bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the bilingual competence of Spanish heritage speakers: Syntax, lexical-semantics and processing
Authors: Montrul Silvina
Published: December 2008

This study investigates the bilingual competence of adult simultaneous Spanish-English bilinguals living in the U.S. whose perceived weaker language is Spanish, and who are typically considered cases of language loss or incomplete acquisition. Potential Spanish language loss was assessed with respect to the grammar of monolingual Spanish speakers and with respect to the bilinguals' own competence in English, their perceived stronger language. The bilinguals took proficiency tests in Spanish and English. Four experiments tested the bilinguals' lexicosemantic and syntactic competence in Spanish and English. Experiments 1 and 2 used a Grammaticality Judgment Task in English and in Spanish to test syntactic and semantic aspects of unaccusative and unergative verbs, while Experiments 3 and 4 used an on-line visual probe recognition task to test semantic and syntactic aspects of these verbs in English and Spanish during sentence processing. Results of the linguistic and psycholinguistic measures show that despite self-perceptions and performance in the proficiency tests, the Spanish-English bilinguals were quite balanced in the two languages, and displayed robust knowledge of the syntactic effects of unaccusativity in English and Spanish. Variation from monolingual speakers was noticeable with the semantic classification of some verbs along the unaccusativity continuum (Sorace, 2000) as revealed in the Spanish tasks.
Speech perception in adverse listening conditions in Arabic-Hebrew bilinguals
Authors: Rosenhouse Judith , Haik Lubna , Kishon-Rabin Liat
Published: December 2008

Relatively little is known about the combined effects of adverse listening conditions on bilinguals' speech perception. This study examines the effect of (1) speech rate and (2) noise, separately and combined, on bilinguals' speech perception in L1 and L2. Participants were university students, native speakers of Arabic (L1), with Hebrew L2. Speech perception tests consisted of 64 CHABA sentences adapted to Hebrew and to Arabic (32 sentences per language). In each language, speech perception was evaluated under four conditions: quiet + normal speech rate; noise + normal speech rate; quiet + fast speech rate; fast speech rate + noise. The results showed that under optimal conditions, our native speakers of Arabic in Israel had similar achievements in Arabic (L1) and Hebrew (L2). Under difficult conditions, however, their performance was poorer in L2 than in L1: background noise had a greater detrimental effect than speech rate, and the combined detrimental effect of speech rate and background noise was greater for L2 than for L1. These results highlight the importance of attention to acoustic conditions and speaker related characteristics when testing speech perception in general and especially in the case of bilinguals.
Bilingualism and thought: Grammatical gender and concepts of objects in Italian-German bilingual children
Authors: Bassetti Benedetta
Published: December 2008

This paper investigates whether bilinguals' and monolinguals' concepts of entities differ when the bilinguals' two languages provide two different representations of the same entity. Previous research shows that speakers of languages that have a grammatical gender system think of objects as being masculine or feminine in line with the grammatical gender of the objects' nouns. The present study investigates the effects of grammatical gender on concepts of objects in bilingual speakers of two languages that assign opposite gender to the same object. Italian-German bilingual children and Italian monolingual controls performed an on-line voice attribution task. All children were native speakers of Italian and living in Italy. Results show that Italian monolingual children attribute more female voices to objects whose noun is grammatically feminine in Italian. Monolinguals also show a preference for attributing voices consistently with Italian grammatical gender assignment. Italian-German bilingual children are not affected by Italian grammatical gender. It is argued that when the two languages of a bilingual represent a specific aspect of reality differently, the bilingual may develop different concepts from a monolingual. This is due to the knowledge of two specific languages rather than to bilingualism per se, and to linguistic rather than cultural factors.
Heritage speaker competence differences, language change, and input type: Inflected infinitives in Heritage Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: Rothman Jason
Published: December 2008

It has been argued that colloquial dialects of Brazilian Portuguese (BP) have undergone significant linguistic change resulting in the loss of inflected infinitives (e.g., Pires, 2002, 2006). Since BP adults, at least educated ones, have complete knowledge of inflected infinitives, the implicit claim is that they are transmitted via formal education in the standard dialect. In the present article, I test one of the latent predictions of such claims; namely, the fact that heritage speakers of BP who lack formal education in the standard dialect should never develop native-like knowledge of inflected infinitives. In doing so, I highlight two significant implications (a) that heritage speaker grammars are a good source for testing dialectal variation and language change proposals and (b) incomplete acquisition and/or attrition are not the only sources of heritage language competence differences. Employing the syntactic and semantic tests of Rothman and Iverson (2007), I compare heritage speakers' knowledge to Rothman and Iverson's advanced adult L2 learners and educated native controls. Unlike the latter groups, the data for heritage speakers indicate that they do not have target knowledge of inflected infinitives, lending support to Pires' claims, suggesting that literacy plays a significant role in the acquisition of this grammatical property in BP.
Problematizing ethnolects: Naming linguistic practices in an Antwerp secondary school
Authors: Jaspers Jürgen
Published: December 2008

