bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of common cancers in adults
Authors: Barley Victor
Published: February 2008

This final article will summarize the treatments and outcomes of some common cancers, and include examples where the natural history and potential for treatment of different types of cancer can affect the impact that a delay in diagnosis has on causation.
Improving Performance Management for Delivering Appropriate Care for Patients No Longer Needing Acute Hospital Care
Authors: Penney Christine , Henry Effie
Published: February 2008

Objective

The public, providers and policy-makers are interested in a service continuum where care is provided in the appropriate place. Alternate level of care is used to define patients who no longer need acute care but remain in an acute care bed. Our aims were to determine how subacute care and convalescent care should be defined in British Columbia (BC); how these care levels should be aligned with existing legislation to provide more consistent service standards to patients and what reporting requirements were needed for system planning and performance management.

Method

A literature review was conducted to understand the international trends in performance management, care delivery models and change management. A Canada-wide survey was carried out to determine the directions of other provinces on the defined issues and a BC survey provided a current state analysis of programming within the five regional health authorities (HAs).

Results

A provincial policy framework for subacute and convalescent care has been developed to begin to address the concerns raised and provide a base for performance measurement. The policy has been approved and disseminated to BC HAs for implementation. An implementation plan has been developed and implementation activities have been integrated into the work of existing provincial committees. Evaluation will occur through performance measurement. The benefits anticipated include: clear policy guidance for programme development; improved comparability of performance information for system monitoring, planning and integrity of the national acute care Discharge Abstracting Database; improved efficiency in acute care bed use; and improved equity of access, insurability and quality for patients requiring subacute and convalescent care. While a national reporting system exists for acute care in Canada, this project raises questions about the implications for this system, given the shifting definition of acute care as other care levels emerge. Questions are also raised by the finding in Australia that the current case-mix system is inadequate to describe these patients. Further, given the inadequacy of our understanding of health system capacity and output, consideration of a more comprehensive national reporting system along the care continuum may be warranted.

Conclusions

This project is an example of effective collaboration between the provincial government, a national organization and HAs, and suggests that provincial governments can participate in a meaningful way to accomplish research-informed health services policy.
Introducing Priority Setting and Resource Allocation in Home and Community Care Programs
Authors: Urquhart Bonnie , Mitton Craig , Peacock Stuart
Published: February 2008

Objective

To use evidence from research to identify and implement priority setting and resource allocation that incorporates both ethical practices and economic principles.

Method

Program budgeting and marginal analysis (PBMA) is based on two key economic principles: opportunity cost (i.e. doing one thing instead of another) and the margin (i.e. resource allocation should result in maximum benefit for available resources). An ethical framework for priority setting and resource allocation known as Accountability for Reasonableness (A4R) focuses on making sure that resource allocations are based on a fair decisionmaking process. It includes the following four conditions: publicity; relevance; appeals; and enforcement. More recent literature on the topic suggests that a fifth condition, that of empowerment, should be added to the Framework. The 2007-08 operating budget for Home and Community Care, excluding the residential sector, was developed using PBMA and incorporating the A4R conditions.

Results

Recommendations developed using PBMA were forwarded to the Executive Committee, approved and implemented for the 2007-08 fiscal year operating budget. In addition there were two projects approved for approximately $200,000.

Conclusion

PBMA is an improvement over previous practice. Managers of Home and Community Care are committed to using the process for the 2008-09 fiscal year operating budget and expanding its use to include mental health and addictions services. In addition, managers of public health prevention and promotion services are considering using the process.
Facilitating Organizational Mergers: Amalgamation of Community Care Access Centres
Authors: Mercer Kevin
Published: February 2008

Background

The development of 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in Ontario necessitated the re-organization of Community Care Access Centres (CCACs). The achievement of LHIN objectives was contingent upon the organizations responsible for home and long-term care placement being aligned within the LHIN geographic boundaries. This re-alignment required 42 provincial organizations to re-structure, integrate and reduce to 14.

Assessment of problem

This project was focused on the amalgamation of two CCACs in the Waterloo Wellington LHIN. Both were distinctly different due to their organizational evolution, the composition of the region and leadership approach. The different organizational cultures, if not managed properly, could result in a derailing of several current projects that were underway and were also key to the overall health system transformation agenda. A literature search provided a plethora of critiques of organizational change approaches and practical suggestions. Of particular relevance was a report to the Royal Commission on Health Care in 2002 that authenticates the dismal success in health care to meet change objectives. The project included a joint planning day for the leadership teams of the two organizations followed by an Organizational Readiness Assessment conducted by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).

Results

Both activities brought the leadership and staff of Waterloo and Wellington together, started the integration process and solicited staff participation. A follow-up survey of the leadership teams revealed the effectiveness of the project in advancing integration between the two organizations and recognizing organizational cultural differences. The CCHSA Organizational Readiness Assessment process was viewed as an effective means for advancing the integration of the two organizations, particularly as it relates to allowing the staff groups to define for themselves the benefits of the merger.

