bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“When I Was Little”: Childhood Recollections in Chinese and European Canadian Grade School Children
Authors: Peterson Carole , Wang Qi , Hou Yubo
Published: May 2009

Recollection of early childhood experiences was investigated in 225 European Canadian and 133 Chinese children (ages 8, 11, and 14) by a memory fluency task that measured accessibility of multiple early memories and elicited the earliest memory. Younger children provided memories of events that occurred at earlier ages than older children. Furthermore, Canadian children produced more memories and had an earlier age of first memory than did Chinese children, with cultural differences in both measures increasing with age. It appears that while adultlike childhood amnesia is still emerging among Canadian children, Chinese children by age 14 already resemble adults. Content of Canadian versus Chinese children’s memories reflected an autonomous versus relational self‐construal. Results are discussed in terms of sociocultural influences on memory.
Maternal Insightfulness and Resolution of the Diagnosis Are Associated With Secure Attachment in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Oppenheim David , Koren‐Karie Nina , Dolev Smadar , Yirmiya Nurit
Published: May 2009

In the current study (a) maternal insightfulness into the experience of the child and (b) resolution with respect to the child’s diagnosis and their associations with children’s security of attachment were examined in a sample of 45 preschoolers (mean age = 49 months) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It was hypothesized that mothers who were insightful and resolved would be more likely to have securely attached children than mothers who were neither insightful nor resolved. The findings supported this hypothesis. The implications of insightfulness and resolution for child attachment in the context of ASD are discussed.
Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Infant Cortisol Reactivity
Authors: Eiden Rina D. , Veira Yvette , Granger Douglas A.
Published: May 2009

This study examined the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on infant hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity and reactivity at 7 months of infant age. Participants were 168 caregiver–infant dyads (87 cocaine exposed, 81 not cocaine exposed; 47% boys). Maternal behavior, caregiving instability, and infant growth and behavior were assessed, and children’s saliva was sampled before, during, and after standardized procedures designed to elicit emotional arousal. Results revealed cocaine‐exposed infants had a high amplitude trajectory of cortisol reactivity compared to non‐cocaine‐exposed infants. Infant gender and caregiving instability moderated this association. The findings support a dual hazard vulnerability model and have implications for evolutionary‐developmental theories of individual differences in biological sensitivity to context.
Selecting nonlinear time series models using information criteria
Authors: Psaradakis Zacharias , Sola Martin , Spagnolo Fabio , Spagnolo Nicola
Published: May 2009

Abstract. This article considers the problem of selecting among competing nonlinear time series models by using complexity‐penalized likelihood criteria. An extensive simulation study is undertaken to assess the small‐sample performance of several popular criteria in selecting among nonlinear autoregressive models belonging to some families that have been popular with practitioners.
The mutational archive in proviral DNA does not change during 24 months of continuous or intermittent highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Palmisano L , Giuliano M , Galluzzo CM , Amici R , Andreotti M , Weimer LE , Pirillo MF , Fragola V , Bucciardini R , Vella S
Published: May 2009

Objectives
The aim of the study was to determine the modifications of the mutational archive in proviral HIV‐1 DNA occurring during 24 months of intermittent or continuous highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods
The study population included subjects enrolled in the Istituto Superiore di Sanità Pulsed Antiretroviral Therapy (ISS PART) clinical trial. All of these patients were on first‐line HAART and had plasma HIV‐1 RNA below 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL. A genotypic resistance test was performed on HIV‐1 DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at baseline and after 24 months of follow‐up. Resistance‐associated mutations (RAMs) were defined according to the International AIDS Society (IAS) USA classification.

Results
Sixty‐nine subjects were included in the study [36 enrolled in arm A of the ISS PART (continuous HAART) and 33 enrolled in arm B (intermittent HAART)]. No major modifications of the mutational archive were found in either group after 24 months of follow‐up, in terms of both the proportion of subjects with mutations and the total number of mutations.

Conclusions
In this patient population, the mutational archive in HIV‐1 DNA extracted from PBMC was stable for 24 months, irrespective of HAART modality, whether continuous or intermittent.
Does medial prefrontal cortex activity during self‐knowledge reference reflect the uniqueness of self‐knowledge?1
Authors: NAKAO TAKASHI , MIYATANI MAKOTO , NAKAO MIZUKI , TAKEZAWA TOMOHIRO , MARUISHI MASAHARU , MURANAKA HIROYUKI , DOJO HIROFUMI
Published: May 2009