This article argues that naming linguistic practices “ethnolectal” is a praxis with ideological consequences that sociolinguists fail sufficiently to address. It suggests that a transformation of linguistic differences into ethnolect-codes quickly falls prey to homogenizing groups and their language use, obscures speakers' styling practices as well as the relations between “ethnolect” and standard language speakers. Furthermore, “ethnolect” as an analytical concept buttresses the idea that linguistic practices are caused by ethnicity, when it is more likely to assume language use is shaped by how speakers interpret prevailing representations of ethnicity and style their language use in relation to that. As an alternative, I argue that ethnolects be viewed as representations of particular ways of speaking that do not necessarily correspond to systematic linguistic practices. Sociolinguists therefore need to investigate how local and general perceptions of ways of speaking lead to specific styling practices, and integrate these into their descriptions. In addition, they need to be aware that their own work is social action as well, which requires taking into account the concerns of who gets labeled. This is illustrated with data from a case study showing how Belgian adolescents of Moroccan background resist an ethnolectal categorization of their routine Dutch.
Loosing grammatical gender in Dutch: The result of bilingual acquisition and/or an act of identity?
Authors: Cornips Leonie
Published: December 2008

In the Dutch sociolinguistic literature it is often noted that the overgeneralization of common gender, that is, the use of the definite article de where het is required, characterizes the Dutch variety(ies) of immigrants. Recent sociolinguistic research shows that this overgeneralization also occurs in the speech of subsequent generations born in the Netherlands who acquire Dutch as one of their first languages. The aim of this paper is to discuss whether the overuse of de can exclusively be ascribed to the effects of bilingual (2L1 /child L2) acquisition. It is argued that although the overgeneralization of de constitutes a linguistic resource for every bilingual child acquirer (and even for monolingual acquirers), it only becomes meaningful in the indexing and reproducing of an (immigrant) “allochtone” identity versus the dominant (indigenous) “autochtone” one. It is used according to a set of language use norms defined by generations of that social group of speakers.
A Moroccan accent in Dutch: A sociocultural style restricted to the Moroccan community?
Authors: Nortier Jacomine , Dorleijn Margreet
Published: December 2008

In the major cities in the Western part of The Netherlands, a general “ethnic” accent is developing, which has characteristics of Moroccan languages (Moroccan, Arabic, and Berber). This accent is mainly used by young people in specific in-group situations. It is slightly different from the accent used by adult first generation learners of Dutch as a second language with a Moroccan background. Not only young people from Moroccan descent, but also young people with other ethnic backgrounds (both native Dutch and others) use this accent which will be abbreviated to MFD (Moroccan flavored Dutch) in the remainder of this article. We will address the following questions:

• What are the characteristics of MFD?

• Why is MFD based on Moroccan languages, rather than on any other language?

• In what situations is MFD used? And how does the use of MFD interact with other group defining factors such as music, religion or clothing?

• How does MFD interact with larger dynamic social developments such as politics and with other languages and dialects?
“This is MY school, NOT YOURS”
Authors: Karpinski Carol F.
Published: December 2008

A novice assistant principal, eager to lead, begins her career as an administrator in school beset with problems and far removed from the textbook definitions of learning community . She works with inexperienced teachers, disillusioned veteran teachers, and a principal who is distracted and overwhelmed by personal concerns. Her suggestions are disregarded, her requests halfheartedly filled, and her mandates ignored. Drowning in paperwork, meetings, and administrivia, she wonders how and whether she can lead. Can a new assistant principal lead?
The Athlete and the Grade Change
Authors: Robinson Tina I. , Skinner Tracy
Published: December 2008

This case study focuses on the moral and ethical issues surrounding changing an athlete's grade to make him eligible to play in a championship game. Jerome, a senior attending Woodrow Wilson High School, earned a D in his typing class, which made him ineligible to play in the basketball championship games. The principal and basketball coach made the decision to change Jerome's grade so he could play, and the team would have a better chance of winning. When Mrs. Walton learned of the grade change, she felt betrayed by the principal's actions.
Molecular profiling of classical Hodgkin lymphoma tissues uncovers variations in the tumor microenvironment and correlations with EBV infection and outcome
Authors: Chetaille Bruno , Bertucci François , Finetti Pascal , Esterni Benjamin , Stamatoullas Aspasia , Picquenot Jean Michel , Copin Marie Christine , Morschhauser Frank , Casasnovas Olivier , Petrella Tony , Molina Thierry , Vekhoff Anne , Feugier Pierre , Bouabdallah Reda , Birnbaum Daniel , Olive Daniel , Xerri Luc
Published: December 2008

The outcome of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients may be related to the tumor microenvironment, which in turn may be influenced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. To characterize the cHL microenvironment, a set of 63 cHL tissue samples was profiled using DNA microarrays. Their gene expression profile differed from that of histiocyte T cell–rich B-cell lymphoma (H/TCRBCL) samples that were used as controls, mainly due to high expression of PDCD1/PD-1 in H/TCRBCL. EBV+ cHL tissues could be distinguished from EBV− samples by a gene signature characteristic of Th1 and antiviral responses. Samples from cHL patients with favorable outcome overexpressed genes specific for B cells and genes involved in apoptotic pathways. An independent set of 146 cHL samples was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. It showed a significant adverse value in case of high percentage of either TIA-1+-reactive cells or topoisomerase-2+ tumor cells, whereas high numbers of BCL11A+, FOXP3+, or CD20+ reactive cells had a favorable influence. Our results suggest an antitumoral role for B cells in the cHL microenvironment and a stronger stromal influence of the PD1 pathway in H/TCRBCL than cHL. The observation of Th1/ antiviral response in EBV+ cHL tissues provides a basis for novel treatment strategies.
Increased p38-MAPK is responsible for chemotherapy resistance in human gastric cancer cells
Authors: Guo Xianling , Ma Nannan , Wang Jin , Song Jianrui , Bu Xinxin , Cheng Yue , Sun Kai , Xiong Haiyan , Jiang Guocheng , Zhang Baihe , Wu Mengchao , Wei Lixin
Published: December 2008