Lessons and messages

The lack of hard evidence on the benefits of a merger could have been problematic in terms of resistance to change if the CCHSA process had not been used. The readiness assessment report provided 49 recommendations that served as baseline information needed for the design of a change strategy that is anchored in knowledge of variation in organizational culture, practice, communications, client service and leadership style.
Role of SLV in SLI substrate recognition by the Neurospora VS ribozyme
Authors: Bouchard Patricia , Lacroix-Labonté Julie , Desjardins Geneviève , Lampron Philipe , Lisi Véronique , Lemieux Sébastien , Major François , Legault Pascale
Published: February 2008

Substrate recognition by the VS ribozyme involves a magnesium-dependent loop/loop interaction between the SLI substrate and the SLV hairpin from the catalytic domain. Recent NMR studies of SLV demonstrated that magnesium ions stabilize a U-turn loop structure and trigger a conformational change for the extruded loop residue U700, suggesting a role for U700 in SLI recognition. Here, we kinetically characterized VS ribozyme mutants to evaluate the contribution of U700 and other SLV loop residues to SLI recognition. To help interpret the kinetic data, we structurally characterized the SLV mutants by NMR spectroscopy and generated a three-dimensional model of the SLI/SLV complex by homology modeling with MC-Sym. We demonstrated that the mutation of U700 by A, C, or G does not significantly affect ribozyme activity, whereas deletion of U700 dramatically impairs this activity. The U700 backbone is likely important for SLI recognition, but does not appear to be required for either the structural integrity of the SLV loop or for direct interactions with SLI. Thus, deletion of U700 may affect other aspects of SLI recognition, such as magnesium ion binding and SLV loop dynamics. As part of our NMR studies, we developed a convenient assay based on detection of unusual 31P and 15N N7 chemical shifts to probe the formation of U-turn structures in RNAs. Our model of the SLI/SLV complex, which is compatible with biochemical data, leads us to propose novel interactions at the loop I/loop V interface.
Two distinct structural elements of 5S rRNA are needed for its import into human mitochondria
Authors: Smirnov Alexandre , Tarassov Ivan , Mager-Heckel Anne-Marie , Letzelter Michel , Martin Robert P. , Krasheninnikov Igor A. , Entelis Nina
Published: February 2008

RNA import into mitochondria is a widespread phenomenon. Studied in details for yeast, protists, and plants, it still awaits thorough investigation for human cells, in which the nuclear DNA-encoded 5S rRNA is imported. Only the general requirements for this pathway have been described, whereas specific protein factors needed for 5S rRNA delivery into mitochondria and its structural determinants of import remain unknown. In this study, a systematic analysis of the possible role of human 5S rRNA structural elements in import was performed. Our experiments in vitro and in vivo show that two distinct regions of the human 5S rRNA molecule are needed for its mitochondrial targeting. One of them is located in the proximal part of the helix I and contains a conserved uncompensated G:U pair. The second and most important one is associated with the loop E-helix IV region with several noncanonical structural features. Destruction or even destabilization of these sites leads to a significant decrease of the 5S rRNA import efficiency. On the contrary, the β-domain of the 5S rRNA was proven to be dispensable for import, and thus it can be deleted or substituted without affecting the 5S rRNA importability. This finding was used to demonstrate that the 5S rRNA can function as a vector for delivering heterologous RNA sequences into human mitochondria. 5S rRNA-based vectors containing a substitution of a part of the β-domain by a foreign RNA sequence were shown to be much more efficiently imported in vivo than the wild-type 5S rRNA.
Evidence that tRNA modifying enzymes are important in vivo targets for 5-fluorouracil in yeast
Authors: Gustavsson Marie , Ronne Hans
Published: February 2008

We have screened a collection of haploid yeast knockout strains for increased sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). A total of 138 5-FU sensitive strains were found. Mutants affecting rRNA and tRNA maturation were particularly sensitive to 5-FU, with the tRNA methylation mutanttrm10being the most sensitive mutant. This is intriguing sincetrm10, like many other tRNA modification mutants, lacks a phenotype under normal conditions. However, double mutants for nonessential tRNA modification enzymes are frequently temperature sensitive, due to destabilization of hypomodified tRNAs. We therefore tested if the sensitivity of our mutants to 5-FU is affected by the temperature. We found that the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU is strongly enhanced at 38°C for tRNA modification mutants. Furthermore, tRNA modification mutants show similar synthetic interactions for temperature sensitivity and sensitivity to 5-FU. A model is proposed for how 5-FU kills these mutants by reducing the number of tRNA modifications, thus destabilizing tRNA. Finally, we found that also wild-type cells are temperature sensitive at higher concentrations of 5-FU. This suggests that tRNA destabilization contributes to 5-FU cytotoxicity in wild-type cells and provides a possible explanation why hyperthermia can enhance the effect of 5-FU in cancer therapy.
KnotSeeker: Heuristic pseudoknot detection in long RNA sequences
Authors: Sperschneider Jana , Datta Amitava
Published: February 2008

