bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tenotomy versus Tenodesis in the Management of Pathologic Lesions of the Tendon of the Long Head of the Biceps Brachii
Authors: Frost Andrew , Zafar Mohammed Saqib , Maffulli Nicola
Published: September 2008

Background

Primary and secondary lesions of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii are common, with no clear consensus about their optimal management.

Hypothesis

There is no difference in outcomes of tenotomy and tenodesis for lesions of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii.

Study Design

We performed a comprehensive quantitative review of the published English-language literature comparing the outcomes of tenotony and tenodesis for lesions of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii.

Methods

All relevant articles in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved, and each article was scored using the Coleman Methodology Score, a highly repeatable methodology score, by 2 independent reviewers.

Results

Scores were predominantly low for quality of the studies, with patient number and validated outcome measures being the weakest areas.

Conclusion

There is a lack of quality evidence to advocate one technique over the other. We emphasize the need for appropriately powered, well-conducted, randomized, controlled trials comparing the outcomes of these 2 procedures. There is little difference in the outcome of tenotomy compared with tenodesis. Tenotomy is easy and quick, with less need for postoperative rehabilitation. We therefore suggest that biceps tenotomy be the preferred method.

Clinical Relevance

Biceps pathologic lesions are common. There is no evidence base for their most appropriate management.
The Anatomic Reconstruction of Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocations Using 2 TightRope Devices
Authors: Walz Lars , Salzmann Gian M. , Fabbro Thomas , Eichhorn Stefan , Imhoff Andreas B.
Published: September 2008

Background

For the reconstruction of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, several operative procedures have been described; however, the anatomic reconstruction of both coracoclavicular ligaments has rarely been reported.

Purpose

The aim of this biomechanical study is to describe a new procedure for anatomic reconstruction of the AC joint.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Materials and Methods

Forty fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested. Cyclic loading and a load-to-failure protocol was performed in vertical (native, n = 10; reconstructed, n = 10) and anterior directions (native, n = 10; reconstructed, n = 10) on 20 AC joints and repeated after anatomic reconstruction. Reconstruction of conoid and trapezoid ligaments was achieved by 2 TightRope devices (Arthrex, Naples, Florida). Dynamic, cyclic, and static loading until failure in vertical (n = 5) and horizontal (n = 5) directions were tested in native as well as reconstructed joints in a standardized setting.

Results

The native coracoclavicular ligaments in static load for vertical force measured 598 N (range, 409–687), elongation 10 mm (range, 6–14), and stiffness 99 N/mm (range, 67–130); static load for anterior force was 338 N (range, 186–561), elongation 4 mm (range, 3–7), and stiffness 140 N/mm (range, 70–210). The mean maximum static load until failure in reconstruction for vertical force was 982 N (range, 584–1330) ( P = .001), elongation 4 mm (range, 3–6) ( P < .001), and stiffness 80 N/mm (range, 66.6–105) ( P = .091); and for anterior static force 627 N (range, 364–973) ( P < .001), elongation 6.5 mm (range, 4–10) ( P = .023), and stiffness 78 N/mm (range, 46–120) ( P = .009). During dynamic testing of the native coracoclavicular ligaments, the mean amount of repetitions (100 repetitions per stage, stage 0–100 N, 100–200 N, 200–300 N, etc, and a frequency of 1.5 Hz) in native vertical direction was 593 repetitions (range, 426–683) and an average of 552 N (range, 452–683) load until failure. In vertical reconstructed testing, there were 742 repetitions (range, 488–893) ( P = .222; with a load until failure of 768 N (range, 486–900) ( P = .095). In the anterior direction load, the native ligament failed after an average of 365 repetitions (range, 330–475) and an average load of 360 N (range, 307–411), while reconstructed joints ended in 549 repetitions (range, 498–566) (P = .008J with a load until failure of 547 N (range, 490–585) ( P = .008). In all testing procedures, a preload of 5 N was performed.

Conclusion

The anatomic reconstruction of the AC joint using TightRope is a stable and functional anatomic reconstruction procedure. The reconstruction technique led to favorable in vitro results with equal or even higher forces than native ligaments.

Clinical Relevance

Through anatomic repair, stable function of the AC joint can be achieved in an anatomic manner.
The Epidemiology of US High School Basketball Injuries, 2005–2007
Authors: Borowski Laurel A. , Yard Ellen E. , Fields Sarah K. , Comstock R. Dawn
Published: September 2008

Background

With more than a million high school athletes playing during the 2006–2007 academic year, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States.

Hypothesis

Basketball injury rates and patterns differ by gender and type of exposure.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods

Basketball-related injury data were collected during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 academic years from 100 nationally representative US high schools via Reporting Information Online.