Abstract:  For this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine whether medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) activity during self‐knowledge reference reflects the uniqueness of self‐knowledge. Experiment 1 investigated neural activity during self‐knowledge reference (“Does the word describe you?”) and self‐monitoring (“Does the word make you feel pleasant?”). The results showed that self‐knowledge reference and self‐monitoring activate common neural substrates within the MPFC. Experiment 2 compared neural activity produced by self‐knowledge reference, other‐knowledge (acquaintance‐knowledge) reference (“Does this word describe the person?”), and evaluation (“Is this word socially desirable?”). Results showed no increase in MPFC activity during self‐knowledge reference relative to other‐knowledge reference. Furthermore, self‐knowledge reference and other‐knowledge reference share common neural substrates within the MPFC. The results described indicate that it is unlikely that MPFC activity during self‐knowledge reference reflects the uniqueness of self‐knowledge. The feature, as reflected in MPFC activity, is discussed.
Do local properties function as cues for musical key perception?1
Authors: MATSUNAGA RIE , ABE JUN‐ICHI
Published: May 2009

Abstract:  A global property (i.e., pitch set) of a melody appears to serve as a primary cue for key identification. Previous studies have proposed specific local properties in a melody (e.g., the augmented fourth, the perfect fifth, etc.) that may function as further cues. However, the role of the latter in key identification is controversial. The present study was designed to investigate what kinds of local properties, if any, function as reliable cues for key identification. Listeners were asked to identify keys for 450 melodies that consisted of the same pitch set, but which differed in sequential constraints. Using multiple discriminant analyses, we evaluated relative contributions of as many kinds of local properties as possible (e.g., single intervals, single pitch classes in each sequential position, etc.). The results showed that, except for the pitch class of the final tone, for which interpretation should be taken cautiously, none of the specific local properties examined contributed significantly to key identification. This finding suggests that, contrary to prior findings, key identification is derived from unidentified properties other than the specific local properties.
How strong is the comparison‐to‐the‐strongest heuristic?: An empirical test of the comparison‐ to‐the‐strongest heuristic in probability judgment1,2
Authors: NAKAMURA KUNINORI , YAMAGISHI KIMIHIKO
Published: May 2009

Abstract:  Windschitl and Wells (1998) proposed that the pairwise comparison between the focal and strongest alternative outcomes plays an important role in probability judgment. However, their studies did not control the effects of alternative outcomes other than the strongest one. This article tested whether only the strongest alternative outcome would affect probability judgment, using a variable selection method in a multiple regression analysis. Study 1 reanalyzed the results of Windschitl and Young (2001) and showed that only the strongest alternative outcome affects probability judgment. In Study 2, a new experiment was conducted to modify the methodological problems in Study 1. The results of Study 2 were identical to those of Study 1. All these results consistently supported the comparison hypothesis.
Urinary incontinence in older adults receiving home care diagnosis and strategies
Authors: Du Moulin Monique François Marie Thérése , Hamers Johan Peter Herman , Ambergen Antonius Wilhelmus , Halfens Ruud Jozef Gerardus
Published: May 2009

Introduction:  Urinary incontinence (UI) is a major health problem mostly affecting older people. With the shift toward healthcare delivery in the home setting, it is necessary for home healthcare workers to know how to manage UI in the elderly. Little is known about the care for patients receiving home care suffering from UI. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of UI in older adults receiving home care and to gain insight into caring for patients with UI.

Method:  A cross‐sectional survey using data from the Dutch National Prevalence Measurement of Health Care Problems was conducted.

Results:  Of the 2866 patients, 46% were suffering from UI. In 49% of these patients the type of UI was diagnosed. Patients with a diagnosis suffered more from their UI and were offered more strategies when compared with patients without a diagnosis. Most patients used pads. Relatively few patients were offered bladder training or pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME).

Discussion:  Urinary incontinence is a highly prevalent condition in older patients receiving home care. In half of the patients with UI no diagnosis regarding the type of incontinence was made. However, to treat or manage UI it is essential to assess the type of UI, as UI is treatable even in older people. As this study had a cross‐sectional design, only strategies being offered at a fixed point in time are documented.

Conclusion:  Despite studies reporting the success of behavioural interventions for adults suffering from UI, most patients use pads. With the aging of the population and the increasing number of older adults suffering from UI, home care agencies need to acquire the knowledge and skills to address UI.
Nurses’ experiences and perceptions of influencing barriers to postoperative pain management
Authors: Rejeh Nahid , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Mohammadi Eesa , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Anoosheh Moniereh
Published: May 2009

Despite decades of research and the availability of effective analgesic approaches, many patients continue to experience moderate to severe pain after surgery. Greater research efforts are needed to identify the factors that impede effective pain management. Despite the fact that a variety of research and clinical studies on all aspects of pain have been conducted in many countries, the factors affecting pain management have not been completely identified.

Aim:  To identify nurses’ experiences and perceptions about the barriers to postoperative pain management.

Methods:  A qualitative approach was adopted using content analysis of semi‐structured interviews carried out with 26 Iranian registered nurses from three large educational hospitals in Tehran city. The data were analysed using constant comparative method.