Background

Chemoresistance is one of the main obstacles to successful cancer therapy and is frequently associated with Multidrug resistance (MDR). Many different mechanisms have been suggested to explain the development of an MDR phenotype in cancer cells. One of the most studied mechanisms is the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is a product of theMDR1gene. Tumor cells often acquire the drug-resistance phenotype due to upregulation of theMDR1gene. Overexpression ofMDR1gene has often been reported in primary gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

This study investigated the role of p38-MAPK signal pathway in vincristine-resistant SGC7901/VCR cells. P-gp and MDR1 RNA were detected by Western blot analysis and RT-PCR amplification. Mitgen-activated protein kinases and function of P-gp were demonstrated by Western blot and FACS Aria cytometer analysis. Ap-1 activity and cell apoptosis were detected by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay and annexin V-PI dual staining.

Results

The vincristine-resistant SGC7901/VCR cells with increased expression of the multidrug-resistance 1 (MDR1) gene were resistant to P-gp-related drug and P-gp-unrelated drugs. Constitutive increases of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and AP-1 activities were also found in the drug-resistant cells. Inhibition of p38-MAPK by SB202190 reduced activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity andMDR1expression levels and increased the sensitivity of SGC7901/VCR cells to chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Activation of the p38-MAPK pathway might be responsible for the modulation of P-glycoprotein-mediated and P-glycoprotein-unmediated multidrug resistance in the SGC7901/VCR cell line.
An initial application of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for measuring disability in patients with low back pain
Authors: Elhan Atilla Halil , Öztuna Derya , Kutlay Şehim , Küçükdeveci Ayşe A , Tennant Alan
Published: December 2008

Background

Recent approaches to outcome measurement involving Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) offer an approach for measuring disability in low back pain (LBP) in a way that can reduce the burden upon patient and professional. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of CAT in LBP for measuring disability as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which includes impairments, activity limitation, and participation restriction.

Methods

266 patients with low back pain answered questions from a range of widely used questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify disability dimensions which were then subjected to Rasch analysis. Reliability was tested by internal consistency and person separation index (PSI). Discriminant validity of disability levels were evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficient (r), intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(2,1)] and the Bland-Altman approach. A CAT was developed for each dimension, and the results checked against simulated and real applications from a further 133 patients.

Results

Factor analytic techniques identified two dimensions named "body functions" and "activity-participation". After deletion of some items for failure to fit the Rasch model, the remaining items were mostly free of Differential Item Functioning (DIF) for age and gender. Reliability exceeded 0.90 for both dimensions. The disability levels generated using all items and those obtained from the real CAT application were highly correlated (i.e. > 0.97 for both dimensions). On average, 19 and 14 items were needed to estimate the precise disability levels using the initial CAT for the first and second dimension. However, a marginal increase in the standard error of the estimate across successive iterations substantially reduced the number of items required to make an estimate.

Conclusion

Using a combination approach of EFA and Rasch analysis this study has shown that it is possible to calibrate items onto a single metric in a way that can be used to provide the basis of a CAT application. Thus there is an opportunity to obtain a wide variety of information to evaluate the biopsychosocial model in its more complex forms, without necessarily increasing the burden of information collection for patients.
Prenatal diagnosis of achondrogenesis type I: a case report
Authors: Taner M Zeki , Kurdoglu Mertihan , Taskiran Cagatay , Onan M Anil , Gunaydin Guven , Himmetoglu Ozdemir
Published: December 2008

Introduction

Achondrogenesis is a lethal osteochondrodysplasia characterized by hypoplasia of the bones and is associated with various anomalies varying in severity. Based on clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features, two types are distinguished.

Case presentation

The prenatal ultrasound examination of a 32-year-old Turkish woman who was referred to our clinic at 33 weeks and 6 days of gestation revealed fetal micromelia together with several other anomalies. The female baby died shortly after birth and was diagnosed with achondrogenesis type I based on the clinical and radiographic findings.

Conclusion

Ultrasonography is important in prenatal diagnosis and for distinguishing lethal skeletal dysplasias in order to counsel the parents about future recurrent risks. As it is a uniformly lethal disease, a definitive prenatal diagnosis of achondrogenesis may be an indication for pregnancy termination.
Evaluation of SOFA-based models for predicting mortality in the ICU: A systematic review
Authors: Minne Lilian , Abu-Hanna Ameen , de Jonge Evert
Published: December 2008

Introduction

To systematically review studies evaluating the performance of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)-based models for predicting mortality in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and other databases were searched for English-language articles with the major objective of evaluating the prognostic performance of SOFA-based models in predicting mortality in surgical and/or medical ICU admissions. The quality of each study was assessed based on a quality framework for prognostic models.

