bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in in Restoring Postpartum Physical Condition
Authors: Ushiroyama Takahisa , Sakuma Kou , Souen Hekiko , Nakai Gou , Morishima Shouko , Yasuda Katsuyuki , Orino Ichiro , Ueki Minoru
Published: August 2003

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Kyuki-chouketsu-in, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, in restoring postpartum physical condition. We enrolled 171 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital or its affiliated clinics, and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 85 women who received Kyuki-chouketsu-in at a dose of 6.0 g/day (Group K), and a group of 86 women who received ergometrine (methylergometrine maleate) at a dose of 0.375 mg/day (Group E). The height of the uterine fundus, blood hemoglobin concentration and biochemical blood values were determined until day 6 postpartum. The height of the uterine fundus was significantly lower in women of Group K (8.9 ± 2.4 cm) than in those of Group E (10.5 ± 2.7 cm) on day 5 postpartum (p = 0.071). A significant difference between Groups K and E was noted in change in blood hemoglobin concentration between days 1 and 6 postpartum (4.6 ± 7.2% in Group K; -1.57 ± 7.3% in Group E). Significant differences between Groups K and E were noted in decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and increases in serum total protein (TP) and albumin concentrations between days 1 and 6 postpartum. No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of our study demonstrate the beneficial effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in on physical recovery in the postpartum period. Kyuki-chouketsu-in can be expected to improve the health of women in the postpartum period. Biopharmacological research and clinical trials to investigate the properties of this drug in detail are warranted.
Effect of CDA-II on Cell Viability, Lipid Peroxidation, Glutathione Concentration and Its Related Enzyme Activities in Primary Rat Hepatocytes
Authors: Lin Wen-Chuan , Liao Yuan-Chang , Liau Ming-Cheng , Sheen Lee-Yan
Published: August 2003

This study investigated the effects of various concentrations and incubation time intervals of CDA-II (cell differentiation agent: a preparation of human urine) on cell viability, lipid peroxidation and glutathione and its related enzyme activities in rat hepatocytes. Based on the results of lactate dehydrogenase leakage and microscopic examination, treatment with CDA-II significantly elevated the viability of hepatocytes. The level of lipid peroxidation of cells treated with 2.5 or 5 mg/ml CDA-II was lower than the control after 4, 8 and 24 hours of incubation. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) content of cells treated with 0.25–5 mg/ml CDA-II was significantly higher than controls after 8 and 24 hours of incubation. These phenomena are beneficial to the antioxidant capabilities of hepatocytes. Furthermore, treatment of hepatocytes with CDA-II has no effect on the activities of GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase and GSH S-transferase. In conclusion, adequate concentration of CDA-II could enhance the viability and antioxidative capability of hepatocytes.
Protective Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus Against Ethanol-Induced Apoptosis of Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line SK-N-MC
Authors: Jang Mi-Hyeon , Shin Min-Chul , Kim Youn-Jung , Kim Chang-Ju , Chung Joo-Ho , Seo Jung-Chul , Kim Ee-Hwa , Kim Kyu-Yeol , Lee Choong-Yeol , Kim Kyeong-Mi
Published: August 2003

The protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) against ethanol (EtOH)-induced apoptosis of the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC was investigated via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and caspase-3 assay. It was shown that cells treated with EtOH exhibit classical apoptotic features, while cells pre-treated with Acanthopanax senticosus prior to EtOH exposure showed decreased occurrence of apoptotic features. In addition, Acanthopanax senticosus pre-treatment was shown to inhibit EtOH-induced increase in caspase-3 mRNA expression and activity. These results suggest that Acanthopanax senticosus may exert a protective effect against EtOH-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells.
Antispastic Effect of Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion in Stroke Patients
Authors: Moon Sang-Kwan , Whang Yeon-Kyu , Park Sung-Uk , Ko Chang-Nam , Kim Young-Suk , Bae Hyung-Sup , Cho Ki-Ho
Published: August 2003

Spasticity is a frequently observed motor impairment that develops after stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (Mox) on spasticity due to stroke. The subjects consisted of 35 stroke patients with elbow spasticity whose mean duration of stroke was 2.97 months. Fifteen patients were randomized to the EA group, ten to Mox, and ten to control. Every other day, 30 minutes of electrical stimulation with a frequency of 50 Hz was given through four needles on the Ch'ü-Ch'ih-San-Li (LI-11-LI-10) and Wai-Kuan-Ho-Ku (TB-5-LI-4) points of the paretic side. Direct Mox was applied to Ch'ü-Ch'ih (LI-11), San-Li (LI-10), Wai-Kuan (TB-5) and Ho-Ku (LI-4) points three times a day every other day. The control group was given only the routine acupuncture therapy for stroke and range of motion (ROM) exercise, which were also applied to the EA and Mox groups. The efficacy of treatment was measured before, immediately, 1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, 5 days, 10 days and 15 days after the start of treatment using a modified Ashworth scale (MAS). In the EA group, spasticity was significantly reduced immediately, 1 hour and 3 hours after treatment (p < 0.05). Reductions were significant on the 5th day and thereafter (p < 0.05). In the Mox group, there was no significant change in the MAS scores after the first treatment. In the Mox and control group, there was no significant change in MAS scores. This study suggests that EA can temporarily reduce spasticity due to stroke, and if applied repeatedly it can maintain reduced spasticity.
Effects of Glycyrrhizin on Renal Functions in Association with the Regulation of Water Channels
Authors: Kang Dae Gill , Sohn Eun Jin , Lee Ho Sub
Published: August 2003