Pseudoknots are folded structures in RNA molecules that perform essential functions as part of cellular transcription machinery and regulatory processes. The prediction of these structures in RNA molecules has important implications in antiviral drug design. It has been shown that the prediction of pseudoknots is an NP-complete problem. Practical structure prediction algorithms based on free energy minimization employ a restricted problem class and dynamic programming. However, these algorithms are computationally very expensive, and their accuracy deteriorates if the input sequence containing the pseudoknot is too long. Heuristic methods can be more efficient, but do not guarantee an optimal solution in regards to the minimum free energy model. We present KnotSeeker, a new heuristic algorithm for the detection of pseudoknots in RNA sequences as a preliminary step for structure prediction. Our method uses a hybrid sequence matching and free energy minimization approach to perform a screening of the primary sequence. We select short sequence fragments as possible candidates that may contain pseudoknots and verify them by using an existing dynamic programming algorithm and a minimum weight independent set calculation. KnotSeeker is significantly more accurate in detecting pseudoknots compared to other common methods as reported in the literature. It is very efficient and therefore a practical tool, especially for long sequences. The algorithm has been implemented in Python and it also uses C/C++ code from several other known techniques. The code is available from http://www.csse.uwa.edu.au/∼datta/pseudoknot.
Venlafaxine–Propafenone Interaction Resulting in Hallucinations and Psychomotor Agitation
Authors: Gareri Pietro , Fazio Pasquale De , Gallelli Luca , Fazio Salvatore De , Davoli Alessandro , Seminara Giuseppe , Cotroneo Antonino , Sarro Giovambattista De
Published: February 2008

Objective:

To report a case of visual hallucinations and psychomotor agitation probably induced by an interaction between venlafaxine and propafenone.

Case Summary:

An 85-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of a mood disorder on March 20, 2006. Her general practitioner had prescribed sertraline for treatment, which had started about 6 months earlier. The patient's medical history included hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and arthritis, for which she received ramipril, ticlopidine, torsemide, theophylline, acetaminophen, and triazolam. The patient had also received propafenone 150 mg every 12 hours for 3 years. Results of biochemical tests were normal; however, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed signs of cortical atrophy. Sertraline was discontinued after a few days because of its reduced effectiveness and was replaced with extended-re lease venlafaxine 75 mg/day. No other changes to the patient's drug therapy were made. Four weeks later, because of the persistence of psychiatric disturbance, the venlafaxine dosage was increased to 150 mg/day. Ten days later the patient returned to our observation due to the onset of visual hallucinations lasting about 2 hours, especially at night, and psychomotor agitation. Venlafaxine was discontinued, with a complete remission of hallucinations and psychomotor agitation in about 4 days. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between venlafaxine and the patient's symptoms. Citalopram was started one month later for the persistence of mood disorders, with no adverse effects.

Discussion:

A CT scan documented signs of cortical atrophy in our patient's brain but excluded vascular brain injury, while clinical evaluation and anamnesis excluded a relationship between hallucinations and cortical atrophy. Genetic and pharmacologic factors may be involved in venlafaxine-induced adverse effects. Venlafaxine is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6 and is a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Propafenone, a known substrate and inhibitor of both CYP2D6 and P-glycoprotein, could therefore be involved in venlafaxine-induced hallucinations through the increase of venlafaxine plasma concentrations.

Conclusions:

To prevent the onset of clinical disturbances during venlafaxine treatment, we suggest careful evaluation of concomitant treatment with CYP2D6 or P-glycoprotein inhibitors (eg, propafenone) and, when possible, venlafaxine serum concentration monitoring.
Lifestyle or Life-Saving Medicines? A Primary Healthcare Professional and Consumer Opinion Survey on Over-the-Counter Statins
Authors: Vamvakopoulos Joannis E , Kountouri Melpomeni , Marshall Tom , Greenfield Sheila M
Published: February 2008

Background:

Over-the-counter (OTC) simvastatin 10 mg became available in the UK in July 2004 with the aim of improving primary prevention of ischemic heart disease.

Objective:

To document the views of the main stakeholders (general practitioners [GPs], community pharmacists, and consumers) on issues pertaining to the reclassification of simvastatin to OTC availability, highlight differences between stakeholder groups, and identify factors likely to influence consumer behavior.

Methods:

A self-administered questionnaire survey of GPs, community pharmacists, and potentially eligible consumers was carried out 8 months after the UK launch of OTC simvastatin. Participants were asked about their awareness of the drug, their willingness to use such medicines, and their views on relevant management practices.

Results:

Awareness of OTC simvastatin was high among GPs but limited among consumers. Although OTC availability was favored by pharmacists, consumers and GPs generally thought it was not a good idea. GPs and pharmacists cited increased consumer choice as the most important likely benefit; consumers thought potential savings to the National Health Service were equally important. Medication misuse and neglect of lifestyle risk factors were unanimously considered to be the most important likely risks. Unlike the majority of pharmacists, most GPs thought that current dosing guidelines were inappropriate, but there was consensus that long-term nonadherence would probably curtail any treatment benefit. Most respondents agreed that GPs should be informed if their patients were using OTC statins but disagreed as to the best way to communicate this information.

Conclusions:

OTC availability of statins did not appear to be considered a popular public health intervention by consumers and GPs, as the drugs were widely perceived as being prone to misuse. However, OTC availability was favored by pharmacists, who saw this as empowering both for consumers and themselves. Key issues in dispensing, managing, and evaluating the public health impact of this intervention remain outstanding.
Presence of Innovation Adoption-Facilitating Elements in Hospitals, and Relationship to Implementation of Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Okafor Mark C , Thomas Joseph
Published: February 2008

Background:

Despite evidence of benefit from implementation of clinical guidelines, numerous studies have found suboptimal guideline compliance among health professionals.