Results

High school basketball players sustained 1518 injuries during 780 651 athlete exposures for an injury rate of 1.94 per 1000 athlete exposures. The injury rate per 1000 athlete exposures was greater during competition (3.27) than during practice (1.40; rate ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 2.10–2.57) and was greater among girls (2.08) than among boys (1.83; rate ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.26). The ankle/foot (39.7%), knee (14.7%), head/face/neck (13.6%), arm/hand (9.6%), and hip/thigh/upper leg (8.4%) were most commonly injured. The most frequent injury diagnoses were ligament sprains (44.0%), muscle/tendon strains (17.7%), contusions (8.6%), fractures (8.5%), and concussions (7.0%). Female basketball players sustained a greater proportion of concussions (injury proportion ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.49–3.91) and knee injuries (injury proportion ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–2.30), whereas boys more frequently sustained fractures (injury proportion ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–2.77) and contusions (injury proportion ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–2.31). The most common girls’ injury requiring surgery was knee ligament sprains (47.9%).

Conclusion

High school basketball injury patterns vary by gender and type of exposure. This study suggests several areas of emphasis for targeted injury prevention interventions.
Arthroscopic Surgery for Primary Traumatic Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Sillanpää Petri J. , Mäenpää Heikki M. , Mattila Ville M. , Visuri Tuomo , Pihlajamäki Harri
Published: September 2008

Background

No data exist whether patients with primary traumatic patellar dislocation benefit from initial arthroscopic medial repair surgery.

Purpose

To compare long-term outcomes of patients treated with acute arthroscopic stabilization for patellar dislocation with those treated nonoperatively except for removal of loose bodies.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

The study group included 76 consecutive military recruits (72 men, 4 women), with a median age of 20 years (range, 19–22) at the time of dislocation. Thirty patients (group 1) underwent initial arthroscopic medial retinacular repair, and 46 patients (group 2) were treated without stabilizing surgery, including 11 who had osteochondral fragments arthroscopically removed. Patients with previous patellar dislocations or instability were excluded. Aftercare was identical in both groups. Redislocations, subjective symptoms, and functional limitations were evaluated after a median 7-year follow-up.

Results

Sixty-one (80%) patients participated in a follow-up examination. At final follow-up, 8 (23%) redislocations occurred in group 2 and 5 (19%) in group 1 ( P = .84). Eight (23%) patients in group 2 and 3 (12%) in group 1 reported patellar subluxations ( P = .18). In group 1, 81% regained their preinjury activity level compared with 56% in group 2 ( P = .05). Functional outcomes were good in both groups (Kujala scores: 87 for group 1 and 90 for group 2) ( P = .22). Regarding the presence of osteoarthritic characteristics in the patellofemoral joint, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups.

Conclusions

Initial arthroscopic medial retinacular repair was not followed by improved patellar stability nor reduced incidence of redislocations compared with nonoperative (except for removal of loose bodies) treatment. Acute arthroscopic medial retinacular repair allowed patients to better regain preinjury activity level than in patients not undergoing retinacular repair. The decision to stabilize the patella by initial arthroscopic surgery should be made with caution.
Tibial Fixation of Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Zheng Naiquan , Price Chad T. , Indelicato Peter A. , Gao Bo
Published: September 2008

Background

The use of interference screw fixation for bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts in anterior cruciate ligament fixation is well established. No previous study has compared bovine bone screws and biodegradable interference screws or demonstrated their efficacy for requirements associated with early rehabilitation.

Hypothesis

There is no difference in tension loss and pull-out strength between bovine bone screws and biodegradable interference screws.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts were performed in 40 human tibiae from 20 donors. A bovine bone screw and a polylevolactide interference screw were used for tibial fixation in each pair. A cyclic testing protocol with varying magnitude and orientation of the graft loading was developed. Cyclic tests were performed at 1 Hz for 5000 cycles with a peak force of 200 N applied to the graft. Survival rate and postcyclic-test pull-out strength were compared.

Results

Fifteen of 20 reconstructions fixed with bovine bone screws and 17 of 20 fixed with biodegradable screws reached 5000 cycles. Graft tension drop after the 5000 cycles averaged 19.7 N (±12.9) for bovine bone screws and 18.9 N (±16.3) for biodegradable screws. There were no significant differences in tension loss and pull-out strength between the 2 types of screws.

Conclusion

Bovine bone screws are comparable to biodegradable interference screws in providing stable tibial fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts.