Findings:  Ninety‐three primary codes were achieved. Four main themes emerged from the data. From the participants’ points of view, ‘lack of educational preparation’, ‘nurses’ limited authority’, ‘limited nurse–patient relationship’, and ‘disturbances in pain management interventions’ are considered barriers to pain management.

Conclusion:  The conclusion embraces implications for clinical practice to improve the knowledge of nurses and nursing manager and insight in postoperative pain management. Clearly, programmes for change must address not only knowledge improvement, but also the wider complex influences on barriers to pain management.
‘I lose all these hours…’– exploring gender and consequences of dilemmas experienced in everyday life with coeliac disease
Authors: Sverker Annette , Östlund Gunnel , Hallert Claes , Hensing Gunnel
Published: May 2009

Few studies have focused on gendered consequences of coeliac disease (CD), despite the fact that women with coeliac disease report lower health‐related quality of life than men do. The aim of this study was to explore consequences of dilemmas in everyday lives for women and men, as personally affected by CD or as close relatives to someone affected by the disease and to put these experiences into context regarding household activities. This QUAL‐quan study included 28 men and 38 women. A mix method design was used. The critical incident technique that captures, in a structured way, the qualities of experiences was used in interviews to identify dilemmas and their consequences. To describe the social context of these dilemmas, a quantitative questionnaire was developed on food preparations and purchase, as well as on cooking and meal behaviours. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The consequences were found in cognitive, social, emotional and physical aspects of human life. The overall pattern of these consequences was similar in women and men irrespective of being personally affected or a close relative. The main consequences identified were: daily concerns about gluten, constant preparation, being different, emotional pressure and body sensations because of CD. Descriptive data extracted from the questionnaire showed that women and men reported having a different social situation in relation to preparing food, making decisions about purchases, buying food products and preparing meals. The clinical implications of these findings are that healthcare professionals need to develop family‐oriented information in relation to CD. It is necessary to inform the close relatives irrespective of sex of the possible consequences of the disease and to take in to account the different social context that women and men report in relation to food preparations.
Combined therapy of silymarin and desferrioxamine in patients with β‐thalassemia major: a randomized double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: Gharagozloo Marjan , Moayedi Behjat , Zakerinia Maryam , Hamidi Mehrdad , Karimi Mehran , Maracy Mohammad , Amirghofran Zahra
Published: May 2009

Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex isolated from Silybum marianum, has a strong antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and iron chelating activities. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic activity of orally administered silymarin in patients with thalassemia major under conventional iron chelation therapy. A 3‐month randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial was conducted in 59 β‐thalassemia major patients in two well‐matched groups. Patients were randomized to receive a silymarin tablet (140 mg) three times a day plus conventional desferrioxamine therapy. The second group received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. Clinical laboratory tests were assessed at the beginning and the end of the trial, except for serum ferritin level that was assessed at the middle of the trial as well. Results of this study revealed that the combined therapy was well tolerated and more effective than desferrioxamine in reducing serum ferritin level. Significant improvement in liver alkaline phosphatase and glutathione levels of red blood cells was also observed in silymarin‐treated β‐thalassemia patients. However, no significant difference in serum ferritin levels was detected between silymarin and placebo groups after 1.5 and 3 months treatment, probably because of insufficient sample size to detect subtle changes in ferritin levels between groups. This is the first report showing the beneficial effects of silymarin in thalassemia patients and suggests that silymarin in combination with desferrioxamine can be safely and effectively used in the treatment of iron‐loaded patients.
Avermectin exerts anti‐inflammatory effect by downregulating the nuclear transcription factor kappa‐B and mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation pathway
Authors: Ci Xinxin , Li Hongyu , Yu Qinlei , Zhang Xuemei , Yu Lu , Chen Na , Song Yu , Deng Xuming
Published: May 2009

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce mouse macrophages to produce a number of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Immunopharmacological studies can provide new information on the immunomodulatory activities of some drugs, including their effect on cytokine productions. For this reason, we first investigated the efficacy of avermectin on cytokine levels induced by LPS in vitro, and we found that avermectin can significantly regulate tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐10, but has no significant effect on IL‐6. We further investigated the effects of the drug on the major signal transduction pathways associated with inflammation: nuclear transcription factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) and the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracellular signal regulated kinase, p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with 0.625, 1.25 or 5 mg/L avermectin 1 h prior to treatment with 1 mg/L LPS. Thirty minutes later, cells were fixed, and NF‐κB activation was measured by immunocytochemical analysis, or cells were collected and MAP‐kinase activation was measured by western blot. Signal transduction studies showed that avermectin significantly inhibits NF‐κB p65 translocation into the nucleus and inhibits JNK and p38 phosphorylation protein expression. Therefore, avermectin may inhibit LPS‐induced production of inflammatory cytokines by blocking NF‐κB and MAP‐kinase in RAW 264.7 cells.
Does the Under‐ or Overrepresentation of Minority Physicians across Geographical Areas Affect the Location Decisions of Minority Physicians?
Authors: Brown Timothy , Liu Jenny X. , Scheffler Richard M.
Published: May 2009

Objective. To determine whether variation in the representation of minority physicians across geographical areas in California affects the location decisions of minority physicians.