It is well-known that the mineralocorticoid action of glycyrrhizin, which is the major component of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, is caused by a defect in the conversion of cortisol to cortisone by the inhibition of 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme activity. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of salt and water retention in the kidney of rats administered excess amounts of glycyrrhizin (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Up-regulation of aquaporin (AQP) 2 and 3 water channels was detected in the renal inner and outer medulla by Western blot analysis in rats treated with glycyrrhizin for 0.5, 1 and 2 consecutive weeks. Our results show that urine flow rates and sodium excretion rates in glycyrrhizin-treated rats were decreased significantly, but creatinine clearance (Ccr) was not altered. The decreases of urine volume and urinary sodium excretion in glycyrrhizin-treated rats were reversed by a 2-week injection of spironolactone, which is a well-known mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blocker. These results suggest that the retention of water and salt in glycyrrhizin-treated rats is, at least in part, accounted for by the increased expression of AQP 2 and 3 in the kidney, which may be causally related to the MR.
Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Activity of Bidens pilosa and Houttuynia cordata
Authors: Chiang Lien-Chai , Chang Jung-San , Chen Chi-Chain , Ng Lean-Teik , Lin Chun-Ching
Published: August 2003

The present study evaluated the antiviral activity of Bidens pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff and Houttuynia cordata Thunb., using cytotoxicity test with XTT-based colorimetric assay. BCC-1/KMC cells were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and then were cultured with hot water extract of B. pilosa (HWBP) or H. cordata (HWHC). Results showed that HWBP significantly inhibited the replication of HSV at a concentration of 100 μg/ml (11.9% for HSV-1, p < 0.01; 19.2% for HSV-2, p < 0.005), whereas HWHC had the same effect at a concentration of 250 μg/ml (10.2% for HSV-1, p < 0.05; 32.9% for HSV-2, p < 0.005). The ED50 of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2) for HWBP was 655.4 μg/ml and 960 μg/ml respectively, for HWHC it was 822.4 μg/ml and 362.5 μg/ml respectively. Both drugs had selective indexes above 1.04. H. cordata had better effect against HSV-2 than HSV-1, and had a low ED50 against HSV-2. We suggest that H. cordata might be a useful medicinal plant against infection of HSV-2.
Clinical Observations on Postoperative Vomiting Treated by Auricular Acupuncture
Authors: Kim Yongsuk , Kim Chang-Whan , Kim Keon-Sik
Published: August 2003

We studied the effect of auricular acupuncture on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). One hundred female patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy were entered into the study. The patients were divided into two groups (auricular acupuncture treatment group and non-treatment group) in order to test the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture. There was no significant difference in age, weight, height or duration of anesthesia among the two groups of patients. There was a significant difference between the control and auricular acupuncture treatment groups in the incidence of vomiting 12 hours after surgery (68% and 30%, respectively, p < 0.01). No noteworthy side effects from treatment were observed. Auricular acupuncture is effective in reducing vomiting following transabdominal hysterectomy in female patients.
Ginzburg–Landau Theory for Two-Band Isotropic s-Wave Superconductors
Authors: Askerzade I. N.
Published: August 2003

Temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2(T), lower critical field Hc1(T) and thermodynamic magnetic field Hcm(T) are studied in the vicinity of Tc using a two-band Ginzburg–Landau (GL) theory. The results are shown to be in a good agreement with experimental data for the superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) and non-magnetic borocarbides LuNi 2 B 2 C ( YNi 2 B 2 C ). In addition, two-band GL theory was applied for the calculation of specific heat jump, which is smaller than in single-band GL theory. Peculiarities of Little–Parks effect in two-band GL theory are studied also. It is shown that the quantization of the magnetic flux and the relation between surface magnetic field Hc3(T) and upper critical field Hc2(T) are the same as in single band GL theory.
Study of a Pair of Coupled Continuum Equations Modeling Surface Growth
Authors: Huda Ain-Ul , Dutta Omjyoti , Mookerjee Abhijit
Published: August 2003

