship to participation. The findings suggest that environmental activism is influenced primarily by postmaterialist values and beliefs, higher education and income, and living in nations with lower levels of poverty, unemployment and agricultural employment and greater population density. This study contradicts previous findings on the importance of biographical availability. Participants in the Western European environmental movement are similar to and different from participants in other NSMs. Ironically, those benefiting most from industrialization and its corresponding environmental impacts are more likely to engage in environmental activism.
Unthinking the Closed Personality: Norbert Elias, Group Analysis and Unconscious Processes in a Research Group: Part II
Authors: Waldhoff Hans-Peter
Published: December 2007

In Part I of this article (Waldhoff, 2007) the author revealed Elias in the triangle between psychoanalysis, group analysis and research, discussing previously unpublished documents. Part II will record and discuss the development and dynamics of the first Congress Group (`C-Group') of the Group-Analytic Society, again with reference to previously unpublished verbatim records, and which highlight especially the relationship between Foulkes and Elias.
Psychotherapeutic Treatment Program for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Prospective Study of 70 War Veterans
Authors: Britvić Dolores , Antičević Vesna , Urlić Ivan , Dodig Goran , Lapenda Branka , Kekez Vesna , Mustapić Iva
Published: December 2007

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the psychotherapeutic model of treatment of war veterans in Croatia with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD are analysed and evaluated, together with associated neurotic symptoms, ways of coping with stress, and indicators of quality of life and depression.
Containment and Failures of Containment
Authors: Rustomjee Sabar
Published: December 2007

Containment can become a way of life for certain people. However, to be able to use it comfortably and creatively in our working life is an art which is not easy to develop. In this article, the author seeks to analyze the many facets, concepts and uses of containment not only in group psychotherapy but also in relationships, and how our increased awareness and understanding of containment can help and enhance our professional practice.
Delinquency in the Mind of an Organization
Authors: Gleeson Antony , Fairall Chris
Published: December 2007

This article focuses on the work of a therapeutic unit for young males held in custody, in its organizational context. A particular case is elaborated as evidence of the operation of what the authors refer to as the `delinquent ego' of the organization. This organizational mentality has little space for meaningfully attending to the young people (detainees) in its care or for imagining what might be in their best rehabilitative interest, mirroring and repeating aspects of the history and delinquent mentality of its juvenile clientele. The place of the `special unit' in the mind of the parent organization, and the unconscious dialectic underpinning the relationship between the two, is considered in the light of this.
Voters' Perceptions of Voting Technology
Authors: de Jong Menno , van Hoof Joris , Gosselt Jordy
Published: December 2007

Despite their unmistakable advantages, the use of voting machines in elections is a topic of vivid debates. This article focuses on the experiences of voters using three types of voting equipment: (a) a paper ballot, (b) a voting machine, and (c) a voting machine with paper audit trail. An independent-groups experiment was conducted in which voters had to cast a vote for a donation to a charity organization and afterwards filled out a questionnaire about their voting experiences. The paper ballot was considered to be the most anonymous way of voting, especially by female voters. The voting machine (with or without paper trail), on the other hand, was considered to be more user-friendly than the paper ballot and gave the voters more confidence that their votes would actually be processed correctly. No differences were found between the voting machine with and without paper audit trail.
Conceptualizing Education Policy in Democratic Societies
Authors: Perry Laura B.
Published: December 2007

Although theorists and policy makers agree that schooling should be democratic, what this exactly means often varies. This article establishes a conceptual model for analyzing education policy in democratic societies, based on the key concepts of equality, diversity, participation, choice, and cohesion. The model facilitates the design, evaluation, comparison, and analysis of education policy in democratic societies. It also facilitates analysis of the interrelationship of the five concepts and the ways in which they both complement and conflict with each other. By providing an integrated view of the five democratic values, the model can help policy makers and analysts balance competing demands on education policy. Finally, the model improves understanding of the ways in which educational systems continually adjust to changing theory and economic, political, and social forces, and therefore, it has the potential to help explain and predict educational change.
Psychiatric Disorders in Liver Disease
Authors: Yates William R.
Published: December 2007

The frequency of psychiatric illness presenting with liver disease occurs at rates higher than pure chance. This reflects the association between alcohol and drug dependence with acute and chronic liver toxicity and disease. Because mood and anxiety disorders are more common in substance use disorder, the link extends to higher rates of these disorders in patients with liver disease. Finally, liver disease can represent a chronic and painful condition that presents a significant physical and psychological stress for patients.
The Multiple Sources of Women's Aging Anxiety and Their Relationship With Psychological Distress
Authors: Barrett Anne E. , Robbins Cheryl
Published: December 2007

Objective: The authors examine associations of three sources of women's aging anxiety—declining attractiveness, health, and fertility—with social contexts of their lives, including locations in systems of inequality, connections to institutions, relationships, and health. They also explore links between aging anxieties and distress. Method: Employing data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States conducted in 1995-1996, the authors use logistic and OLS regression. Results: Anxiety about attractiveness is higher among women who are younger, White, heterosexual, employed, separated/divorced, less financially independent, and have worse relationships. Anxiety about health is greater among women who are younger, White, less financially independent, and have worse relationships and health. Anxiety about fertility is higher among younger, more educated, heterosexual, more financially independent, and childless women. Anxiety about health and attractiveness predicts greater distress. Discussion: This study suggests that correlates and mental health consequences of aging anxiety differ across sources of concern.
Testing Measurement Reliability in Older Populations
Authors: Van Ness Peter H. , Towle Virginia R. , Juthani-Mehta Manisha
Published: December 2007

Objective: The authors recommend confidence intervals as measures of precision for reliability coefficients, regression modeling as supplements for such omnibus reliability statistics, and unreliability detection as a goal of reliability testing distinct from reliability inference. Methods: Illustrative reliability analyses are conducted on measures selected from a study of clinical features associated with urinary tract infection in older nursing home residents. Results: Standard methods for reliability testing (e.g., kappa coefficients) are often inappropriate for small samples, and exact methods or descriptive reliability statistics are viable alternatives. Discussion: Supplementation of omnibus statistics by loglinear regression modeling is especially appropriate for aging research because it facilitates tests of marginal homogeneity and comparisons of reliability results for relatively young and old subgroups. Latent class regression analysis is useful for older samples because multifactorial health conditions are often measured in multiple ways and assessment of their reliability can be integrated, granting certain assumptions, with validity assessment.
Can Scottish public library services claim they are socially inclusive of all minority groups when lesbian fiction is still so inaccessible?
Authors: Goldthorp Jacqueline D.
Published: December 2007

This paper explores how Scottish public library services have responded to providing a service to a virtually invisible minority group, i.e. lesbians who enjoy reading lesbian fiction. The evidence that provides the foundation for the results discussed in this paper was drawn from the following sources: a study of the 32 public library services in Scotland, conducted through an e-mail/postal survey on lesbian fiction; an analysis of online public library websites and catalogues; workshops and focus groups with library workers and newly qualified librarians; women who identify as lesbian or bisexual and read lesbian fiction; and a questionnaire on lesbian fiction distributed through recognized lesbian forums and publications. The research found there to be an inequity of service provision for lesbians in terms of recreational reading and, in the light of this, recommends a reassessment of certain library practices. In particular, there is a need to raise awareness of LGBT people among library workers by encouraging contact with LGBT people and their support networks and providing diversity training linked with training in how to develop collections of lesbian and gay fiction and how to promote those collections to their main audience.

Definition of lesbian fiction: For the purposes of this research two definitions of lesbian fiction apply: fiction that is written by lesbians, about lesbians for lesbians; or fiction which has at its centre character(s) who identify as lesbian and/or fiction in which the key themes of the novel are lesbian centric.
Television weathercasters as potentially prominent science communicators
Authors: Wilson Kris
Published: December 2007

An important, but mostly overlooked aspect of science communication is the potential role US television weathercasters may perform. In some cases, these specialists may be the only source of scientific information that some people encounter on a regular basis. Audience research indicates that the weathercast is the most-watched part of the local newscast and the primary reason people choose a local television news product. But very little is known about the qualifications of weathercasters as a group and their inclinations as individuals to educate viewers about scientific topics. This study begins with results from the largest survey ever conducted about television weathercasters. Most of them say their broadcasts are appropriate venues for teaching their audiences about science, and most of them are already doing so. Other results provide a baseline foundation on a variety of other work-related factors, including the consistent public service function for most television weathercasters that includes science communication in their communities. Finally, the study discusses the increasing number of initiatives recently being developed to formalize this potentially powerful role of television weathercasters as prominent science communicators.
Eliciting situated knowledges about new technologies
Authors: Scott Anne , Du Plessis Rosemary
Published: December 2007

This paper explores the use of “situated knowledges” as a means of grounding debates about “scientific citizenship” within practical research interventions. We describe the development of a focus group methodology that uses opportunities for storytelling to elicit the situated knowledges of research participants regarding human genetic testing. The application of this methodology is illustrated by attention to the potential construction of what Irwin and Michael have referred to as “ethno-epistemic assemblages.” Methodological discussion is preceded by a critical review of recent public participation and “dialogue” initiatives that aim to develop scientific citizenship and more accountable technology decision-making.
Are We On the Same Page? Effects of Self-Awareness of Empowering and Transformational Leadership
Authors: Tekleab Amanuel G. , Sims Henry P. , Yun Seokhwa , Tesluk Paul E. , Cox Jonathan
Published: December 2007

This study examines the effects of leaders' self-awareness of their own leadership on followers' satisfaction, self-leadership, and leader effectiveness. A leader's self-awareness was conceptualized as the degree of similarity between the leader's self-description and his or her followers' descriptions of leader behaviors. Transformational and empowering leadership are measured from 48 leaders and 222 of their followers. Results from confirmatory factor analyses provide support for two types of leadership: transformational and empowering. Results from polynomial regression analyses indicate that self-awareness of transformational leadership is related to leader effectiveness and followers' supervisory satisfaction. In contrast, self-awareness of empowering leadership is related to followers' self-leadership. These effects of leadership self-awareness extend beyond the direct effect of leadership on the outcome variables.
The Interactive Effects of Job Insecurity and Organizational Cynicism on Work Effort Following a Layoff
Authors: Brandes Pamela , Castro Stephanie L. , James Matrecia S. L. , Martinez Arthur D. , Matherly Timothy A. , Ferris Gerald R. , Hochwarter Wayne A.
Published: December 2007

The widespread layoffs of the past 25 years have caused unparalleled levels of distrust and frustration in organizations. Organizational cynicism, which is frequently a manifestation of this pervasive phenomenon, has been shown to affect postlayoff attitudes and behaviors. It is generally assumed that postlayoff cynicism is predictive solely of dysfunctional outcomes. However, there is evidence suggesting that favorable consequences may emerge in some settings. In this exploratory study, the authors examined the postlayoff reactions of managerial employees who survived a corporate downsizing 1 month prior to the onset of the data collection. More specifically, they investigated the interactive effects of organizational cynicism and job insecurity on survivors' inclination to expend work effort. They hypothesized that cynics would report higher levels of work effort when faced with perceived job insecurity than non-cynics. Results provided support for these hypotheses, as work effort increased concurrently with cynicism for those perceiving an insecure work environment. Implication of these results for science and practice, strengths and limitations, and an agenda for future research are provided.
Feminine Jobs/Masculine Becomings
Authors: Kambouri Helen
Published: December 2007

Although there has been significant academic interest in the complex relationship between gender and migration, the relevant literature often focuses on women as victims of trafficking, sexism and racism in the host and sending societies. This article discusses instead the question of gender and migration as an open field of contestation within which transitory and incomplete identities are performed. Based on a series of focus group discussions with Albanian women working in the domestic sector in Athens, the article documents the emergence of a discourse of `becoming masculine' while performing typically `feminine tasks'. Drawing from Judith Butler's theoretical challenge to subject formation, the analysis traces the development of gender relations within discourse. While Albanian women are doubly disadvantaged in the mind—body relationship (first, because as migrants they are associated with manual, unskilled tasks, and second, because as women they are limited to the confines of private, domestic activities), they gradually come to perform roles that redefine the space of domesticity where the limits between men/women, private/public and migrants/nationals lie.
Bridging theory and practice
Authors: Kontos Pia C. , Naglie Gary
Published: December 2007

As a corrective to the depersonalizing tendencies of some caregiving practices and treatment contexts, the principles of person-centred care have been widely espoused. However, proponents of person-centred care often fail to acknowledge the fact that the body is a fundamental means of communication and, as such, the body is essential to the expression of personhood. Using a qualitative research design, we explored with health care practitioners how an embodied notion of personhood could enhance person-centred dementia care. Our findings indicate that the communicative capacity of the body enriches the imagination and connects health practitioners to the personhood of their care recipients, thereby fostering sympathetic care. Our findings further indicate that health care practitioners perceive that when care is premised on the communicative capacity of the body, this may improve the time efficiency of clinical practice, and may reduce, in certain instances, the need for drug therapy as chemical restraint. Further research is needed in order to evaluate the outcomes of an embodied selfhood approach to person-centred dementia care.
Retinoic acid is a potential dorsalising signal in the late embryonic chick hindbrain
Authors: Wilson Leigh J , Myat Anna , Sharma Aadhar , Maden Malcolm , Wingate Richard JT
Published: December 2007

Background

Human retinoic acid teratogenesis results in malformations of dorsally derived hindbrain structures such as the cerebellum, noradrenergic hindbrain neurons and the precerebellar system. These structures originate from the rhombic lip and adjacent dorsal precursor pools that border the fourth ventricle roofplate. While retinoic acid synthesis is known to occur in the meninges that blanket the hindbrain, the particular sensitivity of only dorsal structures to disruptions in retinoid signalling is puzzling. We therefore looked for evidence within the neural tube for more spatiotemporally specific signalling pathways using an in situ hybridisation screen of known retinoic acid pathway transcripts.

Results

We find that there are highly restricted domains of retinoic acid synthesis and breakdown within specific hindbrain nuclei as well as the ventricular layer and roofplate. Intriguingly, transcripts of cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 are always found at the interface between dividing and post-mitotic cells. By contrast to earlier stages of development, domains of synthesis and breakdown in post-mitotic neurons are co-localised. At the rhombic lip, expression of the mRNA for retinoic acid synthesising and catabolising enzymes is spatially highly organised with respect to theCath1-positive precursors of migratory precerebellar neurons.