Clinical Relevance

The use of bovine bone screws may be comparable to the popular biodegradable interference screws used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in postsurgery rehabilitation.
Talking About Religion
Authors: Dollahite David C. , Thatcher Jennifer Y.
Published: September 2008

This study builds on previous research regarding parent-child religious conversations to explore the transactional processes of these conversations. It employs qualitative analyses of interviews with highly religious parents and adolescents representing the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) from New England and Northern California. Variations in conversational processes are summarized in a conceptual model. Findings suggest that when parent-adolescent religious conversations are youth centered, the emotional experience is more positive for parents and adolescents than when they are parent centered. Parents from both traditional and progressive faith communities reported that they understood the value of transactional conversation processes over a more hierarchical, preachy, or parent-centered approach.
Employment, Sense of Coherence, and Identity Formation
Authors: Luyckx Koen , Schwartz Seth J. , Goossens Luc , Pollock Sophie
Published: September 2008

The present study investigated the influence of contextual (i.e., being in college vs. being employed) and psychological (i.e., sense of coherence) processes on achieving a sense of adulthood in a sample of 317 emerging adults. Identity formation, conceptualized as multiple dimensions of exploration and of commitment, was conceived of as a mediator of these relationships. Individuals who perceive themselves as adults scored higher on commitment and lower on ruminative exploration than those who do not perceive themselves as full-fledged adults. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the relationships of sense of coherence and attending college versus being employed to sense of adulthood were partially mediated by identity formation—and by the dimension of commitment making in particular. Being employed and scoring high on sense of coherence are directly and indirectly (through making stronger identity commitments) related to a greater sense of adulthood. Implications and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Depression and Its Psychosocial Correlates Among Older Asian Immigrants in North America
Authors: Kuo Ben C. H. , Chong Vanessa , Joseph Justine
Published: September 2008

Objectives: This article critically reviews two decades of empirically based depression studies on older Asian immigrants (OAIs) in North America published in English. The Psychosocial Model of Late-Life Depression is proposed as the conceptual roadmap to help interpret the findings across studies. Methods: Using multiple bibliographic databases, this review systematically summarized and evaluated findings in 24 studies in terms of: (a) the prevalence and severity of depression; (b) demographic, psychosocial, cultural, and health risk factors of depression; and (c) methodological approaches and designs. Results: The results showed that depression is prevalent among OAIs and is linked to gender, recency of immigration, English proficiency, acculturation, service barriers, health status, relationship with children and family, and social support. However, considerable variability in the results, the sample sizes, and the use of measurements were also found across studies. Discussion: Recommendations for future research and the provision of clinical and community services are discussed within the psychosocial model.
A deterministic model for estimating the reduction in colorectal cancer incidence due to endoscopic surveillance
Authors: Cafferty Fay H , Sasieni Peter D , Duffy Stephen W
Published: September 2008

There is evidence that the removal of adenomas, by endoscopy, from the large bowel can prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the reduction in cancer incidence due to endoscopic surveillance is difficult to estimate. Studies of cohorts of adenoma patients typically rely on comparisons with groups of historical controls. We present a model for disease progression which enables estimation of this quantity without direct comparison to a reference group. Models are applied to data from the National Polyp Study. Rates of adenoma recurrence and progression to carcinoma are estimated based on study data and relevant literature. This allows calculation of the number of cancers expected in the absence of surveillance and, thus, the number of cancers prevented. Results are compared with the original analysis. Models estimate that surveillance reduced CRC incidence by at least 97% in this cohort. The majority of the effect was due to the initial removal of adenomas rather than the follow-up surveillance. These results are similar to those produced in the original analysis when using the most appropriate reference groups. They indicate that polypectomy and follow-up surveillance can lead to large reductions in cancer incidence which may have been under-estimated in previous studies.
The case-crossover study design in pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: 'Chris' Delaney Joseph A , Suissa Samy
Published: September 2008

In the study of the association of transient drug exposures with acute outcomes, the case-crossover design is an efficient alternative to the case-control approach. This design based exclusively on the case series uses within-subject comparisons of drug exposures over time to estimate the rate ratio of the outcome associated with the drug under study. This design inherently removes the biasing effects of unmeasured, time-invariant confounding factors from the estimated rate ratio, but is sensitive to several assumptions. We illustrated the case-crossover design and explored its sensitivity using data from 4028 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding from the General Practice Research Database in assessing the effects of the drug warfarin. We compared the use of different time window lengths to assess exposure and considered the use of a case-time-control design to account for exposure time trends. The case-crossover approach found no excess risk of bleeding with warfarin exposure [rate ratio 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74—1.28] using a 1-month time window. When we restricted the analysis to subjects with truly transient drug exposure, defined by 1 to 3 prescriptions in the previous year, the rate ratio was 2.59 (95% CI: 1.42—4.74). To consider the longer 1-year exposure time window, the case-time-control approach was used and resulted in a rate ratio of 1.72 (95% CI: 1.08—2.43). In conclusion, the case-crossover design is potentially a powerful approach to assess the risk of drugs. This design is, however, highly sensitive to assumptions about intermittency of drug use and the length of the exposure time window, as demonstrated with the example of bleeding associated with warfarin use.
Non-parametric estimation of state occupation, entry and exit times with multistate current status data
Authors: Lan Ling , Datta Somnath
Published: September 2008

