bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects on Mood of Adjunctive Single-Family and Multi-Family Group Therapy in the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients with Major Depression
Authors: Lemmens Gilbert M.D , Eisler Ivan , Buysse Ann , Heene Els , Demyttenaere Koen
Published: February 2009

Background: Family-based interventions have been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, but they have seldom been studied in hospitalized depressed patients. This study assesses the value of the additional use of single-family or multi-family group therapy within this patient population. Methods: Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned to: (1) the treatment programme as usual (n = 23), (2) treatment as usual combined with single-family therapy (n = 25) or (3) treatment as usual combined with multi-family group therapy (n = 35). Follow-up assessments were made at 3 months and 15 months. Results: Multi-family group and single-family therapy conditions showed significantly higher rates of treatment responders than the group receiving the usual treatment (49, 24 and 9%, respectively), and higher rates of patients no longer using antidepressant medication (26, 16 and 0%, respectively) at 15 months. Partners taking part in the family treatments were significantly more likely to notice the improvements in the emotional health of the patient early on compared to those in the treatment as usual condition. Conclusions: This study suggests that single-family and multi-family therapy may benefit hospitalized patients with major depression, and may help the partners of the patients to become aware of the patient’s improvement more quickly.
Fetal Malformations Associated with the Use of Methylphenobarbital and Carbamazepine during Pregnancy
Authors: Akšamija Alenka , Habek Dubravko , Stanojević Milan , Ujević Boris
Published: February 2009

The use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of major and minor fetal malformations. This paper describes 2 infants with malformations born to epileptic mothers who used AEDs throughout pregnancy. In the first case, the AED used for seizure control was methylphenobarbital, while in the second case the patient had been prescribed carbamazepine. We noted major and minor congenital malformations in both infants exposed in utero to these anticonvulsant drugs. Pregnant women still experience poor obstetrical care because they report to tertiary centers at the end of their pregnancy or when in labor, making it difficult to provide proper medical care for both the infant and the mother.
Incidence of Chromosomal Abnormalities in the Presence of Fetal Subcutaneous Oedema, Such as Nuchal Oedema, Cystic Hygroma and Non-Immune Hydrops
Authors: Beke A. , Joó J.G. , Csaba A. , Lázár L. , Bán Z. , Papp C. , Tóth-Pál E. , Papp Z.
Published: February 2009

Introduction: The authors investigated the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in subcutaneous oedema detected in the fetus by intrauterine ultrasonography. Material and Method: In the 10-year period, intrauterine karyotyping was performed in pregnancies with positive ultrasound findings for subcutaneous oedema, such as nuchal oedema, cystic hygroma and non-immune hydrops. Results: Intrauterine karyotyping in fetal subcutaneous oedema was carried out in 434 cases. The chromosomal investigation was made in nuchal oedema in 374 cases, in 120 patients the chromosomal examination was made in the first trimester because of nuchal translucency, and in 254 cases in the second trimester because of nuchal thickening. Cystic hygroma cases (27 patients), non-immune hydrops cases (20 patients), and combined cases of non-immune hydrops and cystic hygroma (13 patients) were investigated separately. In nuchal oedema, pathological karyotypes were detected in 8.33% in the first trimester and in 5.51% in the second trimester. Chromosomal abnormality was found in 48.15, 20, and 53.8% in cystic hygroma, non-immune hydrops, and combined occurrence of non-immune hydrops and cystic hygroma, respectively. Considering all of the changes accompanied by subcutaneous oedema, 50, 25 and 18.75% of the pathological karyotypes was X-monosomy, trisomy 18 and trisomy 21, respectively. Discussion: It was important to distinguish nuchal oedema and cystic hygroma, and in the case of non-immune hydrops, it was also important to discuss cases with or without cystic hygroma separately. During the investigations, cases of non-immune hydrops with or without cystic hygroma were evaluated as separate categories. Conclusions: The authors emphasize the differentiation of the various types of subcutaneous oedema and the importance of precise information about the risks, provided during genetic counselling.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency and Inflammation and Their Association with Hemoglobin Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kendrick Jessica , Targher Giovanni , Smits Gerard , Chonchol Michel
Published: February 2009

Background/Aims: There is limited information about the association of anemia with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and inflammation in the setting of decreased kidney function in the general population. Methods: We examined the association that anemia has with 25(OH)D deficiency and inflammation among 16,301 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Measures of kidney function were estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dl) at an estimated GFR of 59–30 ml/min/1.73 m2 was 17% increasing to 56% for those participants with an estimated GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2, while the age-adjusted prevalence of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP >0.21 mg/dl) and reduced 25(OH)D (<20 ng/ml) was 50 and 30%, respectively. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and laboratory results, 25(OH)D <20 ng/ml (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03–1.32; p = 0.014) and log CRP (OR: 3.63; 95% CI: 2.4–5.48 per unit increase of log CRP; p < 0.0001) were associated with hemoglobin levels <12 g/dl. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that lower 25(OH)D and higher CRP levels are independently associated with lower hemoglobin concentrations in kidney disease subjects not requiring dialysis.
Mother and Toddler Activity in the Zone of Proximal Development for Pretend Play as a Predictor of Higher Child IQ
Authors: Morrissey Anne-Marie , Brown P. Margaret
Published: February 2009