Objective:

To determine the presence in US hospitals of innovation adoptionfacilitating elements (IAE), assess associations between organizational characteristics and presence of IAE, and assess associations between presence of IAE and implementation of specific clinical guidelines.

Methods:

A mail survey of pharmacy directors in a national random sample of 236 general medical and surgical hospitals with more than 25 beds stratified by state was conducted. Key variables were presence of IAE, the leader's openness to change, centralization, formalization, complexity, size, and guideline implementation. Survey items from preexisting scales were revised for this study. Content validity of survey scales was assessed using expert panel ratings. Cognitive interviews were conducted during survey development to confirm that items were interpreted consistently across respondents. A modified Dillman approach was used to survey 236 hospitals.

Results:

The survey response rate was 69.5%. On average, sample hospitals had implemented 66.9% of IAE inquired about in the survey. Openness to change (p < 0.001), participation in decision-making (p < 0.001), and formalization (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with presence of IAE. However, complexity (p = 0.135) and hospital active bed size (p = 0.195) were not associated with presence of IAE. There was a positive association between presence of IAE and guideline implementation based on an overall score (p = 0.045); however, when guidelines were examined individually, only 1 of the 4 had a positive association (p = 0.029).

Conclusions:

There was a modest presence of IAE in the US hospitals reported here and significant positive association of leaders' openness to change, centralization, and formalization with presence of IAE in hospitals. Findings also indicate that presence of IAE within a hospital is associated with higher levels of clinical guideline implementation.
Nationwide Survey of Subjectively Reported Adverse Drug Reactions in Sweden
Authors: Isacson Dag , Johansson Linnea , Bingefors Kerstin
Published: February 2008

Background:

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the safety of drugs continue to be widely discussed. However, information on the prevalence of subjectively experienced ADRs (SADRs) and their subsequent burden in the general population is largely lacking.

Objective:

To analyze, from an epidemiologic perspective, SADRs with respect to occurrence and health status.

Methods:

A cross-sectional mail survey to a random national sample in Sweden of inhabitants aged 18–84 years was conducted; 61% (N = 4875) of the sample answered the questionnaire. Self-reported SADRs occurring during a 2-week period of using prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), or herbal drugs were classified according to Meyler's classification of ADRs. Self-perceived health status was assessed with a visual analog scale graded from 0 (worst possible health/death) to 1 (perfect health).

Results:

SADRs were reported by 6.4% of the total study sample, 10.2% of the 2851 users of prescription drugs, 1.0% of the 2862 users of OTC drugs, and 0.1% of the 1352 users of herbal drugs. Of the total sample, 3.3% reported SADRs of the nervous system, 2.6% of the gastrointestinal system, and 0.6% of the cardiovascular system. Users of prescription drugs with SADRs reported a mean health status score of 0.655, while those who did not report SADRs scored 0.744. Among users of OTC and herbal drugs, the corresponding scores were 0.720 and 0.818, respectively. Those in the population who did not use any drugs rated their health status as 0.846.

Conclusions:

Both the prevalence of SADRs and the magnitude of the decrease in subjective health status in respondents experiencing them reflect the importance of individual subjective perceptions for public health. However, in a cross-sectional study like this, causal relationships cannot be firmly established. Further, other factors, such as comorbidity or disappointment with treatment outcomes, could be associated with the decrease in health status.
Clinical Pharmacists' Role in Improving Osteoporosis Treatment Rates Among Elderly Patients with Untreated Atraumatic Fractures
Authors: Nadrash T Ann , Plushner Susyn Lynn , Delate Thomas
Published: February 2008

Background:

Missed opportunities for osteoporosis detection and treatment following fractures, especially in the elderly, are common. Clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) intervention may positively impact this deficiency.

Objective:

To examine the impact of a CPS-managed intervention to identify, screen, and initiate appropriate osteoporosis pharmacotherapy in elderly patients after an atraumatic fracture.

Methods:

This was a prospective quality improvement analysis. Hospitalized and ambulatory patients who had a diagnosis of atraumatic fracture between July 2002 through August 2003 but were not on osteoporosis pharmacotherapy were identified by CPSs. Bone mineral density (BMD) screening and osteoporosis pharmacotherapy recommendations were made by a CPS when appropriate. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine the proportion of patients initiated on osteoporosis pharmacotherapy or receiving a recommended BMD evaluation.

Results:

A total of 137 (40 inpatient and 97 ambulatory) female patients were included. The mean ages ± SD of inpatient and ambulatory patients were 83 ± 8 and 70 ± 7 years, respectively. Overall, 50% (n = 69) of patients either initiated their recommended osteoporosis pharmacotherapy (48% [n = 19] and 30% [n = 29] of inpatient and ambulatory patients, respectively) or received a recommended BMD screening (42 ambulatory patients were recommended and 50% [n = 21] completed a BMD test). Of the patients who completed a BMD test, 17 (81%) were osteoporotic. All 17 were initiated on osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

Using a systematic approach to identify patients in need of osteoporosis pharmacotherapy, a CPS-managed intervention resulted in clinically meaningful osteoporosis treatment initiation rates.
Psychopathy and deception detection using indirect measures
Authors: Klaver Jessica R. , Lee Zina , Spidel Alicia , Hart Stephen D.
Published: February 2008

Purpose. The goal of the current study was to examine psychopathy and indirect measures of deception detection.