As a type of multivariate survival data, multistate models have a wide range of applications, notably in cancer and infectious disease progression studies. In this article, we revisit the problem of estimation of state occupation, entry and exit times in a multistate model where various estimators have been proposed in the past under a variety of parametric and non-parametric assumptions. We focus on two non-parametric approaches, one using a product limit formula as recently proposed in Datta and Sundaram1 and a novel approach using a fractional risk set calculation followed by a subtraction formula to calculate the state occupation probability of a transient state. A numerical comparison between the two methods is presented using detailed simulation studies. We show that the new estimators have lower statistical errors of estimation of state occupation probabilities for the distant states. We illustrate the two methods using a pubertal development data set obtained from the NHANES III.2
Physical Activity Relationship (PAR)
Authors: Koski Pasi
Published: September 2008

This article presents a concept and an approach for analysing and understanding an individual's relationship to physical culture. Physical activity relationship (PAR) is a concept by which sport and physical activities are approached as a cultural part of life to which all of us have a relationship. According to Unruh (1980) we live in many different social worlds at the same time and based on his classification we have different roles in these social worlds. We can be strangers, tourists, regulars or insiders. The deeper we are involved in a certain social world the better we see and understand the meanings of this world. Sport and physical activities can be conceptualized as such a social world. The relationship which describes how we encounter this world and its culture is referred to here as PAR. This article suggests that although there is clear interest in personal physical activity by the field of sport and exercise science, PAR also covers three other dimensions: following, producing and consuming the meanings of sport and physical activities. Arguably, the PAR framework may be able to offer insights for those seeking to establish sport, exercise and physical activity as fundamental aspects of a healthy lifestyle and core feature of contemporary identity formation.
Using Social Movement Theory To Study Outcomes in Sport-Related Social Movements
Authors: Davis-Delano Laurel R. , Crosset Todd
Published: September 2008

In this study, we systematically examine the relevance of five bodies of social movement theory to the outcomes of two sport-related social movements — struggles over funding of sport facilities and struggles over Native American mascots. Thirty-eight themes were culled from the five bodies of social movement theory and explored via 83 semi-structured interviews with social movement and countermovement actors from 20 different sites in the United States. Surprisingly, we found only eight of the 38 themes that we studied are pivotal to the outcomes of both social movements. The analysis also reveals that no single theoretical approach adequately explains the outcomes of both movements. Parts of Resource Mobilization theory are useful, while Political Process and Cultural theories offer the most explanatory power. We find that a few internal aspects of social movement groups interact with some cultural and structural forces external to these groups to shape social movement outcomes. Sport sociologists are urged to continue the systematic study of social movement theory, but to move beyond the limitations of this study to focus on other social movements, geographical locations, and aspects of social movements.
From Inside the Newsroom
Authors: Howe P. David
Published: September 2008

It has long been understood that the media has the power to shape the representation of social issues and effectively manage the understanding that the public has of the world. Control of information in media centres at major sporting events such as the Paralympic Games is vital if agencies such as the International Paralympic Committee and national affiliates such as the British Paralympic Association are to properly manage the image of elite sport for the disabled. Information that print journalists receive in this environment is already highly mediated and the added influence of editors who often have strong views as to what is appropriate for their target audience means that the final published product often is devoid of cultural understanding of Paralympic sport. As such the shaping of printed media texts related to sport for the disabled is not distinct from the mainstream. However, while there have been numerous studies exploring the media representation of Paralympic athletes, there has been no critical discussion surrounding the actual production of printed media texts around this community. Using ethnographic and anthropological approaches, this article attempts to address this lacuna by researching the lived experience of these media production processes.
Rogue Men and Predatory Women
Authors: Mewett Peter , Toffoletti Kim
Published: September 2008

The 2004 Australian Football League and National Rugby League seasons started amidst claims made by women about players behaving inappropriately towards them. A raft of allegations surfaced in the media, prompting nationwide debate on the issue of sportsmen and violence. While sport sociologists have made important inroads toward understanding sexual misconduct by male athletes, much of this research appears to focus on the socio-cultural factors informing the perpetrators' actions. This study takes a different approach, analysing the perspectives of female Australian rules football fans to consider gendered narratives of sexual misconduct. Our findings demonstrate that discourses of individualism, along with a mix of socio-cultural and biological arguments, are used by women to reconcile players' misconduct with continuing support of their sport.
Negotiations of Being and Becoming
Authors: Spracklen Karl , Spracklen Cliff
Published: September 2008