This study investigated the pretend play of mother—toddler dyads in relation to later child IQ. Twenty-one toddlers were videotaped in monthly play sessions with their mothers, from age 8 to 17 months, and later assessed at 5 years of age on the Stanford-Binet IV. Children's and mothers' pretend play levels and frequencies were measured using Brown's (1997) Pretend Play Observation Scale. Dyadic play activity was analyzed using the conceptual frameworks of scaffolding and Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Toddlers later assessed as having higher IQ demonstrated more rapid learning in the ZPD for pretend play and experienced earlier maternal transfer of responsibility for play. These findings support other evidence on the differential early development of high ability or gifted children and the role of caregiver interactions in that development.

Putting the Research to Use: This study provides evidence that gifted children show differential development, in this case more rapid learning, from the first year of life. It also demonstrates how responsive parental interactions can support this advanced development. For family and professional caregivers, the findings imply that optimum caregiving for the young gifted child involves interactions that are both responsive to individual potential and appropriately challenging. In regard to the methodological challenges of researching early giftedness, the study demonstrated that the constructs of the ZPD and scaffolding were useful frameworks for investigating early gifted development and caregiver influences on that development. Pretend play activity was also shown to be an effective measure and a useful context for the study of gifted development in infants and toddlers. It would be valuable for future researchers in this area to utilize similar approaches that are grounded in the unique developmental characteristics of young children, and that aim to account for the interactive contexts that are so important in children's lives. The field of gifted education, in general, would also benefit from an increased awareness and exploration of the role of play in the development of intellect, imagination and creativity.
Profoundly Gifted Girls and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Assouline Susan G. , Nicpon Megan Foley , Doobay Alissa
Published: February 2009

A case study of the psychometric characteristics of two profoundly gifted girls, one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the other without ASD, is used to describe the nuances and subtleties most relevant in understanding the relationship between extreme giftedness and social difficulties. Through the presentation of the results from psychoeducational and psychosocial assessments, we demonstrate how data from a comprehensive evaluation can distinguish between the manifestation of extreme giftedness and concomitant social impairment indicative of ASD. Comparison of the assessment results highlights the relevance of cognitive and achievement information as well as the need for specific measures to diagnosis ASD. The girls demonstrated virtually identically superior cognitive and achievement performances. However, an in-depth analysis of additional measures, especially those specific to ASD, indicates that information about adaptive behavior and executive functioning can reveal important distinctions that are helpful in understanding the need for unique interventions specific to ASD.

Putting the Research to Use: Previous literature reviews about profoundly gifted students with social impairments have cautioned against misdiagnosis (Webb et al., 2005) of psychological disorders. These psychologists posit that social impairments are primarily the result of social-emotional vulnerability associated with very high IQs. Further, they argue that concomitant social difficulties are characteristics of giftedness, not indicators of a disability. We compared two profoundly gifted girls, each with social difficulties, who are virtually identical in their cognitive and achievement profiles. Our comparison reveal the importance of basing conclusions about social impairments on comprehensive assessments that use measures uniquely designed to distinguish between “difficulty” and “disability.” We demonstrate that although “misdiagnosis” is a possibility with profoundly gifted children, the greater risk is “missed” diagnosis, which precludes the opportunity for appropriate intervention. In today's atmosphere of “anti-testing” it is important to advocate for a comprehensive assessment with the necessary measures to understand the degree of social impairment.
Fabric Color Changes in Polyester Micro-fibers Caused by the Multiple Reuse of Dispersed-dyes Dye Baths. Part II
Authors: Agudelo Carlos , Lis Manel , Valldeperas José , Sato Tetsuya
Published: February 2009

In a recent article we studied the fabric color change with three dispersed dyestuffs in monochromes (C.I. Disperse Blue 56, C.I. Disperse Yellow 211 and C.I. Disperse Red 167:1) when 100% polyester micro-fiber dye baths were reused several times. In this article we analyze the fabric color change in binary and ternary mixtures of those dyestuffs using different concentrations, but keeping the same shade. The color of the dyed samples is determined using colorimetry on the basis of the samples' reflectance measurements in the CIELAB color space coordinates and the differences between fabrics dyed in reused dye baths and the standard fabric dyed in the initial dyeing process. We also calculate the fabric color estimation for every known concentration by using K/S for color mixtures (Kubelka-Munk theory) and it is compared with the color of the original fabric. The color reproducibility for the different shades is analyzed using the MCDM (Mean Color Difference from the Mean) equation, and the reproducibility is analyzed in the same way for the fabrics dyed from reused dye baths.
Thermal Behavior of Microencapsulated Fragrances on Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Monllor Pablo , Sánchez Lourdes , Cases Francisco , Bonet Maria Angeles
Published: February 2009