Data Sources. We analyzed data on 9,806 residents and 53,606 patient‐care physicians from the 1997–2003 American Medical Association Masterfiles for California along with data from the California Department of Finance, RAND, and other sources.

Study Design. We estimated departure models using linear probability models and destination models using conditional logit. Each model controlled for physician and county characteristics. Parameters of interest include the interactions of physician race/ethnicity with area‐level minority physician representation for the corresponding race/ethnicity.

Principal Findings. Departure models show that black and Hispanic physicians are more likely to remain in an area as the level of representation of physicians from their respective groups worsens. The destination models show that black, Asian, and Hispanic physicians tend to move to areas where the level of representation is similar to that of their previous location.

Conclusions. Black and Hispanic physicians are influenced by the level of representation of physicians from their respective groups in their location decisions and tend to locate where needed.
Ca2+/calcineurin regulation of cloned vascular KATP channels: crosstalk with the protein kinase A pathway
Authors: Orie NN , Thomas AM , Perrino BA , Tinker A , Clapp LH
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Vascular ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are activated by cyclic AMP elevating vasodilators through protein kinase A (PKA). Direct channel phosphorylation is a critical mechanism, though the phosphatase opposing these effects is unknown. Previously, we reported that calcineurin, a Ca2+‐dependent phosphatase, inhibits KATP channels, though neither the site nor the calcineurin isoform involved is established. Given that the type‐2 regulatory (RII) subunit of PKA is a substrate for calcineurin we considered whether calcineurin regulates channel activity through interacting with PKA.

Experimental approach:  Whole‐cell recordings were made in HEK‐293 cells stably expressing the vascular KATP channel (KIR6.1/SUR2B). The effect of intracellular Ca2+ and modulators of the calcineurin and PKA pathway on glibenclamide‐sensitive currents were examined.

Key results:  Constitutively active calcineurin Aα but not Aβ significantly attenuated KATP currents activated by low intracellular Ca2+, whereas calcineurin inhibitors had the opposite effect. PKA inhibitors reduced basal KATP currents and responses to calcineurin inhibitors, consistent with the notion that some calcineurin action involves inhibition of PKA. However, raising intracellular Ca2+ (equivalent to increasing calcineurin activity), almost completely inhibited KATP channel activation induced by the catalytic subunit of PKA, whose enzymatic activity is independent of the RII subunit. In vitro phosphorylation experiments showed calcineurin could directly dephosphorylate a site in Kir6.1 that was previously phosphorylated by PKA.

Conclusions and implications:  Calcineurin Aα regulates KIR6.1/SUR2B by inhibiting PKA‐dependent phosphorylation of the channel as well as PKA itself. Such a mechanism is likely to directly oppose the action of vasodilators on the KATP channel.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) 157, 554–564; doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2009.00221.x; published online 7 May 2009

This article is commented on by Tammaro, pp. 551–553 of this issue and is part of a themed section on Endothelium in Pharmacology. For a list of all articles in this section see the end of this paper, or visit: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009
The soluble leptin receptor neutralizes leptin‐mediated STAT3 signalling and anorexic responses in vivo
Authors: Zhang Jiejin , Scarpace Philip J
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  The soluble leptin receptor (SLR) is the major, circulating, leptin‐binding protein and, in vitro, the SLR inhibits leptin‐binding to cell surface receptors. Here we assessed the effects of the SLR on physiological responses to leptin, in vivo.

Experimental approach:  SLR and leptin were given as a single injection (intracerebroventricularly, i.c.v.) or by central (i.c.v.) and peripheral (s.c.) infusion to normal adult F344XBN rats. Phosphorylation of hypothalamic STAT3 (Western blot), food intake and body weight, and the thermogenic response in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were measured.

Key results:  Acute central co‐administration of SLR (13.5 µg) and leptin (90 ng) blocked the threefold increase in hypothalamic STAT3 phosphorylation induced by leptin alone, 1 h after the injections. Peripheral leptin infusion (0.1 mg·day−1 for 7 days; s.c.) induced a significant reduction in food intake and body weight, which were partially blocked with a simultaneous central infusion of SLR (4.3 µg·day−1; i.c.v.). In a second experiment, SLR central infusion alone (5.5 µg·day−1) increased food intake and body weight, suggesting that the SLR was able to neutralize endogenous leptin in the brain. This dose of SLR, infused together with a lower dose of peripheral leptin (0.05 mg·day−1), abolished the thermogenic response in BAT, but the anorexic responses and weight reduction were only partially attenuated.