In this communication we introduce a pair of coupled continuum equations to model overlayer growth with evaporation-accretion due to thermal or mechanical agitations of the substrate. We gain insight into the dynamics of growth via one-loop perturbative techniques. This allows us to analyze our numerical data. We conclude that there is a crossover behaviour from a roughening regime to a very long-time, large length scale smoothening regime.
Evolutionary Plantographics
Authors: Gal Alon , Mahal Gady , Sipper Moshe
Published: August 2003

This letter describes an evolutionary system for creating lifelike three-dimensional plants and flowers, our main goal being the facilitation of producing realistic plant imagery. With these two goals in mind—ease of generation and realism—we designed the plant genotype and the genotype-to-phenotype mapping. Diversity in our system comes about through two distinct processes—evolution and randomization—allowing the creation not only of single plants but of entire gardens and forests. Thus, we are able to readily produce natural-looking artificial scenes.
Power Parity, Preponderance, and War between Great Powers, 1816-1989
Authors: Moul William
Published: August 2003

Empirical study has worn essential theoretical edges from the power transition theory and rival balance-of-power theories, leaving a misshapen question: does parity in quantitative power capabilities of opposing individual states discourage or encourage war between those two states? Distortions of both theory and evidence—mixing balances of power with balances of terror; overlooking political geography, political incapacity, and alliance formations; and confining observations to state-dyads—render the evidence poor and weak. When the distortions are removed, the very strong evidence is that approximate parity in power capabilities encouraged war between great power disputants between 1816 and 1989.
Colonial War and the Democratic Peace
Authors: Ravlo Hilde , Gleditsch Nils Petter , Dorussen Han
Published: August 2003

Proponents of the democratic peace have been criticized for failing to discuss colonial wars. Democratic countries have repeatedly fought such wars, which critics hold to be incompatible with democratic peace theory. Three reasons are suggested to explain why colonial wars do not invalidate the democratic peace argument. First, although democracies rarely, if ever, fight one another, they participate in war as much as nondemocracies. Thus, mixed political dyads have the greatest propensity for war. If nonstate adversaries are commonly perceived to be nondemocratic, democracies should fight colonial wars more frequently. Second, the nature of colonial conflict has changed over time. The relationship between democracy and colonial war is examined in colonial, imperialist, and postcolonial periods. Finally, a correct assessment of the democratic peace argument needs to rely on a multivariate model. With a suitable set of control variables, the positive relationship between war and democracy disappears. We also observe that in the post-World War II period, democracies fight colonial wars less frequently than non-democracies. We surmise that this might be related to changes in the perception of non-European peoples.
Representing Defense
Authors: Eichenberg Richard C. , Stoll Richard
Published: August 2003

There is nowsubstantial evidence that defense spending decisions in the United States are influenced by citizen preferences. However, there is little time-series evidence for countries other than the United States. Regression models of citizen responsiveness and opinion representation in the politics of defense spending in five democracies are estimated. Results showthat public opinion in all five countries is systematically responsive to recent changes in defense spending, and the form of the responses across countries uniformly resembles the “thermostat” metaphor developed by Wlezien and the more general theory of opinion dynamics developed by Stimson. Findings showalso that defense budgeting is representative: public support for defense spending is the most consistently significant influence on defense budgeting change in four countries; thus, a parsimonious theory of comparative policy representation is potentially within reach. The implications of the results for defense spending in the NATO alliance and the European Union are discussed.
Testing the Double-Genocide Thesis for Central and Southern Rwanda
Authors: Verwimp Philip
Published: August 2003

Results of a research project with household-level data on the demographic impact of genocide and civil war in Rwanda are reported. The survey includes demographic and criminological data on 352 peasant households that were part of a large household survey project before the genocide. The absolute number of Hutu killed in the sample is half of the number of Tutsi killed. The statistical and econometric results show that the killing pattern among Hutu and Tutsi was different; Tutsi members of the same household were often killed on the same day and in the same place. The effect of the arrival of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) at the survey sites on the survival chances of Hutu and Tutsi is estimated.
Neighborhood Context and Police Use of Force
Authors: Terrill William , Reisig Michael D.
Published: August 2003

Explanations of police coercion have been traditionally embedded within sociological, psychological, and organizational theoretical frameworks. Largely absent from the research are examinations exploring the role of neighborhood context on police use-of-force practices. Using data collected as part of a systematic social observation study of police in Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Petersburg, Florida, this research examines the influence of neighborhood context on the level of force police exercise during police-suspect encounters using hierarchical linear modeling techniques. The authors found police officers are significantly more likely to use higher levels of force when suspects are encountered in disadvantaged neighborhoods and those with higher homicide rates, net of situational factors (e.g., suspect resistance) and officer-based determinants (e.g., age, education, and training). Also found is that the effect of the suspect's race is mediated by neighborhood context. The results reaffirm Smith's 1986 conclusion that police officers “act differently in different neighborhood contexts.”
The Built Environment and Community Crime Risk Interpretation
Authors: Wilcox Pamela , Quisenberry Neil , Jones Shayne
Published: August 2003

In this article, the authors examine whether subjective perceptions of community safety are informed by the built environment. They posit that the built environment serves as a heuristic device, providing cues about likely levels of neighborhood crime, independent of the effects of neighborhood crime itself. Using data on 4,456individuals nested within 100 census tracts, the authors estimate hierarchical logistic models of perceived community crime risk. They focus on the role of the neighborhood built environment in the form of aggregated perceptions of nonresidential land use, while controlling for individual-level criminal opportunity, community-level social structural antecedents, and community-level objective crime. The findings indicate that the neighborhood-level presence of businesses and parks and playgrounds increases individual perceptions of community danger, but these effects disappear once neighborhood crime rates are controlled. The presence of schools has no effect on subjective interpretations of community crime, regardless of whether actual area crime is considered.
Assessing Expenditure Changes Related to Welcome Center Visits
Authors: Tyrrell Timothy J. , Johnston Robert J.
Published: August 2003

This article illustrates a methodology for assessing expenditure changes associated with welcome center visits and applies this methodology to assess the effectiveness of the Rhode Island Interstate 95 welcome center. The model is distinguished by (1) the use of detailed information from both on-site and follow-up surveys and (2) a means to correct for potential nonresponse bias in the follow-up sample. Results of the analysis illustrate that a visit to the Rhode Island welcome center increases visitors' average in-state expenditures. The estimated expenditure change for the average visitor group—which varies from $104 to $111, depending on model specification—is significantly greater than the expenditure change anticipated during the initial on-site survey. On the basis of model estimates, the authors conclude that the welcome center generates approximately $35 in new tourism expenditures for every dollar of operating budget.
Tourism Demand Modeling: A Time-Varying Parameter Approach
Authors: Song Haiyan , Wong Kevin K. F.
Published: August 2003

Traditional tourism demand analysis uses ordinary least squares or maximum likelihood methods to estimate demand models, assuming that the parameters of the models remain constant over the sample period. This assumption is too restrictive, as it does not allow for behavioral changes of tourists over time. This study proposes a new methodology—the time-varying parameter (TVP) approach to tourism demand modeling. This method relaxes the assumption of parameter constancy, and the behavioral change of tourists over time is traced using a statistical estimator known as a Kalman filter. The appropriateness of the TVP approach to tourism demand modeling is then tested based on a data set of the demand for Hong Kong tourism by residents from six major tourism origin countries.
Segmenting Tourists by their Travel Pattern for Insights into Achieving Energy Efficiency
Authors: Becken Susanne , Simmons David , Frampton Chris
Published: August 2003

Tourists compose their trip of different travel choices across the transport, accommodation, and attractions/activities subsectors. Since these travel choices are characterized by different energy intensities, the energy use of a tourist trip as the combination of all travel choices varies for different tourists. To enable better management of energy use of tourism, the authors factor-cluster analyzed a set of travel choices of international tourists to New Zealand and aggregated tourists into types with similar travel patterns and energy consumption. Seven distinct clusters were obtained: a coach tourist, soft comfort traveler, auto tourist, camper, backpacker, tramper (hiker), and tourists who visit friends and relatives. These types were different both with regard to their total energy use and energy use per day within New Zealand. The understanding of different tourist types provides a basis for future energy conservation and efficiency strategies, which are briefly discussed.
Tourism Forecasting: The General-to-Specific Approach
Authors: Song Haiyano , Witt Stephen F.
Published: August 2003

The general-to-specific approach to econometric modeling and forecasting has a clear strategy in model specification, estimation, and selection and is demonstrated in the context of international tourism demand. A general autoregressive distributed lag model is reduced to various specific models by imposing parameter restrictions, and model selection is based on restriction tests, consistency with economic theory, and diagnostic statistics. The models are estimated using data on inbound tourism to South Korea from its four major generating countries: Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Statistical tests show that a unique model specification across origin countries is not appropriate.
The Nature of Independent Travel
Authors: Hyde Kenneth F. , Lawson Rob
Published: August 2003

Independent travel is an important and growing sector of worldwide tourism. This study examines the extent of travel planning by independent travelers, the extent to which travel plans are actioned, and the temporal sequence in which vacation elements are chosen. In-depth case studies were completed on 20 international travel parties who were first-time visitors to New Zealand. Travel parties were interviewed at both the beginning and the end of their vacations. Using an inductive-deductive process of research, a series of propositions was developed and tested using pattern-matching procedures. The study demonstrates that the motivations for independent travel are reflected in the decision processes adopted by independent travelers. Three characteristics are identified that distinguish the nature of independent travel: the traveler experiences an evolving itinerary, the traveler is willing to take risks in selecting vacation elements, and the traveler possesses a desire to experience the unplanned.
Australian Tourist Attractions: The Links between Organizational Characteristics and Planning
Authors: Benckendorff Pierre J. , Pearce Philip L.
Published: August 2003

An exploration of the links between the characteristics of Australian tourist attractions and the amount of planning undertaken by attraction managers was conducted. Using a detailed mail survey (N = 407, response rate = 26.7%), a categorization indicating four planning levels was devised: nonplanners, short-term planners, short- and long-term planners, and long-term planners. Attractions with greater levels of planning were shown to have higher levels of perceived performance and faced the future with better growth prospects and business confidence. They also reported higher management turnover. Attraction research, it was argued, needs to develop with studies from different regions and histories to test the value of specific findings. In addition, multimethod approaches are needed to disentangle causality issues linking planning and attraction characteristics.
Tourism and Religion: A Case Study—Visiting Students in Israeli Universities
Authors: Cohen Erik H.
Published: August 2003

The factors motivating students to take part in overseas study programs are instrumental in understanding the phenomenon of visiting students and other participants in educational tours to Israel. In this study, the reasons why American Jewish students come to study in Israel are examined. Multidimensional data analysis reveals four motivational categories: religion, tourism, religion and tourism combined, and other.
On the Morals of Genealogy
Authors: Stevens Jacqueline
Published: August 2003

The article describes how an intellectual community of those following French trends in the academy have, for the past forty years, been offering a mistaken reading of Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of genealogy. The essay shows how Nietzsche mocks moral psychologists by calling them genealogists, contrasts Nietzsche's work with that of genealogists, and then documents how subsequent academics, encouraged by the work of Gilles Deleuze and, in turn, Michel Foucault, created a revaluation of genealogy's meaning, thereby fetishizing their own scholarly authority.
Chronopharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Occurrence of Acute Rejection
Authors: Tada Hitoshi , Satoh Sigeru , Iinuma Masahiro , Shimoda Naotake , Murakami Miho , Hayase Yukitoshi , Kato Tetsuro , Suzuki Toshio
Published: August 2003

The circadian variation of clinical pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus was studied using 16 adult renal transplant recipients 1 month after the operation. The recipients were administered tacrolimus twice a day (9 a.m. and 9 p.m.), and whole‐blood samples were obtained just prior to and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours after oral administration. Histological specimens of transplant kidney were collected by an allograft core biopsy on day 28 after the transplantation. There were no circadian changes in the area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC0–12) (214 ng•h/mL during daytime vs. 223 ng•h/mL during nighttime) resulting from morning and night doses. A slight delay in mean residence time (MRT0–12) and time to the peak concentration (tmax) was found after night doses, but there was no statistical significance. Three patients (18.8%) had a clinical acute rejection (AR) episode 4 to 6 weeks after transplantation, and AUC0–12 at nighttime was significantly lower (18.4% on average) in patients with AR in comparison to those without AR. There was no statistical significance in maximum concentration (Cmax) or morning/night trough levels between patients with and without AR. In regard to the correlation between tacrolimus concentrations in each sampling time and AUC0–12, the morning trough concentrations were less predictable for daytime AUC0–12 (r2 = 0.125), but there was a weak correlation to nighttime AUC0–12 (r2 = 0.424). Tacrolimus concentrations at 2, 3, and 6 hours after the morning dose (C2, C3, and C6) had a good correlation against daytime AUC. The results of this study indicate that the variance on the clinical pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus between daytime and nighttime in renal transplant patients is not significant, while the lower nighttime AUC corresponded to the occurrence of AR.
The Mechanisms of the Inhibitory Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs on Bone Healing: A Concise Review
Authors: Harder Adam T. , An Yuehuei H.
Published: August 2003

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use continues to expand at a remarkable rate due both to the broad spectrum of clinical applications for these medications and to the relatively recent introduction of the popular COX‐2‐selective inhibitors. The use of NSAIDs is particularly prevalent in patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Reports of impaired bone healing associated with NSAID use, therefore, are a particular cause for concern. Animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated impaired bone healing in the presence of traditional NSAIDs, as measured by a variety of different parameters. More recently, initial studies investigating the effects of COX‐2‐selective inhibitors on bone healing have yielded similar results. With mounting evidence that NSAIDs do in fact interfere with proper bone healing in various animal models, questions have arisen regarding the potential mechanism through which NSAIDs produce this outcome and whether these results can be translated to clinical settings. A likely pathway for these observed effects results from an understanding of the steps involved in bone healing itself. These steps include an inflammatory response, bone resorption, and new bone formation. Investigations over the past several decades have elucidated a role for prostaglandins (PGs) in each of these areas. Specifically, PGs have been shown to elicit and participate in inflammatory responses, increase osteoclast activity and subsequent bone resorption, and increase osteoblast activity and new bone formation. This apparent integral role for PGs in the process of bone healing, coupled with the knowledge that NSAIDs act by inhibiting the production of PGs, results in an understanding of the likely mechanism through which NSAIDs impart their deleterious effects on bone healing. By inhibiting the COX enzymes and the subsequent production of PGs, NSAIDs not only achieve their desired anti‐inflammatory effects but also inhibit the increased production of PGs that is necessary for bone healing to occur. Despite this understanding of the potential mechanism through which NSAIDs inhibit bone healing in a laboratory setting, few studies exist that show whether these inhibitory effects are also evident clinically. Thus, further studies will need to decipher whether similar inhibitory effects occur in a clinical setting.
Omeprazole Disposition in Children following Single‐Dose Administration
Authors: Kearns Gregory L. , Andersson Tommy , James Laura P. , Gaedigk Andrea , Kraynak Rebecca A. , Abdel‐Rahman Susan M. , Ramabadran Krishnaswami , van den Anker John N. ,   Pediatric Pharmacology Research Unit Network
Published: August 2003

Omeprazole is frequently used to treat gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children despite the lack of age‐specific pharmacokinetic and dosing information in the approved product labeling. To address this challenge, the authors examined the potential influence of development and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) genotype on omeprazole disposition by conducting two pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in children and adolescents (ages 2–16 years) after a single oral 10‐ or 20‐mg dose of the drug. Plasma omeprazole concentrations were determined by HPLC‐MS from seven plasma samples obtained over a 6‐hour postdose period. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartmental methods. Subjects were genotyped for CYP2C19 by PCR‐RFLP Data were available from 37 patients (19 female), 10 of whom were ≤ 5 years of age. No drug‐associated adverse events were observed. The numbers of functional CYP2C19 alleles per subject in the cohort were 2 (n = 25), 1 (n = 11), and 0 (n = 1). Pharmacokinetic parameters (mean ± SD, range) were as follows: tmax (2.1 ± 1.2, 1–6 h), Cmax (331.1 ± 333.6,20.8–885.8 ng/mL), AUC0 → ∞ (809.5 ± 893.8, 236.9–1330.9 ng/mL•h), t1/2 (0.98 ± 0.22, 0.7–1.4h), and CL/F(1.8 ± 1.4, 0.3–5.8 L/h/kg). Comparison of mean AUC0 → ∞ values normalized for dose (i.e., per 1 mg/kg) between subjects with one versus two functional CYP2C19 alleles revealed no statistically significant difference. In addition, the CL/F and apparent elimination rate constant (Λz) for omeprazole were not significantly different for subjects with one versus two functional CYP2C19 alleles. No association between age and CL/F, t1/2, or Λz was observed. The range of t1/2 values for omeprazole was similar to those reported in adults (1–1.5 h). Conclusions: (1) in children ages 2 to 16 years receiving 10 or 20 mg of omeprazole as a single oral dose, the PK are quite comparable to values reported for adults, and (2) in pediatric patients who are CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers, there was no association between genotype and the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole.
Evidence that Projection of a Feared Trait can Serve a Defensive Function
Authors: Schimel Jeff , Greenberg Jeff , Martens Andy
Published: August 2003

Two experiments tested the notion that allowing people to project a feared trait onto another individual would facilitate denial of the trait. In Study 1, participants were given feedback that they were high or low in repressed anger and were allowed to rate an ambiguous target on anger or not. Participants who received high (vs. low) anger feedback rated the target especially high on anger. In addition, participants who received high anger feedback and who were allowed to project their anger had the lowest anger accessibility on a word completion exercise. Study 2 replicated these basic findings using a different trait dimension (dishonesty) and a direct measure of denial (self-attributions of dishonesty). Specifically, in Study 2, participants who received high dishonesty feedback and who were allowed to project dishonesty reported having an especially low level of dishonesty. Discussion focused on the relationship between classic projection and other forms of psychological defense.
Personality Traits in Adolescence as Predictors of Religiousness in Early Adulthood: Findings from the Terman Longitudinal Study
Authors: McCullough Michael E. , Tsang Jo-Ann , Brion Sharon
Published: August 2003

The authors examined the associations of the Big Five personality factors with religiousness in adulthood for a 19-year longitudinal sample of 492 adolescents age 12 to 18. Among the Big Five, Conscientiousness in adolescence was uniquely related to higher religiousness in early adulthood. For adolescents high in Emotional Stability, the link between strength of religious upbringing and religiousness in adulthood was weaker than it was for adolescents who were less emotionally stable. These findings replicate the work of others demonstrating the importance of Conscientiousness as a predictor of religiousness and suggest that emotionally unstable adolescents might be more likely to adopt levels of religiousness that are similar to those of their parents.
Factor Structure of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire and Measurement Invariance Across Gender
Authors: Kim Sooyeon , Brody Gene H. , Murry Velma McBride
Published: August 2003

Confirmatory factor analysis was applied in a test of alternative factor models and measurement invariance across gender groups using data from the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire (EATQ). Mothers rated their 10- to 14-year-old children (116 girls and 115 boys) on the EATQ Shyness, High-Intensity Pleasure, Activity Level, Attention, Irritability, and Fear scales. A first-order six-correlated factor model best represented the structure of temperament. As expected, factor models based on composite indicators showed better overall model fit than did those based on single items. The measurement invariance of the first-order model across gender suggests that the EATQ measures the same aspects of temperament regardless of gender. A significant gender difference emerged at the latent mean level: Boys were rated high in high-intensity pleasure and activity level, and girls were rated high in attention.
Radiology in the Intensive Care Unit (Part I)
Authors: Trotman-Dickenson Beatrice
Published: August 2003

The increasing complexity of the intensive care patient combined with the recent advances in imaging technology has generated a new perspective on intensive care radiology. The purpose of this 2-part review article is to describe the contribution of radiology to the management of these critically ill patients. The first article will discuss the impact of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) on critical care management and utility of the portable chest radiograph in the detection and evaluation of pulmonary disease with correlation to computed tomography (CT). The second article describes in more detail the increasing role of CT in diagnosis and therapeutic procedures. In particular, the implementation of CT pulmonary angiography in the evaluation of pulmonary emboli and the introduction of the new multislice detector CT scanners that allow even the most dyspneic patient to be evaluated. Pleural complications in the intensive care unit and image-guided intervention will also be discussed.
Non-Heartbeating Organ Donation: A Review
Authors: Zawistowski Christine A. , DeVita Michael A.
Published: August 2003

Organ transplantation is one of the groundbreaking achievements in medicine in the 20th century. In the early days of transplantation, organs were obtained from non-heartbeating (NHB) cadavers. With time, better options for organ sources became available (for example, living-related and “brain dead” donors), and the practice of obtaining organs from NHB cadavers fell out of favor. Improvements in the field of transplantation have led to an increased demand for organs. Various strategies have been employed recently to increase the supply, one of them being non-heartbeating organ donation (NHBOD). NHBOD can take place in controlled or uncontrolled circum-stances. Recently, national organizations have supported and proposed guidelines for NHBOD and to aid clinicians in identifying potential donors. Outcomes of organs obtained from NHB cadavers are comparable to those obtained from heartbeating donors. The practice of NHBOD is increasing and has proven that it can contribute to increasing organ availability.
Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy for Emergent Airway Access
Authors: Ault Mark J. , Ault Brian , Ng Philip K.
Published: August 2003

The study objective of this article was to evaluate percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) for emergent airway access. This is a case series of 9 patients who presented over a 58-month period. All patients were in severe respiratory difficulty where intubation by conventional means was unsuccessful. All 9 patients were successfully intubated using PDT technique. No technical complications were noted, specifically bleeding, extratracheal placement, or prolonged procedure time. Six patients ultimately died, 2 from anoxic encephalopathy due to failed resuscitation and 4 from comorbid illness. Three patients ultimately survived to hospital discharge. The authors conclude that PDT can effectively establish a surgical airway in an emergent setting. The major advantage of this technique is the ability to gain and maintain competence in an elective, controlled environment. The authors believe that PDT may play a role in the management of the emergent surgical airway.
Nosocomial Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit: Controversies and Dilemmas
Authors: Mehta Ravindra M. , Niederman Michael S.
Published: August 2003

Nosocomial pneumonia (NP), and its most serious form, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the ICU. Numerous controversies exist, from diagnostic criteria to prevention and treatment, including the issues of attributable mortality of VAP, differences in the approach to early and late VAP, and the best diagnostic methods. Initial, accurate therapy is one of the most important factors determining outcome in VAP. Antibiotic monotherapy versus combination therapy is not clearly defined, as clinicians struggle with the dual risk of inadequate therapy negatively affecting outcome and overtreatment promoting antibiotic resistance. The role of airway and gastrointestinal colonization and innovative preventive strategies such as noninvasive ventilation, antibiotic rotation, and aerosolized antibiotics are discussed. No uniform standards exist for the approach to VAP. The authors highlight the major controversies and dilemmas in the clinical approach to VAP, with recommendations for the bedside management of these patients.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Psychological Abuse Reported by Court-Involved Battered Women
Authors: Henning Kris , Klesges Lisa M.
Published: August 2003

This study describes the prevalence and correlates of psychological abuse in a sample of 3,370adult women assaulted by male intimate partners. Victims were asked about their history of physical and psychological abuse, characteristics of the current offense, perpetrator characteristics, and their own response to the abuse. Prior psychological abuse was reported by most (80%) of the women, and rarely did physical aggression occur in the absence of psychological abuse. Men with a history of extrafamilial criminality and substance abuse were more likely to engage in psychological abuse, while demographic characteristics of the offenders showed little relationship to the use of these emotionally abusive tactics. Additional analyses suggested that psychological abuse, independent of physical aggression, was related to victims' perceived threat and plans to leave the relationship. These findings indicate the need for evaluation of psychological abuse, independent of physical abuse, to understand its impact on victims.
Predicting Violent Behavior through A Static-Stable Variable Lens
Authors: Mills Jeremy F. , Kroner Daryl G. , Hemmati Toni
Published: August 2003

This study examines the differential relationship of criminogenic domains to violent and nonviolent recidivism in a sample of predominantly violent offenders. In addition, the criminogenic domains are examined through a static-stable variable dichotomy. The results support previously published retrospective studies that found different domains associated with violent and nonviolent offending. In addition, the results showed that stable variables add to the prediction of both violent and nonviolent behavior after accounting for the most salient static variables. The results are discussed within the context of improving risk prediction.
Cognitive Distortions of Religious Professionals Who Sexually Abuse Children
Authors: Saradjian Adam , Nobus Dany
Published: August 2003

This study uses grounded theory to investigate the cognitive distortions in the self-report statements of 14 clergymen who had sexually abused children. These clergy were residents at an assessment and treatment center for child molesters. The content of the offenders' cognitive distortions was identified and categorized into thematic groups. These categories were found to relate to the various stages of the offending cycle. A tentative model was generated that illustrates the relationship between the categories and the hypothesized sequence of thought facilitating the initiation and maintenance of sexually abusive behavior. In addition, a number of cognitive processes were identified as contributing to offenders' beliefs. The study also reveals that the clergymen used their religious role and relationship with God within their distorted beliefs. These beliefs were predominantly concentrated in the areas of giving themselves permission to offend, denial of likelihood of getting caught, reduction of guilt after offending, and maintaining a positive sense of self.
Childhood and Adult Abuse among Women in Primary Health Care
Authors: Carlson Bonnie E. , McNutt Louise-Anne , Choi Deborah Y.
Published: August 2003

The study looked at 557 women participating in an evaluation of a domestic violence screening intervention in a primary care setting. Depression and anxiety were investigated in relation to seven types of child and adult intimate partner abuse. At the bivariate level, both physical and sexual child abuse were associated with significantly increased risk for all five types of adult abuse as well as depression and anxiety. Multivariate analyses suggested that recent intimate partner violence and high-severity child abuse increased risk for depression, and both recent and past intimate partner violence as well as child abuse increased risk for anxiety. In addition, higher levels of cumulative abuse increased risk for depression and anxiety over the life span even after controlling for other risk factors.
Encountering Heidi
Authors: Jonas Lilian M , Stewart William P , Larkin Kevin W
Published: August 2003

In recent times, the wilderness is seen by many as a place for the individual to escape the routines of everyday life and regain contact with one's true self. Ingrained in that escape to the wilderness is the concept of challenging dangerous situations that, if voluntarily faced, can lead to adventure and the attribution of character. The river is one such wilderness place where individuals go to escape civilization and embrace their river-runner selves, which involves the imputation of wilderness adventurer identities. In the escape to a river wilderness, river runners encounter other groups. While it has been widely assumed that encounters in wilderness areas adversely affect the wilderness experience, the authors explore how encounters with others on the river provide audiences that are central in the construction and affirmation of the wilderness adventurer identity.
Setting the Stage
Authors: Conrad Charles
Published: August 2003

The 2002 meltdown of major U.S. corporations was the culmination of a number of interrelated trends that started in the 1970s and continued unabated through the 1990s. Cultural myths, public policies, and organizational practices coalesced to create a fraud-inducing system, one in which executive selection and reward systems encouraged unethical and/or illegal activities, public discourse elevated private financial gain over the interests of multiple stakeholders and glorified short-term asset appreciation while denigrating long-term corporate development, and public policies and institutional changes seriously weakened executive accountability.
Explaining Enron
Authors: Seeger Matthew W. , Ulmer Robert R.
Published: August 2003

Although a variety of explanations are available for the recent collapse of the nation's seventh largest corporation, this analysis employs principles of communication-based leader responsibilities to explain Enron's demise. These responsibilities include (a) communicating appropriate values to create a moral climate, (b) maintaining adequate communication to be informed of organizational operations, and (c) maintaining openness to signs of problems. A variety of media reports and participant accounts are used to illustrate these failures in responsibility. Several implications for managerial communication are drawn from the analysis. The Enron case highlights specific communication obligations of senior management. It also illustrates the consequences of attending to a very narrow set of values and stakeholder concerns and the dangers inherent to radical innovation when few established rules or standards are available. The authors' analysis also calls for positioning responsibility more centrally in managerial communication.
Enhancing the Educational Value of Business Internships
Authors: Clark Sue Campbell
Published: August 2003

The educational value of business internships can be enhanced through academic assignments. Seven assignments are suggested that are both practical and reflective in nature. These assignments are described in terms of their ability to promote the following learning objectives: (a)understand one's self and the job context, (b) gather evidence of experience gained, (c) learn how to learn from experience, and (d) integrate theory and practice.