Microencapsulated products are very common in some fields, such as pharmacy, and the textile industry has recently incorporated them into their products. First, this research assessed the presence of fragrance microcapsules on cotton fabric using different padding applications and evaluated them using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). When the OH stretching region between 3700—3000 cm— 1 from spectra was examined, we proposed some area ratios to quantify the microcapsules' presence on the fabric. The ratios proposed showed that when the concentration of microcapsules in the padding bath increased, their value increased too. Secondly, we analyzed the effect that thermal treatment can cause on microcapsules. This was undertaken using hot air at 120 °C, 140 °C and 160 °C, or by ironing the fabric impregnated with microcapsules at 110 °C, 150 °C and 200 °C, by ironing 1, 5 and 10 times on the analyzed zone. It was found that when the temperature was higher than 120 °C, microcapsules were deflated and damaged. This could be seen using SEM images and checked using FTIR analysis.
Father—Child Contact After Separation
Authors: Swiss Liam , Le Bourdais Céline
Published: February 2009

Following divorce or separation, father—child contact is deemed an important influence on child development. Previous research has explored the impact of sociodemographic and attitudinal factors on the amount of contact between fathers and their children following a union dissolution. This article revisits this important question using fathers' reports on a sample of 859 children from newly available survey data. Multilevel random intercept models are used to reassess the influence of child- and father-level factors on the amount of reported contact. Results show that the amount of father—child contact following separation is the product of several factors such as the father's income, conjugal/parental trajectory, and level of satisfaction with existing arrangements.
Your People, My People: An Exploration of Ethnicity in Ruth
Authors: Glover Neil
Published: February 2009

This article reviews competing theories of ethnic identity to suggest different points in the book of Ruth at which Ruth the Moabite may become an Israelite. Close reading of the text favours the suggestion that Ruth enters the Israelite ethnie upon her acceptance by the Bethlehem community in ch. 4. This accords with a Constructivist vision of ethnic identity, where biological descent is not always necessary for ethnic belonging. Though the ethnic vision of Ruth is often supposed to contrast with that in Ezra—Nehemiah, the nuances of ethnological theory suggest a greater congruence between these two texts. The conclusion identifies some advantages and dangers of employing anthropological theory in biblical studies.
`You're Fired': An Application of Speech Act Theory to 2 Samuel 15.23—16.14
Authors: Mann Steven T.
Published: February 2009

While the role of speech act theory in studying how words do things in real life continues to yield insight into the study of language, the theory can also contribute to an understanding of the performative nature of words in regard to biblical narrative. In this article speech act theory is applied to the narrative of 2 Sam. 15.23—16.14 in two ways. First, the speech acts of the characters are analyzed as real speech acts using the categories presented by John Searle to see how they function within the story. Second, the reality that these speech acts are in fact parasitic is taken into account, and all speech acts including those of the narrator are examined for the way they create a literary world that consists of perlocutionary acts intended to affect a presumed audience.
Savanna burning and the assessment of long-term fire experiments with particular reference to Zimbabwe
Authors: Furley Peter A. , Rees Robert M. , Ryan Casey M. , Saiz Gustavo
Published: February 2009

Long-term fire experiments in savannnas are rare, given the difficulties and demands of operation. Controlled fire experiments date from colonial times in West Africa, although the largest and best-known is located in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The achievements of these experiments are assessed from examples in Africa, South America and Australia. A less well-known experiment in Zimbabwe was sited at the Marondera Grassland Research Station and ran from 1953 to 1991. Some of the preliminary results on the impact of fire on vegetation are analysed and compared with further vegetation surveys in 2007. Studies on tree growth in this miombo savanna woodland indicate that the plots burned at three- and four-year intervals recovered to greater mean heights than the unburned control plots. There was no significant variation between treatments, suggesting that the few trees that did survive in the frequently burned plots were large specimens. Brachystegia and Julbernadia dominated the plots throughout and after the experiment. Basal area and stocking density were highest in the four-yearly burned plots but there was a high variability throughout the experiment, suggesting that many trees may have attained heights and bark thicknesses sufficient to protect from fire damage. Fire also affected the composition of the herbaceous plant community, but not the number of species. By the end of the experiment some grass and sedge species had flourished while others revealed greater susceptibility to fire, and fire-tolerant species predominated in the most frequently burned areas. The experimental design appeared to cope well with the variability between plots and indicated the soundness of the initial design and its implementation.
Linear forest patterns in subalpine environments
Authors: Bekker Matthew F. , Malanson George P.
Published: February 2009