This article is based on new empirical, qualitative research with minority ethnic rugby league players in the southwest of France. Drawing on similar research on rugby league in the north and the south of England, the article examines how rugby league, traditionally viewed as a white, working-class male game (Collins, 2006; Denham, 2004; Spracklen, 1995, 2001) has had to re-imagine its symbolic boundaries as they are constituted globally and locally to accommodate the needs of players from minority ethnic backgrounds. In particular, the article examines the sense in which experiences of minority ethnic rugby league players in France compare with those of their counterparts in England (Spracklen, 2001, 2007), how rugby league is used in France to construct identity, and in what sense the norms associated with the imaginary community of rugby league are replicated or challenged by the involvement of minority ethnic rugby league players in France. Questions about what it means to be (provincial, national) French (Kumar, 2006) are posed, questions that relate to the role of sport in the construction of Frenchness, and in particular the role of rugby league (and union).
Understanding Sport Clubs as Sport Policy Implementers
Authors: Skille Eivind Å.
Published: September 2008

This article aims at developing a theoretical framework for analysing the implementation of sport policy, as it is conducted by voluntary sport clubs at grassroots level. First, three options are presented and discussed: i) a classical top-down implementation model, ii) the governance theory of policy tools, and iii) the Advocacy Coalition Framework. Second, the theoretical perspectives are discussed, and criticized for failing to take sufficiently into account the implementing body of sport policy, namely the voluntary sport clubs. In that respect, an alternative theoretical framework is suggested as a possible solution for analysing the implementation of sport policy; which is the translation perspective of neo-institutionalism. It stresses that, if elements of central policy influence the implementation process at the local level, it does so by the active import, interpretation and implementation of it in the local context. The autonomy of the local sport club in relation to central policy is reinforced by the fact that the activity in sport clubs is mainly done on a voluntary basis.
Race/Ethnicity and Sentencing Outcomes Among Drug Offenders in North Carolina
Authors: Brennan Pauline K. , Spohn Cassia
Published: September 2008

Findings from previous studies suggest that Blacks and Hispanics are likely to receive more punitive sentences than Whites, but overall results are far from conclusive and few examinations contain analyses of Black versus Hispanic differences. In the current study, sentencing outcomes were examined for a random sample of felony drug offenders convicted during calendar year 2000 in a large urban jurisdiction in North Carolina. The analysis focused on Black—White, Hispanic—White, and Hispanic—Black differences. White offenders received less severe punishments than either Blacks or Hispanics; Hispanic offenders were particularly disadvantaged because they received harsher punishments relative to both Blacks and Whites.
It's All About Me
Authors: McCrady Fara , Kaufman Keith , Vasey Michael W. , Barriga Alvaro Q. , Devlin Renee S. , Gibbs John C.
Published: September 2008

This study investigated the scope of cognitive distortions and their relationship to empathy among adolescent sex offenders. Self-report measures of sex-specific and generic self-serving cognitive distortions as well as empathy were administered to 175 male sex offenders aged 12 to 20 incarcerated at a juvenile correctional facility. Generic distortions (e.g., attribution of carelessness to theft victims) were elevated and correlated with sex-specific distortions (e.g., attribution of promiscuity to rape victims). Sex-specific and generic distortions were each inversely associated with unique variance in empathy. Relationships of the distortions to particular contexts of victimization and empathic distress (i.e., for their own sexual abuse victim, another offender's sexual abuse victim, or an accident victim) were also explored. Results suggested that adolescent sex offenders' self-serving cognitive distortions may pervasively neutralize concerns for victims and, therefore, that treatment programs should aim to remediate not only their sex-specific but also their generic self-serving cognitive distortions.
Moral Repair With Offenders
Authors: Ward Tony , Moreton Gill
Published: September 2008

In this article, the authors examine the relevance of the concept of moral repair for sex offenders who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse. First, they briefly review the literature on victimization rates and effects in sexual offenders. Second, the notion of moral repair and its constituent tasks is examined with particular emphasis given to Margaret Walker's recent analysis of the concept. Third, the concept of moral repair is applied to offenders and its implications and possible constraints discussed. Fourth, the authors outline a normative framework for addressing victimization issues with sexual offenders, drawing on the resources of human rights theory and strength-based treatment approaches. Finally, they conclude with a brief consideration of the ethical and clinical implications of their normative model.
Individual Beliefs, Attitudes, and Victimization Histories of Male Juvenile Sexual Offenders
Authors: Zakireh Barry , Ronis Scott T. , Knight Raymond A.
Published: September 2008