Methods. Undergraduate students (N=444) viewed video clips of adult male offenders telling true and false stories about crimes. For each story, participants rated indirect measures of deception (thinking hard, nervousness, emotional arousal, and attempting to control behaviour) and credibility. Participants also chose the story they believed to be true and rated the confidence in their decision. Offenders were rated on the psychopathy checklist – revised.

Results. Consistent with past research, deception detection accuracy was at chance level and unrelated to confidence. Ratings on indirect measures by undergraduates did not distinguish true and false statements in offenders. Psychopathic offenders were less successful at deception than non‐psychopathic offenders. Psychopathic traits were associated with lower perceived credibility during deception and ratings of thinking harder while lying.

Conclusions. The results suggest that indirect measures of deception detection may be less useful in offender samples. Further, the findings are consistent with the general inability of psychopathic offenders to demonstrate superior deception skills in empirical studies. Indirect measures of deception uniquely related to psychopathic traits offer new insight into the relationship between psychopathy and deception.
Improving haemodialysis patients' understanding of phosphate‐binding medication: A pilot study of a psycho‐educational intervention designed to change patients' perceptions of the problem and treatment
Authors: Karamanidou Christina , Weinman John , Horne Rob
Published: February 2008

Objectives. To evaluate a psycho‐educational intervention aimed to improve understanding of the need for phosphate control, provide a rationale for phosphate‐binding medication (PBM) and explain its mode of action.

Design. A controlled intervention study comparing the effect of a self‐regulatory theory‐based psycho‐educational intervention versus standard care control on knowledge of phosphate control and beliefs about PBM.

Method. End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients were assigned to either an intervention group (N = 19) or control group (N = 20). Both groups were assessed at baseline, at 1‐month post‐intervention and at 4‐month post‐intervention. The intervention group was also assessed immediately post‐intervention.

Results. The intervention had an immediate impact post‐intervention on all outcome variables examined. It was also successful in improving knowledge, treatment coherence, medication outcome efficacy beliefs, and general understanding of treatment in the intervention group in comparison to the control group, an effect which was sustained through to the second follow‐up.

Conclusions. A simple intervention was successful in changing patients' understanding and some beliefs around treatment thought to influence adherence behaviour. Further research is needed to inform the design of a more complex intervention targeting the specific beliefs influencing behaviour in order to facilitate treatment adherence.
Emotion regulation interventions: A common‐sense model approach
Authors: Cameron Linda D. , Jago Lana
Published: February 2008

We present an expanded common‐sense model of self‐regulation that delineates emotion regulation strategies for coping with illness‐related distress, and we describe how it can be used to design self‐regulation interventions for promoting adjustment and well‐being. Two therapeutic interventions guided by this model are reviewed: a self‐regulation writing technique for promoting adaptation to stressful experiences and an emotion regulation intervention for women with breast cancer. The implications of these and related studies for designing self‐regulation interventions are discussed. Therapeutic interventions must give appropriate attention to both problem‐focused regulation and emotional regulation processes in order to confer optimal benefits for individuals with physical health conditions. This expanded model can be used to synthesize findings from the growing body of research on emotion regulation, formulate new hypotheses, and identify constructs to manipulate and assess in health intervention research.
Building bridges to observational perspectives: A grounded theory of therapy processes in psychosis
Authors: Dilks Sarah , Tasker Fiona , Wren Bernadette
Published: February 2008

Objectives. This study set out to explore therapy processes in psychosis with an initial focus on reflexivity and how this might be expressed in therapy conversations.

Design. Leiman's (2000) definition of reflexivity was used as a starting‐point for an exploratory investigation of the use of language as reflective activity. Grounded theory was chosen as an appropriate methodology to distil an explanatory account across the qualitative data collected.

Method. Six psychologist‐client pairs supplied three tapes of therapy sessions spread out across the course of therapy. Each participant was separately interviewed on two occasions to ascertain their views of therapy and of the emerging grounded theory.

Results. A grounded theory was developed conceptualizing the processes and activities in psychological therapy in psychosis.

Conclusions. ‘Building bridges to observational perspectives’ summarizes the core process in psychological therapy in psychosis. Therapy in psychosis is understood as intimately ‘linking the social and internal world’ in a dialogical process aimed at enhancing the client's ‘functioning in the social world’ rather than at specifically developing the private mental experience of reflexivity or mentalizing.
Neues zur „Johanneischen Frage“?
Authors: Mariev Sergei
Published: February 2008

Anhand dreier wichtiger Fragen (Schlusspartien der Excerpta Constantini und die Bestimmung der Verfassungszeit, die Frage nach dem Status der Excerpta Cod. Par. 1630 und der Exc. Salmasiana) habe ich zunächst die in der byzantinistischen Forschung aufgedeckten Probleme und die erarbeiteten Vorschläge zu ihrer Lösung skizziert, um sie in einem zweiten Schritt mit den Lösungsvorschlägen und dem argumentativen Vorgang Robertos zu kontrastieren. Aus diesem Vergleich geht m. E. hervor, dass die „Johanneische Frage“ in der Edition von Roberto keine originelle und unerwartete Lösung erfahren, sondern eine weitere Verwicklung erlitten hat.