Studies of feedback between ecological pattern and process can benefit from the analysis of visually striking patterns, as they may reveal underlying processes and clarify the relative role of exogenous versus endogenous factors in driving vegetation change. Roughly linear forest patches are common in subalpine environments, including `hedges', `ribbon forest', and `Shimagare' or `wave regenerated forests' (waves). The influence of wind is common among these patterns, but the role of positive feedback, the most important component of self-organization in biological systems, varies. Hedges are orientated parallel to prevailing winds in several mid-latitude mountain ranges worldwide. Desiccation and ice-particle abrasion kills windward foliage while the vegetation shelters leeward seedlings and growth, so that the patches migrate slowly across the slope. Ribbon forest consists of strips orientated perpendicular to prevailing winds. They have been examined only in the US Rocky Mountains and are the least studied and understood of these phenomena. There are at least three distinct types of ribbon forest, which appear to develop in different ways. Waves are migrating strips of mortality and regeneration orientated perpendicular to prevailing winds in the USA, Japan and Argentina, and dominant controls vary by site. Hedges and waves can develop endogenously with a constant wind, and so can be considered self-organizing in the sense that feedback at the scale of individual trees creates a pattern across the scale of many trees without exogenous forcing. Most ribbon forests seem to be dominated by exogenous forces, but more work is needed to fully characterize the different types.
Anaerobic digestion technology in poultry and livestock waste treatment — a literature review
Authors: Sakar Suleyman , Yetilmezsoy Kaan , Kocak Emel
Published: February 2009

A literature review has been undertaken to investigate the performance of the different anaerobic process configurations and operational conditions used in poultry and livestock waste treatment. The results of the extensive literature review showed that a wide range of different reactor volumes varying from 100 mL to 95 m 3 were utilized in the investigation of anaerobic processing of poultry manure. Retention times studied were between 13.2 h and 91 days. Most of studies were carried out under mesophilic conditions maintained between 25 and 35°C. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals and organic loading rate (OLR) ranged from 32 to 78%, and from 1.1 to 2.9 kg COD m—3 day—1, respectively. Biogas yields were achieved between 180 mL g—1 COD added and 74 m3 day—1 for a wide range of different reactor configurations. Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) seems to be a suitable process for the treatment of poultry manure wastewater and the liquid fraction of hen manure, due to its ability to maintain a sufficient amount of active biomass. The literature review showed that various reactor configurations such as fixed-film reactor, attached-film bioreactor, anaerobic rotating biological reactor, batch reactors, downflow anaerobic filter, fixed dome plant, UASB, continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), up-flow anaerobic filter (UAF), temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD), anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR), and two-stage anaerobic systems are well suited to anaerobic processing of cattle manure. At both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, high COD removals (87—95%) were achieved for treatment of cattle manure wastewaters. The COD and volatile solids (VS) reductions obtained were 37.9 to 94% and 9.6 to 92%, respectively. During the studies, OLR and retention times ranged between 0.117 and 7.3 g VS L—1 day—1 and between 0.5 and 140 days, respectively. In anaerobic processing of cattle manure, methane yields between 48 mmol CH4 L— 1 and 4681.3 m3 CH4 month— 1 were found for the corresponding reactor volumes of 120 mL and 1300 m3, respectively. In anaerobic processing of swine manure, OLR ranged from 0.9 to 15.42 g VS L—1 day— 1 at mesophilic conditions (25—35°C). The reactor volumes varied between 125 mL and 380 L. Temperature and retention times ranged from 25 to 60°C, and 0.9 to 113 days, respectively. COD and VS reductions achieved were between 57 and 78% and between 34.5 and 61%, respectively. Moreover, methane yields were obtained between 22 and 360 mL CH4 g —1 VS added. The results showed that UASB, anaerobic baffled reactors, CSTR, and anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) were successfully utilized in anaerobic processing of swine manure at both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions.
Extraction of collagen and gelatine from meat industry by-products for food and non food uses
Authors: Mokrejs Pavel , Langmaier Ferdinand , Mladek Milan , Janacova Dagmar , Kolomaznik Karel , Vasek Vladimir
Published: February 2009

Short tendons of slaughtered cattle, which consist of relatively pure collagen, were cleaned of lipoid substances and non-collagen proteins using a commercial enzymatic preparation. Diluted acetic acid was used to separate the acid-soluble collagen (M N ~ 300 kDa) for a yield of around 5%. The residue was extracted with water and the extraction conditions were derived to produce gelatine with a gel rigidity of 350—410° Bloom and a yield of 55—60%. Prolonged extraction time, as well as increased extraction temperature, led to a deterioration in the gelatine quality and, therefore, the residue after aqueous extraction was processed by enzymatic hydrolysis into a collagen hydrolysate of M N = 500—1000 Da. Such hydrolysates can be utilized in industry as humectants in cosmetic skin-care preparations or as a secondary industrial raw material for producing surfactants of acylamino-carboxy acid type, which are known for their favourable dermatological effects. Apart from a maximum of 7% lipoid substances the proposed procedure produced no further waste so it may be regarded as a `clean technology'.
Effect of saline water and sludge addition on biodegradation of municipal solid waste in bioreactor landfills
Authors: Alkaabi Salem , Van Geel Paul J. , Warith Mostafa A.
Published: February 2009