This study examined the individual beliefs and attitudes (e.g., sexuality, aggression, criminality) and victimization histories of 100 male youths who were divided equally into four demographically similar groups: (a) sexual offenders in residential placement, (b) sexual offenders in outpatient treatment, (c) nonsexual offenders in residential placement, and (d) nonsexual offenders in outpatient treatment. Based on youths' reports on the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression and the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory, results showed that juvenile sexual offenders in residential placement had the most negative sexual and aggressive attitudes. There were also other noted differences between the two groups of sexual offenders as well as between youths with histories of sexual offenses and juvenile offenders with no such histories. The implications of these findings for research, theory, treatment, and risk assessment are discussed.
A Descriptive Model of the Offense Process for Female Sexual Offenders
Authors: Gannon Theresa A. , Rose Mariamne R. , Ward Tony
Published: September 2008

Although considerable efforts have been made to develop and validate etiological models of male sexual offending, no theory is available to guide research or practice with female sexual offenders (FSOs). In this study, the authors developed a descriptive, offense process model of female sexual offending. Systematic qualitative analyses (i.e., grounded theory) of 22 FSOs' offense interviews were used to develop a temporal model documenting the contributory roles of cognitive, behavioral, affective, and contextual factors in female sexual abuse. The model highlights notable similarities and divergences between male and female sexual offenders' vulnerability factors and offense styles. In particular, the model incorporates male co-offender and group co-offender influences and describes how these interact with vulnerability factors to generate female sexual offending. The gender-specific research and clinical implications of the model are discussed.
Extreme Makeover
Authors: Franco Judith
Published: September 2008

This article examines the representation of gender, class, and cultural identity in the Extreme Makeover series, the most widely circulated American cosmetic makeover show that coexists on Western European television with national/regional adaptations of the format. Even though a cross-national analysis of the Dutch, Flemish, and British version alerts us to cultural differences, particularly in terms of generic inflections and aesthetic allegiances, the formulaic narrative structure of this television format ultimately transcends local culture and perpetuates normative gender and class regimes, particularly in combination with other popular reality shows aimed at female spectators.
Prevention and Health Promotion by Chiropractors
Authors: Redwood Daniel , Globe Gary
Published: September 2008

Chiropractic care includes a variety of minimally invasive approaches, with both treatment and prevention as essential elements of clinical practice. Although chiropractic adjustment (manipulation) is the signature therapy and best-known identifier of the profession, the practice of chiropractic involves more than manual therapeutics. In general, chiropractors seek to bring a holistic worldview to the doctor—patient encounter, seeking not only to relieve pain and restore neuromusculoskeletal function but also to support the inherent self-healing and self-regulating powers of the body. Aside from applying their diagnostic training to the evaluation of a variety of physical disorders and delivering manual adjustments and related therapeutic interventions, many chiropractors encourage patients to take an active role in restoring and maintaining health, with particular emphasis on doctor-guided self-care through exercise and nutrition. In this review, the authors summarize the peer-reviewed literature on chiropractic and prevention, describe health promotion and wellness approaches currently taught at chiropractic colleges and used in chiropractic clinical settings, discuss duration of care, emphasize the importance of interprofessional cooperation and collaboration, and address the hypothesis that chiropractic adjustments yield preventive effects.
Review: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle injection for cancer therapy: The evolving role of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound
Authors: Verna Elizabeth C. , Dhar Vasudha
Published: September 2008

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is central to the diagnosis and staging of many malignancies, but now has an evolving role in cancer therapy. EUS-guided fine needle injection (FNI) is already used for palliative interventions such as treatment of pain through nerve blockade and to guide biliary decompression when conventional ERCP is not possible. More recently, EUS-FNI has been used to deliver specific anti-tumor agents for pancreatic cyst ablation and local control of tumor growth in patients with unresectable solid malignancies. The agents used to date include ethanol, brachytherapy seeds, and chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel. In addition, FNI of new immunomodulating cell cultures such as mixed lymphocyte and dendritic cell cultures has also been reported, as has FNI of several different viral vectors for antitumor therapy. Although experience with these agents remains preliminary, EUS-FNI is a minimally invasive approach to deliver local antitumor agents, and is likely to have an expanding role in cancer therapy.
Review: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori to prevent gastroduodenal diseases: Hitting more than one bird with the same stone
Authors: Lee Yi-Chia , Liou Jyh-Ming , Wu Chun-Ying , Lin Jaw-Town
Published: September 2008