Die Fehlentscheidungen bezüglich dieser drei Komponenten führen zu weiteren Verzerrungen: Viele Glossen aus der Suda, die Texte der Wiener Troica und der Hypothesis zur Odyssee wurden in das Corpus in Folge von Übereinstimmungen mit den zu Unrecht für Johannes von Antiochien erklärten Texten aufgenommen. Es versteht sich von alleine, dass alle Beobachtungen über die Quellen, den literarischen Wert und das weitere Schicksal der Chronik, die Roberto auf der Basis des von ihm zusammengezimmerten Corpus anstellt, im gleichen Maße als wissenschaftlich zuverlässig zu betrachten sind, in welchem die Ausführungen und Theorien es sind, welche die Aufnahme des entsprechenden Materials in das Corpus rechtfertigen.

Obwohl der interessierte Leser jetzt ein umfangreiches Dossier zur „Johanneischen Frage“ an die Hand bekommen hat, ist das Erscheinen dieses Bandes eher zu beklagen als zu begrüßen: Die allgemeine Verwirrung um Johannes von Antiochien ist damit nur größer geworden.
Seitenblick – Neues zum Konstantinopler Scheinsarkophag in Barletta
Authors: Schaaf Georg-D. , Krumeich Kirsten
Published: February 2008

Das Museo Civico von Barletta präsentiert ein zentrales Objekt seiner Sammlung, das bekannte spätantike Marmorrelief mit der Darstellung einer Apostelversammlung, im mittelalterlichen Kastell des Ortes mittlerweile in einer großzügigen und angemessenen Aufstellung (Abb. 1). Die drei Fragmente des Stücks sind auf einem Metallgestell nahezu paßgerecht aneinandergefügt, gut ausgeleuchtet und auch von den Seiten sowie der Rückseite her einsehbar. Reste von Zement, die bislang das Rund des Brunnenlochs füllten und die Oberfläche beeinträchtigten, wurden im Rahmen jüngster Restaurierungsmaßnahmen entfernt.
Charles ASTRUC, Marie-Louise CONCASTY, Cécile BELLON, Christian FÖRSTEL et al. (éds.), Catalogue des manuscrits grecs. Supplément grec, numéros 1 à 150
Authors: Hajdú Kerstin , Duursma Gerard
Published: February 2008

Genau 115 Jahre nach Erscheinen des dritten Bandes von Omonts „Inventaire sommaire“ – der das Supplément grec, den seit 1740 gesammelten und damit jüngsten Bestand griechischer Handschriften im Besitz der französischen Nationalbibliothek, lediglich kursorisch beschreibt – liegen hiermit für die ersten 150 Nummern dieses fonds ausführliche Katalogisate vor, wie sie der moderne wissenschaftliche Anspruch ersehnt. Sie beruhen im Grundsatz auf den Vorarbeiten der früheren Bibliothekare Astruc und Concasty aus den sechziger Jahren, die schon den Katalog zu Suppl. gr. 901–1371 verfaßt hatten; ihre Aufzeichnungen wurden jetzt überarbeitet, ergänzt und vereinheitlicht, die vielfältigen philologischen, kodikologischen und historischen Angaben über entsprechende Register zugänglich gemacht, so daß der Fachwelt ein nützliches und handliches Werkzeug beschert ist, das den ausgewählten Teil der Pariser Sammlung detailliert erschließt.
Sozomenos. Historia Ecclesiastica – Kirchengeschichte; griechisch-deutsch. Übersetzt und eingeleitet von Günther Christian HANSEN. Fontes Christiniani, 73/1–4
Authors: Kolovou Foteini
Published: February 2008

In den neun Büchern seiner Kirchengeschichte hat Salamanes Hermeias Sozomenos den religiösen Wandel vom Hellenentum zum Christentum dargestellt. Eine moderne deutsche Übersetzung der Kirchengeschichte des Sozomenos hat Günther Christian Hansen (H.) nach der von ihm bearbeiteten Textausgabe unternommen (Sozomenos, Kirchengeschichte. Hrsg. VON J. BIDEZ/G. C. HANSEN. GCS N.F., 4. Berlin 1960, 2. Aufl. 1995). Das vierbändige Werk enthält: Einleitung (S. 9–84) mit einer Inhaltsübersicht (S. 42–51), Textübersetzung der neun Bücher (S. 86–1103), Bibliographie (S. 1104–1128) und Register (S. 1129–1164).
Alexandra-Kyriaki WASSILIOU/Werner SEIBT, Die byzantinischen Bleisiegel in Österreich. 2. Teil: Zentral- und Provinzialverwaltung. Veröffentlichungen der Kommission für Byzantinistik, 2
Authors: Karagiorgou Olga
Published: February 2008