Bioreactor landfills require sufficient moisture to optimize the biodegradation processes and methane generation. In arid regions, this is problematic given the lack of fresh water supplies. Saline water can be used but may inhibit the biodegradation of the municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills. Sludge may be used to enhance the biodegradation of MSW under saline conditions. For this study, two groups of laboratory-scale bioreactor cells were used to study the impact of saline water and sludge addition on the biodegradation of MSW in bioreactor landfills. The first group (four bioreactors) operated without sludge addition. The second group (four bioreactors) operated with the addition of sludge. The salt concentrations in the two groups were 0, 0.5, 1 and 3% (w/v), respectively. All bioreactors were operated at neutral pH levels with leachate recycling. The methane yield was 70.6, 61.7 and 47.5 L kg—1 dry waste for bioreactors R1, R2 and R4, respectively; and 84.7, 78.7, 72.6 and 59 L kg— 1 dry waste for bioreactors R5, R6, R7 and R8, respectively. The high salt content (3%) inhibited the MSW biodegradation as evidenced by the methane yield, the percentage reduction in leachate concentration and the settlement that occurred during the study. Sludge addition was able to improve the methane yield at all salt concentrations.
Waste-handling practices at red meat abattoirs in South Africa
Authors: Roberts Hester , de Jager Linda , Blight Geoffrey
Published: February 2009

Abattoir waste disposal must be carefully managed because the wastes can be a source of food-borne diseases (Nemerow & Dasgupta Industrial and Hazardous Waste Treatment, p. 284, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991; Bradshaw et al. The Treatment and Handling of Wastes, p. 183, The Royal Society, Chapman & Hall, London, 1992). Disposal of food that has been condemned because it is known to be diseased is of particular concern, and this paper looks at current disposal methods for such waste in the light of new scientific developments and waste-management strategies. Questionnaires were presented to management and workers at low- and high-throughput red meat abattoirs in the Free State Province, South Africa to determine current waste-handling procedures for condemned products. The waste-handling practices, almost without exception, did not fully comply with the requirements of the South African Red Meat Regulations of 2004, framed under the Meat Safety Act (Act 40 of 2000). The survey highlighted the need to improve current waste-handling strategies to prevent condemned products from re-entering the food chain and contributing to environmental pollution.
Nitrogen availability in composted poultry litter using natural amendments
Authors: Turan N. Gamze
Published: February 2009

Poultry litter compost is used as fertilizer on agricultural land because of its high nutrient content. A major limitation of land application of poultry litter compost is the loss of nitrogen via NH3 volatilization. The present work was conducted to monitor nitrogen availability during composting of poultry litter with natural zeolite, expanded perlite, pumice and expanded vermiculite. Poultry litter was composted for 100 days using five in-vessel composting simulators with a volumetric ratio of natural materials : poultry litter of 1 : 10. It was found that natural materials significantly reduced NH3 volatilization. At the end of the process, the control treatment without any natural materials had the lowest rate of total N: 72% of the initial total N was lost from the compost made with no amendment, while 53, 42, 26 and 16% of initial total N was lost from compost containing expandable perlite, expandable vermiculite, pumice and natural zeolite, respectively.
Glass-ceramic frits from fly ash in terracotta production
Authors: Karamanova Emilia , Karamanov Alexander
Published: February 2009

Preliminary results of an investigation into the possible use of glass-ceramic frits from fly ash and glass cullet in terracotta (stoneware) tile manufacture are reported. Two new ceramics were studied and compared with a plant composition, containing 45 wt.% sodium feldspar. In the first ceramic batch 20% of the feldspar was substituted by frits and in the second the whole amount of feldspar was eliminated and replaced by 35% frits and 10% refractory waste. It was found that the addition of low viscous glass-ceramic frits decreased the sintering temperature by 50—100 °C. At the same time, due to formation of an additional crystal phase (i.e. pyroxene or anorthite) the new ceramics showed an improvement of 25—50% in bending strength.
Plastic litter on an urban beach — a case study in Brazil
Authors: Silva-Cavalcanti Jacqueline Santos , Barbosa de Araújo Maria Christina , Ferreira da Costa Monica
Published: February 2009

Beaches are subject to solid waste contamination at the strandline. Litter depositional dynamics is influenced by specific beach morphology and sources of solid wastes. The amount of items on the strandline of Boa Viagem beach (Recife, Brazil) was evaluated during dry and rainy seasons of 2005 to characterize their sources and depositional patterns. The strandline was surveyed once a month to count and classify all visible solid waste items within a belt-transect. Plastics were used for detailed analysis of the wastes accumulated. There were quantitative, but not qualitative, differences in litter accumulation during the year and parts of the beach. The main source of debris was land-based. In general, the beach was low-polluted in the dry season and medium-polluted during the rainy season. The method is a low-cost and highly efficient characterization of solid wastes contamination of urban beaches.
Quality Care in Transverse Myelitis: A Responsive Protocol
Authors: Trecker Carrilin C. , Kozubal Dana E. , Quigg Megan , Hammond Edward , Krishnan Chitra , Sim Peter A. , Kaplin Adam I.
Published: February 2009