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) are gram-negative bacteria that selectively colonizes the gastric mucosa. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies from 20 to 50% in industrialized countries to over 80% in developing countries. The infection may persist lifelong without specific treatment. Prolonged infection and inflammation due to bacterial virulence and host genetic factors will lead to chronic gastritis. A certain portion of infected patients then develop more severe pathologies such as peptic ulcer (10—15%), gastric cancer (1%), and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (<0.01%). Although the majority of infected patients remain asymptomatic, much of the evidence has shown that eradication of H. pylori infection can reduce the recurrence of peptic ulcer and benefit a substantial portion of patients with nonulcer dyspepsia. Though controversial in population-based clinical trials, several cost-effectiveness analyses also reveal that H. pylori eradication is cost effective in the primary prevention of gastric cancer. Therefore, the discovery of H. pylori offers the chance to prevent several gastroduodenal diseases by means of their eradication. In other words, gastroenterologists could hit more than one bird with one stone. However, there are concerns regarding application of a 'test and treat' strategy in the general population. In this review, we will focus on current evidence of H. pylori eradication in the primary and secondary prophylaxis of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease.
Phlegmonous gastritis after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer
Authors: Ajibe Hironari , Osawa Hiroyuki , Yoshizawa Mitsuyo , Yamamoto Hironori , Satoh Kiichi , Koinuma Koji , Morishima Kazue , Hosoya Yoshinori , Yasuda Yoshikazu , Sugano Kentaro
Published: September 2008

A 74-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy developed epigastric pain and high fever after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer. Gastroscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography showed ulceration with a purulent lake, thickened entire gastric mucosal layers suggesting focal abscess formation, leading to the diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis. He underwent total gastrectomy as an emergency. Histological findings of the resected specimen showed severe inflammatory cell infiltration and multiple focal abscess formation spreading to the entire gastric wall. In patients with poorer general conditions, phlegmonous gastritis should be considered as a serious complication after ESD, indicating a requirement of antibiotic prophylaxis.
Review: Barrett's esophagus and the increasing role of endoluminal therapy
Authors: Smith Michael S. , Lightdale Charles J.
Published: September 2008

Barrett's esophagus, or the presence of specialized intestinal mucosa in the esophagus that has a malignant potential, has experienced a rapid increase in diagnosis and prevalence over the past few decades. Once thought to progress to adenocarcinoma in an orderly sequence of increasing dysplasia, recent data suggest the process can be more random. In combination with targeted surveillance endoscopy, recent improvements in technology have aided endoluminal therapy in becoming a cost-effective adjunct to medication. When used in combination, in particular, these ablative therapies have become suitable, if not preferable, alternatives to surgery in many patients.
Upper gastrointestinal Dieulafoy's lesions and endoscopic treatment: First report from a Mexican centre
Authors: López-Arce Gustavo , Zepeda-Gómez Sergio , Chávez-Tapia Norberto C. , García-Osogobio Sandra , Franco-Guzmán Ada M. , Ramírez-Luna Miguel A. , Téllez-Ávila Félix I.
Published: September 2008

The aim was to evaluate the initial success, rebleeding rate, need for emergent surgery, and mortality rates of patients with Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) and endoscopic treatment (ET). Patients with DL from a tertiary center were included. We included 20 patients with follow-up of 90 (60—550) days. The lesser curvature was the most common localization. Initial success, rebleeding, and emergent surgery requirement were observed in 90%, 10%, and 15%, respectively. No objective variables were related with response to ET. In conclusion, ET is secure and useful in patients with DL and it must be considered as the first-line treatment modality.
Review: Diagnosis and treatment of paroxysmal dyskinesias revisited
Authors: Unterberger Iris , Trinka Eugen
Published: September 2008

Paroxysmal dyskinesias (PDs) are a rare group of hyperkinetic movement disorders mainly characterized by their episodic nature. Neurological examination may be entirely normal between the attacks. Three main types of PDs can be distinguished based on their precipitating events - (i) paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias (PKD), (ii) paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesias (PNKD) and (iii) paroxysmal exercise-induced (exertion-induced) dyskinesias (PED). The diagnosis of PDs is based on their clinical presentation and precipitating events. Substantial progress has been made in the field of genetics and PDs. Treatment options mainly include anticonvulsants and benefit of treatment is depending on the type of PD. Most important differential diagnosis are non-epileptic psychogenic, non-epileptic organic and epileptic attack disorders, especially nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
Review: Neutralizing antibodies against interferon-beta
Authors: Soelberg Sorensen Per
Published: September 2008

The development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is a major problem in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon-beta (IFN-β). Whereas binding antibodies (BAbs) can be demonstrated in the vast majority of patients, only a smaller proportion of patients develop NAbs. The principle in NAb in vitro assays is the utilization of cultured cell lines that are responsive to IFN-β. The cytopathic effect (CPE) assay measures the capacity of NAbs to neutralize IFN-β's protective effect on cells challenged with virus and the MxA induction assay measures the ability of NAbs to reduce the IFN-β-induced expression of MxA, either at the mRNA or the protein level. A titer of ≥20 neutralizing units/ml traditionally defines NAb positivity. NAbs in high titers completely abrogate the in vivo response to IFN-β, whereas the effect of low and intermediate titers is unpredictable. As clinically important NAbs appear only after 9—18 months IFN-β therapy, short-term studies of two years or less are unsuitable for evaluation of clinical NAb effects. All long-term trials of three years or more concordantly show evidence of a detrimental effect of NAbs on relapses, disease activity on MRI, or on disease progression. Persistent high titers of NAbs indicate an abrogation of the biological response and, hence, absence of therapeutic efficacy, and this observation should lead to a change of therapy. As low and medium titers are ambiguous treatment decisions in patients with low NAb titres should be guided by determination of in vivo mRNA MxA induction and clinical disease activity.
Review: Therapeutic applications of hypothermia in cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Meloni Bruno P. , Mastaglia Frank L. , Knuckey Neville W.
Published: September 2008