The publication of the Byzantine lead seals kept in Austrian collections is one of the many projects initiated by the late Prof. Herbert Hunger under the auspices of the Kommission for Byzantinistik of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The project is anticipated to be completed in three volumes, the first one of which appeared in Vienna in 1977 (henceforward Österreich I) and was dedicated to seals belonging to members of the imperial family and palace officials. The volume under review (henceforward Österreich II) is the second one in the series and presents seals belonging to officials of the central and provincial administration.
Being funny: A selectionist account of humor production
Authors: Dewitte Siegfried , Verguts Tom
Published: February 2008

In this paper, we develop a theory to explain why some people possess a good sense of humor (i.e., are funny) while others do not. In essence, the theory follows the general selectionist (Donahoe and Palmer 1994) scheme of response generation and selection: People who both generate a lot of jokes and are sensitive to negative appraisal will be considered to be humorous by their peers. Data to test this theory are described and analyzed. Most results are in accord with our theory and alternative explanations are ruled out.
Humor as a coping mechanism: Lessons from POWs
Authors: Henman Linda D
Published: February 2008

The repatriated Vietnam prisoners of war are suffering almost no mental illness, and the effective use of humor seems to be one of the reasons for their health. The literature by and about prisoners of war from several recent wars indicates prisoners often found humor to be an effective coping mechanism, a way of fighting back and taking control. By defining humor as an element of communication and by thinking of resilience as a communication phenomenon, the links between humor and resilience become more apparent. This was a qualitative study that consisted of interviewing approximately 50 Vietnam POWs in unstructured interviews and 12 Vietnam POWs in a structured, topical format. Chronicling the subjective accounts of these men and framing them as communication allowed an examination of the results. Knowing that human connection contributed to the survival and resilience of these men implies that resilience is contagious, as humor seems to be. Through the creation of humor in a well-defined system of social support, these fiercely independent men learned to rely on their own power and to draw a sense of mastery from each other.
Modulation of Phosphodiesterase6 Turnoff during Background Illumination in Mouse Rod Photoreceptors
Authors: Woodruff Michael L. , Janisch Kerstin M. , Peshenko Igor V. , Dizhoor Alexander M. , Tsang Stephen H. , Fain Gordon L.
Published: February 2008

In rod photoreceptors of wild-type mice, background light produces an acceleration of the decay of responses to brief flashes, accompanied by a decrease in the rate-limiting time constant for response decay. In rods in which phosphodiesterase γ (PDEγ) lacks one of its sites of phosphorylation (T35A rods), both the waveform of response decay and the rate-limiting time constant are nearly unaffected by backgrounds. These effects are not the result of the removal of the phosphorylation site per se, because rods lacking both of the phosphorylation sites of PDEγ (T22A/T35A rods) adapt to light in a nearly normal manner. Because PDEγ is one of the proteins of the GTPase activating protein (GAP) complex, our experiments argue for a novel mechanism of photoreceptor light adaptation produced by modulation of GAP-dependent hydrolysis of transducin α GTP. In PDEγ T35A rods, a change in the conformation of the PDEγ subunit may hinder or mask this mechanism, which in mammals appears to be primarily responsible for the quickening of the temporal resolution of the rod response in backgrounds. Modulation of PDE turnoff also helps to prevent premature saturation of the rod in bright backgrounds, thus making an important contribution to light adaptation. Our experiments provide evidence for modulation of GAP protein-dependent response turnoff, which may also play a role in controlling signal duration at hormone receptors and synapses in the CNS.
7α-Hydroxypregnenolone Mediates Melatonin Action Underlying Diurnal Locomotor Rhythms
Authors: Tsutsui Kazuyoshi , Inoue Kazuhiko , Miyabara Hitomi , Suzuki Saori , Ogura Yuki , Haraguchi Shogo
Published: February 2008

Melatonin regulates diurnal changes in locomotor activity in vertebrates, but the molecular mechanism for this neurohormonal regulation of behavior is poorly understood. Here we show that 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, a previously undescribed avian neurosteroid, mediates melatonin action on diurnal locomotor rhythms in quail. In this study, we first identified 7α-hydroxypregnenolone and its stereoisomer 7β-hydroxypregnenolone in quail brain. These neurosteroids have not been described previously in avian brain. We then demonstrated that 7α-hydroxypregnenolone acutely increased quail locomotor activity. To analyze the production of 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, cytochrome P4507α, a steroidogenic enzyme of this neurosteroid, was also identified. Subsequently, we demonstrated diurnal changes in 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in quail. 7α-Hydroxypregnenolone synthesis and locomotor activity in males were much higher than in females. This is the first demonstration in any vertebrate of a clear sex difference in neurosteroid synthesis. This sex difference in 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis corresponded to the sex difference in locomotion. We show that only males exhibited marked diurnal changes in 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis, and these changes occurred in parallel with changes in locomotor activity. Finally, we identified melatonin as a key component of the mechanism regulating 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis. Increased synthesis of 7α-hydroxypregnenolone occurred in malesin vivoafter melatonin removal via pinealectomy and orbital enucleation (Px plus Ex). Conversely, decreased synthesis of this neurosteroid occurred after melatonin administration to Px plus Ex males. This study demonstrates that melatonin regulates synthesis of 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, a key factor for induction of locomotor activity, thus inducing diurnal locomotor changes in male birds. This is a previously undescribed role for melatonin.
Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Mediates Dopamine D2Receptor-Induced CNS Neurogenesis in Adult Mice
Authors: Yang Peng , Arnold Sheila A. , Habas Agata , Hetman Michal , Hagg Theo
Published: February 2008