This study was conducted to aid in the development of a multidisciplinary care center for patients with transverse myelitis. We surveyed the parents of 20 children diagnosed with transverse myelitis between the ages of 0.5 and 21 years to understand their experiences in navigating the health care system. We analyzed acute care events and long-term follow-up in relation to patient satisfaction. Results showed satisfactory ratings in the vicinity of 50% in key areas such as the articulation of a treatment plan. A significant disparity was found in the patients' desire for specialty care and their ability to procure such care. In all, 90% of patients expressed a desire to consult with a psychiatrist, but only 25% were successful in making a visit, a 64% deficit; 70% of respondents also desired to see a gastroenterologist, with only 25% actually doing so, leaving a 43% gap. Recommendations and patient opinions regarding the creation of a collaborative care environment are noted. Research with a larger sample will further elucidate the needs in transverse myelitis patient care.
Neurosis: aspects of its conceptual development in the nineteenth century
Authors: Køppe Simo
Published: February 2009

The concept of `neurosis' does not have a very high priority in the history of psychiatry. The very few studies of the historical development of the concept are discussed, especially that of Pienero. The relations between psychiatry and neurology in the nineteenth century are described to provide a background for the constitution of the concept; its relationships to `psychic shock' and `psychic paralysis' are also analysed.
`Splitters and lumpers': Samuel Johnson's tics, gesticulations and reverie revisited *
Authors: Rousseau George
Published: February 2009

Medical diagnosis, even in psychiatry, has been made principally by `splitters' and `lumpers': those who separate categories of explanation and those who combine them. This paper, the text of an annual lecture delivered to a national British medical society, charts the detailed psychiatric diagnosis of one of Western civilization's most illustrious men of letters, Samuel Johnson, and explains how it was constructed in the last century. The aim is to provide a case study documenting the divergent methodologies of `splitters' and `lumpers' in practice.
Emotion, Meaning, and Appraisal Theory
Authors: McEachrane Michael
Published: February 2009

According to psychological emotion theories referred to as appraisal theory, emotions are caused by appraisals (evaluative judgments). Borrowing a term from Jan Smedslund, it is the contention of this article that psychological appraisal theory is “pseudoempirical” (i.e., misleadingly or incorrectly empirical). In the article I outline what makes some scientific psychology “pseudoempirical,” distinguish my view on this from Jan Smedslund's, and then go on to show why paying heed to the ordinary meanings of emotion terms is relevant to psychology, and how appraisal theory is methodologically off the mark by employing experiments, questionnaires, and the like, to investigate what follows from the ordinary meanings of words. The overarching argument of the article is that the scientific research program of appraisal theory is fundamentally misguided and that a more philosophical approach is needed to address the kinds of questions it seeks to answer.
Anti-nucleosome and anti-chromatin antibodies are present in active systemic lupus erythematosus but not in the cutaneous form of the disease
Authors: Souza A , da Silva LM , Oliveira FR , Roselino AMF , Louzada-Junior P
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study is to investigate the presence of anti-nucleosome (anti-NCS) and anti-chromatin (anti-CRT) antibodies in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) compared with active and inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 154 subjects were evaluated: 54 patients presenting CLE, 66 patients with active SLE and 34 with inactive SLE. Lupus activity was assessed using the disease activity index (SLEDAI). Anti-NCS and anti-CRT antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Only one of 54 patients with CLE tested positive for both anti-NCS and anti-CRT antibodies. The prevalence of anti-CRT antibodies was significantly higher in active SLE (84.8%) when compared with inactive SLE (26.4%) and CLE (1.8%) ( P < 0.001). Anti-NCS antibodies were also more prevalent in active SLE patients (74.2%) than inactive SLE (11.7%) and CLE patients (1.8%) ( P < 0.001). The presence of anti-CRT and anti-NCS antibodies was correlated to disease activity in patients with SLE ( r = 0.4937, r = 0.5621, respectively). Furthermore, the detection of both antibodies was correlated with disease activity in patients with SLE who tested negative for anti-dsDNA antibodies ( r = 0.4754 for anti-NCS and r = 0.4281 for anti-CRT). The presence of these two auto-antibodies was strongly associated with renal damage in patients with SLE (OR = 13.1, for anti-CRT antibodies and OR = 25.83, for anti-NCS antibodies). The anti-NCS and anti-CRT antibodies were not found in CLE. In patients with SLE, there is a correlation of these antibodies with disease activity and active nephritis. When compared with anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-NCS and anti-CRT antibodies were more sensitive in detecting disease activity and kidney damage in lupus patients.
No evidence for genetic association of interferon regulatory factor 3 in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sánchez E , González-Gay MA , Callejas-Rubio JL , Ortego-Centeno N , Sabio JM , Jiménez-Alonso J , Micó L , Suarez A , Gutierrez C , de Ramón E , Camps M , Garcia-Portales R , Tolosa C , López-Nevot MA , Sánchez-Román J , Hernández FJ , González-Escribano MF , Martín J
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of three IRF3 gene polymorphisms (rs2304204, rs7251 and rs2304207) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our study population consisted of 610 patients with SLE and 730 healthy controls. All individual were of Spanish Caucasian origin. The IRF3 polymorphisms were genotyped using a PCR system with pre-developed TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. No statistically significant differences were found when allele and genotype distribution of rs2304204, rs7251 and rs2304207 polymorphisms were compared between patients with SLE and controls [overall P values: rs7251, P = 0.06; rs2304204, P = 0.26 and rs2304207, P = 0.36, by chi-squared test on a 3 × 2 contingency table. Overall allelic P values: rs7251, P = 0.8, OR (95%CI) = 1.03 (0.87–1.22); rs2304204, P = 0.2, OR (95%CI) = 1.12 (0.93–1.34) and rs2304207, P = 0.8, OR (95%CI) = 1.02 (0.82–1.26)]. In addition, no evidence of association with haplotypes and clinical features of SLE was found. Our data suggest that the IRF3 polymorphisms do not appear to play a major role in the susceptibility or severity of SLE in a Spanish population.
A controlled comparison of brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) and digital pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) in the assessment of endothelial function in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aizer J , Karlson EW , Chibnik LB , Costenbader KH , Post D , Liang MH , Gall V , Gerhard-Herman MD
Published: February 2009