There is considerable experimental evidence that hypothermia is neuroprotective and can reduce the severity of brain damage after global or focal cerebral ischaemia. However, despite successful clinical trials for cardiac arrest and perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia and a number of trials demonstrating the safety of moderate and mild hypothermia in stroke, there are still no established guidelines for its use clinically. Based upon a review of the experimental studies we discuss the clinical implications for the use of hypothermia as an adjunctive therapy in global cerebral ischaemia and stroke and make some suggestions for its use in these situations.
Review: New advances in the treatment of neurological diseases using high dose intravenous immunoglobulins
Authors: Stangel Martin
Published: September 2008

Since the incidental discovery in 1981 that intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are immunomodulatory, they have been investigated in a large number of putative autoimmune diseases. This has led to licensing for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaki disease, and in neurological disorders for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Although not licensed, randomized controlled trials have also shown IVIg efficacy in other neuroimmunological diseases such as multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP), myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis, and stiff-person syndrome. However, other indications are currently being explored including Alzheimer's disease, postpolio syndrome, and narcolepsy. There are even reports from experimental studies in stroke. The results of recently published clinical trials in both the classical neuroimmunological disorders as well as for new indications are reported and their role in clinical practice is discussed.
Cyclic high temperature oxidation behaviour of sputtered Cr/Al multilayer coatings on superalloy
Authors: Rahman A , Jayaganthan R , Prakash S , Chawla V , Chandra R
Published: September 2008

The cyclic high temperature oxidation behaviour of sputtered Cr/Al multilayer coatings fabricated by direct current magnetron sputtering on the superalloy substrate has been studied in the present work. The microstructural features of the as deposited coatings were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The weight change measurements were made to calculate the cyclic oxidation kinetics of the coatings, in air at 900°C. It was observed that the corrosion rate of sputtered Cr/Al multilayer coated superalloy is lower than that of the uncoated superalloy due to the formation of continuous, dense, adherent and protective oxide scale over the surface of the coatings. The protective oxide scales are basically the thin layer of Cr2O3 and Al2O3, which has formed over the Cr/Al multilayer coated superalloy substrate exposed to air at a temperature of 900°C.
Direct laser deposition and sliding wear of AISI316/WC10Ni and AISI316/Cr3C2 surfaces
Authors: Betts J. C. , Mordike B. L. , Fenech M. , Grech M.
Published: September 2008

The deposition of AISI316 stainless steel with tungsten carbide agglomerates and chromium carbide powder was carried out as part of an investigation aimed at determining the feasibility of applying localised reinforcement to stainless steel components. The codeposition of tungsten carbide agglomerates or sintered chromium carbide powder with AISI316 stainless steel powder was carried out to evaluate parameters and produce surfaces for pin on disc wear tests. The wear resistance of the surfaces was improved by the addition of both materials, with the tungsten carbide reinforcement resulting in a higher wear performance while the chromium carbide produced better surface consistency. The deposition and structure of these test pieces are described and the outcome of the tests carried out reported.
Electrodeposition of Ni–W–B nanocomposite from tartrate electrolyte as alternative to chromium plating
Authors: Hosseini M. G. , Abdolmaleki M. , Seyed Sadjadi S. A. , Raghibi Boroujeni M. , Arshadi M. R. , Khoshvaght H.
Published: September 2008

The effect of the bath chemistry and operating conditions on the chemical composition, microstructure and properties of Ni–W–B alloys deposited from tartrate baths on working electrode was studied for the first time by the pulsed current method. The investigations included the measurement of the current efficiencies and determination of the tungsten content in the electrodeposits. UV spectrometry was used for characterisation of complex formation. The grain size of deposits was determined by XRD. Also, the morphology of the deposits was studied by SEM. Amorphous Ni–W–B alloys were successfully obtained by electrodeposition from the tartrate bath. The corrosion behaviour of Ni–W–B coating on mild steel has been evaluated during exposure to 3·5%NaCl solution by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical and corrosion behaviour of Ni–W–B alloy showed a good corrosion resistance in the 3·5%NaCl medium. The microhardness of nanocrystaline Ni–W–B is in the range between 700 and 850 HV.