Results

Eighteen articles met all inclusion criteria. The studies differed widely in the SOFA derivatives used and in their methods of evaluation. Ten studies reported about developing a probabilistic prognostic model, only five of which used an independent validation data set. The other studies used the SOFA-based score directly to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors without fitting a probabilistic model. In five of the six studies, admission-based models (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II/III) were reported to have a slightly better discrimination ability than SOFA-based models at admission (the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of SOFA-based models ranged between 0.61 and 0.88), and in one study a SOFA model had higher AUC than the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II model. Four of these studies used the Hosmer-Lemeshow tests for calibration, none of which reported a lack of fit for the SOFA models. Models based on sequential SOFA scores were described in 11 studies including maximum SOFA scores and maximum sum of individual components of the SOFA score (AUC range: 0.69 to 0.92) and delta SOFA (AUC range: 0.51 to 0.83). Studies comparing SOFA with other organ failure scores did not consistently show superiority of one scoring system to another. Four studies combined SOFA-based derivatives with admission severity of illness scores, and they all reported on improved predictions for the combination. Quality of studies ranged from 11.5 to 19.5 points on a 20-point scale.

Conclusions

Models based on SOFA scores at admission had only slightly worse performance than APACHE II/III and were competitive with SAPS II models in predicting mortality in patients in the general medical and/or surgical ICU. Models with sequential SOFA scores seem to have a comparable performance with other organ failure scores. The combination of sequential SOFA derivatives with APACHE II/III and SAPS II models clearly improved prognostic performance of either model alone. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, it is impossible to draw general conclusions on the optimal mathematical model and optimal derivatives of SOFA scores. Future studies should use a standard evaluation methodology with a standard set of outcome measures covering discrimination, calibration and accuracy.
Dirichlet Bridge Sampling for the Variance Gamma Process: Pricing Path-Dependent Options
Authors: Kaishev Vladimir K. , Dimitrova Dimitrina S.
Published: December 2008

The authors develop a new Monte Carlo-based method for pricing path-dependent options under the variance gamma (VG) model. The gamma bridge sampling method proposed by Avramidis et al. (Avramidis, A. N., P. L'Ecuyer, P. A. Tremblay. 2003. Efficient simulation of gamma and variance-gamma processes. Proc. 2003 Winter Simulation Conf. IEEE Press, Piscataway, NJ, 319–326) and Ribeiro and Webber (Ribeiro, C., N. Webber. 2004. Valuing path-dependent options in the variance-gamma model by Monte Carlo with a gamma bridge. J. Computational Finance 7(2) 81–100) is generalized to a multivariate (Dirichlet) construction, bridging “simultaneously” over all time partition points of the trajectory of a gamma process. The generation of the increments of the gamma process, given its value at the terminal point, is interpreted as a Dirichlet partition of the unit interval. The increments are generated in a decreasing stochastic order and, under the Kingman limit, have a known distribution. Thus, simulation of a trajectory from the gamma process requires generating only a small number of uniforms, avoiding the expensive simulation of beta variates via numerical probability integral inversion. The proposed method is then applied in simulating the trajectory of a VG process using its difference-of-gammas representation. It has been implemented in both plain Monte Carlo and quasi-Monte Carlo environments. It is tested in pricing lookback, barrier, and Asian options and is shown to provide consistent efficiency gains, compared to the sequential method and the difference-of-gammas bridge sampling proposed by Avramidis and L'Ecuyer (Avramidis, A. N., P. L'Ecuyer. 2006. Efficient Monte Carlo and quasi-Monte Carlo option pricing under the variance gamma model. Management Sci. 52(12) 1930–1944).
Long‐term cognitive functioning in children and adolescents who survived septic shock caused by Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Vermunt L. C. A. C. , Buysse C. M. P. , Aarsen F. K. , Catsman‐Berrevoets C. E. , Duivenvoorden H. J. , Joosten K. F. M. , Hazelzet J. A. , Verhulst F. C. , Utens E. M. W. J.
Published: December 2008

Aims

To assess long‐term cognitive functioning and its predictors, in children and adolescents who survived meningococcal septic shock (MSS) 4 to 16 years ago.

Methods

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – third edition was used to measure intellectual functioning and neuropsychological tests were used to measure attention, verbal memory, visual–motor integration, and executive skills.

Results

Overall, results of the total MSS sample (N = 77) as to neuropsychological functioning were similar to those of normative reference groups. On social and practical reasoning and visual–motor integration, however, MSS children obtained poorer outcomes compared to normative data. Two children had mental retardation (estimated IQ < 70) due to the MSS. The percentage of children with mental retardation or borderline intellectual functioning (15%) was similar to that in the general population (16%). Eighteen children (23%) had a z score<−2, indicating unusual poor functioning, on one or more domains of neuropsychological functioning (selective attention, sustained attention, and executive functioning). Compared to normative data, significantly more children had received special education services in the past. Older age at time of follow‐up was the most important significant predictor of poorer long‐term cognitive functioning.

Conclusion

Overall, long‐term outcomes as to cognitive functioning of the total MSS sample were similar to those of normative reference groups, but MSS children showed long‐term impairments on social and practical reasoning, visual–motor integration, attention, and executive functioning. Older age at time of follow‐up was a significant predictor.
Survey of U.S. Human Research Protection Organizations: Workload and Membership
Authors: Catania Joseph A. , Lo Bernard , Wolf Leslie E. , Dolcini M. Margaret , Pollack Lance M. , Barker Judith C. , Wertlieb Stacey , Henne Jeff
Published: December 2008

In a national survey of institutions with federally assured human research protection programs, we obtained workload and other relevant data on their Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and management organizations. The number of IRBs increased substantially from 1995 to 2005/06 (491 to 2,728 IRBs) with a further increase in 2008 to 3,853 IRBs. Nationally, IRBs reviewed over a quarter million research applications in the year prior to our survey, of which 35% were new applications requiring full committee review. Compared to estimates from 1995, current IRBs review more new and full committee review applications, but the relative percentage of new and full committee applications remained about the same. High volume research institutions have IRBs with a substantially larger per person workload, relative to smaller volume IRBs (i.e., members spent nearly seven times more hours reviewing new applications outside formal committee meetings). Virtually all IRBs included community representatives as members (92%); however, a small number may not be compliant with federal regulations. The present findings suggest the need for research to (a) examine workload and its effects on review quality, research costs, and faculty morale, (b) develop methods for determining optimal fit between IRB workload demands and institutional labor and financing requirements, (c) construct benchmarks for judging reasonable workload for individual IRB members, and (d) examine if the need to recruit IRB scientific expertise from outside the institution, particularly true for smaller research institutions, causes delays in IRB review, and if a more effective way of locating and recruiting experts would improve quality and time to completion.
Survey of U.S. Boards That Review Mental Health-Related Research
Authors: Catania Joseph A. , Lo Bernard , Wolf Leslie E. , Dolcini M. Margaret , Pollack Lance M. , Barker Judith C. , Wertlieb Stacey , Henne Jeff
Published: December 2008

We obtained data on institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review mental health-related applications (MHRAs) in a national survey of institutions with federally assured human research protection programs. Approximately 57% of IRBs review MHRAs, and among these a small percentage may not have mental health experts on their committees (5%). Moreover, mental health experts on IRB committees at high research volume institutions are carrying substantially greater workloads than their lower volume counterparts. In terms of committee demographics, more women (36%) are serving as IRB Chairs on committees that review MHRAs than expected from their representation on medical or university faculties; ethnic minority faculty have lower representation among Chairs than might be expected from their overall faculty representation. Our findings suggest the need for additional studies to (a) examine if the number of mental health experts on IRBs should be increased particularly among IRBs reviewing a high volume of MHRAs, (b) determine if the breadth of expertise among IRB mental health experts corresponds to the range of substantive and methodological approaches represented by the mental health protocols under review, and (c) examine if recruiting IRB scientific expertise from outside an institution, a more common practice among smaller research entities, impacts review quality.
Early complications and their treatment after heart transplantation in Hungary – experiences of the first 16 years
Authors: Friedrich Orsolya , Moravcsik Endre , Gyöngy Tibor , Hüttl Tivadar , Hartyánszky István , Petrohai Ágnes , Bodor Elek
Published: December 2008

A végstádiumú szívelégtelenség jelenleg ismert, hosszú távon legeredményesebb kezelési módszere a szívtranszplantáció.
Célkitűzés:
A szerzők a hazai szívátültetések eredményességének javítása érdekében retrospektíve megvizsgálták az első 16 év minden fellelhető adatát a korai műtét utáni időszak tekintetében és összevetették a szakirodalomban található eredményekkel.
Módszer:
1992. január 3. és 2007. december 31. között 125 beteg esetében 127 szívátültetés történt Magyarországon. Az Ér- és Szívsebészeti Klinika dokumentációján kívül az Igazságügyi Orvostani Intézet archívuma, az Országos Vérellátó Szolgálat regisztere és a Gottsegen György Országos Kardiológiai Intézet adatai szolgáltak forrásként.
Eredmények:
A korai halálozás az utóbbi időszakban erősen közelít a nemzetközi gyakorlatban tapasztalható szinthez. Vezető halálokként a szerzők gyakorlatában is a donorszív elégtelensége tehető felelőssé a legnagyobb számban. Mellette fertőzés, műtétkor nem uralható vérzés és többszervi elégtelenség fordult elő gyakrabban. Súlyos graftelégtelenség kezelésére egy esetben sikeres retranszplantáció történt, a leghatékonyabbnak ismert műszívkezelés azonban a vizsgált időszakban teljesen hiányzott a hazai eszköztárból. A heveny kilökődés kezelésére alkalmazott gyógyszeres terápia, a nemzetközi szintnek megfelelően, kiváló eredményűnek bizonyult.
Következtetések:
A továbblépés érdekében kiemelt feladatnak kell tekinteni a műszív alkalmazását a hazai gyakorlatban. A donorkezelésben és a szervkivételek során országosan egységes és javuló minőséget biztosító protokollok kialakítását és alkalmazását kell szorgalmazni.
Review of Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture
Authors: Mészáros Iván
Published: December 2008

A szerző a XIX. század végén leírt, ám a traumatológia fejlődésével lassan feledésbe merült, Volkmann-féle ischaemiás kontraktúra újbóli megjelenésére hívja fel a figyelmet, rövid időn belül észlelt négy eset kapcsán. Áttekinti a betegség kialakulásának okait, következményeit, kezelési lehetőségeit. Kiemeli, hogy a fel nem ismert vagy diagnosztizált, de rosszul kezelt alkari compartement szindróma következményeként különböző súlyosságú, a kéz funkcióját nagymértékben csökkentő, nehezen kezelhető tünetegyüttes alakul ki. A legfontosabbnak a megelőzést tartja. A kialakult kontraktúra kezelését csak tapasztalt, a kézsebészetben jártas szakember kezébe ajánlja. Rávilágít, hogy a klasszikus kialakulási formától eltérően napjainkban az egyéb etiológiájú kontraktúrák kerülnek előtérbe. Ezért fontosnak tartja, hogy ne csak a baleseti sebészek, hanem az egyéb diszciplínák képviselői is tisztában legyenek a ritka, de súlyos következményekkel járó kórképpel.
Prophylaxis and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis as the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pár Alajos
Published: December 2008

Mivel a hepatitis B- és C-vírus- (HBV-, HCV-) fertőzés döntő szerepet játszik a hepatocellularis carcinoma (HCC) keletkezésében, a HBV és HCV okozta hepatitis és cirrhosis megelőzése és kezelése egyben a HCC prevencióját is jelentheti. A HCC primer prevencióját képviseli a HBV elleni vakcináció és a donorok szűrése HBV- és HCV-markerekre. A szekunder prevencióhoz sorolható az interferonalapú és/vagy nukleozidanalóg anti-HBV- és anti-HCV-terápia, a cirrhosisos betegek HCC irányában történő alfa-foetoprotein + ultrahang szűrése, valamint a HCC kuratív reszekciója/ablatiója utáni adjuváns antivirális kezelés. Várható, hogy a HBV-vakcináció világszerte történő széles körű alkalmazása, továbbá az optimalizált individuális antivirális kezelésmódok, az új nukleozidanalógok és HCV-specifikus proteáz- és polimerázgátlók révén előrelépés történik nemcsak a vírushepatitisek megelőzésében és terápiájában, hanem a HCC prevenciójában is a nem túl távoli jövőben.
Use of Oxytetracycline to Mark Larval Red Drum: Survival and Mark Persistence
Authors: Denson Michael R. , Smith Theodore I. J.
Published: December 2008

The objectives of this research were to optimize techniques for the mass marking of larval red drum Sciaenops ocellatus with oxytetracycline (OTC) by testing effects of salinity (i.e., total dissolved solids [TDS], either as artificial sea salt [AS] or laboratory-grade NaCl) and immersion duration on fish survival and mark retention. Survival of larvae immersed for 24 h was greater than 83% for all combinations of salinity (15–30 g of TDS/L of water) and OTC concentration (0–500 mg of OTC/L of water). Treatments with the lowest Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations ([Ca2+] and [Mg2+]; i.e., highest NaCl in substitution of AS), highest OTC concentrations, and longest exposure times yielded the poorest survival (mean ± SD = 63.3 ± 5.8%). Conversely, mark quality (on a scale of 1–5, where 1 = best and 5 = worst) was greatest (1.4 ± 0.4) in treatments with the lowest [Ca2+] and [Mg2+]. Larval survival (>93%) and mark quality (2.3 ± 0.1) were acceptable under a combination of 500-mg/L OTC, 30-g/L TDS (80% of normal [Ca2+] and [Mg2+]), and 24-h exposure duration. Marks were evaluated for 20 months but could be reliably detected for only 3 months. The marking technique developed in this research may be useful in studies that require immersion marking of marine fish larvae and reliable detection for 3 months.
Stocking of Advanced-Fingerling Largemouth Bass to Supplement Year-Classes in Lake Talquin, Florida
Authors: Mesing Charles L. , Cailteux Richard L. , Strickland P. Andrew , Long Eric A. , Rogers Mark W.
Published: December 2008

Supplemental stocking of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides has often resulted in limited success in large systems. We evaluated the contribution and relative abundance of advanced-size (65–90 mm total length [TL]) hatchery Florida largemouth bass M. salmoides floridanus that were stocked into Lake Talquin (3,561 ha) to supplement year-classes. Stocking density varied from 15 to 60 fish/ha from 2000 to 2003. Coded wire tags and unique nuclei in the sagittal otoliths of hatchery fish were used to identify stocked fish to estimate percent contribution and relative abundance. Hatchery fish released by May 15 used threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense as a primary food source at significantly higher (P < 0.05) frequencies than did wild age-0 Florida largemouth bass examined from June to October. Dominant modal size-groups (20–27 cm TL) of age-0 hatchery fish in October electrofishing were larger than those of age-0 wild fish (10–14 cm TL). Hatchery fish made up an estimated 17–40% of the age-0 fish collected during October electrofishing from 2000 to 2003. The highest stocking density (60 fish/ha) resulted in a 40% hatchery contribution to electrofishing samples at age 0 and a 37% contribution to electrofishing samples at age 3. For the group stocked at the highest density, electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE) at age 0 (26 fish/h) and age 3 (8 fish/h) was higher (P < 0.05) than that for groups stocked at lower densities (15–39 fish/ha; age-0 CPUE = 7–17 fish/h; age-3 CPUE = 2 fish/h). Hatchery fish contribution to largemouth bass angler tournament catch in April–May 2004–2006 was estimated to be at least 20% after 4 years of variable stocking. Several factors, such as appropriate time of stocking, size at stocking, food supply, and age-0 wild and stocked fish densities, influenced hatchery fish contributions to each year-class and the fishery.
Bioenergetics Evaluation of the Fish Community in the Western Arm of Lake Superior in 2004
Authors: Negus Mary T. , Schreiner Donald R. , Halpern Theodore N. , Schram Stephen T. , Seider Michael J. , Pratt Dennis M.
Published: December 2008

Lake Superior's fish community continues to change as a result of the recovery of populations of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, the naturalization of introduced salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. and Salmo spp., declines in the populations of rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, and the fluctuating recruitment of cisco Coregonus artedi. This study used bioenergetics modeling of the dominant predator fish in the western arm of Lake Superior in 2004 to provide a comprehensive picture of the relationship between predator demand and prey fish availability. The results, presented for nearshore and offshore areas and three geographically distinct ecoregions, indicate that the western arm is at or near its carrying capacity for predators. Estimated predator demand was about one-half the annual biomass plus production of coregonines but exceeded the biomass plus production of rainbow smelt, possibly because of underestimates of this species in shallow areas and recent shifts in predator diets. Lean lake trout were responsible for most of the consumption of these prey fish, while the deepwater siscowet form ranked second. The commercial harvest of prey fish biomass was trivial compared with the consumption by predator fish. Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, along with other nearshore potamodromous species, played minor roles in total consumption. Chinook salmon are an indicator of forage status, as they have responded to declines in the rainbow smelt biomass with a dramatic diet shift to ciscoes and a decline in weight at age since the early 1990s. Slightly reduced lean lake trout growth and density-dependent survival in some areas also indicate that competition for prey is intense. Because most of the predators in the western arm are wild fish, stocked predators no longer have a great impact on prey populations. Bioenergetics modeling of predator demand combined with hydroacoustic estimates of prey supply can be valuable for managing the fisheries of large lakes, allocating resources to various interest groups, and increasing basic understanding of lake production and community dynamics.
Use of Gill Nets for Target Verification of a Hydroacoustic Fisheries Survey and Comparison with Kokanee Spawner Escapement Estimates from a Tributary Trap
Authors: Baldwin Casey M. , McLellan Jason G.
Published: December 2008

The focus of this study was to determine whether gill nets are a valid method for assessing species composition for a hydroacoustic survey and whether the hydroacoustic and gill-net survey could be used to forecast the spawn escapement of kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka so as to allow fisheries managers to plan ahead for egg takes at Sullivan Lake, Washington. We conducted a mobile hydroacoustic survey of the limnetic zone of Sullivan Lake in September 2003. Species composition was estimated using floating, sinking, and suspended horizontal and vertical gill nets. Spawning escapement was estimated from a weir, trapping, and carcass recovery effort in Harvey Creek, the only spawning tributary of Sullivan Lake. Fish captured in gill nets ranged from 110 to 579 mm total length (TL), but 82% of the fish captured were between 150 and 290 mm TL. Kokanee were the dominant fish species captured in the limnetic gill nets, comprising 77% of the fish captured between 150 and 290 mm TL and 90% of the fish captured between 240 and 290 mm TL. We derived four alternative estimates of age-3 kokanee abundance to account for the uncertainty in estimating the target strength of individual fish and the percentage of kokanee from the gill-net catch. The acoustic and gill-net abundance estimates that did not take into account the uncertainty in estimating kokanee length from target strength were relatively consistent (1–16%) with the Harvey Creek spawning escapement estimate (11,923). When abundance estimates were expanded by the average SE (25 mm) of individually tracked fish targets, the correspondence with the tributary spawn escapement was not as good (110–148%). This study showed that gill nets could be an effective means of verifying the acoustic targets of larger fish (>150 mm) and were adequate for forecasting spawn escapement for management purposes in our situation.
Empirical Percentile Standard Weight Equation for the Blacktail Redhorse
Authors: Rypel Andrew L. , Richter Tracy J.
Published: December 2008

We generated a standard weight (Ws) equation for the blacktail redhorse Moxostoma poecilurum by use of the empirical percentile (EmP) method. Length and weight data were compiled from 3,098 individuals representing 60 populations across five states in the southeastern USA. These data were subsequently used to create the Ws equation. The species' total length (TL) constraints (130–450 mm) were used to produce the final Ws equation: log10  Ws = −5.182 + 3.087 · log10TL. No length-related bias could be detected from the equation, indicating that it is a strong Ws equation. A separate data set from 42 populations and 179 individuals was used to validate the Ws equation. We recommend use of this equation for assessment of blacktail redhorse population dynamics, and we contend that creation of EmP Ws equations for other nongame fishes would be useful in management of fish communities as a whole.
Impacts of Endothall Applications on Largemouth Bass Spawning Behavior and Reproductive Success
Authors: Maceina Michael J. , Marshall Matthew D. , Sammons Steven M.
Published: December 2008

Aquatic herbicides are commonly used to control excessive and nuisance levels of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV). At times, these applications tend to be more effective at the onset of fish spawning in spring; however, they can cause conflicts between anglers and lake management personnel assigned to control excessive SAV. We evaluated the direct application of an aquatic herbicide (Aquathol K [dipotassium salt of endothall]) on the nest behavior and fidelity of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and measured the subsequent reproductive success of these fish. Endothall was applied to achieve a shoreline concentration of 5 mg/L of water volume in 0.1-ha ponds (3 mg/L whole-pond concentration). It was applied directly on nests in three ponds in March 2005, 2006, and 2007 when largemouth bass initiated spawning; spawning activity was monitored over 14–15 d. Using similar techniques, we applied water to another three ponds where largemouth bass were nesting. For all 3 years, endothall did not affect nest guarding by largemouth bass, and nest fidelity was similar to that for ponds treated with water. Endothall concentrations declined about sevenfold over 21 d but persisted in the water during spawning. Electrofishing of young largemouth bass 2–3 months after spawning showed that their relative abundance and size were similar among the ponds treated with endothall and the control ponds. Similarly, the density and biomass of age-0 largemouth bass did not vary between treatments for fish killed with rotenone in late August each year. Managers can use these results to address angler concerns about endothall application during largemouth bass spawning and thereby lessen conflicts over efforts to control excessive SAV.
Transcranial Doppler for patent foramen ovale screening: is there a good correlation with transesophageal echocardiography?
Authors: Lange Marcos Christiano , Zétola Viviane Flumignan , Souza Admar Moraes de , Piovesan Élcio Juliato , Muzzio Juliano André , Germiniani Francisco Manoel Branco , Werneck Lineu César
Published: December 2008

Right-to-left shunt (RLS) can be identified by contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD) in patent foramen ovale (PFO) patients. AIM: To evaluate cTCD for PFO screening comparing it to cTEE. METHOD: 45 previous cTCD performed for PFO diagnosis and correlated its findings with cTEE. Patients were submitted to a cTCD standardized technique and were divided in two groups according to RLS: Group 1, patients with a positive RLS and Group 2 when RLS was negative. RESULTS: 29 (65%) patients were included in group 1 and 16 (35%) in group 2. PFO confirmation by cTEE was performed in 28 (62%) patients. cTCD had a 92.85% sensitivity, 82.35% specificity, 89.65% positive predictive value and 87.5% negative predictive value when compared to cTEE for PFO diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Standardized technique cTCD allows for RLS visualization in PFO patients with a good correlation with cTEE and can be used as a screening test before cTEE.
Translation and validation into the Brazilian Portuguese of the restless legs syndrome rating scale of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group
Authors: Masuko Alice H. , Carvalho Luciane B.C. , Machado Marco A.C. , Morais José F. , Prado Lucila B.F. , Prado Gilmar F.
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic sensory-motor disorder characterized by unpleasant limb sensations and an irresistible urge to move. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group developed the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) to assess the severity of RLS symptoms. The objective of this study was to translate and validate the IRLS into Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD: The IRLS was translated into Brazilian Portuguese, analyzed, back translated to English, and compared to the original version. It was applied to 10 patients for cultural verification. The language was adjusted and the final version was administered to 30 patients (13 male, mean age 58.88±14.82). RESULTS: There was correlation among the IRLS evaluation of three experts. Many linguistic adaptations were required to achieve cultural adequacy and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed reliability of 80%. CONCLUSION: IRLS was translated, adapted, and validated to Brazilian Portuguese language, showing good reliability and validity.
Gestão de desempenho por competências: integrando a gestão por competências, o balanced scorecard e a avaliação 360 graus
Authors: Brandão Hugo Pena , Zimmer Marco Vinício , Pereira Carolina Guarçoni , Marques Fernanda , Costa Helder Viana , Carbone Pedro Paulo , Almada Valéria Ferreira de
Published: December 2008

Este artigo avalia a percepção de funcionários do Banco do Brasil acerca do novo modelo de gestão de desempenho adotado pela empresa. A pesquisa, de caráter descritivo e exploratório, utilizou-se de questionário semi-estruturado para coleta de dados quantitativos e qualitativos. A amostra foi constituída por 532 funcionários de nove unidades do banco, nas quais o modelo foi implementado para fins de validação. Foram realizadas análises descritivas, de variância e fatorial entre as variáveis componentes do estudo, e análise de conteúdo dos dados qualitativos. Os resultados indicam ser muito positiva a percepção dos sujeitos da pesquisa. O novo instrumento foi considerado mais eficaz, democrático e participativo, conseguindo integrar pressupostos de modelos e instrumentos de gestão referenciados pela literatura como modernos e eficazes, como a gestão por competências, o balanced scorecard e a avaliação 360 graus. Para finalizar, são apresentadas recomendações práticas e sugestões para realização de pesquisas futuras.