Conclusions:  These results provide direct evidence that the SLR neutralizes leptin, endogenous or exogenous, in vivo. By neutralizing leptin, the SLR may play a regulatory role in energy homeostasis.
Seizure metaphors differ in patients’ accounts of epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Plug Leendert , Sharrack Basil , Reuber Markus
Published: May 2009

Purpose:  To increase understanding of the subjective symptomatology of seizure experiences and improve differential diagnosis by studying the seizure metaphors used by patients with (psychogenic) nonepileptic seizures (NES) and epilepsy.

Methods:  Twenty‐one unselected patients taking part in this study were admitted for 48 h of video‐EEG (electroenceophalography) observation because of uncertainty about the diagnosis. Eight were proven to have epilepsy, 13 to have psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). During their admission, patients were interviewed by a neurologist. A linguist blinded to the medical diagnosis identified and categorized all seizure metaphors in verbatim transcripts. Between‐group comparisons and logistic regression analysis were carried out.

Results:  Of 382 metaphors identified, 80.8% conceptualized seizures as an agent/force, event/situation, or space/place. Most patients used metaphors from all categories, but patients with epilepsy and PNES showed preferences for different metaphoric concepts (differences p = 0.009 to p = 0.039). Patients with epilepsy preferred metaphors depicting the seizure as an agent/force or event/situation. PNES patients more often used metaphors of space/place. Logistic regression analyses predicted the diagnosis of PNES or epilepsy correctly in 85.7% of cases (based on different metaphor types in the each category) or 81.0% (based on all metaphor tokens).

Discussion:  Patients with epilepsy and PNES have different preferences in the metaphoric conceptualization of their seizures. Epileptic seizures are described as a more external, self‐directed entity than PNES, which are depicted as a state or place patients go through. The differentiating value of metaphoric conceptualizations suggests that metaphor preference could form the basis of future diagnostic questionnaires or other diagnostic tools.
Labor market participation following onset of seizures and early epilepsy: Findings from a UK cohort
Authors: Holland Paula , Lane Steven , Whitehead Margaret , Marson Anthony G. , Jacoby Ann
Published: May 2009

Purpose:  Previous studies have reported a considerable employment disadvantage among people with epilepsy. In a cohort of men and women who had experienced a single seizure or had early epilepsy at study entry we explored employment status and social mobility over 4 years and investigated whether employment outcomes were more disadvantageous for certain social groups.

Methods:  Analyses were based on 350 individuals of working age identified via the UK Multicentre Study of Early Epilepsy and Single Seizures. Employment rates were calculated for the cohort and general population. Employment trajectories over 4 years were explored according to occupational social class. The relative risk of employment was calculated by clinical features of seizures and social class.

Results:  Individuals with single seizures or early epilepsy had significantly lower employment rates than the general population at study entry, and 2‐ and 4‐year follow‐up. Employment rates of men and women in the cohort did not differ significantly. Although little social class mobility occurred during follow‐up, there was evidence of some downward mobility between first seizure(s) and study entry. In the fully adjusted model, nonemployment was predicted at all time points by having fair/poor self‐rated health and experiencing four or more seizures. We observed that some individuals continued to work in hazardous occupations or drive professionally within a year of experiencing seizure(s).

Discussion:  People who have recently experienced a single seizure or who have early epilepsy are exposed to substantial employment disadvantage. Greater efforts are necessary to help these people return to work and stay employed.
SBIRT Outcomes in Houston: Final Report on InSight, a Hospital District‐Based Program for Patients at Risk for Alcohol or Drug Use Problems
Authors:   The InSight Project Research Group
Published: May 2009

Background:  Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services have been implemented as the standard of care for patients in the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD). The present analysis addresses alcohol and drug use for patients admitted over a 39‐month period from July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2008.

Methods:  Patients were screened for alcohol and drug use at medical admission. Those who were positive received further assessment and were transitioned to receive services as appropriate. A sample of consenting patients who were positive and received services was contacted at 6 months for a follow‐up interview. Using an intent‐to‐treat (ITT) protocol, the analysis included all patients who were assigned for follow‐up, including those with completed follow‐ups as well as those who could not be contacted at follow‐up. Patients not contacted at follow‐up were assumed to have maintained their baseline drug and alcohol consumption levels.

Results:  Of 59,760 patients who were screened by generalists (primarily nurses, physicians, and medical care technicians), 15,241 (26%) were positive and received further assessment and services. The 6‐month follow‐up interview completion rate was 66%. The ITT sample consisted of all 1,937 patients who were assigned for follow‐up. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients reporting any days of heavy drinking from 70% at intake to 37% at 6‐month follow‐up and a reduction in the mean number of days of heavy drinking from 7.8 days at intake to 4.1 days at follow‐up. The number of patients reporting any days of drug use was 82% at intake versus 33% at follow‐up, and the mean number of days of drug use declined from 8.3 days at intake to 4.2 days at follow‐up.

Conclusions:  The results were consistent with but of greater magnitude than most other studies reporting positive outcomes for SBIRT patients. Drug use and heavy alcohol use were found to decrease substantially from admission to follow‐up. This finding holds good for all levels of drug or alcohol misuse severity, with the highest severity patients showing the largest decreases. Future studies are needed to control for potential regression to the mean effects and to develop improved understanding of differences in outcomes by race/ethnicity.
Coronary Artery Perforations in the Contemporary Interventional Era
Authors: KIERNAN T. J. , YAN B. P. , RUGGIERO N. , EISENBERG J. D. , BERNAL J. , CUBEDDU R. J. , WITZKE C. , DON C. , CRUZ‐GONZALEZ I. , ROSENFIELD K. , POMERSANTEV E. , PALACIOS I.
Published: May 2009

Background: Coronary perforations represent a serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of documented coronary perforations at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2000 to 2008. Medical records review and detailed angiographic analysis were performed in all patients.

Results: Sixty‐eight cases of coronary perforation were identified from a total of 14,281 PCIs from March 2000 to March 2008 representing an overall incidence of 0.48%. The study cohort was predominantly male (61.8%), mean age 71±11 years with 78% representing acute cases (unstable angina: 36.8%, NSTEMI: 30.9%, STEMI: 10.3%). Coronary artery perforation occurred as a complication of wire manipulation in 45 patients (66.2%) with 88.9% of this group being hydrophilic wires, of coronary stenting in 11 (16.2%), of angioplasty alone in 6 (8.8%), and of rotational atherectomy in 8 (11.8%). The perforation was sealed with an angioplasty balloon alone in 16 patients (23.5%), and with stents in 14 patients (20.6%) (covered stents: 11.8% and noncovered stents: 8.8%). Emergency CABG was performed in 2 patients (2.9%). Five patients (7.4%) developed periprocedural MI. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 5.9% in the study cohort.

Conclusion: Coronary artery perforation as a complication of PCI is still rare as demonstrated in our series with an incidence of 0.48%. The predominant cause of coronary perforations in the current era of PCI is wire injury.
Bias Reduction and a Solution for Separation of Logistic Regression with Missing Covariates
Authors: Maiti Tapabrata , Pradhan Vivek
Published: May 2009

SummaryLogistic regression is an important statistical procedure used in many disciplines. The standard software packages for data analysis are generally equipped with this procedure where the maximum likelihood estimates of the regression coefficients are obtained iteratively. It is well known that the estimates from the analyses of small‐ or medium‐sized samples are biased. Also, in finding such estimates, often a separation is encountered in which the likelihood converges but at least one of the parameter estimates diverges to infinity. Standard approaches of finding such estimates do not take care of these problems. Moreover, the missingness in the covariates adds an extra layer of complexity to the whole process. In this article, we address these three practical issues—bias, separation, and missing covariates by means of simple adjustments. We have applied the proposed technique using real and simulated data. The proposed method always finds a solution and the estimates are less biased. ASASmacro that implements the proposed method can be obtained from the authors.
A Robust Test for Two‐Stage Design in Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Kwak Minjung , Joo Jungnam , Zheng Gang
Published: May 2009

Summary A two‐stage design is cost‐effective for genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) testing hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this design, each SNP is genotyped in stage 1 using a fraction of case–control samples. Top‐ranked SNPs are selected and genotyped in stage 2 using additional samples. A joint analysis, combining statistics from both stages, is applied in the second stage. Follow‐up studies can be regarded as a two‐stage design. Once some potential SNPs are identified, independent samples are further genotyped and analyzed separately or jointly with previous data to confirm the findings. When the underlying genetic model is known, an asymptotically optimal trend test (TT) can be used at each analysis. In practice, however, genetic models for SNPs with true associations are usually unknown. In this case, the existing methods for analysis of the two‐stage design and follow‐up studies are not robust across different genetic models. We propose a simple robust procedure with genetic model selection to the two‐stage GWAS. Our results show that, if the optimal TT has about 80% power when the genetic model is known, then the existing methods for analysis of the two‐stage design have minimum powers about 20% across the four common genetic models (when the true model is unknown), while our robust procedure has minimum powers about 70% across the same genetic models. The results can be also applied to follow‐up and replication studies with a joint analysis.
A Bayesian Latent Variable Mixture Model for Longitudinal Fetal Growth
Authors: Slaughter James C. , Herring Amy H. , Thorp John M.
Published: May 2009

SummaryFetal growth restriction is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality that could be reduced if high‐risk infants are identified early in pregnancy. We propose a Bayesian model for aggregating 18 longitudinal ultrasound measurements of fetal size and blood flow into three underlying, continuous latent factors. Our procedure is more flexible than typical latent variable methods in that we relax the normality assumptions by allowing the latent factors to follow finite mixture distributions. Using mixture distributions also permits us to cluster individuals with similar observed characteristics and identify latent classes of subjects who are more likely to be growth or blood flow restricted during pregnancy. We also use our latent variable mixture distribution model to identify a clinically meaningful latent class of subjects with low birth weight and early gestational age. We then examine the association of latent classes of intrauterine growth restriction with latent classes of birth outcomes as well as observed maternal covariates including fetal gender and maternal race, parity, body mass index, and height. Our methods identified a latent class of subjects who have increased blood flow restriction and below average intrauterine size during pregnancy. These subjects were more likely to be growth restricted at birth than a class of individuals with typical size and blood flow.
Estimation in Longitudinal or Panel Data Models with Random‐Effect‐Based Missing Responses
Authors: Xu Lei , Shao Jun
Published: May 2009

Summary In studies with longitudinal or panel data, missing responses often depend on values of responses through a subject‐level unobserved random effect. Besides the likelihood approach based on parametric models, there exists a semiparametric method, the approximate conditional model (ACM) approach, which relies on the availability of a summary statistic and a linear or polynomial approximation to some random effects. However, two important issues must be addressed in applying ACM. The first is how to find a summary statistic and the second is how to estimate the parameters in the original model using estimates of parameters in ACM. Our study is to address these two issues. For the first issue, we derive summary statistics under various situations. For the second issue, we propose to use a grouping method, instead of linear or polynomial approximation to random effects. Because the grouping method is a moment‐based approach, the conditions we assumed in deriving summary statistics are weaker than the existing ones in the literature. When the derived summary statistic is continuous, we propose to use a classification tree method to obtain an approximate summary statistic for grouping. Some simulation results are presented to study the finite sample performance of the proposed method. An application is illustrated using data from the study of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease.
Regression on Quantile Residual Life
Authors: Jung Sin‐Ho , Jeong Jong‐Hyeon , Bandos Hanna
Published: May 2009

SummaryA time‐specific log‐linear regression method on quantile residual lifetime is proposed. Under the proposed regression model, any quantile of a time‐to‐event distribution among survivors beyond a certain time point is associated with selected covariates under right censoring. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the regression estimator are established. An asymptotic test statistic is proposed to evaluate the covariate effects on the quantile residual lifetimes at a specific time point. Evaluation of the test statistic does not require estimation of the variance–covariance matrix of the regression estimators, which involves the probability density function of the survival distribution with censoring. Simulation studies are performed to assess finite sample properties of the regression parameter estimator and test statistic. The new regression method is applied to a breast cancer data set with long‐term follow‐up to estimate the patients' median residual lifetimes, adjusting for important prognostic factors.
A Latent Model to Detect Multiple Clusters of Varying Sizes
Authors: Xie Minge , Sun Qiankun , Naus Joseph
Published: May 2009

Summary This article develops a latent model and likelihood‐based inference to detect temporal clustering of events. The model mimics typical processes generating the observed data. We apply model selection techniques to determine the number of clusters, and develop likelihood inference and a Monte Carlo expectation–maximization algorithm to estimate model parameters, detect clusters, and identify cluster locations. Our method differs from the classical scan statistic in that we can simultaneously detect multiple clusters of varying sizes. We illustrate the methodology with two real data applications and evaluate its efficiency through simulation studies. For the typical data‐generating process, our methodology is more efficient than a competing procedure that relies on least squares.
Estimated Pseudopartial‐Likelihood Method for Correlated Failure Time Data with Auxiliary Covariates
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Zhou Haibo , Cai Jianwen
Published: May 2009

SummaryAs biological studies become more expensive to conduct, statistical methods that take advantage of existing auxiliary information about an expensive exposure variable are desirable in practice. Such methods should improve the study efficiency and increase the statistical power for a given number of assays. In this article, we consider an inference procedure for multivariate failure time with auxiliary covariate information. We propose an estimated pseudopartial likelihood estimator under the marginal hazard model framework and develop the asymptotic properties for the proposed estimator. We conduct simulation studies to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in practical situations and demonstrate the proposed method with a data set from the studies of left ventricular dysfunction (SOLVD Investigators, 1991, New England Journal of Medicine 325, 293–302).
Bayesian Nonparametric Modeling for Comparison of Single‐Neuron Firing Intensities
Authors: Kottas Athanasios , Behseta Sam
Published: May 2009

Summary We propose a fully inferential model‐based approach to the problem of comparing the firing patterns of a neuron recorded under two distinct experimental conditions. The methodology is based on nonhomogeneous Poisson process models for the firing times of each condition with flexible nonparametric mixture prior models for the corresponding intensity functions. We demonstrate posterior inferences from a global analysis, which may be used to compare the two conditions over the entire experimental time window, as well as from a pointwise analysis at selected time points to detect local deviations of firing patterns from one condition to another. We apply our method on two neurons recorded from the primary motor cortex area of a monkey's brain while performing a sequence of reaching tasks.
Joint Modeling for Cognitive Trajectory and Risk of Dementia in the Presence of Death
Authors: Yu Binbing , Ghosh Pulak
Published: May 2009

Summary Dementia is characterized by accelerated cognitive decline before and after diagnosis as compared to normal aging. It has been known that cognitive impairment occurs long before the diagnosis of dementia. For individuals who develop dementia, it is important to determine the time when the rate of cognitive decline begins to accelerate and the subsequent gap time to dementia diagnosis. For normal aging individuals, it is also useful to understand the trajectory of cognitive function until their death. A Bayesian change‐point model is proposed to fit the trajectory of cognitive function for individuals who develop dementia. In real life, people in older ages are subject to two competing risks, e.g., dementia and dementia‐free death. Because the majority of people do not develop dementia, a mixture model is used for survival data with competing risks, which consists of dementia onset time after the change point of cognitive function decline for demented individuals and death time for nondemented individuals. The cognitive trajectories and the survival process are modeled jointly and the parameters are estimated using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Using data from the Honolulu Asia Aging Study, we show the trajectories of cognitive function and the effect of education, apolipoprotein E 4 genotype, and hypertension on cognitive decline and the risk of dementia.
False Discovery Rate Estimation for Frequentist Pharmacovigilance Signal Detection Methods
Authors: Ahmed I. , Dalmasso C. , Haramburu F. , Thiessard F. , Broët P. , Tubert‐Bitter P.
Published: May 2009

Summary Pharmacovigilance systems aim at early detection of adverse effects of marketed drugs. They maintain large spontaneous reporting databases for which several automatic signaling methods have been developed. One limit of those methods is that the decision rules for the signal generation are based on arbitrary thresholds. In this article, we propose a new signal‐generation procedure. The decision criterion is formulated in terms of a critical region for the P‐values resulting from the reporting odds ratio method as well as from the Fisher's exact test. For the latter, we also study the use of mid‐P‐values. The critical region is defined by the false discovery rate, which can be estimated by adapting the P‐values mixture model based procedures to one‐sided tests. The methodology is mainly illustrated with the location‐based estimator procedure. It is studied through a large simulation study and applied to the French pharmacovigilance database.
The Analysis of Biodiversity Using Rank Abundance Distributions
Authors: Foster Scott D. , Dunstan Piers K.
Published: May 2009

Summary Biodiversity is an important topic of ecological research. A common form of data collected to investigate patterns of biodiversity is the number of individuals of each species at a series of locations. These data contain information on the number of individuals (abundance), the number of species (richness), and the relative proportion of each species within the sampled assemblage (evenness). If there are enough sampled locations across an environmental gradient then the data should contain information on how these three attributes of biodiversity change over gradients. We show that the rank abundance distribution (RAD) representation of the data provides a convenient method for quantifying these three attributes constituting biodiversity. We present a statistical framework for modeling RADs and allow their multivariate distribution to vary according to environmental gradients. The method relies on three models: a negative binomial model, a truncated negative binomial model, and a novel model based on a modified Dirichlet‐multinomial that allows for a particular type of heterogeneity observed in RAD data. The method is motivated by, and applied to, a large‐scale marine survey off the coast of Western Australia, Australia. It provides a rich description of biodiversity and how it changes with environmental conditions.
Default mode network connectivity as a predictor of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptom severity in acutely traumatized subjects
Authors: Lanius R. A. , Bluhm R. L. , Coupland N. J. , Hegadoren K. M. , Rowe B. , Théberge J. , Neufeld R. W. J. , Williamson P. C. , Brimson M.
Published: May 2009

Objective:  The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between default mode network connectivity and the severity of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a sample of eleven acutely traumatized subjects.

Method:  Participants underwent a 5.5 min resting functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Brain areas whose activity positively correlated with that of the posterior cingulate/precuneus (PCC) were assessed. To assess the relationship between severity of PTSD symptoms and PCC connectivity, the contrast image representing areas positively correlated with the PCC was correlated with the subjects’ Clinician Administered PTSD Scale scores.

Results:  Results suggest that resting state connectivity of the PCC with the perigenual anterior cingulate and the right amygdala is associated with current PTSD symptoms and that correlation with the right amygdala predicts future PTSD symptoms.

Conclusion:  These results may contribute to the development of prognostic tools to distinguish between those who will and those who will not develop PTSD.