The utility of flow mediated dilation (FMD) a measure of endothelial function is limited by operator dependence. Pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) is a novel, less operator-dependent technique to assess endothelial function. This study compares PAT to FMD in SLE and controls. Thirty women with SLE and 31 controls were enrolled. Medications, cardiovascular disease and risk factors, SLE activity (SLAM-R) and damage (SLICC-DI) were recorded. FMD and PAT were performed simultaneously. Endothelium-independent function was assessed with nitroglycerin. Average age was 48.3 ± 10.1 years, SLE duration 16.2 years, SLAM-R 8.3 and SLICC-DI 1.0. Framingham Risk Scores were ≤2% in most subjects. There were no differences between SLE cases and controls in FMD, PAT or response to nitroglycerin. This study found no association between FMD and PAT in SLE or controls. In the 17 SLE cases with a history of Raynaud’s, correlation between FMD and PAT was 0.50 ( P = 0.04). There was no difference in endothelial function assessed by FMD or PAT in SLE cases versus controls. FMD did not correlate with PAT except in SLE cases with a history of Raynaud’s. Correlation between FMD and PAT may be stronger in populations with greater variation in endothelial function and more cardiovascular risk factors.
Lupus and T Cells
Authors: La Cava A
Published: February 2009

T-cell abnormalities and aberrant T helper cytokine profiles have been implicated in the loss of immune tolerance to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens and linked to a variety of clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we review the role of T cells in promoting and maintaining SLE in relation to their cellular and molecular abnormalities and provide an update on recent T cell-targeted therapeutic approaches for the restoration of T cell homeostasis in the disease.
New Mothers Network
Authors: Campbell-Grossman Christie K. , Hudson Diane Brage , Keating-Lefler Rebecca , Heusinkvelt Sally
Published: February 2009

Electronic mail (e-mail) is being investigated as a health care intervention for mothers caring for their infants. The purpose of this study is to describe themes representing the content of e-mail messages written by 12 single, low-income, African American mothers to nurses participating in the New Mothers Network Study. Three themes that emerged were (a) life's logistics: day-to-day concerns; (b) relationships of support; and (c) personal reflections about being a new mother. Reported themes support the social support theory based on works by House and Revenson, Schiaffano, Majerovitz, and Gibofski used to develop the nursing intervention. Nurses are in key positions to offer social support to African American mothers adjusting to single parenting. Nurses can provide social support to single, low-income African American mothers via e-mail messages to assist them with caring for themselves and their infants.
High Incidence of Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A in Healthy Southern Italians
Authors: Sottilotta Gianluca , Mammì Corrado , Furlò Giuseppe , Oriana Vincenzo , Latella Caterina , Trapani Lombardo Vincenzo
Published: February 2009

Factor V Leiden (FVL) and G20210 prothrombin (FII G20210A) mutations are risk factors for thromboembolism. In Europe, FVL is more prevalent in the north (7%) than in the south (3%), whereas FII G20210A is more common in the south (3% to 7%) than in the north (2% to 5%). In Italy, the prevalence is 2% to 3% for both. The aim of this study was to assess if these polymorphisms could be more frequent in the south than in the rest of Italy. In 105 blood donors in southern Italy, the prevalence of FVL and FIIG20210A was 9.5% and 5.7%, respectively. These prevalence data are higher when compared with published data. The results of this study are as high as those observed in Greece and the Middle East. The diffusion of FVL and FII G20210A in the Mediterranean, consequent to Phoenician and Greek colonization, could be a reason for the high prevalence observed.
Acquired Hemophilia A: Clinical Features, Surgery and Treatment of 34 Cases, and Experience of Using Recombinant Factor VIIa
Authors: Lak Manijeh , Sharifian Ramezan Ali , Karimi Katayon , Mansouritorghabeh Hassan
Published: February 2009

Acquired hemophilia A is rare, but life-threatening disorder caused by autoantibody against factor VIII. As it is useful to gather more data on epidemiology, clinical pictures and therapy of it, we evaluated relevant medical findings in 34 acquired hemophiliacs from Dec 1999 to Dec 2007. Eight patients (23.5%) had low titers (<10 Bethesda Unit BU) and 26 patients (76.5%) had high titers of inhibitors (>10 BU). The mean of inhibitors was 548.38 ± 359.27 SD BU. The most common hemorrhagic symptoms were hematoma 21 (33.33%), ecchymosis 16 (25.39%), hemarthrosis 8 (12.69%), hematuria 6 (9.52%), menorrhagia 4 (6.34%), compartment syndrome 3 episodes (4.76%). The eliminator therapies were recruited according to titers of inhibitor and types of bleeding and it’s results were 27 efficient treatments (79.4%), 5 partial efficient treatment (14.7%) and two treatments inefficient (5.9%). Elimination therapy using steroid alone or with combination can terminate complete remission in most cases.
Collecting Reliable Information About Violence Against Women Safely in Household Interviews
Authors: Andersson Neil , Cockcroft Anne , Ansari Noor , Omer Khalid , Chaudhry Ubaid Ullah , Khan Amir , Pearson LuWei
Published: February 2009

This article describes the first national survey of violence against women in Pakistan from 2001 to 2004 covering 23,430 women. The survey took account of methodological and ethical recommendations, ensuring privacy of interviews through one person interviewing the mother-in-law while another interviewed the eligible woman privately. The training module for interviewers focused on empathy with respondents, notably increasing disclosure rates. Only 3% of women declined to participate, and 1% were not permitted to participate. Among women who disclosed physical violence, only one third had previously told anyone. Surveys of violence against women in Pakistan not using methods to minimize underreporting could seriously underestimate prevalence.
The Time-Dependent Effect of Conflict in the Council on Delays in the Transposition of EU Directives
Authors: Zhelyazkova Asya , Torenvlied René
Published: February 2009

This article analyses the effect of conflict in the Council of the European Union (EU) on delays in the transposition of EU directives. Based on enforcement and management theories, we predict that conflict in the Council speeds up the transposition process. In addition, we control for the instigation of infringement procedures by the Commission and expect a weaker effect of conflict in cases where the Commission disagrees with a directive and if directives grant more discretion to member states. These hypotheses are tested using two indicators of conflict: heterogeneity and polarization. Cox regression analysis is applied with time-dependent effects and with a shared frailty to control for the multilevel structure of the data. The analyses show that, over time, conflict has an increasing negative effect on delays.
Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Extramarital Sex Among Nigerian Men
Authors: Oyediran Kola , Isiugo-Abanihe Uche C. , Feyisetan Bamikale J. , Ishola Gbenga P.
Published: February 2009

This study used data on currently married and cohabiting men aged 15 to 64 years from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with extramarital sex. The results show that 16% engaged in extramarital sex in the 12 months preceding the survey and had an average of 1.82 partners. The results also show statistically significant association between extramarital sex and ethnicity, religion, age, age at sexual debut, education, occupation, and place of residence. Based on the study results, it could be concluded that significant proportions of Nigerians are exposed to HIV infection through extramarital sex. A fundamental behavioral change expected in the era of HIV/AIDS is the inculcation of marital fidelity and emotional bonding between marital partners. The promotion of condom use among married couples should be intensified to protect women, a large number of whom are exposed to HIV infection from their spouses who engage in unprotected extramarital sex. And, because of gender-based power imbalances within the family, a large number of the women are unable to negotiate consistent condom use by their partners.
Mef2C is a lineage-restricted target of Scl/Tal1 and regulates megakaryopoiesis and B-cell homeostasis
Authors: Gekas Christos , Rhodes Katrin E. , Gereige Laurraine M. , Helgadottir Hildur , Ferrari Roberto , Kurdistani Siavash K. , Montecino-Rodriguez Encarnación , Bassel-Duby Rhonda , Olson Eric , Krivtsov Andrei V. , Armstrong Scott , Orkin Stuart H. , Pellegrini Matteo , Mikkola Hanna K. A.
Published: February 2009

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor stem cell leukemia gene (Scl) is a master regulator for hematopoiesis essential for hematopoietic specification and proper differentiation of the erythroid and megakaryocyte lineages. However, the critical downstream targets of Scl remain undefined. Here, we identified a novel Scl target gene, transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (Mef2C) from Sclfl/fl fetal liver progenitor cell lines. Analysis of Mef2C−/− embryos showed that Mef2C, in contrast to Scl, is not essential for specification into primitive or definitive hematopoietic lineages. However, adult VavCre+Mef2Cfl/fl mice exhibited platelet defects similar to those observed in Scl-deficient mice. The platelet counts were reduced, whereas platelet size was increased and the platelet shape and granularity were altered. Furthermore, megakaryopoiesis was severely impaired in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation microarray hybridization analysis revealed that Mef2C is directly regulated by Scl in megakaryocytic cells, but not in erythroid cells. In addition, an Scl-independent requirement for Mef2C in B-lymphoid homeostasis was observed in Mef2C-deficient mice, characterized as severe age-dependent reduction of specific B-cell progenitor populations reminiscent of premature aging. In summary, this work identifies Mef2C as an integral member of hematopoietic transcription factors with distinct upstream regulatory mechanisms and functional requirements in megakaryocyte and B-lymphoid lineages.