Neurogenesis continues in the adult forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Degeneration of dopaminergic projections in Parkinson's disease and animals reduces, whereas ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes, neurogenesis. We tested whether the dopaminergic system promotes neurogenesis through CNTF. Astrocytes of the SVZ and dentate gyrus expressed CNTF and were close to dopaminergic terminals. Dopaminergic denervation in adult mice reduced CNTF mRNA by ∼60%, whereas systemic treatment with the D2agonist quinpirole increased CNTF mRNA in the SVZ and hippocampal formation, and in cultured astrocytes by 1.5–5 fold. The effect of quinpirolein vitrowas blocked by the D2antagonist eticlopride and did not cause astroglial proliferation or hypertrophy. Systemic quinpirole injections increased proliferation in wild-type mice by ∼25–75% but not in CNTF−/−littermates or in the SVZ of mice infused with CNTF antibodies. Quinpirole increased the number of neuroblasts in wild-type but not in CNTF−/−littermates. Neurogenesis was reduced by ∼20% in CNTF−/−mice, confirming the endogenous role of CNTF. Nigrostriatal denervation did not affect SVZ proliferation in CNTF−/−mice, suggesting that the dopaminergic innervation normally regulates neurogenesis through CNTF. Quinpirole acted on postsynaptic receptors as it reversed the reduced proliferation seen after dopaminergic denervation in wild-type mice. Thus, CNTF mediates dopaminergic innervation- and D2receptor-induced neurogenesis in the adult forebrain. Because CNTF is predominantly expressed in the nervous system, this mechanism and the ability to pharmacologically modulate it have implications for Parkinson's disease and cell-replacement therapies for other disorders.
Nociceptin Receptor Impairs Recognition Memory via Interaction with NMDA Receptor-Dependent Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling in the Hippocampus
Authors: Goeldner Celia , Reiss David , Wichmann Jürgen , Meziane Hamid , Kieffer Brigitte L. , Ouagazzal Abdel-Mouttalib
Published: February 2008

Strong evidence suggests a role for nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) neuropeptide and its receptor (NOP) in cognition. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying N/OFQ modulation of memory are less understood. Here, we show that intracerebroventricular or intrahippocampal infusions of N/OFQ impair long-term memory formation in the mouse object recognition task. The synthetic NOP receptor agonist, (1S,3aS)-8-(2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1H-phenalen-1-yl)-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-4-one (Ro64-6198), administered systemically, also produced amnesic effects that were blocked by coinfusion of the NOP receptor antagonist, [Nphe1,Arg14,Lys15]nociceptin-NH2 (UFP-101), into the dorsal hippocampus. In contrast, Ro64-6198 had no effect on short-term memory or recall performances. Immunoblotting analysis revealed a strong suppressive action of Ro64-6198 on learning-induced upregulation of hippocampal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which is crucial for long-term information storage. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of ERK activation after systemic injection of SL327 [α-[amino[(4-aminophenyl)thio]methylene]-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene acetonitrile], a selective inhibitor of the upstream kinase MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), abolished long-term recognition memory formation. The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801), given systemically, also suppressed ERK activation and disrupted recognition memory. In contrast, no effect of MK-801 was observed on recall, as for Ro64-6198. When administered concurrently at subthreshold doses, Ro64-6198 and MK-801 synergistically suppressed hippocampal ERK activation and impaired long-term memory formation. Under resting conditions, neither Ro64-6198 nor MK-801 affected spontaneous ERK activity in the hippocampus at the amnesic doses whereas at higher doses, only MK-801 had a suppressive effect. We conclude that N/OFQ-NOP receptor system negatively regulates long-term recognition memory formation through hippocampal ERK signaling mechanisms. This modulation may in part take place by inhibiting glutamatergic function at the NMDA receptor.
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Caused by Group VIA Phospholipase A2Deficiency in Mice: A Model of Human Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Shinzawa Koei , Sumi Hisae , Ikawa Masahito , Matsuoka Yosuke , Okabe Masaru , Sakoda Saburo , Tsujimoto Yoshihide
Published: February 2008

Calcium-independent group VIA phospholipase A2(iPLA2β) is considered to play a role in signal transduction and maintenance of homeostasis or remodeling of membrane phospholipids. A role of iPLA2β has been suggested in various physiological and pathological processes, including immunity, chemotaxis, and cell death, but the details remain unclear. Accordingly, we investigated mice with targeted disruption of theiPLA2β gene.iPLA2β−/−mice developed normally and grew to maturity, but all showed evidence of severe motor dysfunction, including a hindlimb clasping reflex during tail suspension, abnormal gait, and poor performance in the hanging wire grip test. Neuropathological examination of the nervous system revealed widespread degeneration of axons and/or synapses, accompanied by the presence of numerous spheroids (swollen axons) and vacuoles. These findings provide evidence that impairment ofiPLA2β causes neuroaxonal degeneration, and indicate that theiPLA2β−/−mouse is an appropriate animal model of human neurodegenerative diseases associated with mutations of theiPLA2β gene, such as infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation.