bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Handbook of International School Psychology
Authors: Hart Stuart N.
Published: December 2007

School psychology, the professional application of psychology to education environments and programs, has evolved during the last hundred years to become a critically valuable source of support for the learning and development of children and youth throughout the world. This review of The Handbook of International School Psychology found it to be the best available source for understanding the profession's history of development, nature, present status characteristics and the challenges and potentials for its future internationally and for the diverse sample of 43 countries included for specific attention. The book's editor-authors and country chapter authors have produced quite interesting and useful material in a highly readable form. The review gives the future of the profession and its yet un-reached potential particular attention, noting constraints limiting the profession's practices and contributions such as traditionally heavy emphasis on the provision of assessment and preventive/ corrective interventions focused on problems in learning and students with disabilities, oversight and control by non-psychologists and narrowly dedicated funding. Suggestions are made for a more expansive future of contributions by clarifying the professions' purposes, broadening the meaning of special needs, employing an assets model, bringing interventions to the foreground, shifting to a stronger internal locus of control and drafting a new social contract with communities emphasizing promotion of the full healthy development of all children and youth. Recommendations are also made for transforming the Handbook into a living internet process of information provision, discourse on issues, consensus development, resource support and guidance for the profession
Giving Psychology Away
Authors: Macleod Flora , Macmillan Philip , Norwich Brahm
Published: December 2007

This article takes up the proposal, originally postulated by George Miller in the US (Miller, 1969) and later taken up by Harry Kay in the UK (Kay, 1972), that psychologists should work through non-psychologists to help alleviate social problems. Specifically it evaluates a reading intervention programme devised by educational psychologists and delivered by teaching assistants specially trained by a psychologist. The article assesses the extent to which a psychologist, working through school personnel, added value to the education process within participating schools, the nature of that value and the challenges that had to be overcome. Results showed significant group level improvements in word recognition abilities amongst readers with delayed reading, although the extent of these improvements varied according to school and age with older pupils benefiting more than younger ones. Girls gained more than boys, but this difference was not statistically significant. It was also demonstrated that the programme could be delivered to schools on a low budget including the training of school personnel and taught effectively by non-professional teachers with minimum disruption. It was concluded that the service-delivery approach taken was in keeping with the new expectations of professional educational psychologists and as such provides a useful model for others operating in a changing service context.
Growing Up with Dyslexia
Authors: Ingesson S. Gunnel
Published: December 2007

Interviews with 75 teenagers and young adults were performed to investigate how young people with dyslexia experienced school in terms of well-being, educational achievement, self-esteem, peer relations and belief in their future. Results from earlier studies suggest that secondary emotional problems are common. The first six grades in school were experienced by the interviewees as full of distress and failure for a majority. Though peer relations were often good, many had experienced bullying. As they grew older, problems were more limited to reading and writing activities. This was thought to be an effect of acknowledgement and compartmentalization of the disability along with choices of school curricula and occupations in line with subjects' talents and capacities. Academic self-esteem seemed low, and most subjects had chosen vocational programmes in secondary school and had decided not to go to college. The most optimistic subjects were those who had finished school and were permanently employed. Early diagnosis along with careful explanation of the disability was recommended as well as the encouragement of dyslexic children in areas where they can do well and which makes them view themselves positively.
Competent to Cope, Worthy of Happiness?
Authors: Miller David , Daniel Brigid
Published: December 2007

This article considers links between self-esteem and resilience, and suggests implications for teachers and schools. A two-dimensional model of self-esteem is employed as a theoretical framework to revisit a range of factors frequently associated with internal resilience. It is argued that because of the way in which self-referent characteristics have been conceptualized in the past, the links between self-esteem and resilience may have been underestimated. Following discussion of the theoretical issues, suggestions are made about to how this model of self-esteem can provide schools with a conceptual framework to help inform resilience-based approaches to support vulnerable children.
Predicting Utility Ratings for Joint Health States from Single Health States in Prostate Cancer: Empirical Testing of 3 Alternative Theories
Authors: Dale William , Basu Anirban , Elstein Arthur , Meltzer David
Published: December 2007

Background. Cost-effectiveness analyses measure quality of life by associating utilities with specific health states. Utilities are often defined by single health states, such as incontinence or impotence in the case of prostate cancer treatments. Health conditions often occur simultaneously, yielding joint health states (e.g., impotence with incontinence). Given the combinatorial mathematics involved, even a small number of conditions can result in large numbers of potential joint states, complicating utility elicitation for all relevant states. Analytic predictions for joint-state utilities have been based on 3 theoretical models: 1) multiplicative, 2) additive, and 3) minimum models. These models' empirical accuracy for joint-state utility prediction has been minimally examined. The authors compared these 3 models for predicting joint-state utilities from single-state utilities in men at the time of prostate biopsies. Methods. Utilities were collected using time tradeoff in 2 university-based prostate biopsy clinics (N = 147). Single-state utilities were elicited for impotence, incontinence, watchful waiting, and post-prostatectomy. Joint-state utilities were elicited for states combining impotence with 1) incontinence, 2) postprostatectomy, or 3) watchful waiting. Testing 3 prediction models of joint-state utilities for bias and consistency, the predictions were compared against directly elicited joint-state utilities. Results. All 3 models are biased. The minimum model is preferred, being the least biased and most efficient. Conclusions. No current model accurately predicts joint-state utility using the component single-state utilities. When possible, joint-state utilities should be elicited. If not possible, the minimum model is recommended. Research to identify better models is needed.
“Maybe It Could Be a Heart Attack . . . But I'm Only 31”: Young Men's Lived Experience of Myocardial Infarction—An Exploratory Study
Authors: Allison Maggie , Campbell Carol
Published: December 2007

This study examines the lived experience of myocardial infarction (MI) in younger men. Seven men, aged between 32 and 58, all of whom had suffered MI within the previous 12 months, were interviewed. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four main themes. The themes were “disillusionment with life,” “tension and stress,” “keeping up appearances,” and “invincibility.” Collectively the four themes reflected the complexities, subtleties, and consensus of the experiences of these younger men who have survived MI. This study reveals that the individuals within the authors' sample appear to allude to the ideal or hegemonic form of masculine identity. Utilization of a qualitative approach with this younger male sample has enabled the authors to elicit the defining features of their experience as identified by themselves. Implications for these findings are discussed.
Factors determining the quality of life of patients with COPD in primary care
Authors: Miravitlles Marc , Molina Jesús , Naberan Karlos , Cots Josep Maria , Ros Fernando , Llor Carles
Published: December 2007

Objectives: To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a cohort of COPD patients recruited in primary care and identify the variables of the patients and the treatment associated with impaired HRQL.

Method: Multicenter, observational study of patients with COPD recruited in Primary Care centers. Data regarding HRQL measured by the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) are presented. The total population was divided into two subgroups, high and Low SGRQ, using the median of the total SGRQ score. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis with calculation of adjusted odds ratios were used to investigate the factors significantly associated with a higher SGRQ score (poor HRQL).

Results: A total of 27 investigators included 222 valid patients with a mean age of 68.2 years (SD = 9.9) and a mean FEV1(%) of 49.2% (SD = 15.4%). The median total SGRQ score was 39.5 and patients with a high score had a longer evolution of COPD ( p < 0 .0001), more severe dyspnea ( p < 0 .0001) and a worse FEV1(%) (46.3% vs. 51.9%; p = 0 .008). Factors independently associated with the total SGRQ score were cough and dyspnea, duration of COPD and treatment with inhaled steroids.

Conclusion: Patients with COPD controlled in primary care demonstrate an important impairment in HRQL, with chronic cough and dyspnea being associated with more impaired HRQL. Strategies aimed at modifying these factors should significantly improve the well-being of COPD patients.
Disease-associated CIAS1 mutations induce monocyte death, revealing low-level mosaicism in mutation-negative cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome patients
Authors: Saito Megumu , Nishikomori Ryuta , Kambe Naotomo , Fujisawa Akihiro , Tanizaki Hideaki , Takeichi Kyoko , Imagawa Tomoyuki , Iehara Tomoko , Takada Hidetoshi , Matsubayashi Tadashi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Kawashima Hisashi , Kawakami Kiyoshi , Kagami Shinji , Okafuji Ikuo , Yoshioka Takakazu , Adachi Souichi , Heike Toshio , Miyachi Yoshiki , Nakahata Tatsutoshi
Published: December 2007

Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a spectrum of systemic autoinflammatory disorders in which the majority of patients have mutations in the cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome (CIAS)1 gene. Despite having indistinguishable clinical features, some patients lack CIAS1 mutations by conventional nucleotide sequencing. We recently reported a CAPS patient with mosaicism of mutant CIAS1, and raised the possibility that CIAS1 mutations were overlooked in “mutation-negative” patients, due to a low frequency of mosaicism. To determine whether there were latent mutant cells in “mutation-negative” patients, we sought to identify mutation-associated biologic phenotypes of patients' monocytes. We found that lipopolysaccharide selectively induced necrosis-like cell death in monocytes bearing CIAS1 mutations. Monocyte death correlated with CIAS1 up-regulation, was dependent on cathepsin B, and was independent of caspase-1. Cell death was intrinsic to CIAS1-mutated monocytes, was not mediated by the inflammatory milieu, and was independent of disease severity or anti–IL-1 therapy. By collecting dying monocytes after lipopolysaccharide treatment, we succeeded in enriching CIAS1-mutant monocytes and identifying low-level CIAS1-mosaicism in 3 of 4 “mutation-negative” CAPS patients. Our findings reveal a novel effect of CIAS1 mutations in promoting necrosis-like cell death, and demonstrate that CIAS1 mosaicism plays an important role in mutation-negative CAPS patients.
Biologic and molecular effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in healthy individuals: recent findings and current challenges
Authors: Anderlini Paolo , Champlin Richard E.
Published: December 2007

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) is widely used in healthy donors for collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) for allogeneic transplantation and granulocytes for transfusion. The spectrum of its biologic and molecular activities in healthy individuals is coming into sharper focus, creating a unique set of challenges and clarifying the need to monitor and safeguard donor safety. Accumulating evidence indicates that rhG-CSF effects are not limited to the myeloid cell lineage. This may reflect the presence of functional G-CSF receptors on other cell types and tissues, as well as rhG-CSF–induced modulation of cytokine networks. While most rhG-CSF–induced effects are transient and self-limiting, preliminary, provocative data have suggested the possibility of a more durable effect on the chromosomal integrity of lymphocytes. While these reports have not been validated and have been subject to criticism, they are prompting prospective studies and monitoring efforts to determine whether there is a significant risk of long-term adverse events (eg, hematologic malignancies) in healthy PBPC and granulocyte donors. Based on the totality of information that is currently available, the administration of rhG-CSF to healthy donors for the purpose of PBPC donation continues to have a favorable risk-benefit profile.
CEP-18770: A novel, orally active proteasome inhibitor with a tumor-selective pharmacologic profile competitive with bortezomib
Authors: Piva Roberto , Ruggeri Bruce , Williams Michael , Costa Giulia , Tamagno Ilaria , Ferrero Dario , Giai Valentina , Coscia Marta , Peola Silvia , Massaia Massimo , Pezzoni Gabriella , Allievi Cecilia , Pescalli Nicoletta , Cassin Mara , di Giovine Stefano , Nicoli Paola , de Feudis Paola , Strepponi Ivan , Roato Ilaria , Ferracini Riccardo , Bussolati Benedetta , Camussi Giovanni , Jones-Bolin Susan , Hunter Kathryn , Zhao Hugh , Neri Antonino , Palumbo Antonio , Berkers Celia , Ovaa Huib , Bernareggi Alberto , Inghirami Giorgio
Published: December 2007

Modulating protein ubiquitination via proteasome inhibition represents a promising target for cancer therapy, because of the higher sensitivity of cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibition. Here we show that CEP-18770 is a novel orally-active inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome that down-modulates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and the expression of several NF-κB downstream effectors. CEP-18770 induces apoptotic cell death in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and in primary purified CD138-positive explant cultures from untreated and bortezomib-treated MM patients. In vitro, CEP-18770 has a strong antiangiogenic activity and potently represses RANKL–induced osteoclastogenesis. Importantly, CEP-18770 exhibits a favorable cytotoxicity profile toward normal human epithelial cells, bone marrow progenitors, and bone marrow–derived stromal cells. Intravenous and oral administration of CEP-18770 resulted in a more sustained pharmacodynamic inhibition of proteasome activity in tumors relative to normal tissues, complete tumor regression of MM xenografts and improved overall median survival in a systemic model of human MM. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the utility of CEP-18770 as a novel orally active proteasome inhibitor with a favorable tumor selectivity profile for the treatment of MM and other malignancies responsive to proteasome inhibition.
Clinical molecular imaging in intestinal graft-versus-host disease: mapping of disease activity, prediction, and monitoring of treatment efficiency by positron emission tomography
Authors: Stelljes Matthias , Hermann Sven , Albring Jörn , Köhler Gabriele , Löffler Markus , Franzius Christiane , Poremba Christopher , Schlösser Verena , Volkmann Sarah , Opitz Corinna , Bremer Christoph , Kucharzik Torsten , Silling Gerda , Schober Otmar , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Schäfers Michael , Kienast Joachim
Published: December 2007

Gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Noninvasive tests for assessment of GVHD activity are desirable but lacking. In the present study, we were able to visualize intestinal GVHD-associated inflammation in an allogeneic murine transplantation model by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in vivo. A predominant localization of intestinal GVHD to the colon was verified by histology and fluorescence reflectance imaging of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)–expressing donor cells. Colonic infiltration by EGFP+ donor lymphocytes matched increased FDG uptake in PET examinations. These preclinical data were prospectively translated into 30 patients with suspected intestinal GVHD beyond 20 days after transplantation. A total of 14 of 17 patients with a diagnostic histology showed significant FDG uptake of the gut, again predominantly in the colon. No increased FDG uptake was detected in 13 patients without histologic evidence of intestinal GVHD. Our findings indicate that FDG-PET is a sensitive and specific noninvasive imaging technique to assess intestinal GVHD, map its localization, and predict and monitor treatment responsiveness. Novel targeted tracers for PET may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of GVHD and bear the potential to further improve GVHD diagnosis.
Myeloperoxidase modulates lung epithelial responses to pro-inflammatory agents
Authors: Haegens A. , Vernooy J. H. J. , Heeringa P. , Mossman B. T. , Wouters E. F. M.
Published: December 2007

During extensive inflammation, neutrophils undergo secondary necrosis causing myeloperoxidase (MPO) release that may damage resident lung cells. Recent observations suggest that MPO has pro-inflammatory properties, independent of its enzymatic activity. The aims of the present study were to characterise MPO internalisation by lung epithelial cells and to investigate the effect of MPO on oxidative stress, DNA damage and cytokine production by lung epithelial cells.

Human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with MPO, with or without priming the cells with pro-inflammatory stimuli. MPO protein was detected in the cell cytoplasm. Expression of haemoxygenase (HO)-1 and DNA strand breakage were determined. The production of interleukin (IL)-8 and -6 were measured.

Analyses of MPO-stimulated cells demonstrated MPO presence in the cells. HO-1 expression was increased after MPO stimulation and increased further when cells were primed before MPO stimulation. MPO exposure also induced DNA strand breakage. Interestingly, MPO inhibited IL-8 production in bronchial, but not alveolar epithelium.

In conclusion, alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells can internalise myeloperoxidase. Stimulation with myeloperoxidase increases haemoxygenase-1 expression and DNA strand breakage, suggesting cell damaging capacity of myeloperoxidase. In addition, myeloperoxidase inhibited interleukin-8 production by bronchial epithelial cells, indicating a negative feedback loop for neutrophil recruitment.
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a tissue Doppler echocardiographic study
Authors: Papadopoulos C. E. , Pitsiou G. , Karamitsos T. D. , Karvounis H. I. , Kontakiotis T. , Giannakoulas G. , Efthimiadis G. K. , Argyropoulou P. , Parharidis G. E. , Bouros D.
Published: December 2007

It was hypothesised that, apart from right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) also exhibit left ventricular (LV) impairment, which may affect disease progression and prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate LV performance in a cohort of IPF patients using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography.

IPF patients exhibiting mild-to-moderate pulmonary arterial hypertension (mean age 65±9 yrs; n = 22) and healthy individuals (mean age 61±6 yrs; n = 22) were studied. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography were used for the evaluation of RV and LV systolic and diastolic function.

In addition to the expected impairment in RV function, all patients showed a characteristic reversal of LV diastolic filling to late diastole compared with controls (early diastolic peak filling velocity (E)/late diastolic peak filling velocity 0.7±0.2versus1.5±0.1, respectively). Patients with IPF also exhibited lower peak myocardial velocities in early diastole (Em; 5.7±1.1versus10.3±1.6 cm·s−1, respectively), higher in late diastole (Am; 8.9±1.3versus5.5±0.8 cm·s−1, respectively), lower Em/Amratio (0.6±0.1versus1.9±0.5, respectively) and higher E/Emratio (10.8±3versus6±0.6, respectively), all indicative of LV diastolic dysfunction. Moreover, LV propagation velocity was significantly lower in IPF patients (46±13versus83±21 cm·s−1, respectively).

Physicians should be aware that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis exhibit early impairment of left ventricular diastolic function.
Association of autism with polymorphisms in the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) on chromosome 5q31: a candidate gene analysis
Authors: Philippi Anne , Tores Frédéric , Carayol Jérome , Rousseau Francis , Letexier Mélanie , Roschmann Elke , Lindenbaum Pierre , Benajjou Abdel , Fontaine Karine , Vazart Céline , Gesnouin Philippe , Brooks Peter , Hager Jörg
Published: December 2007

Background

Autism is a complex, heterogeneous, behaviorally-defined disorder characterized by disruptions of the nervous system and of other systems such as the pituitary-hypothalamic axis. In a previous genome wide screen, we reported linkage of autism with a 1.2 Megabase interval on chromosome 5q31. For the current study, we hypothesized that 3 of the genes in this region could be involved in the development of autism: 1) paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1), which is a key regulator of hormones within the pituitary-hypothalamic axis, 2) neurogenin 1, a transcription factor involved in neurogenesis, and 3) histone family member Y (H2AFY), which is involved in X-chromosome inactivation in females and could explain the 4:1 male:female gender distortion present in autism.

Methods

A total of 276 families from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) repository composed of 1086 individuals including 530 affected children were included in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging the three candidate genes were genotyped on the initial linkage sample of 116 families. A second step of analysis was performed using tightly linked SNPs covering the PITX1 gene. Association was evaluated using the FBAT software version 1.7.3 for single SNP analysis and the HBAT command from the same package for haplotype analysis respectively.

Results

Association between SNPs and autism was only detected for PITX1. Haplotype analysis within PITX1 showed evidence for overtransmission of the A-C haplotype of markers rs11959298 – rs6596189 (p = 0.0004). Individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the A-C haplotype risk allele were 2.54 and 1.59 fold more likely to be autistic than individuals who were not carrying the allele, respectively.

Conclusion

Strong and consistent association was observed between a 2 SNPs within PITX1 and autism. Our data suggest that PITX1, a key regulator of hormones within the pituitary-hypothalamic axis, may be implicated in the etiology of autism.
Climate prediction of El Niño malaria epidemics in north-west Tanzania
Authors: Jones Anne E , Wort Ulrika Uddenfeldt , Morse Andrew P , Hastings Ian M , Gagnon Alexandre S
Published: December 2007

Background

Malaria is a significant public health problem in Tanzania. Approximately 16 million malaria cases are reported every year and 100,000 to 125,000 deaths occur. Although most of Tanzania is endemic to malaria, epidemics occur in the highlands, notably in Kagera, a region that was subject to widespread malaria epidemics in 1997 and 1998. This study examined the relationship between climate and malaria incidence in Kagera with the aim of determining whether seasonal forecasts may assist in predicting malaria epidemics.

Methods

A regression analysis was performed on retrospective malaria and climatic data during each of the two annual malaria seasons to determine the climatic factors influencing malaria incidence. The ability of the DEMETER seasonal forecasting system in predicting the climatic anomalies associated with malaria epidemics was then assessed for each malaria season.

Results

It was found that malaria incidence is positively correlated with rainfall during the first season (Oct-Mar) (R-squared = 0.73, p < 0.01). For the second season (Apr-Sep), high malaria incidence was associated with increased rainfall, but also with high maximum temperature during the first rainy season (multiple R-squared = 0.79, p < 0.01). The robustness of these statistical models was tested by excluding the two epidemic years from the regression analysis. DEMETER would have been unable to predict the heavy El Niño rains associated with the 1998 epidemic. Nevertheless, this epidemic could still have been predicted using the temperature forecasts alone. The 1997 epidemic could have been predicted from observed temperatures in the preceding season, but the consideration of the rainfall forecasts would have improved the temperature-only forecasts over the remaining years.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the potential of a seasonal forecasting system in the development of a malaria early warning system in Kagera region.
Major surgery delegation to mid-level health practitioners in Mozambique: health professionals' perceptions
Authors: Cumbi Amelia , Pereira Caetano , Malalane Raimundo , Vaz Fernando , McCord Colin , Bacci Alberta , Bergström Staffan
Published: December 2007

Background

This study examines the opinions of health professionals about the capacity and performance of the 'técnico de cirurgia', a surgically trained assistant medical officer in the Mozambican health system. Particular attention is paid to the views of medical doctors and maternal and child health nurses.

Methods

The results are derived from a qualitative study using both semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Health professionals (n = 71) were interviewed at both facility and system level. Eight group discussion sessions of about two hours each were run in eight rural hospitals with a total of 48 participants. Medical doctors and district officers were excluded from group discussion sessions due to their hierarchical position which could have prevented other workers from expressing opinions freely.

Results

Health workers at all levels voiced satisfaction with the work of the "técnicos de cirurgia". They stressed the life-saving skills of these cadres, the advantages resulting from a reduction in the need for patient referrals and the considerable cost reduction for patients and their families. Important problems in the professional status and remuneration of "técnicos de cirurgia" were identified.

Conclusion

This study, the first one to scrutinize the judgements and attitudes of health workers towards the "técnico de cirurgia", showed that, despite some shortcomings, this cadre is highly appreciated and that the health delivery system does not recognize and motivate them enough. The findings of this study can be used to direct efforts to improve motivation of health workers in general and of técnicos de cirurgia in particular.
A critical appraisal of guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis using Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation criteria
Authors: Poitras Stéphane , Avouac Jérôme , Rossignol Michel , Avouac Bernard , Cedraschi Christine , Nordin Margareta , Rousseaux Chantal , Rozenberg Sylvie , Savarieau Bernard , Thoumie Philippe , Valat Jean-Pierre , Vignon Éric , Hilliquin Pascal
Published: December 2007

Clinical practice guidelines have been elaborated to summarize evidence related to the management of knee osteoarthritis and to facilitate uptake of evidence-based knowledge by clinicians. The objectives of the present review were summarizing the recommendations of existing guidelines on knee osteoarthritis, and assessing the quality of the guidelines using a standardized and validated instrument – the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) tool. Internet medical literature databases from 2001 to 2006 were searched for guidelines, with six guidelines being identified. Thirteen clinician researchers participated in the review. Each reviewer was trained in the AGREE instrument. The guidelines were distributed to four groups of three or four reviewers, each group reviewing one guideline with the exception of one group that reviewed two guidelines. One independent evaluator reviewed all guidelines. All guidelines effectively addressed only a minority of AGREE domains. Clarity/presentation was effectively addressed in three out of six guidelines, scope/purpose and rigour of development in two guidelines, editorial independence in one guideline, and stakeholder involvement and applicability in none. The clinical management recommendation tended to be similar among guidelines, although interventions addressed varied. Acetaminophen was recommended for initial pain treatment, combined with exercise and education. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were recommended if acetaminophen failed to control pain, but cautiously because of gastrointestinal risks. Surgery was recommended in the presence of persistent pain and disability. Education and activity management interventions were superficially addressed in most guidelines. Guideline creators should use the AGREE criteria when developing guidelines. Innovative and effective methods of knowledge translation to health professionals are needed.
Diversity and evolution of phycobilisomes in marine Synechococcusspp.: a comparative genomics study
Authors: Six Christophe , Thomas Jean-Claude , Garczarek Laurence , Ostrowski Martin , Dufresne Alexis , Blot Nicolas , Scanlan David J , Partensky Frédéric
Published: December 2007

Background

Marine Synechococcus owe their specific vivid color (ranging from blue-green to orange) to their large extrinsic antenna complexes called phycobilisomes, comprising a central allophycocyanin core and rods of variable phycobiliprotein composition. Three major pigment types can be defined depending on the major phycobiliprotein found in the rods (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin I or phycoerythrin II). Among strains containing both phycoerythrins I and II, four subtypes can be distinguished based on the ratio of the two chromophores bound to these phycobiliproteins. Genomes of eleven marine Synechococcus strains recently became available with one to four strains per pigment type or subtype, allowing an unprecedented comparative genomics study of genes involved in phycobilisome metabolism.

Results

By carefully comparing the Synechococcus genomes, we have retrieved candidate genes potentially required for the synthesis of phycobiliproteins in each pigment type. This includes linker polypeptides, phycobilin lyases and a number of novel genes of uncharacterized function. Interestingly, strains belonging to a given pigment type have similar phycobilisome gene complements and organization, independent of the core genome phylogeny (as assessed using concatenated ribosomal proteins). While phylogenetic trees based on concatenated allophycocyanin protein sequences are congruent with the latter, those based on phycocyanin and phycoerythrin notably differ and match the Synechococcus pigment types.

Conclusion

We conclude that the phycobilisome core has likely evolved together with the core genome, while rods must have evolved independently, possibly by lateral transfer of phycobilisome rod genes or gene clusters between Synechococcus strains, either via viruses or by natural transformation, allowing rapid adaptation to a variety of light niches.
Convergence of a head-field selector Otx2 and Notch signaling: a mechanism for lens specification
Authors: Ogino Hajime , Fisher Marilyn , Grainger Robert M.
Published: December 2007

Xenopus is ideal for systematic decoding of cis-regulatory networks because its evolutionary position among vertebrates allows one to combine comparative genomics with efficient transgenic technology in one system. Here, we have identified and analyzed the major enhancer of FoxE3 (Lens1), a gene essential for lens formation that is activated in the presumptive lens ectoderm (PLE) when commitment to the lens fate occurs. Deletion and mutation analyses of the enhancer based on comparison of Xenopus and mammalian sequences and in vitro and in vivo binding assays identified two essential transcriptional regulators: Otx2,a homeodomain protein expressed broadly in head ectoderm including the PLE,and Su(H), a nuclear signal transducer of Notch signaling. A Notch ligand,Delta2, is expressed in the optic vesicle adjacent to the PLE, and inhibition of its activity led to loss, or severe reduction, of FoxE3 expression followed by failure of placode formation. Ectopic activation of Notch signaling induced FoxE3 expression within head ectoderm expressing Otx2, and additional misexpression of Otx2 in trunk ectoderm extended the Notch-induced FoxE3 expression posteriorly. These data provide the first direct evidence of the involvement of Notch signaling in lens induction. The obligate integration of inputs of a field-selector (Otx2)and localized signaling (Notch) within target cis-regulatory elements might be a general mechanism of organ-field specification in vertebrates (as it is in Drosophila). This concept is also consistent with classical embryological studies of many organ systems involving a `multiple-step induction'.
Maternally derived FILIA-MATER complex localizes asymmetrically in cleavage-stage mouse embryos
Authors: Ohsugi Mami , Zheng Ping , Baibakov Boris , Li Lei , Dean Jurrien
Published: December 2007

Initial cell lineages that presage the inner cell mass and extra-embryonic trophectoderm are established when eight blastomeres compact to form polarized morulae in preimplantation mouse development. FILIA has been identified as a binding partner to MATER (maternal antigen that embryos require; also known as NLRP5), which is encoded by a maternal effect gene. Products of each gene are detected in growing oocytes and, although transcripts are degraded before fertilization, the cognate proteins persist in early blastocysts. The two proteins co-localize to the cytocortex of ovulated eggs, where the stability of FILIA is dependent on the presence of MATER. After fertilization,FILIA-MATER complexes become asymmetrically restricted in the apical cytocortex of two-cell embryos due to their absence in regions of cell-cell contact. This asymmetry is reversible upon disaggregation of blastomeres of the two- and four-cell embryo. Each protein persists in cells of the preimplantation embryo, but the continuous cell-cell contact of `inner' cells of the morulae seemingly precludes formation of the subcortical FILIA-MATER complex and results in cell populations that are marked by its presence(`outer') or absence (`inner'). Thus, the FILIA-MATER complex provides a molecular marker of embryonic cell lineages, but it remains to be determined if the molecular asymmetry established after the first cell division plays a role in cell fate determinations in the early mouse embryo. If so, the plasticity of the FILIA-MATER complex localization may reflect the regulative nature of preimplantation mouse development.
Regulation of gene expression during M-G1-phase in fission yeast through Plo1p and forkhead transcription factors
Authors: Papadopoulou Kyriaki , Ng Szu Shien , Ohkura Hiroyuki , Geymonat Marco , Sedgwick Steven G. , McInerny Christopher J.
Published: December 2007

In fission yeast the expression of several genes during M-G1 phase is controlled by binding of the PCB binding factor (PBF) transcription factor complex to Pombe cell cycle box (PCB) promoter motifs. Three components of PBF have been identified, including two forkhead-like proteins Sep1p and Fkh2p, and a MADS-box-like protein, Mbx1p. Here, we examine how PBF is controlled and reveal a role for the Polo kinase Plo1p. plo1+ shows genetic interactions with sep1+, fkh2+ and mbx1+, and overexpression of a kinase-domain mutant of plo1 abolishes M-G1-phase transcription. Plo1p binds to and directly phosphorylates Mbx1p, the first time a Polo kinase has been shown to phosphorylate a MADS box protein in any organism. Fkh2p and Sep1p interact in vivo and in vitro, and Fkh2p, Sep1p and Plo1p contact PCB promoters in vivo. However, strikingly, both Fkh2p and Plo1p bind to PCB promoters only when PCB-controlled genes are not expressed during S- and G2-phase, whereas by contrast Sep1p contacts PCBs coincident with M-G1-phase transcription. Thus, Plo1p, Fkh2p and Sep1p control M-G1-phase gene transcription through a combination of phosphorylation and cell-cycle-specific DNA binding to PCBs.
Cost estimation for rapid manufacturing ’ simultaneous production of mixed components using laser sintering
Authors: Ruffo M , Hague R
Published: December 2007

Rapid manufacturing (RM) is a production method able to build components by adding material layer by layer, and it thus allows the elimination of tooling from the production chain. For this reason, RM enables a cost-efficient production of low-volume components favouring the customization strategy. Previous work has been developed on costing methodologies applicable to RM, but it was limited to the scenario of the production of copies of the same part. In reality, RM enables the production of different components simultaneously, and thus a smart mix of components in the same machine can achieve an enhanced cost reduction. This paper details this concept by proposing mathematical models for the assignment of the full production cost into each single product and by validating through a case study. This paper extends previous work on RM costing by adding the scenario of simultaneous production of different parts.
An approach to feature-based three-dimensional modelling and similarity assessment of turned components
Authors: Krishna V , Babu B Surendra , Rao D Nageswara , Shankar N V S
Published: December 2007

Feature-based modelling has been considered an indispensable tool for integrating design and manufacturing processes. In contrast to the common approach of simply attaching manufacturing information to existing geometric models, the present work proposes a new approach to extracting machining features from a feature-based solid modelling, based on an integrated geometric modelling system that supports both feature-based modelling and feature recognition. As a result, feature information is directly available to downstream activities, and feature extraction or recognition is no longer needed. The proposed feature-based modelling system provides a graphical environment for solid modelling in AutoCAD. This paper presents algorithms for feature-based modelling. The feature types are used as a basis for similarity assessment.
A numerical method for the prediction of wave pattern of surface piercing cavitating hydrofoils
Authors: Bal S
Published: December 2007

The iterative boundary-element method, which is originally developed before for submerged cavitating hydrofoils is extended and modified to predict the wave pattern and lift and drag values of surface piercing cavitating hydrofoils (vertical struts) moving with a constant speed on the free surface. The iterative numerical method, which is based on the Green's theorem, allows the separation of surface piercing cavitating hydrofoil (or vertical strut) problem and the free surface problem. Those problems are solved separately, with the effects of one on the other being accounted for in an iterative manner. The wetted surface of the body (hydrofoil or strut) and the free surface are modelled with constant strength dipole and constant strength source panels. In order to prevent upstream waves the source strengths from some distance in front of the body to the end of the truncated upstream boundary are enforced to be zero. No radiation condition is enforced for downstream and transverse boundaries on the free surface. The method is applied to a rectangular non-cavitating hydrofoil with a yaw angle to compare the results with those of experiments and other numerical methods given in the literature. Then, the method is applied to a rectangular cavitating vertical strut and the effects of Froude number on wave pattern and lift and drag values of vertical strut are discussed.
Identification of principal screws of two- and three-screw systems
Authors: Zhao J-S , Chu F , Feng Z-J
Published: December 2007

The current paper proposes a unified analytical methodology to identify the principal screws of two- and three-screw systems. Based on the definition of the pitch of a screw, it first obtains an identical homogeneous quadric equation. According to functional analysis theory, it is known that the partial derivatives of an identical quadric equation with respect to its variables must be zero. Therefore, the paper deduces a set of linear homogeneous equations that are made up of the partial derivatives of the quadric equation. With the existing criteria of non-zero solutions for homogeneous linear algebra equations, it ultimately obtains the formulas of the principal pitches and the associated principal screws of the system. The most outstanding contribution of this methodology is that it proposes a unified analytical approach to identify the principal pitches and the principal coordinate systems of the second-order and the third-order screw systems. This should be a new contribution to the screw theory and will boost its applications to the kinematics analysis of robots and spatial mechanisms.
Acceleration of a two-dimensional Euler flow solver using commodity graphics hardware
Authors: Brandvik T , Pullan G
Published: December 2007

The implementation of a two-dimensional Euler solver on graphics hardware is described. The graphics processing unit is highly parallelized and uses a programming model that is well suited to flow computation. Results for a transonic turbine cascade test-case are presented. For large grids (106 nodes) a 40 times speed-up compared with a Fortran implementation on a contemporary CPU is observed.
Experimental studies of the jet of a Pelton turbine
Authors: Zhang Zh , Casey M
Published: December 2007

The jet discharged from the nozzle of a Pelton turbine is a key item of such hydropower systems and its precise shape and position are highly relevant to the optimum design of the turbine buckets to match the incoming flow. Experimental investigations, primarily with laser Doppler anemometry, have been used to identify the important fluid dynamic structures of the jet and its free surface. It is shown that weak secondary flows generated by the bends or bifurcations in the distributor of the Pelton turbine system are still present in the jet leaving the injectors. These cause small flow disturbances which affect the shape, orientation, and the topology of the jets and lead to a shift of the jet core from the axis of the nozzle.
Review of the frictional properties of finger-object contact when gripping
Authors: Tomlinson S E , Lewis R , Carré M J
Published: December 2007

Gripping is an everyday task which is taken for granted by many. The current paper examines extant knowledge of howobjects are gripped for manipulation, and the relationship, the coefficient of friction, between finger and object, has on various grip parameters. It is found that friction is an essential part of the feedback and feedforward control system for grip. The friction of the finger-object contact can be measured in several different ways, using methods of either a probe moving on a finger or a finger moving on a flat surface. These friction measurements can then be used to gain information about the effect of normal force, sliding speed, contact area, and level of moisture present. They also can provide information about the changes between test subjects, for example, the effects of age, gender, and race. Knowing the effect of these parameters can help to improve the manoeuvrability of everyday items through inclusive design; designing products to be used by the whole population regardless of age or ability. The current paper also suggests areas of further investigation so that knowledge of skin friction can be expanded and applied to a larger range of materials and applications.
Improvements in health by consultations using mobile videophones among participants in a community health promotion programme
Authors: Nakajima Rie , Nakamura Keiko , Takano Takehito , Seino Kaoruko , Inose Tomoko
Published: December 2007

We conducted a health promotion programme using mobile videophones and examined changes in the participants' health conditions, health practices and their subjective sense of health. The subjects were volunteers (mean age, 59 years) recruited from a community-based health promotion group. A focus group interview was conducted to evaluate the quality of the programme. All subjects expressed concerns about lifestyle-related diseases. The subjects participated in group activities at least twice a month under the supervision of public health professionals. Six of them participated in mobile care in addition to group activities (mobile care group) and the other eight subjects (control group) participated in the regular group activities. Three consecutive health examinations were carried out at intervals of 12 weeks. There were significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = 0.01) and health locus of control internal score ( P = 0.05) in the mobile care group. The subjects who used mobile phones were highly accepting of the use of the device for further health consultations. There is potential for wider application of mobile videophones in health promotion programmes for people who have concerns about lifestyle-related diseases and are seeking healthier lifestyles.