Conclusion

The late developing hindbrain shows patterns of retinoic acid synthesis and use that are distinct from the well characterised phase of rostrocaudal patterning. Selected post-mitotic populations, such as the locus coeruleus, appear to both make and break down retinoic acid suggesting that a requirement for an autocrine, or at least a highly localised paracrine signalling network, might explain its acute sensitivity to retinoic acid disruption. At the rhombic lip, retinoic acid is likely to act as a dorsalising factor in parallel with other roofplate signalling pathways. While its precise role is unclear, retinoic acid is potentially well placed to regulate temporally determined cell fate decisions within the rhombic lip precursor pool.
A genome-wide scan for type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes in nuclear families with multiple affected siblings in Finland
Authors: Qiao Qing , Österholm Anne-May , He Bing , Pitkäniemi Janne , Cordell Heather J , Sarti Cinzia , Kinnunen Leena , Tuomilehto-Wolf Eva , Tryggvason Karl , Tuomilehto Jaakko
Published: December 2007

Background

A genome-wide search for genes that predispose to type 1 diabetes using linkage analysis was performed using 900 microsatellite markers in 70 nuclear families with affected siblings from Finland, a population expected to be more genetically homogeneous than others, and having the highest incidence of type 1 diabetes in the world and, yet, the highest proportion in Europe of cases (10%) carrying neither of the highest risk HLA haplotypes that include DR3 or DR4 alleles.

Results

In addition to the evidence of linkage to the HLA region on 6p21 (nominal p = 4.0 × 10-6), significant evidence of linkage in other chromosome regions was not detected with a single-locus analysis. The two-locus analysis conditional on the HLA gave a maximum lod score (MLS) of 3.1 (nominal p = 2 × 10-4) on chromosome 9p13 under an additive model; MLS of 2.1 (nominal p = 6.1 × 10-3) on chromosome 17p12 and MLS of 2.5 (nominal p = 2.9 × 10-3) on chromosome 18p11 under a general model.

Conclusion

Our genome scan data confirmed the primary contribution of the HLA genes also in the high-risk Finnish population, and suggest that non-HLA genes also contribute to the familial clustering of type 1 diabetes in Finland.
Quantitative determination by real-time PCR of four vaginal Lactobacillus species, Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae indicates an inverse relationship between L. gasseri and L. iners
Authors: De Backer Ellen , Verhelst Rita , Verstraelen Hans , Alqumber Mohammed A , Burton Jeremy P , Tagg John R , Temmerman Marleen , Vaneechoutte Mario
Published: December 2007

Background

Most studies of the vaginal microflora have been based on culture or on qualitative molecular techniques. Here we applied existing real-time PCR formats for Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri and Gardnerella vaginalis and developed new formats for Atopobium vaginae, L. iners and L. jensenii to obtain a quantitative non culture-based determination of these species in 71 vaginal samples from 32 pregnant and 28 non-pregnant women aged between 18 and 45 years.

Results

The 71 vaginal microflora samples of these women were categorized, using the Ison and Hay criteria, as refined by Verhelst et al. (2005), as follows: grade Ia: 8 samples, grade Iab: 10, grade Ib: 13, grade I-like: 10, grade II: 11, grade III: 12 and grade IV: 7.

L. crispatus was found in all but 5 samples and was the most frequent Lactobacillus species detected. A significantly lower concentration of L. crispatus was found in grades II (p < 0.0001) and III (p = 0.002) compared to grade I. L. jensenii was found in all grades but showed higher concentration in grade Iab than in grade Ia (p = 0.024). A. vaginae and G. vaginalis were present in high concentrations in grade III, with log10 median concentrations (log10 MC), respectively of 9.0 and 9.2 cells/ml. Twenty (38.5%) of the 52 G. vaginalis positive samples were also positive for A. vaginae. In grade II we found almost no L. iners (log10 MC: 0/ml) but a high concentration of L. gasseri ( log10 MC: 8.7/ml). By contrast, in grade III we found a high concentration of L. iners
( log10 MC: 8.3/ml) and a low concentration of L. gasseri ( log10 MC: 0/ml). These results show a negative association between L. gasseri and L. iners (r = -0.397, p = 0.001) and between L. gasseri and A. vaginae (r = -0.408, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In our study we found a clear negative association between L. iners and L. gasseri and between A. vaginae and L. gasseri. Our results do not provide support for the generally held proposition that grade II is an intermediate stage between grades I and III, because L. gasseri, abundant in grade II is not predominant in grade III, whereas L. iners, abundant in grade III is present only in low numbers in grade II samples.